Microsoft WSUS Beta to Allow 3rd Party Patches

Secunia Corporate Software Inspector (CSI) 4.0 BETA

- integrated with Microsoft WSUS for 3rd Party Patch Management

Using WSUS for automatic patching of 3rd party programs

Secunia is currently conducting public beta testing of the new patch management capabilities.

The goal with the Microsoft WSUS implementation has been to utilize the data collected by the Secunia CSI to automatically repackage 3rd party patches and updates. Currently we support fully automatic repackaging for more than 50% of the updates, more will be added as we get feedback from customers about their needs.

Patch Management

Secunia CSI now integrates with Microsoft WSUS, for easy deployment of 3rd party updates. Installing updates is simple and straightforward with the automatic repackaging feature and distribution approval via the CSI.
Patching of vulnerable software, in particular 3rd party software, which is not supported by Microsoft WSUS, has been a cumbersome and resource demanding process, causing many not to patch or only patch very few non-Microsoft programs.
With the seamless Microsoft WSUS and Secunia CSI integration, the patching process has been simplified and can literally be conducted with a few simple clicks:

• Inspect software on PCs
• Select insecure software to patch
• Approve automatic patch repackaging for Microsoft WSUS
• Approve distribution via Microsoft WSUS

Patch Management has never been easier and more straightforward than with the Microsoft WSUS and the Secunia CSI integration.
Existing patch management solutions require that customers use complicated tools for repackaging patches. However, due the information gathered by the Secunia Software Inspector technology, it is possible for the Secunia CSI to automatically repackage a majority of the patches.

Technorati Tags: WSUS,Beta,Secunia,WSUS 3RD PARTY PATCHES

Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides—Release Announcement

Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6

The Infrastructure Planning and Design team has released an updated guide: Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6.

This IPD guide, updated for App-V 4.6, provides actionable guidance for planning your application virtualization infrastructure. With App-V, your organization can respond to the complex challenge of managing applications. This guide simplifies your App-V planning process; updates now include support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, including such features as BranchCache; support for 64-bit clients; and server-sizing data.

Strategically planning your infrastructure can help you avoid problems before they begin, allowing you to serve your customers more accurately and reliably, as well as saving you time and money.

Infrastructure Planning and Design series guides streamline the planning process by:

• Defining the technical decision flow through the planning process.
• Listing the decisions to be made and the commonly available options and considerations.

· Relating the decisions and options to the business in terms of cost, complexity, and other characteristics.

You can download it  Here.

 

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6

Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services for Windows7

AD LDS is a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory service that provides flexible support for directory-enabled applications, without the dependencies that are required for Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). AD LDS provides much of the same functionality as AD DS, but it does not require the deployment of domains or domain controllers. In environments where AD DS exists, AD LDS can use AD DS for the authentication of Windows security principals. You can run multiple instances of AD LDS concurrently on a single computer, and have an independently managed schema for each AD LDS instance.

Installing AD LDS

1. Download AD LDS for Windows 7.
2. Run the downloaded AD LDS file to install the AD LDS binaries.
3. Refer to the following instructions for installing AD LDS instances:
   1. Create a new AD LDS instance: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=177373
   2. Create a replica AD LDS instance: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=177371
   3. Perform an unattended install of an AD LDS instance: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=177375

Get AD LDS  Here

Technorati Tags: Lightweight Directory Access Protocol,AD LDS for Windows 7

Outlook Social Connector - Beta

The Outlook Social Connector  allows you to synchronize your contact data right into Outlook and obtain information about your friends and colleagues. See status updates from various networks and recently posted files.
Easily track your communication history. Use the Outlook Social Connector to display a quick view of related Outlook content when you click on an email from a contact, such as recent e-mail conversations, meetings, and shared attachments.
Developers can connect and feed social streams from line-of-business applications or integrate their solutions directly into Outlook.

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7; Windows Vista; Windows XP

• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows 7

This download works with the following Office programs:

• Microsoft Outlook 2010 Beta 32-bit (build 14.0.4514.1009)
• Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
• Microsoft Office Outlook 2003

Get the Beta Here

 

Technorati Tags: Outlook Social Connector,Mcirosoft Ofice,Beta

Microsoft High Performance Computing (HPC) Links

 

I have been teaching the Understanding and Administering Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008 course and have created this resource for you.

Here is a group of links that can help you with Microsoft HPC Product.

