Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Oh sweet.  Another reason to upgrade to Windows 7.

KIRKLAND, WA — August 18, 2011 — Ceton Corporation today announced InfiniTV 4 USB, the company’s new, external CableCARD quad-tuner that turns virtually any style of Windows 7-based PC into an entertainment platform for television. InfiniTV 4 USB will be available for pre-order tomorrow, August 19, 2011, from Cannon PC and Fluid Digital at a suggested retail price of $299, with pre-orders expected to ship on September 19, 2011. InfiniTV 4 USB will be available from the company’s other retailers – Amazon, Micro Center, the Microsoft Store, Newegg, Velocity Micro and Zones – later in September at the same price. Ceton also announced a reduction in suggested retail price for the company’s InfiniTV 4 PCI Express (PCIe) model to $299.

InfiniTV 4 USB brings the company’s award-winning multi-tuner CableCARD™ technology to an external, USB-connected design, making it an ideal solution for virtually any compatible Windows 7-based PC, including laptops, tablets, All-in-One PCs, desktops, towers, home theater PCs and slimline entertainment PCs. InfiniTV 4 USB joins the company’s currently shipping InfiniTV 4 PCIe model, positioning Ceton as the only company offering both internal and external solutions for CableCARD-based premium digital cable TV services through the PC.

A Ceton InfiniTV-equipped PC makes exciting new entertainment scenarios possible in the home, including:

• Watching and recording up to four live HD channels at once;
• Streaming live HD channels or recordings to multiple TVs and making Digital Video Recording (DVR) available on virtually every TV using Windows Media Center Extenders;
• Enjoying cable TV, Internet TV, music, photos, videos and more, all through one device, with the Media Center experience from Microsoft;
• Eliminating cable set-top boxes and their expensive rental fees;
• Sharing individual tuners with other Windows 7-based PCs to enable watching TV programming on PC displays as well as TV sets.

“The Ceton family of InfiniTV digital cable tuners is transforming the PC into the world’s most advanced entertainment platform for television,” said Gary Hammer, president and chief executive officer of Ceton Corp. “With the introduction of InfiniTV 4 USB, Ceton now offers solutions for the full range of PC platforms, bringing a new generation of television and entertainment services to almost any consumer.”

“In Windows 7 we enabled support for premium cable TV services in the US to create a high-quality entertainment experience on your PC,” said Todd Rutherford, Windows Entertainment Product Manager at Microsoft Corporation. “with the availability of the Ceton’s InfiniTV 4 USB tuner, a wider range of PC platforms and consumers will now be able to enjoy this entertainment service.”

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT:
Link to Ceton Announces External USB-Based Digital Cable Quad-Tuner Solution

REVIEW: Ceton InfiniTV 4 USB First Look
http://thedigitalmediazone.com/2011/08/31/ceton-infinitv-4-usb-first-look/

MORE REVIEWS:
http://www.cetoncorp.com/company_press.php

Do you own a Samsung Series 9 laptop?Does the lid “snap” open whenever you open it?  It’s not supposed to and you likely only noticed it after using the laptop for a month or so.

The reason this is happening is likely because the duralumin plate along the LCD display has bent on the bottom right side of the laptop and is getting stuck on the duralumin plate on the base of the laptop, where the keyboard & motherboard are.

You can see the photo, the black paint has worn off on the duralumin plate on the right corner of the laptop’s base from being constantly caught by the duralumin plate connected to the LCD display.

The solution I came up with and used was simple: 

1. I flattened the metal on the laptop base a little so that it was firmly against the plastic the ‘power button’ is connected to.
2. I bent the metal at the very corner of the display back a little to ensure there was no more friction against the laptop base.

So you know, I’ve seen this issue on multiple Samsung Series 9s.  I used to think it was because my machine got somehow bumped while in my carrying case and the duralumin plate got warped… but the issue is definitely not unique to me so I decided to write this up to let people know that they’re not alone in this “snapping lid” issue.

If you’ve been using a Samsung Series 9… and particularly if you’re left handed, you may notice a small fracture appearing on your computer.

See, right-handed folks tend to hold their machines with their left hand when they carry them from point to point.  In the case of the Samsung Series 9, I’ve noticed on several units that the plastic that meets the duralumin plate on the base of the unit develops a fracture over time.

I assume that this is a result of people grabbing and holding that left side of the base of the laptop as they move from meeting to meeting.  In any case, I’ve seen it appear on at least half a dozen laptops.  (EDIT:  Actually, that’s an exaggeration.  I’ve seen it on 3 laptops, to be precise)  It’s not a big deal and I haven’t seen the fracture grow to much more than a 1/8th of an inch but it’s something to be aware of.

And know that you’re not the only one that’s got it… if you have this ‘crack’.

