April 2005 - Posts
Nooooooooooooooo Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/27/netherlands_ipod_tax/ Netherlands proposed tax on MP3 players could devastate sales of hard disk players, and set up international waves over copyright legislation. The tax is being proposed
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Kool Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4489485.stm Phone maker Nokia has unveiled a music-enabled mobile that it hopes will put it head to head with Apple's iPod. The Nokia N91 multimedia handset comes with a 4-gigabyte hard disk, allowing
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After nearly 4 hours in the air, the new Airbus 380 has landed safley back at Toulouse Airport, after circling the Bay of Biscay before returning to base. Check out the video news reel from the BBC
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Wow, how something that big can get off the ground is amazing ... actually it's physics! Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4488361.stm European aircraft maker Airbus's A380, the world's largest passenger plane, has taken off on its long-awaited
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Interesting Blog from Michael! Source: http://blogs.brnets.com/michael/archive/2005/04/26/512.aspx ....A question that I've answered three times in the last week: it seems to take a long time for my Offline Address Book to get updated in Outlook. I'm
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Register now baby! Source: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/medc2005/default.mspx This FREE full day of highlights is the premier UK developer event focused on the future of Microsoft Windows Mobile™ and Windows® Embedded platforms. MEDC 2005 UK Highlights
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Source: http://europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/googkle.shtml F-Secure staff has found a malicious website that utilizes a spelling error when typing the name of the popular search engine - 'Google.com'. If a user opens a malicious website, his/her computer
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Oh wow, didn't know about this until Eileen Blogged it! Source: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=8B081F3A-B7D0-4B16-B8AF-5A6322F4FD01&displaylang=en The Personal Folders Backup download creates backup copies of your .PST files
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The world is going crazy! Source: http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/04/lighters_banned.html Lighters are now banned on U.S. commercial flights, but not matches. The Senators who proposed the bill point to Richard Reid, who unsuccessfully tried
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This is quite a good read Source: http://www.microsoft.com/issues/essays/2005/04-20phishing.asp Pretending to be someone else used to be a game for children and a job for actors. Today, it is the No. 1 subject of consumer complaints to the Federal Trade
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Source: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=327035e8-5494-4a26-ba8a-24c1296d70bb&displaylang=en The Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Create DVD Update enables increased reliability when creating a video DVD using recorded
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Hummm Source: http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;896367&spid=3198 This article contains information about application compatibility testing that was performed for the English version of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).
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It's a shame these are not word documets or PDF's so you could download them. Instead they are webpages :-| Source: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/technologies/directory/activedirectory/stepbystep/default.mspx These guides
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Source: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/apr05/04-26SAPMSBusinessEfficiencyPR.asp COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- April 26, 2005 -- SAP AG and Microsoft Corp. today announced they are jointly developing and planning to offer a new product, code-named
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Source: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=841270 The Microsoft Exchange Information Store service may intermittently stop responding (hang) on a public folder server that is running Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server. Back to the top CAUSE This problem may
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Hummm Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/25/veritas_vision_bloom/ Veritas CEO Gary Bloom was in duck and cover mode today as the company's main user conference kicked off here in San Francisco. The executive dodged questions about Veritas' ongoing
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I love this blog! Source: http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/04/new_risks_of_au.html Every security system brings about new threats. Here's an example: The RAC Foundation yesterday called for an urgent review of the first fixed motorway speed
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Okay so it looks like it's time to buy a new pc then! Source: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/apr05/04-25Winx64LaunchPR.asp SEATTLE -- April 25, 2005 -- Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates today announced the
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Looking Good ... I like the idea of "Athens" Source: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2005/apr05/04-25ConceptPC.asp SEATTLE, April 25, 2005 -- In the automotive world, concept cars are used to test market receptivity and spur innovations in
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For all you Six Sigma Fans!
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=b2716dcd-66d0-4561-9dd0-82d28d5a8625&displaylang=en
Microsoft Accelerator for Six Sigma is an integrated set of products and services customized for Six Sigma practitioners. The accelerator can help Six Sigma project teams more effectively manage a large number of projects, more easily track their financial impact, optimize and track resources, and electronically share knowledge gathered across the enterprise. By helping the customer focus on reducing costs, business cycle times, and solving business problems using Six Sigma projects, the accelerator enables companies to effectively manage Six Sigma initiatives across the enterprise.
System Requirements:
- Windows® 2000 Server
- SQL™ Server 2000
- Microsoft Project Server 2002
- SharePoint Team Services
This is good - very good and easy to understand, even for me ;-)
Source: http://msmvps.com/bradley/archive/2005/04/25/44428.aspx
Law #1: If a bad guy can persuade you to run his program on your computer, it's not your computer anymore
It's an unfortunate fact of computer science: when a computer program runs, it will do what it's programmed to do, even if it's programmed to be harmful. When you choose to run a program, you are making a decision to turn over control of your computer to it. Once a program is running, it can do anything, up to the limits of what you yourself can do on the computer. It could monitor your keystrokes and send them to a website. It could open every document on the computer, and change the word "will" to "won't" in all of them. It could send rude emails to all your friends. It could install a virus. It could create a "back door" that lets someone remotely control your computer. It could dial up an ISP in Katmandu. Or it could just reformat your hard drive.
This is pretty neat how it works out. This is cool beer/wine maths!!!!!!! DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST! It takes less than a minute....... Work this out as you read. Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out! This is not one
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These are just excellent: --These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.
Q: Are you sexually active?
A: No, I just lie there.
_______________________________
Q: What is your date of birth?
A: July 15.
Q: What year?
A: Every year.
______________________________________
Q: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
A: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
______________________________________
Q: This condition you have... does it affect your memory at all?
A: Yes.
Q: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
A: I forget.
Q: You forget? Can you give us an example of something that you've forgotten?
_____________________________________
Q: How old is your son, the one living with you?
A: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which.
Q: How long has he lived with you?
A: Forty-five years.
_____________________________________
Q: What was the first thing your husband said to you when he woke up that morning?
A: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
Q: And why did that upset you?
A: My name is Susan.
______________________________________
Q: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo or the occult?
A: We both do.
Q: Voodoo?
A: We do.
Q: You do?
A: Yes, voodoo.
______________________________________
Q: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
A: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
___________________________________
Q: The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he?
_____________________________________
Q: Were you present when your picture was taken?
______________________________________
Q: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
A: Yes.
Q: And what were you doing at that time?
______________________________________
Q: She had three children, right?
A: Yes.
Q: How many were boys?
A: None.
Q: Were there any girls?
______________________________________
Q: How was your first marriage terminated?
A: By death.
Q: And by whose death was it terminated?
______________________________________
Q: Can you describe the individual?
A: He was about medium height and had a beard.
Q: Was this a male, or a female?
______________________________________
Q: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
A: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
______________________________________
Q: Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?
A: All my autopsies are performed on dead people.