Microsoft Windows HPC Server:

http://www.microsoft.com/hpc

http://resourcekit.windowshpc.net/

Download the 180-day trial and see how you can harness the power of supercomputing here

Microsoft Technet :

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/hpc/default.aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc514029.aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/hpc/cc511255.aspx

Community Forums and blogs:

http://windowshpc.net/

http://archives.windowshpc.net/

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowshpcitpros/threads

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/windowshpc

http://blogs.technet.com/windowshpc/

http://blogs.msdn.com/hpctrekker/

Whitepapers:

"Windows HPC Server 2008 Head Node Performance Tuning" is here

"Windows HPC Server 2008 System Management Overview" is here

--------------------------------------

The test HPC Exam 70-690 will ask questions about Power Shell, if you are new to Power Shell, I found some good tutorial exercises at this link:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/7/1/47104ec6-410d-4492-890b-2a34900c9df2/Workshops-EN.zip

The HPC specific cmdlets are documented here:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc947676(WS.10).aspx

The CLI commands are documented here:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc972841(WS.10).aspx

In fact, it would be a good idea to make sure you study all of the Technical Reference and Troubleshooting sections from the TechNet Library.

It would be helpful to review this article as well:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd772590(WS.10).aspx

----------------

Some of the IB device drivers that have the Certified for Windows Server 2008 logo that are available are:

• Mellanox Technologies, WinOF device drivers (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=139691)
• Chelsio Communications, Windows iWARP device drivers (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=139692)

You can also download the latest device drivers that are published by the OpenFabrics Alliance (OFA), which work with most commercially available HCA cards. For more information and to download the latest device drivers that are published by the OFA, see The OpenFabrics Alliance (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=137347).

http://www.mellanox.com/content/pages.php?pg=windows_hpc

------------------

HPC Server Activation Filter that Checks for License Availability is here.

 

Technorati Tags: Microsoft HPC,70-690,high performance computing (HPC)

Phone Scam Warning Area codes 809, 284, 876

If you received a call last week from the 809 area code....

The woman said 'Hey, this is Karen . Sorry I missed you--get back to us quickly. I have something important to tell you.' Then she repeated a phone number beginning with 809  or 284, 878

They  also get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc..

DO not Respond !

In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away.  Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.
If you call from the U.S. . , you will apparently be charged $2425 per-minute.
Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges.  WHY IT WORKS:

The

809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic ..

The charges afterward can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call.  If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.

Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam.

AT&T link for more information is Here

Technorati Tags: Security,Phone Scam,Area code 809,Area code 284,Area code 876

Support for Group Polices in Windows

Group polices (GPs) are the easy way to configure and manage window computers. The user of GPs can do amazing things once you user stand the basics of this technology. You can same time and automate lots of things, for example control desktops, install, patch and remove software. But there more you now use power shell to expand the power. all cmdlets use the *-gp*.

You can use Windows Server 2008 Group Policy to manage configurations for groups of computers and users, including options for registry-based policy settings, security settings, software deployment, scripts, folder redirection, and preferences. Group Policy preferences, new in Windows Server 2008, are more than 20 Group Policy extensions that expand the range of configurable policy settings within a Group Policy object (GPO). In contrast to Group Policy settings, preferences are not enforced. Users can change preferences after initial deployment. For information about Group Policy Preferences, see Group Policy Preferences Overview.

Using Group Policy, you can significantly reduce an organization’s total cost of ownership. Various factors, such as the large number of policy settings available, the interaction between multiple policies, and inheritance options, can make Group Policy design complex. By carefully planning, designing, testing, and deploying a solution based on your organization’s business requirements, you can provide the standardized functionality, security, and management control that your organization needs. To learn more about using and deploying Group Policy Planning go here

To go to the Group policy blog go here

Technorati Tags: Group Policys,Server,Client,Group Policys Blog,Powershell and Group Policys

IE6 to IE8 Migration Webcast

Sign up for an IE6 to IE8 Migration Webcast Today

You are probably excited about the new Windows 7 operating system, and the Windows Internet Explorer 8 Web browser comes as part of the package. You may have seen the demos of new features and tools that are available, but you are still using Internet Explorer 6. The demos are sometimes simplified, with pages with a single issue conveniently fixed using a click of a button. But it is definitely not that easy. You could have thousands of apps, many of them packaged, or you could be prevented from accessing the code because it is part of a product you bought.  

Attend this demonstration-heavy webcast, have your questions answered by the experts and learn what IT professionals do in real-world scenarios to configure, manage, deploy, and ensure the compatibility of their Web applications with Internet Explorer 8.

