Andy Malone’s MCT Blog

Well summer is finally here and so far it’s a pretty good one. This week I am delighted to announce that we have another batch of Cybercrime Security Forum (formerly Dive deeper security summit) events with myself and Marcus Carey. Starting off in Oslo and Copenhagen in September as well as Athens Greece in December. We are also planning a couple of secret events in December. Watch out for more details.

The event s will cover deep security material including Back ops hacking, industrial identity theft, wireless hacking and so on. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. At each event there is absolutely no photography or video recording what so ever. For more information and booking details visit our website www.divedeeperevent.com

Thought TechEd was as good a time as any to give you all some great news…I’VE BEEN UPGRADED!  Well, it’s been a crazy few months since the Windows Server 2008 RTM. I kept wondering why they were letting me hang around – what business does one Windows Server 2003 have in a farm of WS08s? It was just embarrassing. But there I was, clinging to the remote desktop port on the corporate firewall like Milton to his red swingline stapler.  Then one day the engineers caught wind that I was shopping around for a new job and it all became clear. Wayne, one of the IT guys, pulled me aside and told me that is was in my best interest to cut the whole “woe is me” song and dance.  Wayne explained that as the last WS03 server I had an important role at Microsoft.com – I had to try my hardest to prove that WS03 performed as quickly as WS08.  At first I was a little hopeless, but then Wayne then told me the best part – if I won, I get to bask in the glory of winning, but if I lost, there was a good chance that I’d be sent down upgrade row.  I realized I couldn’t lose!  For a minute I thought about throwing the race to expedite my upgrade, but I knew that there are still a lot of WS03s out there and I wouldn’t want my crew to get a bad rep. So I rolled up my sleeves, drank a couple cups of coffee, listened to that song, “Eye of the Tiger” and then I gave it all I had!   Long story short, I just couldn’t keep up with the WS08s. Wayne told me that it all came down to “efficiency” or “cost” of the number of requests per CPU cycle. Looks like WS08 is over 10% more efficient then I am in handling live web platform traffic for www.microsoft.com. Wayne explained that this improved efficiency helps enterprise customers reduce their server footprints in datacenters and ultimately reduces the overall cost of running their site/s.  You can read more about the race results here. So now I am upgraded! For all you ‘03s out there don’t worry…it didn’t hurt a bit!   They said it would just be a Day Upgrade under local anesthetic, and they were right!   Within hours after the procedure I was up and helping on Microsoft.com.  I feel 5 years younger.  The WS08 team even got me a card to welcome me aboard. Everyone signed it.  Shucks.  One person wrote “wishing you a speedy recovery”— I didn’t realize the irony of that slogan until I booted up again!  I AM faster!

The Windows Server team has been busy lately. Microsoft have just announced Windows Server 2003 SP2 Bitlocker tool. This will enhance the security features of 2003. Bitlocker is Microsoft’s version of drive encryption technology first seen in high end editions of Windows Vista and  Windows Server 2008. Do remember that if you use Bitlocker on a laptop don’t let  the laptop fall into sleep mode as this could leave your machine venerable to tools like Bit-unlocker.

On another note Microsoft have finaly released details regarding the Beta release of Small Business server 2008 (SBS).  See below of some of the details plus an opportunity to sign up to the public beta.

Windows SBS 2008 is the next major release in the Windows Small Business Server product family, and it offers a wave of new features for technology consultants and small business owners.  There are too many updates and changes to list in one post, but here are some highlights:

• A new setup and administrative experience that has been re-designed to make initial deployment and day-to-day management significantly easier
• Many new management features such as extensible monitoring reports, and tools to manage internet domain names, data folders, certificates and more
• A revamp of the Premium Edition to include both SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition technologies and a 2nd copy of Windows Server 2008  
• A new server backup wizard built on the Windows Server 2008 block-based backup technologies, which allows you to back up your server in minutes rather than hours
• A redesigned Remote Web Workplace with new features such as custom links, logos and user to computer mapping
• Built-in anti-virus and anti-spam support with 120-day trial subscriptions to Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server and Windows Live OneCare for Server
• Integration with Microsoft Office Live Small Business to simplify setup and management of professional Web sites and extranets 
• And of course, updates to Microsoft’s newest server technologies: Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, SQL Server 2008, Windows Server Update Services v3, and Windows SharePoint Services v3

