Kurt Shintaku's Blog

How Microsoft Handles Security and Compliance

As part of Microsoft’s commitment to its customers, many of the products we ship are tested on a large scale in Microsoft’s own IT environment. What this means is that by the time our software ships it has been tested in a live production environment on over 600,000 PC’s and devices and 140,000+ end users.

We’d like to invite you to a half day session where you can “Ask the Experts” from Microsoft IT and learn how they balance regulation, improve Microsoft software, and run one of the largest Windows ecosystems on the planet. After the session concludes you will have an opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine or beer while networking with the Experts and your peers.

SESSIONS WILL INCLUDE:

• Data Loss Prevention – How do you determine what data is important to protect when you have 20 million emails per day, 125 terabytes of data and 120,000 SharePoint sites? How long do you retain the data? Once you find it what do you do and who do you notify? Learn how Microsoft, using a combination of RSA DLP technology and its Rights Management Server, has successfully addressed this problem over the last 10 years.
• Endpoint and messaging security – With over 600,000 PC’s and devices Microsoft has always presented a tempting target for hackers. Learn how Microsoft IT protects it assets from these attacks and learn more about its overall security infrastructure at the endpoint.
• Identity Management – In March of 2010, Forefront Identity Manager shipped and Microsoft IT was up and running on it. At any given time Microsoft IT manages 140,000 end users and 2300 line of business applications. Automating this access is critical both from a business productivity perspective and for compliance.
• Networking Session – Immediately following the event we’d like to invite you to a wine and beer reception where you can meet the speakers and network with your peers.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• IT Executives, IT Managers and Senior IT Professionals.

April 2010

Agenda

• 11:00am – 4:00pm  Security Briefing (Catered lunch will be provided)
• 4:00pm – 5:00pm Wine and Beer Reception and Networking

Microsoft Irvine
3 Park Plaza Suite 1600
Irvine, CA 92614
949.263.3000

Registration:
If you are a customer of mine and are interested in attending this event, please contact me for registration information and the date the event is occurring on.

The folks at MakeUseOf.com wrote a really nice article about 3 functions of Bing they love that are unique to Bing alone and not available from Google.  I’ll paraphrase the article here and let you read in it’s entirety at the jump.

1. LinkFromDomain:
   Ever wanted to see which pages a site links to? Well, no search engine will tell you this except Bing. Yes, this search command is unique and incredibly useful.
   Search pattern: LinkFromDomain:anydomain.com
   Suggested usage: Well, these are quite a few. I am sure you can think of the ways this search trick may be useful for you. As a search marketer, I personally use LinkFromDomain: operator to see if there are any “shady” pages the site under question links to.
2. Feed:
   This Bing search operator finds RSS or Atom feeds on a website for the terms you search for.
   Search pattern: feed:term
   Suggested usage: This one is pretty simple and straightforward. I use it as an additional (or alternative) way to find blogs related to my topic because this search finds what Google Blog Search doesn’t.
3. Contains:
   This Bing search operator lets you find pages that link to particular file types.
   Search pattern: contains:filetype
   Suggested usage: These are plenty, I am sure you will come up with many more ways to use this trick.

   …
   FULL ARTICLE: 3 Unique Bing Search Operators You Will Definitely Love
   http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-unique-bing-search-operators-love/

Here’s a few examples that I’ve crafted that I KNOW a lot of you reading will like:

• Search for podcasts about Xbox 360:  feed:xbox podcast
• Search for video files on my blog:  site:kurtsh.spaces.live.com contains:wmv

This is so cool it’s disgusting.  Check this out: 

This is a Microsoft Photosynth-presented panorama created using multiple moderate resolution photos of Yosemite’s Glacier Point.
http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=1592a782-1ed6-457b-9023-31424db7ec34

Q:  Can you count the number of people on the peak? 

Let’s DeepZoom in, shall we? 
(Notice the smooth transitions from view to view… all courtesy of Microsoft Research.)

We have about a hundred of these ultra-high resolution photos posted already, ranging all the way up to more than 10 gigapixels.

Please check them out at http://photosynth.net. The list of the community’s favorite panoramas so far is here.  If you like what you see please install the latest version of ICE and add to the fun!  More information is available at our respective team blogs: Photosynth & ICE.

This is a subset of the Windows 7 Resource Kit that you folks might find very useful regarding your efforts around Deployment. I posted this a while ago but it seemed like it would be worthwhile to repost again in case you hadn’t downloaded it yet.