______________________________________
Q: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
A: Oral.
______________________________________
Q: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
A: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
Q: And Mr Dennington was dead at the time?
A: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy.
______________________________________
Q: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
______________________________________
Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for breathing?!
A: No.
Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
A: No.
Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Q: But could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere.
Oh What! Source: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=85198
AUSTIN, TX -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/21/2005 -- Forgent™ Networks (NASDAQ: FORG) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Compression Labs, Inc., has initiated litigation against Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) for infringement of United States Patent No. 4,698,672 (the '672 Patent) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. On April 15, 2005, Microsoft filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Forgent seeking a declaratory judgment of noninfringement, invalidity and unenforceability of the '672 Patent.
"Forgent intends to vigorously pursue its claims for patent infringement against Microsoft. We believe we will prevail in this action as the '672 Patent is valid, enforceable and infringed by Microsoft," said Richard Snyder, chairman and CEO of Forgent. "It's unfortunate that, despite Microsoft's recent inquiries about licensing the patent, they chose to file a lawsuit, leaving us no alternative but to assert infringement claims against it. We are committed to the intellectual property program, and our objective remains to protect our intellectual property assets from infringement, and where appropriate to collect a reasonable royalty fee, thus maximizing shareholder value."
Since its inception three years ago, Forgent's intellectual property program has generated more than $100 million from licensing the '672 Patent to more than 35 different companies in Asia, Europe and the United States. Forgent has also initiated litigation against 44 companies for infringement of the '672 Patent in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. In February of 2005, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("MDL Panel") ordered that these actions arising out of the infringement of Forgent's still-image compression technology, embodied in the '672 Patent, be transferred to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Subsequent to filing the litigation, four companies have entered into license or settlement agreements.
The '672 Patent relates to digital image compression, and fields of use include digital still image devices used to compress, store, manipulate, print or transmit digital still images such as digital cameras, personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, printers, scanners, and certain software applications. The company's patent portfolio includes the combined inventions of Compression Labs, Inc., VTEL Corporation, and Forgent Networks, Inc.
Ouch! Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002251352_blackberry24.html WASHINGTON — Sandy Boyd's BlackBerry had become her passion. Now it has become a source of pain. About three months ago, the National Association of Manufacturers
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Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4470797.stm
The European Commission has said that the new internet domain name ".eu" will be up and running by the end of 2005.
The commission says the move will allow businesses and individuals to create an EU-wide identity on the internet.
It has taken six years for the idea of the ".eu" to become reality - a legal agreement was signed last month.
It will join generic addresses such as ".com" and ".org" as well as national ones like the British ".uk" or the German ".de".
The commission says the new domain name should be particularly useful for companies which operate across the European single market, giving them a pan-European identity on the internet.
itially, for a period of four months, registration will be limited to public companies and trademark owners to avoid the risk of cybersquatters taking names which are not legally theirs.
The commission has warned that any offer of pre-registration should be treated with caution because fraud could well be involved.
As well as providing new internet space, officials in Brussels hope the new domain name will help promote the identity of the EU itself on the electronic media.
It's all coming in thick and fast now!
Source: http://gamesradar.msn.co.uk/news/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=35512&subsectionid=1586
new image of Microsoft's Xbox 360 has surfaced on web forums this evening, where it is believed an industry insider leaked the image.
Sources we spoke to who have already seen the hardware themselves confirmed that this image - despite being a render rather than a photo - is indeed the official finalised design of Xbox 360.
Other scant details have also been revealed to us by our sources.
Apparently, as well as removable media for saving games, gamers will be able to save games on to their home computers via LAN networks.
An MIS Bug!?!
Source: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=813874
The following event ID message occurs when a Microsoft Mobile Information Server push notification is sent to a mobile device:
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Mobile Information Server Store Sink
Event ID: 514
Description:Unexpected content class detected for item <file://./backofficestorage/exchange.companyname.com/MBX/su/Mobile Inbox/Read%3A FW%3Amessage.EML>.
This event ID message occurs on the Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server computer on which the Exchange 2000 Notifications component of Mobile Information Server is installed.
Cause
This problem may occur if a push notification is generated for a read receipt. Mobile Information Server does not support the Report.IPM.Note.IPNRN message class for push notifications.
Resolution
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft
Date Time Version Size File name
--------------------------------------------------------------
30-Jan-2003 03:41 1.5.837.12 147,456 Wnotify.dll
07-Feb-2003 04:42 1.0.0.0 24,576 Miscustom.dll
So the rumors are rampat, and the general one is that the new xbox is going to be call the xbox 360!
Strange name but hey, they must have a reason. Also the adverts are starting to pop up on MTV. Check this one!
http://outerspace.terra.com.br/videos/xbox360_mtv_spot.mov
Hummm, so India maynot be the Holy Grail?
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/19/offshoring_savings_sometimes/
Many of the world's largest organisations are turning their backs on outsourcing and one in four are actively bringing services back in-house.
A survey from Deloitte Consulting reveals that 70 per cent of respondents have had significant negative experiences with outsourced projects. Just under half, 44 per cent, did not see outsourcing contracts achieving significant cost savings.
In fact 57 per cent of respondents said they had had to pay for services they believed were included in the cost of the original contract. Almost half of those questioned said hidden costs were the most common problem with outsourced contracts. As a result of these disappointments more than half of those surveyed have moved from long-term contracts (of about ten years) to shorter contracts of less than five years.
Ahhh shame
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/19/motorola_mpx_dead/
Motorola has knocked its MPx Windows Mobile-based handset on the head, a company spokesman has confirmed.
Reports published last week that the company had cancelled orders with its Asian manufacturing partners suggested that the MPx wasn't long for this world, but there was the possibility that Motorola would produce the device itself
However, a company spokesman last night told website PhoneScoop that the MPx was indeed effectively dead.
The handset had been made available in limited quantities in a number of Asian markets, but its broader availability will now not extend beyond enterprise-oriented market trials, the spokesman said.
The MPx was launched in February 2004. The dual-hinged clamshell design contained a 2.8in 320 x 240 touch-sensitive display, stylus, QWERTY micro-keyboard and a Wi-Fi adaptor. The screen could be opened in either portrait or landscape orientation.
In March, the MPx was upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, at which point Motorola said the phone would ship in the second half of the year. The following October, the Wi-Fi Alliance said it had certified the MPx for 802.11 interoperability
Okay so this week I'm on a 3 day course in Paris. The fun actualy started at Heathrow. Terminal 4 has these new body scanners, and I was asked to give it a go! I have blogged about these before: http://flaphead.dns2go.com/blog/archive/2004/11/10/572.aspx
Very bizarre, you stand in front of this screen and give it 3 poses against what looks like a wall. You need to stand facing the wall, when with your back to the wall and finally at an angle to the wall.