Title:     Migrating from Internet Explorer 6 to Internet Explorer 8
Language(s):     English.
Product(s):     Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Audience(s):     IT Generalist.
Duration:     60 Minutes

Event Overview:
Speaker: Chris Jackson, Principal Consultant and the Technical Lead of the Windows Application Experience SWAT Team, Microsoft Corporation.  Chris Jackson is a widely recognized expert in the field of Windows Application Compatibility, creating the technical documentation, training, and service offerings used inside and outside of Microsoft based on years of real-world experience with enterprise customers and independent software vendors.

Schedule of Webcasts:

Tues, Feb 16       10 am PST

Fri, Feb 19           3pm PST

Mon, Feb 22       1 pm PST

Tues, Feb 23       8 am PST

Wed, Feb 24       6 pm PST

Thurs, Feb 25     10 am PST

Fri, Feb 26           12 pm (noon) PST

Mon, Mar 1        11 am PST

Tues, Mar 2        7 pm PST

Wed, Mar 3        4 pm PST

Thurs, Mar 4       8 pm PST

Fri, Mar 5             2 pm PST

Sun, Mar 7          10 pm PST

Tues, Mar 9        6 am PST

Thurs, Mar 11    7 am PST

Sun, Mar 14        9 pm PST

Tues, Mar 16      9 am PST

Thurs, Mar 18    12 pm (noon) PST

Mon, Mar 22      1 pm PST

Tues, Mar 23      5 pm PST

Click this link to sign up for a webcast that best fits you schedule. Each session will include a 45-minute pre-recorded session, with live chat Q&A with an IE expert during the session, and 15 minutes of phone Q&A at the end.

 

Technorati Tags: Internet Explorer,IE6,IE8,IE6 to IE8 Migration Webcast

WebsiteSpark Program

Here a goodie I found that may be of interest to you.

Microsoft WebsiteSpark offers professional Web developers and designers visibility, support and software, all in one place. WebsiteSpark provides new business opportunities through connections with global partners and customers, support and training, and software tools—at no upfront cost. Through WebsiteSpark, you’ll have access to:

• Business opportunities: Connect with partners through the WebsiteSpark Marketplace and other Microsoft networks.
• Support and training: Connect to an ecosystem of professional support on a wide range of technical and business resources from Microsoft, WebsiteSpark partners, hosting partners and developers.
• Software and solutions: Access to Microsoft development tools and Web server production licenses at no upfront cost.

To learn more go here

Technorati Tags: Web developers,WebsiteSpark,Microsoft

HPC Debugger Add-on for MPI and Cluster-SOA

The HPC Debugger is an add-in for Visual Studio 2008 that helps launch remote debugging sessions for MPI or SOA applications running on a Microsoft HPC cluster.

The first feature integrates the ‘F5’ experience of launching the Visual Studio 2008 MPI Cluster Debugger for C++ MPI applications and your Windows HPC Server 2008 environment, for a better and more integrated debugging experience. A new tool window where you can specify the nodes that the debugging session will use is included. A project template for C/C++ MPI programs is also included.
The second feature enables a similar ‘F5’ experience for Cluster-SOA applications for debugging on the cluster. Three different debugging styles are enabled: (i) debugging all of the services simultaneously, (ii) debugging all requests made to a service on a specified machine, and (iii) debugging specific requests.
For both features, once your break points are set and the debugger settings are specified you only have to press ‘F5’ to launch the debugger. Pressing ‘F5’ deploys your application binaries and the remote debugger, and submits a job to the scheduler. When the job is scheduled the MPI or Cluster-SOA service processes start under the control of the remote debugger.

 

Get it Here

 

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,HPC,Developer Tools

IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide –download

The IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide provides an easy-to-understand method that enables you to develop threat models that can help prioritize investments in IT infrastructure security.
This Solution Accelerator consists of a release notes document Release Notes.rtf and a single compressed file, IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide.zip, which includes the following components:

• IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide.docx. This Microsoft Word document provides guidance to help IT professionals develop and implement threat modeling processes for their IT environments. It includes the following chapters:
  • Overview
  • Chapter 1: IT Infrastructure Components
  • Chapter 2: The IT Infrastructure Threat Model Portfolio
  • Chapter 3: Applied Example – The Threat Modeling Process
• IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide.pptx. This Microsoft PowerPoint document is designed for use in a learning or lecture environment to present the concept of IT infrastructure threat modeling.

