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Unified Messaging the Xbox 360 Way

Microsoft announced yesterday (8 April 2007) that they’re opening up the Xbox LIVE IM network (6 million-strong) to the Windows Live Messenger (260 million-strong) network.

“Who cares,” you say?  Gamers, clients, employees, your kids.  Today is a travel day for Matt (hello Cleveland!) but I’m sure he cares too.  And so should you.

Think about it:

Scenario 1 (uncool) – You’re tired of playing with ios games for money and gaming away on PGR3 and your boss pops up an IM to ask how those TPS reports are coming.  Icky!

Scenario 2 (kinda cool) – Unified messaging becomes a reality with Exchange 2007, the whole ‘access anywhere’ scenario could conceivably include getting email and voicemail on your 360.

Scenario 3 (totally cool) – Knocking out those simple IM questions without getting off the couch and exiting your game.  Nice!

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MCPS and MCNPS

I was moving my Microsoft Certified Professional ID over to Applied Tech today and noticed “MCPS and MCNPS” listed under “Tracks and Specializations”. 

If you’re not familiar with the alphabet soup of Microsoft Certifications:

  • MCAD – Microsoft Certified Application Developer
  • MCDBA – Microsoft Certified Database Administrator
  • MCDST – Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
  • MCITP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional
  • MCLC – Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant
  • MCP – Microsoft Certified Professional
  • MCPD – Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
  • MCSA – Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
  • MCSD – Microsoft Certified Solution Developer
  • MCSE – Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
  • MCT – Microsoft Certified Trainer
  • MCTS – Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
  • MOS – Microsoft Office Specialist
  • MSBC – Microsoft Business Certifications (New)
  • Microsoft Certified Architect Program

Oddly, the following certs don’t show up on the Microsoft site:

  • MCNPS – Microsoft Certified Networking Product Specialist 
  • MCPS – Microsoft Certified Product Specialist

They do show up in a Google search (albeit usually in people’s sig lines on message boards).  Apparently, the MCPS and MCNPS show up when you pass the 70-282.  I called Russ Grover and chatted up Susan on IM, but still no URL of proof. 

I’ve also seen this one:

  • MCPSI – Microsoft Certified Professional in Systems Integration

Not sure if that one is real or not.  I’ll do some research and post back when I get an authoritative answer.

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1,000,000 Viruses

How many new viruses come out per month?  Back in the day we quoted 300 per month, then 400.  And today some say 1,968 per month.  That’s 64 new viruses per day / 21 each night while you sleep / 2.6 per hour.  Sobering thought, isn’t it?

Fortunately, you’ve got anti-virus software to protect you.  But how good is it?

Austrian firm AV Comparatives unleashed 1,000,000 virus samples on the top anti-virus products in their 13th comparative test of on-demand detection of malicious software.  The 17 victims were:

Obviously, some AV companies are MIA from that list.  How did your favorite AV software stack up? 

Hit the jump to the PDF report to find out (9 pages – 0.6 MB).
http://av-comparatives.org//seiten/ergebnisse/report13.pdf

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Letting the Cat Out of the Bag

Many friends have already heard the inside scoop, and yes, the rumors are true.  Today I’m making an official public announcement. 

March 15, 2007 – I’m excited to report that I’ve accepted a position working at Applied Tech Solutions – www.appliedtech.us

Applied Tech is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner located in Madison, Wisconsin USA.  They’re a Managed Services Provider that focuses on SMB networking, Microsoft CRM & Great Plains, VoIP, and their Microsoft specializations include:

  • Advanced Infrastructure Solutions
  • Networking Infrastructure Solutions
  • Information Worker Solutions
  • Microsoft Business Solutions

Kurt Sippel founded the company in 1999, and I first met him in 2004.  His team is made up of absolutely amazing, talented & brilliant folks.  In 2005 they opened a branch office in Stevens Point, WI.  Over the last several years I’ve watched Applied Tech grow and Kurt and I have periodically talked about working together in the future.  Well, the future is now. 🙂

Leaving my position at Rehab Designs wasn’t an easy decision.  I was Rehab Designs’ first employee in 1992 and have spent nearly 15 years helping build the company from the ground up.  I will really miss working with them.  Still, from a career standpoint, the opportunity to work with Applied Tech was one I couldn’t pass up. 

