Kurt Shintaku's Blog

This is one of the most exciting things I’ve seen from Microsoft Game Studios in a long time.  Personally, I’ve been waiting for a Halo movie for an eternity and we’re finally going to be graced with a 90 min film in total.

Additionally, Sark & Kovic from Machinima Prime interview the director, Stewart Hendler, to explain parts of the trailer, where they shot the film, etc.

… first episode coming Oct 5th, 2012!  Follow @HaloAfterDawn for more information!

If you’re looking for a solution for migrating virtual machines from Windows Server 2008 R2 to Windows Server 2012, this is going to be it.  Among other technologies of course.

This Community Technology Preview (“CTP2”) enables System Center customers to jointly evaluate System Center 2012 and Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate. CTP2 is for evaluation purposes only and not to be used in production as described in the EULAs associated with the product. No license keys are required to do this evaluation. CTP2 includes updates and enhancements to the following System Center 2012 components:

• Virtual Machine Manager
  • Improved Support for Network Virtualization
  • Extend the VMM console with Add-ins
  • Support for Windows Standards-Based Storage Management Service, thin provisioning of logical units and discovery of SAS storage
  • Ability to convert VHD to VHDX, use VHDX as base Operating System image
• Configuration Manager
  • Support for Windows 8
  • Ability to deploy Windows 8 Apps
  • Real-time administrative actions for Endpoint Protection related tasks
• Data Protection Manager
  • Improved backup performance of Hyper-V over CSV 2.0
  • Protection for Hyper-V over remote SMB share
  • Protection for Windows Server 2012 de-duplicated volumes
  • Uninterrupted protection for VM live migration
• App Controller
  • Service Provider Foundation API to create and operate Virtual Machines
  • Support for Azure VM; migrate VHDs from VMM to Windows Azure, manage from on-premise System Center
• Operations Manager
  • Support for IIS 8
  • Monitoring of WCF, MVC and .NET NT services
  • Azure SDK support
• Orchestrator
  • Support for Integration Packs, including 3rd party
  • Manage VMM self-service User Roles
  • Manage multiple VMM ‘stamps’ (scale units), aggregate results from multiple stamps
  • Integration with App Controller to consume Hosted clouds
• Service Manager
  • Apply price sheets to VMM clouds
  • Create chargeback reports
  • Pivot by cost center, VMM clouds, Pricesheets
• Server App-V
  • Support for applications that create scheduled tasks during packaging
  • Create virtual application packages from applications installed remotely on native server

DOWNLOAD: System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 CTP2
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30133

Recently we announced that we’re recommending people drop the usage of gadgets.  If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking:  FAT CHANCE.  Not until I find similar functionality on some other Sidebar technology.  Okay fair enough.

What I’m writing about though has nothing really to do with that but rather WHERE it is that your gadget configuration information is located on your system.  Recently I had a BAD system crash (requiring me to go to a completely new PC) but I was able to get the failed machine to SafeMode boot – which would work for only a few minutes mind you – but it was enough to get into the PC and do some quick copying of data.

FINDING THE STICKY NOTES DATA
The thing I was looking for was the data from my “Sticky Notes” Windows Gadget.  The whole reason I used “Sticky Notes” was that I needed certain information (like mileage, customer data, contract values, I/O codes, stuff like that… easily available. 

The problem is:  It doesn’t get backed up by things like cloud backup solutions like the one I use.  This of course means that the data in the sticky note (“Get notes; email” in the above note) isn’t located in My Documents or anything that obvious.

SO WHERE IS IT?
I set out to figure out where the Sticky Notes data was stored.  Lo-and-behold, I found it:

C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Settings.ini

When you open the .INI file you get a lot of .INI text like this:

[Section 9]
PrivateSetting_GadgetName="C:%5CUsers%5C[EDIT-USERNAMEGOESHERE]%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CMicrosoft%5CWindows%20Sidebar%5CGadgets%5Clongnotes.gadget"
PrivateSetting_GadgetDropLocationX="1223"
PrivateSetting_GadgetDropLocationY="428"
NoteCount="1"
SettingsExist="True"
NoteCount="10"
SettingsExist="True"
NoteState="0"
ColorSaved="yellow"
FontSaved="Arial"
SizeDockedSaved="12"
SizeUndockedSaved="12"
PrivateSetting_GadgetSize="large"
PrivateSetting_GadgetTopmost="false"
0="TODO%0D%0AThey%20are%20our%20friends,%20partners,%20protectors
…

Basically, what I had to do was get the .INI from the other machine onto a USB drive, (which the machine would stay alive – recall that it would die after a couple minutes) and then edit the .INI on the new machine and copy & paste the “Section 9” content from one .INI to the other.

