Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Rare must be losin’ it.  They’ve published some new Pinata Cards for you to use that… well… integrate their famed combat title, Killer Instinct, into Viva Pinata.

They either must be DYING to create Killer Instinct for Microsoft and someone’s holding them back or they’ve already go the thing in the pipe and we just don’t know it.  I can tell you this much:  This is the first time I’ve seen Rare mention Killer Instinct on their web site since we acquired them.

PIÑATA VISION CARDS

To use these cards you’ll need an Xbox 360 with a copy of Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise and an Xbox LIVE Vision camera.

While in your VP: TIP garden, either hold up a printed Piñata Vision card to your LIVE Vision camera, or point the camera at the card on the screen. Make sure the card fits within the in-game scanning window and the edges aren’t obscured by anything, fingers included.

The pictured Piñata (or a suitable Piñata approximation of whatever is pictured) should then leap across to your garden through the twin powers of technology and witchcraft. Enjoy!

http://www.rare.co.uk/games/vivapinata-trouble/cards.html

For 25 years, Microsoft Press books have focused on helping you take your skills and knowledge to the next level. Help celebrate our 25th Anniversary with a "Free E-Book Offer of the Month"! Read your Microsoft Press Book Connection Newsletter for notification of offers, register, and download the selection of the month. Offers expire on October 22, so download the e-books today.

This month:

• Windows Server(r) 2008 TCP/IP Protocols and Services by Joseph Davies: This in-depth technical reference delivers must-know information for any IT professional working with TCP/IP in the Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista operating systems.
  Download this e-book today!
• Programming Microsoft Robotics Studio by Sara Morgan: Visualize, build, and deploy the next innovation in robotic applications with this practical guide to Microsoft Robotics Studio.
  Download this e-book today!

Derek Melber, author, IT Consultant and Microsoft MVP for Group Policy, discusses how to effectively use the new group policy objects in Windows Vista to improve manageability and strengthen security.

Download the podcast in the file format of your choice: WMA or MP3. In order to listen to the WMA podcast, you will need to install Windows Media Player (Windows Media Player 11 is included in Windows Vista). To listen to the MP3 podcast, you will need Windows Media Player or another MP3 media player.

Springboard Series Podcast: Advanced Group Policy
http://co1piltwb.partners.extranet.microsoft.com/mcoeredir/mcoeredirect.aspx?linkId=10685121&s1=64f91b0f-009e-5a38-3cf5-2d4cb973e070

The Windows Speech Recognition Macros tool – or WSR Macros for short – extends the usefulness of the speech recognition capabilities in Windows Vista. Users can create powerful macros that are triggered by spoken commands which can perform a series of tasks from as simple as inserting your mailing address to as complex as providing a completely different speech interaction with applications.

While we have tried to make it easy to use, this release of WSR Macros is a technical preview of technology we are planning to release in the future. Not all the features we have planned are included, and some are incomplete. Users are cautioned to treat this release as “pre-beta.” While creating simple macros is very straightforward, the creation and editing of more complex macro files is best suited for advanced users. We welcome your feedback on how we can improve WSR Macros to best suit your needs.

System Requirements:

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows Vista
• A computer running a genuine copy of Windows Vista (x86 or x64)
• Currently, only English-language editions of Windows are supported.
• A working microphone
• Optionally, speakers or headset for sound and voice output

We recommend the following in addition:

• A minimum of 1GB of memory is recommended when using speech alongside of other applications.
• Speech recognition works best when the computer can hear you clearly. We recommend high-quality microphones for best results. Microphones that are placed near the speaker’s mouth are optimal, such as a headset microphone.
• We recommend that you complete the Microphone Wizard and additionally the Windows Speech Recognition tutorial before using WSR Macros. This will ensure that your microphone is setup properly and help the speech engine become adapted to your voice.
• Please note that most Bluetooth microphones do not function well with Windows Speech Recognition due to limited audio bandwidth.

DOWNLOAD:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fad62198-220c-4717-b044-829ae4f7c125&displaylang=en&Hash=KovmybJQwjsNw7ttjiIFqUz%2flbTGhKwPbWiG8gRviYVIDjD4YJLQueFB%2fIMjTCwVCv7EaPyz6FFSYMq%2f4AZQnQ%3d%3d

Windows Speech Recognition Macros Code Library:
http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/wsrmacros

Whether you’re attending PDC or not, The Underground is the place to be!

