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Yes, it is true, my 80's gamer skills have finally paid off!!!!!
Last night, I defeated not only my teammates Chris Henley and Harold Wong, and the rest of the Organization to become the:
FROGGER WORLD CHAMPION!!!!!!!!
Speaking of Chris and Harold, next time you see them ask them how many frogs I needed to beat them?
BTW the answer is 1!
So all you Frogger challengers....Bring It! :-)
Hey y'all we talked about the Mojave experiment a few posts ago, take a look at the results of the experiment here:
http://www.mojaveexperiment.com/
Quick Disclaimer: I am not writing this post to scare you, but I wanted you to make aware of the thought process of the security community, specifically the not so nice component.
Security in any software is a mandatory requirement, and not a value proposition. Especially when you think about Windows Vista. So why this post and you may call me paranoid after reading it. When I think about the IT landscape, especially around security, it is always good to know thy enemy. As Sun Tzu said:
Well I stumbled upon this website for the Pwnie Awards that are given out at the Blackhat conference. Well digging around, Windows Vista was nominated for an award, in the Most EPIC fail category, but not for the reason you are probably thinking of. I will let you read the right up of the :
Windows Vista for proving that security does not sell $100,000,000 invested in security and what does Microsoft have to show for it? Customers are revolting against Windows Vista and nobody who has a choice is choosing to upgrade. It doesn't matter that Vista really is the most secure Microsoft operating system ever made, all customers care about is the annoyance of the UAC prompts, the confusing user interface and the insane hardware requirements. The good thing about the Vista debacle is that no other vendor will care to do such a security push, which means that we'll be able to easily own any piece of software for the foreseeable future.
Windows Vista for proving that security does not sell
$100,000,000 invested in security and what does Microsoft have to show for it? Customers are revolting against Windows Vista and nobody who has a choice is choosing to upgrade. It doesn't matter that Vista really is the most secure Microsoft operating system ever made, all customers care about is the annoyance of the UAC prompts, the confusing user interface and the insane hardware requirements.
The good thing about the Vista debacle is that no other vendor will care to do such a security push, which means that we'll be able to easily own any piece of software for the foreseeable future.
Let that sink in for a minute, especially the last paragraph. Too me, that tells me the Vista security is good. How good, and is the security tradeoff worth it? Ultimately you and your business need to make that decision. For me I think it is very telling that the not so nice security community is happy that is not deployed and they will:
....be able to easily own any piece of software for the foreseeable future.
Things that make you go hmmm.
I was sad to find out today that Randy Pausch had passed forward into a better life. I was deeply moved by his speech and the way he lived. You can read the full article here:
'Last lecture' professor dies of cancer
For those of you that have not scene the last lecture it is worth your time.
To watch please visit: http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/
Is it a desert?
Is it a helicopter?
Nope, well technically it is all of those things. But for this post it is actually a project codename for believe it or not...Windows Vista. Imagine if you were asked to evaluate a new Microsoft OS, called Mojave and after the demo you absolutely loved it. Then you find out that it is actually Windows Vista? Well here is an interesting article talking about the project:
Microsoft looks to 'Mojave' to revive Vista's image
So what do you think of this marketing adventure?
I just got wind of an interesting conference, Marketing Connections , that Microsoft is sponsor of. Being a professional speaker is a great job but marketing is key piece to my success, beside the perfect voice (listen to mine here: Do I have the right stuff...err the right voice?). So do the tried and true marketing of the techniques work in today's digital world? If not what does? This conference looks to answer some of those questions.
Here is the blurb from the website:
Marketing Connections is a unique event focused on exploring the great power and strategic value in integrating all the pieces of the modern marketing landscape: both traditional and emerging. Most events today only present a sliver of the marketing mix — whether it's online, search, email or tv and radio. At MCONN, attendees will come away with a holistic view of the broad spectrum of technologies, strategies and solutions at their disposal in this new marketing world — leading them back to their most important goal — generating effective outcomes for their customers.
So take a look at the conference and let me know if your going Marketing Connections
If you go to the conference, let me know if you go a session, one of my former MS colleagues, will be speaking at the conference. Romi Mahajan will be delivering this session: Marry Your Customer (or at Least Engage Them) Got to love the title!
Okay being a Browns fan I read a lot of things about football. But this article/comment caught my attention. Especially when it is Carson Palmer (USC grad), and he chimes in against the buckeyes. In a nutshell this just gives me another reason to dislike the Bengals, not that I needed one but hey just keeps the fire burning.
So what has me fired up, this statement:
"I cannot stand the Buckeyes and having to live in Ohio and hear those people talk about their team, it drives me absolutely nuts."