It probably too about 1 min, but they say the plan is to "do" 3 people in 30 seconds. The funny thing is that you still need to put your bags through the xray machine anyway!?!
Anyway lets see what the future brings .. I know one thing that I'll will bring longer queues before you get airside!
Source: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7257&feedId=online-news_rss20
Russian rockets will be launched from the European Space Agency's spaceport in French Guiana in 2008, following an agreement signed on Monday. The rockets will launch medium-weight satellite payloads into orbit and might one day send people into space.
Russia usually launches its Soyuz rockets from a leased base in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, while the French rocket company Arianespace launches its own rockets from the European Space Agency's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on the north coast of South America.
Now, Russian and Arianespace officials meeting in Moscow have signed an agreement whereby Soyuz rockets will blast off from Kourou. The deal specifies that Europe will provide €344 million to build the launch pad, while Russia provides the hardware by erecting a tower for the launch pad, shipping over the rockets, and making any changes necessary for them to operate in Kourou's equatorial climate.
The Soyuz rockets normally lift 1.6-tonne-payloads into orbit from Baikonur, but they will get an added boost from Kourou's location nearer to the equator, where the benefit of Earth’s spin is most felt. From there, a Soyuz rocket will be able to launch payloads of about 3 tonnes into geostationary transfer orbit - an elliptical orbit that extends to about 25,000 kilometres above Earth.
Now I'm really not sure about this :-| Microsoft want to sell more Windows Mobile devices and Exchange seats, but help the competition with this? It's almost as if one of the company wants to go one way and the other another and they end up shooting themselves in the foot?! I wonder what makes more money Exchange 2003 seats with Windows Mobile devices of the LCS Seats?
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/apr05/04-19MSRIMBlackberryPR.asp
REDMOND, Wash., and WATERLOO, Ontario -- April 18, 2005 -- Microsoft Corp. and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced a product collaboration and joint marketing agreement to extend enterprise instant messaging (IM) and presence to BlackBerry® subscribers through connectivity with Microsoft® Office Live Communications Server 2005 and BlackBerry Enterprise Server (TM) .
Companies are using Live Communications Server to deploy enterprise-grade IM and presence capabilities across their networks and through federated connections with other organizations running Live Communications Server. Based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and SIP for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE) standards, Live Communications Server provides a platform for the development of custom real-time communications solutions that span PC networks, desk phone systems and mobile devices. The combined Microsoft-RIM solution is designed to extend rich Live Communications Server features to employees using BlackBerry, enabling mobile professionals to transmit instant messages and share presence-based information to maintain real-time connectivity with colleagues, partners and customers while they are away from the office.
"Instant messaging and presence are playing an increasingly important role in helping information workers stay in touch with critical business contacts and make better decisions, faster," said Gurdeep Pall, corporate vice president for the Real-Time Collaboration Group at Microsoft. "Extending these valuable communications tools from the desktop, with Microsoft Office Communicator, to mobile devices like BlackBerry is a core element of our vision for integrated communications, which aims to unify communications across PCs, phones and mobile devices so people can communicate and collaborate more effectively and efficiently. We are excited about expanding our vibrant developer partner ecosystem to include providers of rich mobile solutions, like BlackBerry, to further extend and enhance the Live Communications experience."
"Enterprise customers around the world have chosen BlackBerry for its ability to keep employees connected to timely communications and information. Together with Microsoft, we are extending the benefits of Live Communications Server to mobile BlackBerry users and enhancing personal and workgroup communications," said Jim Balsillie, chairman and co-CEO of Research In Motion. "Enterprise instant messaging capabilities for BlackBerry with Live Communications Server mark another important and expansive step for wireless enterprise connectivity."
RIM is working to develop a Live Communications Server Client for BlackBerry that provides security-enhanced Live Communications Server IM connectivity between mobile BlackBerry users and their Live Communications Server enterprise deployment. Through this agreement, Microsoft and RIM plan to extend the benefits of Live Communications Server to the many companies and government organizations using BlackBerry around the world.
RIM expects to have product availability by the end of the year, with a trial in September 2005. Further information regarding product specifications will be available at a later date.
Hummmmm
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/apr05/04-19RTCMobileClientPR.asp
Redmond, Wash. -- April 18, 2005 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced it is extending Microsoft® Office Live Communications Server 2005 capabilities to mobile devices, enabling companies to deploy trusted instant messaging (IM) and presence-enabled solutions that provide a consistent experience across PCs and smart mobile devices. As an initial step, the company unveiled plans to deliver a new mobile Live Communications Server 2005 client, for Windows Mobile (TM) -based devices.
Based on the user interface of the Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 messaging client, the new Windows Mobile client is designed to provide information workers with a premier mobile collaboration experience through native integration of mobile applications with enterprise-grade, real-time communications tools. Extending Live Communications Server to mobile devices furthers Microsoft's vision for integrated communications, described by Bill Gates at the Microsoft RTC unified launch event March 8 as giving information workers access to presence and unified modes of communication -- e-mail, phone, instant messaging (IM), short message service (SMS), videoconferencing and webconferencing -- across a variety of form factors (PC, desk phone, mobile device) and wired or wireless networks.
"Information workers spend a lot of time away from their desks for meetings, travel, customer visits and other demands, and having mobile access to enterprise-grade real-time communications can help them work smarter and more efficiently," said Gurdeep Pall, corporate vice president for the Real-Time Collaboration Group at Microsoft. "Through the new Windows Mobile client and innovative mobile solutions from a vibrant ecosystem of developer partners, we'll offer mobile users an integrated communications and presence-sharing experience, all within a security-enhanced, trusted environment."
Come and get it!
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4f2f1339-cbcd-4d26-9174-f30c10d7ec4c&DisplayLang=en
Configuration, rule and help updates for the Exchange Server Best Practices Analyzer 2.0
2.1.0.1 - First web update pack for v2. Over 50 new rules added, including support for Windows Server 2003 SP1.
This download contains the latest ExBPA.Config.xml and ExBPA.chm files. Use this package to update your existing installation of the Exchange Server Best Practices Analyzer. NOTE: If Internet connectivity is available, the Exchange Server Best Practices Analyzer will attempt to automatically update itself from the Internet. Where updates are being applied automatically, there is no need to download the Web Update Pack.
To find out which version of ExBPA.Config.xml is installed on your computer, click the 'About Exchange Server Best Practices Analyzer' link within the tool. The upper version number refers to the core application (e.g. 2.0.7532.0), the lower version is for the configuration XML file
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4455727.stm
Tech giant Intel has unveiled a chip that gives access to wide-reaching wireless networks.
The new chip uses Wimax, which enables broadband connections over several miles, unlike the short range of wi-fi used in specific locations.
The company has announced a series of trials with partners, including BT, around the world.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4456895.stm
Shares in Macromedia rose 10% in early trading on news its US rival Adobe is to buy it for $3.4bn (£1.79bn) and integrate its software with its own.
