SBS 2008

I saw my first mention of the verbaige “SBS 2008” on the web today – on Sean Daniel’s blog to be exact.   It’s nothing official by any means, but I just had to mark this moment down for posterity. 🙂

VN:F [1.9.20_1166]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Your 2 Cents About Microsoft Community Support

The Windows Server Product Team would like to hear from you about User Group Community support.

This is a direct anonymous survey, with the goal to improve services targeted towards User Groups. Microsoft wants to know what your experiences are with the community resources and information that is available to you today as a member of the User Group Community. They also want to know what you think could be done to improve your Community Experience.

This is your chance to make your voice heard, so please take a couple of minutes to provide your candid feedback via the survey so they can provide the most effective experience possible.

Link to the survey: User Group Community Survey.

Thanking you in advance,

The Windows Server Community Team

VN:F [1.9.20_1166]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Whitepaper – Wireless Networking in Windows Vista

Whitepaper Title: Wireless Networking in Windows Vista – Security, usability, and manageability improvements for wireless clients
File Name: Wireless Networking In Windows Vista.doc
Version: 1.0
Date Published: 12/14/2006
Language: English
Download Size: 1.0 MB
Pages:  24
Download URL: Click here

Description:
This whitepaper discusses the key wireless networking improvemsnts in Windows Vista.  Impovements have been made in five key areas (see below).

Whitepaper Contents:

  • Introduction
  • Core Wireless Improvements
  • Security Improvements
  • Improvements to the End-User Experience
  • Troubleshooting Improvements
  • Manageability Improvements
  • Summary
VN:F [1.9.20_1166]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Office 2007 Expiration Date Clarification

There has been a fair amount of confusion about the expiration of the Office 2007 Beta2 Technical Refresh (B2TR).  Even the Q&A session in the SBSC webcast yesterday didn’t yield an immediate answer.

Understandably Partners are concerned that the Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) version of the final Office 2007 bits may not arrive before the Beta bits time-bomb and drop into hockeypuck mode. 

Like many folks, the copy of Office 2007 B2TR on my demo machine states an expiration date of Feb 1, 2007.  This date is incorrect!   

The correct expiration date for Office 2007 B2TR is March 31, 2007.

Proof (and I quote):

“The correct expiration date for Beta2 Technical Refresh is displayed during setup. If the user checks the License Agreement from the client once Beta2 Technical Refresh is installed, it will display the incorrect date. The correct expiration date for Beta2 Technical Refresh is: March 31, 2007.”

URL:  http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/FX101517941033.aspx 

So now you can breathe a little easier and not have to worry about downgrading to 2003 if your Action Pack gets held up by DHL.

Props:  Hats-off to Paige Boesen, Chris Van Wesep & Stacy Miros for tracking down the official date and for the excellent followup.  You guys rock!

BTW: To save a follow-up blog post, Vista Beta RC1 expires on June 1, 2007.

VN:F [1.9.20_1166]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Vista Firewall Client for ISA

Title: Firewall Client for ISA Server
File Name: ISACLIENT-KB929556-ENU.EXE
Version: 3442.654
Date Published: 12/12/2006
Language: English
Download Size: 618 KB
Download URL: Click here

Description:
Firewall Client for ISA Server installs the Firewall Client software on 32-bit and 64-bit computers running supported Windows operating systems (see below).  It provides enhanced security, application support, and access control for client computers. It provides authentication for Winsock applications that use TCP and UDP, supports complex secondary protocols, and supplies user and application information to the ISA Server logs. 

Supported Operating Systems:

  • Windows 2000
  • Windows NT
  • Windows Server 2003
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP

Supported ISA Server Versions:

  • ISA Server 2000
  • ISA Server 2004 Standard Edition
  • ISA Server 2004 Enterprise Edition
  • ISA Server 2006 Standard Edition
  • ISA Server 2006 Enterprise Edition 

KB Article: 

Source: Sean Daniel

VN:F [1.9.20_1166]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Windows Live Search Beta for Mobile

Looking for a killer Windows Mobile app that can make your Smartphone both fun and useful? Check out the Windows Live Search for mobile downloadable application.  (Windows Live Search works on J2ME-capable phones, Smartphones and Pocket PCs.)

  • Mobile rich client – Download the app to your phone for local search, maps, driving directions, and live traffic information in a faster, richer and more interactive user interface.
  • Mobile Browsing – Access maps and directions directly from your phone’s browser. Just enter http://mobile.live.com/search into your phone’s address bar and select Map. Choose from Local, Web, Map, News and Spaces and get Live Search on your mobile device.
  • Text Messages (SMS) – If you don’t have a data plan, you can just send a text message to 95483 (WLIVE) with a query like “Toys Chicago, IL” or “Coffee 90210” and you’ll receive a text message reply with the nearest business listings with address and phone numbers.  Normal SMS text fees will apply from your mobile carrier, so check that out before you run up your SMS bill.

Source:  Windows Live services for mobile devices blog

Note:  That blog also has a good article on doing a Windows Live SMS Search.  Nice if you have unlimited SMS messaging on your plan.

VN:F [1.9.20_1166]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

TechNite Live Q2 Registration Now Open

If you’re a Microsoft Partner in the Heartland District (MI, OH, KY, TN) be sure to signup and attend the special Partners-Only after-hours events in December; TechNite Live!

This month Terry Stein and the gang will review all the cool stuff that Microsoft has available for the home focused on entertainment. We’ll take a look at:

  • – Gaming on Windows Vista
  • – XBOX360
  • – Media Center on Windows Vista
  • – Microsoft Zune
  • – MSN Direct devices for the home

It’s going to be an evening with tons of fun!

Here are the registration links and dates:

Tue December 12 – Columbus, OH (6:30-8:30 PM)
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032319204&Culture=en-US

Wed December 13 – Cincinnati, OH (6:30-8:30 PM)http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032319211&Culture=en-US

Thu December 14 – Nashville, TN (6:30-8:30 PM
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032319205&Culture=en-US

Tue December 19 – Louisville, KY (6:30-8:30 PM)
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032319502&Culture=en-US

Source: Heartland South Technical Partner Community Groove Workspace – Terry Stein

VN:F [1.9.20_1166]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)