To learn more about the product and to enroll in the public preview program, please visit http://technet.microsoft.com/evalcenter/cc184870.aspx

Windows 7 (Codenamed Vienna) is the predecessor to Windows Vista.  Scheduled for release during 2009 W7 will be available in both 32bit and 64 bit versions. In terms of editions, little will change from the home versus business editions of Windows Vista. There has been no doubt that Vista has not enjoyed the success that Microsoft has anticipated and many industry insiders wonder if his quick release is a way to brush over Vista’s failures.

By now everyone has seen the graphical wonders of Vista and yes it looks good, however performance and speed should be paramount. The other week I installed Windows Server 2008 on a laptop. As part of the install I installed WS008 with the Wireless networking feature, quality audio & video and the Windows Desktop experience. It flies. Compared to Vista it is rock solid. To be fair the release of service pack 1 has done wonders for Vista, but my only concern here is too little to late!

So with the release on W7 comes a lot of anticipation tinged with a large dose of scepticism. Microsoft has been very quiet about features however a recent You Tube video along with some leaked screenshots gave strong indications on one possible future direction.

Many of the new features seem nice like for example a more colourful version of task manager, hmmm! Windows Explorer also gets a face lift. Hey MS here’s an idea why not put in tabs!!! That would be great for copying and moving files. I always felt that the FTP service in Windows could do with a facelift. Microsoft recently did a wonderful job with its network monitor 3.1 tool. It rocks.

A welcomed little tool, the FTP Locator will certainly help things along, however I would like to see a bit more effort in this area. I do like the improved Keyboard shortcuts feature. The ability to customize shortcuts will be useful for many users.  One of my favourite features of Vista was the wonderful snipping tool. So the introduction of a new Screen & Animation capture utility sounds great. Although I am sure that Camtasia will be none to happy.

Again building on the success of Vista & WS2008 features like disk manager Microsoft has introduced a new Disk Usage analyser tool. Along with this tool Microsoft have also introduced Virtual Disk Drives into W7. I always saw this as a natural progression for virtualisation., no more Virtual PC, just build it into the OS. Heck it’s worked wonders for WS2008. Hyper-V combined with System centre Virtual Machine Manager 2 (Beta) is awesome and will definitely give VM Ware a run for their money.

 Windows has always included accessories that provide extra value for money. From calculator and Wordpad to the wonderful Movie maker and Speech recognition. W7 carries on that tradition with the introduction of the Website, blog & portal designer, this will be one of the must have’s. Along with this tool Microsoft are also including a number of document filters and conversion tools, no doubt to coincide with the release of Office 14. These will include Image Conversion , Document Conversion and a PDF Conversion tool.

With single sign on now becoming a major business factor for many organisations, the Password Manager will be a welcomed improvement on the current offering. This tool will provide a location where users can easily manage passwords and credentials. Other security enhancements include the on by default option for the encrypting file system and Bitlocker.

So W7 product group if you are listening I recently surveyed a large number of delegates and these are the must have features. Tabbed Windows Explorer, Multiple desktops with Taskbars, in built Virtual PC with direct access to virtual hardware, Hypervisor support. Pass Phrase support, fingerprint and Retina scanning support. Change licensing to a per user rather than per computer. Licences can then “follow users”. If PC crashes and the user needs to reinstall activation recognises the original user and activates the product accordingly. It’s nice to dream isn’t it?

Gosh now that I am getting back to work in the UK there has been a lot of catching up to do. Microsoft has also been very busy. If you thought that the launch of W2008 was the end then think again.  With TechEd US imminent prepare yourselves for a flurry of launches and announcements. I am gutted to admit that due to personal reasons I have had to pull out this year. My Mum is sick, say no more!

