Kurt Shintaku's Blog

On Wednesday January 30, 2013, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates was a guest on the Colbert Report.

In particular, he discussed eliminating Polio and being less ‘cool’ than Steve Jobs.

Watch it here:

• Colbert Report: Bill Gates
  Microsoft’s founder talks about polio eradication, information technology and the decline in childhood deaths worldwide.
  http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/423362/january-30-2013/bill-gates

Recently, a customer asked about Microsoft’s participation in building smart cities.  We have a fair amount of documentation around the Microsoft Environment folks that deal with this matter in tandem with Cisco & IBM.

• WHITEPAPER: The Smart City: Using IT to Make Cities More Livable (Microsoft Corporation)
  http://www.microsoft.com/global/sv-se/offentlig-sektor/PublishingImages/The%20Smart%20City_Using%20IT%20to%20Make%20Cities%20More%20Livable.pdf
• WHITEPAPER: The Central Role of Cloud Computing In Making Cities Energy-Smart (Microsoft Corporation)
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5960
• WHITEPAPER: Energy-Smart Buildings: Demonstrating how information technology can cut energy use and costs of real estate portfolios (Accenture for Microsoft Corporation)
  http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/8/8/4885BBB9-2675-42CB-9CF2-F11B69C3C2FB/energy-smart-buildings-whitepaper-1.pdf

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SITE: Microsoft Environment – How Microsoft reduces the impact of our operations and products and drives responsible environmental leadership.
http://www.microsoft.com/environment/

Windows Embedded 8 Industry is the trusted platform for building differentiated devices that are part of an Intelligent System.

It is a fixed platform solution based on Windows 8 that provides the capabilities devices in Retail, Financial Services and Hospitality Industries require.

What’s New in Windows Embedded 8 Industry

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Rich Line of Business Experiences
Delight your customers with smooth, responsive, immersive experiences powered by Line of Business Applications, Multi-Touch, Internet Explorer 10 and more.

Connected and Efficient
Deliver a solution that utilizes the latest enhancements in power management and connectivity to stay up and running, and allow you to connect to the things that matter most inside and outside the four walls.

Trusted Platform
Deliver a targeted device experience with enhanced lockdown capabilities to meet the line of business needs and ensure the intended high-quality user experience of your customers.

Intelligent Systems Ready
Create a device that can be secured, managed and connect to IT systems to extend intelligence through the business process.

Secure
Utilize Windows 8 technologies to protect the device, data, and network to keep business running smoothly.

BETA: Windows Embedded 8 Industry – Release Preview
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/evaluate/windows-embedded-8-industry.aspx

This 25 page document goes through all the features of Windows Server Hyper-V and highlights what’s changed between 2008 R2 and 2012.

The following tables compare selected features of Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V and Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V.

The tables include comments about each version’s performance, as well as a notation about how well each feature is supported.

• WHITEPAPER: Feature Comparison- Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V and Windows
  http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/C/A/2CA38362-37ED-4112-86A8-FDF14D5D4C9B/WS%202012%20Feature%20Comparison_Hyper-V.pdf

We are pleased to announce our first beta release of the SQL Server 2012 Baselines for Security Compliance Manager (SCM). These baselines include Microsoft best practice recommendations that can help you secure and monitor your database servers. This beta release includes baselines for 5 SQL Server 2012 roles, PowerShell-based tools to facilitate compliance scanning and reporting, and a security guide that provides additional advice on managing the security of SQL Server 2012.

We invite you to participate in the beta review program that includes the following SQL Server 2012 baselines for Security Compliance Manager:

• SQL2012 Analysis Services-Beta
• SQL2012 Database Engine Services-Beta
• SQL2012 Integration Services-Beta
• SQL2012 Replication-Beta
• SQL2012 Reporting Services-Beta

To download the beta release of SQL Server 2012 Baselines for Security Compliance Manager join the review program on Microsoft Connect: (https://connect.microsoft.com/site715/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=7896&InvitationID=SQLB-YTPC-T9YJ )

SCM is a free tool from the Microsoft Solution Accelerators Team designed to help you quickly configure and manage the security of your computers, whether there are located on-premises, in a traditional data center, or in a private cloud, using Group Policy and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. To learn more about the current version of the application, SCM 3.0, see the Microsoft Security Compliance Manager page in the TechNet Library at: (http://microsoft.com/scm).

