08/01/2005
August 2005 - Mr. Windows
Jim Allchin on Longhorn, WinFS, 64-bit and beyond; Plus: Make room for Linux Apps, Active Directory design disasters and much more.
In-Depth
Need to go deep and seize control of your Windows systems? One of these tools can help you perfect the art of scripting.
Microsoft's IM environment has matured into an enterprise-class tool, but it packs in more features than most users really need.
As Linux applications grow in popularity, Windows admins will need to start incorporating them into their networks. Here are five ways to do that.
Learn how to do Active Directory design right from these real-world case studies of those who have done it wrong.
Don Jones takes a look at the new features that will be included in the new Windows operating system, slated for release in late 2006.
Jim Allchin, considered by many as the father of NT and the brains behind Longhorn, talks about the future of rich clients and why you should trust Microsoft to power your next PC.
Product Reviews
User Manager Pro helps you keep tabs on your admin tasks.
How well do you know your network? NetSupport DNA will give you the complete picture.
VMware puts on a stellar
virtualization performance with its latest version of Workstation.
Barney's Rubble
Microsoft's desktop monopoly may not last forever, at least not for Redmond's editor in chief.
Beta Man
Well worth the wait, Beta Man looks at what can be expected with the next version of SQL Server.
Letters to Redmond
Linux in a Redmond book; impressive Q&As and a reader who disagreed with our Security Advisor's opinion about DMZs.
Mr. Script
A script that uses Devcon.exe to disable dirty connections when the computer is connected to the corporate (private) network, compliments of a Mr. Script reader.
Security Advisor
After years of unfulfilled promises, biometrics products are finally entering the mainstream. Here's a look at some of the most common solutions offered and how they measure up against each other.
Ten
Amid the Internet blog din you can find a few gems, including these, many of which are written by Microsoft employees sharing inside dope and insightful tips.
Windows Insider
Bill Boswell covers Microsoft's DPM in his last column as Redmond says a fond farewell to its favorite Windows Insider.
News
From the business wires this week: management systems for Group Policy-based patching and user access control, a backup and recovery program for Novell NetWare servers, and more.
From the business wires this week: a database development suite for Windows XP, an enterprise defragmentation solution, a Windows Server security appliance and more.
This year’s winners in Microsoft Excel and Word Specialist exams hail from Switzerland and England.
Microsoft outsources its global training program to Certiport, based on its success with Microsoft Office Specialist.
The second coming of Microsoft's MCP exam retake promotion is coming to an end on August 31, 2005.
Biometric firm that once targeted government now looks to partners to address SMBs.
From the business wires this week:
Systems Management Server 2003 exam being beta tested from Aug. 8 to Aug. 22. Will count toward MCSE and new Technology Specialist cert.
From the business wires this week: pre-configured Microsoft Exchange 2003 migration packages, a software deployment solution, an automated disk defragger and a search engine for Microsoft Exchange.
Microsoft sees desktop tech cert catching on, with the company issuing more than 8,000 Microsoft Certified Desktop Technician titles as of June this year.
Who says you have to wait for Longhorn to get those features?
Microsoft is changing IE, the OS and RSS itself to change the way users interact with the Web.