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March 31
Easy to install, configure, and manage, Trend Micro Internet Security for Windows 7 protects your home network, personal identity, and online activities against viruses, spyware, identity theft and other present and future web threats. Confidently e-mail, shop, bank, or share photos online, knowing your privacy and files are well protected.
Update your links/feeds: MSDN has announced their Windows 7 Blog for Developers is moving.
March 30
Many I.T. professionaly tend to assume everyone knows how to use a word processor or spreadsheet. So when Microsoft Office 2007 was released, most training simply focused on how the Office 2007 upgrade was different from previous Office XP & Office 2003 versions.
However, there still are many people learning these skills for the very first time; essentially learning Office 2007 from scratch. So for these new users, Microsoft has released free Office 2007 "First Steps" Training. (Thanks John)
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Excel - Spreadsheet Software
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March 29
So when I was asked why Xobni wasn't listed here at the "Road to Know Where", I was truly surprised I had forgetten to include Xobni. After all, I too have been using Xobni for over a year!
Xobni Outlook Add-in Features:
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Lightning-Fast Email Search - Search email & people faster than you can type.
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Stay in Touch - Contact info, profile pictures, company info, job titles. All organized. Automatically.
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Discover Connections - Xobni searches the web for information about your contacts. Facebook, LinkedIn, Hoovers information & more, brought into Outlook.
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Threaded Conversations - Email how it was meant to be read, with conversations in context.
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Find Attachments - Historical attachments available instantly without searching.
* Microsoft Xobni Fans:
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MSDN = 14 Xobni Users: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14
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Technet = 8 Xobni Users: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8
March 28
New features and enhancments including DirectAccess, BranchCache, VPN Reconnect, mobile broadband device support, URL-based QoS, DNSSEC, and support for green computing.
According to IDC , the third quarter of 2008 marked the point at which computer manufacturers began shipping more mobile computers than desktop computers worldwide. In 2008, mobile workers will be 26.8% of the worldwide workforce, and that number will increase to 30.4% by 2011—about one billion employees . This transition is a clear indicator of the desire of users to be more mobile, whether working while traveling or simply working at home.
More users are working from branch offices, too. The changing structure of business puts more pressure on IT professionals to provide a flexible and secure infrastructure for connecting remote users and branch offices while minimizing costs.
Microsoft has designed the Windows 7 & Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems to help users get the experience of working on a local area network even when they’re not in the central office. Windows 7 networking also improves the security and manageability of all connected users. This document provides an overview of those features.
- DirectAccess increases remote user productivity by enabling remote users to seamlessly and securely access the corporate network any time they have an Internet connection, without requiring a virtual private network (VPN) connection. DirectAccess also enhances the security and flexibility of the corporate network infrastructure, enabling IT professionals to remotely manage and update corporate computers whenever they connect to the Internet—even when users are not logged in.
- BranchCache - In branch office scenarios, where slow application response times can hurt user productivity, optimizing network bandwidth usage and improving application responsiveness is a key challenge. BranchCache improves the responsiveness of intranet applications for remote offices while simultaneously reducing wide area network (WAN) utilization. BranchCache keeps a local copy of data that clients access from remote Web and file servers. The cache can be placed on a hosted server located in the branch office, or it can reside on users’ individual computers. If another client requests the same file, the client downloads it across the local network without having to retrieve it over the WAN. BranchCache ensures that only authorized clients can access requested data and is compatible with secure data retrieval over SSL or IPsec.
- VPN Reconnect provides seamless and consistent VPN connectivity by automatically re-establishing a VPN connection if users temporarily lose their Internet connection. For example, if a user connected over mobile broadband passes through an area without reception, Windows 7 will automatically re-connect any active VPN connections once Internet connectivity is re-established.
- Mobile Broadband - Windows 7 provides plug-and-play access and a consistent user interface for mobile broadband connectivity whether a user connects with a built-in or external wireless broadband data card. With Mobile Broadband, Windows 7 removes the requirement for any additional software to connect to mobile broadband networks.
- URL-based Quality of Service (QoS) - Windows 7 & Windows Server 2008 R2 enable IT administrators to use Group Policy settings to prioritize Web traffic based on a URL. With URL-based QoS, IT administrators can ensure critical Web traffic receives appropriate prioritization, improving performance on busy networks.
- DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) - Supporting DNSSEC enables Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 computers to authenticate DNS servers, which mitigates man-in-the-middle attacks. A man-in-the-middle attack redirects clients to a malicious server, which can allow an attacker to intercept passwords or confidential data.
- Support for Green Computing - With improved Wake on LAN (WoL) support, Windows 7 computers can reduce electricity consumption by going to sleep and staying asleep longer. Fine-grain control over wake-up packets keeps the PC asleep longer. Protocol offload to the network adapter allows a sleeping PC to remain reachable by network management tools without being woken up. Windows 7 also supports Wake on Wireless LAN (WoWLAN), which extends sleep scenarios to wireless client computers.
Windows 7 can also reduce energy consumption by turning off power to the network adapter when the cable is disconnected. When the user connects a cable, power is automatically restored.
March 27
RemindMe Add-in will send an email reminder (including location & meeting subject) whenever a reminder is shown.
Created to use with your text message address, so you will receive a reminder whenever Outlook is running. Even if you are not at your PC. (Thanks D-Hattaway)
March 25
Microsoft has released Learning Snack #1 training entitled "Introducing Windows 7" based upon their popular TechNet "Springboard Series" for IT Professionals. (Thanks Ken)
Introducing Windows 7
- Benefits of Windows 7
- Improved Accessibility
- Enhanced Security
- Imporved Operation Efficiency
- Managing Images Using DISM
- Learn More
March 23
Power Pack 2 for Windows Home Server updates Windows Home Server with the following new features and fixes:
Windows Media Center Connector
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Computers running Windows Media Center can now view recorded TV content that is stored on your home server by using the recorded TV gallery.
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Windows Media Center music, photos, videos, and recorded TV libraries are automatically updated to include the Music, Photos, Videos, and Recorded TV shared folders on your home server.
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Media Center Extenders that are connected to a computer running Windows Media Center can now access content on your home server without using the guest account.
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You can control the shared folders on your home server that Media Center Extenders can access by using the Windows Home Server Console. To do this, on the console, click Settings, and then click Windows Media Center.
Media Sharing
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Support for MP4 audio and video files is added.
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Content that is stored on your home server and that is shared via Windows Media Connect, including files with extensions .mp4, .m4v, .m4b and .m4a, now appears in the music or video library with title, artist, composer, album, and genre metadata.
Remote Access
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The Remote Access Settings page is redesigned to make it easier to use.
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A Web-hosted diagnostic service is used to more accurately test whether remote connectivity is available from outside the home network.
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There are new and improved initial configuration and repair wizards.
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There is better troubleshooting guidance for common home networking issues that can prevent Remote Access from working properly.
Home Computer Backup
Home Server Backup
Server Storage and Shared Folders
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It is now easier to copy large files or folders from a home computer running the Windows Vista operating system to a shared folder on your home server. Previously, the file size was limited by the free space on the primary hard drive of your home server. With this update, the file size is limited to the free space on the target hard drives that are connected to your home server.
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The number of notification messages about files that are stored in shared folders is reduced. Previously, these notifications may have caused high CPU utilization on your home server for applications that access these files. After this update is installed, applications such as the software for the Microsoft Zune digital media player no longer consume excessive processor resources.
Microsoft has begun releasing information on their official Windows 7 training courses. (Thanks Ken)
At Course Completion
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Discuss configuration of the UAC elevation prompt
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Explain BitLocker Data Encryption for removable storage devices
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Summarize how to create and enforce AppLocker rules
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Describe how Windows Defender helps to improve security on a computer
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Describe how DirectAccess helps improve the connectivity experience for remote users
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Explain how caching works to help make users in a branch office more productive
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Summarize how to use libraries and search to organize and find information
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Describe how taskbar and Control Panel improvements bring together common tasks and information to reduce clutter and improve navigation
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Explain how to perform a Windows Backup and Restore
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Describe troubleshooting enhancements including the Problem Steps Recorder, unified tracing concepts, Performance Monitor, and Windows PowerShell 2.0
At Hands-On Lab Completion
- Configure User Account Control.
