Kurt Shintaku's Blog

These simple, easy-to-use customizable job aids created by Microsoft IT help employees get started with something new, learn more about using a technology or product effectively, select the right product or service, or review best practices.

Customizing the EPE Guides

• http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/3/e/a3e8220a-1fcb-4a30-aac1-9d80f31e3a31/EPE_customer_listing_2007Vista.doc
• http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb687781.aspx

2007 Microsoft Office System

• Microsoft Office Fluent User Interface
  Get Started

• Microsoft Office Charts and SmartArt
  Get Started

• Microsoft Office Styles Get Started

• Microsoft Office Tasks Get Started

• Microsoft Office Tasks Learn More

• OneNote 2007 Overview

• OneNote 2007 Learn More

Everyday Work

• Windows Vista and Microsoft Office Work Smarter Checklist

• InfoPath 2007 Forms Get Started

E-Mail and Time and Task Management

• E-Mail Basics Get Started

• Outlook 2007 E-Mail Signatures Get Started

• Outlook 2007 E-Mail Rules Get Started

• Outlook 2007 Out of Office Assistant
  Get Started

• Outlook Anywhere Get Started

• Outlook Archives Get Started

• Delegating Outlook 2007 Access
  Learn More

• Outlook 2007 and SharePoint Server 2007 Integration Overview

• Outlook 2007 and SharePoint Server 2007 Integration Get Started

• RSS (Really Simple Syndication) Overview

• Subscribing to Web Content with RSS
  Get Started

• Outlook Web Access Learn More

• Personal Folders In Outlook Learn More

• Schedule a Meeting Get Started

• Outlook Out of Office Assistant
  Get Started

• Microsoft Office Tasks Get Started

• Microsoft Office Tasks Learn More

• Multiple Calendars Get Started

• Sharing Outlook 2007 Calendars
  Get Started

• Managing OneNote 2007 Notebooks
  Learn More

• Preparing for Vacation Best Practices

Windows Vista

• Everyday Work with Windows Vista Best Practices

• Power Management for Windows Vista Best Practices

• Mobile PC Features for Windows Vista Get Started

Collaboration

• Collaboration Selection Guide

SharePoint and Other Collaboration Tools

• Office Communicator 2007 Get Started
• Office Communicator 2007 Learn More
• Collaborating with SharePoint Server 2007 Overview
• SharePoint Server 2007 Sites and Workspaces Selection Guide

• SharePoint Server 2007 Document Collaboration
  Get Started

• SharePoint Server 2007 Team Sites Get Started

• Customizing a SharePoint Server 2007 Site
  Get Started

• SharePoint Server 2007 Web Parts Learn More

• SharePoint Server 2007 Meeting Workspaces
  Get Started

• SharePoint Server 2007 My Sites Get Started

• SharePoint Server 2007 Site Access and Storage Learn More

• SharePoint Server 2007 Surveys Get Started

• Outlook 2007 and SharePoint Server 2007 Integration Overview

• Outlook 2007 and SharePoint Server 2007 Integration Get Started

• Using InfoPath 2007 Forms on a SharePoint Server 2007 Site Get Started

• Groove 2007 Get Started

• Groove 2007 Learn More

• Outlook 2007 Voting Buttons Get Started

Security

• Malicious Software Learn More

Devices

• Desktop Faxing Get Started

• Printers Best Practices

• Printers Get Started

• Smartphones Learn More

A lot of you have been asking about Windows Server 2008 Certification.  Well, I stumbled on some information on this topic from one of the internal distribution lists I read:

Windows Server 2008 Certification Information

There are 2 new 2008 certification paths that replace the previous MCSE path:

• MCTIP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional 
• The Enterprise Administrator is the option that is comparable to the MCSE in 2003 and earlier
• For Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Admin you need to pass 5 exams (assuming you are not upgrading from 2003):
• http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/windowsserver/2008/enterprise/default.mspx
• 1 Vista exam – your choice of 2 (70-620 or 70-624)
• Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration (70-640)
• Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration (70-642)
• Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration (70-643)
• Professional Series exam:  Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Admin (70-647)
• NOTE:  Only the Vista exams are currently available.  70-640, 70-642 and 70-643 are due around March 10.  70-647 around the 1^st week in April
• MCTS – Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist  http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/default.mspx
• This can be attained with 1 test in many cases
• Windows 2008 flavors include Active Directory Configuration and the other tests available for the MCTIP, listed above

Other good resources:

• Microsoft Learning website:  http://www.microsoft.com/learning/default.mspx
• Microsoft Certification overview:  http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.mspx
• Good Certification Blog Site:  http://blogs.msdn.com/trika/

Microsoft has created a new FTP service that has been completely rewritten for Windows Server 2008. This new FTP service incorporates many new features that enable web authors to publish content better than before, and offers web administrators more security and deployment options.

