Windows Server 2008 R2 Feature Components – This poster provides a visual reference for understanding key technologies in Windows Server 2008 R2. It focuses on Active Directory Domain Services, Hyper-V, Internet Information Services, Remote Desktop Services (including Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)), BranchCache, and DirectAccess technologies. In addition, updates to core file services and server management are illustrated.

Download the Windows Server 2008 R2 Feature Components Poster Here [pdf  document]

Hyper-V Component Architecture - The Hyper-V poster is a great visual tool to help in the understanding of the key features and components. It highlights key Hyper-V components including, Architecture, Virtual Networking, Virtual Machine Snapshots, Live Migration, Storage Interfaces, Storage Types, Storage Location and Paths, & Import and Export.

Download the Hyper-V ComponentArchitecture Poster here [pdf  document]

This large-format poster provides practical visual depictions of the Windows Hypervisor, live migration process, cluster shared volumes architecture, VMQ data paths, disk storage I/O path, and much more.

System Center Virtual Machine Manager Self-Service Portal (SSP) 2.0 lets you build the foundation for an on-premises cloud infrastructure, enabling you to deliver IT as a service for your organization. Using SSP, you can respond more effectively – and at lower cost – to the rapidly changing needs of your organization. SSP is freely available, and fully supported by Microsoft. This solution is built on top of Windows Server 2008 R2, Hyper-V, and System Center VMM. You can use it to pool, allocate, and manage resources to offer infrastructure as a service and to deliver the foundation for a private cloud platform inside your datacenter.

VMMSSP includes a pre-built web-based user interface that has sections for both the datacenter managers and the business unit IT consumers, with role-based access control. VMMSSP also includes a dynamic provisioning engine. VMMSSP reduces the time needed to provision infrastructures and their components by offering business unit “on-boarding,” infrastructure request and change management. The VMMSSP package also includes detailed guidance on how to implement VMMSSP inside your environment.

Download System Center Virtual Machine Manager Self-Service Portal (SSP) 2.0 here

The self-service portal provides the following features that are exposed through a web-based user interface:

• Configuration and allocation of datacenter resources: Store management and configuration information related to compute, network and storage resources as assets in the VMMSSP database.
• Customization of virtual machine actions: Provide a simple web-based interface to extend the default virtual machine actions; for example, you can add scripts that interact with Storage Area Networks for rapid deployment of virtual machines.
• Business unit on-boarding: Standardized forms and a simple workflow for registering and approving or rejecting business units to enroll in the portal.
• Infrastructure request and change management: Standardized forms and human-driven workflow that results in reducing the time needed to provision infrastructures in your environment.
• Self-Service provisioning: Supports bulk creation of virtual machines on provisioned infrastructure through the web-based interface.Helps business units to manage their virtual machines based on delegated roles.

Important: VMMSSP is not an upgrade to the existing VMM 2008 R2 self-service portal. You can choose to deploy and use one or both self-service portals depending on your requirements.

Courtesy: Microsoft TechNet

You would also be interested in downloading these Books / WhitePapers from TradePub -

• White Paper – A Powerful Platform for Virtualization
• Technical Brief – Applications of Virtualization, Cloud Computing, and Convergence in the Next-Generation Data Center

System Center Configuration Manager v.Next provides powerful and flexible user-centric management, allowing people to be able to seamlessly access their data from virtually anywhere, across multiple device types while providing IT with unified management tools and centralized control.

Providing User-Centric Management

Configuration Manager v.Next provides client management a user-centric approach, without being overly complex, while simplifying and consolidating onto a single, unified tool. These comprehensive user-centric management tools can help IT to manage and provide people with software that is tied to their identity and can follow them across multiple devices and access scenarios.

Flexible Delivery of Applications

Configuration Manager v.Next automatically delivers people applications by sensing and responding to system conditions that can be used to intelligently deploy applications in using a method most appropriate to the situation., a concept known as Conditional Delivery. This type of application delivery is provided through a new application model where the application itself is defined once, then delivered through multiple channels such as virtual, mobile, on presentation servers, or via traditional application deployment. This allows for a significantly simplified application deployment process. The applications themselves are protected with state-based delivery, which continues to provide people with predictable and reliable access to applications in the event that they are damaged or accidently deleted. People get the best experience with each of their devices through a process that distinguishes between primary and secondary devices and delivers services in the most appropriate way— including traditional, streaming, or from a presentation server.

On-Demand Applications

Configuration Manager v.Next helps to reduce the load on IT staff by providing people with an intuitive, self-service Web portal that allows anywhere access to enterprise applications that are dynamically customized by the user’s identity and role, helping to make people more effective, productive, and empowered. This rich storefront experience allows people to intuitively find and select which applications they need access to – making it easy to let people choose exactly what they need to do their jobs, when they need it.

