Kurt Shintaku's Blog

As taken from our Press site:

REDMOND, Wash. – Feb. 5, 2013 – “Microsoft has provided a $2 billion loan to the group that has proposed to take Dell private. Microsoft is committed to the long term success of the entire PC ecosystem and invests heavily in a variety of ways to build that ecosystem for the future.

“We’re in an industry that is constantly evolving. As always, we will continue to look for opportunities to support partners who are committed to innovating and driving business for their devices and services built on the Microsoft platform.”

• NEWS: Microsoft Statement on Loan to Support Dell Privatization
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/Press/2013/Feb13/02-05Dell.aspx

If you’re new to Office 2013, you can download any of our free Quick Start Guides. These printable guides contain useful tips, shortcuts, and screenshots to help you find your way around.

On Windows 8, you can open and view these guides in the Windows 8 Reader app without any additional steps. On older versions of Windows, you’ll need to install the free Adobe Reader before you can open and view these guides.

Quick Start Guides available include:

• Access 2013
• Excel 2013
• OneNote 2013
• Outlook 2013
• PowerPoint 2013
• Project 2013
• Publisher 2013
• Visio 2013
• Word 2013

DOWNLOAD: Quickstart Guides for Office 2013
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/office-2013-quick-start-guides-HA103673669.aspx

(Admittedly, I saw this on Neowin.net before I picked it up internally.  Well played, Neowin.)

It’s time to put on the big boy pants & suit up.

The first annual Call of Duty Championship, presented by Xbox, will take place on April 5-7 in Los Angeles. 32 of the world’s top 4-person teams will qualify to compete on Call of Duty®: Black Ops II for a share of $1 Million. Tune in to our worldwide broadcast to see who will be crowned Champion.

Think you have what it takes? The road to the Call of Duty Championship tournament begins in February. Assemble your team and find out how to qualify.

Event begins February 1st.  Only on Xbox 360.

Suckahs.

• Call of Duty Championship – How to Qualify, Rule Sets, FAQ
  https://elite.callofduty.com/esports/championship

Have you updated your Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi™ 4510L?

This update may help a lot of people with the device’s stability and sustainability with 4G connections.

The support site and the update download are below:

• Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi™ 4510L Support
  http://support.verizonwireless.com/clc/devices/index.html?p=5633&m=
• 2.28.02, for your Verizon Jetpack™, MiFi® 4510L
  http://verizonwireless.com/mifi4510lsupport

Documentation:

• USER GUIDE:
  http://cache.vzw.com/multimedia/mim/mifi_4510_hotspot/4510_manual.pdf
• SYSTEM UPDATE BENEFITS:
  http://support.verizonwireless.com/system_update/mifi4510l.html
• SYSTEM UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS:
  http://support.verizonwireless.com/pdf/system_update/mifi4510l_instructions.pdf
• UPDATE DOWNLOAD:
  http://production.4510.verizon.mifiupdates.com/Windows/MiFi4510LWin.zip
• COMMUNITY NOTES:
  https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/770671
  https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/815907#815907

For some reason, a lot of folks need to reset their devices after receiving the update.  Here’s the 3 level of “resets” that the device has:

Level 1 Reset:

1. Power down the MiFi
2. Let the MiFi sit for 30 seconds
3. Power on the MiFi
4. Test the connection

Level 2 Reset:

1. Power down the MiFi
2. Remove the back cover
3. Remove the battery
4. Remove the SIM card
5. Allow the MiFi to sit for 30 seconds
6. Reassemble the MiFi
7. Test the Connection

Level 3 Reset

1. Power on the MiFi
2. Remove the back cover
3. Press and hold the Reset button next to the battery for 10 seconds
4. Watch the MiFi E-Ink display to see if all the icons are displayed
5. Release the Reset button
6. Reassemble the MiFi
7. Test your connection

We are pleased to announce that the latest version the Microsoft Security Compliance Manager (SCM) – Version 3.0 – is released and available for download!

