Kurt Shintaku's Blog

How to Leverage Online Communities to Foster Innovation and Intimacy

Date: Friday, June 5, 2009
Time: 10:00am Pacific & Arizona
(11:00am Mountain; 1:00pm Eastern)
Duration: 60 minutes

As the recession continues, more professionals are going online to interact with peers and colleagues, to share insight and information – forming online communities bound by mutual interest.  Large and small organizations see the value of these online communities but often find it difficult to know how to tap into their potential power. In a recent Technographics® survey*, Forrester Research reports that 51% of US online adults are willing to participate in online company forums.  Understanding how online communities are formed and work can bring tremendous benefit to your organization.

This interactive IDEAcast hosted by Microsoft will discuss ways you can leverage online communities to gain insight, build stronger relationships and drive product improvements and innovation – both internally with your employees, and externally with your customers.

• Microsoft Senior Online Marketing Manager Marc Sirkin will discuss some principles and elements of a good online community, where online communities fit in the larger social strategy, and how to measure success and effectiveness. Marc will share his experience launching and managing Microsoft’s CIO Network, a private, invitation only online community designed specifically for CIOs. Sponsored by Microsoft’s own CIO, Tony Scott, the Microsoft CIO Network has 1,200 members, and is quickly developing as an effective membership program and communications vehicle for driving engagement with this influential audience.
• You will be given opportunities to share your thoughts and questions before, during and after the webcast through Facebook and Microsoft LiveMeeting.

*North American Technographics® Media and Marketing Online Survey, Q2 2008, Forrester Research, Inc.

Social media’s increasing influence in the Enterprise can be a source of untapped opportunity for organizations that choose to embrace it and potential threat to those that choose to ignore it. Join this webcast today to learn how to leverage the power of online communities.

Who is this webcast for?
Managers and Executives in Business Functions Interested in Social Networking (Sales, Marketing/Corporate Communications, Engineering, Operations, Product Management, Innovation, Human Resources, Finance)

Cost:
$0 + Your time and engagement

Interested?

• Please contact me if you’re a customer of mine, for instructions on how to register.
• Listen to our last IDEAcast on the Top 5 Ways to Create an Effective Enterprise Social Strategy with Jeremiah Owyang, Senior Analyst, Forrester Research

Speaker:
Marc Sirkin is a Lead Social Networking Strategist focused on building business to business communities in the Enterprise Marketing group at Microsoft.  Since 2001, he’s held executive and senior level marketing roles focused on helping large international organizations benefit from digital marketing. Marc’s unique ability to develop strategic marketing plans that connect directly to measurable business results has helped him launch and refine online communities and web based community applications that have resulted in millions of dollars in donations, and lifelong customer relationships in the non-profit sector. As part of Microsoft’s Worldwide Enterprise Partner Group, he’s helping to develop emerging social and online community models that are focused on driving tangible business results through the use of social marketing strategies and tactics. Marc is a popular blogger and speaker who has contributed to a variety of conferences including WOMMA, NTEN and DMA.

Windows 7 Loadfest is Coming to Los Angeles!
Come spend the morning with us to go over some the new features and benefits of Windows 7 and the value of Desktop Optimization. We would like to provide a head start on the training you need RIGHT now with this FREE seminar, so you can be prepared when users call you about Windows 7.  This session will enable you to hit the road running on the latest version of Windows, or at the very least, help you find out if this is really as good as you have heard!

We will start the morning installing the latest available public build of Windows 7 on your test computer, (preferably laptop), that meets the minimum configuration listed below.  We will run through some of the key improvements that have been made from the user perspective and we’ll also take a look at some of the great new features Windows 7 has to better manage your computers in the corporate environment.

