Book – Windows Home Server Unleashed 2nd Edition

Windows Home Server Unleashed (2nd Edition)The new book “Windows Home Server Unleashed (2nd Edition)” by author Paul McFedries is in stores now. This is the third book I’ve worked on for SAMS Publishing, this time as a Technical Editor instead of a co-author. 

The “Unleashed” series of books strives to provide unparalleled technical depth and accuracy, and this book is no exception. The second edition has been updated to include information about Power Pack 3, Windows 7, and other improvements. Paul is an author of over 60 books and has an excellent knowledge of networking, Office, Windows, Macs and the web. He’s even got a book on the iPad!

Title: Windows Home Server Unleashed (2nd Edition)
Publisher: Sams Publishing; 2 edition
Published: April 15, 2010
ISBN-10: 0672331063
Paperback: 792 pages
Language: English
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Buy.com | InformIT / Sams

If you’ve never installed WHS before, or even if you’ve been using it for quite a while, this book has something for everyone; from beginning setup instructions to advanced topics like connecting Linux, Macs, wireless photo frames, setting up SharePoint, and even scripting. I had an absolute blast editing it, and at one point I had 12 machines running at the same time testing out different scenarios and configurations. I really hope you enjoy this book! 🙂

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From Tumbleweeds to Traffic Jams: How SEO Makes Your Business the Talk of the Town

Remember those tumbleweed days when attracting clients felt like rolling a boulder uphill? Endless cold calls, emails that disappear into the void, and networking events that leave you feeling like a lone wolf. But fear not, fellow entrepreneur! There’s a secret weapon waiting to turn your website into a client magnet: SEO.

Imagine Your Website as a Neon Oasis in the Digital Desert

Before SEO, your website was like a hidden oasis in the middle of nowhere. Great if someone randomly stumbled upon it, but otherwise, crickets. SEO is like erecting a giant neon sign that screams, “Hey, I’ve got the solutions you crave!” right on Google’s bustling main street. Now, whenever someone searches for what you offer, your website pops up front and center. It’s like having a constant flow of thirsty travelers wandering in, eager to see if your oasis delivers the goods.

Laser Targeting Your Dream Clients, Not Random Tourists

But SEO isn’t just about attracting a crowd. It’s about attracting the right kind of crowd – the ones who are already halfway sold on what you do. By using the lingo people actually search for (keywords!), you basically become a human (or website) beacon for those actively seeking the solutions you provide. No more wasted pitches to people who just wandered in by accident. SEO brings you pre-qualified leads who are hot on your trail and ready to become raving fans (and hopefully, paying clients!).

The Google Stamp of Approval: From Underdog to Authority

The higher you rank on search engines, the more it’s like Google throws a spotlight on you and declares, “This website is legit!” This translates into a massive boost of trust and credibility with potential clients. They see you as an authority in your field, someone who has the answers they need. That trust factor is like gold – it makes them far more likely to choose you over some random competitor hiding in the shadows of the search results.

The #1 Spot: The Google Goldmine

Okay, ranking high on search engines is a win, but the ultimate prize is the coveted #1 spot. Here’s the thing: most people are lazy searchers, only clicking on the first few results. So, the higher you rank, the more clicks you score, which translates into a dramatic increase in website traffic – basically, more people checking out your virtual storefront.

Why Hiring an SEO Wizard like local SEO experts is Like Getting a Genie in a Bottle

Let’s be honest, SEO can be a bit of a magic trick. Search engine rules change faster than you can say “algorithm update,” and keeping up takes some serious wizardry. That’s why getting an SEO wizard on your team is a game-changer. They’re like digital sorcerers who constantly stay updated on the latest SEO spells and keep your website optimized for maximum visibility.

They Speak Tech, You Speak Business: The Dream Duo

The thing is, SEO involves some technical mumbo jumbo about website structure that would leave your head spinning. Your SEO wizard tackles all that magic, freeing you up to focus on what you do best – running your business and delivering stellar service to your clients. Plus, they use fancy data spells to track your progress, pinpoint areas for improvement, and constantly refine your SEO strategy for even better results.

Investing in SEO is like investing in a client magnet. By partnering with an SEO expert, you’ve unlocked the goldmine of search engines and now attract a steady stream of qualified leads, ready to be converted into loyal clients. So, ditch the outdated hustle and embrace the SEO revolution. Trust me, your business (and your sanity) will thank you for it.

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KYSBSUG Show Notes – Hard Drive Recovery

Data go 'bye-bye' sometimesThe Kentucky Small Business Server User Group (KYSBSUG) meeting #74 last week on Hard Drive Recovery had a fantastic turnout! I’d like to thank all who attended and a special thanks to Craig Mayfield for a killer presentation!

