Ramblings from another nerd on the grid
The time to activate is now. Microsoft SQL Server 2012 is launching soon. Be a part of this highly anticipated event! Join us for our 12-city road tour where Microsoft experts and local DBAs will show you the power of SQL Server 2012. At the Tour stop in your city, you will:
Secure your credentials. Block your calendars. This one you won’t want to miss.
Register for an event near you now. It's free!
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit is an agentless, automated, multi-product planning and assessment tool for quicker and easier desktop and server migrations. MAP provides detailed readiness assessment reports and executive proposals with extensive hardware and software information, and actionable recommendations to help organizations accelerate their IT infrastructure planning process, and gather more detail on assets that reside within their current environment.
MAP also provides private and public cloud planning assessments, and server utilization data for Hyper-V server virtualization planning; identifying server placements, and performing virtualization candidate assessments, including ROI analysis for server consolidation with Hyper-V. Other significant new features in MAP 6.5 include the discovery of active Windows devices, Software Usage Tracking for Forefront Endpoint Protection (FEP), and the discovery of Oracle instances on Itanium-based servers with HP-UX to assist in the planning of migration to SQL Server. Learn more.
MAP is one of the tools provided by the Microsoft Solution Accelerators team. The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, and Security Compliance Manager provide tested guidance and automated tools to help organizations plan, securely deploy, and manage new Microsoft technologies—easier, faster, and at less cost. All are freely available, and fully-supported by Microsoft. Learn more.
For home users and users with a few computers to migrate, use the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to understand the readiness of your computer for Windows 7.
The MAP Toolkit includes the following components:
Go get it @ http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=7826.
I just wanted to make sure you were aware of the location for the RC documentation for the VMM 2012. In this case we’ve updated the cmdlet reference guide so if you are working with and learning about PowerShell, you’ll probably want to grab the update.
Go get it @ http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=6346.
This update fixes critical issues in Communicator 2011, including issues that might cause Communicator to stop responding or quit unexpectedly. For more information about this update, please visit the Microsoft Web site. Applies to: Office 2011, Communicator 2011, Office for Mac Standard 2011 Edition.
Go get it @ http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28784
This is just too cute not to repost. “Really?”
See the press release at the BMW Group press area. It sure looks like it’ll do more than just mouse around to me.
Go get it @ http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9796988. Here’s some bedtime reading while you watch the download, download.
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A Microsoft private cloud dramatically changes the way your business produces and consumes IT services by creating a layer of abstraction over your pooled IT resources. This allows your datacenter to offer true infrastructure service capability as well as optimally managed application services.
Microsoft private cloud solutions are built on System Center and Windows Server.
System Center 2012 Release Candidate empowers you with a common management toolset for your private and public cloud applications and services. System Center helps you confidently deliver IT as a Service for your business.
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (optional download) will give you improved powerful virtualization capabilities that can transform how you deliver IT services to your end users and enable you to lay the foundation of a private cloud infrastructure.
Please Note: Many Microsoft private cloud scenarios require Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. If you are using an older version, we highly recommend upgrading to experience the full Microsoft private cloud evaluation. Need more information? See the product details page. Register to access technical product resources at the Microsoft Private Cloud Evaluation Resource Page.
The Microsoft private cloud evaluation includes:
System Center 2012 Release Candidate Available in these languages: English
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (optional download) Available in these languages: Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish
Go get it @ http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9796988.
You should check out the pics of this concept at http://www.lexus.com/concept/. Crazy man.
See the full article and video at http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/iosafe-gives-shocking-demo-of-thunderbolt-rugged-portable-protot/. If they really want to test that drive, mount it on top of a relatively tall pole during the Texas spring thunderstorms. Grin.
Go get it @ http://nokia-windows-phone.t-mobile.com/
Advanced LEGOing at http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-cetera/7-foot-tall-lego-model-captures-the-last-march-of-the-ents-from-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers-2011103/. Let’s see if Matt Hester can one up these nerds.
Here's the new premium notebook from Samsung. I want one if the WIFI issues from the previous generation are resolved. 1600x900 400nit screen, backlit keyboard, no Apple on the lid. I'm in. See the product area at http://www.samsung.com/us/article/the-new-series-9-thin-fast-smart. See the press release for the second generation Series 9 at www.samsungces.com/Common/Include/Download.asp?FileSEQ=1687.
The picture above is of the striking 13" Series 9 model. The new 15" model was demonstrated on stage at CES and sports a couple of USB 3.0 ports and a DB15 VGA port on the left side. We'll get the full specs eventually but Samsung says the 15" model is just over 3 pounds and it's packing a 1600x900 screen in a 14" chassis with their MaxScreen thin bezel design.