Unifying Management Tools

Configuration Manager v.Next helps modernize IT, providing for a simplified, lean, and unified infrastructure for management and security to streamline your operational costs. Centralized management of desktop virtualization platforms, including Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-v) {App-V Guides/Tutorials}, Microsoft Enterprise Virtualization (Med-V), and Citrix XenApp, is also integrated into the Configuration Manager v.Next.

In addition, Configuration Manager v.Next provides for robust mobile device management support on multiple platforms such as Windows® Phone and Nokia Symbian, enabling people to self-provision applications, control settings, and manage mobile device updates.

Forefront® EndPoint Protection will also be built on Configuration Manager v.Next. Forefront EndPoint Protection and Configuration Manager are being brought together to help organizations gain efficiency in client protection management by reducing infrastructure and simplifying Deployment, thus helping to reduce costs.

Simplify IT Processes to Reduce Costs and Support Compliance

With Configuration Manager v.Next you can now set baseline configurations for your client systems to help automatically detect vulnerabilities based on changed configurations and to help identify non-compliance issues. With IT-defined automated remediation in Configuration Manager v.Next, configurations that have been changed from the baseline configuration can be detected and automatically reset to the desired configuration to further enhance system compliance.

Simplifying Management Administrative Improvements

Configuration Manager v.Next eliminates the need for additional primary Configuration Manager sites, which were traditionally used for data segmentation, by allowing for throttling and scheduling capabilities on distribution points as well as in primary sites. This allows for Configuration Manager site design flexibility that was not possible with previous versions.

The administrator console in Configuration Manager v.Next has been significantly enhanced with the addition of a role-based access control (RBAC) model that provides administrators with a streamlined console customized to their specific role—granting only what they need to do their job.

In addition, Configuration Manager v.Next provides for a ‘self-healing client’, that auto-remediates client health, even if the client is removed. This can significantly reduce IT administrative overhead and improve deployment reliability.

Providing an Integrated Platform

Configuration Manager v.Next provides for integrated end-to end IT client lifecycle management, from imaging to application delivery, maintenance, patching, and remediation, as well as supporting decommissioning of the devices—all through a single tool.

Additionally, Configuration Manager v.Next provides tight interoperability with Windows with features such as BranchCache™, direct access, power-saving settings, the User State Migration Toolkit (USMT), and the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT). Because of this interoperability, it can help administrators get the most from Windows clients while gaining efficiencies in management.

Legacy Configuration Manager Migration and Support

Configuration Manager v.Next provides support for an organization’s existing traditional device-centric management models. The product does not require organizations to immediately replace legacy management techniques and can instead make a slow and gradual move to the new models. This allows for the flexibility to take advantage of new upgrade features without necessarily switching to new management models in entirety.

Unify and Simplify

Configuration Manager v.Next allows for a comprehensive user-centric approach to client management, tying applications directly to a user’s identity and allowing applications to follow people across multiple device types. Combined with user-friendly tools such as the self-service portal, Configuration Manager v.Next empowers people with the flexibility to work from multiple locations and on multiple devices.

Finally, Configuration Manager v.Next provides for a single view into overall client health, and allows for IT controls and remediation automation that helps to enhance the overall client management approach.

Summing up

The 3 Significant Pillars of this release of System Center Configuration Manager include,

Embrace user-centric management

Modernize our infrastructure and core components

• Redesigned hierarchy and SQL Server replication
• Automated content distribution
• Client Health improvements and auto-remediation
• Redesigned admin experience and role-based security model
• Native 64-bit and full Unicode support

Continue to improve throughout the product

• Software Updates auto-deployment (including Forefront definitions)
• Automated settings remediation (DCM “set”)
• Consolidated and expanded mobile device management
• Improvements to OS Deployment and Remote Control
• And much, much more.

In the upcoming articles, you will read more on the Software Distribution benefits in SCCM v.Next, Mobile Device Management etc.

Source: System Center Configuration Manager v.Next Data Sheet and MMS2010 Presentation Materials

Hello Folks, I have just started to review a book “Least Privilege Security for Windows 7, Vista, and XP” written by Russel Smith. Windows OS Engineering and Application Platforms have always fascinated me ever since I started Packaging applications. I hope this book gives me lots of information, which I can further share it with you all..!

Looking from the Technology perspective, the contents of this book can be broadly classified into these sections -

• Overview of Least Privilege Security in Microsoft Windows Operating System. and how to Solve Least Privilege Problems with the Application Compatibility Toolkit.
• Detailed explanation on User Account Control (UAC) covering various concepts like Access Token Model, Elevation Prompt Security, Configuring UAC through Group Policy etc.
• Software Distribution using Group Policy and Windows Installer.
• Managing Internet Explorer Add-ons and Best Practices on Deploying Commonly used ActiveX Controls.
• Supporting Users Running with Least-Privilege, Deploying Software Restriction Policies and AppLocker, Preparing Vista and Windows 7 for Least Privilege Security.
• Provisioning Applications on Secure Desktops with Remote Desktop Services, Balancing Flexibility and Security with Application Virtualization and Deploying XP Mode VMs with MED-V.