It’s out of beta.  The Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 was designed in many ways for MICROSOFT ourselves.  It’s actively in use here at Microsoft to protect file shares (the few that we still actively use over SharePoint document repositories) from storing unprotected, unsecured personally identifiable information and protect company and our customers.

This Solution Accelerator is designed to help enable an organization to identify, classify, and protect data on their file servers. The out-of-the-box classification and rule examples help organizations build and deploy their policies to protect critical information.

The Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 is designed to help enable an organization to identify, classify, and protect data on their file servers. The out-of-the-box classification and rule examples help organizations build and deploy their policies to protect critical information in a cost-effective manner. This release includes sample classification rules for PCI DSS and NIST 800-53.

Note: Use of the Microsoft Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 does not constitute advice from an auditor, accountant, attorney or other compliance professional, and does not guarantee fulfillment of your organization’s legal or compliance obligations. Conformance with these obligations requires input and interpretation by your organization’s compliance professionals.
Successful data classification programs require proper planning around these key critical areas:

• Identification of applicable IT GRC authority documents
• Definition of appropriate classification policies
• Implementation and evidence of appropriate controls

When used with the Microsoft System Center Service Manager IT GRC Process Management Pack, organizations can easily map classification requirements from various authority documents, such as PCI DSS and NIST 800-53. In addition, they can build and deploy their data classification policies, implement controls through Windows Server 2008 R2 File Classification Infrastructure, and provide evidence of data classification policies to auditors.

The Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 includes the following components:

• Microsoft Data Classification Toolkit.msi – Microsoft Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 Installer
• Data Classification Toolkit for WS2008R2 – Release Notes.rtf – Microsoft Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Notes

• DOWNLOAD: Data Classification Toolkit for Windows Server 2008 R2
  http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27123
• INFO:  More information about Data Classification Toolkit
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh204743.aspx

This has been a long time coming.  DPM 2012’s beta has finally arrived.  A huge update from 2010.  Especially the Operations Manager integration & Hyper-V virtual machine optimization.

The key DPM 2012 features that will be available for BETA validations are –

• Centralized Management (Built on the Ops Manager platform)
  • Centralized Monitoring and Troubleshooting
  • Remote Administration
  • Remote Recovery
  • Push To Resume Backups
  • Role Based Access
• Continued Best of Breed Application Support
  • SharePoint Item Level recovery without restoring Content DB
  • SQL FILESTREAM support
  • SharePoint RBS support
  • Hyper-V Item Level Restore from a DPM running in a VM
  • Faster protection of VMs on stand-alone Hyper-V servers.
• Fresh DPM 2012 Console User Interface
• Data Source Extensibility Framework
• Certificate Based Protection of non-AD machines
  • File Server
  • SQL Servers
  • Hyper-V servers
  • Clustered Data sources
  • Secondary DPM servers.
• Tape Enhancements:
  • Enhanced Granular Media Co-Location
  • Tape Reliability Enhancements
• Multiple DPM DB databases share a single remote SQL Instance
• Upgrade support from DPM 2010

We do not recommend to deploy this Beta into Production. This Beta is not supported by Customer Services and Support (CSS). If you have questions, please visit the DPM 2012 Beta Forum on http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/dataprotectionmanager

Help improve SCDPM 2012 Beta by submitting bugs to the Connect Feedback Center.

• DOWNLOAD: System Center Data Protection Manager 2012 Beta
  http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27216

Two of the first Windows Phone 7.5 Mango-class devices have been announced!

HTC “Titan” Windows Phone 7.5 Mango-class Phone

• Mango Windows Phone 7.5 operating system
• 4.7” screen
• 1.5Ghz processor – Qualcomm MSM8255
• 512MB RAM
• 8MP backside camera – BSI sensor with AF, F2.2/28mm. 2X LEDs flash
• 1.3MP frontside camera
• 9.9mm – thinner than iPhone 4
• 11 hours/15 days battery
• 3G
• Brushed aluminum body

HTC “Radar” Windows Phone 7.5 Mango-class Phone

• Mango Windows Phone 7.5 operating system
• 3.8” screen
• 1.0Ghz processor – Qualcomm MSM8255
• 512MB RAM
• 5MP backside camera – BSI sensor with AF, F2.2/28mm. 1X LED flash
• VGA frontside camera
• Aluminum body
• 10 hours/20 days Battery
• 3G
• 5.1 surround sound

For more on these designs, check out:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/cmpn/htc.aspx?cmpid=FBP_09012011_P1

Taken from the PacITPro’s meeting description:
Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 6:00 PM

Tuesday, September 20th, we’ll welcome Edward Horley and Richard Hicks for a great technical presentation.