This new FTP service is only for Windows Server 2008 and Internet Information Services 7.0; it will not work on Windows Server 2003 and Internet Information Services 6.0.

Downloads

• Microsoft FTP Publishing Service for IIS 7.0 (x86)
  http://www.iis.net/go/1619/
• Microsoft FTP Publishing Service for IIS 7.0 (x64)
  http://www.iis.net/go/1620/

Features

This new FTP service supports a wide range of features and improvements, and the following list contains several of the improvements in this version:

• Integration with IIS 7.0:
  IIS 7.0 has a brand-new administration interface and configuration store, and the new FTP service is tightly integrated with this new design. The old IIS 6 metabase is gone, and a new configuration store that is based on the .NET XML-based *.config format has taken its place. In addition, IIS 7.0 has a new administration tool, and the new FTP server plugs seamlessly into that paradigm.
• Support for new Internet standards:
  One of the most significant features in the new FTP service is support for FTP over SSL. The new FTP service also supports other Internet improvements such as UTF8 and IPv6.
• Shared hosting improvements:
  By fully integrating into IIS 7.0, the new FTP service makes it possible to host FTP and Web content from the same site by simply adding an FTP binding to an existing Web site. In addition, the FTP service now has virtual host name support, making it possible to host multiple FTP sites on the same IP address. The new FTP service also has improved user isolation, now making it possible to isolate users through per-user virtual directories.
• Improved logging support:
  FTP logging has been enhanced to include all FTP-related traffic, unique tracking for FTP sessions, FTP sub-statuses, additional detail fields in FTP logs, and much more.
• New supportability features:
  IIS 7.0 has a new option to display detailed error messages for local users, and the FTP service supports this by providing detailed error responses when logging on locally to an FTP server. The FTP service also logs detailed information using Event Tracing for Windows (ETW), which provides additional detailed information for troubleshooting.

Resources

The following walkthroughs have been published on the http://learn.iis.net/ web site to help you get started using the new FTP service:

• Installing FTP7:
  • Installing and Troubleshooting FTP7
• Working with FTP Sites:
  • Creating a New FTP Site
  • Add FTP publishing to an existing Web site
• Configuring Security Features:
  • Configure FTP over SSL
  • Configure FTP User Isolation
  • Configure FTP virtual host names
  • Configuring FTP Firewall Settings
• Advanced Administrative Features:
  • Using FSRM Folder Quotas with FTP
  • Configure FTP with IIS Manager Authentication

I said this before and I’ll say it again:  You really ought to take advantage of the availability of cheap HD DVD players, for no other reason than it’s a cheap upscaling standard definition DVD player. 

And apparently many people agree, as eBay is doing a very brisk business with people picking up low cost HD DVD drives, players, and movies:

When a technology format succumbs the story usually ends right there as the marketplace has no need for dead technology. Shortly after the priests gave last rights to Toshiba’s HD-DVD format I thought I would monitor that harbor of market fluidity known as eBay to see how low – and presumably how ignored – HD-DVD player units and movies would go. I guess it is a morbid curiosity on my part to watch those who invested in the technology – some as recently as this past holiday season – bite the bullet and dump their once coveted item for the victorious Blu-ray.

I was correct in my assumption that HD-DVD owners would dump the technology. Here is something I did not expect; these players and films are finding many takers.

…

I think they just came to the realization that the loser of the HD-DVD/Blu-ray war could offer the better interim value, the interim being the time it takes for high-def DVDs to replace standard-def. Yes, they are buying this decade’s version of the Betamax, but as Pai-Ling Yin pointed out there is no guarantee Blu-ray will avoid the same fate.

And that’s the message here. These consumers are buying, but they not buying Blu-ray. That should concern Sony. Instead, they are raising Blu-ray prices.

READ MORE: 
http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/8002/hd-dvd-ebay.html

The Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator is now available as a free download on Xbox Live Marketplace when you request a token at http://www.thisishddvd.com/emulator/. 

(Update: Read this blog first: http://blogs.msdn.com/amyd/archive/2008/03/05/overwhelmed.aspx)

Why is it free now?
This decision was made in light of Toshiba’s recent announcement that they are discontinuing their HD DVD business.  The reasons for offering the emulator for free are two-fold. 

