This is a great video on how to use the new process monitor (replaced regmon and filemon) put on by Mark Russinovich.

http://www.microsoft.com/emea/spotlight/sessionh.aspx?videoid=346

Microsoft has revamped the MCSE credential for 2008. The certifications are now more role-based. There are new credentials for Microsoft Certified IT Professionals in the roles of:
- Server Admin
- Enterprise Admin
- Desktop Admin
- Enterprise Support Tech
- Consumer Support Tech
- Enterprise Messaging Admin

Each of the roles has several test requirements (at $125 each). There’s a surprisingly clear chart here.

For the Enterprise Admin certification, for example, you need the following:
- 70-640 – Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
- 70-642 – Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
- 70-643 – Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
- 70-647 – Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator
and one of the following:
- 70-620 – Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
- 70-624 – Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

Have you looked at the Dell TechCenter Masters program? They’re pitching it as a massive user-to-user resource as well as providing oodles of technical content for IT folks. Chats, videos, documentation, case studies, message boards, white papers and more. All free.

Check it out at http://www.delltechcenter.com/page/Dell+TechCenter+Masters and let me know what you think.

I’m always on the lookout for cheap hardware – mostly because many of the IT projects we work on don’t require the newest/fastest gear, but typically can benefit from using enterprise class hardware (and features such as dual power supplies, raid controllers, and out of band management interfaces) versus a cheap desktop PC from Best Buy or Dell.

The trick usually is: where can you find gently used servers for cheap? If you’re in the New England area try these guys: JNM Asset Recovery (jnmassetrecovery.com) in Hudson, MA. Their website doesn’t even hint at what they are up to.

Essentially they are recyclers at the core, but for equipment which still has value, they resell it. I picked up 6 Dell 1750 rack mounted servers with all the most useful components installed the other day for less than the cost of a single PC.

If you’re in the area and need some hardware – give them a shout.

Unbelievable but true: The free MS utility to mount ISO Images doesn’t work in Windows 7 or Vista.

There’s another tool (free) available that seems to do the trick: http://static.slysoft.com/SetupVirtualCloneDrive.exe

There’s a warning about reinstalling it – uninstall before you reinstall or else it could cause BSOD issues?!

If you need to create documentation for applications which run Windows Mobile how can you get screen shots of those apps? First, you need to install Active Sync, then you can use Microsoft’s tool called Remotedsp or you can use a free tool called MyMobiler from MTUX (see mtux.com or mymobiler.com).

So I haven’t yet abandoned my desktop PC – using a laptop is too limiting. Working with a single (low-resolution) display kills my productivity. I can’t live without at least two screens running simultaneously. Now there’s a solution – why didn’t I think of this?!

This is from “gScreen”, an Alaskan company that aims to put out an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26-GHz with 4 GB of RAM, a 320GB 7200-rpm HD with NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GT with 512MB dedicated memory and a 9-cell battery for about $3000.

More than I would pay, but soon the price will come down. At 12 pounds this may not be a daily solution – but great for working on the couch in the living room.

The future of the corporate desktop

I’m sure most of you have started a migration to a virtual infrastructure. We have a speaker lined up to come talk to us about the future of the corporate desktop: Is Linux really a contender? How about Desktop Virtualization? What are the benefits of using each of these technologies, are they really viable? What are some of the competing products on the market? This will be a technical presentation and will provide an overview of the technologies, and will include a live presentation on how Linux on the desktop is working today, integration with Windows applications and servers, and real-world examples of deployed solutions. Attend this free presentation, bring all your questions and skepticism, and win fabulous door prizes, get free food and beverages, and drink responsibly.