THAT SOUNDS EASY, YES?
Well, not so fast.  What’s tricky of course is that the Windows Gadget is running in the context of the SIDEBAR.EXE service, which is keeping the .INI file open and won’t allow edits.

So what you have to do is:

1. Make sure you have the “Sticky Notes” gadget installed and running on your new PC
2. Kill the SIDEBAR.EXE service in Task Manager
3. Edit the SETTINGS.INI file to copy the content into the file in the area designated for the “Sticky Notes” app (in my case the gadget is actually called “Longer Notes”) and save the changes
4. Run SIDEBAR.EXE from the START menu

And there you go.  When you run SIDEBAR.EXE again, all your data will be displayed in the Sticky Notes gadget.  This would also apply to settings you might copy over from other gadgets into the SETTINGS.INI file.

This IDC white paper discusses the benefits associated with a move from Windows XP to Windows 7 and presents a case for the many reasons why remaining with Windows XP is no longer a good business decision. Costs tend to soar when older products are used beyond their intended lifecycle, and IDC research has clearly confirmed that trend.

• WHITEPAPER: Mitigating Risk: Why Sticking with Windows XP is a Bad Idea (IDC White Paper)
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29883&Loc=zbtfz_zYFCz

We are pleased to announce that Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 7.0 is now available for download.

Get ready for Windows Server 2012 with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 7.0. The latest version of the MAP Toolkit adds several new planning scenarios that help you build for the future with agility and focus while lowering the cost of delivering IT. Download MAP 7.0 and begin planning your server deployments today!

New capabilities allow you to:

• Understand your readiness to deploy Windows Server 2012 in your environment
• Determine Windows 8 readiness
• Investigate how Windows Server and System Center can manage your heterogeneous environment through VMware migration and Linux server virtualization assessments
• Size your desktop virtualization needs for both Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and session-based virtualization using Remote Desktop Services
• Ready your information platform for the cloud with the SQL Server 2012 discovery and migration assessment
• Evaluate your licensing needs with usage tracking for Lync 2010, active users and devices, SQL Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012

Download MAP 7.0 on the Microsoft Download Center: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?&id=7826

Learn more
Visit the MAP home page: www.microsoft.com/map
Get the latest news straight from the MAP team: http://blogs.technet.com/mapblog 

MAP works with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and Security Compliance Manager to help you plan, securely deploy, and manage new Microsoft technologies—easier, faster, and at less cost. Learn more atwww.microsoft.com/solutionaccelerators.

Follow Solution Accelerators on Twitter to get the latest tips and updates: @MSSolutionAccel

Windows 8 changes everything.
Combining the broad reach of Windows, best-in-class developer tools, a re-imagined user experience, support for new chipsets, and a built-in store with industry-leading business terms, Windows 8 is the largest developer opportunity – ever.

Our Hackathon is an open Windows 8 code fest, where you’ll put what you know into practice and be eligible to win some great prizes! Code to your heart’s content, with Windows 8 experts available to guide you through every step of the process. It’s the perfect opportunity to get your dream application underway, or to finish that app you’ve already started.

This full-day event will be filled with coding, sharing, plenty of food, and perhaps the occasional Lightning Talk on topics determined by your apps and questions. Bring your PCs installed with Windows 8 Release Preview, your apps and your cool ideas and get ready to create!

Hackathon Agenda:

• 8:30 AM – Registration
• 9:00 AM – Welcome and Logistics
• 9:15 AM – The Hacking Begins
  Coding, answers, instruction, and advice
• 12:00 PM – Lunch
• 12:30 PM – The Hacking Continues
  Coding, answers, instruction, and advice
• 6:00 PM – Dinner
• 7:00 PM – AppX
  Show off your app and see what everyone else has been coding. Whether your app is completed or is still in development, show it off! The winning apps will receive great prizes.
• 8:30 PM – Prizes and Wrap-Up

*Agenda is subject to change.

Register today and join us for this fantastic (and free) developer opportunity.
Join us for our Windows 8 DevCamp too! www.msdnevents.com/windows for dates and locations!

