Category: Blog
-
A New Stage in my Life
It didn’t start as I had expected it eventually would. A week ago I was driving and I had the strangest sensation… I would look down at the dashboard periodically and when I looked up I felt as if I was going to lose consciousness. Of course when you are driving down the highway with […]
-
A Brief History of how Microsoft (and others) Changed the World… Part 1.
In October of last year I pitched an idea to the editor of Backbone Magazine for an article about how Microsoft changed the world. We were a month shy of the 25th anniversary of Microsoft Windows, and I thought it would be a fitting and timely piece. He asked me to write a short piece […]
-
I am You, You are Me.
A couple of months ago I was in the cafeteria at Microsoft and I came up with an idea for a blog article, which I then gave to Rick Claus for the IT Pro Connection. It was originally titled ‘I am You, You are Me.’ He added the rest of the title, but I didn’t […]
-
Gartner agrees with me… Hyper-V is for real!
In September Microsoft Canada contracted me as a Virtual Partner Technology Advisor, tasking me with evangelizing Microsoft virtualization solutions. One of the reasons I was such a good fit for the role is that I am very familiar with both Microsoft’s and VMware’s server virtualization solutions – I teach and consult on both platforms. I […]
-
Office 365–Complex or Options?
Last week Microsoft officially launched its cloud-based infrastructure offering, Office 365. As a virtual insider I have been using this solution for the past six months for my IT consulting firm, and frankly had forgotten that it was a beta offering. That is because while the packaging may be new, all of the applications – […]
-
It was Twenty Years Ago Today!
Ok, well it wasn’t, but I had the Beatles running through my head. It is amazing what can remind you of the oddest things from the past… In June, 1988 I was finishing Grade 10 and my last computer course on the Apple //e was behind me. I had made the decision to sell my […]
-
Uninstall the VMM Agent from Server Core
I found myself with a weird problem this morning. Most of the time I manage my virtualization environment with System Center Virtual Machine Manager. However because of a client project I have re-implemented System Center Essentials 2010, which has most of the VMM components that I use integrated into it. In order to add virtualization […]
-
A Brief Comparison of Features Between VMware and Hyper-V (Guest Blogger)
A few months ago Chris Childerhose, a consultant and MCITP with a local Microsoft Partner, impressed me when the afternoon of Day 5 of my class on Windows Server Virtualization (10215A) he sat the exam 70-659 and scored a perfect 1000. He has since gone on to pass the remaining exams to earn the certification […]
-
Five GREAT tips to remember when taking certification exams
I just read a blog article by Christopher Harrison, the Head Geek at GeekTrainer. He points out five key things to remember when sitting certification exams. Read them, know them, live them! Then pass your exam! –M http://blog.geektrainer.com/2011/06/taking-certification-exams.html
-
The Wonder that is TechEd
The quiet of the Exhibitor Hall is disturbed by the sounds of preparation. To my left there is a crew frantically working to fix something with a carpet. There is some hammering, more yammering, and the sounds of carpet tape being unfurled. To my right there are two security agents talking, but they are too […]
-
Cover Your A$$ – Secure Your WiFi Now!
I honestly hate saying ‘I told you so.’ For years I have been telling everyone who will listen (and a lot of people who didn’t want to) about the importance of securing wireless networks. I’ve told stories about the possible consequences, and have scared some of them into doing the right thing. Unfortunately far too […]
-
IT Pro Connection & the TechNet Flash
A couple of weeks ago Microsoft released Microsoft iSCSI Software Target for download, and I was thrilled. I immediately decided to write about it, but before publishing what would end up the first of three articles, I decided to ping my buddy Rick Claus, IT Pro Evangelist for Microsoft Canada, and ask him if he […]
-
Creating a Multi-OS Deployment Point with MDT!
Hey folks, I know for months you’ve been on me because the screen shots in my Multi-OS Deployment Share post were lost. Today I am glad to say that I have created a video of it for the DPE team, and am glad to share it with you here! Remember, this video creates the deployment […]
-
The Student Has Become The Master!
Monday evening I attended the monthly user group meeting of the Wellington Waterloo IT Pro User Group (http://www.wwitpro.com/) in Kitchener, Ontario. The topic for the evening was called Windows 7 Deployment as presented by Sean Kearney (yes, THE Sean Kearney, a.k.a. The Energized Tech, a.k.a. (the former) Friday Funny Guy!) from SWMI Consulting Group and […]
-
Laptops and laptops!
Many of you have pinged me in the last few days to tell me you are still waiting to read a review of my new laptop… the HP Envy 14 (Beats Edition). and let me tell you, it is one kick-arse machine! The review has been somewhat delayed due to a couple of professional obligations […]