Do I Need to Buy a CAL For That?

To CAL, or not to CAL? That is the question.

Well, if that really 'is' the question, Eric Ligman has the answer to all of your SBS 2003 / 2003 R2 / member server CAL questions on his latest blog post entitled: "Ever wondered how SBS CALs relate to member servers and what changes with SBS 2003 R2 for this?"

Not only does Eric have an excellent blog post full of juicy CAL goodness, he even has a video for you lazy / illiterate types.

So, as a cop once told me as he was writing me a traffic ticket, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse". Go get your CAL learn on kids - it's easy now.

Thanks Eric!!

Get Your Vista Learn-On

Want to learn about Vista but don't feel like downloading ISOs and making VPCs?

Good news! Microsoft has a new website for you: Windows Vista On-Demand Training Courses:
http://www.vistapartnervideos.com

Some of the videos currently on the site:

• Value Prop 1: Windows Vista Deployment
• Value Prop 2: Manageability, Reliability and Performance
• Value Prop 3: Windows Vista Security
• Value Prop 4: Information Management
• Value Prop 5: Collaboration and Connectivity
• Windows Vista Business Value Scenarios
• Application Compatibility in Windows Vista
• Windows Client Licensing and Windows Vista
• Selling Windows Client Software Assurance
• Windows Vista and Enterprise Infrastructure Optimization
• Using TCO Data to Manage Desktop Deployment Discussions with Customers

The videos are 320x240, but they're available in a streaming format only, which means you can't take them with you on a Pocket PC. So if you want to watch one of the videos you'll need a live internet connection.

Credit: Bink.nu

Whitepaper - Securing Your SBS 2003 Network

Title: "Securing Your Windows Small Business Server 2003 Network"
File Name: SBSSecureNet.doc
Version: 2.0
Pages: 41
Date Published: 6/12/2006
Language: English
Download Size: 325 KB

Description: Learn how to help secure your Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 network. By following the recommendations in this document, you can help to protect the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of your local network.

- Verify Your Topology and Firewall Configuration
- Configure Your Local Router for More Secure Access
- Keep Software Up-to-Date
- Implement Strong Passwords
- Configure Remote Access to the Local Network
- Verify That Users Have Only the Permissions That They Need
- Physically Secure the SBS Server from On-Site Attacks
- Configure Backup
- Implement an Antivirus Solution
- Upgrade Client Computers
- Monitor the SBS Server 2003
- Keep Up-to-Date on Security Information

Download: Here

See Windows Vista

Have you seen Windows Vista yet? Actor Tom Skerritt takes you on a video tour of the new features of Vista. The topics are: 1) Engaging Your Customers, 2) Managing Your Business, 3) Turning Information Into Action, and 4) Expanding Your Possibilities. Admittedly, this is 'sales pitchy', but it's still nice eye candy: http://www.seewindowsvista.com/

Allocated Memory Errors After Adding RAM

You know, I really love blogs & RSS feeds - especially when you're having an issue and see the solution online that EXACT day. Wow! Case in point: Today I was in the process of manually moving RSS readers from NewsGator to RSS Bandit. (Thanks for the tip Vlad). During the migration I got an e-mail with following alert / error: "Allocated Memory Alert on {servername}" See, I recently added an additional 1GB of RAM to an SBS box and have been getting that error ever since. I mean, it's on my to-do list and all, but I know that SBS is just brain-farting because the Perfmon RAM setting no longer matches the physical RAM. I've been meaning to fix that, and just as I was clicking on "The Official SBS Blog" the solution to my problem appeared on their RSS feed. Spooky! Here's how to fix that memory allocation error: http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive/2006/06/07/433707.aspx Long story short - problem fixed in under a minute. Thanks SBS Team!!

