In The Know - Charles Van Heusen's Weblog

What you need to know about the Windows 7 Release Candidate RC

Keep your PC updated: Be sure to turn on automatic updates in Windows Update in case we publish updates for the RC.

o Burn an ISO file to make an installation DVD

o Install Windows

o Backup and restore your PC

o Set up a network

o Create and use a system recovery disk

Internet access (to download Windows 7 RC and get updates)

A PC with these minimum recommended specifications:

o 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor or higher

o 1 GB of system memory or more

o 16 GB of available disk space

o Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (to enable the Aero theme)

o DVD-R/W Drive

Anti-Virus for your Windows 7 RC Systems

As you begin your downloads of the Windows 7 Release Candidate over the next week, virus protection should be the first thing you look to install after you finish the base installation.  Since its still a pre-release Operating system, you may find it difficult to locate an Anti-virus program that is designed for Windows 7.  I'm happy to point you to the one I will be testing over the next couple of weeks.Once I finish my CISSP exam on Sunday, I'll be heading  home to start my clean installation of Windows 7 and Kapersky Lab's technical preview of Kapersky Anti-Virus forWindows 7.

You can read about it on their website at http://www.kaspersky.com/windows7   or if you prefer, you can go straight to the download page at ftp://ftp.kaspersky.com/beta/kavwks8.0_for_windows7/kavwks8.0.0.1081en.exe

As with the Beta, customers will be able to download Windows 7 RC online from Windows.com, TechNet and MSDN. RC downloads will be available at least through June 2009.

Now we just need to have May 5th hurry up and get here so everyone can start downloading and testing out the Best Operating System Microsoft has ever created!!

Entering the World of ISC2 and CISSP Certifications - Bootcamp Week in Dallas - Day 1

I have to distinct pleasure and opportunity to be a student instead of an instructor for the first time in a long time.  As I work to stay current with both Microsoft and Industry advancements in Security solutions, I jumped at the chance to sign up for the CISSP Bootcamp and Certification Program when the opportunity presented itself.  I am in the midst of writing note cards, reviewing my notes from the Cryptography and Access Control Domain discussions that took place today so I thought I'd share some of my experiences with you.

As a professional speaker, I'm a pretty tough critic when it comes to training courses, more specifically a critic of the trainers and their training styles.  I've attended a lot of courses in my IT Career and found myself spending more time teaching myself and on some occassions taking over the instruction in the classes because the instructors were reading a few chapters ahead of us.  Thanks, but I can read from the book.  I need to hear it and see it from someone else's perspective while getting some sort of insight based upon their professional experiences....   Being a tough critic, I have to say that I have been BLOWN AWAY by our CISSP Instructor, Dean Bushmiller.  He has a tall task of keeping me and Bryan Von Axelson (BVA), and 10 other students engaged and awake for 10 hours of killer content for 5 days as he strive to ready us for a 6 hour exam and he EXPECTS 100% success rates from us on our exams and we are doing all we can to make sure we help him reach that goal.

Dean Bushmiller, CISSP +13

In addition to a TON of great content and quizzes, Dean has a secret weapon in his arsenal thatt he has created himself and is available via his website at http://www.crispytopics.com There are MUST LISTEN podcasts on several domain topics and something UNIQUE is calls MIND MAPS.  The sample Mind Map on his site doesn't really give you the WOW factor of the real Mind Maps that he has posted throughout the classroom.  If you spring for the 10 pack of Mind Maps, you'll get more than your money's worth.   Just the one on Business Continuity Planning process is worth the price of admission.  It breaks down all facets of the process to a level any manager can comprehend.

If you sign up for a course in the Texas area, I hope you are fortunate enough to Dean as your instructor.    Enough brown nosing the instructor.. :-), it's time to get back to my note cards.  I'll have more details for you on Day 2 and some of the Bonus resources and Tidbits I pick up throughout the day to share with you.

Get Ready to Experience Microsoft LicenseWise

On May 4, 2009 the Microsoft Gear Up Licensing Configurator tool is transitioning to the worldwide version of Microsoft LicenseWise for Volume Licensing. If you are not already familiar with LicenseWise, we encourage you to explore this popular customer quote creation tool.  Start using LicenseWise today! 

Want to learn more about LicenseWise? Click here for a demo on how LicenseWise delivers up-to-date product and licensing information to help simplify the creation of customer quotes.

