Q&A With Gary Olsen: Active Directory

Gary Olsen, a solution architect for Hewlett-Packard's Technology Services organization, a Redmond magazine contributor and a Microsoft MVP,  takes some time to answer some of my questions on the status and future of Active Directory.

And for those attending this year's TechMentor conference, don't forget to catch Gary's speaking engagements.  

Posted by Doug Barney on 07/10/20120 comments

Q&A With Mark Minasi: Evaluating the Private Cloud

Mark Minasi is one of those Microsoft MVPs that does it all – he's a  technical consultant, a speaker and an  author of over 40 books relating to Microsoft and IT.

So to say that his opinion carries some weight is an understatement. I recently got the chance to pick Mark's brain on the emergence of the private cloud and what kind of impact it has for your shop.

Also, if you want to hear Mark's often opinionated (and usually right) thoughts for yourself, check out his speaking gig at this year's TechMentor conference.

Posted by Doug Barney on 07/09/20120 comments

Win 8 Will Run You $40

Microsoft really wants you to buy Windows 8. How much? You can upgrade to the professional version for just $40. The poor saps who bought Vista had to shell out a minimum of $120 to get off that load and onto the proper Windows 7 (most were probably happy to pay it!).

My guess is the dirt cheapness is because Win 8 doesn't compete with the Mac or desktop Linux. Microsoft is now entering the tablet wars and it wants a coalition willing to resist the charms of the iPad and the low price of Android.

Posted by Doug Barney on 07/09/20128 comments

Patch if You Can Connect

I know that  the Internet sky crashed to fell down today because of DNSChanger, but on the off chance you are online and reading this, there are three critical patches to install tomorrow and six important ones to get to sometime after. When exactly is for you to decide.

The tired old record you know so well is remote code execution (RCE). Two of the three critical RCE items impact Windows, while the third goes after both Windows and IE. A double threat. Find out more here.

Posted by Doug Barney on 07/09/20120 comments

.NET Framework Repair Tool Ready To Drive

Microsoft last week released a do-it-yourself kit to keep .NET Framework 4.0 happily up and running.

The tool is pretty narrow in focus, rectifying known update and setup issues reaching back to XP SP 3 and Windows Server 2003 SP2.

Posted by Doug Barney on 07/09/20120 comments

Q&A with Don Jones: Why Care About PowerShell?

You probably know Don from his Redmond magazine column, his blog here on Redmondmag.com or have seen him speak at our TechMentor conference. And if you know Don, you know he's passionate about PowerShell. I recently got the chance to ask him a bit more about why he feels so strongly that PowerShell is a must-have skill for Windows IT pros.

Posted by Doug Barney on 07/03/20120 comments

BYOD Equals BYOL (Buy Yourself Another License)

Our ace Redmond Web news maven Kurt Mackie recently analyzed what BYOD means for software licensing. At first I wondered why he bothered. Isn't it the same as a corporate device? Turns out it can be, but not necessarily, and the differences are worthy of your study. Don't get it right and you could be wasting money, or worse, not be in compliance and have the licensing cops pay you a visit.

Posted by Doug Barney on 07/02/20121 comments

Schools Get Office 365 for Free

Speaking of education, Microsoft just announced that schools can get Office 365  for free. The news comes as a sort of celebration for the one-year anniversary of the cloud suite.

Posted by Doug Barney on 07/02/20120 comments

Facebook Steps Back From Way Over the Line

Facebook has been kind of messing up lately -- however, not enough to take back Mark Zuckerberg's recently minted billions or its social media dominance.

Timeline, to me and millions of others, is the worst interface since Office Bob. Privacy doesn't even seem to be an afterthought. And if you want dirt from the past, there's a new book chock full of dirty little secrets.

Posted by Doug Barney on 07/02/20121 comments

Greek Idiots Attack Microsoft Building

Three idiots drove a van straight into  the Greek Microsoft Headquarters, pulled weapons on security personnel and attempted to burn the largely concrete structure before fleeing. As a result, it is not clear which of the world's ills these morons are upset with.

What is clear is the Greek economy is in a heap of trouble, and a thriving company like Microsoft is only there to help. Not sure trying to drive it out of business is such a sharp plan.

Posted by Doug Barney on 06/29/20128 comments

Zeus-Style Worm Rips off Banks, Finance Houses

I may be naïve, but I find it hard to believe that malware (especially automated malware) in these days of layered protection, can steal millions upon millions of dollars from highly successful financial institutions.

But that is precisely the claim of McAfee and Guardian Analytics, who just published a report on the subject that printed loss figures (but didn't name the names of those companies who got hacked).

Posted by Doug Barney on 06/29/20125 comments

A Drop Out Lectures on Education

Six years ago I suggested that Bill Gates run for President. I was serious. Gates knows business, and through his foundation, knows world affairs.

He also knows education, which is why I was interested to see a recent article on the subject  in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Education today is, in many ways, stagnant. Too much of what we do is because that's the way we've always done it. Does every high school kid have to read "A Catcher in the Rye" and "The Great Gatsby"?

Posted by Doug Barney on 06/29/20123 comments