The agreement marks the latest move in the consolidation of the software industry. In December Symantec agreed to buy Veritas in a $13.5bn deal.
Under the terms of the acquisition, US-based Macromedia's shareholders will own 18% of the combined business.
It will be run by Adobe's chief executive, Bruce Chizen.
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/Apr05/04-18WBMSDVDTitlesPR.asp
HD DVD titles will be available in the fourth quarter of 2005
LAS VEGAS -- April 17, 2005 -- Today at the National Association of Broadcasters convention, NAB2005, Warner Bros. Studios and Microsoft Corp. announced their plans to collaborate on the release of a broad range of next-generation HD DVD discs using Windows Media® Video 9, Microsoft's implementation of VC-1, the proposed Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standard approved by the DVD Forum for HD DVD. Warner Home Video currently plans to release titles in the fourth quarter of 2005. HD DVD represents the first major push to deliver high-definition content to consumers on optical media in the U.S.
Oh sh1t, this is going to make life really fun!
Source: 897614 Windows Server System software not supported within a Microsoft Virtual Server environment
Microsoft Exchange Server. Exchange is currently not supported running within Microsoft Virtual Server. Exchange will be supported within Virtual Server starting with Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2 and subsequent releases.
Come on baby! .. and that is a LOT of fuel!
Source: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7270&feedId=online-news_rss20
NASA pumped 2 million litres of fuel into space shuttle Discovery’s external fuel tank during a successful dress rehearsal for launch on Thursday. “I couldn’t be happier at the conclusion of today’s test,” said Wayne Hale, NASA deputy space shuttle programme manager.
It was the first time a fuel tank had been filled with the cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen since the shuttle Columbia accident of 2003. Investigators determined the root cause of the accident was a piece of foam insulation falling off the external tank during launch, which damaged the leading-edge of the shuttle’s left wing.
Wow! Source: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18624955.100&feedId=online-news_rss20
PIONEERING treatment has allowed paralysed dogs to regain some movement. The results have raised hopes that the method will work in people too.
So far, nine dogs paralysed in road accidents or by spinal disc injuries have been treated by veterinary surgeons Robin Franklin and Nick Jeffery of the University of Cambridge. Within a month, all regained the ability to make jerky movements in their hind legs, Jeffery told a meeting in Birmingham, UK, this week, although they are only slowly gaining the ability to support their own weight.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4448167.stm
Almost 300 school and college students were disqualified from exams in England last summer for malpractice involving mobile phones, figures show.
Of the 287 banned, all but three were sitting GCSEs, A-levels or vocational qualifications set by AQA, the UK's biggest exam board.
The overall number of subject bans for mobile possession and use represented a 15.7% rise on 2003.
An AQA spokeswoman said: "The figures show that cheating is taken seriously."
Yeah Baby, but why do we have to wait almost a day!
Source: http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/community/unveil.htm
Elijah Wood and The Killers will host half-hour global premiere with a performance from The Killers, airing exclusively on MTV channels around the world May 12 and 13.
London — 11th April, 2005 — MTV: Music Television and Microsoft Corp. today announced a global marketing alliance to unveil the next-generation Xbox® video game system on MTV channels in the United States, Asia Pacific and Europe, all within a 24-hour window — a first for the video game industry. The highly anticipated console will be revealed to video game fanatics, music lovers and MTV viewers via a high-energy half-hour program titled “MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed.” The special will be hosted by entertainment icon, seasoned gamer and Xbox fanatic Elijah Wood, known globally for the Academy Award-winning “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Island Records’ renowned Las Vegas rockers The Killers will deliver electrifying performances throughout the special. The global broadcast will premiere Thursday, 12th May, at 9:30 p.m. EDT in North America and on Friday, 13th May in other regions around the globe (local air times below).
Viewers will get an exclusive look at the Xbox vision for the next generation — one that ensures that the user experience is always connected, always personalised and always in high definition. The special will feature never-before-seen, action-packed gameplay of future Xbox games, a peek into the future of the Xbox Live™ online gaming service, backstage celebrity interviews and exclusive insider footage on the making of the next-generation console.
The inside look at the next-generation Xbox will continue at MTV.com, where after the special, viewers will find extended event coverage including behind-the-scenes video, photos and other special extras. MTV.com will also provide ongoing in-depth coverage of the next-generation Xbox highlighting the latest news, product details and previews of hot next-generation games.
“We recognise and celebrate our viewers’ passion for gaming and are excited to be working with Microsoft to launch such a significant entertainment product,” said Dave Clark, vice president, International Marketing Partnerships. “We’re proud that Microsoft considers MTV the premier global network to launch its new Xbox gaming console and reveal the first look to MTV viewers around the world.”
“Just as MTV revolutionised the way the world experiences music, the next-generation video game console from Xbox will spark a revolution in how consumers experience games and other forms of digital entertainment,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for Xbox at Microsoft. “We are ecstatic about our alliance with MTV and unveiling a video game platform in a way that has never been done.”
“MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed” will be broadcast around the world. Local market times are as follows:
- North America: Thursday, May 12, at 9:30 p.m. (21:30)
- Japan/Asia: Friday, May 13, at 11:30
- Europe: France: Friday, May 13, at 19:00
- Germany: Friday, May 13, at 19:00
- Italy: Friday, May 13, at 23:30
- Netherlands: Friday, May 13, at 19:30
- Poland: Friday, May 13, at 21:00
- Portugal: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
- Romania: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
- Scandinavia: Friday, May 13, at 22:00
- Spain: Friday, May 13, at 21:30
- U.K.: Friday, May 13, at 20:00
- Australia: Friday, May 13, at 19:00
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms05-021.mspx
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange Server that that could allow an attacker to connect to the SMTP port on an Exchange server and issue a specially-crafted command that could result in a denial of service or allow an attacker to run malicious programs of their choice in the security context of the SMTP service.
Affected Software:
Updated Bits:
xlsasink.dll: Exchange X-LINKSTATE Handler
exspmsg.dll: Microsoft Exchange Server - Software Update Messages
reapi.dll: Mail Routing Engine
resvc.dll: Mail Routing Service
- Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Service Pack 3
- exspmsg.dll: 6.5.7232.89
- reapi.dll: 6.0.6617.52
- resvc.dll: 6.0.6617.52
- xlsasink.dll: 6.0.6617.52
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
- xlsasink.dll: 6.5.6981.3
- exspmsg.dll: 6.5.7232.89
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 1
- xlsasink.dll : 6.5.7232.89
- exspmsg.dll: 6.5.7232.89
Okay so this time round we have 5 critical and 3 important
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms05-apr.mspx
Critical
Bulletin Identifier Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-019
Bulletin Title: Vulnerabilities in TCP/IP Could Allow Remote Code Execution and Denial of Service
Executive Summary: Vulnerabilities exist in Windows that could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system.