Agenda:

• Windows 7 Loadfest with Windows 7 expert available for support and Q&A
• Windows 7 Presentation: “What’s New and Tips & Tricks” and the value of Desktop Optimization
• Windows 7 Expert available for Open Q&A

System Requirements:
Make sure your desktop or laptop meets these minimum requirements:

• 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
• 1 GB of system memory
• 16 GB of available disk space
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (to enable the Aero theme)
• DVD-R/W Drive

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• The system WILL BE WIPED, (unless you use virtualization), so do NOT bring systems that have any data on them that you wish to keep.
• If you decide to bring a Desktop Computer please review the following:
• We will NOT be providing monitors, keyboards, mice, or any associated cables, including power cables, so make sure you bring the required hardware to run your system.
• Get there early as you will likely need a little more time to setup than the users.
• We will NOT have any hand trucks or carts to help you bring equipment in so, please come prepared.
• There will be no ongoing support for the pre-release software after the loadfest. We will, however, make a best effort on the day to get your system up and running.
• Make sure your test computer has a wireless card that works with Windows Vista/Windows 7.
• There will be 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 RC DVDs available*. (while supplies last)
• Refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Location:
Microsoft Los Angeles
333 South Grand Avenue
Suite 3300
Los Angeles, CA 90071
213.806.7300

Date/Time/Registration:
Please contact me if you’re a customer of mine for dates, times, and registration information.

*Offer open only to Microsoft IT Professionals who register and attend one of the Windows 7 Loadfests between May 7 and June 30, 2009. Limit one DVD per registered attendee while supplies last. This offer ends on June 30, 2009, and is not redeemable for cash. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Gift must be claimed on-site by the end of each event.

The purpose of the Windows 7 RC Loadfest is to provide you with the convenience of installing Windows 7 in a friendly environment with access to Windows 7 experts available for support.  MICROSOFT MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION OR SUPPORT PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOADFEST.  MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION OR SUPPORT PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOADFEST.

For those that use Technet heavily, the Release Candidate edition of the Windows Technical Library Roadmap was published at the beginning of the week. 

The Technical Library Roadmap provides the core content that IT professionals need to evaluate, plan, deploy, manage, troubleshoot, and support Windows 7 RC client computers in a server environment. To find the content you need, browse the content collections listed below, or use our search feature.

1. Windows 7: Getting Started
   Find out the system requirements and other pre-installation issues before you install or deploy Windows 7 RC.
2. Windows 7: Planning and Architecture
   Review planning guidelines and best practices before you deploy Windows 7.
3. Windows 7: Deployment
   Use the content in this collection to help deploy Windows 7 RC.
4. Windows 7: Management and Operations
   Refer to content for managing and supporting Windows 7 RC client computers.
5. Windows 7: Troubleshooting and Support
   Find out how to diagnose and fix specific Windows 7 RC errors and events, as well as links to forums and other self-help resources.
6. Windows 7: Customer and MVP Corner
   Find articles written by customers and MVPs.
7. Windows 7: The IT Pro at Home — Tips and Tricks
   Find articles that you can use to support your friends and family running Windows 7 RC.

LINK:  Windows 7 Technical Library Roadmap
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd266801.aspx

The new App Compat Toolkit released with Windows 7 support.  Although application shims that are designed in ACT 5.0 should work, 5.5 has a few things that should make the Windows 7 tester’s life a little easier.

———–

The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.5 helps customers understand their application compatibility situation by identifying which applications are compatible with the Windows 7 RC and Windows Vista® operating system and which require further testing. ACT helps customers lower their costs for application compatibility testing, prioritize their applications, and deploy Windows more quickly.
You can use the ACT features to:

• Verify an application’s compatibility with a new version of the Windows operating system, or a Windows Update, including determining your risk assessment.
• Become involved in the ACT Community, including sharing your risk assessment with other ACT users.
• Test your Web applications and Web sites for compatibility with new releases and security updates to the Windows® Internet Explorer® Internet browser.

DOWNLOAD:  Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.5
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=24da89e9-b581-47b0-b45e-492dd6da2971

(Package includes Tools, FAQ, Deployment Guide, Readme, Quick Start Guide, and Step by Step guides)

We know we’ve got a lot of stuff comin’ out for Windows 7.  That’s why we’ve created the Windows 7 Resource Guide – a downloadable guide that allows people to think about what stage of interest they’re at with Windows 7 and download the appropriate documents and videos.