Get it here.

Technorati Tags: Security,• IT Infrastructure Threat Modeling Guide

Manufacturer Tech Support Index

are you looking for a Pc support numbers or web sites here a link to a large group of supports sites.

click here

 

Technorati Tags: Tech support numbers,tech support web sites

Solutions for IE8 issues

Here a list of some solutions for  IE8 this should help you, troubleshooting some common issues.

You first step might be to disable all add-ons and test each applications to identify the problem add-on.

To do this

1. Go to Tools

2. Click on manage add-ons

 

3. Then disable and test

For me it was Flash the cause my problems, I uninstalled Flash and reinstalled the latest version and my problem was solved

Here a starting list of well know issues;

Internet Explorer 8 takes longer than expected to start

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969938

How to fix the Cooliris add-on and Internet Explorer 8 incompatibility

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969057

Compatibility issues with HP Smart Web Printing and Internet Explorer 8

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969227

How to fix incompatibility problems between Internet Explorer 8 and the Google Toolbar

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968136

Internet Explorer 8 may stop responding or crash when a certain version of PPLive is installed

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970961/

New tabs open slowly in Internet Explorer 8 with the Skype 4.1 add-on installed

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/973818

How to fix the UPromise TurboSaver and Internet Explorer 8 incompatibility

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970900

A compatibility problem exists between Weather Channel Toolbar and Internet Explorer 8

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969226

How to fix the Drive Letter Access and Internet Explorer 8 incompatibility problem

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969228

How to fix PDFCreator Toolbar and Internet Explorer 8 incompatibility problems

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968916

Error message about the Skype 3.8 IE Plugin when you start Internet Explorer 8: "Internet Explorer 8 is in a special no-add-ons mode so that you can fix a compatibility problem with Skype 3.8 IE Plugin"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968129

You cannot sign in to Windows Live Web sites in Internet Explorer 8 after you install Windows Live Toolbar on a Windows XP-based computer

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970306/

Internet Explorer 8 crashes, hangs or restarts while opening or closing tabs

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975685

Internet Explorer 8 may stop responding or crash when a certain version of AVG Safe Search is installed

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970962

Problems that you may experience when you use the Live Meeting 2007 Web client together with Internet Explorer 8

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/959059/EN-US

Uninstalling or upgrading Windows Live Photo Gallery may cause Windows Live Mail or Internet Explorer 8 to fail

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969148

How to fix the PC Confidential 2008 and Internet Explorer 8 incompatibility

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970367

Internet Explorer stops responding, stops working, or restarts

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/pc_ie_intro

 

Technorati Tags: IE security update 8,Troubleshooting Browser issues

Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit is a powerful inventory, assessment, and reporting tool that can securely assess IT environments for various platform migrations and virtualization without the use of any software agents. Download this free toolkit today and generate a customized PC security assessment, security readiness proposal, and secure readiness report.

Virus and malware protection is essential to the security of your business desktops and laptops. Protect your client infrastructure when you select Microsoft Forefront Client Security and Network Access Protection (NAP) to provide unified, easy to manage malware protection.

Forefront Client Security gives you:

• Protection. Guards against emerging threats and other traditional attacks.
• Control. Gives administrators the ability to determine the specific security configuration for client computers.
• Reporting. Prioritizes security issues by using detailed reports and alerts.

Start securing your desktop infrastructure by utilizing the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit and accelerate your migration to PC security solutions such as Forefront Client Security and Network Access Protection (NAP). MAP is a scalable and agentless assessment platform designed to make it easier for customers to adopt the latest Microsoft technologies including security solutions. With MAP, you can assess the virus and spyware vulnerability of your client infrastructure and evaluate its readiness for Forefront Client Security and NAP migration.

What Is the MAP Toolkit?

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit is a powerful inventory, assessment, and reporting tool that can securely assess IT environments for various platform migrations and virtualization without the use of any software agents. This versatile toolkit:

• Quickly discovers clients, servers, and applications across your IT environment.
• Conducts migration and virtualization assessments for your IT projects.
• Auto-generates reports and proposals.
• Scales well to small businesses as well as large enterprises.