• DOWNLOAD: Deploying Windows® 7 Essential Guidance from the Windows 7 Resource Kit and TechNet Magazine
  Microsoft’s eBook Deploying Windows® 7 Essential Guidance from the Windows 7 Resource Kit and TechNet Magazine combine selected chapters written by industry experts Mitch Tulloch, Tony Northrup, Jerry Honeycutt, Ed Wilson, and the Windows 7 Team with select Windows 7 articles from TechNet Magazine. Sample topics include: Deployment Platform, Planning Deployment, Testing Application Compatibility, and 8 Common Issues in Windows 7 Migrations.
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=EE2A1D38-88A9-43B3-95BC-7E962F0B6030&displaylang=en

There’s also a few recorded webcasts specific to Windows 7 Deployment & WinXP-to-Win7 migrations that y’all might find useful as well.

• SCREENCAST:  Windows XP to Windows 7 Migration Part 1: Building the Deployment Environment (9 min 56 sec)
  Learn how to build media that will automatically migrate computers from Windows XP to Windows 7 with user data, custom applications and drivers. This demonstration will walk you through the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) Deployment Workbench and how it works.
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee410767.aspx
• SCREENCAST:  Windows XP to Windows 7 Migration Part 2: Initiating the Install and Migrating the PC (9 min 33 sec)
  Explore the user experience for migrating the Windows XP computer to Windows 7 and how brief – or "lite touch" – interaction is required up front to automate the entire process of data migration, OS installation, driver and application customization, and domain join
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee410769.aspx
• SCREENCAST:  Windows 7 Deployment Tools Part 1: Preparing an Image using Sysprep and ImageX (1 min 50 sec)
  This demonstration shows how to capture a custom Windows system image using the System Preparation Tool (sysprep) to generalize the installed image and ImageX to capture the contents of the generalized system image for re-deployment to other computers – including different hardware types
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee530017.aspx
• SCREENCAST:  Windows 7 Deployment Tools Part 2: Deployment Image and Servicing Management (3 min 0 sec)
  This demonstration shows the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command line tool and how it can be used to audit and manage offline Windows System Images.
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee524789.aspx
• SCREENCAST:  Windows 7 Deployment Tools Part 3: Deployment Workbench in Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 (1 min 50 sec)
  This demonstration shows how the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit is used to create deployment media to install Windows 7. The process includes migration of user files and settings, automated installation of the Windows 7 operating system, automated installation custom applications and performing additional configurations needed when migrating from Windows XP or Windows Vista to Windows 7.
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee529974.aspx
• SCREENCAST:  Windows 7 Deployment Tools Part 4: Windows XP to Windows 7 Migration (1 min 45 sec)
  This demonstration shows the migration experience from Windows XP to Windows 7 using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit. We will show how user files and settings are migrated quickly using hard-links, applications can be installed and customized according to user roles, and Windows 7 is installed and configured with minimal up-front initiation from the IT administrator.
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee530027.aspx
• VIDEO:  TechNet: Automating Your Windows 7 Deployment with MDT 2010 (1 hour 8 min 54 sec)
  Deploying Windows 7 is easy if you’re using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010.  This session will walk you through the various tools that can help simplify your deployments.  We’ll drill down in the MDT Workbench and look at how the MDT process helps you create a reference image, which can then be easily deployed to the target computers.  We’ll look at how to configure the deployment environment, show how you can add operating systems, applications, drivers, and language packs using the Deployment Workbench, and then finish up by creating a task-sequenced deployment to a target computer.
  http://edge.technet.com/Media/TechNet-Simulcast-Automating-Your-Windows-7-Deployment-with-MDT-2010/

For more video walkthroughs, check the following lists we have up on Microsoft.com:

• TechCenter: Windows 7 Walkthroughs
  Explore new and updated features in Windows 7 with short screencasts then learn how to accomplish common planning, migration, deployment, and management tasks with more in-depth demonstrations and tutorials.
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd320282.aspx
• Deployment "How Do I?" Videos
  These short videos focus on specific tasks and show you how to accomplish them in Deployment. Subscribe to the Deployment videos RSS feed to see new content every month.
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/desktopdeployment/dd353198.aspx
• Technet EDGE: Deployment Videos
  These videos are specifically around Deployment from a large funnel of IT professional videos that get posted at miscellaneous times.
  http://edge.technet.com/Search/feed/rss/?Term=deployment

This is pretty sweet.  Wanna free piece of digital clothing for your Xbox Live Avatar? 