I shall post a detailed review of this book soon. Until then, you can read this free chapter, Chapter No. 3 – Solving Least privilege Problems with the Application Compatibility Toolkit and let me know your comments / reviews.

You can also Order the book Online here from PACKT Publishing

Migrating to Windows 7 means upgrading to Internet Explorer 8. But until now there was no way to test web applications to ensure they are compatible with the new browser. App-DNA now offers a unique opportunity to assess IE8 application compatibility and remediation requirements for web applications in a beta version of the AppTitude application compatibility software platform that includes specific IE8 testing and remediation capabilities.

App-DNA is currently seeking eligible beta test candidates to perform testing of an upcoming release of AppTitude that includes specific functionality for IE web application compatibility testing and remediation. To register for the App-DNA AppTitude IE beta program, please complete the survey here by July 30, 2010.

Compatibility for IE8 web applications is a hurdle for enterprises planning to simultaneously migrate to Windows 7 and IE8. In addition to proven Windows 7 migration accelerators, the upcoming release of AppTitude includes new features to:

1. Address the blockers surrounding web application compatibility
2. Automate the capture of the web application source
3. Test the web application’s “DNA” with specifically designed heuristic (experience based) algorithms to determine success of the application with IE8 and Windows 7 security hardening
4. Determine best remediation paths to ensure mission-critical web applications behave well on IE8.

To register for the App-DNA AppTitude IE beta program, please complete the survey here by July 30, 2010.

Courtesy: App-DNA emailers

You would also be interested in reading -

• Fix Browser Compatibility Issues with Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7
• Identify Website Issues with Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool (IECTT)
• Application Compatibility Toolkit - Guides / How To Tutorials

Beginning in Office 2010 you might have observed that, when you open a document / spreadsheet / presentation, it first opens the same for reading in a Protected View, only on your consent it further takes you to edit the same. This implementation was made using a Windows Sandboxing Technique.

Now, Adobe is working towards implementing a similar Sandbox technology ‘Protected Mode’  for its reader products. Protected Mode is based on Microsoft’s Practical Windows Sandboxing technique. Adobe has been working closely with Microsoft Office security team and the Chrome team at Google, as well as third-party consultancies and other external stakeholders to leverage their sandboxing knowledge and experience.

An excerpt from the official blog post says -

“With Adobe Reader Protected Mode enabled (it will be by default), all operations required by Adobe Reader to display the PDF file to the user are run in a very restricted manner inside a confined environment, the “sandbox.” Should Adobe Reader need to perform an action that is not permitted in the sandboxed environment, such as writing to the user’s temporary folder or launching an attachment inside a PDF file using an external application (e.g. Microsoft Word), those requests are funneled through a “broker process,” which has a strict set of policies for what is allowed and disallowed to prevent access to dangerous functionality. “

Personally, I have been a biggest fan of User Account Control (UAC) ever since it was implemented in Windows Operating System. Focusing on Standard User Environment always gives various benefits w.r.t Security and stability. The modern OSes have demanded this change in the way, applications are built and developed. Office and Adobe compete on many fronts in the industry., but they’ve put all that aside when it comes to helping protect customers from security issues.

Its really good to see 2 big players share their solutions and approach; This definitely gives the all needed – “End User Experience”.

Courtesy: You can read the official Announcement from Adobe Team here

Start with the free download, review your website, and make changes fast. The SEO Toolkit with its detailed analysis and search engine friendly suggestions helps improve the relevance of your website in search results right away.

• Increase Website Traffic and Revenue – Analyze your website and find ways to boost your number of hits. Use SEO recommendations to improve traffic and increase your revenue stream.
• Influence and Update Search Engines – Control the access and display of your content in search results. Keep search engines current with the latest information from your website.
• Improve Customer Experience – Discover and solve common problems in your website content and design to enhance your end user experience. Make it easy for your customers to find what they’re looking for

Download this Free SEO Kit here

To learn more on this tool and How-To instructions read the blog here – http://learn.iis.net/page.aspx/791/getting-started-with-the-seo-toolkit/

You would also be interested in reading -

• Website Optimization – Want to know what readers are seeing in your website?
• Fix Browser Compatiblity Issues with Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7
• Identify Website Issues with Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool (IECTT)

Consider you have a situation where, you need to work with applications which needs administrator privileges. Just invoking the application shortcut / command window will not help in Windows 7, as you will be running in as a Standard User. (Read User Account Control to understand more in detail). You will need to launch the program in an elevated context to run it as an administrator. A simple right-click on the program/shortcut and choose ‘Run As Administrator’.

