David E. Myers' Blog ( www.DavidEMyers.com )

Windows 7 Deployment Deep Dive, February 25th at OWSUG

Looking for Windows 7 deployment help?  Check out this fantastic session lined up for the Ottawa Windows Server User Group on February 25th.  While registration is full, walk ins are welcome if there is room:

Topic: Deployment Deep Dive on Windows 7 Community Tour-Ottawa

Description:

Are you running Windows XP?  Are you feeling the pressure of creating a deployment plan? Have no fear!  Leveraging learning’s from two Windows 7 early adopters this session will give you the skills you need to proceed with your own deployment.  The session will focus on free Windows 7 deployment planning and deployment tools that customize operating system packages and automate deployment planning and network deployments seamlessly. We will dive right into:

• How to use the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) tool to identify your current hardware and application inventory.
• How to use the Windows Automated Install Kit (WAIK) to build a customized image for your organization.
• How to use the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) to build, deploy and maintain Windows installation images.
• How to migrate the end users profile from their current installation to the Windows 7 installation using the User State Migration Toolkit (USMT).
• How to integrate MDT and Windows Deployment Services (WDS) to perform Lite Touch installations of Windows 7.

Finally we will look at how we can leverage the various tools to solve any application compatibility issues you might encounter.  We will look at how you can overcome common obstacles using the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT), or larger obstacles using Windows XP Mode and Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) and even how you can leverage Application Virtualization (App-V) to streamline application deployment and ensure all your applications work!

Please note: there is no cost to attend this event.

Location:
Microsoft Canada Co.
100 Queen Street Suite 500
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1J9

Agenda:

5:00 p.m.  Event registration
7:30 p.m.  Q & A
8:00 p.m.  Door Prizes

Notes:

· Pizza and Pop will be served, Please RSVP to help us order enough of both.

· Please note that no one will be admitted after 5:55 p.m.!

RSVP:http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032436875&culture=en-CA

Event Code: 1032436875

Session Content Posted: Are you ready for Windows 7? Ottawa Community Event, and DirectAccess Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide Released

It was great to see so many people interested in Windows 7.  Todd Lamothe and I were happy to have the highest attendance of any OWSUG event ever for our presentation (110 attendees):

Thanks to everyone who attended and special thanks to all of you that got involved in the conversation with your excellent questions!

You can download the session content for the event here:  http://www.davidemyers.com/2009/10/AreYouReadyForWindows7Ottawa.pdf

DirectAccess Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide Released

For all of you that were interested in deploying DirectAccess, I’m also happy to share that Microsoft has now released the Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) Guide for DirectAccess.  This solution accelerator will help get you up to speed on all of the details that need to be considered when you’re planning your deployment.  Cruise on over to the Springboard Series Blog and check out Stephen Rose’s post on the topic.

Free Windows 7 Deployment eBook, Are you ready for Windows 7? - Ottawa Community Event, and Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Deploying Windows 7 eBook:

Just in time for the Windows 7 launch, MS Press and TechNet have brought us a free Windows 7 deployment eBook: Deploying Windows 7 eBook.  At over 300 pages of goodness, it contains several chapters from the Windows 7 Resource kit and several articles from TechNet magazine.  Best of all it’s a free download!

Are you ready for Windows 7? – Ottawa Community Event

 

Todd Lamothe and I will be presenting tomorrow night in Ottawa at the Are you ready for Windows 7? Ottawa Community Event .  Not in the Ottawa area?  Don’t worry, check out the events page on the Talking About Windows site to find out about events in your area.  We’ll be covering some of the deployment tools and techniques presented in the guide and helping IT pros get ready for Windows 7.

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

If you are wondering if your machine will work with Windows 7, check out the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor before you pick up your copy of the upgrade.  This tool can scan your XP or Vista machine and give you a couple of nice reports to let you know what your options are for moving to 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows 7:

Windows 7 RTM Demo Machine

Earlier this month I presented a SQL Server Reporting Services session to the Ottawa SQL Server user group.  I was a bit hesitant to re-install my presentation machine to move from Windows 7 RC to RTM.  After all, I didn’t have a lot of time after Windows 7 RTM was released on MSDN before I needed to present.  I decided to bite the bullet and do it anyway.  It turned out to be a good move (hey, sometimes even I’m lucky :)

I was able to run my demos flawlessly using SQL Server 2008 SP1, running on a Windows Server 2008 SP2 virtual machine.  I ran everything from the VM in full screen mode (including the PowerPoint slides) using the release candidate of Windows Virtual PC on top of Windows 7 x64 Ultimate RTM.  The only slight performance problem didn’t come from SQL Server but one of the PowerPoint slides that had animations (go figure).

Some of the attendees were asking what kind of hardware I was running on so here’s the low down:

Laptop – Dell Studio XPS 16; Processor – Intel Core 2 Duo T9600; RAM – 8 GB

With this rig I was able to comfortably dedicate 3 GB of RAM to the virtual machine.  I have to say it was nice to be able to run everything from the VM.

