This week, Thursday March 19, 2009 marks the 5-Year Anniversary of the Kentucky Small Business Server User Group (KYSBSUG). Where did the time go?

It’s pretty amazing to look back at all the events and topics we’ve covered in the last 60+ months. Some of the highlights we’ve met on include:

• Backup & Disaster Recovery
• Linux for SBSers
• Vista Loadfest
• FolderShare for Remote Workers
• SBS Hacks
• SQL 2005 Launch Event
• Windows Mobile Boot Camp
• DD-WRT
• Office 2007 / Vista Road Show
• Windows 7
• SBS 2008
• Essential Business Server (EBS) 2008
• Windows Home Server (WHS)
• Windows SharePoint Services (WSS)
• Response Point
• And vendor presentations like ConnectWise, Level Platforms, eFolder, New Horizons, etc., just to name a few.

Over the years we’ve had numerous well-known speakers, including: Amy Luby, Ronald Grattopp (Microsoft), Brian Von Axleson (Microsoft), Chris Rue [MVP], Kevin Royalty [MVP], Allen Miller, and many more. We’ve had study groups, round table meetings, and Live Meetings with visitors from all around the USA, Canada, and even as far away as Belgium.

In short, we’ve really done a lot in the last 5 years, and we’d like to invite you to celebrate with us! There will be food, door prizes, and lots of networking opportunities. Please register today!

Evening – KYSBSUG 5-Year Anniversary
Date: Thursday March 19, 2009
Time: 5:30 PM Eastern (GMT –5)
Venue: Fifth Quarter Steakhouse
Address: 1241 Durrett Lane, Louisville, KY 40213
Phone: (502) 361-2363
Map: http://tinyurl.com/bhrmqb
Registration Link: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=136756

IMPORTANT: This venue was chosen because it’s only a few blocks away from the Microsoft events that are happening earlier that day (which you should also attend):

Morning – Microsoft TS2 – 03/19/2009, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Eastern
Topics: Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), EBS 2008 & SBS 2008
Venue: Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport (formerly Executive West Hotel)
Register: http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032402683

Afternoon – Microsoft SB2 – 03/19/2009, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM Eastern
Topics: Solution selling w/ Vista, EBS 2008 & SBS 2008
Venue: Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport (formerly Executive West Hotel)
Presenter: Ronald Grattopp
Register: http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032402690

It seems like everybody has an opinion about Vista these days, and more often than not, it’s a negative opinion based on press / advertising / word of mouth / and perception rather than hands-on experience (think ‘Mojave Experiment’).

If you’re a Microsoft Partner and you’d like to know how to handle these objections and get the most out of Windows Vista, be sure to sign up for the following two webcasts and join Ron Grattopp as he presents:

“Windows Vista: What you need to know about selling it and how to combat the negative perceptions and objections”

• Part 1 of 2 – Wed Dec 10, 2008 at 1PM – 2PM Eastern (GMT –5)
  https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?systemid=1838215
• Part 2 of 2 – Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 1PM – 2PM Eastern (GMT –5)
  https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?systemid=1838216

In addition to discussing Vista objections, Ron will also show how to implement a “solution” approach to selling Windows Vista. And there’s an added bonus if you attend both seminars.

Per Ron Grattopp’s blog (Microsoft TS2 Presenter Extraordinaire) , the next Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) update will include Windows Vista Business w/ SP1 slipstreamed.

That’s cool, but even cooler, the MAPS update will contain one copy of Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1.

Per the Microsoft Partner web site:

• Mid-March 2008 delivery of Microsoft Windows Vista Business with SP1 in a special Action Pack shipment to partners worldwide. To make it easier for you to deploy the final release of Windows Vista SP1 for internal use, all subscribers will receive full code. Not currently an Action Pack subscriber? Find out how to subscribe. New subscribers will receive Windows Vista with SP1 as part of the April 2008 Welcome Kit.

• One license for Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 (full code*) for internal use, so you can discuss this product’s benefits and features with customers who need a single PC to fulfill their work, travel, and entertainment needs. This software will be delivered in the regular Action Pack quarterly update (April 2008) for current subscribers, and for new Action Pack subscribers starting in April 2008.

• A comprehensive set of readiness resources to arm you to sell and support Windows Vista SP1 solutions for your small- or midsize-business customers as momentum builds.

• Exciting incentives and promotions that reward you for learning, using, and selling SP1.

Source: https://partner.microsoft.com/40052827

So be on the lookout for the mid-March MAPS update. And thanks for the heads-up Ron.

Today Microsoft TS2 presenter
Charles Van Heusen tips Microsoft’s hand a bit to show a little more information about Windows Small Business Server
(Codename “Cougar”), a.k.a. SBS 2008.

What’s to know?

• No direct upgrades
• Migration paths
• Details about Standard and Premium editions (big change in Premium)

Check out Charles ‘Are You Ready for SBS Cougar‘ post for the details:
Click here

Great news, especially for folks in Kentucky!

Matthew Snoddy (NetworkTherapists.com) has announced the launch of a new SBS group, and the first meeting is next week after the Microsoft TS2 event in Lexington.

Here are the details:

Lexington SBS User Group
Location: Lexington, Kentucky USA
Website: http://www.lexsbs.com
Launch date: Thursday January 17, 2008

Everyone is invited, (KYSBSUG & CiNPA, that means you too) so let’s help Matthew make this launch a great event!

Microsoft is coming to Lexington, Kentucky next week!