Microsoft is committed to interactivity and giving content authors the ability to create more compelling entertainment experiences.  The specification for HDi was developed with significant input from studios like Warner Bros. and Disney based on scenarios they desired in the next generation format.  Offering the emulator for free allows a greater audience to experiment with interactivity with little to no cost.

Second, the emulator beta program had approximately 80 participants across the industry who relied on the emulator for testing HDi content.  Continued access to the emulator will assist those post houses and developers in completing their outstanding HD DVD projects.

Requirements:

• You need an Xbox 360 with a hard drive.  The emulator is software that runs on the Xbox 360.  We are not giving away hardware.  The software will only run on the Xbox 360.  It will not run on a PC.  And it won’t run on the Xbox 360 Arcade because it doesn’t have a hard drive.
• You need the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on.  The software needed for HD DVD playback is on the add-on drive, so it is required to run the emulation software as well.  If you don’t have one to go with your Xbox 360, you will need to purchase one to use the emulator.
• This is a development and test tool.  If you’re looking to make your own HD DVDs or play around with some HDi – have at it.  If you think this will allow you to playback ripped discs you have stored on a hard drive, it will not.  The emulator is a great tool for testing HD DVD projects.  If you’re looking for something that will just playback content, use the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on (which you would already have), or buy a Toshiba HD DVD player for under $100, or buy the Cyberlink PowerDVD player that will play that other media format as well.  Seriously, I think the emulator is great (Andy does good work), but it’s not much fun outside the context of HD DVD development.

…more at:
http://blogs.msdn.com/amyd/archive/2008/03/04/xbox-360-hd-dvd-emulator-now-free.aspx

Microsoft Key Management Service (KMS) for Windows Server 2003 SP1 and later is part of Microsoft Windows Volume Activation 2.0. It allows enterprise users to host KMS on Windows Server 2003 to enable activation of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 using a KMS key.

Microsoft Volume Activation 2.0 is a set of technical and policy solutions provided by Microsoft’s Software Protection Platform (SPP) that gives Microsoft customers more secure and easier methods to manage their volume license keys.

KMS based activation allows enterprise customers to host a local service within their environment to enable activation of machines running Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 volume editions within their environment, instead of activation directly with Microsoft. Computers that have been activated using KMS are required to reactivate by connecting to a KMS host at least once every 6 months.

KMS keys are provided through Microsoft’s Volume Licensing System portals (MVLS, eOpen). The KMS host needs to be activated once with Microsoft either online or via telephone.

KMS version 1.1 for Windows Server 2003 provides the same feature set as version 1.0 and the following additional functionality:

• A single KMS host which support volume license editions of both Windows Vista RTM/SP1 and Windows Server 2008
• Running KMS version 1.1 in a Windows Server 2003 virtual machine.

Documentation:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=9893F83E-C8A5-4475-B025-66C6B38B46E3&displaylang=en

More from Product Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=948003

DOWNLOAD: 

• Key Management Service 1.1 (x86) for Windows Server 2003 SP1 and Later:
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=81d1cb89-13bd-4250-b624-2f8c57a1ae7b&DisplayLang=en
• Key Management Service 1.1 (x64) for Windows Server 2003 SP1 and Later:
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=03fe69b2-6244-471c-80d2-b4171fb1d7a5&DisplayLang=en

The SQL Server 2008 CTP 6 Is Now Available
(http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=8463115)

Try out a SQL Server 2008 Community Technology Preview (CTP). This release offers many new product enhancements including Transparent Data Encryption, Plan Freezing, Backup Compression, Spatial Data Support, Install/Uninstall capabilities, and much more. For more information on SQL Server 2008 and for an opportunity to share your feedback with the product team, check out the SQL Server 2008 resources page.

The local Microsoft Development Team and Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, eBI Solutions, invite you to attend an exciting and informative free 5-day training course focused around BizTalk Server.

Microsoft and eBI Solutions are excited to present a full and comprehensive view of BizTalk Server, as well as provide the Microsoft Office lab for hands-on training. Please join us for this great opportunity, we look forward to seeing you there!

This event is invitation only. Meals provided. Parking will not be covered.