However, you cannot follow this method all-time. Especially, when you need to this more frequent. Here is a simple technique (using Application Shortcuts) which will help you in elevating programs.

If you want to implement this alongside the executable itself, you will need to create a RunasAdmin or RunAsInvoker Shim for this purpose. – Read this Article for more information.

Step 1: Create a Shortcut for the application. You can either use Pinning feature, where you can pin an application to the start-menu or the task-bar. You can also create it on the desktop.  In this example, Let’s choose a Command Window (cmd). (You can use this technique for any application)

Step 2: Right Click and goto the properties of the Command Prompt, Select the ‘Shortcut’ tab.

Step 3: Goto Advanced Tab, And select the ‘Run As Administrator’ checkbox in the Advanced Properties.

This will ensure that, this shortcut will run the program in elevated context all the time. You can always invoke the other default shortcut from the start menu, to launch the application in the standard User mode (if you really need to).

Hi Folks, after a long gap we are back with the Guest Posts on this weblog. Today, we have Kate Morrical who talks about the Top tips for utilizing AutoCAD LT 2011 on the Windows 7 platform. She explains on how a user can leverage the features available in Windows 7 and get the best experience while working on AutoCAD LT 2011.  As the Technical Marketing Manager for AutoCAD LT, Kate works closely with the AutoCAD LT Product Development & Marketing teams and with AutoCAD LT users through discussion groups, her blog, and events such as Autodesk University and AUGI CAD Camps.

Kate’s thoughts on msigeek weblog - “MSIGeek.com is a great resource for learning more about making the most of MS technology, including design firms looking for the best ways to optimize the compatibility between Windows 7 and Autodesk products like AutoCAD LT 2011. Your How-To and Best Practices articles provide helpful, real-world ways to work smarter and faster. Thanks for putting all this valuable information in one place!”

Over to Kate’s article -

You know that the Windows 7 Professional operating system is designed to meet business needs by delivering better performance, helping you get more done faster, and safeguarding your work.  Here are seven tips for using features in Windows 7 to speed up everyday tasks in AutoCAD LT 2011.

1. Use thumbnail previews to navigate between open DWG files

Quickly locate and switch between open AutoCAD LT 2011 drawing files by hovering your cursor over the taskbar icon to display thumbnail images of each open drawing. Switch between drawings by clicking on thumbnails, or use the red X to quickly close a file from the thumbnail.

2. Locate recent files with jump lists

Right-click on a program icon in the taskbar to display a jump list of your ten most recently-opened files. Open an item on the list simply by clicking on it, or drag-and-drop files to attach them to e-mails or copy them to a different folder.  Use the pushpin icon to make sure that important files always stay on the list. Jump lists are also available for your frequently-used programs in the Start menu.

3. Pin your favorite programs for easy access

Pin AutoCAD LT and other programs you use on a regular basis to the taskbar with the option in the right-click menu,  and launch them with a single click. You can also store favorite programs on the Start menu. While your most frequently-used programs will show up there automatically, you can keep them there permanently by right-clicking on the program and selecting “Pin to Start Menu.”

4. Quickly resize program windows with Snap

Use Snap to display two programs side by side on your screen, without overlap, simply by dragging one window to the left of the screen and the other to the right.  Easily reference your email, spreadsheet, or other program while working in AutoCAD LT 2011. Drag a single program to the top of the screen to have it fill your entire display.

5. Find files faster with Instant Search

Search is faster in Windows 7—libraries and other popular file locations are indexed so results appear as soon as you type in the first few letters of your keyword, whether in the Start menu or in the search box available in every Windows Explorer window. To make your search even more efficient, matching files and folders are grouped by category, and keywords are highlighted to make the list even easier to scan. Filter your results by type, date, size, or author to further narrow your search.

6. Safeguard your work with Backup and Restore

No matter how much care you take with your files, accidents can happen—drives can fail, files can become corrupted, and “copy” can even become “delete.” That’s when you need Windows Backup to store copies of your important files on an external drive and update them periodically so they’re as current as possible. When you need to retrieve a file, the Restore function lets you select the entire backup file or specific files and folders. You can even specify whether to restore files to their original location or a new one.

7. Manage default printers with Location Aware Printing

When you run AutoCAD LT on a laptop, you can take your computer with you, but chances are you leave your printer behind. With Location Aware Printing, you can set a different default printer for every network you connect to. Then, when you change networks, Windows automatically sends documents to the correct printer.