Already a LicenseWise user? Make sure you visit the tool to learn how you need to prepare for the upcoming transition.

Attention Procrastinators - Your Taxes are DUE TODAY so file them or file an extension!!

If you are like me an millions of others across the country, getting your taxes done by April 15th seems to be an insurmountable task.  Even though companies are supposed to mail out our paperwork by January 31st, they seem to show up later and later each year.  By the time I have everything pulled together it is typically mid-March and I'm so busy with travel at work, I just come to my senses and fill out the tax extension form, then work to get them finished by the first part of May.

If you need help with getting your extension in, you need to download IRS form 4868, fill it out and either send it in electronically or by mail.  Since today is the deadline, electronically is your best choice to keep it from being filed late.  Each state's process for submitting your taxes varies so make sure you check out the specific resources and requirements that apply to you in the state you are filing.  (Click here for state specific info).

You can find additional taxpayer assistance online at http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html  or contact your local Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Tax service for more help.

If the reason you are filing late is because you owe more taxes than you anticipated and your trying to figure out your next step, review the tax tips that Steven Strauss discusses on the Microsoft Small Business site.

Happy Filing.. and remember.   The Drinking will continue until the Economy improves!!! 

Windows 7 Downgrade Rights - Your choice Vista or Windows XP - For a Limited Time

Several news articles are out in circulation regarding the recent announcement that Windows XP will be an optional selection for the downgrade rights, which has spurred a lot of questions at the SB2@TS2 events around the reasoning behind this decision.  When this first came to my attention over a week ago when it was first raised by Partners in Fort Worth, I contacted the product team to gain some insight into the decision because I was both confused and disheartened by the notion until I really understood the reasoning for the choice.

I'm going to share some of the Q&A Highlights I received from my colleague that is part of the Windows Client team since they are very similar to the questions that came up last week and today.   This is the "official verbiage" so enjoy the Microsoft speak. 

So does Microsoft have downgrade rights for Windows XP planned as part of Windows 7?

Yes. OEM Downgrade rights will be available for 6 months post Windows 7 General Availability (aka Launch). This is not the first time that Microsoft has offered downgrade rights to a version other than its immediate predecessor and our Volume Licensing customers can always downgrade to any previous version of Windows. 

Why is Microsoft allowing customers to downgrade to Windows XP from Windows 7, is it because of the poor reception of the marketplace to Windows Vista?

• This is not the first time that Microsoft has offered downgrade rights to a version other than its immediate predecessor.  In fact, our Volume Licensing customers can ALWAYS downgrade to any previous version of Windows. 

What is this about Windows 7? Why are you already taking about downgrades of Windows 7 when it hasn’t even been released yet?

• During the development process, we communicate to OEMs the roadmap for End User downgrade rights in OEM versions of the next OS. 

What about Windows 7, when will that be available?

• We’re not making any new announcements about Windows 7 availability at this time.  As we have said, we are currently in the development stages for Windows 7 and expect it will take approximately 3 years from Windows Vista Consumer GA to develop. The specific release date will be determined once Microsoft meets its quality bar for release.

What are downgrade rights, and why does Microsoft offer them?

• The product License Terms (formerly known as the end-user license agreement [EULA] http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4f4b3cfd-7f4e-46cb-8117-8275f7683d3f&DisplayLang=en), for Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Business products, grant customers end-user downgrade rights, which allow customers to uninstall the software that is preinstalled on their PC and to install a legally licensed copy of an older version of Windows software.  The customer also retains the right to use the newer version of Windows Vista that came installed on their PC when they chose to, making a future upgrade back to the original version of Windows Vista easy!

My organization isn’t ready to move to Windows Vista software. What should we do?

• Microsoft recommends customers complete their testing and evaluation of Windows Vista software and determine the right time to migrate existing and new PCs to Windows Vista software.  For many customers and businesses, the most simple migration plan is to move to Windows Vista software as new PCs are acquired. If however, your business requires use of Windows XP Professional on new PCs and if you are running Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate you have the automatic right to run a previous version of Windows on your PC for the life of your PC.

What is the downgrade rights policy?