Read the full article here: Carson Palmer: Can't stand Ohio State; USC will give them a butt-whooping
Come on Carson!
If Braylon Edwards (School up North Grad) can lead Browns fan in OH...IO cheer (Read the full article here: (Anderson’s 2 TD passes lead Browns 27-13 over ragged Ravens) , why can't you at least understand the passion Ohio has for football. Sure your from SC, but your living is made by the people that live in the state of OHIO! So those same people that drive you nuts, in a sense, sign your paycheck. I think you need to listen to Braylon:
“This is Ohio. This is my residence. This is where I play football. This is where I earn my paycheck. This is the city I’ve adopted and the one that has adopted me."
It will be a great game in SoCal on Sept. 13th. Even if you do not like either team this should prove to be a fantastic game! A game, I truly believe the Buckeyes will win!
Go Buckeyes!
I had a chance to sit down and talk with Jane Maliouta, Program Manager on Internet Explorer team and talk about what is coming with Internet Explorer 8. During the interview we talked about some of the fantastic new functionality that everyone can expect. We even spend some time talking about some of the great benefits to IT Pros and customers can expect from IE 8. We also talked about IE handles some of the challenges of upgrading your browser.
I hope you enjoy the interview and you can check it out here:
Interview with Jane Maliouta, What's new in Internet Explorer 8
Let me know what you think, and here are direct links to the .wma and .mp3’s:
Look for more fantastic resources on Internet Explorer 8 take a look here:
Download IE 8 today:
Happy Friday Boys and Girls! Due to the success the program from last year, it is back again this year and I can save you 15%!!!!!
Just Use TMSAM09 when ordering your new subscription. I also have a big announcement based on your feedback the code:
<drum roll please>
TMSAM09 can be used GLOBALLY!!!!!!!!!!
That is right, although we have gotten some early feedback that there may be some issues outside the US and Canada, I know the code will be good around the world! So if you are looking at buying a TechNet subscription you can save a 15%, it is as simple as using the following promotion code when you go to buy your subscription:
TMSAM09
Click here to get your TechNet Subscription:
Purchase a TechNet Subscription
Then just enter the Promotion Code: TMSAM09
If you have not checked out what you get with a TechNet Subscription here are a few of the benefits:
And of course you still get the TechNet Library containing the Microsoft Knowledge Base, security updates, service packs resource kits, utilities, technical training, and product documentation to keep your systems and IT skills up to date!!!!
Some details about the offer:
This promo code is only for new subscriptions, you can use the code for renewals as well, however you are already saving 33% on renewals (but if you use my code it makes me look like I am doing my job :-) Again we are having a bit of a contest so we each have individual codes, and all I ask to do is to please use my code: TMSAM09.
So go get your TechNet Subscription today, and remember use the promotion code: TMSAM09 to save 15%!!!!!!!!
A while back a made a post on how you can get some support in implementation of certain Microsoft technologies, through a program called momentum. You can see the post here: Looking to gain Momentum for a Pilot of Microsoft Technologies? I know the program will also be adopting new technologies very soon, so look for an updated post in the near future.
Well I had several people join the program and I was able to gain some insight into a MOSS 2007 Implementation the the momentum program helped a customer deliver. Dennis, the project lead who also manages his companies Network Services Group was kind enough to talk with me and how the program helped with a client of his.
The project was got started after one of his clients had attended a Microsoft conference and saw the power of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007. The client was currently running Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and wanted to take MOSS 2007 for a test drive.
When the client wants to test a project, it tends to make getting the needed approval very easy. Even though the current infrastructure until recently was a complete Novell shop and they had just implemented Active Directory. The client decided to switch from a total Novell Directory Service environment to a Microsoft Active Directory infrastructure in 2005. This was done to in an to create a single sign-on within the client’s organization for approximately 3000 users spread over approximately 30 locations.
With the necessary infrastructure work done, it was time to upgrade and according to Dennis:
"We didn’t find many problems with the testing or implementation of MOSS 2007. The upgrade went very smoothly. The main issue we found was access rights needs for certain services and directories which were not needed for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. Once we figured that out, everything continued smoothly and is a very low maintenance program and server."
Currently MOSS 2007 has been implemented within that organization. It currently is in use by approximately 3000 users over approximately 30 locations. Dennis is also currently testing Windows Server 2008 Standard to implement within our organization.
Finally, I asked Dennis how did he find the experience with momentum program?
"I like the momentum program because it provides an opportunity for IT professionals to test a product and comment on how the process ran. A lot of the time we do not have the time to test a product, document the steps taken and then report back on how the product performed. Due to lack of time, we are pushed to get to the implementation part that you forget to take the time to document the process and any issues that arose. This program gives you that opportunity."
