October, 2011

  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    Take a look now: Future vision of Microsoft Office

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    Watch the concept video to get a glimpse of the future of productivity, then explore the stories and technology in more detail.  Learn more here: http://www.microsoft.com/office/vision/ 

  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    IT Time - TechNet Radio - Halloween Episode - "Top 10 Scariest things an IT Pro can avoid when using Windows Server 2008 R2"

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    I got to spend some time with my good friends Chris and Blain on the IT Time “Halloween” episode we discussed  the Top 10 Scariest things an IT Pro can avoid when using Windows Server 2008 R2.   As you can tell the episode was a bit different.  Have fun!

    Check out the book: Windows Server 2008 R2 Administration Instant Reference

    Resources:

    Blogs:

    Videos:

    Downloads:

  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    Check them out Now: RC’s of the System Center Products

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    image

    Today Microsoft released new evaluation versions of the System Center 2012 family of products.  It is your opportunity to download and enjoy the amazing experience of using System Center.  When I think of System Center I immediately think of Virtual Machine Manager, Configuration Manager, and Operations manager, but System Center is oh so much more. 
    So what products are available for download?  This from the System Center Website…..

    “Available System Center 2012 Products:

    • System Center 2012 Configuration Manager RC provides comprehensive configuration management for the Microsoft platform that can help you empower users with the devices and applications they need to be productive while maintaining corporate compliance and control.
      Available in these languages: English
      System Requirements >>
    • System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection RC, built on System Center Configuration Manager, provides industry-leading threat detection of malware and exploits as part of a unified infrastructure for managing client security and compliance that can help you simplify and improve endpoint protection.
      Available in these languages: English
      System Requirements >>
    • System Center Operations Manager 2012 Beta provides deep application diagnostics and infrastructure monitoring that can help you ensure the predictable performance and availability of vital applications and offers a comprehensive view of your datacenter, private, and public clouds.
      Available in these languages: English
      System Requirements >>
    • System Center Data Protection Manager 2012 Beta provides unified data protection for Windows servers and clients that can help you deliver scalable, manageable, and cost-effective protection and restore scenarios from disk, tape, and off premise.
      Available in these languages: English
      System Requirements >>
    • System Center Orchestrator 2012 RC provides orchestration, integration, and automation of IT processes through the creation of runbooks that can help you to define and standardize best practices and improve operational efficiency.
      Available in these languages: English
      System Requirements >>
    • System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 RC provides virtual machine management and services deployment with support for multi-hypervisor environments that can help you deliver a flexible and cost effective private cloud environment.
      Available in these languages: English
      System Requirements >>
    • System Center App Controller 2012 Beta provides a common self-service experience across private and public clouds that can help you empower application owners to easily build, configure, deploy, and manage new services.
      Available in these languages: English
      System Requirements >>
    • System Center Service Manager 2012 Beta provides flexible self-service experiences and standardized datacenter processes that can help you integrate people, workflows, and knowledge across enterprise infrastructure and applications.
      Available in these languages: Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish
      System Requirements >>

    The list of products is long and distinguished.  I would highly recommend that you get started on the downloads and put these new products to the test in your environment.  They are Fantastic!

  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    Bytes by TechNet: Matt Hester Interviews Aaron Margosis on Windows Sysinternals tools

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    In this interview I get to chat with Aaron Margosis, Principal Consultant at Microsoft.  We talk about Windows Sysinternals tools. Aaron currently works with US Federal government customers on Windows, security, and getting apps to run on the latest Microsoft platforms. Aaron shares the top 3 tools he recommends for IT Pros: Process Explorer, which is like Task Manager but much more powerful, Process Monitor, a debugging tool and Autoruns, which shows programs that are configured to run automatically. You don’t want to miss this interview!

  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    Students Are You Up for a Challenge? Enter the Imagine Cup 2012 IT Challenge NOW!

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    imagineCup_logoWell we the Imagine Cup 2011 IT Challenge is back again and I have just one question for you? 

    Are you up for the Challenge?

    If you answered yes, and if you are you a student, do you know a student or are you going back to school and can you answer a question like this then your ready for Round 1 of the Imagine Cup 2012 IT Challenge:

    You are the administrator for the company network. You are bringing a new remote office online. The office has a domain controller that also runs DNS and WINS. It also has a file server that runs DHCP. DHCP enabled workstations are not getting DHCP addresses as expected. What should you do? 