The next time your open your browser, swing over to Bing and and when you enter the magic search term, you’ll end up with the results of your search…PLUS a very special gift for your Xbox LIVE Avatar from the two teams. Grab it while you can, not sure how long it will be around.

Note: You’ll need to sign into the US version of Bing to see the gift.
[taken from Major Nelson’s blog]

Once you get your 25-digit token, you can either login to your Xbox 360’s Live account and enter the token directly into your console, or, if you’ve associated your Xbox Live account with a Windows Live ID, you can go to https://live.xbox.com/en-US/accounts/RedeemToken.aspx and enter the token there and it will be redeemed to your Xbox Live account automatically without you even logging into Xbox Live on your console!

Citrix & Microsoft announced two radically new promotional offers targeted at customers either looking at or currently using Virtual Desktop Infrastructure configurations and want to both increase their capabilities while lowering their cost of VDI-related software licensing relative to VMWare View.

[taken from the Citrix & Microsoft offer web site]

VDI KickStart – “Get started with VDI for only $7K”
Interested in VDI? Kick start your VDI implementation today and save 50% on Microsoft VDI Standard Suite and Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition. With the VDI Kick Start promotion, eligible customers only pay $28 per device² for up to 250 devices, giving them the opportunity to launch a VDI implementation for only $7K¹. The offer includes Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription and Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual licenses.

• Eligibility:  Customers with Microsoft Core CAL or Enterprise CAL suites with Software Assurance through Enterprise and Select family of agreements are eligible for this offer starting immediately. In addition, Open Value & Campus Agreement and School Agreement (CASA) family of agreements are also eligible starting July 1, 2010. Discount is limited up to 20% of Core CAL or Enterprise CAL covered desktops or 250 devices, whichever is less.
• Discount:  Eligible customers will receive a 70% discount on Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription license and a 50% discount on Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual license.
• License Duration:  Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription is valid until termination of VL agreement or maximum of 3 years. Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual license is valid for one year.
• Offer Period:  The VDI Kick Start promotion is available until December 31, 2010.

Rescue for VMware VDI – “Get the best virtual desktop solution – for FREE!”
Struggling with VMware VDI? Replace your VMware View licenses today with the best virtual desktop solution from Microsoft and Citrix VDI – for free³. Through the Rescue for VMware VDI promotion, eligible customers can trade-in their VMware View licenses with same number of Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription and Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual licenses, up to a maximum of 500, at no cost³.

• Eligibility:  Customers with existing VMware View licenses for desktops covered by Microsoft Core CAL or Enterprise CAL suites with Software Assurance through Select, Enterprise & CASA family of agreements can take advantage of this offer. Determination of eligibility will be done by Citrix and Microsoft sales representatives.
• License Duration:  Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription is valid until termination of VL agreement or maximum of 3 years. Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual license is valid for one year.
• Offer Period:  The Rescue for VMware VDI promotion is available until December 31, 2010³

¹ Based on US estimated retail price for 250 devices; assumes customer has Windows Client Software Assurance. Prices will vary based on volume agreement, location and other factors.
² Based on US estimated retail price with 70% discount on Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription license and 50% discount on Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual license; assumes customer has Windows Client Software Assurance. Prices will vary based on volume agreement, location and other factors
³ Based upon determination of eligibility by Citrix and Microsoft sales representative; Microsoft will be able to transact starting in April

Contact me if you’re a customer of mine for more information about how to get on this promotion before it expires.

• LINK:  Microsoft & Citrix Desktop Virtualization
  http://www.citrixandmicrosoft.com

Within most IT environments, one of the most significant cost drivers is the datacenter. Organizations that are able to optimize their datacenters are able to get more out of their datacenter resources while reducing operational costs.

The Optimized Datacenter Workshop will help you understand how to get more value out of existing datacenter resources.

With separate tracks for architects and IT management, the workshop provides overviews, technical discussions, an actual proof-of-concept deployment, and “Question and Answer” (Q&A) sessions focused on how Microsoft can help you get an immediate return on investment (ROI) on your datacenter initiatives.

Workshop Benefits
Learn how you might be able to:

• Reduce labor costs on core server workloads by over 30 percent
• Reduce hardware footprint and facilities costs by up to 80 percent
• Provision a new business application up to 95 percent more quickly
• Reduce management time through a central management console by 50 percent

Workshop Takeaways

• Take part in the delivery of a proof-of-concept deployment with Microsoft Consulting Services architects
• Receive a customized report that examines your datacenter environment and quantifies cost savings from optimization

Who Should Attend?