About Kate Morrical - As the Technical Marketing Manager for AutoCAD LT, Kate works closely with the AutoCAD LT Product Development & Marketing teams and with AutoCAD LT users through discussion groups, her blog, and events such as Autodesk University and AUGI CAD Camps. She has over 10 years of experience with Autodesk products, starting with AutoCAD R14, and has been blogging about AutoCAD LT since April 2007. Kate is a licensed professional engineer in Maryland, and was employed as an engineer and CAD Manager for a 30-person office of a structural engineering firm before joining Autodesk. For the latest in AutoCAD LT news, tips and tricks check out Kate’s blog, LT Unlimited, at http://ltunlimited.typepad.com

As Microsoft had announced earlier (in 2008), support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) will end on July 13, 2010. Support for Windows 2000 will end on the same date as well. Customers running an unsupported version of Windows or Windows service pack will not be eligible for any Microsoft support options. Updates, including security updates released with bulletins from the Microsoft Security Response Center, will be reviewed and built for the supported versions and service packs only.

The most current service packs are available to organizations, and they are easily deployed via Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services/Microsoft System Center, and the Microsoft Download Center. To better understand the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy and your support options visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle page.

Updating your Windows XP and Windows 2000 PCs before the end of mainstream support dates will ensure your PCs stay supported and receive security updates. The best way to be secure and supported is by migrating to Windows 7.

• Click here for more information on end of support for Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Server, and
• Click here for details on end of support for Windows XP SP2

Source: Springboard Series

Microsoft Office 2010 is a productivity suite from Microsoft. This is the latest edition in the suite of office products. Right from the office 97 till the 2010 version, the product has evolved a long way from just a software towards being a platform.

Office 2010 includes extended file format support, user interface updates, and a refined user experience. Office 2010 marks the debut of free online versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, which work in popular web browsers.

Last weekend, there was an Office 2010 Community launch at K-MUG during the DevCon. We did have a combination of students, developers and technology enthusiasts as our audience. We didn’t want it to be, just another conventional presentation. I am Rama were discussing on how to build a story line around the Office 2010 demos. That’s when; the Football World Cup came to our mind. We planned a scenario of a restaurant owner who wants to host a World Cup party at his place. Keeping this in mind, I showcased some key features of the Office Suite of products during this demo which can be used –

• How one can do a brainstorming talk with his team using OneNote 2010, syncing it with mobile and different users.
• Take a screenshot right inside the word or power Point, instead of using a print screen and then editing it in paint.
• Image editing capabilities to remove the background of an image
• Artistic features to design an image – Without using a third party software.
• Pinning a document to the recent list, or jump list for easy access
• How to add Visual text effects in Word to highlight a section of text or letters.
• The recovering capabilities of an office document, when closed prematurely
• How to create data trends chart for each row / column using Sparkline in Excel 2010.
• Improved Animation and Narration features in PowerPoint 2010.
• How to add a Video to a PowerPoint presentation, edit and format them in ease.
• Using sections within a presentation.
• Save presentation as a video
• Broadcasting a PowerPoint presentation to external users through internet.
• Power of Office Web apps. How an user can just goto Office Live and start using the office apps absolutely free. Also, when you hit the F11 key, the web app and the desktop app almost looks and behaves the same.

You would also be interested in reading these -

• Download Ebook – “First Look: Microsoft Office 2010, by Katherine Murray”
• Want to install Office 2010? – Use this Assesment Tool (OEAT)
• Fixing Code Compatibility Issues with Office 2010 Compatibility Inspector

In celeberating the launch of Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0, Microsoft is giving away “Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate with MSDN activation cards”. I have 3 of those with me to giveway. The listed price for this is $11,899, you can see what is all included here. This is a one year subscription and is not restricted to any country or region. Answer these below questions to qualify and win this contest..!

This contest is closed now. We will let you know the winners as early as possible. Thanks for the responses.

This subscription is not-for-sale, and therefore carries some benefit restrictions. Technical support benefits and MSDN Magazine are not included. and all software benefits, including Microsoft Office 2010 products are for development and test purposes only.

Hi Folks, it feels great to share this information with you. I’ ve been awarded Microsoft MVP again this year in the Stream of ‘Setup and Deployment’. This would be my third consecutive year as an MVP. I would take this moment to thank all my friends, readers, session attendees, MS Product Teams, MVP Program and my Organization for the constant support and encouragement. You guys are fantastic..!!

I just received this below email..! 

Dear Vijay Raj,

Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2010 Microsoft® MVP Award! This award is given to exceptional technical community leaders who actively share their high quality, real world expertise with others. We appreciate your outstanding contributions in Setup & Deployment technical communities during the past year.