My first public appearance for Applied Tech will be as one of the speakers at their March 27 Vista event.  

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Win2K3 SP2 Live on Microsoft Update Today

From the SBS Diva via IM today:

Susan says (2:26 PM):
  btw give your gang a heads up
  win2k3 sp2 is on mu
  and there’s a “SBSers read this KB”
  that is not yet live
  yet the sucker is on MU right now
  they should have done it next week

Here’s the Service Pack she’s talking about…

DON’T install it on SBS yet!

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (32-bit x86)
Date last published: 3/13/2007
Typical download size: 120 MB

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) is a cumulative service pack that includes the latest updates and provides enhancements to security and stability. In addition, it adds new features and updates to existing Windows Server 2003 features and utilities. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

System Requirements
  Recommended CPU: Not specified.
  Recommended memory: Not specified.
  Recommended hard disk space: Not specified.

More information

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Upcoming Live Events (Q2 2007)

*Registration for some of these events hasn’t opened yet.  Here are the URLs so you can at least mark the dates on your calendar and check back later to register:

Reminder:  Microsoft Connections, MSDN, TechNet & TS2 events don’t charge for admission, but parking is your responsibility.

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Live Event – IW Services Opportunities in 2007

It’s almost time to get your ‘Information Worker’ learn on.  If you live in the ‘Heartland District‘ this Microsoft Partner-Only event is headed your way from March 26 – April 19, 2007.  

The content is broken into two sessions: Sales & Technical (dates & registration links are below.)

Sales Session Overview (2 hours):
Lunch and Learn presentation to partner sales reps on how to sell Information Worker (IW) solutions and services. Session will include resources, demos and sales tools.

Sales Session Agenda:

  • 11:00 am – Welcome and Sales Strategy Overview
  • 11:15 am – Overview of 2007 edition of Office System
  • 11:45 am – Luncheon Presentation
  • Selling Workflow & Forms Solutions
  • Selling Document Security
  • Selling Content and Document Management
  • Selling Real Time Communication
  • 12:45 pm – Tools and Resources to Help You Sell
  • 12:55 pm – Evaluations & Prize Giveaways
  • 1:00 pm – Sales Session Concludes


Technical Session Overview (3 hours):
Deep technical presentation to partner technical leads and personnel on how to position and implement Information Worker solutions in your customers accounts. Session will include resources, demos and additional training tools.

Technical Session Agenda:

  • 2:00 pm – Welcome and Overview of 2007 edition of Office System
  • 2:30 pm – Building Custom Workflow Solutions
  • Document Workflow
  • Integrating into LOB Apps and Scripts
  • 3:30 pm – Implementing Robust Content and Document Management Solutions
  • Migrating and Replacing File Folders
  • Implementing Company Wide Search
  • Setting Content Management Policies
  • 4:30 pm – Tools and Resources to Help You Deliver
  • 4:45 pm – Evaluations & Prize Giveaways
  • 5:00 pm – Technical Session Concludes


Locations & Registration Links:

· Southfield 3/26 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332362&Culture=en-US

· Grand Rapids – 3/28 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332351&Culture=en-US

· Nashville – 4/3 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332403&Culture=en-US

· Mason (Cincinnati) 4/11 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332366&Culture=en-US

· Cleveland 4/16 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332364&Culture=en-US

· Columbus 4/17 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332367&Culture=en-US

· Louisville 4/19 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332365&Culture=en-US

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Windows Vista Software Compatibility List

How many times in the last 2 months has a customer asked you, “Does XYZ software work with Windows Vista?” 

Personally, I lost count.  And obtaining the answer typically involves googling or surfing the manufacturer’s website.