Windows 8 Hackathon
Event ID: 1032516492
Microsoft LA Office (Downtown)
MPR 1 & 2
333 South Grand Ave, Suite 3300
Los Angeles California 90071
United States

Register by Phone: 1-877-MSEVENT (9AM-7PM EST M-F)

Register by Web: https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032516492&Culture=en-US

Meal: Yes
Language(s): English.
Product(s): Windows 8.
Audience(s): Pro Dev/Programmer.

Starts: Saturday, September 15, 2012 9:00 AM
Ends: Saturday, September 15, 2012 9:00 PM
Time zone: (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Welcome Time: 8:30 AM

Windows 8 changes everything.
Combining the broad reach of Windows, best-in-class developer tools, a re-imagined 4user experience, support for new chipsets, and a built-in store with industry-leading business terms, Windows 8 is the largest developer opportunity – ever.

Our DevCamp covers Windows 8 Release Preview from top to bottom, featuring sessions that run from introductory to intermediate as the day unfolds. These sessions will be followed by an InstallFest to prepare your system for hands-on app development.

DevCamp agenda:

• 8:30 – Registration
• 9:00 – The Windows 8 Platform for Metro-Style Apps and the Windows Store
  Windows 8 is Windows re-imagined. Join this session to learn about the new platform for building Metro-style applications. You’ll get a deeper understanding of the platform design tenets, the programming language choices, and integration points with the operating system and across Metro-style apps. We’ll also demo the Windows Store and the many different ways to monetize your application, including subscriptions, trial apps, advertisement, and in-app purchases.
• 9:45 – Designing Apps with Metro Principles and Windows Personality
  Windows 8 marks the next step in the evolution of the Metro design style. Through the bold use of color, typography, and motion, Metro design style represents a fresh approach to the user experience. In this talk, you’ll learn the design principles behind Metro and get insights into how to apply these principles to your own apps.
• 10:30 – Break
• 10:45 – Everything Web Developers Must Know to Build Metro-Style Apps
  Learn how to use your web skills to build Windows 8 Metro-style apps. In this session, you’ll discover how to harness the rich capabilities of Windows 8 through JavaScript and Windows Runtime. You’ll also learn about navigation, user experience patterns and controls, inherent async design, and the seamless operating system integration that enables you to create incredible, Metro-style apps.
• 11:30 – Building Metro-Style Apps with XAML: What .NET Developers Need to Know
  If you’re experienced with .NET or Silverlight and familiar with XAML, this session will teach you everything you need to know to create a Metro-style app for Windows 8. We’ll cover updates to familiar features and explore concepts that are new for Windows 8. We’ll also show you how to turn your XAML skills into money-making, Metro-style apps.
• 12:00 – Lunch
• 12:45 – Integrating the Windows 8 Experience with Contracts
  Contracts are agreements between Windows and your Metro-style app that allow you to integrate Windows 8 features into the app. For example, Windows 8 enables users to share content from one application to another by using the Share contract. In this session, you’ll learn how contracts work, and how to implement built-in contracts such as Search, Share, Settings, and Play To.
• 1:30 – Building a Windows 8 Metro-Style UI
  Windows 8 introduces a new and ready-to-use set of user interface controls to help you quickly create beautiful, Metro-style apps. Learn about these powerful and highly flexible controls and how to implement common patterns that deliver great Windows 8 Metro-style apps.
• 2:15 – Break
• 2:30 – How and When Metro-Style Apps Run
  Learn the fundamentals of Process Lifetime Management and how to structure your app to suspend and resume quickly, save app states properly, and behave consistently. For media or real-time communications, we’ll show you how to keep your experiences available and always connected, while still letting Windows manage the system resources – providing a great end-user experience and long-lasting battery life.
• 3:15 – Bring Your Apps to Life with Tiles and Notifications
  Tiles draw users back into your app by awakening your tile on the Start screen. Notifications delivered through the Windows Push Notification Service draw your users back into your app, even when it’s not running. In this session, you’ll learn how to implement Tiles and Notifications. You’ll also learn how to create tiles that let users personalize their Start screens by creating deep links to specific places within your app.
• 4:00 – Building Metro-Style Apps That Leverage Modern Hardware
  MultiTouch, camera, near-field-communications, and sensors for location, light, and motion are just a few of the many hardware components available in Windows 8. Learn how to take advantage of these hardware components to create better, Metro-style apps.
• 4:45 – Windows 8 & Visual Studio 2012 InstallFest
  Get ready for the hands-on coding in Day Two by installing Windows 8, along with the developer tools you need to create Metro-style apps. Experts will be ready to guide you and to answer your questions.
• 7:00 – Wrap Up

*Agenda is subject to change.

