Kurt Shintaku's Blog

“Ask the Experts”
at the Irvine Microsoft Technology Center

June 2009

In this tough economy, you need to do more with less, work smarter, and plan better.  “Ask the Experts” is designed to give you an opportunity to engage directly with Microsoft Architects and Technical Support Engineers on a wide variety of technologies and solutions.

This event is designed to allow free unstructured flow of questions and answers between attendees and experts in an casual setting. Subject Matter Experts from broad technology areas like SharePoint, Unified Communications, Application Platform Tools and Processes, SQL Server and Business Intelligence, Identity and Access management, Virtualization, Systems Center, Server and Client Deployment will be available to discuss your technical issues, potential solutions, and answer development and architectural questions.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to tour the Irvine Microsoft Technology Center, including the Envisioning Theatre and our Services Labs.

Why should you attend?

Have you ever wanted to ask a Microsoft expert anything at no cost to you?

1. Do you leverage your Microsoft technology investment to its full potential?
2. Are you equipped with the necessary knowledge to lead your organization in technology for the next five years?
3. Do you want to learn how to implement a KPI solution for your environment?
4. Do you want to learn how to enable collaboration through Unified Communications providing conferencing, presence and voice?
5. Do you have questions about how to deliver next generation Business Intelligence capabilities to your customers?
6. Could you benefit from a better understanding of how to manage your infrastructure with System Center? How about managing Virtualization environments with VMM?

These are just a few of the potential questions and topics that “Ask the Experts” can discuss with you. Come meet the Microsoft team and take advantage of this unique opportunity to interact one on one with today’s industry leading experts in Microsoft technologies.  In just a few hours, you will have the ability to arm yourself with sum of  the knowledge necessary to lead your organization in technology and processes for years to come.

Location:
Microsoft Irvine
3 Park Plaza
Suite 1600
Irvine, CA 92614
949.263.3000
Click here for directions

(Parking will be validated and food will be served)

Registration/Date/Time:
For registration details, date, and time, please contact me if you are a customer of mine to ensure your entry!

All attendees will be eligible to participate in a xBox 360 raffle!

Now downloadable as a beta, Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 makes it easy to install and run many of your Windows XP productivity applications directly from a Windows 7-based PC. It utilizes virtualization technology such as Windows Virtual PC to provide a Virtual Windows XP environment for Windows 7.

Windows XP Mode provides a 32-bit Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (SP3) environment pre-loaded on a virtual hard disk. Client virtualization software, like Windows Virtual PC is a pre-requisite to use Windows XP Mode.

BETA DOWNLOAD:
(Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions available)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=0e8fa9b3-c236-4b77-be26-173f032f5159 (445MB)

Now don’t get this confused with “Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V”.  This is “Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2” which is a separately installable product that:

1. Gets installed on a server without any additional operating system
2. Is NOT Windows Server but rather the hypervisor element alone for managing Virtual Machines that are installed on top of it
3. Costs absolutely no money.  100% free. 

The product exists because not everyone is licensed for “Windows Server 2008 R2” and thus doesn’t have the ability to use the Hyper-V technology within it.  This provides our high performance hypervisor to individuals that only have the licensing for:

• Windows Server 2003
• Windows XP/Vista
• Linux (non-Windows operating systems)

———–
[taken from the download page]

Microsoft® Hyper-V™ Server 2008 R2 is a stand-alone product that provides a reliable and optimized virtualization solution enabling organizations to improve server utilization and reduce costs. With the addition of new features such as live migration and expanded processor and memory support for host systems, it allows organizations to consolidate workloads onto a single physical server and is a good solution for organizations who are consolidating servers as well as for development and test environments.

By having the ability to plug into existing IT infrastructures Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 enables companies to reduce costs, improve utilization and provision new servers. It allows IT professionals to leverage existing patching, provisioning, management and support tools and processes. IT Professionals can continue to leverage their individual skills and the collective knowledge of Microsoft tools, minimizing the learning curve to manage Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2. In addition, with Microsoft providing comprehensive support for Microsoft applications and heterogeneous guest operating systems support, customers can virtualize with confidence and peace of mind.