Get more information here

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit for PC security

BitLocker Drive Encryption Deployment Guide for Windows 7

 

While there is no single recommended method to deploy Windows 7 with BitLocker, this guide describes the various aspects of the process and includes best practices for successful deployment.

go here for more information

Technorati Tags: Bitlocker,Windows 7 Upgrade,Microsoft

Security Compliance Manager: Beta Program Coming Soon

The Security Compliance Manager provides centralized baseline management for Windows client and server operating systems, and Microsoft applications. Sign up for the upcoming Beta program and help us build a tool that best meets your needs. As a Beta participant, you’ll be able to give us your feedback on the security settings database, customization capabilities, and security baseline export flexibility.

Go Here to apply (Connect.Microsoft.com) the beta site for most Microsoft products

Technorati Tags: Security Compliance Manager beta,Microsoft

New betas to try on SCCM, SQL, and Office 2010/ SharePoint 2010

 

Get the Beta: System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Dashboard
The Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Dashboard lets you track application and operating system deployments, security updates, the health status of computers, and IT compliance. The Dashboard is a free Solution Accelerator, and fully supported by Microsoft.

Preview the Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant
Microsoft recently announced the first CTP of a SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for MySQL v1.0, which automates aspects of the migration process to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and 2008, including SQL Azure Database.

 

Download the Virtual Machines for Evaluating Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010
This set of virtual machines enables you to demonstrate and test Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010 in a fully configured environment with sample data.

 

Technorati Tags: SCCM 2010 Daskboard Beta,SQL Server Migration Assistant,Office 2010 beta,Sharepoint 2010 beta

Windows 7 Release Candidate is expiring!

Starting March 1, 2010, your computer will shut down every two hours and your work will not be saved. To avoid interruption, please back up your data and perform a clean install of Windows 7 (or earlier version).

Technorati Tags: windows 7

iPhone My test

I wanted to see what all the what all the fuss was with the Apple iPhone. So I took 3 months to try and see, here the results.

On the positive;

• Interface is fast
• Easy to navigate
• Easy to learn
• Easy to buy applications

On the negative;

• Phone Coverage stinks (put the phone next to another ATT phone and other phone has full bars iPhone show weak signal)
• Single task at a time, phone can not multitask except for music.
• Phone locks up – need to reboot
• Slow boot time (more that 30 seconds)
• Can not open and edit Office docs (need 3rd party application)
• Can not open and read calendar request
• Bad battery life
• Root password widely known – Security Issue
• Support – you must go to apple store, as ATT stores does  not support the phone, You can call 800 support, but if the phone need to be look at you need to go to an Apple store or lose phone for days.
• No way to control Bluetooth (it is on or off and you can not turn off discovery mode)
• If you are running an application like GPS navigation and the phone rings you application shuts down, so no directions.
• No way to change battery and when it goes you need to send device back to Apple or find 3rd party to replace it.
• Put speaker on mute and some applications will still play sounds
• System ask for password for login to ITunes and give options to remember but never does.
• No way to remotely wipe device if lost

So for now The iPhone is a great IPOD device, but as a PHONE it needs lots of work. I expect a phone will a make call, have a good radio, boot or turn on fast, and be stable. Sorry to say but after 3 months of trying, the iPhone does not live up to it’s hype. As a consumer device it might, but for business I give up.

Ps. I now have to return the phone to an APPLE store as it now does not boot at all. I now have  heard this is a  issue from a group of people.

 

Back to a Window Mobile where I can work and have a s phone that meets business needs.

 

Technorati Tags: Review iPhone

Windows 7 "Windows @ Work" Article Contest

 

Use Visual Studio 2008 and/or Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 to build a great Windows 7 application, and then post an article on The Code Project. You could win a fully loaded HP Touchsmart tx2z Notebook!

Submit a great article explaining how you built an app for Windows 7 – complete with code - and if yours is the highest rated article by both The Code Project community and our judges, you could win a fully loaded HP Touchsmart tx2z Notebook!

Requirements

• Write a great article using the regular Code Project submission guidelines
• Your article should include screen shots and code samples
• Your article must use Visual Studio 2008 and/or Visual Studio 2010 Beta
• The app should run as a Windows client, and should take advantage of Windows-specific technologies/features found in Windows 7 (such as jumplists, thumbnails, etc.)
• You’ll need to tag your article with the key words "Windows 7”
• Post your article on The Code Project to automatically be entered in the contest

What You Can Win

Codeproject.com members can vote on your article. The articles that are highest-rated by members will be rated by our judges to determine the final winner.  If your article wins, in addition to receiving one of our three great prizes, you’ll be highlighted in The Code Project’s weekly newsletter and on our contest page

 

Go here for more info.

Technorati Tags: clubhouse,Developer,Windows 7,Contest