Louisville Geek Dinner Tonight

Are you a geek? (Hint - the answer is 'yes' because you're reading this). And do you near Louisville, KY? If so, be sure and attend the first-ever "Louisville Geek Dinner" TONIGHT at the 'Fox and Hound Pub & Grille' near Oxmoor Mall at 6:00 PM Eastern! Several KYSBSUG members are registered right now, so you know you'll have someone to talk to. ;-) Signup today and we'll see you there tonight!

Room for Research

I was reading the latest article about on Redmondmag.com tonight called "SBS 2003: Room for Improvement", and it really burned me up. I've got to say that I'm rather shocked to see an SBS article with so many errors, especially since the current version of the product has been on the market since *2003*! I won't re-hash the points I made in the comment section, but I think the key take away point here is: "Be careful at taking interviewee quotes at face value". Just because something is in print (or in pixels) doesn't make it correct. Source: http://www.redmondmag.com/features/article.asp?EditorialsID=598 Update: This is a note to the SBSer in the article (Chris) who said that finding information about SBS was (and I quote) "a crap shoot". That sounds like a really frustrated SBSer, and I think we can help. Chris - Here is some great info for the next time you have an SBS question. Please log into Remote Web Workplace (RWW) on your SBS Server. (The rest of you follow along too). On the lower right side, do you see that button that says "Ask the Community". OK, hit that button. Because on the other side of that button is your trap door to the SBS community. Blogs, MVPs, user groups, KB Articles, newsgroups, FAQs, SMB Nation... it's all right there. The SBS community is here to help, and we're just ONE button click away from your server. :-)

Download 2007 Microsoft Office System Beta 2

Good things come to those who wait. Example: the 2007 Microsoft Office System Beta 2. Effective immediately, if you are a Registered, Certified or Gold Microsoft Partner, you can now log into the Microsoft Partner Program Site and register to download Office 2007 Beta 2. You'll need your partner credentials and a Microsoft Passport. (You'll also need a lot of patience as the server is throwing 'Server Too Busy' errors). Here's a breakout of the available downloads: OFFICE SUITES

• Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 (550 MB)

OFFICE PROGRAMS

• Microsoft Office Groove 2007 (300 MB)
• Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007 (305 MB)
• Microsoft Office OneNote 2007 (279 MB)
• Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager (380 MB)
• Microsoft Office Project 2007 (285 MB)
• Microsoft Office Visio 2007 (330 MB)
• All Programs and Suites (2,049 MB)

OFFICE SERVERS

• Microsoft Office Groove Server 2007 (300 MB)
• Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (1,000 MB)
• Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 (300 MB)

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

• Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services (75 MB)

Alternately, if you don't want to download all those bits, you can also choose to have the DVD snail-mailed to you for less than $10 US.

SBS 2003 R2 Reaches Release Candidate Status

If you read Sean Daniel's blog, you already found out that Microsoft green-lighted SBS 2003 R2 for Release Candidate status Friday last week (05 May 2006). Release Candidate status is different than RTM (Release-to-Manufacturing) status. 'Release Candidate' means "it's really close". RTM on the other hand means 'it's done'. So right now we're in the 'almost-baked' phase. Today the DHL guy brought my Release Candidate CDs for SBS 2003 R2. (Like most good SBSers who read blogs, I'm in the beta). There are two CDs: #1) SBS 2003 R2 RC & #2) SBS 2003 R2 RC Eval Version. Basically, they are the same thing, only one CD is for the Retail version of SBS, and the other CD is for the evaluation (time-bombed) version of SBS. Right now the RC requires no yellow key code, but I'll be interested to see if it stays that way in the Gold (final) version. Folks who buy SBS 2003 pre-installed from an OEM or System Builder after March 1, 2006 are entitled to a free upgrade to SBS 2003 R2 when it finally ships through the Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2: Technology Upgrade Program. And the software assurance kiddos with proper timeframe windows will obviously score the free spin too. Unfortunately, folks who bought retail Full Packaged Product (FPP) from BestBuy, SAMS Club, OfficeWhatever, Joe's Computer Shack, etc. after March 1 are outta luck. No soup for you!