Kurt Shintaku's Blog

.VMC files are Virtual Machine Configuration files that contain the various parameters of the synthetic hardware environment such as the memory size available to the VM, the number of network adapters, etc. etc.

Matthijs ten Seldam, a member of the Virtualization team at Microsoft, has produced a Powertoy tool for migrating these .VMC configurations to Hyper-V installations.

VMC to Hyper-V Import Tool, VMC2HV for short, imports the configuration from a Virtual Machine Configuration (VMC) file. Both Virtual PC and Virtual Server use VMC files to store the hardware and other properties of a VM. It reads the VMC file and maps all relevant properties to those for a Hyper-V VM. For those properties that did not exist, it provides additional options. Those properties that no longer exist are ignored.

VMC2HV was developed to ease the transition from Virtual Server to Hyper-V. As I explained in an earlier post, I was quite annoyed by the fact that I had to enter all hardware properties manually if I wanted to use the VHD files from the Virtual Server VM with the hardware settings as they were in the original VM. It really took a lot of time to get my VS VM’s under Hyper-V. So I did not want to do that again and decided to develop a tool that would import the properties for me (development of the tool took quite more time but it was fun…).

http://blogs.technet.com/matthts/archive/2008/09/12/vmc-to-hyper-v-import-tool-available.aspx

This morning we announced a stock buy back of $40B over the next 5 years as well as an increase in the quarterly dividend by 18%.  In a nutshell, here’s what was announced:

• Plan to buyback $40 billion in shares from now to 2013
• A quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share
• An authorization to borrow money up to $6B liquid for buybacks or projects
• Triple A credit rating from S&P & Moody’s; highest rating available

Translation:  MSFT is a solid, well financed company.  And as Steve Ballmer said, Microsoft shareholder win either way when it comes to the stock:  When the stock goes up, Microsoft shareholders wins.  When the stock goes down, Microsoft’s got the cash to buy the stock back when it’s a “buy”.  And as a company, we’re very bullish about our strategy & annual growth so we’re more than happy to invest in our future if others aren’t.

What blows my mind is that as a company, Microsoft has a market cap of $237B.  I mean, do the basic math: Buying back $40B in shares is a really, really large chunk of the company.  While this is next sentence is a pipe dream, we make about $30B annually in income and if you completely disregard the monetary war chest we have in the bank & non-corporate investments, if we were to execute a buyback like this a few more times at the current market cap, Microsoft could at some point be fully funded private company.

I don’t know too many places that have that ability.* 

• THE STREET:  Microsoft Sets $40 Billion Buyback
  http://www.thestreet.com/story/10438636/1/_msnh/microsoft-sets-40-billion-buyback.html?&cm_ven=MSNH&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA
• BARRONS:  Microsoft Sets $40B Buyback; Hikes Div; Stock Rises
  http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2008/09/22/microsoft-sets-40b-buyback-hikes-div-stock-rises/?mod=barrons_msnhttp://online.barrons.com/article/BL-TB-8805.html?
• PRNEWSWIRE:  Microsoft Announces Share Repurchase Program & Increases Quarterly Dividend
  EXTERNAL:  http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?symbol=US:MSFT&feed=PR&date=20080922&id=9171007
  MICROSOFT:  http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/sep08/09-22dividend.mspx

* And yes, that includes a certain search company with $2B in annual income and a monster market cap of $139B.

MSN Dial up Client software is something I’ve stuck to with great loyalty.  Why?  Because it’s anti-SPAM functionality is something that I adore.  I’d switch over to MSN Premium but apparently, they won’t let me (I’ve got a special employee deal) so no biggie.  I get dial up connectivity (as if I needed it) for free.

But trying to find the MSN client software on MSN.COM is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  I still don’t know where the heck I found this link from but it’s good to keep in your back pocket if you have MSN:

• http://client.msn.com/msn8/setting/EN/US/MSNI/updatehistory.asp?version=9.20.0029.3000#9.20.0029.3000

This link automatically checks to see what version you have installed and what version is most current.  It also tells you what changes have occurred between revisions.  For example:

Update History

version 9.60.0053.2200

User Interface changes:  None

Additional updates:

• Minor service improvements throughout MSN Explorer.

version 9.50.0039.1900

User Interface changes:  None

Additional updates:

• Minor service improvements throughout MSN Explorer.

version 9.50.0034.2000

User Interface changes:  Minor Improvements

Additional updates:

• Minor service improvements throughout MSN Explorer.

We’ve recently ramped up for the launch of the Microsoft Translator Service, a Web-based service from Windows Live that enables both application software & other web sites & services to translate content between different human languages freely. 

Languages supported as of September 2008:

• English to/from:
  • Arabic
  • Chinese Simplified
  • Chinese Traditional
  • Dutch
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian (RUS->ENU only)
  • Spanish
• Chinese Simplified <-> Chinese Traditional

• What’s the scoop on Microsoft Translator?
  Microsoft Translator is the ingredient technology behind the “Translate with Windows Live” feature in IE8 Beta 2.  Check out Bill Veghte’s mail last night announcing the IE8 Beta 2 launch – included in the list of his top 5 favorite features!

