During Bill Gates his keynote we announced the launch of a new product called Windows Home Server. This product will be ideal for families with multiple PCs that want to connect their home computers, digital devices and printers to help easily store, protect and share their rapidly expanding collections of digital content and entertainment. The Windows Home Server will automatically back-up home PC's and serve as a central location to store the information.

There are three primary purposes of Home Server:

• Automated Computer Backup - Home Server will sit in the middle of your house and completely backup the entire hard drives of every computer connected to it, automatically. Lose anything, even an entire computer, and you will be able to restore it. You will even be able to restore older versions of files, taking advantage of a valuable feature in Windows Vista.
• Access Everything From Anywhere - With a Home Server, you will be able to access all of your files from any computer, inside or outside your home, as well as accessing your home computers from outside the home. You will centrally store your files to make them easier to access at all times.
• Grows With You - Home Server will be designed to make it easier for users to expand its capabilities, especially making it easy to add more hard drives.

Read more about this product onto: http://microsoft.blognewschannel.com/archives/2007/01/07/exclusive-windows-home-server-in-detail/

There are also lot's of other blogs and sources to find more information about the home server

Official Product Information : http://www.stopdigitalamnesia.com/ 

Product overview with demo  video onto the on10 site: http://on10.net/Blogs/jesse/windows-home-server-will-live-in-your-closet-simplify-your-life/

Charlie Kindel's blog: http://kindel.com/blogs/charlie/archive/2007/01/07/3602.aspx

Prototype of Windows Home server. Source: kindel.com

Later this year, HP plans to deliver the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server. 
This is a picture of the HP MediaSmart Server I found on the Engadget site.

Still sitting on the airplane but now 4hours later and flying over Baffin Bay wherever that may be. I read onto the msgoodies blog that we are releasing the Beta versions of Windows Based Hosting 4.5 (WBH) and WBH for applications 1.5.

Windows Based Hosting for Applications 1.5 is for ISV's that want's to enable their solutions for Hosting

Windows Server 2003 R2
The infrastructure components of the solution now run on Windows Server 2003 R2, which extends the Windows Server 2003 operating system in important ways. Web platform features include support for .NET framework 2.0 and ASP.NET 2.0 applications as well as 64-bit support for Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0.
A new licensing model that allows customers to get more value out of server virtualization.

SQL Server 2005
The solution incorporates fundamental advancements in database technology and security with SQL Server 2005. When compared with SQL Server 2000, the latest version of the comprehensive database platform of the solution provides:New features to easily support service offerings differentiated by additional capabilities rather than just database size and quantity.Support for 64-bit platforms so service providers can scale servers to any client's needs.

SQL Server Hosting Toolkit
This tool enables hosters to more easily deploy SQL Server databases for customers.

ASP.NET 2.0 support
ASP.NET 2.0 encapsulates common Web tasks into application services and controls that you can easily reuse across Web sites. With these basic building blocks, ASP.NET 2.0 allows developers to write up to 70 percent less code for faster development of rich Web sites and applications.

ASP.NET AJAX framework support
Hosters can now offer developers a richer environment on which to build interaction-rich, cross-browser Web applications.

Support for 64-bit computing
As the majority of new server shipments today contain 64-bit processing power, the solution has also moved forward with 64-bit computing support. The solution has been tested with and supports 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003 R2 and SQL Server 2005.

Support for Windows SharePoint Service version 3.0
This version introduces improved administrative tools including a server farm-based Central Administration user interface. Also new in this release are the availability of 40 new application templates which hosters can use to enhance service offerings for small to medium business customers.

This valuable information/documentation if you want to host web applications for your customers onto our platform.

Source: WBH for Applications 1.5 and WBH 4.5 Beta

This week I received a mail from my colleague Alain - http://alainler.spaces.live.com. with the list of all Windows Live services.

