A few weeks ago, we mentioned the release of the latest edition of ServerQuest , the retro-style video game where the IT guy is the hero. Now you’ve got an even better reason to play – to outplay the other IT guys! ServerQuest II has posted their leaderboard for all to see: If you’re name is on it, congratulations...

Who wouldn’t want to appear in their own video game? Well, now it’s possible. We’re excited to announce the release of ServerQuest II , the sequel to the very popular ServerQuest game in which the IT Professional saves the day! This is a great way to take a break during the day, and personally, I love...

More than two years ago , TechNet Magazine Editor-in-Chief Josh Hoffman wrote about a great little utility called RoboCopy Gui—and that article became the single most popular article we’ve ever published! Now, however, that place in history is very likely to be superseded as Josh tells you about an even...

Chances are pretty good you heard about the release of Internet Explorer 8 last week. Maybe you rushed right out and downloaded it to give a try, or maybe you’re the wait-and-see type who wants to check out what oth ers have to say. In either case, you’ll want to find out about all the new features for...

More free utilities! Being a systems administrator can be difficult, but whether your organization is large or small, the right tools can significantly ease the burden. In this month’s column, Greg Shields presents an overview of 19 free tools created by Microsoft. These handy utilities cover many of...

Free and Fun—Make your own screencast! Whether you are having probl ems yourself getting something to work correctly on your computer and are working with tech support, or you're trying to help someone else solve such problems, you have probably spent hours describing or explaining events over and over...

Have you ever wondered why you sometimes get a message that says Windows can't replace a file that is currently in use? In the November 2008 issue of TechNet Magazine , Raymond Chen looks at the underlying reason for this and explains why it would be more accurate to say Windows can but has chosen not...

What did famous Greek philosopher Socrates have to say about XML files? Fi nd out as the Scripting Guys revisit the topic of querying an XML file. This time, the XML file is structured so that rather than using child nodes, additional property values are configured as attributes. And don’t miss this...

In the September 2008 issue of TechNet Magazine ,  Raymond Chen reflects on how some left over diagnostic code unexpectedly brought the Windows 95 build to a crawl.     Read the full column online now.

With Windows Vista, t he UserAccounts.CommonDialog ActiveX control for opening a file open dialog box no longer exists. Here's a look at how you can solve   that problem using Visual Basic. No, wait. Don't run off saying "I don't have that!" or "I can't afford that!" Microsoft...

Dr. Scripto is visiting the Microsoft New York office this week and took some time to go watch the MLB All Star parade this afternoon. Dr. Scripto Poses as Former New York Yankees Outfielder Lou Piniella passes by                   Dr. Scripto Cheering for...

The August 2008 issue of TechNet Magazine is now available online. FEATURE ARTICLES Far too often, people who are not trained database administrators end up responsible for managing one or more databases. In the latest issue of TechNet Magazine , Paul Randal offers a crash course for all those involuntary...

It's not often that we get to talk about Microsoft Bob in TechNet Magazine . Yet in the July 2008 installment of Windows Confidential, Raymond Chen explains how Microsoft Bob actually ended up in far more homes and offices than you might imagine. Find out how.

Last week I spent three days in Orlando at my first Microsoft TechEd. I have to admit I was nervous about going — big events can be a bit daunting. But I had a great time.  I spent a few hours in the TechNet Magazine booth, swiping badges, handing out t-shirts, and chatting with visitors. Surprisingly...

"You could make a sitcom about my office!"  People say that about their jobs all the time. After all, we all work with some, well, interesting characters, and we've all watched some good stories unfold at work.  But did you ever think your IT job would make a good game?  You...

So what were the two worst PCs ever made?  PC World recently named the 10 worst PCs of all time and it turns out Raymond Chen had to work with the two worst offenders. Find out what two systems can proudly call themselves " worst...PC...ever ".  Find out why Raymond had to use them...

Remember when the close-but-not-quite-ready version of code was called the beta? Where did this Release Candidate come from?  In the March issue of TechNet Magazine , Raymond Chen discusses the intriguing back story of how (and why) the naming conventions for non-final releases have changed. And...

In honor of the upcoming release of SQL Server 2008 (which you will see covered in full in our upcoming April 2008 issue), TechNet Magazine is happy to join in sponsoring the SQL Server Sweepstakes. Check out www.microsoft.com/allforyou to download the latest CTP of SQL Server 2008 and be entered for...

Remember desktop patterns ? (You know, those dizzying repeating patterns, with names like houndstooth and thatch, that used to let you jazz up and "personalize" your Windows desktop.)  Or how about the indispensable Scraps feature? Well, most people probably don't remember this one --...

In the January issue of TechNet Magazine , Raymond Chen discusses the Automatic Skip Driver , or ASD, feature. He decodes the history of ADS to show you what the acronym originally stood for, explores the turbulent transition into a Plug and Play world, and even looks at how a few years of one Microsoft...

Can your joystick play music or cook a burrito? In the December issue of TechNet Magazine , Raymond Chen takes a look back at when the DirectInput force feedback joystick interface was being hammered out and discusses the importance of whether periodic forces should be expressed as a period or as a frequency...

"Sometimes...what you need is a great big fish." It's hard to give a better introduction to Betsy Aoki's Field Notes column in this month's issue of TechNet Magazine . In her own inimitable style, Betsy convey's the story of how she developed the Cod -- not the Code, but the Cod -- of Conduct for...

Today is World Teachers' Day (as designated by UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). While it may be a bit off-topic for this venue, as the son, nephew, cousin, and friend of many public school teachers, I couldn't help but mention it. I know that I'm very fortunate...

There's a very interesting commentary piece by Gary Kamiya now available on Salon.com entitled " Let us now praise editors ". While the public pat-on-the-back for an often-overlooked profession is appreciated, there are a few more important points covered which may interest you. The first is the question...

Tech·Ed 2007 is almost upon us, and we're very busy here at TechNet Magazine Headquarters getting ready for all of the parties! (And the learning and the sessions and the networking and stuff too, but mainly the parties.) And it turns out we're not the only ones. Among the many TechNet Magazine authors...