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution
Affected Software: Windows
Bulletin Identifier Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-020
Bulletin Title: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer
Executive Summary: Vulnerabilities exist in Internet Explorer that could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system.
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution
Affected Software: Internet Explorer: For more information
Bulletin Identifier Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-021
Bulletin Title: Vulnerability in Exchange Server Could Allow Remote Code Execution
Executive Summary: A vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange Server that could allow an attacker to run arbitrary code.
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution
Affected Software: Exchange Server
Bulletin Identifier Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-022
Bulletin Title: Vulnerability in MSN Messenger Could Lead to Remote Code Execution
Executive Summary: A vulnerability exists in MSN Messenger that could allow an attacker to run arbitrary code.
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution
Affected Software: MSN Messenger
Bulletin Identifier Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-23
Bulletin Title: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word May Lead to Remote Code Execution
Executive Summary: Vulnerabilities exist in Microsoft Word that could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system.
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution
Affected Software: Office
Important
Bulletin Identifier Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-016
Bulletin Title: Vulnerability in Windows Shell that Could Allow Remote Code Execution
Executive Summary: A vulnerability exists in Windows that could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system. User interaction is required for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability.
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution
Affected Software: Windows
Bulletin Identifier Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-017
Bulletin Title: Vulnerability in Message Queuing Could Allow Code Execution
Executive Summary: A vulnerability exists in MSMQ that could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system. Message Queuing is not installed by default on the operating systems software affected by this security bulletin.
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution
Affected Software: Windows
Bulletin Identifier Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-018
Bulletin Title: Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege and Denial of Service
Executive Summary: Vulnerabilities exist in Windows that could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system. To exploit this vulnerability an attacker must have valid credentials and must be able to logon locally to the affected system.
Impact of Vulnerability: Elevation Of Privilege
Affected Software: Windows
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4437295.stm
Apple has announced that the latest version of its Mac operating system will go on sale on April 29.
Code-named Tiger, the Mac OS X version 10.4 will have more than 200 new features, the company said.
This will include Spotlight, a desktop search technology that allows users to instantly find documents, images and e-mails stored on their computer.
The operating system will cost £89 for a single user licence and customers can pre-order online from Tuesday.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/overview/
now I didn't know you could do that!
Source: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=317209
To determine the global catalog server that your client computer is using, perform the following steps:
- On the Tools menu, click Address Book.
- In the Show names from the box, click Global Address List.
- Right-click Global Address List, and then click Properties.
The fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of your global catalog server is listed under Microsoft Exchange Address Book Provider, in the The current server is box.
Humm Source: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7255&feedId=online-news_rss20
The US Air Force has launched a micro-satellite that could lead to an autonomous robotic mechanic that fixes satellites in orbit. The launch is the first of two such technology-demonstration satellites to lift off this week.
The 138-kilogram XSS-11 - which stands for Experimental Spacecraft Systems 11 - blasted off at 0635 PDT (1435 GMT) on Monday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US, aboard a Minotaur rocket.
“Nobody’s ever done anything like this in space,” says Vernon Baker, XSS-11 programme manager at the Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, US. He says developing an ability to inspect or repair in orbit will significantly lower the cost of running satellites.
Noooooooo!
Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1565657,00.html
THE last haven where drivers can creep over the speed limit is being invaded by cameras.
From tomorrow one of Britain’s busiest motorways will be monitored in the first attempt to enforce the 70mph limit.
Until now police have struck only when motorists drive well over the limit on motorways. With their central barriers, gentle curves and grade separated junctions, motorways are considered to be far safer than any other road.
Shortly after midday tomorrow, drivers on the M4 in Wiltshire, between junctions 14 and 18, will face a £60 fine and three penalty points for speeding by as little as 9mph.
These are really quite good ... send the link to your friends!
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/videos/downloads.mspx?
If you would like to use our videos for educational or training purposes, you may download them from the links below. You may display the video to others or copy it to your private network to be viewable by others without Internet access, but they may not be redistributed elsewhere on the Internet. For more information refer to Microsoft's Terms of Use.
Protecting your computer from spyware
Spyware.exe
(7.2 MB) |
Watch this video to find out more about what spyware is, ways your computer can become infected, symptoms of infection, and the top three things you can do to prevent spyware. |
November 4, 2004 |
What you should know about phishing scams
Phishing.exe
(8.7 MB) |
See how fraudulent phishing e-mail messages can trick you into sending personal information to an identity thief. You'll also learn three things you can do to protect yourself from being hooked by an identity-theft scam. |
November 4, 2004 |
|
Spam.exe
(8.2 MB) |
Learn where spam comes from, what types of spam e-mail messages can be dangerous, and what you can do to help reduce the amount of spam e-mail you receive. |
January 12, 2005 |
Keeping your computer up to date
Update.exe
(8.2 MB) |
Watch this video to find out more about using Office Update, Windows Update, and Automatic Updates to get the latest security and software updates for your computer. |
January 12, 2005 |
Protecting your privacy online
Privacy.exe
(8.2 MB) |
The Internet makes it easy to shop, bank, and communicate online, but it also puts you at risk for identity theft. By using some basic precautions, you can reduce the odds of being a victim. |
January 12, 2005 |
|
Newsgroups.exe
(8.4 MB) |
Learn more about how to participate in online newsgroups and communities including how to find groups that share your interests, post questions, search for answers, and get help. |
January 12, 2005 |
|
Security.exe
(9.1 MB) |
Watch this video to get started learning about how to improve the security of your computer and your personal information online. |
January 12, 2005 |
Defending against viruses and worms
Viruses-worms.exe
(9.5 MB) |
Find out how viruses and worms can infect your computer, and learn about the three main ways you can help to protect yourself from computer viruses. |
January 12, 2005 |
Teaching your kids about online safety
Childsafety.exe
(9.7 MB) |
Learn what you can do to help keep your kids safer as they explore the Internet. |
January 12, 2005 |
The race is on!
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/11/ms_mtv_xbox2_launch/
Microsoft won't play second fiddle to Sony next month, the company tacitly said today. It will launch Xbox 2 in a half-hour show on MTV four days before its rival reveals the PlayStation 3.
Late last week it appeared both companies had planned to launch their respective next-generation consoles on 16 May - a day before the start of the E3 games industry show, natch - at different events in Los Angeles. Sony's launch was - and still is, we assume - scheduled to take place at 3PM PST. Microsoft's meeting was booked for 6PM.
Okay so I watched 24 (1800 to 1900) and I have a question - they set of an Electronic Pulse Bomb, that toasts anything electrical.
So how come near the end was the guy's torch was working? Does a torch not have electronics in?
This should be an interesting day!
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/11/sony_ms_ps3_xbox2_launch/
The waiting will be over on 16 May. On that day, at 3PM PST, Sony will take the wraps off PlayStation 3. Three hours later, Microsoft will unveil Xbox 2.
