Month: March 2009

 

Windows Embedded Web site

SAN JOSE, Calif. — March 30, 2009 — Tuesday, during an industry address at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Silicon Valley 2009, Microsoft Corp. will demonstrate the expansion of the Windows Embedded software-plus-services platform through the addition of Windows Embedded Server to the comprehensive Microsoft portfolio of embedded platforms and technologies.

With Windows Embedded Server, the Windows Embedded software-plus-services platform provides an end-to-end technology infrastructure for simplified security, interoperability and intelligent device management in the enterprise. This comprehensive platform will enable new revenue channels for Windows Embedded partners and OEMs, and address the need for real-time operations, high availability and system interconnectivity between individual processes and enterprise controls.

“The evolution of the Windows Embedded software-plus-services platform with the addition of Windows Embedded Server reflects the realization of Microsoft’s continued commitment to drive innovation and leadership in the embedded market by fostering the next generation of smart, connected, service-oriented devices and device services,” said Kevin Dallas, general manager of the Windows Embedded business unit at Microsoft. “The combination of software plus services from Windows Embedded will establish new revenue channels for embedded OEMs and partners by utilizing Windows Embedded Server and the complete Microsoft portfolio of embedded platforms and technologies in scenarios such as device maintenance and support services.”

Windows Embedded Server enables OEMs to design, build and deploy dedicated, durable server appliances that have smaller footprints, robust networking and support for large storage, aiding in the rapid setup and remote management capabilities of embedded devices. Based on the Microsoft Windows Server core operating system, Windows Embedded Server utilizes security, reliability and availability features to enable embedded device solutions to help improve customer satisfaction and service, increase hardware utilization and reduce the need for software updates.

Through the Windows Embedded software-plus-services platform, OEMs and Windows Embedded partners will also have the ability to establish new revenue channels through preventive maintenance, remote servicing and other advanced service offerings by seamlessly integrating Windows Embedded-based devices into existing Microsoft enterprise infrastructures. Today OEMs can work with enterprise organizations to use System Center Configuration Manager for remote maintenance and System Center Operations Manager for monitoring, helping deliver preventive maintenance that will help reduce the need for emergency calls and help avoid expenses associated with sending technicians for every support incident.

For additional information on Windows Embedded Server and the Windows Embedded portfolio of embedded platforms and technologies, developers can visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded.

Download – Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI)

98 out of 100 PCs have 1 or more insecure programs installed! Download the free Secunia PSI and check your PC for insecure programs exposing you to security threats!
VULNERABLE ?
Did you know that many of the hacker attacks and security threats today exploit software vulnerabilities and code flaws?
UPDATED ?
Keeping your PC and especially your 3rd party programs updated requires you to search the Internet for updates and patches on a regular basis – for all the programs installed on your PC.
WHATS ON YOUR PC ?
The typical user has 30-60 programs installed – do you know which programs you have installed? Do you know which programs expose you to security threats?
SECURE ?
Is your PC secure? Do you have all the latest security updates and patches?
PROTECT YOURSELF !
Security patches are usually free and available for download from the program vendors. Let the Secunia PSI pinpoint exactly which patches you need to secure your PC.
The Secunia PSI is a free security tool designed with the sole purpose of helping you secure your computer against vulnerabilities in programs.

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Current version:
1.0.0.4 [ Changelog ]

Latest release:
24th Mar. 2009

File size:
543,824 bytes

Languages available:
English, Spanish, German, and Danish

** Critical Notice **

April 1st Confickr Worm Threat

Next Wednesday – April Fools’ Day – millions of computers that have already been infected by the Confickr worm, also known as "bots", will be used to receive orders from controlling machines and possibly leveraged in malicious activity. Once these orders are received, the infected computers may be used to send out malware, e–mail scams/spam, viruses, or may even be used to steal information from the affected host. The computer must already be infected by the Confickr worm in order for it to be used in this potential threat that is to occur on April 1st.

If you are unsure if your Windows machine is infected by the Confickr worm, please use an anti–virus to scan your machine. Anti–virus signatures to detect Confickr worm activity are available.