It’s pretty simple:  You look across at the various phases of evaluation – Discover, Explore, Pilor, Deploy, Manage – and you select one.  Then look at the items in the column of your choice and note the 3 digit code to the right.  For example, “How to Start a Windows 7 Pilot Deployment” = 174.

Take the 3 digit code and append it to the end of this URL:
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9660_ _ _

So in the example, given, the link for 174, would be http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9660174.

DOWNLOAD:
http://cid-00da410c7f7e038d.skydrive.live.com/embedrowdetail.aspx/ProductMaterial/Windows7/Windows7ResourceGuide.pdf

The Springboard Series of articles released a Technet post called “Ten Things IT Professionals Should Know About Windows 7” which I think is a worthwhile read.

Here’s an excerpt:

Ten Things IT Professionals Should Know About Windows 7

Every year, we get hit with a long drumbeat of “top 10 lists”—whether it’s the 10 worst-dressed celebrities at the Academy Awards, the 10 best ways to get in shape before spring, the 10 best ways to annoy the person in the office next to you.

At the Springboard Series, we pretty much have a one-track mind—what is in store for IT professionals responsible for desktop administration. While we might be tempted to share a couple of those weight-loss tips, it’s probably best we stick to what we know best—the top 10 things you need to know about the Windows 7 operating system.

With the Release Candidate of Windows 7 now available, we encourage you to download a version to your lab machine and begin testing your applications and devices to get to know what’s in it for you. As you begin testing, we offer this guide to the key features and capabilities in this new desktop operating system.

Here are the top 10 things to know about Windows 7:

1 – Application compatibility

The Windows Vista operating system introduced architectural changes down to the kernel level that made the OS inherently more secure than Windows XP. However, this came at a cost; many applications needed modification to function properly in a Windows Vista environment. While at this point in the lifecycle of Windows Vista (post Service Pack 1) most applications are now compatible, deploying Windows Vista into the desktop environment early on required some “heavy lifting” and creative shimming—not to mention a few late nights.

Windows 7 is built on the same basic architecture as Windows Vista, so most applications will retain their compatibility between these operating systems. This alone will make adopting Windows 7 much less challenging than migrating from Windows XP to Windows Vista. If your organization is like many that are still standardized on Windows XP, you will need to transition to updated versions of your key applications, but the availability of Windows Vista–compatible versions and well-proven shims will make this task more manageable.

…

LINK:  Ten Things IT Professionals Should Know About Windows 7
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd350196.aspx

Over the past few months we’ve released a series of videos to help customers prepare for Windows 7.  Here are the ones posted thus far off of http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd320282.aspx.

Enterprise Application Compatibility
Microsoft is committed to maximizing compatibility for applications that work with Windows Vista running on Windows 7. Much of the work done to remediate applications in Windows Vista will carry over to Windows 7 due to the underlying similarity of the two operating systems. This demonstration shows how creating compatibility fixes for an incompatible application running in Windows Vista can be used on a Windows 7-based computer.
Friday, January 9, 2009

Problem Steps Recorder
The Problem Steps Recorder in the Windows 7 operating system is a feature that enables users to record their interactions with an application and provide a detailed screen-by-screen view with accompanying information. Learn how the recording can be used to quickly identify problems and help reduce time spent with the help desk.
Friday, January 9, 2009

BitLocker and BitLocker to Go
In Windows 7, core BitLocker Drive Encryption functionality is enhanced to deliver an improved experience for IT professionals and end users—from simple enhancements such as the ability to right-click on a drive to enable BitLocker protection to the automatic creation of the required hidden boot partition. Learn about these enhancements and the new BitLocker To Go, which gives system administrators control over how removable storage devices can be used and the strength of protection required.
Friday, January 9, 2009

Windows PowerShell 2.0
Explore how Windows PowerShell 2.0 can help increase the productivity of IT professionals by providing a powerful, complete scripting language to automate repetitive tasks and conduct remote troubleshooting. It delivers a growing set of cmdlets that can be used to manage Windows–based PCs and servers, and it can be easily extended.
Friday, January 9, 2009

