Matt Hester's WebLog

Go Get the Windows Server 2008 Post Event Resources!

Thanks to our Canadian friends for posting an excellent resource for Windows Server 2008 launch events!  They have created a download that will allow you get VM configuration info, software downloads (if they didn’t get a kit or didn’t attend) demo scripts, demo videos and additional resources.  They call it: Heroes Happen {In Your Lab}

So what are you downloading?

1. Virtual Machine configuration information for the IT Pro session 2 and 3 network
2. Links to download all the software needed (in case you didn't get a software pack)
3. Step by step demo scripts for the IT Pro session 2 and 3 demos
4. Videos of the IT Pro session 2 demos (Session 3 coming in June)
5. Batch files used for Server Core demos
6. Additional resources to dive in further into all Server 2008 technologies.

Go here to download the guide: Heroes Happen {In Your Lab}

Excellent Resource!

2008 U.S. Imagine Cup Competition Videos

As I mentioned in a previous post: 2008 U.S. Imagine Cup Finals National Winners Announced!  Which is an exciting competition, well here are some videos that my buddy Chris took at the Imagine Cup US finals in LA.   In the first video he talked to the winners of the photography contest and the video will give you a sense of what the competition is like.  Take a look here:

Windows Media Player version:Watch some of the competition.

This years imagine cup has an environmental sustainability theme.  The projects all focused on the environment and our impact on it.  Microsoft is focused on environmental sustainability and Chris was able to corner Mark Aggar (one of Microsoft's Environmental technologists) for a short interview about his participation at Imagine Cup and some of his thoughts around how software might impact the environment.  Interesting conversation take a look here:

Windows Media Player version:Watch the interview with Mark Aggar.

Enjoy the videos, and look for more Chris has promised more.

Book of the Month May 2008: The Singularity is Near

Good day everyone, this book of the month was recommend by one of you!  Thank you so much, however, I did get rid of the email with the name,  Please email me and I will give you some recognition! The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology by Ray Kurzweil is an interesting book talking about a somewhat interesting and frightening concept called Singularity.  The concept is what Mr. Kurzweil calls, the next step in the evolutionary process: the union of human and machine, in which the knowledge and skills embedded in our brains will be combined with the vastly greater capacity, speed, and knowledge-sharing ability of our creations.

While I am not particularly fond of the writing style of the book, very much like a school book(it did take me a while to get through), it does pose some very interesting evidence that we are heading to this concept, mostly due to the integrated circuit, and with Technology we have yet to find.  Even  if you do not agree with the concepts, the book provides some great research (lots of graphs and notes) into this topic to allow you to form your own ideas.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

Now why did I pick this book, well I have scene reference to singularity more and more in the pop culture of TV and even my XBOX 360.  I was watching Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles made reference to the concept of Singularity.  Not surprising the movies and show are based on the concept of what happens when Singularity goes bad.  The second time IO saw Singularity referenced was when I was playing Mass Effect (an extremely fun and addictive game!)  One of your characters has the ability called Singularity, which in the game has nothing to do with the concept I did find it interesting.  :-)

To learn more about singularity take a look here to get started: Technological Singularity 

ATTENTION BOOKS WANTED: I have a lot of books ready to go, mostly are non-technical books that I found interesting.  What I am looking for are some books akin to The Cuckoo's Egg around computers and Technology

ScreenCast: Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 part 2: Activities and Webslices!

Welcome to part 2 of my screen cast on IE 8 beta 1.  In this screencast I take a look at two new awesome features, Activities and Webslices.  Take a look at the screencast here, remember to double click to go full screen:

Windows Media Player Version: Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 part 2: Activities and Webslices!

Activities allow you to avoid having to open several browsers to possible get to information you need.  I like to think of them as "create your own URL".  So how does it work, by simply selecting text you then get a "smart tag" style icon that allows to take action within context of the selected text.  For example if you select an address one of your choices will be able to use a map.  Activities are add-ins that do have to be installed for a list of activities that already exist take a look here: Add Activity Providers to Internet Explorer 8 

Webslices are probably one of my favorite features inside of IE 8 and the first time I saw them in action, I was wowed.  Webslices allow you to subscribe to content directly within a web page.  Now the web pages do have to be coded on the web site to make this happen, to get started with this take a look here:
How do I make my site 'light up' with Internet Explorer 8 webslices 

To view part 1 click here: Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 part 1: Interop Goodies 

Also if your looking to download beta take a look here:

• Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
• Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 x64
• Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows XP SP2
• Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Server 2003 SP2
• Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Server 2003 SP2 and Windows XP SP2 Pro x64

Please comment and let me know what you think!