In addition to key features from the previous version, SCM 3.0 offers new baselines for Windows Server 2012, Windows 8, and Internet Explorer 10! SCM enables you to quickly configure and manage computers and your private cloud using Group Policy and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager.

SCM 3.0 provides ready-to-deploy policies and DCM configuration packs based on Microsoft Security Guide recommendations and industry best practices, allowing you to easily manage configuration drift, and address compliance requirements for Windows operating systems and Microsoft applications.

• Download SCM 3.0 Now!
  http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=275201

Thank you for your continued interest in Security Compliance Manager. For more information on Security Compliance Manager and to be involved in discussions, please use the following resources:

• To learn more about the Security Compliance Manager: visit the TechNet Library.
• Go to our TechNet Wiki to:Get Started with SCM.
• Join in discussions on managing IT security and compliance at the: Security and Compliance Management Forum.
• Contact the Solution Accelerators security team with your feedback:secwish awt microsoft dawt com.

I found a bunch of miscellaneous stuff this week that I’m just gonna rattle off here because they don’t really require posts unto themselves:

• Why those "personal security images" some financial institutions are useless.
  http://www.worsethanuseless.com/post/42126289484/worse-than-useless-personal-security-images
• 70% of all detected security threats in the wild are encapsulated in these 37 vulnerabilities per the Kaspersky Labs Report. Find out what they are here.
  http://www.securelist.com/en/analysis/204792278/
  Kaspersky_Lab_report_Evaluating_the_threat_level_of_software_vulnerabilities
• Microsoft Research pushes out Blink rapid fire camera app for Windows Phone 8
  http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-research-blink-rapid-fire-camera-app-windows-phone-8
• New Microsoft web page just went up dedicated to managing Windows Phone 8 & Windows Phone enterprise features like server/cloud integration, etc.
  http://wmpoweruser.com/microsoft-launches-new-online-resource-for-managing-windows-phones-in-the-enterprise/
• Wanna record audio (not video) while you take notes on your Surface for Windows RT? Meet "SmartRecorder".
  http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/smartrecorder/af1d04b7-b2d0-4d62-9394-c703c1f078bb

There’s been a bit of confusion around the hardware return policy at the Microsoft Store recently.

Here’s the written policy as copied from the Terms & Conditions web page from the Microsoft Store:  (Emphasis is mine)

In Store Return Policy

We want you to be satisfied with your purchase and will accept returns subject to the conditions described below. Qualifying refunds for computers and computer hardware will be honored for fourteen (14) days from the date of purchase. Qualifying refunds for all other items will be honored for thirty (30) days from the date of purchase. Microsoft will not accept the following items for return: (i) items that have been personalized or customized; (ii) special order items, if not part of a Microsoft Store promotional retail sales offering; and (iii) items that have been opened or altered from their original state or show wear or damage. Open software or games may only be exchanged for the same product if the media doesn’t work. All returns must be accompanied by the original receipt or gift receipt, the original documentation, instruction manuals, registration, parts and components (including cables, controllers, and accessories) and the original packaging to qualify for a return. Failure to include such items may prevent or delay your refund. A restocking fee of ten percent (10%) will be deducted from the refund amount for non-defective computer, printer, Xbox and Zune returns. Refunds will be made in the same method as payment. Exceptions: For cash, check or debit refunds for amounts over $250, you may choose to receive either a Microsoft check by mail within ten (10) days of the date of refund or a Microsoft Store gift card in the amount of the refund. Microsoft is not responsible for any personal data included on returned or exchanged items. Please ensure that your personal data is removed from all items prior to return or exchange.

SOURCE:
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/
pbPage.Help_Retail_Stores#ms_help_topics_at4

All the System Center products have released updated documentation for the Service Pack 1 releases. 

Here’s the documentation index for System Center Orchestrator for example.