Ed Horley: Deploying IPv6 in a Microsoft Enterprise Network

The presentation is focused on the basic deployment items that system and network administrators need to pay attention to for Enterprises networks that are primarily Microsoft focused. Topics covered include default IPv6 behavior of different Windows OS’s, when transition technologies are enabled, what Microsoft products will use IPv6 and deployment guide modifications for Exchange, DirectAccess, Forefront UAG and TMG. In addition, if time allows, some design challenges around DHCP and DNS and how Windows 7 will behave vs Apple OSX or Linux implementations.

Richard Hicks: DirectAccess, the Microsoft remote access technology of the future. Built on Windows 7 and Server 2008/R2, DirectAccess represents a paradigm shift in secure remote access to corporate resources. DirectAccess relies heavily on IPv6, and during the presentation he’ll explain how a DirectAccess deployment can be an effective way to gain experience with IPv6, while at the same time providing transparent, always-on corporate network connectivity for remote users. In addition, Richard will explain the benefits of DirectAccess for systems management engineers, information security officers, and compliance managers.

Presenters Bio’s:

Ed Horley is a Principal Solutions Architect at Groupware Technology in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ed is actively involved in IPv6 serving as the co-chair of the California IPv6 Task Force http://www.cav6tf.org/ and additionally helping with the North American IPv6 Task Force.

Ed is a current Microsoft MVP (first awarded back in 2004) and has spent the last 15 years working in networking as an IT Professional. Contact him at ed (@) howfunky.com or check out his blog at http://www.howfunky.com/

Richard Hicks is a network security specialist and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Forefront protection technologies. He has designed and deployed edge security and remote access solutions using Forefront Threat Management Gateway (TMG) 2010 and Unified Access Gateway (UAG) 2010 for small and mid-sized businesses, military, government, and Fortune 500 companies around the world. Richard is a MCITP-Enterprise Administrator and is a contributing author for popular technology web sites ISAserver.org and TechRepublic.com. You can find his blog at http://tmgblog.richardhicks.com/.

We have some amazing prizes to giveaway at this event, including:

• Windows 7 Ultimate
• Office 2010 Pro
• TechNet+ Subscriptions

VERY IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION:

If you Park at the Wells Fargo Building (where the office is) you will be charged $40.00 – $50.00 dollars.

The least expensive Parking for LA is at Joe’s Auto Park – closest locations are:

• 252 S. Hill Street
• 338 S. Hill Street

MEETUP: Technical Deep Dive: IPv6 & DirectAccess @ Microsoft in DT Los Angeles
http://www.meetup.com/pacitprosla/events/26490521/

Okay, so the story goes – I won a laptop a couple months ago and had to wait for its delivery.  The problem is that I didn’t know what laptop it was or what its specs were. 

I hypothesized that it might be the Sony Vaio Z here in this post I wrote on my other blog.  But I really didn’t know.  All I knew was that it was a Sony and that it was a well-equipped business laptop.

Lo-and-behold:  It arrived but it’s not the Sony Vaio Z…
…it’s the Sony VAIO S (Model VPCSA25GX)! 

Here’s some of the basic physical specs:

• Black matte finish
• 13.3” antiglare screen
• 3.6lbs in weight (about 1lb more than the Samsung Series 9)
• .92” in thickness (.24” thicker than the Samsung Series 9)
• 5.9 Windows Experience Index (Samsung Series 9 has a 4.7)

Most importantly, what was given to me is NOT the cheapo stock “VAIO S” laptop that you see on the front page of the Sony web site for $899.  It’s a much higher-end professionally configured model with a retail sticker price of $1949.  Yeah.  Seriously.  And I got it free for me to keep!  And I never win anything!

And this is what it comes with:   (Noted “Technological improvements” over my existing Samsung Series 9 are highlighted in BOLD)

• Intel® Core™ i5-2410M processor (2.30GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 2.90GHz
  2nd Generation “Sandy Bridge” CPU w/ clock speeds almost twice that of the Samsung Series 9’s 1.4GHz
• NEW Intel Z68 Chipset
  Including Intel Rapid Storage Technology for SSD caching of magnetic storage; Samsung had older P67 chipset which lacked RST & Hybrid Graphics (see below)
• BOTH Intel integrated-graphics GPU & discrete AMD Radeon™ HD 6630M (1GB VRAM)
  • 50% better graphics performance over the Samsung Series 9
  • Supports “Hybrid Graphics mode”, enabling low-power integrated-graphics GPU use for most operations & high-performance AMD Radeon GPU for higher octane games & more demanding graphics requirements
• LCD display with 1600×900 screen resolution
  Much greater display real estate for doing work
• 4GB DDR3 RAM (max 8GB)
  User upgradeable near as I can tell to 8GB by installing a single 4GB DDR3 DIMM into open slot – http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=VAIO%20VPCSA25GX&Cat=RAM
• Trusted Platform Module 1.2 (TPM chip)
  Yes, DirectAccess & BitLocker work
• 7.5hr battery
  with optional add on-extended battery for an additional 7.5hrs
• Built-in 3G Cellular Networking
  with AT&T/T-Mobile SIM
• Intel Wireless Display
  Sends display & stereo audio wirelessly to your home HDTV if it has a WiDi receiver
• 256GB Solid State Drive
  Twice the capacity of the Samsung Series 9
• Built-in CD/DVD player/burner
• 720p HD Exmor embedded WebCam + Microphone
• Fingerprint biometric reader
• Integrated VGA port, full size HDMI port, full SDflash slot, integrated gigabit ethernet port
• Physical switch for laptop “performance” vs. “battery life”
• Physical on/off switch for laptop wireless adapter
• Multitouch trackpad with palm detection & physical buttons
  Dependable pointing device requiring no adjustments
• Backlit island-style keyboard
• Intel Centrino-based Wireless Ethernet WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  (Improved range in WiFi mostly due to antenna placement)
• 1xUSB 3.0, 2xUSB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.1/A2DP stereo (and a memory stick slot – meh)