• Senior technology architect focused on servers or datacenter technologies
• IT managers in your company who make decisions regarding datacenter technologies

Date: April 8^th, 2010

Time: 9:00a-3:30p

Location: 3 Park Plaza, Suite 1600, Irvine, CA 92614

Registration:
If you are a customer of mine and are interested in participating, please contact me directly and I will provide you with details on how to register.

The Windows 7 Start Button Changer application was developed to be a small tool that will allow you to change the Windows 7 Start Orb or Button easily.

If you are bored of look at the same old Windows 7 Start Orb, you can now change it easily. Click on Select & Change Start Button to select a custom Start Orb.

The program will backup you original explorer.exe, change the start button and restart explorer.exe. To restore the default Start Orb and explorer from the backup, click Restore Original Explorer Backup.

• DOWNLOAD:  Windows 7 Start Button Changer 2.0
  http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/23024-start-menu-button-change.html

This was sent out to Software Assurance customers yesterday around the upcoming retirement of the “Employee Purchase Program” SA benefit:

Dear Software Assurance Customer,

Software Assurance Update on Employee Purchase Program Retirement
Microsoft will retire the Microsoft Software Assurance Employee Purchase Program (EPP) in November 2010.

EPP was first introduced in 2003, and its customer use has gradually declined. For all Software Assurance customers eligible for EPP, the number of individual product licenses purchased on average by organizations is less than one. In addition, the vast majority of product licenses purchased are for Microsoft® Office, making up 90 percent of the EPP orders today.

During the same timeframe the Home Use Program (HUP) for Microsoft Office has provided millions of organizations’ employees with Office at home via a convenient download service, providing Microsoft Office at cost recovery at around $10 per employee (local currency pricing varies). We believe this offers your employees an easier and more affordable program for using Microsoft Office at home.

Retirement Steps
EPP will continue to be available between now and November 2010, with the current range of products and the Windows® 7 operating system. From April 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010 the Windows 7 operating system products in EPP will be available at a 10% reduced rate of standard EPP pricing, as a one-time offer. Starting in June 2010, the Home Use Program will upgrade to include the latest version of Office – Office 2010 Professional Plus, while Office 2007 SKUs will remain available through EPP.

Recommended Steps
If your organization actively uses EPP, we recommend that you notify your employees so that they can use EPP as needed before November 2010. We also recommend you evaluate using the Home Use Program for providing Microsoft Office to your employees. You can find further details on the HUP site at http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/software-assurance/home-use-program.aspx.  If you have any questions about EPP retirement or using HUP, please contact your Microsoft representative.

Sincerely,
Microsoft Software Assurance Team

In case you hadn’t heard, there were a number of significant announcements today that positively impact Microsoft and our partner strategies for delivering lower cost desktop virtualization solutions with a richer client experience. Feel free to contact me directly if you are a customer of mine and have any questions or would like to explore these announcements in more detail.

Summary:

• Improved licensing model for virtual Windows desktop.
  Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance customers will no longer have to buy a separate license to access their Windows operating system in a VDI environment, as virtual desktop access rights now will be a Software Assurance benefit.
• New roaming use rights improve flexibility.
  Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance and new Virtual Desktop Access license customers will have the right to access their virtual Windows desktop and their Microsoft Office applications hosted on VDI technology on secondary, non-corporate network devices, such as home PCs and kiosks.
• Windows XP Mode no longer requires hardware virtualization technology.
  This change simplifies the experience by making virtualization more accessible to many more PCs for small and midsize businesses wanting to migrate to Windows 7 Professional or higher editions, while still running Windows XP-based productivity applications.
• Two new features coming in Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack 1.
• Microsoft Dynamic Memory will allow customers to adjust memory of a guest virtual machine on demand to maximize server hardware use.
• Microsoft RemoteFX will enable users of virtual desktops and applications to receive a rich 3-D, multimedia experience while accessing information remotely.

More Information:

• See the press release at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2010/mar10/03-18DesktopVirtPR.mspx.
• See the Videos and Resources/Offers tabs at http://www.desktopvirtualizationhour.com/.

Technical References:

• Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 – http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2010/03/18/announcing-windows-server-2008-r2-and-windows-7-service-pack-1.aspx
• Dynamic Memory – http://blogs.technet.com/virtualization/archive/2010/03/18/Dynamic-Memory-Coming-to-Hyper-V.aspx
• RemoteFX – http://blogs.technet.com/virtualization/archive/2010/03/18/Explaining-Microsoft-RemoteFX.aspx