Join us for our Windows 8 Hackathon too! www.msdnevents.com/windows for dates and locations! Bring your best ideas or apps in progress to win prizes.

Registration Details:

Windows 8 Developer Camp
Event ID: 1032516862
Microsoft Los Angeles Office
MPR 1 & 2
333 S Grand Ave
Suite 3300
Los Angeles California 90071
United States

Register by Phone: 1-877-MSEVENT (9AM-7PM EST M-F)

Register by Web:
https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032516862&Culture=en-US

Starts: Friday, September 14, 2012 9:00 AM
Ends: Friday, September 14, 2012 8:00 PM
Time zone: (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Welcome Time: 8:30 AM

ORIGINAL POST:
It’s been declared the top PC innovation of all time, and for good reason. You use USB every day to copy files, print information, and charge devices. If your PC is less than five years old, chances are you’re using USB 2.0 (also known as USB High-Speed). It works well for moving a few of documents or a music file, but if you move large files or a lot of files, you’ve undoubtedly yearned for a faster option. If this sounds familiar, your day has come!

USB 3.0 (also known as USB Super-Speed) came on the scene in January 2010. This new standard significantly reduces the time required to move information. It’s 10x faster than USB 2.0, charges devices 9x faster, reduces power consumption, and is backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices (but will only operate at USB 2.0 speeds in this instance).

Even more recently released is Thunderbolt; developed by Intel and brought to market by Apple in early 2011 in their MacBook Pro line. Thunderbolt is just starting to appear in Windows PCs and offers improvements over USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 including 2x faster data transfer, 10% faster device charging, the ability to carry both HD audio and video signals, and the ability to carry signal on longer cables than USB without signal loss. Thunderbolt’s biggest disadvantage is its lack of device compatibility compared with USB.

Here’s a quick chart to help folks understand the differences in a nutshell:

Yeah, I don’t actually know if I’m going to attend this year being that we’re no longer going to be a sponsor or participant in the event however I think there’ll still be some worthwhile things to look for at CES 2012 this year… and it is after all in Vegas so how bad can it be? <grin>

Anyway, registration just went live at:

• CES 2012 Registration Web Site
  http://registration3.experientevent.com/showCES131/Default.aspx

One thing to know is that you have until August 31 to get an Exhibits Pass for FREE.  After that, they start charging you.  So do it now – what have you got to lose?

Looks like they’re already improving the awesome 2012 release with new features.  WOW.

Thanks for your ongoing interest and participation in the MDT beta review program. We are pleased to announce that Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2012 Update 1 Beta 1 is now available for download!

Download MDT 2012 Update 1 Beta 1 now!

Download the latest release to stay up-to-date on your deployment needs. New features and enhancements make large-scale desktop and server deployments smoother than ever!

This release expands your deployment capabilities with support for the latest software releases, including Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate, and System Center 2012 Configuration Manager SP1 Community Technology Preview.

Notable new features include:

• Support for using the DaRT 8 Beta with the Windows 8 Release Preview version of the Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK).
• New “Build Your Own Pages” support for User-Driven Installation (UDI), enabling IT pros to create new wizard panes using simple drag-and-drop operations – no coding required.
• Integration with System Center Orchestrator, enabling task sequences to invoke Orchestrator runbooks at any point in the deployment process.
• Completely reworked “Roles and Features” logic, supporting both installation and removal, as well as providing a new Lite Touch wizard pane for selecting roles and features to install at deploy time.
• Support for PowerShell 3.0 to make it easier to run PowerShell scripts inside task sequences on Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows PE 4.0.
• Simple monitoring functionality for Configuration Manager task sequences, leveraging the monitoring capabilities provided initially in MDT 2012 for Lite Touch deployments.
• Improved “boot from VHD” deployment capabilities, supporting both bare metal and refresh deployments.

Learn more

Visit the MDT home page:www.microsoft.com/MDT

Get the latest news straight from the MDT team:http://blogs.technet.com/b/msdeployment/

MDT works with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit and Security Compliance Manager to help you plan, securely deploy, and manage new Microsoft technologies—easier, faster, and at less cost. Learn more atwww.microsoft.com/solutionaccelerators.

• DOWNLOAD:  MDT 2012 Update 1 Beta 1
  http://connect.microsoft.com/site14/Downloads/DownloadDetails.aspx?DownloadID=8689