If you haven't heard by now, then I will tell you -- last week, Microsoft laid off 1,400 employees . I was one of those 1,400. I'm not telling you this because I am looking for sympathy, but rather because I want to extend my sincere appreciation. While...

This is a phrase I have heard more than once when discussing security.  It shouldn't come as a surprise -- it's why banks have vaults and secure facilities have fences.  Technology security is no different -- physical access to a PC trumps all...

Have you ever wondered?  Truth is, I never have.  And, as hard as I think about it, I don't ever remember seeing a president furiously punching keys as he types a text or an e-mail.  Turns out, there's a reason for that:  Bill Clinton...

At the inauguration, Microsoft is going to help make history.  If you saw my earlier posts about Photosynth, you know it has been featured in CSI.  In that episode, the police used it to reconstruct a murder scene from cell phone pictures taken...

The much anticipated beta version of Windows 7 is now available for download.  You can find the link here.   It's a limited-release beta, so get it before it's gone.  (Actually, I just found out that the Windows Team has decided to allow...

But probably not for the reason you think.  The code is ready to go.  It's actually the demand causing the delay.  While the public beta was supposed to go live this afternoon, the demand for the beta (which went live for TechNet/MSDN subscribers...

I'm sitting in the local Microsoft Office today and it is simply abuzz, which is what I am going to talk about.  I introduced some co-workers to Live Mesh this week (if you didn't know about that, you can watch the screen cast/read the blog from...

Fortunately, I am talking about Live Mesh, the program, not wearable mesh, which made an appearance in the 80s (and hopefully doesn't come back).  Live Mesh is a program that is becoming more robust all the time.  It started as a way to synchronize...

While iSCSI might have the little "i" so common in Apple's naming schemes, it has nothing to do with Mr. Jobs.  In this case, the "i" stands for "Internet."  SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) is an interface...

First of all, if you missed out on the whole digital pet revolution, a Tamagotchi is a virtual pet.  It comes in a small computer (usually attached to a keychain) and requires attention to keep it from dying.  It needs to be fed, played with...

I had set a goal with my manager earlier in the year to achieve at least one more certification before the end of the year.  I'm happy to say I accomplished my goal with (in his words) hours to spare.  I headed down to Springfield on New Year...

In case you haven't heard, an out-of-band security update was released today for Internet Explorer 7. What Does This Mean? "Out-of-band" means that this release was important enough to be released outside of the normal monthly update cycle....

Wondering where I have been and what I have been up to?  Well, a LOT of my free time has been poured into this project.  (And I do mean a LOT.)  I know I usually keep this blog on point with tech talk, but I figure a glimpse here and there...

What does the iPod have going for it?  It is ubiquitous.  It was out before the Zune and, frankly, more people own an iPod than own a Zune.  What does the Zune have going for it?  EVERYTHING else.  :)   This is a post that...

As you may have noticed, I typically try to keep these postings somewhat related to the business side of IT.  Today, however, Microsoft announced the new Xbox 360 experience and it is almost too cool for even me to put into words.  A ton of...

I'm guessing this will make some other wireless providers green with envy, too.  What I am referring to is the very latest in wireless technology, solar powered hot spots!  I just read this article about Meraki bringing solar-powered wifi units...

Wish there was a place you could go to find all the latest Microsoft hardware and software products?  Well, you can stop rubbing your lamp, because I am ready to grant your wish.  Are you ready? *poof*  (that was my "genie" sound...

  Ok.  I have compiled all of the names and addresses I have from the Cincinnati event.  If you were there, please check this list and ensure your name is on it.  The list is in the form of: First three letters of your last name /...

For those of you who had attended the Cincinnati event and are patiently waiting for your copy of Windows Vista, I have good news.  I collected business cards, addresses, etc. from everyone who was in the room at the end (and as many of you who left...

This is going to be different from my usual blog post.  I'm going back to my roots as an English major to craft something I don't get to write very often (anymore): an essay.  This isn't a post about how a product or technology can help you...

Last week, I posted a couple articles about Microsoft Office OneNote 2007.  I wanted to do a follow-up and tell you about some powertoys available for OneNote. These are posted on Daniel Escapa's (a Program Manager on the OneNote team) blog: Send...

One of the other discussions which occurred at my Portland event was around Vista.  As always, there were some lovers and some haters.  I started the discussion and then let the audience go at it.  And, as usual, I was impressed by the...

In yesterday's post , I talked about some of the capabilities of Microsoft Office OneNote 2007. One blog post wasn't enough to do the product justice, so I wanted to discuss it a bit more. Let's take a look at some more of the functionality within OneNote...

This is my favorite holiday of the year.  I love the spookiness, the creepy, and the fact that I get to dress up and be someone else all day!  :)  Those of you who have been reading this blog for awhile know my love of pirates .  This...

At the event I just did in Portland, OR (which ROCKED by the way!), I raffled off some copies of OneNote 2007 at the end of the event.  I asked a question as I was drawing names -- "Who is using OneNote?"  The discussion which followed...