Kevin Remde's IT Pro Weblog
Here are the "Best Of" the questions and answers from today's TechNet Webcast: "Windows Vista Desktop Manageability Overview".
Thanks to all who attended, and to Matt Hester and Harold Wong for handling the Q&A; and who's work this document represents.
-Kevin
PS - Here is my resource page for this webcast
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"What about having to open up files (giving full control) in order for a standard user to use a application without admin rights?"
Windows Vista will use what is called application virtualization, and virtualize the file and registry files to a location the user has permission, Kevin is showing that now
"What if we want certain users to have access to installing applications?"
Well that speaks to a lot of different issues, I would recommend deploying the applications via GPO if you can. However the minute you allow a user to install applications then you are giving them permissions on the machine to allow them to do this. What kind of applications are we talking about?
"Not sure I understand VirtualStore. If the application was able to save the file couldn’t it save a virus and execute it?"
Well first the virus would have to get to the machine, and second the elevation credentials will invoke and the standard user will not be allowed to run that app if even if it is a virus.
"Do the virtual settings save or get lost when you reboot the machine?"
Those settings should be remembered, however I did find a KB that discussed some of the potential issues: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927387
"Can we autologoff people through GPOs after a certain time?"
This is actually properties of the logon hours in Active directory.
"Does restore state apply to other possible reboots or just Windows update?"
Restore state can be other updates to the system, not just windows updates. You can even manually create them.
"Does ReadyBoost support iPod nanos ?"
Your question should really be.. "Do iPod Nanos support ReadyBoost?" The answer is NO.
What about after inactivity? If someone is working at 7 PM we dont want to prevent that but if they left at 6 PM and didn't log off we would like to log them off rather than just locking with a screensaver."
You can after that but it will involve a script, take a look here: http://www.jsifaq.com/SF/Tips/Tip.aspx?id=9130
"As a conclusion can we say ReadyBoost supports only USB 2.0 memory disks (aka memory sticks from sandisk, corsair etc.)? Also, is TPM mandatory to use BitLocker?"
ReadyBoost will also support SD cards that meet the R/W speed requirements (I've tested this already). Also, for BitLocker, TPM is recommended, but a USB key can be used if the TPM is not there.
"Based on what I heard from Vista/Office Launch, I am under the impression that NAP is something good to be implemented, can I used in XP Pro or must it be Vista? Also, what else do I need to start try out NAP?"
NAP requires two components, 1 on the client and 1 on the server. The client side component is built into Windows Vista and the server side is built into Windows Longhorn Server. Unfortunately, Windows XP Professional is not one of the supported clients (unless something changes in the future). Longhorn is still in beta, so that is not even officially available yet. If you want to test today, you will need to get Vista, plus the next Longhorn Server Beta.
Here are some resources relating to the webcast I presented on February 23, 2007, entitled “TechNet Webcast: Windows Vista Manageability Overview”.
I hope you find them useful!
Kevin
Windows Vista Management Featureshttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/feat/mngfeat.mspx
User Account Control Overviewhttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/security/uacppr.mspx
Windows Resource Protection on Windows Vistahttp://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa372868.aspx
What’s New in Group Policy in Windows Vista and in Windows Server “Longhorn”http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/gpol/a8366c42-6373-48cd-9d11-2510580e4817.mspx
Network Location Awarenesshttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/gpol/4d3f44d9-4b3e-4b9f-a280-f4d299f8d163.mspx
New Format and Functionality of Administrative Template Files (ADMX)http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/gpol/ea452d9f-2aca-46ef-9df4-4a5abea14737.mspx
Multiple Local Group Policy Objectshttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/gpol/bc92398a-aed8-47e7-941a-6e08cf75f02b.mspx
Improving Remote Access Using MOF at Microsofthttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/msit/operations/imprvraswithmof.mspx
Event Viewer Overviewhttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/WindowsVista/library/ops/4229f239-16a6-4ecd-b3cf-aec03dc08cd5.mspx?mfr=true
Task Scheduler Overviewhttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/WindowsVista/library/ops/61e2eb14-d71d-4a60-9eab-ba7bdd422b94.mspx
Enhancing Microsoft System Center to Drive the Benefits of Windows Vista to Customershttp://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2006/jun06/06-13SystemCenter.mspx
Selected Scenarios for Monitoring Performance with Windows Vistahttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/1522b01c-69a3-43d2-884a-2af28f74f9b0.mspx
This session’s resource page:http://www.microsoft.com/technet/DSK-16
Microsoft TechNethttp://www.microsoft.com/technet
Live TechNet Eventshttp://www.technetevents.com
Microsoft Events pagehttp://www.microsoft.com/events
This was just released a day or two ago. It's called the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment. Here is the description from the tool's web page:
Secure and Agentless Inventory
The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment solution accelerator provides secure, agentless inventory for up to 5,000 computers. It collects and organizes system resource and device information, network wide and remotely, from a single networked computer. Assessment tools often require users to first deploy software agents on all computers to be inventoried. The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment does not require the deployment of any software agents on the individual computers.