Well, that's the hope. Certainly, Sony has scheduled a press event at its Culver City, Los Angeles Sony Pictures facility on that date and time. Microsoft, meanwhile, has booked a venue in downtown LA with a view to a 6PM opening time, GamesIndustry.biz reports.
Wow!
Source: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18624945.800&feedId=online-news_rss20
A ROBOT suit has been developed that could help older people or those with disabilities to walk or lift heavy objects.
Dubbed HAL, or hybrid assistive limb, the latest versions of the suit will be unveiled this June at the 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan, which opened last month. A commercial product is slated for release by the end of the year.
HAL is the result of 10 years' work by Yoshiyuki Sankai of the University of Tsukuba in Japan, and integrates mechanics, electronics, bionics and robotics in a new field known as cybernics. The most fully developed prototype, HAL 3, is a motor-driven metal "exoskeleton" that you strap onto your legs to power-assist leg movements. A backpack holds a computer with a wireless network connection, and the batteries are on a belt.
Source: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=897342
Windows Server 2003 SP1 is supported on Windows Small Business Server 2003. However, there are known integration issues that will be resolved in Windows Small Business Server 2003 SP1.
Although Windows Server 2003 SP1 is now available for public distribution, we recommend that you wait until Service Pack 1 for Windows Small Business Server 2003 is released before you install this service pack.
If you have already installed Windows Server 2003 SP1, you do not have to remove the service pack because it is a prerequisite to installing Windows Small Business Server 2003 SP1. However, if you must remove Windows Server 2003 SP1 to address a known issue, you will be required to reinstall the service pack when you install Windows Small Business Server 2003 SP1 after it becomes available.
This looks good
Source http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=231d8143-f21b-4707-b583-ae7b9152e6d9&displaylang=en
The HTA Helpomatic is a utility that helps script writers create HTML Applications (HTAs). HTAs enable you to provide a graphical user interface for your scripts, an interface that can include anything from list boxes to radio buttons to checkboxes. The HTA Helpomatic includes sample VBScript code and sample HTML code showing you how to do things like add a button to an HTA. Equally important, the Helpomatic also shows you how you can run a script any time that button is clicked. As an added bonus, the Helpomatic enables you to modify the scripts and HTML code and test those modifications in the utility itself.
Shame
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4426949.stm
A man has been sentenced to nine years in jail by a Virginia judge for sending millions of junk emails, or "spamming".
Jeremy Jaynes, 30, is the first person in the US to get a prison term under a spam law. He is said to have been the world's eighth most prolific spammer.
By selling sham products and services advertised in his messages, he earned up to $750,000 (£398,000) per month.
Jaynes has appealed, and the court has put off the start of his prison term because the new law raises questions.
Under Virginia law, sending bulk email using fake addresses is a crime.
"It was not just sending bulk emails, he was falsifying the routing information, disguising the origin," said prosecutor Lisa Hicks Thomas.
"The end user couldn't say: don't send this to me," she added.
Ms Thomas said she was pleased with the ruling and hoped it would be upheld.
I have wanted one of these for ages!
Source: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/wireless/0,39020348,39191352,00.htm
The telco is launching a trial next month that will see voice calls run over both GSM and wireless LANs from the same device, as it gears up for the second-generation BluephoneThe telco is launching a trial next month that will see voice calls run over both GSM and wireless LANs from the same device, as it gears up for the second-generation Bluephone
BT is planning to begin trials of technology that will allow mobile calls to be routed over wireless local area networks (WLANs), as part of a wider push towards unifying fixed and mobile services.
The trial of the voice-over-WLAN (VoWLAN) technology is due to begin in April this year at BT's Adastral Park research and development labs in Martlesham Heath, UK.
Participants in the trial will use a HP iPAQ 6340 PDA which is able to connect to WLAN and GSM networks. Mobile services company Tatara Systems is providing the SIM authentication technology for the project.
The trial will be initially limited to the Adastral facility, but BT's eventual aim is to develop a device that will allow consumers and business users to make mobile calls over WLAN networks in the home, office or via public hot spots, as well as over GSM networks.
So there I was trying to get some help on if Project Server is actually supported on an SBS server and find an idiots guide up on the web.
Small world really, the website is Susan Bradley's!!!
http://www.sbslinks.com/pdf/ProjectServer.pdf
BTW: Still not sure if it is! It needs:
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack 3 (SP3) or later, Windows 2000 Advanced Server with SP3 or later, or Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 Standard or Enterprise Edition
and
Project Server 2003 processor, RAM and hard disk requirements are highly dependent on the number of services installed on the computer and the load on the server. Minimum requirements assume one server on which all Project Server components and supporting technologies (that is, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services) are installed. Windows SharePoint Services is required for project collaboration; Windows SharePoint Services requires Windows Server 2003 or later and the NTFS file system; Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services with SP3 or later (included with Microsoft SQL Server) is required for Portfolio Analyzer (OLAP Reporting); email requires Microsoft Exchange 5.5, 2000, or later; Internet Simple Mail Transfer Protocol/Post Office Protocol 3 (SMTP/POP3), Internet Message Access Protocol 4 (IMAP4), or MAPI-compliant messaging software is required for email notifications
I have spoke to a few people recently and I think I see a common theme. Most of them used to drink Jack Daniels, but stopped when they had some strange side affects like Black Outs
Anyone else experienced this?
Source: http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/download.html
The Ultimate Boot CD is a great tool if you want to run floppy-based diagnostic tools but don’t want to wait for the slow loading speed of the floppy drive. This CD contains many of the best diagnostic tools on one bootable CD.
The Ultimate Boot CD boots up to a menu were you can decide what kind of tool you need. The following is a list of the categories of tools contained on the CD. The selected tool actually boots off a virtual floppy disk created in memory.
Hard Disk Installation
Hard Disk Diagnosis
Hard Disk Device Management
Hard Disk Wiping
Hard Disk Cloning
Hard Disk Sector Editor
Partition Tools
Boot Managers
File Managers
NTFS Tools
System Burn-In Test
CPU Test
Memory Test
Peripherals Test
CPU Information
System Information
Benchmark Applications
BIOS Utilities
DOS Boot Disks
Antivirus Tools
Network Tools
Disk Image Tools
Most of these tools are freeware; some are limited use shareware or commercial software.
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/06/rim_results_q4_fy05/
Blackberry maker Research in Motion saw its subscriber base rise past the 2.5 million mark during its most recently completed fiscal quarter, Q4 FY2005, as service and software revenues began to slow the company's dependence on hardware sales.
However, the effect of the company's legal battle with NTP hit earnings hard, though some canny accounting eased the pain.