Agenda Overview:
8am-8pm daily

DAY 1

• Module 0 – Introduction
  What is BizTalk
  New Features in 06 and R2
• Module 1 – High Availability and Performance
  Lesson: Designing a BizTalk Server Architecture
  Lesson: Installing a BizTalk Server farm
  Lesson: Scaling out processing and Performance Characteristics
  Lesson: Performance Tuning
  Lesson: SSO High Availability
• Module 2 – Deployment
  Lesson: Designing and Planning a BizTalk Solution
  Lesson: Deploying and Versioning BTS Solutions
  Lesson: Automating the BizTalk Build/Test Process – BizUnit

DAY 2

• Module 3 – Schemas
  Lesson: Managing XML Messages
  Lesson: Flat File Schemas
  Lesson: Complex Schemas
• Module 4 – Message Transformation
  Lesson: Advanced Functoids
  Lesson: Executing Maps in .NET
  Lesson: Advanced Topics
• Module 5 – Pipelines      
  Lesson: Building Custom Pipelines
  Lesson: Building Custom Pipeline Components

DAY 3

• Module 6 – Developing Messaging Solution
  Lesson: Using InfoPath
  Lesson: Messaging Performance
• Module 7 – Advance Orchestration Design
  Lesson: Convoys
  Lesson: FIFO
  Lesson: Failed Message Routing
  Lesson: Advanced Design
  Lesson: Performance Characteristics

DAY 4

• R2 Training
  Lesson: WCF and WCF Adapter
  Lesson: BAM Interceptors for WF and WCF

DAY 5

• R2 Training
  Lesson: EDI
  Lesson: RFID

———————–

BizTalk Server Training Course Details

WHEN:
March 24^th-28th 2008

TIME:
8am-8pm DAILY

WHERE:
Microsoft Office-Los Angeles
33rd Floor Lab
333 S. Grand Ave., Suite 3300
Los Angeles California 90071

REGISTRATION:
This event is invite only.  If you are a customer of mine and are interested in attending this event, please contact me and I will provide you with the registration information.

You are invited to attend a 1-day seminar designed to deliver practical, hands-on information about Microsoft’s System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Attendees will learn how to manage the ongoing operations using System Center Configuration Manager. This workshop will be led by  Microsoft’s Management Technical Specialist covering the following topics:

• Introduction to System Center Configuration Manager 2007
• Managing more than Microsoft in your environment
• Lifecycle management (Asset Management)
• Microsoft System Center: Vision and Roadmap
• Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) Overview
• Hands-on Labs

We will also share best practices, methodologies and tools that will assist in the planning and implementation of a Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager solution.

Audience:
This course is intended for System Center Administrators and Systems Integrators who are responsible for configuring and managing one or more sites and all supporting systems. This technical hands-on workshop is limited to 30 attendees.

Time:
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Registration begins at 8:30 AM
(Breakfast, lunch and parking included)

Date: 

April 23, 2008

Registration:
Please contact me for registration information if you are a customer of mine.  Seating is limited due to the hands-on nature of this training.

Location:
Microsoft Los Angeles
333 South Grand Ave.
Suite 3300
Los Angeles, CA 90071

What this means in English is that the Apple iPhone will, sometime in the future, be able to securely connect to a corporate Exchange infrastructure over the Internet and receive pushed emails, and also synchronize contacts & calendar data.  Apple has also announced that they will be providing "remote wipe capability" but I haven’t heard anything beyond that.  Apple will be doing the development of this technology – however nothing appears to have been completed yet as the licensing has just been completed.

Official Microsoft PressPass information here:
http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/Features/2008/mar08/03-06EASqa.mspx

This is exciting news obviously because it provides corporate users with the opportunity to pull Exchange Server email down to yet another converged phone/PDA device.  The thing to remember however is that although Apple’s licensed Exchange ActiveSync, that doesn’t mean that they will be close to parity in terms of functionality that is provided by Windows Mobile-based devices.  Apple still has to build that functionality into the iPhone, and as you can see, no company really builds all of it.

• Look at Right Management technology for example:  If you receive a Rights-managed email with policies around it and encryption, the only way to read it on a mobile phone is by using a Windows Mobile device.  (This is one of my FAVORITE features of my Samsung i760 Windows Mobile phone)
• And what about HTML email?  This isn’t an easy feature at ALL despite what you might think.  Consuming & formatting an email that’s encoded in HTML is very difficult.  The only device that currently provides this today with Exchange ActiveSync is Windows Mobile.
• How about S-MIME support?  Encrypted emails?  Remember those?  Well, they require certificate technology.  Emails that require certificate registration on the device and decryption, reencryption:  Only Windows Mobile has this capability.  Not to mention the management of those certificates.

So you see, there are 20+ licensees of Exchange ActiveSync and none of them other than Windows Mobile provide a truly complete set of Enterprise features. 

Look at the table I have below.  This is an example of 5 users of Exchange ActiveSync and as you can see despite licensing the protocol and the framework, none of them match the complete feature set provided by Windows Mobile.