Thursday January 17, 2008
Theater-Regal Hamburg Pavilion Stadium 16 
1949 Starshoot Road
Lexington Kentucky 40509

• Microsoft TS2 Event
  Start: 1/17/2008 1:00 PM Eastern
  End:  1/17/2008 5:00 PM Eastern
  Registration Fee: No
  Primary Target Audience:  Microsoft Partners
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032361986
• Microsoft TechNet Event
  Start: 1/17/2008 8:00 AM Eastern
  End:  1/17/2008 12:00 PM Eastern
  Registration Fee: No
  Primary Target Audience:  IT Professionals
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032359668
• Microsoft MSDN Event
  Start: 1/17/2008 1:00 PM Eastern
  End:  1/17/2008 5:00 PM Eastern
  Registration Fee: No
  Primary Target Audience:  Developers
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032359784
• Microsoft Connections for Small Business
  No event data currently showing for Lexington, KY on that date, but check the MS Across America site in a few days to see if anything comes up
  http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/acrossamerica/

Microsoft is coming to Cincinnati tomorrow:

Tuesday November 27, 2007
Regal Deerfield Towne Center Stadium 16
5500 Deerfield Blvd
Mason Ohio 45040

• Microsoft TS2 Event
  Start: 11/27/2007 1:00 PM Eastern
  End:  11/27/2007 5:00 PM Eastern
  Registration Fee: No
  Primary Target Audience:  Microsoft Partners
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032346151
   
• Microsoft Connections for Small Business
  Start: 11/27/2007 8:00 AM Eastern
  End:  11/27/2007 12:00 PM Eastern
  Registration Fee: No
  Primary Target Audience:  Business Decision Maker
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032346525 
   
• Microsoft TechNet Event
  Start: 11/27/2007 8:00 AM Eastern
  End:  11/27/2007 12:00 PM Eastern
  Registration Fee: No
  Primary Target Audience:  IT Professionals
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032349632
   
• Microsoft MSDN Event
  Start: 11/27/2007 1:00 PM Eastern
  End:  11/27/2007 5:00 PM Eastern
  Registration Fee: No
  Primary Target Audience:  Developers
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032346958

Microsoft is coming to Louisville - Register today!

Tuesday October 2, 2007
Theater – Cinemark Tinseltown USA
4400 Towne Center Drive
Louisville Kentucky 40241

• TS2 Event
  10/2/2007 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)- 10/2/2007 5:00 PM
  Registration Fee:   No
  Primary Target Audience:   Partner
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032346118&culture=en-US
• Microsoft Connections for Small Business
  10/2/2007 8:00 AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)- 10/2/2007 12:00 PM
  Registration Fee:   No
  Primary Target Audience:   Business Decision Maker
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032346402&culture=en-US
• MSDN Events – Silverlight, LINQ and WCF
  10/2/2007 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)- 10/2/2007 5:00 PM
  Registration Fee:   No
  Primary Target Audience:   Developer
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032346884&culture=en-US
• TechNet Event
  10/2/2007 8:00 AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)- 10/2/2007 12:00 PM
  Registration Fee:   No
  Primary Target Audience:   IT Professionals
  http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032349463&culture=en-US

You know him and love him from the 2005 & 2006 SBS Tours, the 70-282 Exam Prep Series 1 & 2, and numerous webcasts and live events.  And once again, I’m happy to announce that our favorite Microsoft TS2 Presenter, Ronald Grattopp, is coming back to Kentucky!

• TS2 Live Seminar – Lexington, KY
  Tuesday June 19, 2007
  Start time:  1:00 PM Eastern

  Venue: Regal Hamburg Pavilion 16
  1949 Starshoot Parkway
  Lexington Kentucky 40509
  Registration URL:  Click here

• June 2007 KYSBSUG Meeting – Louisville, KY
  Wednesday June 20, 2007
  Start time:  6:30 PM Eastern

  Venue: Money Concepts
  323 Townepark Circle
  Louisville, KY 40243
  Start time:  6:30 PM Eastern
  Registration URL:  Click here

• TS2 Live Seminar – Louisville, KY
  Thursday June 21, 2007
  Start time:  1:00 PM Eastern

  Venue: Cinemark Tinseltown USA
  4400 Towne Center Drive
  Louisville Kentucky 40241
  Registration URL:  Click here

More Details on the June 2007 KYSBSUG Meeting Next Wednesday!

This month Ron Grattopp will be joined by Tim Barrett, and they will be co-presenting a deep dive on Windows SharePoint Services version 3 (WSS3).  Come learn the best practices for installing WSS3 on SBS, shortcuts to deploy the “Fabulous 40″ templates, and other tips and tricks on WSS3.

“How deep is this deep dive” you may ask?  We have over 8 hours of content on WSS3, so we’re prepared to talk about all aspects; from deployment, to extending, to business value.  (The event is only 90-120 minutes long, so we’ll cover the content that the audience wants to hear.)

As always, there will be excellent networking opportunities and Ron is bringing some cool swag.

This Live event is FREE to attend, but registration is required:
http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=119143

The venue is a little tricky to find, since it’s so new it doesn’t show up on most maps, but fortunately there is a map available on Map Quest:

Map to KYSBSUG Meeting at Money Concepts - 323 Townepark Cir Louisville, KY 40243, USA

And if you get lost, just call my cell (502) 817-3456 and I’ll give you directions.

The 30% discount on training vouchers for the SBSC, WSS and MOSS Exams is almost over – this opportunity ends June 1, 2007!

Details after the jump: Exam Palooza Promotion

Credit:  Ron Grattopp – Microsoft TS2