Also in this email:

• About your MVP Award Gift
• How to access www.mvpaward.com to begin taking advantage of your award benefits
• Your MVP Identification Number
• MVP Award Program Code of Conduct

The Microsoft MVP Award provides us the unique opportunity to celebrate and honor your significant contributions and say “Thank you for your technical leadership.”

Toby Richards
General Manager
Community & Online Support

If you feel you have the potential and wanna’ try being an MVP – Check this out

The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) version 5.6 contains the necessary tools and documentation to evaluate and mitigate application compatibility issues before deploying Windows 7®, Windows Vista®, a Windows Update, or a new version of Windows Internet Explorer® in your environment.

Some of the new features of ACT 5.6 are:

1. The Application Compatibility Manager now has separate compatibility assessments for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7. This brings you the latest information from the software vendors on whether their apps have been tested and certified on Windows 7 based on architecture.
2. Data Collection Packages now run on 64-bit systems.
3. Manage compatibility readiness separately for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. Deploying to a mix of both 32 and 64-bit Windows 7? ACT now makes it possible for you to target your compatibility testing separately to each architecture by allowing you to create different assessments for each one.
4. Compatibility Administrator can now shim 64-bit and MSIL-compiled applications.
5. Standard User Analyzer and Internet Compatibility Test Tool have both been updated and now support running on 64-bit operating systems.
6. ACT 5.6 talks to a new web service when you click Send and Receive to synchronize your applications with Microsoft. You will notice that synchronizations are much quicker on average as the amount of application data being sent up has been reduced significantly. The new web service will also be updated every two weeks with the latest Windows 7 compatibility assessments from software vendors, so be sure to keep your database synced periodically. 
7. ACT 5.6 includes a useful demo application and a tutorial that you can use to learn the ropes with shimming applications to fix compatibility problems. The application is a dummy application with some of the most common compatibility errors in it that you can remediate until you have a fully working version of the app.
8. The ACT community assessments have been updated to be vote based. Based on how other users of ACT voted, you will now see a sliding bar depicting how compatible the community thinks an application is. This makes it easier to understand the community’s perception of an application’s overall compatibility at a glance. This is especially useful indicator of whether an application will work when a vendor hasn’t yet published a compatibility statement for their software.

Download the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.6 here

You can also watch these Videos and other How-To Articles to fix AppCompat Issues

Source – Nick Mac’s Weblog

hey Folks, K-MUG is organizing a Developer Conference (K-MUG DevCon 2010) for all Technology Enthusiasts and Developers on 3rd and 4th July, 2010. They have different sessions planned as a part of this event. Topics on VS2010, Robotics, Windows Phone 7, Azure, Application Compatibility, ASP.NET and Cloud Computing. I would be one of the speakers as well. This time, I intend to talk more on ‘Working with Shims’.

Also, There are other Microsoft MVPs and FTEs (Janakiram and Ramaprasanna) who will be speaking at this event.

The detailed Agenda is given below -

You can read more on the K-MUG DevCon here. If you live around Trivandrum, do try to attend this DevCon. The event is also gonna’ be streamed live. I shall put the links of the same soon!!

The IE9 Platform Preview 3 is available via the IE Test Drive site! The developer preview was released at MIX 2010 earlier.

The Internet Explorer 9 Platform Preview 3 will give you a glimpse of what’s coming in Internet Explorer 9, the next version of the world’s most popular Web browser. A word of caution that this Preview is meant for developers and doesn’t include all the “user” features. The PP3 installs side by side with IE8.

IE9 is where same mark-up and performance meet hardware acceleration to shatter the glass ceiling on the Web – creating endless possibilities of rich, powerful Web applications. Let’s take a sneak peek into what’s so cool about IE9 PP3:

1. IE9 uses your whole PC to unlock the next class of experiences for the web. It is one of the fastest browsers today and the new JavaScript engine translates into an even faster IE 9.
2. IE9 introduces GPU-powered Canvas & GPU-powered <audio> and <video>and moves the browser from running on a crowded, single CPU to the fast, spacious GPU. Microsoft’s partnership with NVIDIA and AMD/ATI enables a solid understanding of GPU-CPU compatibility.
3. Increasing the support for standards is just part of the equation for creating the next version of the world’s most popular browser. Additionally, they have added new tools for developers to enable them create rich, standards-compliant, interoperable Web applications while making it easy for them to test and debug their web sites.
4. Includes expanded support for HTML5, hardware-accelerated graphics and text, and a new JavaScript engine. Together these allow developers to use the same markup and deliver graphically and functionally rich Web applications that take advantage of modern PC hardware through a modern operating system.

Test Drive the Internet Explorer (IE) 9 Platform Preview 3 here

Thanks Abhishek for this information!