• OEM versions of Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Business provide the customer with downgrade rights, as outlined in the product license terms (formerly the end user license agreement [EULA] http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4f4b3cfd-7f4e-46cb-8117-8275f7683d3f&DisplayLang=en).  Under these rights, the customer user has the right to downgrade from Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate to a previous version of Windows, such as:

• Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Microsoft Windows Professional x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

• PC manufacturers (OEMs) shipping Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate are able to order Windows XP media to help support their customers’ needs for a previous version of Windows software.

How long will I be able to obtain downgrade media from my PC maker?

• For new PCs that come pre-installed with Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate, downgrade media may be provided by an OEM for Windows XP. Customers should check with their OEM directly to see if downgrade media is offered. Once installed on your PC, you can continue to use a previous version of Windows for the service life of that PC, or until you are ready to upgrade back to your originally-installed copy of Windows Vista.

If you'd like to read some of the articles that brought all this about, try the links below.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10213258-56.html

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2009/04/07/windows_7_downgrade_xp/ 

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2009/04/07/windows_7_downgrade_xp/

SharePoint Designer is FREE for download!

If you’ve been considering the idea of building SharePoint solutions for your customers and were worried by the idea of writing or customizing code to get it done, let me introduce you to Microsoft SharePoint Designer.

This little gem is designed to take the guesswork out of SharePoint site design and configuration WITHOUT becoming a web designer. 

For those of you still worried about the learning curve, we offer FREE training on the SharePoint site that will walk you through the basic use of the application and get you started on your way to delivering professional solutions your customers will appreciate for years to come.

To download the latest version of SharePoint Designer Click HERE.

To find out more about SharePoint Designer and what it has to offer go to

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointdesigner

Windows Server 2008 Foundation Product Overview Training

Introducing Windows Server 2008 Foundation - New Product Overview

Learn about Windows Server Foundation, the newest member of the Windows Server family. For small businesses (15 or fewer users), Windows Server Foundation provides an affordable platform for the core portfolio of IT capabilities, including file and print sharing, remote access and security. A simple and familiar Windows experience makes it easy for organizations to get up and running.  Plus, Windows Server Foundation has an easy upgrade path to higher-end versions of Windows Server - an IT solution that can grow with your partner’s business.

Looking for other training?  Check out the Learning Plan tool.

In-Person Learning                                                                

Understanding Microsoft Virtualization. Is it right for your customers?

If you are trying to identify the right solutions to enable your customers to get the most out of their IT investment, looking into virtualization solutions may be the missing link you've been searching for....  As with any technology, you need to understand the pro's and con's as well as which vendors are providing the best solutions within the price point that fits your budget.

We're trying to take the guess work out of that process for you with a 10 part webcast series focusing on all aspects of Virtualization from a Microsoft Stack perspective.

Here are the details on the series and where to sign up:

Get an in-depth understanding of Microsoft’s Virtualization products by tuning into Virtualization 360, a 10 part webcast series for Partners who are interested in selling and deploying Microsoft’s virtualization products. Each week get the straight talk from Microsoft experts who will provide you a thorough understanding of the business value, virtualization scenarios, licensing and solution selling tips that will enable you to help your customers reduce IT costs and become more agile. 72% of businesses plan to deploy virtualization (Yankee Group); position yourself to take advantage this lucrative opportunity by registering today!

Click here to register

·        Virtualization 360: Virtualization Made Simple - What will it do for your customer's business (Part 1/10)

·        Virtualization 360: Selling Virtualization - How to Discover Virtualization opportunities and make a successful sale (Part 2/10)

·        Virtualization 360: Understanding Virtualization - Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V Server’s Virtualization Capabilities (Part 3/10)

·        Virtualization 360: Simplify management of your Virtualization infrastructure with System Center Virtual Machine Manager (Part 4/10)

·        Virtualization 360: Virtualization Technologies Deep Dive - Profile, Application and Med-V Virtualization (Part 5/10)

·        Virtualization 360: Reduce costs with Virtualization - Server Consolidation & Green IT (Part 6/10)

·        Virtualization 360: Virtualization Technologies Deep Dive - Presentation and Desktop Virtualization (including VDI) (Part 7/10)

·        Virtualization 360: Reduce costs with Virtualization - High Availability & Data Recovery Solutions (Part 8/10)

·        Virtualization 360: Understanding the Competition - Value and capability comparison of Microsoft’s Virtualization solutions (Part 9/10)

·        Virtualization 360: Advanced Management Capabilities for Hyper-V with Citrix Essentials (Part 10/10)