Whether you're doing an assessment on your own, or if you're a Microsoft Partner who is helping their customers get ready, this is a must-have!
Get it from here.
I got an e-mail this morning from a Technical Account Manager here at Microsoft concerning some additional learning resources for IT Pros around this whole "Y2K7" DST change problem. We're holding several webcasts just so you can learn more about the resources available and steps you can take to make this transition go smoothly.
Here is the information straight out of that e-mail, including the list of webcasts and registration links:
Preparing for Daylight Saving Time: How To Make The DST Transition Step-By-StepMicrosoft DST team members walk through how to utilize the Windows, Exchange and Outlook updates and tools to help businesses prepare for the transition to daylight saving time. An open Q & A forum will be hosted by the company’s best subject matter experts. .
This session is offered live on multiple dates, each beginning at 12:00pm Pacific Time:
Tuesday, February 20 - To register: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032330844&Culture=en-US
Thursday, February 22 - To register: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032331069&Culture=en-US Tuesday, February 27 - To register: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032331069&Culture=en-US Thursday, March 1 - To register:http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032331071&EventCategory=2&culture=en-US
It's a virtual reality -
It's the new version of Virtual PC - Virtual PC 2007. I've been using the beta for awhile now, with very happy results. Some examples I've seen:
All around, this is a great release for people like me who learn, teach, webcast, and pretty much have a virtual machine or two running at all times.
Here is the main page: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx
And the download link:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=04D26402-3199-48A3-AFA2-2DC0B40A73B6&displaylang=en
Go ahead! Get virtual!
By now unless you've been living under a rock, you have probably heard that in the United States we're doing things a little bit differently.
"Yes, that's true. But are you referring to anything in particular?"
In this case, yes. I'm referring to the new, earlier start of Daylight Savings Time (or DST). It's starting earlier and ending later.
"Cool. More sunshine. But why should I care?"
Unless you're already running Windows Vista, your computer will not automatically shift the hour ahead on March 11th.
"Can't I just shift the hour myself?"
Sure, you can. But then a few weeks later your computer will do it automatically, and mess you up yet again.
"Okay Kevin - What do you recommend?"
Updates are already available. You should make sure that your PC is getting automatic updates, and let the update happen. If you're an IT Pro responsible for a number of machines, you should also make sure you roll out the update to your desktops and servers. You can also
If you have any more questions about this topic, or need additional resources, check out this site:
http://www.microsoft.com/dst2007
Note that you can choose information based on who you are (home user, IT Pro, etc.) And if you're using a handheld device (Pocket PC or Smart Phone), you also have an area there with information for you.
Here also is a good informational page:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/dst_topissues
Over the past couple of days I've been really turned on to voice commands and speech recognition in Windows Vista. In fact I'm so amazed by it that I decided to create this post entirely using my voice.
Several of my teammates have been doing demos of speech recognition in their live events. I did the same thing yesterday at Dunwoody Institute here in Minneapolis. Naturally, there's always some clown in the room who decides to shout out "Format C: Enter!". (just kidding) It all started out with Chris Henley's amazing screencast of his first experiences with speech recognition.