I thought it might interest you to have a list of all our Windows Live services:

1. http://get.live.com : Future entry point into the Windows Live Platform offerings (quite …empty… today though)

2. http://ideas.live.com: Shows the available Windows Live offering (market-dependant and possibly beta)

3. http://www.live.be: Personal home page for any Windows Live ID owner

4. http://search.live.com: Windows Live Search service to search the Internet for News, Pictures, Web Sites, RSS feeds, Academic Studies, etc

5. http://spaces.live.com: Blog/Picture shared page for any Windows Live ID owner

6. http://mail.live.com: Web mail service available to any Windows Live ID owner. Enables contact management and calendar management and sharing as well.

7. http://messenger.live.com: Instant messaging service to enable text, voice and video conversations between any two or more Windows Live ID owners (or Bots). Entry point to Windows Live Call that enables call from a PC to any landline or mobile phone anywhere in the world.

8. http://safety.live.com: Free service to occasionally check the state of your machine with regard to viruses, performance, cleaning and optimization.

9. http://onecare.live.com: Security service for maintaining the quality of 3 computer systems for any Windows Live ID owner. This is not beta anymore

10. http://fss.live.com: Security service to allow any parent holder of a Windows Live ID to control how his/her children, each of them holder of a Windows Live ID, makes use of the Internet.

11. http://gallery.live.com: Directory of gadget, toolbar buttons, bots, etc all of them being individual elements usable inside of the Windows Live Platform.

12. http://domains.live.com: Allows the creation and maintenance of e-mail addresses inside of a personal domain name, each e-mail address becoming a valid Windows Live ID

13. http://local.live.com: Cartography service with route planner, push-pins, etc available to anyone

14. http://favorites.live.com: Enables the management of Web favorites that is always available wherever you are.

15. http://account.live.com: Allows the management of the account of any Windows Live ID owner.

16. http://toolbar.live.com: Internet-explorer-based toolbar for easy access to search, spaces, mail and other Internet resources through the use of toolbar buttons.

17. http://alerts.live.com: to hold and maintain the list of reminders you want the Windows Live Platform to send you.

18. http://soapbox.msn.com: to publish and broadcast any personal video.

19. http://dev.live.com: Entry point for all developers who are willing to create applications using the Windows Live Platform services.

20. http://microsoftgadgets.com: Entry point for all Windows Vista Gadget related resources

However, bear in mind that some services might not be fully available to Belgium.

Just read on the bink.nu about some NetCmdlets which delivers great network tools for us IT Pro's.

Networking Tools for IT Professionals

The current package contains the following Cmdlets:

• [get/send]-email : Send HTML emails with file attachments. Retrieve email through POP or IMAP connectivity.
• [get/send]-trap : Monitor and send SNMP Traps.
• [get/set]-ftp : FTP file transfer capabilities with advanced proxy and firewall support.
• [get/set]-ldap : Access Active Directory or OpenLDAP servers through LDAP directory access
• [get/set]-snmp : Command-line SNMP Management capabilities.  Manage network devices directly from PowerShell.
• [get/send]-nntp : Command-line newsgroup browsing.  Monitor newsgroup postings and post messages to newgroup servers directly from PowerShell.
• [send]-syslog : Syslog client for LAN event monitoring.
• [get/set]-tftp : TFTP file transfer Cmdlet.
• [convert]-data : Encoding and decoding utilities including Base64, SHA1, MD5, BinHex, and more.
• [read/write]-zip : Compressions and decompression Cmdlet supporting Zip, Tar, GZip, and Jar.
• [get/set]-webdav : WebDav client Cmdlet.
• [get]-http : Web client Cmdlet with advanced proxy and firewall capabilities.
• [get]-packet : Monitor network interface traffic.
• [get]-time : Access network time servers and synchronize machine clocks.
• [get]-rss : RSS client Cmdlet enables retrieval of RSS Syndicated content.
• [get]-whois : Domain name Whois lookup.
• [send]-im : Send Jabber(XMPP) Instant messages.
• [send]-rexec : Remote execution via Rexec
• [send]-rshell : Remote execution via Rshell
• [send]-sms : Send SMS(SMPP) instant messages
• [send]-page : Send alphanumeric pages (SNPP).
• [send]-ssh : Secure Shell enabled remote access Cmdlet
• [send]-ping : Network ping capability to monitor device availability.
• [get]-trace : Traceroute Cmdlet for determining the path of network packets between hosts.
• [get/set]-ras : Cmdlets for RAS connectivity.