Want to see for yourself? Fast forward to minute 46 in the following press conference replay video.
http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/press/2012/28709
Lenovo offered a sneak peek of a new ThinkPad today. Teasers. More information apparently will be released on 1/5/2012. See their facebook page. There are two other posts at http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/5/2683000/lenovo-thinkpad-t430u-new-intel-processors-pricing and http://www.netbooknews.com/42499/lenovo-thinkpad-t430u-ultrabook-announced-for-849/ you should look at when you get a minute. I see one issue right off the bat that makes the machine a possible non starter for me, but considering I can't find a cheap IdeaPad U300s for my wife, this might be just the ticket.
First of all, if you aren’t already a TechNet Flash Newsletter subscriber, head on over to https://profile.microsoft.com/RegSysProfileCenter/SubCntDefault.aspx and sign up. We don’t bombard you often with information, but when we do there are great tidbits on IT Professional happenings, software downloads, and tips or tricks with Microsoft products.
In the flash that went out today there’s an offer for a discounted TechNet Professional Subscription. Use code TNFLA12 for a 15% discount. See the terms at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/hh745661. The offer expires at the end of February. Ready to buy? Head on over to https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy/hh442910.aspx.
I have a HP Envy 15 on order. I could not resist the 30% off coupon. I will of course give you a couple of reviews. One after the first twenty four hours, and one after a couple of weeks. I hope HP has excellent thermals on this generation.
[UPDATE for 1/5] FYI, I cancelled this order today for several reasons. First, HP should be providing details on the Envy Spectre in the next few days which I believe is going to be a 14" version of this. I would like a lighter machine. Second, there are a ton of machines being announced this week and next at CES. So although I could take advantage of HP's 21 day return policy, I don't really think it's fair to have a machine shipped just to turn around and ship it back.
This rare concept car goes on the auction block soon.
Details at http://nokia-windows-phone.t-mobile.com/. Press release at http://newsroom.t-mobile.com/articles/nokia-lumia-710.
I like blue. http://www.roccat.org/Products/Gaming-Keyboards/ROCCAT-Isku/
Flash Mobbing in India with NOKIA.
Today, just in time for the holidays, we’re releasing OneNote 1.3 for iOS. Since the launch of OneNote for iPhone nearly a year ago, a recurring request from our customers has been for a version that can be used more easily on the iPad's larger screen. We're happy to announce that today's new release of OneNote for iOS devices includes a version that's tailored for the iPad.
See the rest of the details on the OneNote team blog at http://blogs.office.com/b/microsoft-onenote/archive/2011/12/12/onenote-for-ios-gets-new-features-arrives-in-new-markets-worldwide.aspx.
Ready for the app? Go get it @ http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-onenote-for-ipad/id478105721.
Lync 2010 for Windows Phone extends the power of Lync to your mobile device – including rich presence, instant messaging, audio conferencing, and calling features from a single, easy-to-use interface.
Key Features:
Go get it @ http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/9ce93e51-5b35-e011-854c-00237de2db9e
Espoo, Finland - Nokia today announced the Nokia Lumia 710 will hit shelves, less than one month after the Nokia Lumia 800 started turning heads.
The Nokia Lumia 710 will start selling today in Taiwan alongside the Nokia Lumia 800. The Nokia Lumia 710 will then reach stores in Singapore, Hong Kong, India and Russia in the next seven days and continue its global roll-out over the coming weeks.
Estimated retail price is 270 EUR, excluding taxes and subsidies and availability will be via operator partners, retailers and open channels depending on local situation.
See the full press release at http://press.nokia.com/2011/12/09/nokia-lumia-710-now-shipping/.
Next weeks press event at T-Mobile should be interesting.
Details at http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Xbox360/Consoles/Kinect-Star-Wars-Bundle.
Yesterday Antoine Leblond, Vice President of Windows Web Services, posted a blog post with some information on the coming Windows Store. Here’s a brief excerpt from the beginning:
This is the first post in our new Windows Store blog, which will be dedicated to informing developers both on the progress of the Store as a service, and the platform and economic opportunity the Store represents. In September, we announced the Windows Store as part of Windows 8 and the distribution point for Metro style apps. And today, at our Store Preview event in San Francisco, we described the app policies and business terms for the Store, both of which are now published to our Dev Center.We also announced our First Apps contest for developers, and confirmed that we’re also inviting a select set of developers to submit Metro style apps for inclusion in the Beta version of the Store.
This is the first post in our new Windows Store blog, which will be dedicated to informing developers both on the progress of the Store as a service, and the platform and economic opportunity the Store represents.
In September, we announced the Windows Store as part of Windows 8 and the distribution point for Metro style apps. And today, at our Store Preview event in San Francisco, we described the app policies and business terms for the Store, both of which are now published to our Dev Center.We also announced our First Apps contest for developers, and confirmed that we’re also inviting a select set of developers to submit Metro style apps for inclusion in the Beta version of the Store.
See the rest of the blog post and information at http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstore/archive/2011/12/06/announcing-the-new-windows-store.aspx. Enjoy!