ScreenCast: Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 part 1: Interop Goodies

I am excited to deliver this quick screencast on  Internet Explorer 8 beta 1. In this screencast, I show some of the great enhancements that IE 8 will do to help solve some common problems around CSS development as well as some new features leveraging HTML 5.  Check out the screencast below, remember double click to go full screen:

[UPDATE]:  Windows Media Player Version: Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 part 1: Interop Goodies

In the screencast I showed how IE8 is going to help with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) 2.1 and browser  interoperability.   IE 8 will render in standards mode but with this meta tag:

     <!-- Use IE7 mode -->  <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=7" /> 

developers can render the page in compatibility mode.  For a better Code Sample take a look here:  Defining Document Compatibility

While IE 8 is being designed to work with CSS 21, we are also forward looking to CSS 3.0 and some of the most popular tools.  To learn more about compliance check out the white papers here: CSS 2.1 Compliance

In addition the CSS demos, I show  some exciting HTML 5 features, specifically HTML 5's support for hash functionality, which allows some interesting interaction inside your AJAX applications.  Also I show some of the support for connection events as well as HTML 5's DOM storage capabilities.  These allow you to really have a near offline experience with IE.  To learn more about the improvement with IE 5 and AJAX development take a look here:
IE 8 Better AJAX Development

Also if your looking to download beta take a look here:

• Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
• Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 x64
• Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows XP SP2
• Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Server 2003 SP2
• Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Server 2003 SP2 and Windows XP SP2 Pro x64

Please comment and let me know what you think!

Microsoft feels the need, feels the need for Speed!

I happy to report that Microsoft just completed the tender offer for the FAST acquisition!

Here is a great quote from the announcement:

“With our companies combined, we’ll be uniquely able to offer customers what they’ve been telling us they want most — a strategy for meeting everything from their basic to most complex enterprise search needs,” said Jeff Teper, corporate vice president for the Office Business Platform at Microsoft.

Read the full article here:

Microsoft Completes Tender Offer for FAST Search & Transfer

2008 U.S. Imagine Cup Finals National Winners Announced!

If you have not heard about this wickedly cool contest!  It is a fantastic contest for students, and they just held the US National Competition in Los Angeles earlier this week.   The winners will compete for the Imagine Cup 2008 World Finals in Paris, France this July 3-8.

To see all the winners click here: Imagine Cup US Nationals 

To see the winners by categories:

• Software Design Winners of 2008 U.S. Imagine Cup Finals
• Game Development Winners of 2008 U.S. Imagine Cup Finals
• Photography Winners of 2008 U.S. Imagine Cup Finals

My buddy Chris Henley actually got to go the US National Championships and look for some exciting video interviews from the cup, look for those very soon!

Congratulations to all the winners, and good luck in Paris!

What is Imagine Cup?

The Imagine Cup encourages young people to apply their imagination, their passion and their creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world – today. Now in its sixth year, the Imagine Cup has grown to be a truly global competition focused on finding solutions to real world issues.  The Imagine Cup is open to students around the world, the Imagine Cup is a serious challenge that draws serious talent, and the competition is intense.  

To learn more about Imagine Cup take a look here: Imagine Cup

The Last Interview and Huge Personal Announcement!

Well folks, it almost brings a tear to my face.  Here is the last Matt and Keith video interview for a while.  We are both getting ready to move into our summer schedules, Keith will be at TechEd and MMS.  My huge announcement below will give you some insight into my immediate future.

Overall Keith and I really enjoyed doing the interviews and all the technical learning's along the way to produce the content on the blogs.  We both want to know what you thought about the interviews.  We are looking for feedback good, bad or ugly, comment and let us know!  Without anymore delay here is Keith and Matt one last time:

Windows Media Player Version (RT Click to save as):Matt and Keith Last Interview

As for my HUGE Announcement, during the the video I mention about my upcoming foray into parenthood.  Well on 4-15 I got to become a parent for the 3rd time.  So while the announcement is not physically huge, being only 7lbs 3oz's and 19" long of baby girl named Caitlin Victoria (your significant others will want to know). 

It is extremely exciting, and I will be taking a little break during May.  So if I do not post a lot in May you will know why.  I do plan on doing a quick post on the security/technology on newborns, very interesting stuff!  In the meantime enjoy the picture of my daughter and son holding up her their baby sister:

Excellent Search Resources for the IT Pro and Developer alike!

There is an excellent resource for all you Microsoft Search Jedi's out there the:

Search Community Toolkit

The Search Community Toolkit is comprised of a number of tools and code samples that have been contributed to enhance the Microsoft search experience (Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS) Search, Search Server 2008 and Search Server 2008 Express).  

