KYSBSUG Feb 2008 – Windows Mobile Hands-On Lab

windows_mobile_palm_treo Are you interested in setting up a Windows Mobile device with SBS, but just haven’t gotten around to doing it?

If so, you’re not alone.  Next to Windows SharePoint Services, Windows Mobile devices are the most under-used killer technology in SBS.

This month our topic for the KYSBSUG meeting is a free hands-on lab / boot camp to get IT Pros and network administrators comfortable with testing, rolling out, and supporting Windows Mobile devices with SBS.

In addition to offering training on Windows Mobile 5 & 6, we’ll also provide resources for connecting Palm mobile devices (such as the new Palm Centro) and Apple iPhones with SBS. 

If you’re shy and have never used Windows Mobile devices before, this event is for you! We’ll take you from a-to-sync. 🙂  Or, if you’re already are a Windows Mobile pro, you’re still invited to attend, compare notes on local wireless carriers, help users with the labs, and be registered for the door prizes.

You are invited to register and attend in person!
Cost:  FREE

Event: KYSBSUG February 2008 Meeting (#47)
Topic: Windows Mobile Hands-On Lab / Boot Camp
Date: Wed Feb 20, 2008
Time: 6:30 PM Eastern – 9:00 PM Eastern
Location: Money Concepts
Address: 323 Townepark Circle
City St Zip: Louisville, KY 40243
Registration Required?: Yes
Invitees: IT Pros, Network Administrators, KYSBSUG Members & Geeks
Registration URL: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=125230

Below is a list of what you’ll need to complete the lab.

Note: If you’re missing any of the pieces below to complete the lab, don’t worry. You’re still invited to attend to receive a copy of the simulator software and to see what pieces you need to put in place to properly configure a Windows Mobile device on your (or your customer’s) network. Just be sure to bring a flash drive.

IMPORTANT – You DO NOT need to have a Pocket PC or SmartPhone to complete this lab. We will provide attendees with a Windows Mobile emulator that runs on your PC. (We also have a Palm emulator as well).

To complete the lab you will need:

  • Laptop PC (Vista or XP) with WiFi
  • 1 GB of RAM
  • 1-1.5 GB available hard drive space
  • Remote access to an SBS server with RWW properly configured (CEICW already run & ports open in your firewall)
  • An ‘A’ record pointing to your RWW site (such as remote.domain.com or server.domain.com)
  • Administrator credentials for your SBS server
  • AC powerstrip / surge protector or extension cord
  • 1 GB or larger USB flash drive

OPTIONAL – If you DO decide to bring a SmartPhone or Pocket PC, please also bring:

  • Your Windows Mobile device
  • The charger / AC adapter
  • The data cable / cradle
  • Any software (CDs) that came with the phone
  • An SD / Mini SD / Micro SD card (whatever your device takes)
  • A card reader or adapter to read the SD card on your PC

There is already a lot of interest in this topic and seating is limited, so please register early to guarantee a seat.

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Video – Microsoft Conference Call

I sit on a lot of conference calls and Live Meetings with Microsoft. Now you know what’s happening in ‘the snap’ before the conference:

Bet you’ll never look at being on hold before a conference call the same way again 😉

Props: Thanks to ‘grandpa’ (Grey Lancaster) for the link!

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Windows Mobile 6 Customer Improvement Program

imageWhile troubleshooting Exchange Active Sync for a client today, I spun up a WM6 virtual Pocket PC to test the certificate & server settings. After troubleshooting was complete, I noticed a pop-up for the Customer Experience Improvement Program.

For most folks with WM6 this is a big ‘whoop-dee-doo’, but since I’m still on WM5 with my personal Pocket PC, I was kind of surprised to see this message.

Anyway, these pre-built Windows Mobile 6 virtual Pocket PC devices are really awesome for training and troubleshooting: 

  • Windows Mobile 6 Professional Images (USA).msi (183 MB)
  • Windows Mobile 6 Standard Images (USA).msi (73 MB)

You can download them for FREE: click here

Note: To connect the WM6 VPCs to your existing Network Interface Card, you should also download either the Virtual Machine Network Driver for Microsoft Device Emulator (1KB) or Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 (30.4 MB). Virtual PC has the VM network driver baked in.