- Utilize the User Account Type and Elevation Prompt.
- Configure Local Security Policy.
- Configure Windows Firewall.
- Create AppLocker Rules and configure enforcement.
- Configure Windows Defender.
- Set indexing locations and modify advanced options.
- Execute searches form multiple locations.
- Create a library and set security permissions.
- Create and deploy a search connector.
- Use the built-in diagnostics tools to diagnose and resolve system problems.
- Use Performance Monitor to collect system performance information.
- Configure the Action Center and view messages.
- Examine events in Event Viewer and create a custom view.
- Configure Device Manager and control device installation.
- Run Windows PowerShell commands.
- Configure Backup and Restore option.
- Configure the Sync Center.
Recently one of my favorite Microsoft technologies, Silverlight, announced their version 3.0 update. One new cool feature is Silverlight's "Out of Browser" experience called "Sloob!"
The "Out of Browser" feature is also known as an "Off Line Application" -- so I guess the new Silverlight feature could have been called "Slola" (^_^)
March 22
My friend Mike asked if there were AntiVirus & Security software compatible with Windows 7 -- the answer of course, is - Yes!
AVG Internet Security - Comprehensive real-time protection against all internet threats (including antivirus and antispyware. ( $54.99 or 30-Day Trialware) AVG Anti-Virus - Maximum antivirus and antispyware protection ( $34.99 or 30-Day Trialware)
Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows 7 - technical preview is a complex solution for securing computers running under Windows 7. The prototype includes not only an antivirus component but an effective and fully functional firewall and anti-spam filter.
McAfee Total Protection Beta - now provides you with protection against viruses, identity theft, spyware, hackers and online scams on Windows 7 Beta. McAfee Total Protection (MTP Suite) includes:
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McAfee Security Centre
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VirusScan Online
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McAfee Personal Firewall
Symantec's Norton 360 Version 3.0 - Protect your PC, files, and identity with the industry’s fastest, lightest, most complete security solution. ( $79.99 - 1 year protection for up to 3 PCs or 30-Day Trialware)
March 21 Internet Explorer 8 is Microsoft's latest version of the familiar web browser you are most comfortable using, helping you get everything you want from the web faster, easier, more privately and securely than ever before. . .
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Faster - Internet Explorer 8 is more responsive with new pages and tabs, opening up fast and reliably. You can now get to the information you care about most, in fewer steps; one click access to your webmail, favorite news sites or other online services.
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Easier - Reduce the steps to accomplish many common tasks, and automate your access to real time information updates. You can keep track of your favorite sports team, news, weather with a single click.
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More Private - Helps protect your privacy and confidential information where ever you go on the web.
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More Secure - Helps protect and stop malicious software from reaching your PC, and makes it easier to detect when a website is an imposter.
Internet Explorer Application Compatibility VPC Image - VPC Hard Disk Image for testing websites with different Internet Explorer versions on Windows XP and Windows Vista. ( NOTE: The Windows XP VPC image expires April 30, 2009, the Windows Vista VPC image expires 120 days after first run)
QUICK FEATURE VIDEOS ~1 Minute
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Web Slices: a piece of the Internet, whenever you need it (1:04)
DOCUMENTATION:
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Internet Explorer 8 Desktop Security Guide examines some of these new features and settings that you can modify to provide a more "locked down" security configuration. This white paper is structured to provide a description and review of the settings and features the paper discusses. Microsoft recommendations for enhancing the default security settings in some common deployment scenarios are also provided.
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Windows Internet Explorer 8 highlights ways that Internet Explorer 8 makes browsing faster, easier, and safer than earlier versions of Internet Explorer.
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DEPLOYMENT RESOURCES:
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Group Policy Settings Reference for Windows Internet Explorer 8 spreadsheet lists the policy settings for computer and user configurations included in the administrative template files (admx/adml) delivered with Windows Internet Explorer 8. The policy settings included in this spreadsheet cover Internet Explorer 5, Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8. These files are used to expose policy settings when you edit Group Policy objects (GPOs) using Group Policy Object Editor (also known as GPEdit).
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Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK) 8 simplifies the creation, deployment and management of customized Internet Explorer 8 packages. IEAK 8 can be used to configure the out-of-box Internet Explorer 8 experience or to manage user settings after Internet Explorer 8 deployment.