Microsoft and INETA have joined forces to bring you a truly amazing experience in downtown Los Angeles. We’ve got a fantastic speakeasy evening lined up, one that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

We’ve secured some special guest speakers for sneak peeks of PDC announcements, including Scott Guthrie, Doug Purdy, Don Box, Chris Anderson and Scott Hanselman! We are showcasing local sponsors, bringing together a great night of vignettes, networking, music, dancing, food and drinks!

There is limited space for this premier event.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008
6:00pm – 2:00am

The Edison
108 W. 2nd St., #101
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Directions

Doors open at 6:00pm. Come early. When the event reaches capacity, we can’t guarantee entrance!
Must be at least 21 of age with ID!

Registration:
If you are a customer of mine that is interested in attending, please contact me for instructions as it requires an RSVP code.  The public registration is completely full.

Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) synchronizes business goals and IT investment priorities, provides valuable insight into the software development lifecycle at each stage of the process, and can enable organizations to get the most value out of their IT investments.

Companies like yours that have embraced ALM have already realized greater productivity. With VSTS and TFS, Microsoft has the tools to help you adopt ALM and realize the benefits. This intensive one-day workshop will show you how.

Adopting Application Lifecycle Management is brought to you by Tallan and Microsoft. The workshop will be held from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM on November 11th at the Microsoft Irvine Office. Meals will be provided.

Space is limited for this one-day intensive workshop…will you lock in your place at this game-changing training today?

Agenda –

• 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
  Introduction to ALM – Overview of Microsoft ALM strategy and technologies
• 9:00 AM – 9:15AM
  Tallan Introduction
  Overview of Tallan, experience with TFS showcasing examples of past projects
• 9:15AM – 9:45 AM
  What is TFS?
  Overview of Team Foundation Server and Visual Studio Team System including how these tools can be utilized to help work through the development lifecycle.
• 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
  Break
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (with 15min break)
  From requirements to release – how to track what the developers work on, how to control what gets included in a release and how to automate the build & deployment process.
  Review of the change management and source control capabilities of TFS and how it compares to other tools.
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  Lunch
• 1:00 PM – 2:45 PM
  How do I improve the quality of our software? How do I measure whether we are continuously improving?
  In-depth examination of the testing, code analysis and reporting features In TFS.
• 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM
  Break
• 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
  How do I get my development team, DBAs, operations and project management on the same page?
  Separate the walls between these groups in your IT organization. Facilitate communication and coordination using the tools provided by TFS.
• 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
  Additional Q&A

Date/Time:
11/11/2008
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Welcome Time:  11/11/2008 8:15 AM

Location:
Microsoft Corporation
Three Park Plaza
Suite 1800
Irvine, CA 92614

Registration:
https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=132375 
Event Code: 132375

If technology is the backbone of your business, you won’t want to miss out on the TechDays ’08 event in Costa Mesa, CA. Filled with exclusive product information presented by insider experts, TechDays ’08 will show developers, IT professionals, IT executives, and partners how Microsoft technology can take their business to the next level.

Whether you attend just one day or all three, you’ll walk away with a greater understanding of the business value of Microsoft’s technology solutions. Plus, you’ll have the chance to take a closer look at Microsoft’s latest development tools. Check out the tracks below and register for these exciting sessions today!

• SQL SERVER 2008 ROADSHOW
  Tuesday, November 11, 2008
  REGISTER

  Learn more about SQL Server2008 and its new features and capabilities the new enhanced capabilities of the product. We’ll be exploring security and database management, how to best manage your data, and what’s new in business intelligence with SQL Server 2008. Don’t miss this half day event that will give you a better understanding of what SQL 2008 has to offer and how you can best put it to use at your company. LEARN MORE >

  Topic 1: Database Management and Security
  Topic 2: Data warehousing
  Topic 3: Integrated Business Intelligence

• TECHNET EVENT: WINDOWS VISTA, POWERSHELL AND GROUP POLICY
  Wednesday, November 12, 2008
  REGISTER

