Kurt Shintaku's Blog

If you’re an Enterprise customer of mine, I am in possession of lots of Windows 7 Beta DVD’s and am willing to hook you up if you contact me with your mailing address. 

Inside is simply a bootable copy of a Windows 7 32-bit beta install DVD, ready to use.  And before you ask, no, I don’t have 64-bit copies.  The minimum requirements are:

• 1 Ghz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
• 1GB of system memory
• 16GB of available disk space
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128MB of video memory for Aero support
• DVD-R/W drive
• Internet access

Note:  You’ll still need to register with http://technet.microsoft.com/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx in order to acquire a product key.  Additionally the beta will expire on August 1st, 2009.

First come, first served!

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: (1192MB)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e464e255-cdd5-44b2-84e6-3233eae3f356&DisplayLang=en

OVERVIEW:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=F81A38D2-A152-4DDE-96E6-2AA184FDF9B7&displaylang=en

My Phone is a free service, built into the operating system, enabling consumers to easily access, manage and back up the personal information on their phones to a password protected Web portal.  Once synchronized, the consumer can easily back-up and restore mobile phone data. 

Microsoft® My Phone syncs information between your mobile phone and the web, enabling you to:

• Back up and restore your phone’s information to a password-protected web site
• Access and update your contacts and appointments through your web account
• Share photos on your phone with family and friends

Initially, Microsoft My Phone will first be available in limited, invite-only beta to Windows Mobile 6.x customers.

LINK:
http://microsoft.com/myphone

ARTICLES:

• Microsoft Prepping MobileMe-Type Service Called ”My Phone”
  Brighthand, Ed Hardy, February 6, 2009
  http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=14868&article=Microsoft+My+Phone
• Microsoft’s New Mobile Strategy
  BusinessWeek, Peter Burrows, February 6, 2009
  http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2009/02/for_the_past_fe.html?campaign_id=rss_blog_tech_beat
• Microsoft SkyBox 2.0 Will Let You Change Your Phone’s Ringtones, Backgrounds and Apps Remotely
  Gizmodo, Matt Buchanan, February 6, 2009
  http://i.gizmodo.com/5145796/microsoft-skybox-20-will-let-you-change-your-phones-ringtones-backgrounds-and-apps-remotely

Here’s how you do it:

1. Search for ‘Buy Flowers’ on Live search and then click on the sponsored link which talks about the 40% Cashback.  (Or go to http://tinyurl.com/ftdcashback)
2. After you complete the order, you’ll get an email about the 40%.
3. The cash will show up in your Live Cashback account 60 days after the purchase.

Deal: Xbox 360 Arcade Holiday Bundle $170 Dell Home
Posted 07 Feb, 2009 by Dan Expires 12 Feb, 2009

Dell Home is offering the Microsoft Corporation Xbox 360 Arcade Holiday Bundle for $200- $30 (15% off) – use coupon code 8MN5GN7LGLL2WD (ends 2/12) = $170+Free Shipping. Get it!

You get: Xbox 360 + HDMI Output, Wireless controller and five arcade games + 256MB memory unit (NO HARD DRIVE IN THE ARCADE VERSION)

LINK: 
http://www.ineverpayretail.com/dickering/r.aspx?d=15006

Forefront TMG Beta 2 is available for public download at Microsoft web site. This TMG version has so many news that you have to take some time to install, analyze the new GUI, read the deployment guide and see with your own eyes the exciting new set of features that this version offers. Let me highlight some of them:

• SMTP Protection
• Network Inspection System
• Integration with the Forefront Security Suite (codename Stirling).
  For this you will need Stirling Beta 2.

Now go ahead and download TMG Beta 2 and enjoy this great release. On the page below you will find the bits, release note and deployment guide. So you are all set to test, evaluate and send feedback about TMG Beta 2:

DOWNLOAD:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e05aecbc-d0eb-4e0f-a5db-8f236995bccd&DisplayLang=en

(As taken from Yuri’s blog)

In today’s challenging economy, retail companies need to build a strong connection with customers, differentiate their brand, and make it easier for customers to spend with them.
Virtual Earth can help retailers:

• Showcase locations, products, and promotions on the Web.
• Boost business, particularly among multi-channel retailers that offer purchase online and pickup in store.
• Connect with customers through rich experiences that differentiate their brands.
• Gain insight for better decisions by visualizing business data in the context of location.