For the three months to 26 February 2005, RIM recorded revenues of $404.8m, up 11 per cent on the previous quarter and 92 per cent on Q4 FY2004. Some 66 per cent of the quarter's revenue arose from sales of Blackberry hardware, down from 71 per cent in Q3. Of the rest, 17 per cent came from service deals - the same as the previous quarter - but software-derived revenue jumped from seven per cent of the total last quarter to 14 per cent in Q4.
That suggests RIM is indeed winning the support of rival handset vendors. RIM's hardware revenue has been climbing steadily through recent quarters, increasing the extent to which it competes with the very handset manufacturers it's been trying to court with software deals. Increasing its software revenue will not only make such sales easier - in effect it becomes less of a direct competitor - but steers the company towards better long-term revenue opportunities.
RIM lost $2.6m during the quarter (one cent a share) on a GAAP basis, as it forked out $294.2m and a separately accounted for $20m to cover what it owes NTP for the settlement of the two firms' long-running patent infringement fight. Some tax jiggery-pokery resulted in a gain of $151.6m, which along with the company's operating income, also helped reduce the quarterly net loss.
Source: http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/main/index.html
Space Shuttle Discovery has rolled to the site of Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The long trek began at 2:04 p.m. EDT Wednesday, when the Shuttle "stack" -- the Orbiter, External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters -- left the Vehicle Assembly Building for the 4.2 mile journey. The Shuttle sits atop the Mobile Launcher Platform and is transported by the Crawler-Transporter underneath and moves at barely one mile an hour.
The rollout is one of the last major steps before Discovery's launch on STS-114, currently targeted for the May 15 to June 3 time frame. During its 12-day mission, Discovery’s seven-member crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve Shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies to the International Space Station
Before rollout began, NASA found a small hairline crack in the foam on the Shuttle's External Tank, but determined it's a minor imperfection that does not need repair.
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9a49c22e-e0c7-4b7c-acef-729d48af7bc9&DisplayLang=en
Use the Microsoft Exchange Server User Monitor to gather real-time data to better understand current client usage patterns, and to plan for future work. Administrators can view several items, including IP addresses used by clients, versions and modes of Microsoft Office Outlook, and resources such as CPU usage, server-side processor latency, and total latency for network and processing with Outlook 2003 version MAPI.
Hummm..
Source:
http://www.crn.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=160401595&flatPage=true
Microsoft's forthcoming Windows Mobile upgrade, code-named Magneto, is designed to be a BlackBerry killer, said sources familiar with the ambitious plan.
The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant is on track to freeze the Windows Mobile 2005 ROM code in April and provide new technology in Exchange 2003 Server Pack 2 that will push e-mail out to mobile workers who use Pocket PCs and smartphones.
Sources told CRN that Microsoft will unveil its Magneto plan at the Mobile and Embedded Developers Conference 2005 next month in Las Vegas.
Microsoft decided to freeze the code and have it in mobile operators' hands in June or July so that the next generation of devices is ready for the fall and holiday season, said a source close to the company.
Magneto will lead the charge to a more comprehensive mobile strategy, sources said.
"Microsoft aims to kill BlackBerry," said one source familiar with the plans. "Every corporate type has a BlackBerry, and they all have Outlook. What is the cost going to be to RIM server when Exchange Service Pack and Magneto come out and they're not priced? Microsoft is giving it away for free."
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=94b9810b-670e-433a-b5ef-b47054595e9c&DisplayLang=en
Use Jetstress to verify the performance and stability of a disk subsystem prior to putting an Exchange server into production. Jetstress helps verify disk performance by simulating Exchange disk Input/Output (I/O) load. Specifically, Jetstress simulates the Exchange database and log file loads produced by a specific number of users. You use Performance Monitor, Event Viewer, and ESEUTIL in conjunction with Jetstress to verify that your disk subsystem meets or exceeds the performance criteria you establish. After a successful completion of the Jetstress Disk Performance and Stress Tests in a non-production environment, you will have ensured that your Exchange 2003 disk subsystem is adequately sized (in terms of performance criteria you establish) for the user count and user profiles you have established. It is highly recommended that the Jetstress user read through the tool documentation before using the tool.
Note Jetstress is only supported when running with Exchange 2000 or Exchange 2003 or newer versions of ESE.DLL. Also, due to this support limitation, Jetstress is only supported on Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, Advanced Server, Datacenter and newer Windows OS platforms (Windows NT 4.0 and older builds are not supported).
I was asked a question the other day, and I thought I would share it and the answer with you
When disabling a user account, mailbox access from other outlook clients with permissions is obviously 'revoked', does this also take 3 hours? I ask this because when I disabled a user accound today I still had access to the mailbox for probably around 3 hours after.. I have never noticed this before!? Do you have any more information regarding this as I cannot find any on MS website, can this time period be changed at all?
These KB's help address the issue:
326252 XADM: Exchange 2000 Mailbox Size Limits Are Not Enforced in a Reasonable <http://support.microsoft.com/?id=326252>
327378 Exchange 2000 and Exchange 2003 mailbox size limits are not enforced in <http://support.microsoft.com/?id=327378>
The reason is that the Mailbox Cache Age Limit is set to two hours by default, so for any new restrictions on a mailbox you have to wait until the cache has expired
This is quite good
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=aeca9fe8-e8fc-455a-9d65-468d194e866b&displaylang=en
The files in this ZIP archive make up the optional files and custom Outlook Web Access theme that are described in the article "Creating and Deploying Outlook Web Access Themes." This article is available on the Development page of the Exchange Server TechCenter at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=43575.
Source: http://www.jobserve.com/News/W2772.news
|
Unclear objectives, lack of team communication and ineffective meetings are among the top time wasters that workers say make them feel unproductive for as much as a third of their working week, according to new research.
|
|
The Microsoft survey, which drew responses from more than 38,000 people in 200 countries, rated workers' individual productivity based on their responses to 18 statements about work-related practices.
The most common productivity pitfalls are unclear objectives, lack of team communication and ineffective meetings - chosen by 32% of respondents overall - followed by unclear priorities at 31% and procrastination at 29%.
People work an average of 45 hours a week but consider about 17 of those hours to be unproductive. Workers spend nearly six hours each week in meetings but over two-thirds believed they were a waste of time.
|
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4396771.stm
The Canadian company behind the Blackberry, the wireless e-mail device beloved by business executives and celebrities, is bearing the fruits of a year of rapid subscriber growth.
Yet, as the sector expands, market leader Research In Motion (RIM) faces challengers in the shape of Microsoft, other software developers and mobile phone manufacturers.
"Employees are very much dependant on e-mail and secure wireless e-mail has a very large potential adoption," says Monica Basso, analyst at Gartner Research.
"RIM may have created the demand but in a few years there will be more players in the picture.
"The Blackberry model isn't going to be a viable option for everyone."
Looks like it has finally been released!
http://www.msn.co.uk/messengerlaunch/ and http://messenger.msn.co.uk/takes things up to ver 7.0.0.777
Humm Looks quite good!
