CLI220: Windows Vista Client Manageability

Today's session provided a general overview of the new client
manageability of Windows Vista.

* Some of the same Group Policy updated were mentioned in this session
* In regards to Update Management: fewer reboots (consolidate multiple
reboots into one)
* Patches can also be directly applied to images
* A new feature in Vista SP1 that Microsoft is working on is say you
leave your computer with documents, emails, etc up and go to bed. Well,
it's the second Tuesday and at 3:00am, your computer applies updates and
reboots. With this new technology, it will automatically (so they say)
return your computer to the way you left it when you went to bed the
night before
* Vista comes with a new Event Logging Infrastructure which include
email alerts, and event subscriptions
* Also in new Event Viewer, there is a viewer for every microsoft
service
* New task scheduler in Vista: New scheduling options, completely
scriptable, new task dashboard
* New feature: Realiabilty Analysis Console: this will allow you to
understand the reason behind crashes and hangs (requires MOM?)

MGT310: Group Policy in Vista

Today's session that was the most informative was the one on Vista Group
Policy. Below are some of the highlights:

* Group Policy will now run as a shared service host vs part of the
WinLogon process
* GPMC (Group Policy Management Console) will now be built in to the OS
vs a separate download from Microsoft Download Center
* New Multiple Local GPOs that can be applied to Admin / Non-Admin
local groups and even individual local users
* New group policy removes the dependency of the ICMP to contact a DC
* New XML based event logs vs pretty much non-existant logging today
* Changing ADM files to ADMX templates; will reduce the amount of
storage in the SYSVOL
* Integrate the ADMX files into your Windows 2000/2003 AD domain
without having a Longhorn Server in place
* Additional 600+ new policy settings in Windows Vista
* Some new/updated policies include: 1) Removable Storage Devices,
IPSec/Windows Firewall, Power Management, Printer Management, User
Account Control, Enhanced IE Configuration/Control, Windows Defender

The speaker also gave a sneak peek at some of the items in the works
for Vista SP1 / Longhorn Server:

* Enabling comments on GPOs and settings
* Creating GPO "Starting Points" aka Best Practices Templates
* GPO Filtering/Searching capabilities

As always, to request a group policy feature or suggest a new policy
setting, visit http://www.windowsserverfeedback.com

CLI312: Vista System Performance Enhancements

This session I just got out of covered several new technologies in Vista when it comes to performance. These technologies include: SuperFetch, ReadyBoost, and ReadyDrive.

SuperFetch is a memory management technology that optimizes the memory based on usage patterns over time. It monitors (in a way) memory usage patterns and takes into account frequency of page usage, etc. So, for example, if the memory knows that I launch Groupwise every morning when i login, it will know to go ahead and put Groupwise in cache so it will not take so long to bring up, optimizing the memory usage.

ReadyBoost allows flash memory to serve as cache for SuperFetch. This allows you to stick a USB storage key (compact flash card, sony memory sticks, etc will work too) to give your system more caching space for faster performance. For Example, if i stick a 1GB USB Memory stick in, it will look like 2GB to the system due to compression. I got to see a demo of this showing load times, etc and it cut the load times of applications by 50% or more. Very interesting technology. Also, a concern was brought up about security if this flash drive, etc was knocked out or stolen. If it accidentally gets removed, Vista automatically reverts back to the way it was prior to the extra cache being added (aka slower). All data (cache) written to the usb or other storage devices are encrypted using AES128.

ReadyDrive is a hard drive technology that will allow for faster boots, etc by minimizing disk seeks and enabling more IOs per second. It also will allow for better battery life by not spinning up the hard drive as often.

Pretty cool technology on the horizons for Vista.

SVR333: Windows Troubleshooting using Sysinternals Tools

This session covered some really cool tools that Sysinternals makes. They are called Filemon and Regmon. I wasn't able to stay for the Regmon part but the Filemon tool (not free) logs all access to files, etc.

It is a very good tool for troubleshooting why applications don't work, etc. Short note on this session.. will follow up when I get the chance to play with the tools myself!

SEC308: Antimalware Technologies in Vista

This session dealt with the new Vista operating system and the malware technologies that are being built in to it.