————–

Show Your Customers the Big Picture
Join Chris Pendleton, Microsoft Virtual Earth technical evangelist, to learn how Virtual Earth can help your company connect with customers, build loyalty, and boost profits.

• Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009
  Time: 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time

Register today to join this webcast and receive a free white paper on how Virtual Earth can help retail companies maximize their businesses.

————–

Virtual Earth Empowers Developers to See and Show the Big Picture
Learn how you can use Virtual Earth as a development platform to build immersive end-user experiences that connect customers with your locations, products, and services offered–on the desktop or on mobile devices.

• Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2009
  Time: 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time

Register today to join this webcast and receive a free white paper on how Virtual Earth can help retail companies maximize their business.

Learn more:
www.microsoft.com/virtualearth

OMG.  It’s “PowerShell Wizard” by ye110wbeard of LandofSilly.
(as sung to the tune of “Pinball Wizard” by The Who)

http://landofsilly.mypodcast.com/2009/01/PowerShell_Wizard-177292.html

This is just awful.  And yet awesome at the same time.

I’m so confused.

(First of all, no, I wasn’t looking around for a job and this has nothing to do with the recent news about Microsoft’s 5000 head layoff.  Knock on wood. [meager smile!])

I was perusing some of the updated Microsoft blog RSS feeds I get and this article popped up as something rather interesting and yet a little controversial.  I thought it would be good food for thought for some… or possibly cannon fodder for others depending on your opinion. 

Five ways to fail my phone interview
Posted Tuesday, January 20 2009 by The JobsBloggers

Understanding that every recruiter conducts initial candidate screens differently, I wanted to share some of the themes that come up with candidates I don’t end up moving forward with. JobsBlog has lots of great tips for ways to improve your phone screen, but here are some things to avoid.

• Be Cognizant of Time – Most phone screens are budgeted for 30-45 minutes, which means there’s an opportunity to cover several topics at a high level or one to two in deep detail. I’ve always felt two minutes should be enough time to give a complete answer about your experience (granted, specific technical problems might take longer to solve). In any case, it makes sense to be aware of how long you take to answer a question. If more depth is needed, a recruiter will not be shy about asking you to expand!

…
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE:
http://microsoftjobsblog.com/blog/fail-my-phone-interview/

Personally I found it interesting because I don’t think the advice is that difficult to follow especially if you prepare adequately however I can see how some things might be difficult for folks that aren’t used to speaking and thinking on their feet in oral engagements like these.

Take your web development and design skills to the next level at MIX09. Now in its fourth year, the MIX conference is a gathering of designers and developers who are building the world’s most innovative web sites.

Just like you, Microsoft understands that the Web is the future of commerce, education, and communication, and we want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge to create the next generation of UI, applications and web design.

At MIX09, you’ll get in-depth exposure to exciting new Microsoft technologies, exchange ideas with fellow developers and designers, meet the industry’s thought leaders and be inspired. MIX09 brings together the best ideas, sessions, parties and people, and it’s where you’ll find everything you need to ❤ your Web.

• Explore the next wave of opportunities and help redefine the boundaries between content and commerce, PC and TV, Windows® and the Web
• Be inspired by an impressive lineup of UX, design and development sessions
• Connect with experts on a wide range of topics for one-on-one guidance and inspiration
• Learn about the future of Silverlight™, Internet Explorer®, Expression®, ASP.NET and other web technologies from Microsoft
• Network with executives from Microsoft and some of the world’s largest web sites and interactive agencies

MIX09 brings together the best ideas, sessions, and people, and it’s where you’ll find everything you need to ❤ your Web.

Who Should Attend
MIX is for designers and developers who build innovative web sites. Attendees are coders, strategists, information architects, visual designers, UX professionals and digital marketers. They represent top web sites, web start-ups, interactive agencies and other organizations that do business on the Web.

LINK:
http://2009.visitmix.com/