  Get the latest tips and tools from Microsoft that will make your life as an IT Professional a lot easier. First, we’ll dispel some Windows Vista myths and address the top deployment blockers that have been reported. Then, we’ll show how you can automate system administration tasks and increase your productivity using Windows PowerShell™. Finally, you’ll get the inside track on Group Policy preferences, a new feature in Microsoft Windows Server® 2008 that will help you better deploy and manage Windows Vista and application settings. LEARN MORE >

  Topic 1: Why Windows Vista with SP1?
  Topic 1: Managing Windows Vista with Windows PowerShell
  Topic 1: Group Policy Preferences, Templates and Scripting

   

• VIRTUALIZATION AND ENTERPRISE SEARCH
  Thursday, November 13, 2008
  REGISTER
  Join us for a series of demonstrations and technical discussions about virtualization and enterprise search. We’ll explore the powerful new Windows Server 2008 virtualization platform and data center management solutions, while covering the benefits of Microsoft’s integrated Hyper-V and System Center product families. We’ll also look at how to help information workers find, use and share the critical data they need to boost productivity and success. You’ll see how Microsoft’s robust platform of business-ready search solutions can quickly, securely and seamlessly connect people with the information they need – when they need it. LEARN MORE >

  Topic 1: Virtualization
  Topic 2: Enterprise Search

• WHAT’S NEW FOR DEVELOPERS
  Tuesday, November 11, 2008
  REGISTER >

  Join us for this free, live session designed to enhance your coding skills and make your life a little easier. By attending you’ll get up –to-the-minute technology delivered by seasoned developers and have lots of time to network and ask questions. Chat with your fellow developers get the latest coding tools and tips and learn how to create rich new applications. LEARN MORE >

• MSDN EVENT – SILVERLIGHT 2.0, SQL SERVER 2008 AND VSTO
  Wednesday, November 12, 2008
  REGISTER >

  Join us for the latest tips, tools and technical information you need to build powerful applications and engaging user experiences. We’ll show you how SQL Server 2008 delivers new development capabilities, including support for Spatial Data types, a fresh storage mechanism and more. You’ll also learn how to leverage the Silverlight platform to build next generation applications for consumers and business, and how Visual Studio Tools for the Microsoft Office System (VSTO) addresses some of the toughest challenges facing today’s Office solution developers. Don’t miss these free, live sessions near you. LEARN MORE >

  Topic 1: What’s New in SQL Server 2008 for Developers
  Topic 2: Power up your Office applications with VSTO
  Topic 3: Build next generation applications with Silverlight 2.0

• THE ROLE OF THE ARCHITECT: TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE
  Thursday, November 13, 2008
  REGISTER >

  In this session, we’ll take a look at the strategy behind the new Microsoft Cloud Services platform, provide an overview of building block services, and show how to facilitate cloud-based transactions that connect multiple organizations. We’ll also discuss the role IT architects play in the success of IT projects. The skill sets and certifications required to be a professional IT architect are still being defined, and we’ll have a panel discussion with local architects on how you can get involved and contribute to the process. LEARN MORE >

  Topic 1: Microsoft Cloud Services Architecture
  Topic 2: The Role of an Architect, Experiences and Our Profession
  Topic 3: Local Architect Panel Discussion

To visit the overall event web site for TechDays 08 in Orange County, go to:
http://www.msdnevents.com/orangecounty/

<taken from http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/oct08/10-14OCSR2PR.mspx>

Today, Microsoft Corp. debuted Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2 (R2), an update to the award-winning Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007. Microsoft representatives demonstrated the new release for the first time before an audience of telecom and IT professionals at the VoiceCon tradeshow in Amsterdam. Customers will be able to purchase the release, currently in private beta testing, beginning in February 2009.

Office Communications Server 2007 R2 delivers important new functionality that extends software-powered voice, particularly for remote and mobile workers; provides on-premise audioconferencing to help reduce operational costs; and introduces new developer advances, including the ability to build communications-enabled business processes. These enhancements will improve business communications through a unified infrastructure and user experience.

“Office Communications Server 2007 R2, debuting just one year after the Microsoft unified communications launch, highlights the pace of innovation that is possible with software,” said Stephen Elop, president of the Microsoft Business Division at Microsoft. “This new release puts Microsoft on a rapid path to deliver voice software that does much more than a network private branch exchange (PBX) and with much less cost.”