** Please note, Windows machines that are patched with the MS08–067 update are not affected by this threat. This patch was released October 2008**

The Confickr worm (aka DownAdUp/DownUp/Kido) spreads itself primarily via a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Server Service on Windows based computers. The worm uses a specially crafted RPC request to execute its coding on the target computer. Once the worm is executed on the system, it disables a number of system services such as Windows Automatic Updates, Windows Security Center, Windows Defender, Windows Error Reporting, or possibly other anti–malware/virus protection programs. The worm also receives orders from a main server that can tell the worm to download more malware, steal information, or spread to other systems. Some of the system services/processes to which Confickr worm is known to attach are svchost.exe, explorer.exe, and services.exe.

** If you do not have the MS08–067 patch installed, it can be downloaded from Microsoft via the link below or by using Windows Update. If your Windows machine is infected by the Confickr worm you can download the Microsoft Removal tool below the Security Bulletin link. **

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08–067.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

It is important to note that propagation methods for this worm have been detectable on the network since October 2008, when the patch was released. Other potentially undetectable propagation methods include any writable media plugged into an infected system such as a USB drive.

Do you know a high school or college kid who loves technology? Is your son or daughter interested in becoming the next super-developer in your family? Microsoft wants to help.

Through Microsoft DreamSpark, high school and college students around the world* can download Microsoft Developer tools and also get discounts on learning and certification products. Notify your child’s high school administrators and once they sign up with the program, students will be able to start getting hands-on with the latest tools from Microsoft. Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition? Got it. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Developer? Got that too. Windows Server 2008? Of course! Go to the website and take a look – there are currently 16 products listed for download.

While you’re there, click on the Get Training link. You’ll see free eBooks, Learning Snacks and exam discounts. As part of the DreamSpark initiative, Microsoft Learning will be distributing up to 150,000 MCTS exam vouchers good until June 30, 2009. Students must redeem the voucher and schedule their exam online at the Prometric website by June 30, 2009, so don’t hesitate. Contact your local high school or college administrators today – I did.

*(except China, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Vietnam)

As a member of the Step Program of one of my goals is to share information about Windows 7, and Server 2008 r2. Here a Link that you can use to have a quick 30 min. overview of Windows 7.

This quick bite includes the Following subjects

• Benefits of Windows 7
• Improved Accessibility
• Enhance Security
• Improved Operational Efficiency
• Managing Images Using Deployment Image Servicing and Management

The Site Requires Silverlight to be installed to view the quick 30 min. overview of Windows 7 click here.

Windows 7 BitLocker has been enhanced to provide a better experience for end users. Without having to navigate the Control Panel or configure any difficult settings, users can easily protect USB removable storage devices.

The option is available by simply right-clicking on a drive in Windows Explorer to enable BitLocker protection. With BitLocker To Go, you can encrypt removable storage devices, such USB flash drives. All you need to do is right-click on the drive you want to protect, select the “Turn on BitLocker” menu option, and follow the basic wizard.

Using BitLocker To Go devices on Windows XP and Vista

Microsoft provides a BitLocker Reader application on the encrypted device, allowing users to access the stored files. There is one huge limitation to BitLocker Reader, however: It is read-only. So after you’ve provided the password to unlock the drive, you can view files and copy them to your PC hard drive. But you cannot save files back to the device.

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Windows Photo Gallery.

Press this key
To do this

CTRL+F

Open the Fix pane

CTRL+P

Print the selected picture

ENTER

View the selected picture at a larger size

CTRL+I

Open or close the Details pane

CTRL+PERIOD (.)

Rotate the picture clockwise

CTRL+COMMA (,)

Rotate the picture counter-clockwise

F2

Rename the selected item

CTRL+E

Search for an item

ALT+LEFT ARROW

Go back

ALT+RIGHT ARROW

Go forward

PLUS SIGN (+)

Zoom in or resize the picture thumbnail

MINUS SIGN (-)

Zoom out or resize the picture thumbnail

CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel

Change the size of the picture thumbnail

CTRL+B

Best fit

LEFT ARROW

Select the previous item

DOWN ARROW

Select the next item or row

UP ARROW

Previous item (Easel) or previous row (Thumbnail)

