What happens when the big boss or HR delivers a honky piece of new software for you to install and manage? No prob. You've done this about a billion times.
But what happens when this new product is designed to spy on employees -- including you, your staff and all the execs?
Often there is no training, no clear policies and no guide to follow when entrusted to monitor the online activities of others. Sure, you can evaluate and install the software. And if forced to, you can even manage it (click here for some pointers on how to do this).
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Posted by Doug Barney on 07/23/20121 comments
Microsoft Azure keeps growing into a fuller and fuller cloud platform. The latest addition is what actually sounds like a narrow piece of function, Windows Azure Active Directory (which has the unfortunate acronym of WAAD).
This WAAD, first shown last month in a developer preview, supports directory services such as identity management and will eventually be WAADed up into Azure itself.
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Posted by Doug Barney on 07/20/20121 comments
Ex-Microsoft exec Paul Maritz is now ex-CEO of VMware.
Some see the move as indication that Maritz failed to keep Hyper-V at bay. The Microsoft hypervisor is absolutely on the move. My guess, the replacement with Pat Gelsinger, COO at VMware parent EMC, is a move by EMC to exert more control.
If any clown tells you that Maritz did a poor job, feel free to laugh in their fool face. First off, VMware is making gobs of money, and the latest quarter, announced alongside Maritz's departure, was a stunnerwith a record-breaking $1.1 billion in revenue. That's a run rate of over $4 billion a year.
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Posted by Doug Barney on 07/20/20120 comments
Readers share their early impressions of Microsoft's upcoming OS:
It's going to be hugely successful!
I don't understand why you say, 'However, Metro is only good for touch -- don't even think about upgrading desktops.' What is wrong with Metro on a desktop? You (and some of your readers) keep saying that, but I have been using it on a desktop and I don't see the problem.
-Stuart
I just received and read your latest Redmond Report newsletter. Overall, I like Windows 8. The one thing that I really do not like is the lack of the Start button on the Desktop interface. As you pointed out in your newsletter, I am not even thinking of upgrading machines here -- in fact, I can't see Windows 8 on anything that doesn't have a touch screen -- and that includes our laptops as well. I believe the omission of the Start button will hinder early sales of Windows 8 on desktop and laptop machines until organizations and individuals begin in earnest to migrate to newer touch-screen equipped machines and significant numbers of mainstream applications are adapted to run under the Metro interface.
-jr
I am a technology director for a district of 27,000 students. I have spent about three months using Windows 8, and I felt I became fairly proficient with the OS. However, there is no way I dare to start any kind of upgrade within the next year or maybe even two. The learning curve is too big for teachers (not students), and it would be a nightmare to try and provide training for an OS. I've worked with teachers and Windows since Windows 3.1 (and used DOS before that). I think this is the biggest change since moving from DOS to Windows 3.1.
-Charlie
My vote on Windows 8 is that it will be a winner. When Apple introduced the latest iPad, I figured it was finally time to get one. Still, I held off hoping that there was going to be some compelling reason to have it, not just because everyone else says I should have one.
I am glad I did. I am really looking forward to having a tablet that can also function as a regular PC -- at least if you believe the hype. I hope it lives up. I am definitely holding off on an iPad until I get a look, even if it means being jeered for not keeping up with the times.
-Mark
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Posted by Doug Barney on 07/18/20122 comments
Next up to bat in my series of Q&A blog posts is cert master James Carrion of Mountain View Systems. Here's some of his thoughts on why increasing your Active Directory knowledge is key for IT
Q: What are your thoughts on the value of certifications in today's IT job market?
A: Any technical certification serves two purposes. First, it's a resume stacker -- the certified in one pile, the not certified in another. Second, it indicates to prospective employers the exposure level of a job candidate to a particular technology. It's easy to pad your resume with technologies you allege to have experience with, but having the certification shows that you spent time learning the product in order to pass the certification exam. It doesn't attest to your level of proficiency, as that can only be ascertained during a technology interview, but it does provide a useful measure to find the most qualified candidates.