  Translation powered by the Microsoft Translator technology is currently available through IE8, Live Search, Windows Live Toolbar; we also working on a translation bot for Windows Live Messenger, and working with product groups on integration into Office, Hotmail, and other Windows Live services to be announced.

• Big deal.  This has been around for a while hasn’t it?
  Not exactly.  While it’s been around for nearly a year, if you go to http://www.windowslivetranslator.com/, you’ll be using Microsoft own translation technology from the Microsoft Research team.
• How can I link to the Translator service from my public corporate site or blog?
  There will be instructions on how to link our services from your external-facing web site. 
• Can I test out the Messenger bot?
  The Messenger bot does translations for you! Just add mtbot@hotmail.com to your contacts and start chatting away. You can have one-on-one conversations with the bot, or you can invite a friend and chat in different languages with the bot translating for you.  The bot uses the same set of engines as http://www.windowslivetranslator.com does.
• And Office translations?
  Our translator is available through the Office Research Pane, now also for external users. Here are complete instructions. 

For more information:

• Translator Homepage: http://translator.live.com
• Windows Live Toolbar Translator Button: http://gallery.live.com/default.aspx?pl=3
• Add our Web Page Translator to *your* Site: http://translator.live.com/addin.aspx
• Need affordable professional Translation? Get an instant quote from our partner at LiveTranslation https://livetranslation.com/microsoft.default.aspx

Menu items will NOT appear on the Home screen unless it’s specifically configured for your device.

• MARKETPLACE:  For example, unless you’ve linked your device to a Windows Live account in the Zune desktop software, you won’t see the “Marketplace” menu item.
• PODCASTS:  If you haven’t synced any Podcasts in the Zune desktop software and you haven’t synced them to your device, you won’t see the “Podcasts” menu item.
• GAMES:  If you haven’t expressly installed Games on your Zune from the Zune 3.0 software installer, you won’t see the Games tab.
• AUDIOBOOKS:  If you haven’t installed Audible, you won’t see the Audiobook menu item.

LINK:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/956610?sd=zune

—————————————

Audible makes it’s debut on Zune 3.0
And speaking of Audible:
Download the Audible Manager and get started installing Audiobooks and most importantly daily subscriptions to the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal.

Sadly, a long time ago, back in 2000, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and other periodicals were represented as daily subscriptions on Audible.  But they all cut out after a year because I guess it wasn’t popular.

But who knows?  Maybe they’ll be again soon with the addition of Zune and it’s business-oriented customer base.

LINK:  http://www.zune.net/audible

How ‘bout that.  I didn’t even know our guys were talking with CBS Radio.  Looks like they hooked up with KROQ to create an exclusive channel for alternative music in the Zune 3.0 desktop software & the new Zune Marketplace.

Here are most of the songs from Castle Crashers that can be found on Newgrounds. They can also be downloaded straight from Newgrounds now. These are legally downloadable for your listening pleasure.

• Opening Title Screen
• Arena Theme
• Blacksmith and Shop Theme
• Forest Entrance
• Thieves Forest
• Abandoned Mill Chase
• The Cave song
• Wedding Crash Hallway
• Snow Level
• Forest Troll
• Parade
• Lava World
• Pirate Ship
• Online Menu
• Flying Black Knight Fight
• Desert Stage
• Marsh
• Ice Castle
• End of level

DOWNLOAD:
http://forums.xbox.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=22490189

<stolen from Eric Charron’s blog… he doesn’t seem to update it very often so I’m just gonna lift his post in case the site disappears>

One trick is that you have to follow the steps outlined here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/954282

Even if you install the Integration Components for Hyper-V, the VM will not update because the VMBus device will not start (This device cannot start. (code 10)).  What you have to do if you are trying to move is the following:

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Start the virtual machine.
2. Click Start, click Run, type Msconfig.exe, and then click OK.
3. In the System Configuration dialog box, click the Boot tab, and then click Advanced Options.
4. In the BOOT Advanced Options dialog box, click to select the Detect HAL check box, and then click OK.
5. Click Yes to restart the virtual machine.
6. After the virtual machine is restarted, open Device Manager, and then verify that all Integration Services devices are installed.
7. In Device Manager, expand Computer, and then verify that ACPI x86-based PC is listed as the HAL.

Note You can clear the Detect HAL check box that you selected in step 4. If the Detect HAL check box is selected, the virtual machine takes a slightly longer time to start.

It’s been brought to my attention that it’s not entirely clear what the costs are associated with the courses, trainings, workshops, and hands-on-labs that I post on this blog.

Unless otherwise specified, the cost associated for any training, workshop, event, launch, or hands-on-lab that I post on this blog is, well, “NOTHING”.  Just register – first come, first served.

The event is complimentary to our directly supported, Enterprise customers, meaning that only customers that have Account Managers & sales staff supporting them have access to the event.  This makes for a good opportunity to discuss issues & challenges with other companies working with the same technologies you are.

Ultimately, at our workshops, Microsoft picks up the tab for:

• Instructor fees
• Workshop manuals & materials
• Equipment

Additionally, if specified, we’re often also picking up:
(A lot of this depends on the venue, the time of day, the date, how many people there are, the technology represented since some product groups are ‘better off’ than others, etc.)

• Breakfast/Lunch
• Parking