Since I do a lot of demos and testing (playing) with new versions of software I like to keep my host OS installed with a minimum of applications.  No SSMS, Visual Studio or anything of the likes, just a stable release of Office 2007 applications.  I don’t want to go the Hyper-V route on the laptop hard drive, because I want to take advantage of the graphics card and the mobile power management feature.  Besides, I can take advantage of Hyper-V by booting off the eSATA connector (one of the main requirements on my shortlist for the laptop purchase!!!).

After using Windows 7 RTM for 2 weeks, I can honestly say that I haven’t experienced any issues and performance has been smoking.  (Funny thing is that I can say the same thing about my Windows 7 RC experience too!)

So, what’s next?  Time to dig into BitLocker to see if the performance story continues. ***Yes!  I can finally have the laptop, my portable USB hard drive and USB thumb drive all encrypted by the same system!!!***  (Have laptop will travel… with data this time, no more bad dreams, no more paranoia… LOL)

OWSUG June 3rd Event: Windows 7 Security Tidbits & Understanding and Preventing Insider Threat

Topic:  Windows 7 Security Tidbits & Understanding and Preventing Insider Threat

Windows 7 Security Tidbits - Windows 7 is coming and the boss is asking you about all those new security features. Perhaps you've heard some buzz about AppLocker? What’s this about DirectAccess connecting securely to your corporate network without a VPN?  What’s up with BitlLocker To Go? In this fun and interactive session, Kai Axford, a Microsoft Senior Security Strategist with Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing team, will demonstrate some of the new security features in Microsoft's newest desktop operating system. Bring your questions and get the scoop on these upcoming Microsoft security technologies!

Understanding and Preventing Insider Threat – Many analysts have stated that the Number One issue facing corporate customers today is the threat of targeted corporate espionage coming from within the organization. Join Kai Axford, a security strategist from the Microsoft Trustworthy Computing team for an entertaining and engaging session, as he shares real stories from the trenches about the risk this threat presents for both you and your customers. He’ll demo the means by which these attacks occur and discuss the mindset of the attackers. Don’t miss the chance to see how this is done!

Speaker:  Kai Axford, Microsoft Trustworthy Computing Group

Kai Axford (CISSP, MCSE-Security) is a Senior Security Strategist in Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing Group.  A ten-year Microsoft veteran, Kai is responsible for discussing and recommending security solutions for both private and public sector organizations. In addition, he conducts Chief Security Officer councils worldwide, taking executive feedback and affecting change within Microsoft’s security products and processes.

Kai started with Microsoft in 1999 as a Server Support Engineer and then moved on to become an IT Pro Evangelist, focusing on his peers through the Microsoft TechNet Events program. Kai has delivered more than 300 security presentations on a variety of topics, including digital forensics, security management, incident response, and computer espionage. He is a frequent speaker at security conferences, executive meetings, and business seminars around the world.

He is finishing an MBA in Information Assurance and is a member of ISSA, INFRAGARD, ASIS, and the North Texas Electronic Crimes Task Force. He was the recipient of the 2006 “Rising Star” award from the Information Security Executive council. Kai is interested in security management and hopes to become a Chief Security Officer one day.

Prior to Microsoft, Kai served as a leader in several real-world operations with the U.S. Army's elite 75th Ranger Regiment. Originally from Wisconsin, Kai is a huge NFL Green Bay Packers fan.  He is based in Dallas, Texas with his lovely wife, a new baby boy, and a (very wet) yellow Labrador.

Agenda:

5:00 p.m.  Event registration
5:30 p.m.  Q & A
8:00 p.m.  Door Prizes

Notes:

• Pizza and Pop will be served, Please RSVP to help us order enough of both.
• Please note that no one will be admitted after 5:55 p.m.!

RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=138491

EnergizeIT Ottawa, OttawaSQL.net April Event and Ottawa Code Camp 2009

Lots of activity in the Ottawa area over the next month…. it’s a good time to be alive :)

EnergizeIT 2009 Ottawa: Microsoft is hosting several sessions in Ottawa this week as part of the EnergizeIT tour.

Check out the details:

EnergizeIT 2009 is a national series of events to support you in learning what's possible. From sharing innovative solutions, and connecting with peers and local experts you will learn how technology can help you navigate the path for your organization and gain direction to take advantage of the Microsoft platform from the cloud to client. You will see how Windows® 7 and Windows Server® 2008 R2 will provide a richer platform for your Developers and IT Professionals, and how new virtualization options can help you solve key application compatibility issues.