One of the big components is using the Windows Defender. It will automatically scan the ASEP (Automatic Startup Entry Points), IE, Sys Config, Services and Drivers, App Execution / Registration, etc and notify if this is known spyware

There were a handful of Demos in this session that were really informative.

There is no managability for Windows Defender at the current time (drawback for enterprise customers)

CLI304: Deploying Vista

Corey Hynes presented this session on deploying Windows Vista. No more
unattended.txt or sysprep.inf files to modify. Everything betweeen
Windoes PE, WMI, etc will allow the deployment of Windows Vista
seamlessly to client/lab computers.

Time for Expo Reception :-) then off to study for my Microsoft
Certification test (70-291) that I have rescheduled like 4 times :-)

FIFA World Cup

I didn't realize how popular soccer is until today. There are several
plasma tvs around the convention center and there are tons of people
sitting around them watching each and every match.

MGT001 Hands-On Lab

This afternoon, I took some time out of the breakout sessions to play
with some of the hands on labs. I decided to tackle the Windows Vista
Group Policy labs.

MGT001 dealt with some of the new settings in Vista. These labs were
all built on virtual pc technology. This lab had excercises on: 1)
Managing USB device security, 2) deploying network printers through
Group Policy, 3) managing Power settings on laptops, 4) Configuring IE
settings, 5) User Access Control

SVR 211: Windows / Linux Integration

This breakout session was presented by Jeremy Moskowitz. Visit his
websites at www.gpanswers.com and www.winlinanswers.com

OFC201: Office 2007: What's New

This sesion was presented on the new version of Office scheduled to
release end of this year/first of 2007.

The number of menu items since Word 1.0 has gone from less than 50 to
close to 300 in Word 2007.

Early Feedback on Office 2007: majority of beta users are eager to use
new interface. Also noted that advanced users experience more of a
learning curve.

Excel: 1 million rows, 65000 columns (max)

Notes from Demos:
Menus have been replaced with tabs. Also, an Office Button has been
added. Also, in the recent files list, you can pushpin certain files to
stay in the list no matter how many documents you open.

To change margins, click on Page Layout tab. They have listed the most
common used margins setting.

Also, if you want to change font for a selection of text, you highlight
the text, click on font drop down and as you scroll through the fonts,
it will change the text you have highlighted to give you a live preview.

They also have put the header/footer option in the correct menu: Insert
vs View

Overall Impression: very impressive, many new excel features that make
the user interface more user friendly.

This session was broadcast through Technet. I will post a link to the
archived copy along with the ppt slides

Pre-Con, Keynote big Sunday

On Sunday, the big items for me were the Pre-Con class on scripting and
the Keynote address.

I'll start in reverse order with the keynote address. It was looooong
running at about 2.5 hours. Microsoft's main focus was about their
three promises. I won't go into the details, but I'll post a link on
the site later today where you can watch the keynote.

The pre-con was pretty interesting. I now think I know how to do a
little bit on Windows automation. I will post another link this
afternoon to the files we wrote and worked on.

Right now I am standing in line to catch the shuttle to the BCEC. There
are probably 50 Or so people in line. I haven't decided which class I
am going to take in the first session. I might just tackle some of the
Hands-On labs.

Just to update you on the things I do outside the conference. We went
to the NE aquarium yesterday afternoon. Got to see numerous fish and
wildlife, plus the feeding of the tiger sharks :-)

We traveled down to Copley square last night to swing by Hard Rock to
get a t-shirt, then to UNO to eat dinner. This was probably the worst
service that we have ever received at a restaurant :-(

Enough for now, more to come as classes end

Drizzly Day in Boston

Today was a miserable day weather wise in Boston. Woke up and could
barely see out of my hotel room. Gray and gloomy. Around lunch time,
we decided to head over to Harvard to sightsee.