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Posted by Doug Barney on 07/18/20120 comments
I'm both old enough and lucky enough to remember Windows NT. I watched as it mopped the floor up with Netware. Many thought Microsoft broke every antitrust law in the book to do so. I might have agreed until I remembered the very first demo of the server operating system. I thought it odd that the interface was identical to the Windows desktop interface. It was that familiarity and interoperability that ultimately made NT a better fit -- at least in my estimation. Novell experts are welcome to define me as the dummy I may be at [email protected].
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Posted by Doug Barney on 07/18/201210 comments
If there is any doubt that Microsoft is serious about making and selling its own tablets, the acquisition of Perceptive Pixel Inc. should put that to rest. The doubt comes in the form of those who think Microsoft announced a line of Surface tablets just to needle OEMs into getting more aggressive with their own tablet plans. Buying hardware companies doesn't quite fit that theory.
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Posted by Doug Barney on 07/16/20120 comments
Windows 8 code will be essentially locked down early next month and ready for all to buy in October. Windows Server 2012 is on the same exact ship track.
For the last few days I've been completely steeped in all things Windows 8. I'm writing a big feature story about the OS based on your experiences with the beta, a story you'll get to read in our September issue of Redmond.
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Posted by Doug Barney on 07/16/20125 comments
Nokia just saw its stock reach junk status. Yahoo goes through CEOs faster than Egypt goes through parliaments. And Barnes & Noble has been looking for a lifeline for the last two years.
What do these three companies have in common? They are all critical Microsoft partners.
Redmond's back-page columnist is scratching her head, wondering why Microsoft picks these guys first when any other player would choose them last.
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Posted by Doug Barney on 07/11/20125 comments
Recently I argued that the Microsoft Surface, being both a tablet and a full PC, is twice as good as an iPad. The iPad is cool and super stable with an unbelievable design, but only does so much. The surface won't be nearly as elegant, nearly as well executed, but will be a true workhouse.
Half of you believe me an idiot, the other thought I might be onto something (sounds like home). Need proof? Here you go.
Apple made a concerted decision not to build a computer but a pure tablet. And for me, that's the problem. I want the opposite. I want Apple to rethink its strategy and start building a Mac tablet (if it hasn't done so already). Now I know Apple's stock is bigger than Donald Trump's ego, but even though I think the Win 8 Surface will be superior for the enterprise user, the Mac tablet would be superior by virtue of better execution and design.
Just as the iPad is an opportunity for the Surface, the Surface is an opportunity for a Mac Tab.
To be clear, from just a tablet perspective, the iPad will, in all likelihood, be far better than Win 8 tablets. Fortunately for Redmond, I don't think that's the game it's planning to play.
This one is going to be fun.
From a pure tablet standpoint, how does Windows 8 stack up? Give it to us straight at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 07/11/201211 comments
Readers share their thoughts on Microsoft's announced $40 upgrade price for Windows 8:
I've used the Windows 8 Preview and if given a copy, I would throw it in the trash. No, I would not pay $40 for the 'privilege' of running Windows 8. Without a touch screen, Windows 8 is a dog, and I can't see using a touch screen on the desktop. Hasn't MS tried that one before (Surface, anyone)?
-Bob
As I test Windows 8 Release Preview in a VM environment, I'm astonished that Microsoft is betting the farm on this OS. It's so radically different, so bolted together with pieces/parts (like pseudo desktop), and so unintuitive with mouse-over functions that I have to believe there will be widespread consumer revolt when customers open their new PCs in the fall and find Windows 8 on them. They will go running back to the store and demand Windows 7. Microsoft is going to have to do much better messaging and training to convince people to make this leap. Without a better OS to sell, Windows 8 is the next Microsoft Bob.
-Tom
Win 8 is pretty cool on a tablet, and I've been using it for several months now. However, that being said, I'm not too happy about it on the desktop nor am I happy about the loss of the start button and aero theme. So for now I will stay with Win 7 on the desktop and will be using Win 8 on the tablet. I'm also looking forward to Windows Phone 8 devices and the added functionality that should come with it. So in summary: Metro/Win 8 on the phone and tablet -- cool; Win 8/Server 2012 on the desktop -- jury's still out.
-Tom
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Posted by Doug Barney on 07/10/20121 comments