You can find out more about NetCmdlets here.

These are awesome tools.

Source: Powershell NetCmdlets Beta 2 is now Available

Another announcement made at CES is that the Windows Vista Ultimate blog is live. On this blog you will find a sneak preview of the Windows Vista Ulitmate Extra tools. These tools will not be available before 30th January although I have been using some of them (hold em poker and Bitlocker tools) already as a beta tester for the product.  I am still waiting for the Windows Dreamscene. With Windows Dreamscene your Vista background comes to life, instead of using a bitmap you will then be able to select a video as background.

Watch a small demo of Windows Dreamscene in action

I hope in the near future we will release other cool and useful stuff for the Ultimate Extra customers.

We've released the SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition, this was also previously known as SQL Everywhere.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition is the next version of SQL Server Mobile adding the desktop platform. SQL Server Compact extends the SQL Server Mobile technology by offering a low maintenance, compact embedded database for single-user client applications for all Windows platforms including tablet PCs, pocket PCs, smart phones and desktops.

SQL Server Compact Edition offers a maximum database size of 4 GB, the ability to run in with applications, contains subsets of Transact-SQL and ADO.NET, and, most importantly, sync technologies - all in a compact footprint.

This is our next generation of FREE SQL Server product.

Download the SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition from here

Read more about the product onto the SQL Server 2005 Compact edition site

I knew sooner or later I would get tagged. So now I have been I'm obliged to share 5 things you probably didn't know about me and I must select 5 other blogger's.

Let's go these are the 5 things:

1. I am a scuba diving addict (www.stingrays.be). I dive every week, almost 50 weeks a year and no I don't have a dry suit so I jump into water that is very cold :) 4°c.
2. I used to do a lot with Server Based Computing and more particular with Citrix Presentation server.
3. I am a fan of the best Belgian Soccer team RSC Anderlecht and I have a season ticket.
4. I started my career as a Mechanical Engineer working for a company who made laser cutting machines.
5. I have two lovely daughters Amber & Katoo

 The 5 bloggers I tag are: Tom Mertens, Hans Verbeeck, Kris Hoet, Walter Stiers, Kurt Roggen

Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2:

TechNet Articles

   Virtual Server 2005 R2 Product Overview
   Virtual Server 2005 Frequently Asked Questions
   Linux Guest Support for Virtual Server 2005 R2
   Virtual Server 2005 R2 System Requirements

SQL Server:

TechNet Sites and Articles

   SQL Server 2005 Books Online
   SQL Server 2000 Backup and Restore
   SQL Server 2005
   SQL Server 2000

White Papers

   Upgrading MSDE 2000 to SQL Server 2005 Express
   Troubleshooting Performance Problems in SQL Server 2005
   An Overview of SQL Server 2005 for the Database Administrator
   Managing SQL Server Express with SQL Server 2005 Management Studio Express Edition

Webcasts

   Enabling Ad-Hoc Reporting with SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services
   Learn How to Leverage SWL Server Upgrade Advisor and the New SQL Best Practices Analyzer Tool
   Technical Benefits of SQL Server 2005 for Every Business

Just wanted to share with you that the Registration for the Dev & IT Pro Days 2007 is now open. If you register before February 28th we give you 15% off.