So yes this is for all you IT Pro's and Developers alike, so please share!  :-)

The tools are available on codeplex here: Search Community Toolkit

Here is an list of some of the tools up on the site:

• Search Custom Security Trimmer for Novell Netware Content Sources
• Federated Search Connector for Virtual Earth Maps Sample
• SharePoint Search XSL Samples
• SharePoint Search Service Tool
• Search ASP.NET Server Controls
• Search Center Branding Removal Feature
• Faceted Search V2 (To learn more about this check out my previous post: MOSS Faceted Search code v2)
• SharePoint Search Admin
• SharePoint 2007 Wildcard Search
• SharePoint Search Bench
• C# Protocol Handler Sample
• HTML Agility Pack
• Search As You Type
• Smart Search for SharePoint
• .NET Helpers for the Search Web Service
• SharePoint Batch Query Test Tool
• Sharepoint Shared Services Search Provider Property Creation

If you have used some of these tools, comment and let me know what you think, good, bad or ugly.

Happy Searching!

Fast Search & Transfer Captures a 20 Percent Share of Japan's Growing

Here is an interesting article about FAST and how they are growing their market.

Fast Search & Transfer Captures a 20 Percent Share of Japan's Growing Enterprise Search Software Market in 2007

Interviews from Dallas Windows Server 2008 Launch Event

It was great when Keith and I got to do the Dallas event it was right in our back yard!  What is even better we got to see familiar faces.  One in particular was a fellow Xbox and soccer parent Matt.  Matt and I met during our sons soccer game and then we found out we were both addicted to Xbox, so it has become more of a support group.  Here is our quick interview:

Windows Media Player Version (RT Click to save as): Matt

Keith also got a couple interviews as well, check them out here:

His first interviewee was Louis Morton.  We had a good chat about a variety of subjects.  Louis was a great sport.  Louis works for a large global IT service company here in Dallas.  Check it out:

The second person interviewed was Caleb Jenkins.  Caleb is a newly minted Microsoft developer MVP and Senior Consultant at Improving Enterprises in Dallas. I see Caleb everywhere I go in Dallas for some reason.  Probably because he’s very active in the developer community. See his blog at http://calebjenkins.com when you have a moment.  Enjoy.

Interviews from Phoenix during the Windows Server 2008 Launch Events

Keith Combs and I attended several cities and talked with some great folks, here are 3 great interviews from Phoenix!

In the first interview I chatted with Jonathon Jervell, we talked a little about IIS and how he learns new MS Technology.  He was mostly there for IIS, check out www.iis.net and he referenced TechNet Virtual Labs.  Also check out the interview to see what he and his Dad did for bonding.  :-)

Windows Media Player Version here (Right Click to Save as): Jonathon Jervell

In the second interview I chatted with 3 members of a fantastic Phoenix User Group:  Arizona's Small and Medium Business User Group (AZSMBUG.ORG)  As you can tell we had a lot of fun during the interview.  I highly recommend the if you are in the area  attend their meetings that occur on the 2nd Thursday at the spaghetti factory!  Had a lot of fun with this interview check it out:

Windows Media Player Version here (Right Click to Save as): Three Amigos

In the last interview,

I chatted with a local partner RTA Information Technology in Phoenix Myron Johnson (who is also a member of AZSMBUG.ORG).  We also chatted about Cougar, the next version of Small Business Server!  Check it out here:

Windows Media Player Version here (Right Click to Save as): Myron Johnson

Lastly Keith pinned down one of the presenters and teammate: Harold Wong and chatted with him:

Windows Media Player Version here (Right Click to Save as): Harold

I had one last interview, but unfortunately I did not get an email to chat with him before I published, so Vince if you see this drop me a line!

Interviews from Las Vegas during the Windows Server 2008 Launch Event

Keith Combs and I just got back from Las Vegas, Nevada where we attended the Windows Server 2008 launch event.  We took along our video cameras for the ride and captured some customer and partner conversations. 

During our time in Las Vegas I met with Evan DeRouen who is the CTO of desertarc.  Desertarc is a non-profit organization that increases the choices, capabilities and independence of the persons in the Coachella Valley and the Morongo Basin.  Evan and I had a a nice conversation around technology and as you will see. 

We also talked about a great resource for non-profits: techsoup.  If you are a non profit check them out!  The interview is just shy of 10 minutes!  Enjoy the interviews and let me know what you think!

Also Check out Keith's interview of Paul Chrisco of Chrisco Consulting.  Paul is the owner of his firm and as you can clearly see in the video, a straight shooter.  Anyone that starts a business from scratch needs confidence, and Paul’s confidence in himself and his business comes across very nicely as well.  The video is just over 10 minutes in length. 