Fortunately, the good folks over at IeXwiki have a nice wiki that lists software compatibility with Windows Vista.  The three compatibility categories are:

  • Works
  • Has problems, but they can be solved / minor unsolved
  • Heavy problems, currently incompatible

Since this is a wiki, anyone can add to or correct the list as needed.  And you also have to take the wiki with a grain of salt, because anyone can add to or correct the list as needed.  So use this site is a reference only, not a benchmark set in stone. 

For Windows Vista hardware compatibility, check out the forum on Tom’s Hardware.

Of course, you can always use the trusty Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor (6.6 MB), but that assumes that you’re sitting at the machine to run it.

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Divorce On A Stick

Breaking the law just got even easier kiddos.  Now any idiot with $59.95 can violate trust between parents & kids, spouses, employees or co-workers by simply plugging in a USB stick.

Enter “SnoopStick” from CYBERsitter, or as I like to call it, “Yet another reason to lock down those USB ports in Windows Vista.”

“Oh,” you say, “that’s stuff’s been around forever.”  True – but it’s never been this easy before.  Any AOLer could pull this off.

Keep in mind, I have no problem with internet usage monitoring and reporting.  I’m a huge fan of ISA and sharing the reports with the business owners, employees, and even family members on the home network.  What I take issue with is surreptitious snooping and monitoring.

Read on.

The SnoopStick takes under 60 seconds to install, has no commands or passwords to remember, and lets you monitor PC activity in real time from any PC across the web.

Here are some of the ‘major features’:

  • Monitor all web site access (Works with all browsers and web enabled programs.)
  • Monitor both sides of all “instant messenger” communications (all popular IM programs.)
  • Monitor all email access:  SMTP, POP3, IMAP (to & from info.)
  • Monitor activities in real time, or retrieve activity logs from recent activity.
  • SnoopStick records EVERYTHING, whether you are monitoring in real time or not.
  • Store up to 12 months of activity logs.
  • All program modules are updated completely automatically.
  • Send the user a pop up message alert. A good way to tell them they’re busted!
  • Turn off/on Internet access with the SnoopStick locally or remotely.
  • Set allowable times for Internet access.
  • Prevent users from using certain types of Internet programs.
  • Block access to specified ports.
  • Block access to web sites.
  • One click “Block Social Networking” option instantly blocks access to sites like MySpace.com.
  • Completely secure. Only your SnoopStick can access your computer or change the settings you have chosen.
  • Works with Windows 2000, XP, 2003, and is Vista ready.

Of course, this is all completely legal according to their website FAQ, as long as you own the computer?  And nobody would ever install this without telling their spouse / employees / etc. right?

And nobody would ever install this on an employee’s home computer without them knowing about it.  You know, the computer they use to access OWA, RPC over HTTP, http://companyweb and the corporate VPN, right?  Of course not! 

Just imagine the possible ramifications:  One of your employees who telecommutes every other Friday ends up in a custody battle with contested divorce lawyers and a cabinet full of legal bills.   The spouse pull out their trusty little SnoopStick that is filled with IM conversations and sensitive corporate info labeled ‘Exhibit C’.  Projected right up there on the big screen.  No PR nightmare there.

“HIPPA, party of two, your table is ready…”   Good times.

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DIY Solid State Hard Drive

If you’ve got extra SD cards lying around, now you can turn them into a fake solid state hard drive for a laptop.

Admittedly, it’s got some issues, namely:
a) all SD cards have to match (either 2 or 4 matching cards)
b) SDHC isn’t supported
c) most laptops don’t have two internal 2.5″ drive bays. 
d) it costs a whopping $261.49 USD (SD cards not included!)

Cost for a 16GB setup?  
$261.49 for the caddy + 4 x $40 for 4GB SD cards = $421.49 USD (plus shipping).  Not cheap compared to hard drive prices.

But it’s still a very interesting piece of geek gear and it’s bound to drop in price.  Keep an eye on this one.

Source:  UNEASYsilence

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