For the IT Pro's you will already find some of the Sessions that will be delivered here is an overview of what is planned:

Powershell - Bruce Payette

Infrastructure Security - John Craddock and Saley Storey

DPM V2 - Jason Buffington

Longhorn - David Lowe

CardSpace - Steve Plank

Vista - Tony Krijnen

Longhorn Terminal Services - me myself and I

Exchange Server 2007 - Ilse van Criekinge and Jill Frank

So this is just a summary of some of the sessions that will be delivered during the event. Want to have a look at the agenda? Go ahead it's live and will be updated piece by piece.

The Business Desktop Deployment 2007 or BDD 2007 is now available for download.

Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007 is THE best practice set of comprehensive guidance and tools to optimally deploy desktops running Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP, the 2007 Microsoft Office system, or Microsoft Office 2003. It helps IT professionals realize a quick return on investment while also setting new standards for reliability, performance, security, and ease of use.

Read more about the BDD 2007 framework on the TechNet site

Download BDD 2007

TechNet Evening : Planning and Deploying Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007

This session will give a detailed overview of the SharePoint 2007 architecture. Joris Poelmans will present the concepts of topology, server roles and network conditions.The session will also provide an overview of administration features with SharePoint 2007. We will introduce the three tier administration model: central administration, shared services, and site settings.

What we will cover:
- SharePoint 2007 Architecture
- Administration Features
- Deployment Options

Level: 200

Speaker: Joris Poelmans, Information Worker Solution specialist, Dolmen

When: 07/02 - 18:00 - 20:00

Where: NH Hotel Diegem

Register Here

TechNet Funcast: BI: The Mac-Guyver Techniques : SQL Server Integration Services

How do you combine the tasks and transforms offered by Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Integration Services (SSIS) into a real extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) system? In this Funcast, we present design patterns for building an application that is maintainable, auditable, and scalable to populate your dimensional Kimball Method data warehouse and Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services database.

Speaker: Gunter Staes

When: 14/02 - 16:00 - 16:45

Register Here

TechNet Funcast : MIIS: From Zero to Provisioning in (under) 30 minutes

January 22, 2007 / 16:00 - 16:30
Live Webcast

During this TechNet Funcast Paul Loonen from Avanade Belgium will demonstrate User Lifecycle Management with the Microsoft Identity Integration Server (MIIS) platform. In the short 30-minute timeframe of this TechNet Funcast, Paul will show you how to use the HR data stored in a SQL Server database to provision, manage and de-provision users and groups in Active Directory.

Register now

On the SideShowdevices.com you can find more information about the latest devices for Windows SideShow.

Prototype of MSI's MegaPlayer model 529

Be aware the CompletePC Backup functionality doesn't  backup your ost files. This is not a big issue because this file can be regenerated by the Exchange server the next time you connect.

I found the  explanation why Vista doesn't backup this kind of files on this blogpost.

Basically because this file changes a lot it could take quite some IO to keep a shadow copy of this file.

I know most of you probably know this already but nevertheless I would also like to mention it. We have finally officially released Windows Powershell 1.0 for Microsoft Windows Vista.

To download Windows PowerShell 1.0 for Windows Vista, please visit the following links:

• Download Windows PowerShell 1.0 Installation for X86 Edition
• Download Windows PowerShell 1.0 Installation for X64 Edition

I would also like to mention that we will have a Windows Powershell session at the Dev & IT Pro days delivered by Bruce Payette.

Today we will have our big consumer launch event where we will officially launch "Windows Vista" and "Office 2007". Because I am traveling to Seattle tomorrow morning I will not be able to join some of my colleagues at this event. During the day there will be some press conferences and tonight there is a big party going on in the Atomium. Only a few of you where able to get an entrance ticket. But don't worry there is another opportunity for you here.

What will happen tonight is really cool and it's our Famous new Enthusiast Evangelist Miel that mainly worked the idea out. At 23h local time we will stream a live concert of a Belgian group called Praga Khan in Second Life. I wasn't a user of second life but for the occasion I will give it a try and who knows I might event like it.

On Miel his Micromiel blog you can find a post about how and where you will be able to see the Praga Khan stream.