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit is an agentless, automated, multi-product planning and assessment tool for quicker and easier desktop and server migrations. MAP provides detailed readiness assessment reports and executive proposals with extensive hardware and software information, and actionable recommendations to help organizations accelerate their IT infrastructure planning process, and gather more detail on assets that reside within their current environment. MAP also provides private and public cloud planning assessments, and server utilization data for Hyper-V server virtualization planning; identifying server placements, and performing virtualization candidate assessments, including ROI analysis for server consolidation with Hyper-V. Other significant new features in MAP 6.5 include the discovery of active Windows devices, Software Usage Tracking for Forefront Endpoint Protection (FEP), and the discovery of Oracle instances on Itanium-based servers with HP-UX to assist in the planning of migration to SQL Server. Learn more.
Go get it @ http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=7826
http://www.crypteks.com/#/home
If you are worried the ancient Mayans are right and the end is coming in 2012, you might want a good survival kit. For starters, Gerber has a nice little kit of various blades you might be interested in.
Pre-order the kit or order individual survival tools at http://www.gerbergear.com/Apocalypse.
http://www.mms-2012.com/registration
Operations Manager 2012 provides infrastructure monitoring that’s flexible and cost-effective, helps ensure the predictable performance and availability of vital applications, and offers comprehensive monitoring for your datacenter and cloud, both private and public. Operations Manager helps you better manage your datacenters by:
Features Summary
Go get it @ http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27974.
Enables Self-Service for Application Owners and End-Users Service Manager 2012 offers a customizable Service Catalog that provides you with access to standardized service offerings spanning applications and infrastructure. Through an integrated System Center Cloud Services Process Pack (coming soon), Service Manager 2012 empowers you with a self-service experience to request private cloud infrastructure capacity as appropriate to your business needs. Service Manager 2012 also offers automated approval workflows at the back-end to fulfill these resulting service requests (including VM requests) in a standardized manner. Finally, Service Manager 2012 offers you easy to use business and operational reporting capabilities through a data-warehouse that aggregates multiple data sources in your enterprise (including System Center, Active Directory, and SAP).
Integrates People, Processes, and Information Across Enterprise Infrastructure and Applications Service Manager 2012 offers an easy-to-setup Configuration Management Database (CMDB) that standardizes the capture of relationships across infrastructure and applications, and helps to facilitate continued organizational compliance when changes occur. Service Manager 2012 offers two new connectors for System Center Orchestrator 2012 and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 that enables you to deliver process automation across core private cloud scenarios, such as provisioning and service offering creation. Finally, the IT Governance, Risk and Compliance (IT GRC) solution for Service Manager 2012 will help you with the automation necessary to support your compliance programs.
Standardizes Datacenter Processes with Workflows Designed Around Industry Best Practices Service Manager 2012 includes built in automated workflows for incident management, problem management, SLA management, and service request fulfillment. These can help you deliver predictable operational SLAs for your datacenter application and infrastructure services. With the expedited release cycles that cloud computing enables, it’s important to set up robust change control so that you can maintain the availability, performance, and reliability of your applications and infrastructure. Service Manager 2012 offers closed-loop change and release management to help you mitigate risks arising from high impact changes that span multiple application and infrastructure components.
System Center Service Manager Authoring Tool (For SCSM 2012 Beta) The System Center Service Manager Authoring Tool is a tool for customization and extension of the built-in functionality in System Center Service Manager. This release supports modifying existing Process Management Packs and creating new Management Packs that define extensions to the Service Manager database for tracking additional information, customizations of forms or new forms, and new workflows. This release is available in 10 languages. This release is compatible with Service Manager 2012 beta. It contains the necessary changes to ensure the Authoring Tool is compatible with SCSM 2012 but does not contain a new feature set from prior releases.
System Center Cloud Services Process Pack This process pack offers a self-service experience to facilitate private cloud capacity requests from your business unit IT application owners and end users, including the flexibility to request additional capacity as business demands increase.
Go get it @ http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27844.
The Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 RC0 Express is a powerful and reliable free data management system that delivers a rich set of features, data protection, and performance for embedded applications, lightweight Web Sites , applications, and local data stores. Designed for easy deployment and rapid prototyping, this download includes support for Sysprep, Microsoft's System Preparation Utility for Microsoft Windows operating system deployment.
Go get it @ http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28151
http://halo.xbox.com/guides/anniversary/
Months ago you probably heard about the “Ultrabook” initiative from Intel. Phase One of this initiative appears to be nearly complete as several OEMs have launched new machines. Toshiba, Acer, ASUS and Lenovo have all introduced machines for the 2011 holiday season. Phase II of the initiative will commence with the launch of the Intel “Ivy Bridge” processors in the first half of 2012.
Several of the gadget and laptop review sites have received evaluation units and written about the pros and cons to the fall crop of Ultrabooks. How do these machines match-up to the Apple MacBook Air? Check out the reviews and see for yourself.
Acer S3
ASUS Zenbook
Lenovo IdeaPad U300s
Toshiba Portege Z830
Samsung Series 7 Chronos - not exactly an ultrabook, but interesting
Cool video from the XBOX team.
http://www.1199panigale.ducati.com/en/
Go get them @ http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27754.