Lastly I want to say thank you to Dennis for participating in the program, and if you are interested in learning more about the program take a look here Looking to gain Momentum for a Pilot of Microsoft Technologies? , and if your interested drop me a line.
Okay I am writing this post for my wife, I just saw that Brett wants to be released from the Packers. Did I read that right? Yup, it doesn't mean he is coming back, but does it open the door? Take a look at the article here:
Favre seeks unconditional release from Packers, sources say
So what do you think, I know my wife will lose a little bit of respect for Brett if he comes back. Personally I love watching him play, and I would like any team in need of a QB and have the potential to win the Super Bowl, has a chance to get Brett.
Sound off people: Do you think Brett will come back (do you care) and if so what team?
My buddy John Baker sent an interesting article out the other day about how we are address concerns in the marketplace around Windows Vista and what are some thoughts about the Apple Ads. I thought these where two interesting statements that Brad Brooks, Corporate Vice President, Windows Consumer Product Marketing, made at the Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston:
"You thought the sleeping giant was still sleeping, well we woke it up and it's time to take our message forward," Brooks said. "We've faced these challenges before, and we're going to solve them again. There's a conversation going on in the marketplace today and it's just plain awful. We've got to get back on the front foot."
and I think this next one really indicates we have dropped the gloves:
"We've got a pretty noisy competitor out there," Brooks said of Apple whose "I'm a Mac... and I'm a PC," commercials criticize Windows Vista. "You know it. I know it. It's caused some impact. We're going to start countering it. They tell us it's the iWay or the highway. We think that's a sad message. Software out there is made to be compatible with your whole life."
As I have posted before: Finally someone gets it about the PC vs. Mac commercials you know those commercials drive me nuts. I am glad to hear that we are going to counter some of the messaging out there. I also like the article because it is not just about taking the gloves off, but also about us taking accountability for Windows Vista.
Take a look at the full article here and let me know what you think:
Microsoft Admits Windows Vista Mistakes, Criticizes Apple Ads
One of my teammates, Ed Faulkner, shared with our team an interesting article about what makes the perfect speaking voice. Apparently there is a formula, that takes into account several factors: tone, speed, frequency, words per minute and intonation. According to the formula, Judi Dench (M from the recent 007 movies) and Jeremy Irons (Loved his voice as Scar in The Lion King) had the closest matches to the perfect voice.
You can read the full article here: Formula 'secret of perfect voice'
Well I decided to see if my voice was perfect, so what do you think:
Lately, I have been doing a lot fun work with the IE 8 team. Look for a TechNet radio interview shortly I did with Jane Maliouta who is a IE Deployment Program Manager. In talking with Jane she told that she had written a post on how to slipstream IE 8 into an Windows Vista image. After checking out the post I decided to make a screencast to show how easy this is to do.
Check it out:
Windows Media Player Version (RT Click and save as): Slipstream IE8
If you want to see the steps in greater detail check out Jane's post here:
Detailed Steps to Slipstream IE 8 into Windows Vista
If you have not scene IE 8 in action check out my two screen casts I did a few weeks back:
Here are some other great resources for IE8, as well as download locations:
For July and as I begin a new fiscal year at Microsoft. I thought this no-nonsense book by Larry Winget is the perfect fit to get my new year started:
It's Called Work for a Reason!: Your Success Is Your Own Damn Fault
It is a great read, and if you need motivation check it out.
I picked this book up on the way out of town, amused at the title and some of the chapters. I was impressed with book in it's whole. It was big ole kick in the butt that will help motivate you to get the one thing that really matters and that is results. How do you get those results, simply work!
Noticed I did not say a polite kick in the butt, this book is not written for the faint of heart. It is written in straight forward, in your face language, that I firmly believe we all need at times. I suppose that is why Larry is the self titled pit bull of personal development.
Larry had a solid grasp on the work environment and what you need to do individually to be successful. Wether you are an employee, manager, or owner, this book will have some great advice on your responsibilities. Being a regular employee, I found this book extremely focusing in the type of work that I do. One of my favorite chapters on teamwork, was as much an eye opener internally as wells externally. The chapter was: Teamwork doesn't work! So why did I like the chapter because of this phrase: "someone on the team will not work" (your maybe this person, I know I have been). Interesting point, the book is chalk full of these points.
When you need a kick in the butt, wether your a manager, owner, or regular worker bee check this book out! It will not disappoint.
So please comment and if you read this book or have seen Larry speak, drop me a line and let me know what you think.