 One of the most anticipated launches coming up is the release of Windows Essentials Business Server along with a new shiny version of Small Business Server 2008.  Both products are based on the Standard edition of Windows Server 2008, but the former cannot be run as a single server solution. Traditionally MS have always been thought of as either a small or large business provider. Well EBS finally plants MS into the mid size market. EBS includes 2 versions a standard and a premium edition which includes Exchange Server 2007 SP1, Forefront Security, a new version of IIS along with other cool features. The premium edition will be bundled with SQL Server 2008.

 Also just released is the Beta 2 edition of Microsoft HPC Server 2008 The new clustering and high availability features are just amazing. Since beta 1 MS have done test runs on a cluster with over 1000 nodes, fixed over 1000 bugs, coded a bunch of new features, and made a bunch of design changes based on customer feedback. For example, one beta customer was using our new WCF Broker for financial risk modeling but wanted a totally reliable messaging solution. MS built a solution leveraging MSMQ that still provides high throughput while allowing for reliable messaging. If you would like to apply for the test program then visit http://connect.microsoft.com

I was in London the other day delivering a couple of sessions on Windows Server 2008. Many thanks to everyone who attended. It was great to hear your feedback and suggestions regarding the future of the Windows platform.  Thanks also to Microsoft’s Matt McSpirit who delivered a couple of great sessions on Virtualization. This is an exciting area and all I can say is watch out VMWare Microsoft are snapping at your heels!!

Gosh things have been quiet on my blog for the past few weeks. Sorry about that. I have been in the US recording training material for Testout. Based in Pleasant Grove, outside Salt Lake City. I just want to thank Roweena, Gerry, George and Don for there wonderful hospitality during my 2 week stay.

I was recording an e-learning self study course for Exam 70-640 TS: Configuring & Managing Windows Server 2008 Active Directory. 1 week behind a TV camera and 1 week recording demos. I will tell you it was no cakewalk, dam hard work, but great fun just the same.

It’s great to be back in Scotland. This week I have been delivering Windows Server 2008 training for a client in Edinburgh. It has felt very strange going to work on a train rather than a plane. We have got some great plans for Scotland. A host of new courses as well as some exciting developments in our MasterClass series.

Watch this space for more details.

Well it’s Sunday morning and surprisingly I wasn’t sleepless last night. Having just arrived in Seattle for the 2008 MVP Global Summit I am not only looking forward to the event but I am also looking forward to exploring this interesting and vibrant city. Seattle according to our airport shuttle bus driver hosts not 1 but 8 billionaires including you know who! Home to two sports stadiums costing over $1 Billion dollars as well as being home to Microsoft and Boeing.

You can tour the factory. You know I might just do that.  Across the street I can see huge tower blocks of hotels and trendy apartment blocks, a far cry to the rolling hills of home.

Already at 7.30am I can see the streets starting to bubble. Prior to the Microsoft event I plan to visit the Boeing Factory as well as take in a tour of the city to get my bearings. One of the first stops I plan to make is at the world famous Pike Street Market and of course the Seattle Cheesecake Company (yum!) Anyway onwards and upwards I am looking forward to meeting my fellow MVPs and other Microsoft contacts for what promises to be a very interesting week. I will keep you updated as the week progresses.

This week I have just returned from a week in Norway. Firstly many thanks to all who attended my Windows Server 2008 event at Microsoft Oslo. Also many thanks to everyone who attended the MS Partner Readiness training in Stavanger.

With only 16 hours at home before I am off again (This time to the MVP Summit in Seattle, US) I am quickly catching up with paperwork and answering email’s. I must say I am looking forward to catching up with my Microsoft colleagues in Redmond as well as fellow MVPs.

Watch this space more Seattle updates.

I am delighted to announce that we have secured some great international speakers for Dive deeper tech Forum 08 in Iceland in October. This 2 day event promises to be something special. Speakers including Microsoft’s premier SharePoint guru Richard Taylor, myself delivering some hard hitting sessions on Virtualization and Windows Server 2008. The ever popular Christian Schindler (Austria) a Microsoft Architect on Microsoft Exchange will be proving deep content on Exchange 2007 and perhaps an insight into the future. It all sound rather exciting doesn’t it? Watch this space for more information coming soon.