The downloadable files listed on this page contain the product documentation for the Orchestrator component of System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1). The available downloads include:

• Complete Technical Documentation for System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)
• Administering System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)
• Service Provider Foundation Cmdlet Reference, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & doc)
• Deploying System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)
• Getting Started with System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)
• Operations Guide for System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)
• Using the Orchestration Console in System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)
• Runbook Activity Reference for System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)
• Using the Orchestration Console in System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)
• Runbook Activity Reference for System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)
• Using Runbooks in System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)
• Upgrading System Center 2012 – Orchestrator to System Center 2012 SP1 – Orchestrator, last updated January 15, 2013 (pdf & docx)

Here’s the links to each of the of the technical documentation sets for each System Center component:

• System Center 2012 Configuration Manager
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29901
• System Center 2012 Operations Manager
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29256
• System Center 2012 Virtual Machine Manager 
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=6346
• System Center 2012 Service Manager
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=27850
• System Center 2012 Data Protection Manager
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29698
• System Center 2012 App Controller
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29694
• System Center 2012 Orchestrator
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29258

AND SYSTEM CENTER 2012… ENDPOINT PROTECTION?
Yes, System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection is not listed here.  The closest I’ve found to downloadable documentation around System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection are the following resources:

• Test Lab Extension: System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30449
• System Center Security Monitoring Pack for Endpoint Protection
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=9754
• Microsoft IT Uses System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection for Unified Security and Management
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29997

TECHNICAL SCENARIOS FOR UPGRADING
There’s also some documentation specifically for the sequence of the upgrade that administrators should take depending on the scenario they’re in.

• DOWNLOAD: Technical Documentation Download for Technical Scenarios for System Center 2012 SP1
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29997

A pretty big day for Forefront Identity Manager 2010 R2.  The all-important Service Pack which provides support for all the 2012/2013 products has been released along with better integration for BHOLD Role-based Access Controls (RBAC) & Management.

We are pleased to announce that Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Forefront Identity Manager (FIM) 2010 R2 is now available for download.  FIM 2010 R2 SP1 provides a number of improvements as well as additional platform support for the latest Microsoft platforms.  These improvements and platform support updates are summarized below:

• The FIM client now supports Windows 8 and Outlook 2013
• Enhanced configuration options for customers with dynamic groups
• Updates to the Extensible Connectivity MA Framework
• FIM connectors have been updated to support Active Directory 2012, SQL Server 2012, Exchange 2013, Sun 7.x and Oracle 11
• FIM reporting now supports System Center Service Manager 2012
• The Microsoft BHOLD Suite has a simplified provisioning configuration

In SP1 the following additional platforms are now supported for the BHOLD, FIM Sync, FIM Service, FIM Portal and FIM Certificate Management components:

• Windows Server 2012
• SQL Server 2012
• SharePoint Foundation 2013
• Visual Studio 2012

…

Read more at the announcement post:

• RELEASE: Announcing Forefront Identity Manager 2010 R2 Service Pack 1
  http://blogs.technet.com/b/server-cloud/archive/2013/01/31/announcing-forefront-identity-manager-2010-r2-service-pack-1.aspx

Microsoft has a series of quarterly industry magazines that are published to discuss business & technology matters of that industry.  They are free and available digitally or for delivery.

• Speak Magazine
  Microsoft Technology In Retail, Consumer Industries, and Hospitality
  http://www.onwindows.com/Retail-and-Hospitality/PrintedMagazine.aspx
• Finance on Windows magazine
  Microsoft Technology in Banking, Cappital Markets and Insurance
  http://www.onwindows.com/Financial-Services/PrintedMagazine.aspx
• Prime Magazine
  Microsoft Technology in Discrete and Process Manufacturing
  http://www.onwindows.com/Manufacturing/PrintedMagazine.aspx
• Touch Magazine
  Microsoft Technology in Government, Healthcare, Education and Public Safety & National Security
  http://www.onwindows.com/Public-Sector/PrintedMagazine.aspx