What’s New in Windows 7 Release Candidate
This screencast and document covers the key new features and improvements in the Windows 7 Release Candidate. This includes areas like performance, networking, security, PC management as well as everyday tasks.
Friday, May 1

Windows 7 VHD Boot Demonstration
This command line demonstration explains how to build a bootable Windows 7 VHD image from a Windows 7 "install.wim" file using diskpart.exe and imagex.exe. The demonstration continues with an explanation of how to configure the boot entry using bcdedit.exe and explains the limitations of VHD Boot. See the Windows 7 VHD Overview page for more information about this technology.
Friday, May 1

Migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7
Learn how to use the User State Migration Tool (USMT) to migrate user files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 using a default installation.
Friday, Apr 10

User State Migration Tool
The User State Migration Tool (USMT) for Windows 7 is now part of the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) and provides fast and flexible options to migrate user profiles and data from one operating system to another. Explore how the new Hard-Link Migration feature highlighted in his demonstration can dramatically reduce migration time for in-place operating system migration or computer refresh scenarios.
Tuesday, Mar 17

BranchCache
The introduction of BranchCache in Windows 7 is the next step to improving end user productivity in branch offices. BranchCache caches content from remote file and Web servers in the branch location so that users can more quickly access this information. The cache can be hosted centrally on a server in the branch location, or can be distributed across user PCs.
Tuesday, Mar 17

DirectAccess
DirectAccess enables remote users to access the corporate network anytime they have an Internet connection, without the extra step of initiating a virtual private networking (VPN) connection. Find out how to use DirectAccess to provide a more secure and flexible corporate network infrastructure in which computers on and off the network can remain healthy, managed, and updated.
Tuesday, Mar 17

User Account Control
User Account Control (UAC) was introduced in Windows Vista to help increase security and improve total cost of ownership by enabling the operating system to be deployed without administrative privileges. See how Windows 7 continues the investment in UAC with changes that enhance the user experience and put users in greater control of their prompting experience. For example, the number of operating system applications and tasks that require elevation is reduced, so standard users can do more than before and will see fewer elevation prompts.  Tuesday, Mar 17

Windows Troubleshooting Platform
The Windows Troubleshooting Platform can reduce calls to the help desk by diagnosing and resolving common issues, and by providing built-in troubleshooters for several different types of problems including audio, video, and networking. Learn how to develop custom Windows Troubleshooting Packs using Windows PowerShell to help resolve issues commonly encountered in your environment.
Tuesday, Mar 17

AppLocker
AppLocker is a flexible, easily administered mechanism that enables IT professionals to specify exactly what is allowed to run on user desktops. It provides the flexibility to allow users to run the applications, installation programs, and scripts they need to be productive. Learn how you can realize the security, operational, and compliance benefits of application standardization by using AppLocker.
Friday, Jan 9

Deployment Image Servicing and Management
Explore Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), a new command-line tool for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. DISM consolidates the core image management functions of multiple tools found in the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) and enables IT professionals to view components of an applied or mounted operating system image and add or remove packages, software updates, and drivers.
Friday, Jan 9

TechNet Events presents:

“Integrate Your IT Environment”
The Microsoft Roadshow for integrated Linux, Open Source, PGP, MySQL, & other Open Source technologies

Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:30 AM – Thursday, June 25, 2009 12:30 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Welcome Time: 8:00 AM

Location:
Microsoft Los Angeles
333 South Grand Avenue
Suite 3300 Los Angeles California 90071

Event Overview
Is your IT Infrastructure fully dedicated to just one technology solution? Chances are you work in a heterogeneous environment that includes a variety of technologies from Microsoft®, Linux, MySQL and Apple. Integration becomes vital in order for your core business applications to maintain business flow and efficiency. How do you achieve identity integration? Run Open Source Software (OSS) on Windows Server® 2008? Ever wanted to leverage the power of SQL with your PHP applications? This innovative roadshow will answer these questions and many others to get your integrated environment up and running smoothly.