Customers worldwide are embracing Microsoft’s unified communications platform, which streamlines communications by combining e-mail, instant messaging, conferencing and voice communications onto a single, unified platform.

Software-Powered Voice for Today and Tomorrow

Since the solution became available in 2007, businesses have begun migrating their workers off their PBXs to Office Communications Server for all their telephony needs. Customers such as Royal Dutch Shell plc are already taking a load off their PBXs by using Office Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 for mobile and remote workers in place of PBX phones to provide global employees with innovative communications solutions to quickly and efficiently reach their colleagues and help reduce operational costs.

“As a global company with employees dispersed in various time zones and geographic locations, Royal Dutch Shell has benefitted from Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 with improved communications and more flexibility for our employees,” said Johan Krebbers, group IT architect, Royal Dutch Shell. “Today Royal Dutch Shell has over 5,000 employees who frequently travel and use Office Communications Server 2007 as their primary voice solution.”

Customers are leapfrogging an entire generation of Internet protocol (IP) PBX technology to move straight to unified communications and software-powered voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). Office Communications Server interoperates with legacy PBX and IP PBX investments, allowing customers to transition to the new platform without undergoing an expensive rip-and-replace upgrade of their network. Office Communications Server 2007 R2 allows customers to take the next step toward replacing their PBX with Microsoft’s unified communications software and managing voice in the same way as other applications such as e-mail and instant messaging.

New Capabilities on a Strong, Unified Foundation

Through deep integration with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange Server and Office SharePoint Server, Office Communications Server delivers organizations the power of one: one infrastructure for enterprise communications and one cohesive user experience. Customers do not need to deploy and adopt dozens of different applications to make unified communications a reality. Office Communications Server 2007 R2 builds on that foundation with new capabilities that provide flexible business communications solutions for end users and gives IT pros the tools needed to control and manage their organization’s communications needs.

Key new features of Office Communications Server 2007 R2 include the following:

Next-Generation Collaboration

• Dial-in audioconferencing. Office Communications Server 2007 R2 enables businesses to eliminate costly audioconferencing services with an on-premise audioconferencing bridge that is managed by IT as part of the overall communications infrastructure.
• Desktop sharing. This feature enables users to seamlessly share their desktop, initiate audio communications and collaborate with others outside the organization on PC, Macintosh or Linux platforms through a Web-based interface.
• Persistent group chat. This enables geographically dispersed teams to collaborate with each other by participating in topic-based discussions that persist over time. This application provides users with a list of all available chat rooms and topics, periodically archives discussions in an XML file format that meets compliance regulations, provides tools to search the entire history of discussion on a given topic, and offers filters and alerts to notify someone of new posts or topics on a particular topic.

Enhanced Voice and Mobility

• Attendant console and delegation. This allows receptionists, team secretaries and others to manage calls and conferences on behalf of other users, set up workflows to route calls, and manage higher volumes of incoming communications through a software-based interface.
• Session Initiation Protocol trunking. This feature enables businesses to reduce costs by setting up a direct VoIP connection between an Internet telephony service provider and Office Communicator 2007 without requiring on-premise gateways.
• Response group.A workflow design application manages incoming calls based on user-configured rules (e.g., round-robin, longest idle, simultaneous), providing a simple-to-use basic engine for call treatment, routing and queuing.
• Mobility and single-number reach. This extends Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile functionality to Nokia S40, Motorola RAZR, Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms, allowing users to communicate using presence, IM and voice as an extension of their PBX from a unified client.^*

New Developer Tools for Business Applications

• APIs and Visual Studio integration. This improves the efficiency of everyday business processes by enabling businesses to build communications-enabled applications and embed communications into business applications.

Join Us for Launch
Office Communications Server 2007 R2 will launch in a worldwide online event Feb. 3, 2009. Those interested can register to participate in the launch at
http://www.microsoft.com/communicationsserver

Silverlight 2.0 is a cross-platform, lightweight environment for building rich applications & web experiences uniquely using & integrating with Microsoft Development tools. 

The runtime module for Silverlight 2.0 is now available for you to download.