Here are some screenshots of what will be available in second life:

However if you don't want to use second life we even have some other alternatives. The concert will also be streamed by MSN with the technical support of Telenet and also via 3G Vodaphone Live (Proximus). There lot's of possibilities to be part of the "WoW" event I will be watching the stream on Second Life :)

Update: More blogposts about the Belgian "WoW" event from Tom, David and Walter

TechNet Sites and Articles

     Differences Between the 2007 Office System and Office 2003

     Install Office SharePoint Server 2007 on a Stand-Alone computer

     Welcome to the Microsoft Office 2007 Resource Kit

     What’s New for the IT Professionals in SharePoint Server 2007

TechNet Magazine Articles

     Get into the Groove: Solutions for Secure and Dynamic Collaboration

Webcasts

     Integrating the Business Data Catalog and Business Applications Using Microsoft Office

     Working with the Office Open XML Formats

Virtual Labs

   V-Lab Express

       Mirosoft Office 2007 Overview

       Introduction to SharePoint Portal Server

   Virtual Labs

      What's New in Windows SharePoint Services Feature Walkthrough

      Introduction to Windows SharePoint Services 3.0

      What's New in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Feature Walkthrough

      Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Installation

To kick off the New Year, the TechNet and Partner teams at Microsoft Belgium & Luxembourg are proud to announce the Microsoft Infrastructure Optimization Week from January 22^nd till January 26^th 2007.

With all the focus on Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System it is easy to lose sight of the infrastructure solutions that form the other part of the client-server computing equation. Over the course of five days we’ll provide you with information and resources to be successful with Microsoft Infrastructure products. Each day you can find a mix of Webcasts, Virtual Labs, White Papers, How To’s, Blogs and Learning & Certification resources to get you up to speed with the latest in Microsoft Infrastructure solutions.

Your action:

• Visit the Microsoft Infrastructure Optimization Week web site
• Sign up to the various training's, events and web casts of your interest

Details

Starting Friday January 19^th Microsoft will send out a communication every day with a small recap of the previous day and announcing the topic of the next day. Make sure you register today for the offerings below from both our CPLS partners as well as the Microsoft BeLux TechNet team. We will cover five major infrastructure topics during that week.

Monday January 22^nd : Identity & Access Management

Tuesday January 23^rd : Desktop Deployment & Management

Wednesday January 24^th : Server Monitoring & Management

Thursday January 25^th : Infrastructure Security

Friday January 26^th : Infrastructure for Branch Office Scenarios

Microsoft, together with the Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions, is happy to offer you a mix of Training and Certification opportunities during this week:

MCP Exam Preparation Workshops

Take a Microsoft Certified Professional Exam at one of our participating CPLS partners and get a free Exam preparation workshop

Discounts on specially organized Microsoft Class-Room Training's

Kick-off the New Year in high gear and get a Microsoft Class-Room Training from one of our participating CPLS partners at a discount.

TechNet Sites and Articles

    Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
    Welcome to Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
    Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Technical Library
    System Requirements for Exchange Server 2003

Microsoft.com Articles

    Features of Exchange Server 2007
    Upgrading Your Infrastructure to Exchange 2007

Webcasts
    Managing and Migrating to Exchange Server 2007
    Guided Hands-On: Using the Exchange Server 2007 Management Console and Shell
    Exchange Server 2007 Overview
    Best Practices for Managing Exchange Server 2007 and SharePoint Environments

Virtual Labs

    Installing Exchange Server 2007

Tonight we had our third TechNet evening of the Infrastructure week. Stefan Wijnen talked about the Forefront Security suite. He presented us an overview of ISA 2006, Whale, Forefront Antigen, Forefront client, etc ... After the event I always stay to talk with the attendees about the session or most of the time other technical stories.

Tonight someone came to talk to me and he was wondering how he could start an Usergroup. We spoke about how culminuss could help him and how I can support him to start and run a Usergroup.