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So Close, Yet So Far Away

UPS arrived today with a package from Redmond.  That’s always a good sign.

“What’s inside,” you say?

Is it a beta?

Perhaps a shirt?

A box of squishy stress-balls?

Vista Ultimate?

Nope, nope, nope & another nope!

2008_MVP_Welcome_Kit

Nice, and yet again you ask, “What’s inside?”

Behold…

Wow, that is totally NOT my name. Ha!!

Um, that ain’t me folks!  LOL! 🙂

So, congratulations to Richard Seroter, BizTalk Server MVP for 2008 – wherever you are… 😉

P.S. Actually, I did send Richard and my MVP Lead an email, so we’ll get things straightened out. I just had to share this humorous moment with everyone.

Looking for products to help increase your appetite? Check out this Ice Cream Cookies Weed Strain Review by Fresh Bros.

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Beta Invite – TruckFullOfNinjas

Sally Jones, my name is Haru. I believe you are looking for a beta invite, no? Tucked away in a hidden location inside the FunCave (can’t tellya, hafta killya) is a new project code named:
TruckFullOfNinjas

TFON (I call dibs on the acronym, Chris) has been tasked with resolving an issue known simply as; “The Biggest Problem With Windows“. 

“Sounds like hype” you say? Well, don’t be too quick to judge. After all, have I ever steered you wrong, gentle reader?  And before you say anything, “The Cave” was so a good movie, as was “Stealth“. Eh, well, there was that time I recommended “Sabrina” and I never lived that one down (I blame the Shiraz). But that was before your time, so it doesn’t count. 

Anyway, I digress.

To find out more about TruckFullOfNinjas, you *definitely* want to surf over and follow the instructions to get on the early list to get a beta invite when it’s announced.

Seating = limited. You + late = sad. You get the idea.

You can thank me later.  Dr. Codec

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Crazy Screenshots – 29 Network Icons in System Tray

Ping me if you’ve seen this one before.

29 network icons in the system tray. Machine is Windows XP, SP2, fully patched, AV & AS up to date, and is only 2 weeks old:

image

All icons point to the same NIC, and they all work (not screen artifacts).

Only client applications running are:

  • QuickBooks Premier Accountant Edition 2008 Trial Version
  • Outlook 2003 SP3 with BCM 2003 (patches up to date)
  • Lacerte updater & the other icons in the system tray.

Event logs are clean. Wow. That’s all I can say. 🙂

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MVP Profile – Now With Monkeys

Well, it’s been almost two weeks since I got the news of the SBS-MVP award for 2008 (my first).  Yeah, I was shocked too.

It’s been pretty cool so far, with lots, and lots, and LOTS of email to read. They call it ‘The Firehose’. And they’re not kidding.

In fact, here is a video of what it’s like to be a new MVP:

Seriously, I do wonder how folks keep up with this level information flow.

Anyway, tonight I got the credentials to finally upload my MVP profile.  There’s no HTML or fanciness allowed, just plain text. Hopefully the Microsoft folks have a good sense of humor and won’t veto my content.  Also, if you speak Portuguese,  I could use some help with the grammar. KTHX. 🙂

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More News on SBS Cougar

cougarToday Microsoft TS2 presenter
Charles Van Heusen tips Microsoft’s hand a bit to show a little more information about Windows Small Business Server
(Codename “Cougar”), a.k.a. SBS 2008.

What’s to know?

  • No direct upgrades
  • Migration paths
  • Details about Standard and Premium editions (big change in Premium)

Check out Charles ‘Are You Ready for SBS Cougar‘ post for the details:
Click here

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New SBS Group Launches in Lexington 01-17-2008

Great news, especially for folks in Kentucky!

Matthew Snoddy (NetworkTherapists.com) has announced the launch of a new SBS group, and the first meeting is next week after the Microsoft TS2 event in Lexington.

Here are the details:

Lexington SBS User Group
Location: Lexington, Kentucky USA
Website: http://www.lexsbs.com
Launch date: Thursday January 17, 2008

Everyone is invited, (KYSBSUG & CiNPA, that means you too) so let’s help Matthew make this launch a great event!

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