One thing: 

• The power brick is MUCH larger than the Samsung’s.  It’s more than twice as big and 3x as heavy.
• The device is definitely thicker than the Samsung and not as light either.  It resembles a more traditional laptop instead of an ultrabook-style device.
• The styling isn’t as attractive as the Samsung.  Clearly the Samsung was designed more for the executive-on-the-go.  This Sony Vaio S is more utilitarian.

SUMMARY: 
This is one heck of a laptop and a solid technological improvement over the Samsung Series 9 in trade off for portability & styling. 

If you:

• Want twice the CPU speed
• Want twice the SSD storage
• Want to play Crysis 2 or Starcraft 2 with better graphic detail
• Need a built-in DVD player or built-in 3G cellular networking
• Need the availability of an extended battery for 15hrs of use
• Hate VGA or Ethernet dongles

…and don’t mind the heavier, .24” thicker, less stylish form factor with a similar profile, this may very well be the laptop for you to check out.

—————————-

DRIVERS:
If you need to update the drivers – although the machine was only manufactured last month – go here:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VPCSA25GX&region_id=1

While it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone attending, SteveB will be keynoting CES 2012 again this year and you can bet it’ll be a good one considering Microsoft’s increasingly intense focus on consumer-side products & services.

• Windows 8 & Slates.
• Xbox 360 & beyond.
• Windows Phone Mango & Apollo.
• Kinect & Kinect innovations like Windows integration.
• Microsoft Sync & Car Integration Technologies.
• Bing w/ Bing Travel, Bing Maps, Bing Translator, Bing Shopping, etc.
• Windows Live, Skydrive, and Cloud Services.
• Skype, Lync, and other VOIP technologies.

…and so on and so on.  See you there.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to Deliver Preshow Keynote Address at 2012 CES

Jul 06, 2011 10:27:28 Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation, will deliver a preshow keynote address at the 2012 International CES. Owned and produced by CEA, the 2012 International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, is scheduled January 10-13, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We are pleased to welcome + MoreMicrosoft back to the CES keynote stage,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “From mobile to desktop to gaming and beyond, Microsoft has a significant impact on all aspects of the consumer technology industry, and Steve Ballmer’s keynote is a great way to kick off the exciting 2012 International CES. We are excited to hear Microsoft’s latest initiatives and Ballmer’s vision for where consumer technology is heading.”

Ballmer’s preshow keynote address is slated for 6:30 p.m., Monday, January 9, in The Venetian. Microsoft has used the CES keynote stage in previous years to unveil innovative new products, including the original Xbox and Avatar Kinect.

We released this title from Katherine Murray – “Microsoft Office 365:  Connect & Collaborate Virtually Anywhere, Anytime” – a 13 chapter, 300 page eBook, available completely free.

Office 365 is Microsoft’s smart and simple answer to cloud computing.  Using the various programs in Office 365, you can do all the tasks you’re use to doing in your favorite Office applications – write documents, create presentations, check email, manage your calendar, crunch numbers, and more – and then share what you create in real time on a team site, design and publish a website, and even create and host live online meetings while you’re travelling on the train, sitting in a coffee shop, or dialing in on your phone.

This book shows you how you can use cloud computing – and specifically Office 365 – to get more done, collaborate more easily, and work more flexibly than you ever have before.  From the necessary how-tos about creating and administering your Office 465 account and working with the various Office 365 programs to sharing files with your team, creating a team site, using Office Web Apps, and holding online meetings, you’ll discover how easy it is to work online and off, accessing and sharing your files whenever you need to.  After you learn about each of the core programs, you can try strategies for building successful teams, and get some good ideas on practical ways you can put all this cloud power to work.

DOWNLOAD:  Office 365:  Connect & Collaborate Virtually Anywhere, Anytime"
http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/2/F/12F1FF78-73E1-4714-9A08-6A76FA3DA769/656949ebook.pdf