Now running a Usergroup is not that difficult to do but it will take much of your free time if you want to do it good. Last year during the Dev & IT Pro days we announced two new user groups Pro-Exchange and SQLUG. I hope this year we will be able to do the same. There is already a new one IT-Talks and I hope the second will come too.

Why I am telling you this? Because the enthusiast that talked to me wanted to start a Belgium Identity Management (MIIS) user group. Now I want to call your help if you feel well this is something I want to help with than mail me and I'll introduce you to each other (arlindo.alves@microsoft.com)

If Identity Management is not your peace of cake but you want to start another user group in Belgium then feel free to contact me I can help you.

TechNet Articles and White Papers

    Windows Vista Deployment Step by Step Guide

    User State Migration Tool 3.0

    Deploying Group Policy Using Windows Vista

    Top 10 things to try with Windows Vista

    Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility List

TechNet Magazine Articles

    10 Things You Need to Know about Deploying Windows Vista

    Achieve the Non-Admin Dream with User Account Control

Webcasts and Videos

 On-Demand Webcasts

    Deploying Windows Vista Using Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007

    Imaging Windows Vista

    Reliability Enhancements in Windows Vista

    Windows Vista Deployment Overview

IT’s Showtime!

    Knowing the Enemy – A lightning demonstration on how hackers attack networks

    Windows Vista Kernel Changes

    Advanced Malware Cleaning

Virtual Labs

 V-Lab Express

     Exploring New Functionality in Internet Explorer 7

 Virtual Labs

    Using System Image Manager to Automate Windows Vista Installations

Get a comprehensive look at Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 with the new "24 hours of Exchange" series. Our Exchange experts cover in-depth topics such as deployment and migration, the new Exchange Management Console and Shell, Unified Messaging, high availability, and security, providing you with the tools and knowledge that help optimize your Exchange Server environment. Whether you are currently administering Exchange Server or looking to migrate to Exchange, you do not want to miss these Webcasts. This series runs through April 14^th, 2007. This month’s Webcasts: Integration of Exchange Server 2007 and the Active Directory (January 19), Exchange 2007 Transport and Routing Architecture (January 24), Planning Exchange Server Installation (January 26), Installing Exchange Server 2007 (January 31).

Still flying but almost there less than one hour to go, we are flying over Canada now.

Tony Krijnen my colleague IT Pro Evangelist in the Netherlands posted about the availability of Vista virtual labs.

After the installation of an active-x control you can start playing around with the lab's.

Here's the list:

• Deploying Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Images Using SMS 2003
• Microsoft Virtual Lab Express: Exploring New Functionality in Internet Explorer 7
• Windows Vista Readiness - Application Compatibility
• Automating Windows Vista Installation with Windows System Image Manager Virtual Lab
• Windows Vista: Image Engineering
• Configuring Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
• Exploring New Group Policy Settings in Windows Vista
• Exploring User Account Control in Windows Vista
• Migrating User State from Windows XP to Windows Vista
• Managing Windows Vista and Windows Server Longhorn Network Bandwidth with Policy-based Quality of Service
• Managing Windows Vista Using New Management Technologies

No need to comment :)

I am Sitting on the plane to Seattle and I am reading through my blogs. With 10 hours of flight it gives me quite some time to read all my blogs and let you know what interesting things I discovered. I am flying with NorthWest from Amsterdam to Seattle and it's quite a nice flight a bit long although. The first two things I wanted to share with you are Fluent and Scout. I found those product names in an InsideMicrosoft blogpost

We'll according to the post we named the Office 2007 Ribbon UI the “Microsoft® Office Fluent™ user interface”. Bwah I don't like this, who found this name I found the Ribbon pretty cool. It's always the same once we are used to a name we change it. So from now on we have the Fluent User Interface.

The second name Scout is a codename for an Office 2007 Add-on which apparently will add a a tab to Office 2007. Nothing special so far, but here comes the cool thing with this tab you will be able to search for a command and the rest of the Ribbon (sorry Fluent UI) will show the buttons that match the command you just type. Pretty damn cool isn't.

More to come....