Kurt Shintaku's Blog

If you’ve got Windows Vista & you have Aero turned on, you really ought to get this utility.  It’s free and it’s a helluva little app for Vista that frankly does a better job of the the MacOS’s Expose function.

DOWNLOAD:  http://baostuff.spaces.live.com/

Get the most out of your Microsoft Project Investment! Join industry experts as they deliver three cutting edge seminars:

• The Benefit of Integrating Microsoft Project Server with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server
• Project 2007 New Features and Migration Best Practices
• Optimizing the Use of Project Desktop 2007

Pick and choose which sessions interest you, or feel free to stay all day and get the most out of all our sessions.

10:00am – 11:30am
The Value of Integrating MOSS and Project Server

Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 (MOPS) is built on the SharePoint Server (MOSS) platform. The change in the 2007 architecture creates enormous opportunities for project driven organizations.

In this session, we’ll discuss the benefits of integrating MOSS with Project Server and how customers are leveraging the integrated platform for enhanced project reporting, visibility, collaboration and workflow.

12:30pm -1:30pm
Project  2007 New Features and Migration Best Practices

Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 is the latest and most powerful version of Project Desktop and Project Server.  There are several benefits to the new technology and just as many considerations to make when planning your migration.  In this session, we’ll discuss the new features and benefits as well as migration best practices.

1:30pm – 2:30pm
Optimizing the Usage of Project Desktop

Are you using Microsoft Project to its fullest potential?  Are there features you wish you knew better?  Do your Project Managers get frustrated using the advanced features of Microsoft Project?

In this session, our Microsoft Project instructor will share the application best practices and give you hands-on advice for getting the most out of your project standard or professional investment.

If you cannot attend this event in your area, but are interested in learning more about any of the above topics, please visit our events page to view our upcoming webcast series.

REGISTER:
http://www.psgus.com/events

Microsoft Mobile platform earns critical security certifications
Common Criteria awards, nod from Defense Dept. signify ability to meet mission-critical government security requirements

Washington, DC, March 14, 2008 — Microsoft Federal today announced the addition of two critical security certifications to its Windows Mobile operating system. Windows Mobile 5.0 with Messaging and Security Feature Pack, and Windows Mobile 6 operating systems were awarded Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 2+ (EAL2+).

Separately, the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) announced it has approved Windows Mobile® for secure wireless e-mail throughout the Department of Defense (DoD). These milestones offer independent validation of Microsoft’s commitment to assist governments and enterprises in meeting the ever-increasing security demands for mobile devices accessing sensitive data on information networks.

Both accreditations will help mobile U.S. government personnel become more productive and effective while accessing mission-critical data, including for example, Common Operational Picture software for combat and reconnaissance missions; Battlefield Medical Triage; Logistics and supply chain support, and more.

"Windows Mobile offers an extension to agency infrastructure investments, and these important security certifications create additional value to the technology investments government organizations have already made," said Randy Siegel, Enterprise Mobility Strategist, Microsoft Federal. "For instance, customers can be assured that their mobile email is sent and received in a secure manner, and that mobile access to back-end systems is just as secure and protected as on their desktop."

…

READ MORE: 
http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/news/
Windows_Common_Criteria_Security_certification.mspx

Starting NEXT WEEK we are going to be doing a bunch of webcasts live on SQL Server 2008.

• TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of SQL Server 2008: Simplify Management of Your SQL Server 2008 Data Platform (Level 200)
  Monday, March 17, 2008 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
  
• TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of SQL Server 2008: Simplify Management with Policy-Based Management (Level 200)
  Wednesday, March 19, 2008 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
  
• MSDN Webcast: Map Your Data with SQL Server Spatial Features (Level 100)
  Monday, March 24, 2008 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
  
• MSDN Webcast: 24 Hours of SQL Server: Synchronize Your Data Using the Microsoft Sync Framework (Level 100)
  Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
  
• TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of SQL Server 2008: Ensuring Your Data Is Secure with a Trusted Platform (Level 200)
  Monday, March 31, 2008 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)

This was interesting enough to post. 

IT’s top 5 training mistakes
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/13/ITs-top-5-training-mistakes_1.html?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/13/ITs-top-5-training-mistakes_1.html

It’s a write up on the Top 5 training mistakes that IT makes and it’s oh-so-true. 

I’ve always found it funny how people in IT always complain that more than half of the issues that the help desk has to deal with are things that could have been resolved had the end user been properly educated… and then IT does nothing to educate their end users other than the de facto "quick reference" sheet" and a "book".

Here’s the 5 in table form:

• Mistake No. 1: You didn’t plan for training upfront.
• Mistake No. 2: You’re out of tune with your audience.
• Mistake No. 3: You didn’t follow standards training models.
• Mistake No. 4: You’re training out of business context.
• Mistake No. 5: You forgot to forge business partnerships.

This is a very interesting product.  If you’re a SQL Server customer you might want to check this free session out.  It may very well save you a LOT of time when moving to SSIS.

BTW:  Brian Knight is a well-known Microsoft SQL Server MVP.

————————————–

Hello,  My name is Brian Knight and I’d like to invite you to a 60 minute session on DTS to SSIS conversions. In the session, someone from my team or myself will spend the time showing you the DTS xChange features by converting your actual package. 

It’s free and extremely beneficial for anyone converting DTS to SSIS. If you’re interested please, register here for your demo and free software offer:

REGISTER:  http://www.dtsxchange.com/dtsxchange_proof_of_concept_register.asp

Testimonial:
"I’d recommend the demo to anyone converting DTS to SSIS.  The product (DTS xChange) will definitely save you time and headaches. They converted my package (below) in 4 minutes a manual rewrite would have taken 5-6 hours"…Blake, Sr. Database Developer. International Bank.