PAGE UP

Previous screen

PAGE DOWN

Next screen

HOME

Select the first item

END

Select the last item

DELETE

Move the selected item to the Recycle Bin

SHIFT+DELETE

Permanently delete the selected item

LEFT ARROW

Collapse node

RIGHT ARROW

Expand node

Keyboard shortcuts for working with videos

J

Move back one frame

K

Pause the playback

L

Move forward one frame

I

Set the start trim point

O

Set the end trim point

M

Split a clip

HOME

Stop and rewind all the way back to the start trim point

ALT+RIGHT ARROW

Advance to the next frame

ALT+LEFT ARROW

Go back to the previous frame

CTRL+K

Stop and rewind playback

CTRL+P

Play from the current location

HOME

Move the start trim point

END

Move to the end trim point

PAGE UP

Seek to nearest split point before the current location

PAGE DOWN

Seek to nearest split point after the current location

The following table contains keyboard shortcuts for working with Windows Explorer windows or folders.

Press this key
To do this

CTRL+N

Open a new window

END

Display the bottom of the active window

HOME

Display the top of the active window

F11

Maximize or minimize the active window

NUM LOCK+ASTERISK (*) on numeric keypad

Display all subfolders under the selected folder

NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN (+) on numeric keypad

Display the contents of the selected folder

NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN (-) on numeric keypad

Collapse the selected folder

LEFT ARROW

Collapse the current selection (if it is expanded), or select the parent folder

ALT+LEFT ARROW

View the previous folder

RIGHT ARROW

Display the current selection (if it is collapsed), or select the first subfolder

ALT+RIGHT ARROW

View the next folder

CTRL+Mouse scroll wheel

Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons

ALT+D

Select the Address bar

Over the last few months, Microsoft has introduced Career Assist, Elevate America, and Thrive—great opportunities and resources, each designed to help you get a job, keep a job, or accelerate you toward your next job.

Our Learning Solutions Partners in the U.S. joined us in holding hundreds of events during Microsoft Skills Week to help raise awareness of our certifications, and of the people who hold them (that’d be you guys).

Here on Born to Learn, we amped up our publishing, bringing you more information and more opportunities; more insights and more answers, all as it happened (and sometimes before!)

In other words: we been busy.

You’d think we’d be ready to take a break, right?

Heck no: We’re fired up! Ready to go!

…go on the road, that is:

Today, we’re announcing Get on the Bus! – an eleven-day odyssey across America aboard the Career Express bus beginning May 1st in Tampa, Florida and ending May 11th at TechEd 2009 in Los Angeles, California!

If you’re along our route, stay tuned for information about MCP and MCT meet-ups, special offers, giveaways and opportunities. If you’re not on our route, follow our trip here as we visit and profile MCPs and MCTs, CPLS partners and IT Academies, authors and user groups, and more—live blogging all the way on the new Born to Learn (more on that next week).

Who would be crazy dedicated enough to live on a bus for eleven days? (and I’m not exaggerating that much: the Career Express is a rock band-style touring bus, complete with bunks, a kitchenette, and workspace… all of which I suspect will come in handy).

That’d be us: your Microsoft Learning Community team and Born to Learn bloggers, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to come to your town!

And because we’re so committed to helping you advance your career; because we’re not about to let a tough economy get in the way of a great opportunity; and because we just love spending time with you guys:

We want to take you with us!

We’re reserving six seats on the Career Express for MCPs and MCTs (U.S. residents only)—you can join us in one of six cities, and we’ll take you to TechEd! You’ll enjoy our scintillatingly geeky conversation on the bus; represent the MCP and MCT communities as we meet lots of Microsoft customers, partners, and community members; be a featured blogger on the new Born to Learn; see America at ground level; and, of course, enjoy our premier technical education (and IMHO professional networking) event of the year: TechEd 2009 – without having to buy a $2,000 show pass!

With such a cool opportunity on the line, though, we need to make sure that only outstanding community representatives join us. How are we going to do that?

We’re going to ask you to decide who comes with us!

How’s that going to work?

Stay tuned… all will be revealed here over the next week, with the full Official Rules and registration site available on Monday, March 23rd.

Want to watch the itinerary develop and see who else will be attending in your town? Join our Facebook event page!

And considering that we’re putting this all together in real time, and there are bound to be frequent updates and limited-time opportunities leading up to and during our tour… follow us on Twitter (@MSLearning) to stay up-to-date.

If you’re in the Tampa, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Columbus, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix, or Las Vegas metro areas—we’re coming to a town near you. And when we do:

Get on the Bus!