SQL Server 2008 R2 Best Practices Analyzer (BPA) is a diagnostic tool which is designed for administrators who want to determine the overall conformance of their SQL Server instances and topology with established best practices. BPA examines your SQL Server instance for system events, reviews login permissions, scans your SQL Metadata for advisable settings, and recommends solutions to items that do not conform with established Microsoft best practices.

BPA runs within the framework of the Microsoft Baseline Configuration Analyzer (MBCA 2.0) and supports both, SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2. It is supported on a variety of operating systems including Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7.

For more information and download - go here

If you face any issue installing SQL 2008 R2 BPA relating to Remoting, refer this link

Join Flexera Software™, the leading provider in Windows® 7 application readiness solutions, for a discussion of how you can automate and standardize OS migration and application virtualization projects to ensure a fast and successful application deployment. This Webinar will explore an end-to-end process for Windows 7 and App-V application migration projects, strategies to reduce the cost and complexity and also, how a continuous application readiness process creates a repeatable and reliable standard for your next migration project.

In this Webinar you learn the “6 Steps to Faster Windows 7 Application Migration” and how to:

• Drive down the cost and complexity of preparing for a Windows 7 software deployment
• Speed conversion of MSI packages to App-V and other virtualized formats
• Shift from reactive to proactive application management
• Better understand your application estate
• Make sure your applications are ready to move when you are
• Reduce manual migration to save time and resources

Date: Thursday, June 24, 2010, Time: 9:00 PT / 11:00 CT / 12:00 EST

Register for the Webinar here

Microsoft has developed the Productivity Hub to help support your ongoing end user training efforts in your organisations. The Hub is a SharePoint Server 2007 site collection that serves as a learning community and is fully customizable. It provides a central place for your training efforts, and includes training content from Microsoft’s core products. Microsoft also provides ongoing and updated content packs.

The Hub uses SharePoint Server’s social networking capabilities, such as blogs and discussion groups. In addition, it offers the Coach program, a change management feature to help you train end users to self-help, reducing the burden on your training and IT staff. The Coach program impacts productivity in a collaborative and positive way.

What the Productivity Hub is:

1. Format: Pre-loaded SharePoint site collection, optimized for Web 2.0 functionality and easily deployed within SharePoint Server 2007 environment.
2. Content: Convenient end user productivity training in a variety of formats (documents, videos, podcasts, etc.). Receive free quarterly updates of content that you will learn about through the Productivity blog.
3. Blog: The Productivity blog offers tips and tricks for end user productivity. Use it as is, or your training staff can use the posts as their own to help them get started in running an internal blog.
4. Train the trainer: Includes IT/Manager section to aid with deployment of the site collection, and guidance to develop the Coach program.
5. Products: Office 2007 System applications, SharePoint Server 2007, Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8.

You can also download additional content packages that expand the training materials you can make available through the Hub.  The Productivity Hub can be accessed here!

Also read -

1. Download Windows 7 Training Kit For Developers
2. Free Silverlight 4 Programming and Training Kit Available for Download
3. Microsoft Help and Training – Get Technical Resources with the Desktop Player
4. Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.5 Guides / How To Tutorials
5. How to make Windows 7 Deployment Easy? – Effective Guides

The Android Scripting Environment (ASE) brings scripting languages to Android by allowing you to edit and execute scripts and interactive interpreters directly on the Android device. These scripts have access to many of the APIs available to full-fledged Android applications, but with a greatly simplified interface that makes it easy to get things done.

Scripts can be run interactively in a terminal, in the background, or via Locale. Python, Perl, JRuby, Lua, BeanShell, JavaScript, Tcl, and shell are currently supported..!

Currently, the ASE project provides:

• Scripting language interpreters that have been compiled to run on the Android platform.
• An abstraction layer above the Android API that simplifies common use cases (e.g. reading sensors, displaying dialogs, changing settings, etc.)
• IPC to the abstraction layer from processes that do not have access to the native Android APIs.
• An on-device development environment for supported scripting languages.

Read more and Download the Android Scripting Environment here – http://code.google.com/p/android-scripting/

ASE is designed for developers and is alpha quality software. To install ASE, you will need to enable the “Unknown sources” option in your device’s “Application” settings.

Well, its time for some discussion. Few minutes back, one of the reader ‘Om’ had asked this below question -

“I’ve small query related to application compatibility. We have a SaaS based product hosted on group of windows 2003 server standard edition (32bit). To scale up further we upgraded RAM of few systems to 8GB from 4GB. But since 32-bit version of windows 2003 does not support more than 4 GB of RAM , we have to switch to different edition. Now we have the option of either trying 32-bit Datacenter edition(cost around 3000 bucks per system per month extra by our host provider). or 64 bit Standard edition (with no extra cost).

So my query is that how much effort is needed (if any) in migrating a 32 bit asp.net application to a 64 bit OS platform? Apart from ASP.net app we have bunch of WCF services?”