Register here:
http://www.dtsxchange.com/dtsxchange_proof_of_concept_register.asp

Shopping Made Easier With Your Windows Mobile Phone…
For a limited time only, PC World, together with Microsoft, is offering a downloadable application–exclusively on your Windows Mobile® phone–that will allow you access to PC World’s "How to Buy" guides and reviews for the most popular tech products, with the touch of a finger.

Please fill-in your information in the fields below and click ‘go’. A text message will be sent to your mobile phone from U-Turn with a link and directions to download the application.

For questions and troubleshooting, please click U-Turn’s FAQ. 

Visit http://www.marketing.pcworld.com/wmapp/ to sign up.

Okay – this is cool.  Particularly because it generates a bootable Windows disc using legally acquired software, and it provides a framework for repairing Windows-based desktops – including Windows Vista.

Oh yeah… and it’s free.

Restore Your PC by Booting from a Recovery CD

Create a bootable CD with Windows XP, 2003 or Windows Vista CD and a full set of DiskInternals recovery tools. Recover your hard drive by booting into familiar operating system with handy access to data recovery tools.

Computer crashes, data corruption and hard disk failures have happened to many computer users. Face computer emergencies armed with a backup plan! If your computer can’t boot from its hard disk, or if the disk contains damaged or deleted data just insert a recovery CD into a CD-ROM drive and reboot your computer.

Hey, wait! Does any CD work? Of course not! You have to create a data recovery CD to boot from before you can insert it into a CD reader. Create an emergency recovery disc with DiskInternals Boot CD!

DiskInternals Boot CD lets you boot into fully operational Windows XP-2003 or Windows Vista, complete with the GUI and service applications. To create your bootable Windows CD (WinPE, Windows Preinstallation Environment), download install DiskInternals Boot CD and run the Wizard. The Wizard will prompt you for a CD or DVD that contains Windows XP, 2003 or Vista setup files, and make a new bootable CD that can run Windows from an optical disk without installation.

http://www.diskinternals.com/boot-cd/

BREAKING NEWS: 
Look at what we just announced we’re acquiring:

Microsoft to Expand Investment in Desktop Virtualization With Acquisition of Kidaro

March 12, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. today announced its intended acquisition of Kidaro, a leading provider of desktop virtualization solutions for enterprises. In combining Kidaro’s virtualization technology with its suite of desktop management tools, known as the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance, Microsoft will enable IT professionals to optimize their desktop infrastructure by providing management capabilities for Virtual PCs, streamlining deployments and easing application compatibility issues.

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/mar08/03-12ExpandVirtualizationPR.mspx

The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack is about to look even better than before. 

Today, it includes:

• Microsoft Application Virtualization (the former SoftGrid technologies)
• Advanced Group Policy Management (the former DesktopStandard GPvault technology)
• Diagnostics & Recovery Toolset (the former Winternals Utility Suite)
• Asset Inventory Services (the former AssetMatrix application service)
• System Center Desktop Error Reporting (Operations Manager for client OS & application error reporting)

Now,  Kidaro will bring even more value to MDOP subscribers since we’re just going to be building it into the suite.

• Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (the former Kidaro vDNA)

Visioneer OneTouch Simplifies Document Workflow for SharePoint Server 2007

PRESENTED BY
Visioneer, K2, Microsoft

EVENT
You are personally invited to a luncheon presented by Visioneer, K2, and Microsoft

ABOUT THE EVENT
Microsoft SharePoint users can now scan documents directly to any SharePoint folder with the push of a button. Log-in authentication and SharePoint folder URL is pre-set in the OneTouch link. Multiple destinations can be set so that up to 99 SharePoint folders can be accessed with OneTouch.

In this seminar, we will also showcase how you can leverage all of the business rich capabilities of MOSS and extend your MOSS environment with K2 to provide a platform for business critical applications.

WHEN
March 31, 2008
11:00am – 1:00pm
Doors open at 10:30am – 2:00pm.
*K2 and Visioneer Managers and Technical Specialists will be available for questions until 2:00pm

WHERE
Microsoft – LA Office
333 South Grand Ave 33^rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071

AGENDA

• 11:00am- 11:30am  – Introduction – Microsoft
• 11:30am-12:00pm  –  OneTouch Simplifies Document Workflow – Visioneer
• 12:00pm -1:00pm –  K2 [blackpearl] – K2

REGISTER NOW!
Click here to register.

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Visioneer
Visioneer provides a broad range of scanning solutions for the desktop, departmental and production document imaging markets as well as the mobile and remote business scanning segments.   In 2003, Visioneer combined its leading scanner technology with the Xerox brand recognition to develop the Xerox DocuMate product line.  Visioneer and Xerox DocuMate high-performance business scanners and imaging software solutions offer users speed, image quality, advanced paper handling and ease-of-use with exclusive Visioneer OneTouch technology. These products have received numerous awards including Pick of the Year from Buyer’s Laboratory Inc., AIIM Best of Show, as well as consecutive PC Magazine Editors’ Choice Awards.  For additional information on Visioneer and Xerox scanning solutions, visit www.visioneer.com or www.xeroxscanners.com.

K2
K2 provides the platform for a new generation of users to collaboratively assemble dynamic business applications from reusable items. K2-based solutions are deployed by a growing number of the global Fortune 100, and since the release of its first software in 2000, K2 has helped clients in more than 40 countries increase profitability and productivity.  K2 is a business unit of SourceCode Technology Holdings, Inc., based in Redmond, Washington, and has offices in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the
United States. www.K2.com