Please send any questions or comments to the Solution Accelerators Security Team: secwish aht microsoft dawt com

Upgrading your System Center 2012 implementation to Service Pack 1?   I received some information from our Technology Specialist, Justin Stanton that may help.

The first thing to know is that SP1 for System Center 2012 is not a complete reinstall nor is it a single installer. It is, in fact, a set of separate installers for each component in the suite.  (i.e. SP1 for Configuration Manager 2012, SP1 for Service Manager 2012, etc.). 

• If you have an MSDN subscription, you can download each installer separately, just search for System Center SP1.
• If you have a Volume License Agreement, you can visit the Licensing Service Center to download the products here.

It is however very important to understand the order in which components should be upgraded since some have dependencies on others. 

• Upgrade order for System Center 2012 SP1
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj628203.aspx
  (Again, be sure to read bottom of the article for details on ‘Understanding the Upgrade Sequence’)

Here’s a few additional references that might be useful.

• Here’s a video on doing an IN-PLACE upgrade to SP1 for Configuration Manager 2012.
  http://channel9.msdn.com/Shows/TechNet+Radio/TechNet-Radio-Upgrading-System-Center-2012-Configuration-Manager-to-Service-Pack-1
• Here’s the write up how Microsoft did an IN-PLACE upgrade to SP1 for Service Manager 2012.
  http://blogs.technet.com/b/wincat/archive/2013/01/22/upgrading-to-system-center-2012-sp1-service-manager-scsm-at-microsoft.aspx

More is coming from the Partner & Solutions Blog regarding upgrading Operations Manager so stay tuned.

Learn how Windows Server 2012, Hyper-V, and System Center 2012 SP1 can help you build, deploy, and manage a private cloud architecture with two new courses from Microsoft Virtual Academy:

• System Center 2012 SP1 Updates 
  System Center is a comprehensive management platform that enables you to more easily and efficiently manage your IT environments, including your server infrastructure and client devices. With System Center 2012 SP1, you get the most cost effective and flexible platform for managing your traditional datacenters, private and public clouds, and client computers and devices. System Center 2012 is the only unified management platform where you can manage multiple hypervisors, physical resources, and applications in a single offering.In this course you will learn about the broad vision and goals for SP1, as well as see the improvements across the individual components, including App Controller (SCAP), Configuration Manager (SCCM), Data Protection Manager (DPM), Endpoint Protection (SCEP), Operations Manager (SCOM), Orchestrator (SCO), Service Manager (SCSM) and Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM).
• System Center SP1 for VMware Professionals
  This course focuses on how using the Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V and System Center 2012 SP1 can help you build, deploy, and manage private cloud architecture. After completing these two modules, you will have learned about a number of the key features Microsoft uses to build and support the virtualized and physical resources that are part of your private cloud infrastructure. This course will specifically show the competitive advantages Microsoft has over the technologies and products from VMware. We will illustrate how using Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V and System Center 2012 as part of your private cloud infrastructure will benefit both your organization, and you as the IT Professional.

TRAINING: Free System Center 2012 SP1 training from MVA
http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/tracks/System-Center-2012-Service-Pack-1-Updates

Interested in a Surface for Windows 8 Pro?  (More info available here; also the datasheet is available here)

There’s going to be a line for folks looking to get one on launch day at the Microsoft Store & we’ll likely sell out again on day 1 just as we did with Surface for Windows RT… but you can reserve one and ensure you get one on launch day!

HOW?
Walk into your local Microsoft Store and request a reservation.  When you do, you’ll need to select what model you want to purchase ($899/64GB or $999/128GB SSD model) provide some contact information and all that (no credit card required) and they’ll give you a $0 receipt and a glossy reservation card. 