	Coffee and Code	April 7	http://www.coffeeandcode.org/
	User Group Connection: Future of the Platform	April 7	Learn more and Register
	Energize IT: From the Client to the Cloud	April 8	Learn more and Register
	Architecting Flexibility	April 8	Learn more and Register
	Install Fest for Windows 7	April 9	Learn more and Register

OttawaSQL.net April 16th Event: Use MS  Sync. Framework to synchronize your off line data with SQL Server

The OttawaSQL.net group will be having an event on April 16th.  Local SQL Server MVP Jean-Rene Roy will be presenting a session on SQL Server and the Microsoft Sync. Framework.  Look for registration information to be posted very soon:

Microsoft Sync Framework is a comprehensive synchronization platform that enables collaboration and offline access for applications, services and devices. It features technologies and tools that enable roaming, sharing, and taking data offline. Using Microsoft Sync Framework, developers can build sync ecosystems that integrate any application, with any data from any store using any protocol over any network. 

In this presentation I will introduce you to this new platform and we will take a look at how it’s works and how you can integrate this in your applications and SQL Server 2005/2008.

Ottawa Code Camp 2009: Saturday, May 2nd

Last year’s Code Camp was an awesome event with over 150 developers in attendance and we’re expecting more of the same this year.  The day long event will feature a dozen sessions focusing on key technologies and “The Code” behind them.  The event is organized by the Ottawa Developer Community and intended for the Ottawa  Developer Community so come on out and be part of what promises to be an exceptional developer experience. For info about speakers, the sessions, and registration go to www.OttawaCodeCamp.ca.

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2009 (8:30am – 4:15pm)

Location: Algonquin College

Registration: http://ottawacodecamp.ca/pages2009/Registration.aspx

Windows 7 Experience, Change, and Features I Like (Part 1)

I’ve been using Windows 7 for a while now and I have to say that like others have already said the performance improvements over Vista are fantastic.  Beyond the obvious features that jump out at you like the change to the task bar and application switching, I’ve found a lot of little touches that I was looking for in Vista.  Collectively these improvements add to my productivity and overall satisfaction with the product.

Personally I like to keep up with the technology changes and not try and stay stuck with my way of working.  In my conversations with others in the IT profession I find that much of the resistance to change comes from power users.  They are used to the product working one way and do not like it when something changes, even if it makes the product easier to understand or work with as a new user.  I’m a bit more understanding… if it is a case where change has been made just for the sake of change then I’m not a fan, but if there is some improvement to usability or reduction in the learning curve then I would rather adapt my outlook than resist the change.

Take the start menu for instance.  When our organization was making the change from Windows 98 SE to Windows XP the corporate image was setup to use the classic start menu.  I resisted the instinct to avoid change and started using the new version.  From my perspective change is inevitable and it is much easier to deal with when you take a proactive approach.  I can understand the idea of a controlled release of change so that end users are not overwhelmed but I don’t agree with sticking to the old approach until it is removed from the product.  Many of the product changes directly drive productivity improvements so the net benefit to the organization comes when people leverage them.

Okay enough about philosophy and on to the goodies… here is one of the new features I like:

1. Run as different user

With the changes introduced in Windows Vista related to UAC (user account control) the previous ‘Run As’ command had been replaced with ‘Run as administrator’.  The reasoning behind this was to allow the person to run their everyday applications with a ‘Standard’ user account and then elevate their privileges to use the ‘Administrator’ token.  This option is still available under Windows 7 and look like this:

Great!  I get the concept, but my problem is that in a domain environment I am using one domain account as my standard user and a separate domain account for SQL Server administration.  If I want to run a single program on my machine as the other domain account I was relegated to writing a batch file to use the command line runas:

Okay, so this wasn’t a show stopper.  I was able to write a batch file to launch SQL Server Management Studio so that I could make a Windows Authentication connection to the database server and avoid using a SQL Server login (that represents a different security compromise).  But for the more ad-hoc use of the run as feature it was annoying!

Well, I guess I wasn’t the only one annoyed with this.  To my pleasant surprise their is a new addition to the context menu if you hold down SHIFT when you right click the icon - Run as different user:

Awesome!  Now I get this wonderful dialog box when I select it:

Okay, so maybe this isn’t earth shattering stuff… but it is the kind improvements that add up to gains in overall efficiency!

2. Sliding Remote Desktop Client Menu Bar

I use the remote desktop client a lot.  In fact I even use it to connect 100% of the time from my laptop to my workstation at the office.  I travel a lot and take my laptop to conferences and user group events so I like to avoid ever having any confidential documents on the machine.  Even with technologies like BitLocker I am paranoid and prefer to not take the risk.  End result is that I’m spending nearly 100% of my time in an RDP session in full screen mode, often with additional nested RDP sessions running on the office workstation which are also running in full screen mode.  The end result is a set of overlapping menu bars:

   

(machine names removed to protect the innocent :) )

Now I find that the menu bar for the Windows 7 RDP connection (in blue) can slide to any position across the top of the screen.  This allows you to see the connection details of the second RDP session that would normally be hidden underneath the top menu bar:

 

Okay, again not a major new feature but it is a welcome one.  Stay tuned for more Windows 7 feature details as I get a chance to blog about them.