01/01/2008
January 2008 - Infrastructure Optimization for IT
Can infrastructure optimization (IO) cure IT complexity? Also in this issue: the 2008 Redmond Editors' Choice Awards; Google tries to undermine Microsoft with open source; readers review PowerPoint 2007; and much more!
In-Depth
With Service Pack 1 out, admins should know that there are a few tricks to updating clustered Exchange 2007 servers the right way. Here's a guide.
Here are our selections for the products we believe you just can't live without.
SmartArt and other new features clinch its spot as the must-have presentation tool.
While it soft pedals direct competition with Microsoft, the search giant quietly keeps working on open source projects designed to undermine its archrival.
Infrastructure Optimization is Microsoft's shot at an IT maturity model. It may not be a panacea, but it can help streamline IT operations.
Product Reviews
Tired of your users blaming Citrix for connection problems? EdgeSight can help you get a handle on what's really going on.
Barney's Rubble
Infrastructure optimization is more than just another way for Microsoft to pitch its products.
Beta Man
Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 targets the enterprise and broadens SoftGrid's availability.
Foley on Microsoft
Here's hoping that Microsoft doesn't fall for the bait.
Letters to Redmond
Plus, readers share their thoughts on Microsoft's monolopy, Vista and pet peeves.
Mr. Roboto
This month, more fun with group membership with Mr. Roboto's Group Reporter HTA.
Never Again
Things fall apart before an admin's first security inspection.
Security Advisor
Data security becomes an even bigger concern when users go mobile. Here are some ways to keep your mobile data safe.
Security Watch
Plus: SonicWALL exposes VPN; Microsoft kills 'kill switch'; ESPN sports bad code; more.
Windows Insider
It'll be time to upgrade once Windows Server 2008 enters the picture.
News
Microsoft bids $1.2 billion for Norwegian search company to shore up search technology.
Despite slow acceptance, some say it's still too soon to write off the new Windows operating system as a failure.
Browser-based attacks, bot vector incursions, targeted phishing, mobile hacking and insider espionage rank as top five security menaces for 2008.
Following reports that Microsoft released "Milestone 1" for Windows 7 to several partners, TG Daily reports that software will get released in late 2009.
Microsoft's Learning Group closes beta testing on several new Windows Server 2008 exams, with release soon after the software launches next month.
Experts believe the rising number of exploits targeting Excel gives hackers incentive to continually exploit applications -- rather than operating systems -- for flaws.
'Green' data centers are budget- and earth-friendly, study finds.
Microsoft delivers a better, more administrator-friendly firewall with Windows Server 2008.
Court oversight of Microsoft Corp.'s market power, which began in 2002 after a landmark antitrust settlement, has been extended by 18 months.
New APIs that will make security settings easier for developers, particularly for those writing code to run on Windows Server 2008, Vista and XP SP3.
Microsoft now says it will allow more versions of the desktop OS to be virtualized.
Microsoft Learning Group continues popular program another three months.
Microsoft this week said it intends to redouble (or retriple) its commitment to education through its Partners in Learning program.
Microsoft and Citrix have banded together even more tightly in the virtualization space, hoping to take on industry leader VMware.
ChangeWave says Apple's Leopard operating system gets high marks from consumers, with Vista editions trailing the pack.