Here are the links for the resources mentioned in the presentation:

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Have U Rebooted Yet Q&A

The mailbag guy Time to answer some questions for the HURY mailbag:

Q. I don’t understand most of your comics??
A. That’s not a question, but thanks for playing.

Q. Your comics are not very funny.
A. True.

Q. How long will you keep making the comics?
A. Until I get bored, rich, sued or abducted by aliens.

Q. Why don’t the computers have faces?
A. Does your computer have a face?

Q. Will the characters ever have faces?
A. Yep.

Q. Do the characters have names? How many are there?
A. Lots. There are actually 18 characters, each complete with a bio and a back-story, but only a couple have been published so far:

  • Dale – The Small Business Server (First shown in #001)
  • Darwin – The cell phone (001)
  • Mack – Dale’s best friend (002)
  • Mallory – Laptop (006)
  • Mitchell – Old school desktop PC (006)

Q. When do the comics come out?
A. Each Wednesday.

Q. Why are your comics numbered with 3 digits?
A. Because Windows Explorer sorts 001-100 properly but not 1-100 in file names. So I named them like that. Plus, 007 is much cooler than 7.

Q. What do you use to make the comics?
A. Microsoft Office Visio Premium 2010. Under construction it looks like this:

One of the Have U Rebooted Yet comics under construction

Q. Why don’t you draw the comics by hand?
A. For several reasons:

  1. I’m lazy.
  2. This is a hobby, not a day job.
  3. Visio is fun.
  4. When I draw with MS Paintbrush they tend to look like this…

    i_cant_draw

    …which usually frightens little children.

  5. But mostly, I’m lazy.

Thanks for the great questions, and thanks for checking out the blog.

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Download – Free SQL 2008 R2 eBook

Ebook - SQL Server 2008 R2 Title: Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
Author: Ross Mistry and Stacia Misner
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Date Published: © 2010 Microsoft Corporation
Pages: 236
File size: PDF 7.7 MB
Price: FREE
Download URL: Click here to download PDF

Description:

The purpose in Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 is to point out both the new and the improved in the latest version of SQL Server. Because this version is Release 2 (R2) of SQL Server 2008, you might think the changes are relatively minor—more than a service pack, but not enough to justify an entirely new version. However, as you read this book, we think you will find that there are a lot of exciting enhancements and new capabilities engineered into SQL Server 2008 R2  that will have a positive impact on your applications, ranging from improvements in operation to those in management. It is definitely not a minor release!

Organization:

PART I   Database Administration

  • CHAPTER 1   SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions and Enhancements
  • CHAPTER 2   Multi-Server Administration
  • CHAPTER 3   Data-Tier Applications
  • CHAPTER 4   High Availability and Virtualization Enhancements
  • CHAPTER 5   Consolidation and Monitoring

PART II   Business Intelligence Development

  • CHAPTER 6   Scalable Data Warehousing
  • CHAPTER 7   Master Data Services
  • CHAPTER 8   Complex Event Processing with StreamInsight
  • CHAPTER 9   Reporting Services Enhancements
  • CHAPTER 10   Self-Service Analysis with PowerPivot

Source: Found via Eric Ligman’s blog

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KYSBSUG April 2010 – Hard Drive Recovery

Data go 'bye-bye' sometimes There are two kinds of people in the world:

  1. Those who HAVE lost data
  2. Those who WILL lose data

If you’re an IT pro, you probably have a stack of “dead” hard drives lying around. But just how ‘dead’ is dead? Would you like to know some tips and tricks that may just save you from an R.G.E.
(Résumé-Generating Event)? Keep reading.

KYSBSUG April 2010 – Meeting #74 – Hard Drive Recovery
Presenter: Craig Mayfield, from Craig On-Site coming in from Lexington, KY
Date: Thursday April 22, 2010
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Money Concepts
Address: 323 Townepark Circle, Louisville, KY 40243
Map: Click here
Registration URL: Due to limited seating, registration *IS* required.
Click here to register today! 

IMPORTANT: Due to a scheduling issue, we’re meeting on the 4th Thursday this month, not the typical 3rd Wednesday.

Description:

Join IT Consultant Craig Mayfield to learn what he has discovered about Hard Drive Recovery.  Topics include the Myths, the Truths, What To Do, and When to call a Professional in Recovering Data from broken hard drives. Craig will demonstrate how he has successfully recovered data from a completely dead hard drive.  This will be an eye opening presentation that could save you or your customers lots of money.

REGISTER TODAY FOR THIS FREE LIVE EVENT!

Click here to register for this FREE event.

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