In the past I was always curious about speech recognition, but whenever I tried it, I always found that it was still faster to type than to have to go back and correct mistakes that were made with the recognition process. However, this is amazingly accurate. In this paragraph, for example, I have only had to make one correction, and it is also very easy to do with your voice. It's simply a matter of speaking clearly, and it just works. Just as it should.
Now, but let's see if I can insert a picture. I'm using Windows Live Writer. Here we go...
Well, that took some doing. But I was able to navigate around and make it work. Worst case, I'm able to use the "mouse-grid" functionality that allows me to target a specific point on the screen, and then click it, double-click it, or even select and drag it.
I may never need to use my keyboard again. Seriously, I might be able to work really fast using just my mouse and my voice. I'll take care of the more difficult tasks with a mouse, and enter any text using my voice. I can select areas on the screen with my voice quickly, or rapidly select emails with a mouse and say delete to each one. Wonderful!
Now let's see if I can post this baby...
Part III - The Madison Wisconsin* Experience
This video contains action and commentary from the second half of my second week of "Launch" events for Microsoft Across America.
*Absolutely no dairy cattle were harmed during the making of this video.
Here is the streamable version, too.
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Thanks Madison! And thank you for the great Karaoke recommendation. We had a blast on Thursday night!
Here are the "Best Of" the questions and answers from today's TechNet Webcast: "TechNet Webcast: Controlling of Your SharePoint Server 2007 Sites with IT Governance (Level 200)".
Special thanks to John Weston who came to help with the Q&A on the back end. It is his work that this list represents.
And thanks to all who attended!
Questions and Answers
"Are there any plans to fix the problems caused by installing Sharepoint 3.0 and Sharepoint Server 2007 on Small Business Server like Search in Sharepoint, Integration of Sharepoint and theSBS2003 Exchange 2003 and the upgrading of the SBS2003 CompanyWeb ?"
I know a new version of Small Business Server is planned, coming out soon after "Longhorn" Server (and based on that server platform). I don't know, though, if that specific issue will be addressed or what form the new CompanyWeb will take - though I would venture a guess to say that it will take advantage of the newest WSS or even features of MOSS 2007.
"This link to DSK-109 appears not to work."
Ah.. okay. It's going live soon. (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/DSK-109)
I'll e-mail the content team and see what the hold-up is. Check again every couple days. It will be there eventually.
Here are some resources relating to the webcast I presented on February 9, 2007, entitled “TechNet Webcast: Controlling of Your SharePoint Server 2007 Sites with IT Governance”.
I hope you find them useful.
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Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Product Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/servers/sharepointserver/guide.mspx
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Demo
http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/servers/sharepointserver/demo.mspx
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Product Overview
http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/servers/sharepointserver/overview.mspx
Windows SharePoint Services Highlightshttp://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/technologies/sharepointtechnology/highlights.mspx
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/servers/sharepointserver/faq.mspx
Integration with Office SharePoint Server 2007 (great diagram of the components that make up the whole)
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms454209.aspx
Webcast Series: 2007 Microsoft Office System – Plan and deploy with confidence
http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/technetoffice.mspx
Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies Team Blog
http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepoint
SharePoint Security Highlights
http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepoint/archive/2006/04/07/570939.aspx
Microsoft Business Intelligence Product Guidehttp://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/solutions/bi/guide.mspx
SharePoint Portal Server Architecturehttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sppt/reskit/c0561881x.mspx
SharePoint Server 2007 for MCMS 2002 Developers
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms406043.aspx
This session’s resource page:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/DSK-109
Live TechNet Events
http://www.technetevents.com
Microsoft Events page:
http://www.microsoft.com/events
How's that for an attention-getting subject line?
But check it out... According to a Harris Interactive/Wall Street Journal poll, Microsoft has the most respected reputation among US corporations.
"What? How do they do that while beating babies?"
According to the article, we beat out the previous 7-year-long-standing leader in this poll, Johnson & Johnson. Apparently cute cuddly babies are appealing to just about everybody. Go figure.
The article also says that Microsoft's reputation was given a boost by Bill Gates' philanthropy through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.