Note: This is a pre-release version of Microsoft® Hyper-V™ Server 2008 R2 and not intended to be used in a production environment.

DOWNLOAD:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fdac7be8-1847-4839-991d-f84be95a33a0&displayLang=en  (1.2GB)

A customer asked our support engineer, “How can we get usage statistics from Sharepoint?”  (Sharepoint Server 2007 or Windows Sharepoint Services)  The question is sort of broad, but does reflect an important function of Sharepoint.  After all, how otherwise would you know if anyone’s using the portal implementation that you worked so hard to bring up?

The easiest way to implement some level of usage reporting is to leverage the inherent capabilities of Sharepoint:

• You can take ANY Sharepoint site and tack on the following appendage and get stats:
     _layouts/1033/usageDetails.aspx
  
  For example, http://sharepoint/sites/personalsite/
  _layouts/1033/usageDetails.aspx reveals:
• Sharepoint Usage Reporting can be configured following these instructions:
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc262541.aspx
• Sharepoint Designer can delve into Sharepoint Stats as well:
• http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointdesigner/HA101741361033.aspx

There are a number of 3rd party solutions as well:

• Additionally, there is a tool out there from the famous MAPIlab guys that provides richer stats:
  http://www.mapilab.com/sharepoint/statistics/
• Nintex Reporting also provides richer reporting on usage:
  http://www.nintex.com/Nproducts/Reporting.aspx
• And there are lots of 3^rd party, generic web server stat products out there.  The famous WebTrends has Sharepoint Integration – Mike Gannotti writes about it here.
  http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/blogs/mikeg/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?List=1b3bbb8f%2D4b5a%2D4f72%2D94c4%2D94cb80bc3866&ID=1293

Some of you know that you can get a discount on eBay BuyItNow purchases made using PayPal by first finding the item through http://Search.Live.com.  This discount is a “rebate” that is automatically stored up in an escrow account at http://cashback.live.com and release to your personal bank acocunt after 60 days.

This is a notoriously great way to purchase gifts and other items through eBay (especially during Christmas since these monies can really total up and you don’t really care when the rebate hits your bank account.

The problem is that the percentage rebate that you get can vary depending on the date you try to use it.  It’s been as high as 30%, and it’s been as low as 5%.

Well, someone created a “cashback” level notification service that automatically notifies you via eMail of when the cashback percentage for eBay exceeds a certain percentage.

Check it out!

• LINK:
  http://www.abevoelker.com/livesearch/

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 will be the next version of the Windows Server operating system from Microsoft. Building on the features and capabilities of the current Windows Server 2008 release version, Windows Server 2008 R2 allows you to create organization solutions that are easier to plan, deploy, and manage than previous versions of Windows Server.

Developing upon the increased security, reliability, and performance provided by Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 extends connectivity and control to local and remote resources. This means your organizations can benefit from reduced costs and increased efficiencies gained through enhanced management and control over resources across the enterprise.

Top 10 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2

1. Powerful Hardware and Scaling Features
2. Reduced Power Consumption
3. Hyper-V™ in Windows Server 2008 R2
4. Increased Desktop Management Efficiencies
5. Easier and More Efficient Server Management
6. PowerShell 2.0
7. Ubiquitous Remote Access
8. Improved Branch Office Performance and Management
9. Simplified Management for SMBs
10. The Strongest Web and Application Server To Date

[taken from http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/1/f2146213-4ac0-4c50-b69a-12428ff0b077/Top_10_Reasons_to_Upgrade_to_WS08R2.doc]

DOWNLOAD:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/R2-Download.aspx

REVIEWER’S GUIDE:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/E/3/6E3E4529-27E3-48EC-B7E7-1A93242D3AE1/Windows_Server_2008_R2_Reviewers_Guide_(BETA).doc

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)