Kindly let us know your opinions/thoughts in the comments section!

WinX HD Video Converter for Mac is an easy-to-use solution for Mac users to convert Multi-track HD video M2TS, MKV, AVCHD, HDTV BDTV, BDAV, MPEG-TS videos. It can also convert video files to the video formats that playable on both portable and console players, such as iPad, iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, PS3, PSP, Xbox, Zune, PDA, Blackberry, Nokia, Android, Zen, etc. It works on Mac OS with powerful functions.

To get the full version for free, please download this program and register with this License Code: WINXMC-2010-3721-GIVEAWAY.

Note: This giveaway starts from June 9, 2010 and will expire at 12:00AM GMT July 1, 2010. During this period, you can get the full version for free. If you have any suggestion or question regarding the giveaway version, please feel free to email at contact@winxdvd.com.

Courtesy: Sophia, Digiarty Software, Inc.

You would be interested to read  -

• Whats new in iPhone 4.0 OS?
• How to remotely connect to a Windows Machine from a MAC?

The Windows 7 Training Kit for Developers includes presentations, hands-on labs, and demos. This content is based on Windows 7 RTM and it is designed to help you learn how to build applications that are compatible with and shine on Windows 7 by utilizing key Windows 7 features such as Taskbar, Libraries, Multi Touch, Sensors and Location, Ribbon, Trigger Start Services, Instrumentation and ETW.

And Application Compatibility topics such as Version Checking, Installer Detection, UAC Data Redirection, User Interface Privilege Isolation,  Session 0 Isolation and High DPI.

Download the Windows 7 Training Kit for Developers here (Courtesy – MSDN)

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7
• Windows 7 SDK
• Visual Studio 2008
• Windows Code Pack API for .NET Framework
• Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 (or higher)

Also read – Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.5 Guides / How To Tutorials

 In The Essentials Series: Strategies for Cloud Storage, Data Protection, and Disaster Recovery book, IT author and strategist Don Jones examines the new approaches and capabilities offered by cloud storage and cloud-based data protection solutions. He offers a look at these solutions’ challenges, and outlines specific considerations that businesses have to keep in mind when using them. Finally, he provides a framework for basic storage strategies that incorporate cloud technologies, positioning you to begin researching a solution that truly meets your business needs.

This ebook contains the following articles,

1. What Can Cloud Storage Really Do For You?
2. Challenges and Special Considerations for Cloud Storage
3. Leveraging the Cloud for Storage and Disaster Recovery: Three Practical Strategies

Download the complete ebook today!

Note: You will need to create a profile in Realtime Nexus (The Digital Library) when you click the above link.

Courtesy: Realtime Nexus Alerts

If you want to understand the popular Cloud Computing stacks including Amazon Web Services, Google App Engine and Microsoft Windows Azure. These videos and ebook will give you an overview of Cloud Computing and Windows Azure – Check it out here

You would also be interested in downloading these e-books:

• Understanding Microsoft Virtualization R2 Solutions from Microsoft Press
• The Shortcut Guide to Centralized SharePoint Administration
• The Definitive Guide to Application Performance Management
• The Shortcut Guide to Data Center Energy Efficiency
• Complete ebook – Using e-Documents for Collaboration

Google Apps is a web-based suite of messaging and collaboration applications. It’s all hosted by Google, and designed with security and reliability in mind, saving your company the frustrations and hassles of managing traditional IT solutions yourself. 

“Well, How Secure is Google Apps??” I reckon, most of us ask this question whenever someone talks about the cost saving features and other capabilities Google Apps provide. Indeed, there is nothing wrong in worrying about the security of ’your’ Data.  Also, with so many corporates Going Google, this question become a very valid one.

Google has released a white paper to give enterprise customers greater transparency into Google’s security practices, policies, and technology involving Google Apps.

Download the Google Apps security white paper to understand more [pdf format]

Google Team says, “Feeling comfortable storing data in the cloud involves trusting a cloud services provider and the practices and policies they have in place. In today’s ultra-connected, web-capable world, understanding how data will be protected is ultimately more meaningful than knowing it is physically located in one data center or another.”

Also, Google stores customer data in fragments across multiple servers and across multiple data centers to both enhance reliability and provide greater security than can be achieved by storing all data on a single server. When only fragments are kept in any one place, the chance that a possible physical or computer-based compromise could result in the loss of meaningful information is greatly reduced. Read more at the Official Google Enterprise Blog

If you are looking at Implementing Google Apps in your organization / your domain, I recommend you read The Google Apps Deployment Planning Steps and Use-Case Scenarios for more information!

You would also be interested to read -

• How to Create a Contact Page or a Survey Feedback Form using Google Docs
• How to Create an Online Powerpoint Presentation With Google Docs