Randy Pausch gets a dream day with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Being a Cleveland Browns fan it is nearly impossible for me to say anything nice about the Pittsburgh Steelers.  However when they recently gave Randy Pausch a dream day, I have to give them respect and admiration for making a dream come true.  Check out the video below:

For those of you that do not know the background of Randy check out my previous post:

Simply Amazing Randy Pausch Reprising His Last Lecture

Microsoft Windows Vista – Application Compatibility Training Webcasts!

Attention everyone!!! 

A great webcast series starts tomorrow! 

Join the Microsoft Windows Vista Deployment team of experts as they provide IT Pros and Partners with the necessary tools and understanding to migrate existing Windows Applications to the Windows Vista Operating System. This webcast series will guide participants through a series of presentations and demos designed to empower them with the knowledge and tools necessary to evaluate, test and mitigate applications for compatibility on Windows Vista.

Although most applications developed for Windows XP SP2 will probably work well on Windows Vista, application compatibility breaks are inevitable due to new innovations, security tightening, and increased reliability. In this training, attendees will learn about the most common compatibility problems and will be given tools to help facilitate application compatibility testing, debugging, and mitigation for the highest quality Windows Vista experience.

The speakers in this are the best-of-the-best and have been on the front lines deploying Vista for the past 18 months. Attendees will experience high level content loaded with in-depth technical information.

You won’t want to miss this series! If you can’t make the “live” presentation an on-demand version of the webcast is available on the very next day after the live broadcast.

• Making Windows Vista Application Compatibility Testing More Predictable with Effective Project Management
  Date: Thursday, April 10, 2008
  Speaker: Chris Jackson, Technical Lead, Windows Application Experience SWAT Team
  Level: 300
  Length: 75 minutes
  Attendee Registration URL
  Session Description: When helping our customers accelerate their Windows Vista deployments by assisting with application compatibility, there are a number of technical skills to master. However, technical acumen is never enough - effectively managing the project is critical to making the process predictable and measurable, as well as controlling costs and maximizing effectiveness. In this session, we review best practices we have learned for effectively managing this process from enterprise customers world-wide.
  
• Application Compatibility Toolkit
  Date: Thursday, April 17, 2008
  Speaker: Matt Baddeley, Senior Program Manager, Windows Application Experience
  Level: 300
  Length: 1 Hour
  Attendee Registration URL
  Session Description: Provides an introduction to the major sources of application compatibility problems in Windows Vista, and shows how the Application Compatibility Toolkit can be used by enterprise customers to migrate their applications to the new OS. This session covers the phases of the application migration process and includes a demonstration of the ACT tools and features. Beyond migrating to a new OS, ACT also helps enterprises assess the impact of Windows Updates.
  
• Mitigating Application Issues Using Shims
  Date: Thursday, April 24, 2008
  Speaker: Chris Jackson, Technical Lead, Windows Application Experience SWAT Team
  Level: 400
  Length: 75 Minutes
  Attendee Registration URL
  Session Description: Explore many of the compatibility issues that the Windows team has experienced at customer sites in the context of what we can fix without updating the application, and how to fix it. The Windows Application Compatibility Infrastructure (Shim Infrastructure) is a powerful tool for resolving compatibility issues and unblocking Windows Vista deployments, but understanding where and how to leverage and configure shims can be daunting until you learn some of the tricks and subtleties, many of which we will be exposing!
  
• LUA Buglight
  Date: Thursday, May 1, 2008
  Speaker: Aaron Margosis, Senior Consultant, Microsoft Consulting Services
  Level: 400
  Length: 75 Minutes
  Attendee Registration URL
  Session Description: UA Buglight™ (version 2.0 currently in the works) is a tool designed to help both developers and IT Pros (sysadmins) identify the specific causes of "LUA bugs" (admin-rights-required to work correctly) in desktop applications running on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Vista. Once the specific causes have been identified, the bugs can more easily be resolved by fixing the app's source code, or by making configuration changes, allowing the app to work correctly for non-admin users.

• Application Compatibility in 50 Days
  Date: Thursday, May 8, 2008
  Speaker: Steve Campbell, Deployment Segment Architect Lead, Microsoft
  Level: 300-400
  Length: 60 Minutes
  Attendee Registration URL
  Session Description:  Deploying Windows Vista in the Enterprise has moved from “We’ll see…” to “Let’s get it done” and application compatibility is typically identified as the biggest blocker to a successful, low-cost migration. In this session we’ll identify the tools, technologies and best practices that have been used successfully by Microsoft Services and partners to minimize and/or eliminate many of the perceived (and real) challenges customers experience with both ISV and internally developed applications running on Windows Vista.