    1. Move the DHCP service to the domain controller
    2. Disable WINS since it interferes with DHCP on the same network
    3. Authorize the DHCP server in Active Directory
    4. Enable DHCP forwarding on the workstations

    Well if you can answer that (btw this is from the practice test) then you may be ready to take the test to pass round 1,  Until October 20th, go take the practice exam here:

    Imagine Cup 2012 IT Challenge

    The IT Challenge sets out to connect with students around the world who have the brainpower, interest, and the technical knowledge to design, run, and support enterprise infrastructures while managing diverse customer needs and scenarios. The IT Challenge puts the world's brightest IT minds to the test!  In the IT Challenge, students are tasked to develop, deploy, and maintain IT systems that are efficient, functional, robust, and secure.  Each competitor needs to demonstrate proficiency in the science of networks, databases, and servers and an intimate understanding of how it must all fit together, both on-premise and in the cloud.  The competition is broken into 3 rounds:

    • Round 1: Qualifying Quiz:   During Round 1, competitors will need to complete and pass at least one (1) quiz during one of the six (6) quiz periods. The specific quiz times will be announced on the IT Challenge Competition page.  The questions will test your knowledge around both on-premise Microsoft technologies such as Windows 2008 R2, Hyper-V Virtualization, Exchange 2010, SharePoint 2010, Windows 7, System Center Operations Manager 2012, System Center Configuration Manager 2012, TMG 2010, UAG 2010, SQL 2008 R2, Office 2010, Lync 2012 as well as cloud-based Microsoft services such as Office 365, Windows Azure, and SQL Azure. Each quiz will have a unique blend of questions on each topic.  Remember you just need to pass 1 of the 6 to qualify.
    • Round 2: Case Study:  If you successfully advance to compete in Round 2 of the IT Challenge, you will compete against other Round 2 competitors in a single case study submission. The specific deliverables and questions for the IT Challenge Round 2 Case Study will be emailed to the Round 2 competitors at the beginning of Round 2.
    • Round 3: Final Challenge – Virtual Hands-On Lab:   If you are invited to compete in the Final Challenge, you will compete in a “Hands-on Virtual Lab” in a virtual environment.  This lab will challenge the finalist competitors to build servers, server images, and configurations on a Hyper-V host server and in the Cloud to prove their practical knowledge and experience with the technologies. Competitors will be asked to set up, install, and demonstrate knowledge and expertise of Windows 2008 R2, Exchange 2010, Windows 7, Office 2010, System Center Configuration Manager 2012, System Center Operations Manager 2012, System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012, TMG 2010, SQL 2008 R2, Lync 2010, Office 365, Windows Azure, SQL Azure, etc.

    Depending on how you do there is even a potential of Final world wide round in Australia.  If you are one of the top three (3) finalists will receive a trip to the Imagine Cup 2012 Worldwide Finals in Sydney, Australia. Trip includes round trip coach airfare from a major airport closest to each competitor’s home, standard hotel accommodations, and select meals and activities.     Here is the current exam schedule Date and Time (all times 00:01 GMT) , I will try to post a reminder before each exam period)

    • Practice Quiz:  Available beginning October 17
    • Quiz 1, 20 October 2011:
      October 19th, 2011 8:01 p.m. EST (7:01 p.m. CST, 6:01 p.m MST, 5:01 p.m. PST)
    • Quiz 2, 15 November 2011:
      November 15th, 2011 8:01 p.m. EST (7:01 p.m. CST, 6:01 p.m MST, 5:01 p.m. PST)
    • Quiz 3, 1 December 2011:
      November 30th , 2011 8:01 p.m. EST (7:01 p.m. CST, 6:01 p.m MST, 5:01 p.m. PST)
    • Quiz 4. 14 December 2011:
      December 13th, 2011 8:01 p.m. EST (7:01 p.m. CST, 6:01 p.m MST, 5:01 p.m. PST)
    • Quiz 5, 9 January 2012:
      January 8th, 2012 8:01 p.m. EST (7:01 p.m. CST, 6:01 p.m MST, 5:01 p.m. PST)
    • Quiz 6, 26 January 2012:
      January 25th, 2012 8:01 p.m. EST (7:01 p.m. CST, 6:01 p.m MST, 5:01 p.m. PST)

    HOW DO I ENTER THE CHALLENGE?

    If you wish to participate in this Challenge, you must sign up as instructed during the Challenge sign up period. To sign up, visit  Imagine Cup 2012 IT Challenge    IT Challenge is an individual competition. To compete in IT Challenge, you must be a legal resident of the country/region you are representing. See all the official rules and Eligibility Requirements  here:  The Imagine Cup Official Rules

  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    REGISTER TODAY: Get your Tech Tune-up on Nov. 2, 2011 a Great Event for IT Pros

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    imageTechnology is leaving the traditional business world behind. Learn how to leverage the right technology to jump start business growth and get ahead of the curve!  On November 2, 2011 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (ET) in Blue Ash, OH  there will be a Tech Tune-Up to help brush up your skills on 4 big trends in the IT Industry:

    • Mobile
    • Cloud Computing
    • Big Data
    • Social Media

    The agenda is below but please register today  for the Tech Tune-Up, space is limited: http://techtuneup.eventbrite.com/

    Check out the Agenda:

    • 8:30 am - 9:00 am Registration
    • 9:00 am - 9:10 am Welcome
    • 9:10 am - 9:55 am Larry Carvalho, Principal, Robust Cloud, LLC Removing the Fog from Cloud Computing & Embracing the Benefits of Big Data.
    • 10:00 am - 10:45 am Matt Hester, Microsoft, US Sr. IT Pro Evangelism The Cloud - improved customer experience and cost efficiencies.
    • 10:45 am - 11:15 am Coffee Break and Q&A with experts in Mobile, Application Development,Technical Training, Networking, Cloud Computing and MORE!
    • 11:15 am - 12:00 pm Speaker TBD, IBM Cloud Computing Real-World Case Study and ROI.
    • 12:15 - 1:45 pm Lunch (provided)
      • Steve Browne, Executive Director of Human Resources for LaRosa's, Inc.How technology is giving HR an edge at LaRosa's; hear a real world “case study” of where technology is active and at work.
      • William Martin, Global Interactive Media Entrepreneur for P&G, How P&G is leveraging social media platforms to improve internal teaming, business processes and customer experiences.
    • 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm Krista Neher, CEO Boot Camp Digital & Social Media Job Site How Social Media can Improve Organizations and How to GET HIREDand FIND the right talent for digital marketing.
    • 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm Beth Robeson, CEO Robeson Marketing and Design, Director Graphic Village, Learn how Moeller High School went from $250K in donations to over $800K using cutting edge digital and social media tools!
    • 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Afternoon Break and Q&A with Afternoon Speakers
    • 4:00 pm - 4:10 pm Closing Remarks
    • 4:10 pm - 4:30 pm Teresa Napier, Co-Owner and Image Consultant at Your Image Matters, LLC, Teresa will lead us into our end-of-day opening networking reception with strategic networking tips and information on how to make a great first impression both online and in person.
    • 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Networking Happy Hour!

    As you can see, we have an amazing lineup of speakers and the entire day (including lunch) is only $27 (less than what you pay for some lunch and learns).Hope to see you there, for more information and to register click here: http://techtuneup.eventbrite.com/

  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    TechNet Video: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 5) Next Generation Collaboration with Microsoft Word and Office 365

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    In the final screencast of this quick 5 part series, we take a look at how easily Word 2010 can connect and work directly with Office 365. Office 365, specifically SharePoint online is extremely well integrated with Office 365. This allows you fully leverage SharePoint team sites allow you to fully utilize the central place to share and manage documents.

     

    Download
    WMV Download | WMA | MP3

    Here are the other parts of the series:

    1. Screencast: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 1) Overview
    2. TechNet Video: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 2) Outlook and Office 365… a Love Story
    3. TechNet Video: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 3) Power of Integration with Office 365, Outlook, and Lync Online
    4. TechNet Video: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 4) Quick and Professional Website Customization with SharePoint Online
  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    TechNet Video: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 4) Quick and Professional Website Customization with SharePoint Online

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    In this screencast Matt Hester shows how you can make easy and professional changes to SharePoint Online websites. Office 365 provides small businesses with simple tools to create a professional-looking Web sites. Using cutting edge collaboration tools and delivering high-quality documents to partners and customers projects a professional presence for your business.

     

     

    Download
    WMV Download | WMA | MP3

    Here are the other parts of the series:

    1. Screencast: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 1) Overview
    2. TechNet Video: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 2) Outlook and Office 365… a Love Story
    3. TechNet Video: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 3) Power of Integration with Office 365, Outlook, and Lync Online
  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    TechNet Video: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 3) Power of Integration with Office 365, Outlook, and Lync Online

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    In this screencast we take a look at how Office 365 along with Outlook 2010 (and even OWA) and Lync Online work together.  They provide a tight integration allowing you to take tasks, like meeting requests,  to the next level.   This integration allows you to host rich online meetings with colleagues and partners who are working from multiple locations.  This integration is extremely easy to use and integrated with Office, eliminating frictions in starting conversations

     

    Download
    WMV Download | WMA | MP3

    Here are the other parts of the series:

    1. Screencast: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 1) Overview
    2. TechNet Video: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 2) Outlook and Office 365… a Love Story
  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    TechNet Video: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 2) Outlook and Office 365… a Love Story

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    In this screencast I take a look at some of the advantages of Outlook 2010 connected directly to Office 365. Outlook, connected to Exchange Online in Office 365, offers a best-in-class e-mail and calendaring tools, delivering a consistent experience across the PC, phone, and browser. This helps to turn Outlook into a next-generation communications hub.  Enjoy the screencast and let me know what you think!

     

    Download
    WMV Download | WMA | MP3

    Here is part 1 of the series:

    Screencast: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 1) Overview

  • Matt Hester's WebLog

    Screencast: A Quick Look at Office 365: (Part 1) Overview

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    In part 1 of this series we will take a quick tour of Office 365 from basic administration to working with this from a user prospective.  Microsoft Office 365 brings together the best of everything that we know about productivity, delivered as an always-up-to-date service for organizations of all sizes. It delivers not only the best that we offer today, but also the promise of our best productivity offerings in the future.   Office 365 will provide a set of Web-enabled tools that lets these businesses access their e-mail, important documents, contacts, and calendars from virtually anywhere.  Let me know what you think and have a great day!

     

    Download
    WMV Download | WMA | MP3

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