Watch out for these useful announcement and other tips and tricks on the Microsoft Ireland MCS blog.
.... Terminal Services client v6.0 releasedThis is now available to download for Windows 2003 & XP.
More info is over at the terminal services team blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/archive/2006/11/29/remote-desktop-connection-terminal-services-client-6-0-for-windows-xp-and-windows-server-2003-english-only-released.aspx
I heard talk of this before but it's the first time I've seen an independent report on it.
See the Microsoft Oracle Showdown here: Microsoft beats Oracle in security showdown
Forefront is Microsoft's line of security products for the client, edge and server. For more detail check out the Forefront Overview.
You can download and try out the Client, Server and Edge beta products from the Forefront website. Or watch the video showing Microsoft Forefront in action!
It's also noteworthy that Microsoft is in the leaders quadrant in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for E-Mail Security Boundary, for the 25 September 2006.
You can check out the new Windows Sysinternals Site on TechNet. Sysinternals utilities are great for working with and troubleshoot Windows systems and applications.
Of all the demos I saw at TechEd IT Forum last week this was the one that made most of an impression on me. I think SoftTricity has huge potential to make the life of an IT Pro easier. A significant amount of the pain is caused by rolling out and managing applications in your IT environment is due to the interation between the app &/ many different versions of 'the app' with the operating system. You know the story ...you roll out one app and it breaks another.
As appications are installed it changes the operating system. Things get loaded in the registry, files are held on the operating system etc.
Well with SoftTricity there is no need for this! Nothing gets loaded into the registry, nothing is held on the OS. SoftTricity combines application virtualisation which allows software to run on a system without being installed on it at all as well as a streaming technology which enables on demand delivery of software (by streaming circa 20% of the app functionality to allow the end user to use it without it being installed).
Rather than me telling you about it why not watch The DEMO for yourself.
Ensure you have the latest security updates in the Microsoft Security Bulletin for November.
You should also visit the TechNet Security Center to get all the technical bulletins, advisories, updates, tools, and prescriptive guidance designed to help keep your Microsoft servers, desktops, and applications up to date and secure.
Since TechEd IT Forum in Barcelona last week there has been a lot of excitement and questions surrounding Windows PowerShell (previously known as Monad). So I thought I'd post some additional information about it.
So first the intro -
Microsoft Windows PowerShell is a command line shell and scripting language makes IT Pros more productive. Using this new admin-focused scripting language with more than 130 standard command line tools, and consistent syntax and utilities, Windows PowerShell allows easier admin control and accelerates automation.
It's also supposed to be easy to learn and use as it works with your existing IT infrastructure and existing script investments. It also runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server “Longhorn”, Exchange Server 2007, System Center Operations Manager 2007, System Center Data Protection Manager V2, and System Center Virtual Machine Manager.
The current version only supports Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003. The Vista package will be available by Jan. 31, 2007, at the latest ... but they are working very hard to deliver this earlier - so watch this space.
You can download PowerShell 1.0 HERE.
Also, if you want to stay in the know with regard to Windows command line scripting you can check out the PowerShell Team Blog.
I’m happy to announce that we’ve been able to post Windows Vista sooner to TechNet Plus Subscriber Downloads sooner than expected!! The English x86 & x64 DVD versions are available now. You can visit the site HERE.
I'm lucky enough to be here onsite in Barcelona at Tech·Ed: IT Forum.
For those of you who aren't we've set up the - The Virtual Side to help you get in on the action. Watch interviews with top experts, listen to podcasts, learn from featured sessions and much more.
On the evening of Tuesday, 5th of December, we hope that you will be part of the biggest ever tech event in the history of Microsoft Ireland: the Tech Community Launch of Windows Vista™, 2007 Office System and Exchange Server 2007.
· When: Evening of Tuesday, 5th December 2006
· Where: Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin
This two-hour tech evening event will cut right to heart of what you need to know about all these new products:
· Learn about Vista, Office 2007 and Exchange 2007 from our technical keynote speakers.
· Chat to the experts and get your questions answered.
· Have a look at the new features and get your hands on the products themselves to try them out.
· Best of all, all attendees will receive a full, free license for Vista Home Edition along with other eval software.
In order to facilitate people travelling from outside the city, we have organised two sessions from which you can choose - just pick what time suits you best. Places are limited and, as is usual when we give away free software, they fill up fast – so make sure to book your place early!
· Register now for Session A: 5:30pm – 7:30 pm
· Register now for Session B: 8:30pm – 10:30pm
Please feel free to tell any of your IT colleagues or friends who you think would like to come along.
December 5th will be the largest Tech Event Microsoft has ever held in Ireland and I look forward to seeing you there. I’m sure we’ll make it an evening to remember!