Session 1: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Interop with Linux and OS X
Do you have existing Linux workstations and servers? Are you buying Apple notebooks for your personnel? If so, then you’re probably wondering how to secure and share information across your organization. Join us for a session that demonstrates how to authenticate and manage non-Windows operating systems. We’ll explore Active Directory (AD) extensions, management tools, security, file sharing, desktop management and a number of other key challenges we all face on a daily basis. Get set for some great demonstrations and plenty of time for questions and answers.

By attending this session, you’ll learn:

• How to authenticate Active Directory users that are using a Linux workstation. Windows Server 2008 and Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) 10 will be demonstrated.
• How to manage SLED desktops using Active Directory Group Policie Objects (GPO).
• Information on non Microsoft management tools for Linux and Apple OS X.

Session 2: Running Open Source Software (OSS) on Window Server 2008
Are you afraid to run open source software on Windows Server 2008? Fear no more; it’s easier than you think. Come discuss running LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP) on Windows Server 2008. Not interested in Linux? No problem. You’ll also learn how to run open source applications with IIS7, MySQL and PHP. Along the way, we’ll compare and contrast the optimum maintenance, operation and monitoring of these diverse systems and applications. This session will include several informative demonstrations and you’ll get plenty of time to ask questions.

By attending this session, you’ll learn:

• How to install and configure Apache on Windows Server 2008
• How to install and configure PHP on Windows Server 2008
• How to install and configure MySQL on Windows Server 2008
• How to install and configure an application that uses PHP and MySQL
• Discuss how to run solutions using the Microsoft virtualization technologies

Session 3: SQL Server 2008 and PHP Web Application Infrastructure

Do you want to take advantage of SQL Server’s great new features for your PHP sites? Join us for this session and learn how to make it happen. We’ll show you how to leverage your existing development resources and PHP knowledge by simply changing the backend to Microsoft SQL Server 2008. We’ll walk through the necessary steps to get PHP and SQL Server working together and you’ll see how to enjoy a successful deployment and post-deployment experience. You’ll also learn where to find the information you need when you deploy and scale PHP on SQL Server, including details about security, performance, backup, managing and monitoring. After the step-by-step deployment instructions and some helpful working demos, we’ll be happy to entertain your questions.

By attending this session, you’ll learn:

• How to configure SQL Server 2008 on a Windows 2008 Server for use with PHP
• How to configure PHP to run on IIS 7 against an SQL 2008 database server
• Where to go for additional resources you may need to manage your new SQL Server 2008/IIS7/Windows2008 environment

For even more information, please visit www.technetevents.com/interop

Looks like the dudes over at Home Server Hacks have seriously stepped up their game to advertise both Home Server as well as their http://www.homeserverhacks.com web site.

THE FREE STICKER DEAL
If you go to their web site at:

• http://www.homeserverhacks.com/2009/02/whs-oval-stickers-free-or-1-your-choice.html

They will give you a free WHS bumper sticker for the cost of a self-addressed stamped envelope.  They optionally ask for $1 donation but it’s voluntary.

MICROSOFT JOINS THE DEAL
Not to be out done, our WHS product group donated a stack of internal WHS stickers for him to give away as well.  So along with his original WHS sticker, he’ll send you the Microsoft one as well if you send TWO SASEs.

And apparently, at the Microsoft MVP summit, the sticker got quite a bit of publicity, finding it’s way to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s head.

• http://mswhs.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/stevebalmer.jpg

IDV’s Visual Fusion 4.0 launched today.  IDV is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner that, among other things, produces solutions that integrate with Sharepoint-stored data & Virtual Earth.

Visual Fusion allows users to construct advanced visualizations of that data in concert with geographical mapping in minutes and with ‘no coding’.  The front end is now completely Silverlight and integrates seamlessly with Sharepoint.

WAY FRACKIN’ COOL
Seriously Sharepoint-heads:  You need to check this solution out.  They have a variety of “visualizations” that you can see through this tool.  For example, wouldn’t it be interesting to see the regional statistics Swine Flu cases visually across a map?

You can through the demo.  Take a look.

• http://vf4demo.idvsolutions.com/

For more information on the product, go to:
http://www.idvsolutions.com/products_overview.aspx