After taking the Blue, Green, and Red T lines, we made it to the
Harvard exit. We stepped out of the T access area and boom, there was
the campus. We walked around looking for this restaurant called Legals
Sea Food Restaurant. We had read a lot about it in numerous Boston
publications for having good, fresh seafood. Well, after what it seemed
like walking forever, we finally found it. We saw some menu items that
we would like to have for dinner (and plus, we had already made
reservations for dinner at the one on Long Wharf tonight) and found a
few appetizers we would have for a lunch/afternoon snack. Brittany had
a cup of Lobster Bisque and we had two appetizers: 1) Hot Lump Crab Dip
w/ Seafood Chips and 2) Shrimp Spring Rolls. Both of them were oh so
yummy.

After lunch, we walked through the campus of Harvard. It seemed like
graduation ceremonies had wrapped up earlier that day because there were
stages, etc still setup! We took a few pictures in and around campus
and then decided to head back towards the hotel to relax prior to dinner
(again, at Legals Sea Food).

Dinner was kinda late but very, very good. Tommy was right about the
seafood being excellent. I had swordfish with spinach, mushrooms, and a
rice pilaf. Brittany had Double Stuffed Baked Shrimp. These shrimp
were surrounded by a load of crab meat.... and to top it all off, we
had Bon Bons for dessert.

So, not only am I going to talk about the classes, etc that I attend at
the conference, but also the food, experiences, and anything else that
could happen here in Boston.

Oh, and on a side note, not sure if you have noticed the section to the
right about a Photo Gallery. Well, Charlie's camera doesn't seem to
want to work anymore, and I forgot my adapter case so I cannot transfer
any pictures that I take using Brittany's camera.... so it might be a
day or so before pictures get posted. Just an FYI

Tomorrow, Tech-Ed starts for me with a Pre-Con class on Scripting for
IT Guys who can't script. This pre-con should provide some insight on
how to make my day to day tasks a little easier!

Time to Go

Alrighty, the time is here... Time to board the flight to Boston.
Everyone take care and my next blog entry will probably come on Sunday!

Scripting for IT Pros Who Can*t Write Code

By the end of they day, you will be able to write code ....well, script
code that is. For most IT professionals, the challenge in scripting is
not when to do it, nor what to script, but just getting started writing
the code. In this workshop, learn the basics of writing script code,
code that can then be used to write functional automation scripts. As a
bonus, learn when NOT to write scripts by using your ability to
understand sample scripts and customize them into powerful
administration tools. Finally, learn the deep secrets of the command
prompt in Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and the
Microsoft Shell, that can be used to build automation tools that make
your job easier. Impress your friends.....script stuff! P.S. You'll
finally know just how easy programmers have it!

Tech Ed Numbers

Expected number of attendees - Over 11,000

Number of sessions:

* 480 breakouts
* 300 Chalk Talks
* 8 Strategic Briefings
* 115 Hands on Labs
* 40 Birds of a Feather
* 450 Speakers
* 20,000 live webcast viewings expected
* Number of exhibitors: Over 230

What does it takes to put on a show of this size?

* Planning team of 30+
* Working crew of 200
* 10 months of planning
* Number of hours required to edit final PPTs - 250 hours
* Number of total content opportunities (sessions, labs, etc.) -
720
* Number of PCs deployed throughout TechEd - Close to 2,500
* Number of HOL machines - 800
* Number Microsoft Certified Trainers supporting labs - 90
* Amount of storage used for HOL content - 1TB+
* Number of Aussies on HOL core team - 4
* Correct pronunciation of city where labs are tested -
"Wall-tham"

Food and edibles:

* 1,250,000 pieces of "Mikes & Ikes" will be consumed over the
course of a week at TechEd 2006
* 18,750 pounds of salad will be prepared and offered at meals
* 83,700 ice cream novelty/ fruit and yogurt bars have been ordered
for this function
* 60,000 eggs will be eaten by attendees at breakfast (this is
equal to 4,800 dozen cartons of eggs)
* It will take 4 semis to transport the 150,000 bottles of water
consumed at this show
* The total amount of fruit ordered will fill 3/4 of full size
tractor-trailer
* 1.6 million ounces of coffee will be poured and consumed
(conservative estimate)
* More than 50,000 pounds of carbohydrates will be consumed at
TechEd (Atkins who?)
* 1,500 table cloths will be used and re-set on a daily basis:
(7,500 for the week)

Source:
http://teched06.blogspot.com/2006/05/teched-factoids_114867401294292778.html