DOWNLOAD:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/9/e/b9ed7625-ba69-4218-a03d-44a0faf7f047/81005/Silverlight.2.0.exe

More information and detail can be found at the following links:

• Silverlight Home Page:
  http://silverlight.net/GetStarted/
• Silverlight Dev Tools & Downloads:
  http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=129043
• Silverlight 2.0 Training Videos:
  http://silverlight.net/learn/
• What’s New in the Release for Silverlight 2.0?
  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645049(VS.95).aspx

EXAMPLE:
The Hard Rock web site has a new Silverlight 2.0-based Memorabilia page available at: 
http://memorabilia.hardrock.com/

Many of our customers do not know what computers are in their IT environment or what applications have been deployed.

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 3.2 Beta makes it easier for customers and partners to quickly identify what servers, workstations, and network devices are in their IT environment.

MAP also provides specific and actionable IT proposals and reports to help customers get the most value out of Microsoft products and infrastructure. Over 500,000 Microsoft customers and partners have already used MAP and its prior versions including Costco Wholesale Corporation, Continental Airlines, and Banque de Luxembourg.

Introducing Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit
MAP is a scalable and agent-less assessment platform designed to make it easier for our customers to adopt the latest Microsoft technologies. In this version, MAP has expanded its assessment capabilities to include SQL Server 2008, Forefront/NAP, and Microsoft Online Services migration, as well as providing a Power Savings assessment to help your customers "go green."

In summary, MAP 3.2 assessment areas now include:

• SQL Server 2008 Migration Proposals and Reports (NEW!)
• Forefront/NAP Readiness Proposals (NEW!)
• Microsoft Online Services Migration Surveys, Proposals, and Reports (NEW!)
• Power Savings Proposals (NEW!)
• Server Migration Reports and Proposals (Windows Server 2008 and "virtualized guests by hosts" reporting) (NEW!)
• Server Consolidation Reports and Proposals (Virtual Server 2005 R2 and Hyper-V)
• Desktop Security Assessment to determine if desktops have anti-virus and anti-malware programs installed and up-to-date, or if the Windows Firewall is turned on
• Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 Hardware Assessment Reports and Proposals

Toolkit Features
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit performs key functions that include hardware and device inventory, compatibility analysis, and readiness reporting.

MAP utilizes an enterprise-scale, agent-less architecture that enables users to inventory their servers, desktops, applications, and network devices without installing any software agents on each machine being assessed. This tool has the ability to discover all computers within Active Directory, and most importantly, non-IT managed machines such as workgroup members.

Additionally, MAP can generate localized desktop readiness reports in seven languages including North American English, German, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Benefits to Customers and Partners

• Fast and Agent-less. MAP provides secure network-wide assessment of environments of up to 100,000 computers in a matter of hours instead of days, all without deploying any software agents on each inventoried machine.
• Saves Pre-Sales and Planning Time. For most IT consultants and Microsoft Partners, a detailed network inventory and assessment of servers and desktops often takes days of manual labor. With MAP, they can now drastically reduce the time it takes for the same inventory to a matter of hours; allowing them more time to focus their efforts on critical pre-sales engagement tasks. For IT professionals, MAP can significantly reduce the time it takes to gather the information necessary to make the business case for client and server migration, as well as for their upcoming virtualization projects.
• Actionable Recommendations and Reporting. MAP offers valuable inventory and readiness assessment reports with specific upgrade recommendations and virtualization candidate reports that make it easier for IT migration and deployment projects to get off the ground and running.
• Coverage from Desktops to Servers. MAP provides technology assessment and planning recommendations for many Microsoft desktop and server products including SQL Server 2008, Forefront/NAP, Microsoft Online Services, Windows Server 2008, Hyper-V, Virtual Server 2005 R2, Windows Vista, 2007 Microsoft Office, Microsoft Application Virtualization (or App-V), System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007, and more.

Next Steps – How to get MAP?

• Download Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 3.2 BETA and give us your feedback (Live ID login and registration required)
• Learn more about MAP on TechNet
• For Technical Feedback on MAP 3.2 Beta, please contact us at MAPSBETA@microsoft.com
• Read MAP Toolkit Case Studies: See how Costco Wholesale Corporation, Continental Airlines, and Banque de Luxembourg benefitted from using the MAP Toolkit
• Read the MAP Team Blog
• Listen to TechNet webcasts on MAP
• Join the TechNet Forum Community for MAP
• MAP is a member of the family of Server, Desktop, and Virtualization Solution Accelerators.