Below is the card from Century City:

You’ll notice the white box in the bottom right hand corner:  That’s where you place in line would go.  That’s because there’s only a limited number of reservations that they’re taking & each card in numbered.  When I say limited, the total number of reservations available isn’t something I’m allowed to post but it’s REALLY SMALL… so I’d get in there if I were you.

THEN WHAT?
The day of the launch – Feburary 9th – come on in to the store (last time there was a requirement that you do so by 12 Noon; don’t know about this time) and you’ll be guaranteed a unit.  Even if they’ve sold out and are turning away customers, they’ll still have one reserved for you in the back.

WHAT ABOUT ONLINE?  (http://surface.microsoft.com)
If you recall, online orders for the $499 model of Surface for Windows RT sold out in one day.  And online orders have not been announced yet, so I’d get on this if you’re near a store.

Wow.  For a limited time, get get a Free in-store Answer Desk Service.*

• DEAL: Free in-store Answer Desk Service
  http://content.microsoftstore.com
  /store/offers/?WT.mc_id=PromoEmail_Services
  Promo_Online_1-18-13_SeefulldetailsCTA

How to redeem this offer

• Visit your local Microsoft store to register or;
• Register online at http://content.microsoftstore.com/store/content/AnswerDesk.
• Select from one of the following services:
  • Extended Diagnostics
    We’ll analyze, test and diagnose your device.
  • PC Performance Tune Up
    We’ll help improve the speed, performance, and security of your PC.
  • Virus and Spyware Removal
    Removal of any viruses, spyware, and malware from your PC. We’ll then review your security settings, install the latest security updates, and install Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus software.
  • Software Install
    Save time by letting us install and/or remove up to three software titles for you. Software sold separately
  • Hardware Install
    Let us install new hardware for your PC purchased from the Microsoft store to get you up and running quickly.
  • Microsoft Signature Upgrade (Windows 8 upgrade)
    Installation of everything you need and remove the things you don’t, for a faster, more efficient, and more secure PC experience. Windows 8 sold separately.
  • Device Setup
    Installation, set up, and testing of your device.
  • Xbox 360 Hard Drive Data Transfer
    Transfer downloaded games, photos, music, movies, and other files to your new Xbox.
  • Microsoft Signature Upgrade (Windows 8 purchased in-store)
    We’ll install everything you need and remove the things you don’t, for a faster, more efficient, and more secure PC experience. Windows 8 sold separately.
  • Mobile Device Setup
    Installation, set up, and testing of your mobile device.
  • Backup/Restore CD
    Let us back up your files to help keep your information safe.
  • Microsoft Data Migration/Transfer
    Transfer your files from your old PC to your new one.
• See store associate for more detail.

*Valid January 6, 2013 until February 28, 2013, or while supplies last. Available in select stores in US (including Puerto Rico) and Canada; not valid online. Customers receive up to $99 towards one eligible Answer Desk in-store service. See store associate for available Answer Desk services. Not applicable for warranty plans or software support subscriptions. Redeemable until March 31, 2013; full value must be redeemed in a single visit. Offer cannot be transferred or otherwise redeemed for cash or gift cards. Answer Desk service must be scheduled in advance and additional Answer Desk terms and conditions may apply. Limit 1 per customer.

With the rapid evolution of cloud computing, mobile devices and other technologies, user data has become increasingly dependent on the security of software. The amount and types of data available for collection, analysis and dissemination have increased the importance of reducing the risk associated with protecting data.

The second annual Security Development Conference will bring together some of the best and brightest information security professionals from a variety of industries. Attendees will learn about proven security development practices through interactions with peers, industry luminaries and other organizations.

Sessions will cover the latest in security development techniques and processes that can reduce risk and help protect organizations in this rapidly evolving technology landscape.

• May 14-15: 2013 Security Development Conference – San Francisco, CA
  http://www.securitydevelopmentconference.com/