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=94991901-bfc4-485e-bcae-c9df0accdaae&displaylang=en
Use this application to backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. Use USB Flash Drives to store personal data, to keep your network configuration and to share information with your friends. Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager is available for Windows XP only
USB flash drives are compact and easy-to-use devices that are similar in use to your computer hard drive. USB flash drives slip into your pocket, conveniently around your neck or on a keychain for ultimate portable storage. USB flash drives in 2005 can hold up to 4 gigs of data, which is over 1700 three-minute songs (66 hours) recorded as MP3s or about three times the content of a standard compact disc. If you share a computer, USB flash drives are a great way to store personal information. USB Flash Drives are also a good great option for saving information and share it with others. When you have many things to save and share but you have a limited number of USB Flash Drives, you will need to backup the information and restore it when needed. This is where the Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager application can help you. The Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager will help you backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. The application can also help you to classify and name USB Flash Drives images (for instance "My network configuration" or "The pictures for my grandma") and lets you see this name whenever the USB Flash Drive is plugged into the computer.
Interesting Document!
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5e921409-d143-45ca-9a1c-7636a7cbca9e&displaylang=en
Both Microsoft® Windows® Messenger and MSN® Messenger are client applications that are designed for use with Microsoft real-time communication servers and services.
The primary differences between them are the following:
-
Windows® Messenger is designed for use in a business environment. With a single application, you can communicate with contacts via your organization’s Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 server, as well as with contacts that use MSN Messenger.
-
MSN® Messenger is designed for use in a consumer environment. It only connects to contacts, such as friends and family, who use the publicly available MSN .NET Messenger Service. Communications are not encrypted, as they are with Windows Messenger.
Source: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7233&feedId=online-news_rss20
Computer crime is taking an increasing toll on UK companies, and is estimated to have cost more than £2.4 billion over the past year.
A major report issued by the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) on Tuesday reveals that 89% of UK businesses with over 1000 staff experienced some form of computer crime during the last 12 months - a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2003 to 2004.
The 2005 annual review indicates that 90% of UK companies targeted by cybercrime suffered a computerised break-in, while 89% were victims of data theft. And the total cost to UK businesses of computer virus infections is estimated to be in excess of £70 million.
Some 14% of companies surveyed by the NHTCU said they had experienced a distributed denial of service attack. This occurs when a company's servers are targeted with fake data by thousands of remotely controlled PCs, and is typically linked to extortion.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4414799.stm
Research In Motion (RIM), which makes e-mail device Blackberry, has reported a fourth-quarter loss because of legal costs over a patent dispute.
Sales of the wireless e-mail device were countered by the cost of settling a lawsuit with NTP Inc.
A $450m (£233m) settlement came in March after a US appeals court upheld the case brought by NTP, owned by engineer John Campana.
RIM lost $2.6m in the quarter, against net income of $41.5m a year earlier.
Ooops! He only signed up to do One Series!
Source: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/articles/17709837?source=PA
The BBC has admitted it failed to speak to actor Christopher Eccleston before revealing he was going to quit Dr Who after the first series.
It was originally claimed the star, who has appeared in television drama Cracker and hit film Shallow Grave, feared he would be typecast if he stayed on.
And the actor was believed to have found filming the series gruelling.
In a statement the BBC credited Eccleston with saying: "The audience's response for the new Doctor Who has been incredible and I am really proud to be part of it and I hope viewers continue to enjoy the series."
But last night the corporation revealed it had not consulted Eccleston before issuing the statement.
Jane Tranter, BBC head of drama commissioning said: "The BBC regrets not speaking to Christopher before it responded to the press questions on Wednesday March 30.
"The BBC further regrets that it falsely attributed a statement to Christopher and apologises to him."
The BBC spokesman said a mutual agreement was made between the corporation and Eccleston in January this year that the fact he was not making a second series would not be made public.
This looks cool! Source: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b5ba4f3-c8e1-405f-be61-8a48ba11ca41
If you have a Tablet PC, the Experience Pack is a must. Download the Experience Pack and get six new programs that will help you be more productive and creative.
Ink Desktop
Take notes directly on your desktop for quick and easy access later. Jot down a phone number, directions, or top priorities for the day.
Snipping Tool
Use your tablet pen to select a portion of a website, document, or other content on your screen. You can add handwritten comments and then paste it into an e-mail message or other program.
Ink Art
Paint with your tablet pen using Ink Art, which simulates an artist’s toolset. Choose from different textured canvases, paint brushes, chalks, crayons, and more.
Media Transfer
Copy or stream media files from your home computer to your Tablet PC, so that you can enjoy your favorite music, home videos, or digital photo albums wherever you go.
Ink Crossword
Solve crosswords on your Tablet PC with your tablet pen. Twelve puzzles come with the game. You can also download a free daily puzzle and purchase more puzzle packs online.
Energy Blue Theme Pack
Brighten the look of your Tablet PC desktop, Start menu, windows, and toolbars. Also get a new Windows Media Player skin that’s customized for the Tablet PC.
nice :-)
Source: http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/HOLOSC.htm
Developed by the boffins from the labs at Polo Flair in Nevada, the Holo-Screen is set to revolutionise home and office computing. The unit plugs straight into a USB port - just set the slim-line transmission unit on your desktop in place of your huge clunky normal screen, and sit back in disbelief.
It projects a 16 million colour RGB linear light stream onto a wafer-thin field of vibrating dust particles that are naturally occurring in the air. Light refracting from these free-radical particles creates a two-dimensional hologram of your computer screen. It's so 'out there' science fiction, you can almost hear Jean Luc Picard murmuring "Make it so" in the background.
Found this and thought I would share it! It was need for an issue where the wrong version of a dll has been installed!
DLL/COM redirection allows the developer or the administrator to selectively isolate existing components to the application they are building and deploying. This section discusses how to activate DLL/COM redirection, and how to select which components to isolate.
Activating DLL/COM Redirection
DLL/COM redirection is activated on an application-by-application basis by the presence of a ".local" file. The ".local" file is an empty file in the same directory as the application's .exe file, with the same name as the application's .exe file with ".local" appended to the end of the name.
For example, to activate DLL/COM redirection for an application called "myapp.exe," create an empty file called "myapp.exe.local" in the same directory where myapp.exe is installed.
Once DLL/COM redirection is activated, whenever the application loads a DLL or an OCX, Windows looks first for the DLL or OCX in the directory where the application's .exe file is installed. If a version of the DLL or OCX is found in the directory where the application's .exe file is installed, the application uses it regardless of any directory path specified in the application or the registry. If a version of the DLL or OCX is not found in the directory where the application's .exe file is installed, the normal search path or server path is used."
You can find some more stuff here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnsetup/html/dlldanger1.asp
This looks really wuite good
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=895853
This article describes the following: