Resouce Guides

Windows Server 2008 R2

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:28:37 +0000

If you've been around the IT block for more than a few years, then you probably remember Microsoft's last R2 upgrade. Windows Server 2003 R2 started out with a lot of promise but ended up adding relatively little in the way of compelling new features to the standard Windows Server 2003 platform. Long-desired updates, like Project Bear Paw for Terminal Services, didn't make the final cut into Windows Server 2003 R2, and a lot of the "new features" were of little interest to most IT shops. As a result, many organizations ultimately passed on the last R2 upgrade, choosing to wait for Microsoft's next whole-number release.

New Keyboard Shortcut Keys (HotKeys) in Windows 7

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:21:09 +0000

In Windows 7, mouse is still essential, with lots of new feature which takes advantage of mouse gesture, such as Aero Snap, Aero Peek, Aero Shake and etc.

New Keyboard Shortcut Keys (HotKeys) in Windows 7

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:21:09 +0000

In Windows 7, mouse is still essential, with lots of new feature which takes advantage of mouse gesture, such as Aero Snap, Aero Peek, Aero Shake and etc.

Top 10 changes to security in Windows 7

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:03:50 +0000

Microsoft has released a public beta of its next client operating system, Windows 7. Everybody's talking about the interface changes: the new taskbar, omission of the sidebar, a new look for Windows Explorer. Under the hood, there are more changes, including new and improved security features. Let's look at 10 security features that have been changed or added in Windows 7.

Using the Share and Storage Management Console in Windows Server 2008

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:25:36 +0000

Back in the days of old, a file server was a file server and an e-mail server was an e-mail server and so on. In many environments today, however, organizations are seriously exploiting the general purpose nature of modern operating systems and deploying all kinds of services or roles to all kinds of servers. At the core, though, file serving -- one of the original "killer-apps" that introduced networking to many an organization -- still reigns supreme on the needs list. Although file serving is one of the most basic functions handled by servers, the administrative challenges and effort remain in place.

The Secrets of Sysvol | Migrating Group Policy

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:10:43 +0000

You already know that Windows Server 2008 brings a lot of changes. You've probably heard about the product's Read Only Domain Controllers (RODCs), Server Core and fine-grained password policies. There's another factor that almost no one seems to know about: Server 2008 replaces a vital piece of Active Directory. This change is along the lines of replacing the engine in your car as you're driving 70 miles per hour down the highway: If done badly, it could shut down Group Policies and negate your log-on scripts.

Vista SP1: Dissected

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:07:39 +0000

When John Duggan installed the much-anticipated first Service Pack (SP) for Windows Vista on his laptop, he had no idea what a long ride he was in for.

"It felt like it took forever," says the frustrated account manager from New Jersey. Duggan's frustration is shared by many others, most of whom would have welcomed the experience of having the installation taking forever. Many got an endless parade of blue screens, system restart loops and missing drivers.

Tips to boost Windows Vista performance

Tue, 27 May 2008 10:46:03 +0000

Windows Vista is packed with cool eye candy, handy new features, and improved security. But all this comes at a price -- and many new Vista users are paying that price in the form of decreased performance as compared to Windows XP. Performance issues are the most common complaint I hear from readers who've just installed Vista or bought a new Vista machine, and my own experience shows that the concerns are valid.

How to Remote desktop to a Windows XP PC from Windows Vista

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:08:07 +0000

Microsoft Windows Vista adds several layers of system security above and beyond what was used in Windows XP. In general, that is a good thing. However, those added layers of security sometimes interfere with an end user's experience. The Remote Desktop Application is one example. Completing a remote desktop connection to a PC running Windows XP from another PC running Vista can be troublesome if some care is not taken during configuration.

How to: Windows Sidebar and gadgets (overview)

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:21:54 +0000

Windows Sidebar is a long, vertical bar that is displayed on the side of your desktop. It contains mini-programs called gadgets, which offer information at a glance and provide easy access to frequently used tools. For example, you can use gadgets to display a picture slide show, view continuously updated headlines, or look up contacts.

HOW TO: improve the performance of Vista Media Center

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:33:25 +0000

I've been running Vista Media Center (VMC) on two machines for a while now, and so far I have to say that the experience has been pretty good, but not all smooth sailing.

Top 10 Overlooked Features of Windows Server 2008

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:14:55 +0000

Windows Server 2008 is on its way. With the first release candidate in the pipeline, it shouldn't be long before release to manufacturing and general availability.

With such a long development time (it's the first new Windows Server OS since 2003,) the showstopping new features have been well publicized: Most IT pros are familiar with at least some of the details of Server Core, PowerShell and Windows Server Virtualization (codenamed Viridian). But Windows 2008 includes a lot more than those headliners.

Vista is getting better - slowly

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:08:31 +0000

A lot has been written about how Microsoft released Windows Vista too early and with too many bugs to make is a feasible platform for people looking for a relatively hassle-free platform.

How to secure your Microsoft SharePoint products

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:18:26 +0000

Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 are becoming popular for companies of all sizes. But its popularity translates into the need for better security, and it might be difficult to figure out what steps you need to take to secure WSS from the start. Here is a quick checklist that can help you get your Microsoft SharePoint Server security priorities in order:

Use System Monitor to find bottlenecks in Windows Server 2003

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:01:15 +0000

Windows Server 2003 comes with two performance monitoring tools: System Monitor, and Performance Logs and Alerts. These tools provide information that administrators can use to find bottlenecks and for troubleshooting Windows.