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Internet Explorer 8 Deployment Guide documents the options and processes involved in deploying Internet Explorer 8 to users’ computers that are running Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 in a network environment.
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Techniques for Preinstalling Windows Internet Explorer 8 whitepaper provides information and instructions necessary for IT Professionals to preinstall the Windows Internet Explorer 8 Internet browser, as well as any additional Internet components on earlier operating systems that are supported. Also, this document provides a list of unattend settings that can be used to automate configuration and deployment of Internet Explorer 8.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
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Internet Explorer on MSDN -
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INTERNET EXPLORER 8 ADD-ONS:
ADDITIONAL DOWNLOADS:
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AdBlockIE is an ad-blocker inspired by Firefox's Adblock and Noscript. AdblockIE blocks offsite JavaScript and filters images, Flash, and frames. ( TechNet Recommended)
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StoringProfile.zip -- In this sample we will use cookies to store the user profile in the website, and retrieve later the same information from within the Web Slice.
FormsAuthentication.zip -- In this sample we use ASP.Net Membership to store in a secure way (using cookies) the user credentials. For the sake of this demo, we will use an e-mail scenario where the user needs to authenticate with the web server in order to see his emails.
HttpsDigestAuth.zip -- In this demo we show you how to secure a Web site using HTTPS + Digest authentication. The same process is valid when using HTTPS + Basic or HTTP + Digest authentication.
FEEDBACK
HUMOR:
March 19
"Today Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of Windows Internet Explorer 8, the new Web browser that offers the best solution for how people use the Web today. It can be downloaded in 25 languages starting at noon EDT on March 19."
March 18
WorldWide Telescope Online Features:
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Access to hundreds of terabytes of sky, earth and planet data
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Ability to navigate seamlessly through 3D spherical environments
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Finder Scope to quickly identify astronomical objects
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Instant thumbnail previews of tens of thousands of popular astronomical objects
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Access to billions of objects in web-based astronomical catalogue
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Loading tours, images and other WorldWide Telescope data files on local machine
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Real-time positions of planets and moons
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Move forwards and backwards in time 2000 years
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View guided tours (without 3D planets)
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Browsing local user collections
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Virtual Observatory Cone search/registry look up and SIMBAD search
March 17
How often have you sent an email and forgot to include your file attachment(s)??
Outlook Attachment Reminder's logic is very simple: it searches for words like attachment, attached etc. and if they exist, it checks if there are any files attached. If not, it will prompt with a message box allowing you to add the missing file attachment(s).
March 16
Microsoft's Template Partner, Vertex42, has released eight free financial calclators to help you "know what your money is up to."
These calculators work in Excel 2003 and Excel 2007 can make quick work of tracking and forecasting home mortgage, home equity, auto loan, 401K, simple loan, savings, credit card payoff, and mortgage payments. (Thanks Holly)
Click Here for All Free Microsoft Office 2007 Software & Resources
ClearContext Personal- a free Outlook add-in to organize your email and make your inbox better. (Thanks Roberto)
Instantly file and organize email
ClearContext keeps your messages organized by automatically suggesting the right folders to instantly file messages and entire conversations with a single click.
ClearContext highlights the most important messages in your Inbox from your most important contacts.
Easily follow the conversation with a threaded conversation view as part of each email message.
Browse pictures and documents
Attachments and contacts right at your fingertips! ClearContext lets you instantly:
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See attachments and contacts from emails in each folder.
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Sort, save, and forward those attachments.
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Create distribution lists, meeting requests, etc. from those contacts.
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Explore and preview attachments within Outlook just like folders on your desktop.
Clean up cluttered inboxes
Unsubscribe from conversations you don't want to see in your Inbox.
Too many status and notification emails in your inbox? Many people's inboxes are clogged with email like:
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Notifications from online services
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Automated log and alert emails from IT applications
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Receipts and status from e-commerce sites
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Notification Managers automatically move these emails out of your inbox into a categorized view so you can quickly process notifications without constant interruptions. Use ClearContext templates or easily create your own customized notification managers.
March 12
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Delete / Archive
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Delegate
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Respond
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Defer
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Do
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Tools 
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