Ron Crumbaker at myITforum.com, Inc.

My 2010 Camaro finally home!

rcrumbaker — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:01:01 GMT

The date is wrong on the picture, my camera was set wrong. I took delivery on July 1st, 2009!!

Camaro Production Numbers for May…

rcrumbaker — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:15:06 GMT

Camaros produced in May 09: 6,901
Total Camaros produced to date (since March 16, 2009): 14,715

Awesome numbers for GM. Too bad one of those wasn’t my car!

Hey Rod, OnStar May Add Voice-Activated Twitter Capability

rcrumbaker — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:46:02 GMT

OnStar May Add Voice-Activated Twitter Capability [Gadgets]

OnStar may soon partner with Twitter to offer hands-free tweeting capability to its suite of voice-activated communications services. This may be the perfect compliment to OnStar's automatic crash...

Great Ad campaign for the Camaro

rcrumbaker — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:15:00 GMT

MVP 2009 Award!!

rcrumbaker — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:02:00 GMT

Got this in my inbox today!

Dear Ron Crumbaker,

Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2009 Microsoft® MVP Award! This award is given to exceptional technical community leaders who actively share their high quality, real world expertise with others.

I am so thankful for this award!!

Muscle Car war is back and look who is winning!! Hehehe

rcrumbaker — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:57:00 GMT

Kentucky Basketball!

rcrumbaker — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:35:00 GMT

Well, for the first time in 17 years UK didn't make it to the big dance. What does that mean, probably that we will have a new coach! See you later coach Billy!

I'm hoping either Pat Riley or maybe Travis Ford. I've heard a lot of talk about Travis Ford might be coming. I'd take Pitno back as well...come on Rick, come back home!

Mastering Configuration Manager 2007 R2 book shipped to the Printer Friday

rcrumbaker — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:32:00 GMT

The book shipped to the printer on Friday, so go pre-order it if you have not already!!

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-System-Center-Configuration-Manager/dp/047017367X/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237206844&sr=8-8

2010 Camaro - Production starts today!

rcrumbaker — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:26:00 GMT

I was going to take off work today to celebrate...but I didn't.

Very exciting time for Camaro fans...it's been a long time coming, but the Camaro is back!

Can't wait for my car to be produced and setting in my drive way!

Scripted Naming PC using the Serial Number stored in WMI during ConfigMgr OSD Task Sequence

rcrumbaker — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:54:00 GMT

Create the following as a .vbs file and save it on your ConfigMgr PXE boot server in a share.

'************************************************************

set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" _
& "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & "." & "\root\cimv2")

set colSMBIOS = objWMIService.ExecQuery _
("Select * from Win32_SystemEnclosure")
For Each objSMBIOS in colSMBIOS
strNewName = objSMBIOS.SerialNumber

next
strNewName = "Z28-" & strNewName

SET env = CreateObject("Microsoft.SMS.TSEnvironment")
env("OSDCOMPUTERNAME") = strNewName

'*********************************************************

Then within your Task Sequence choose to Run Command Line right after the Restart in Windows PE.

This will cause the copmtuer being Imaged to get the serial number from WMI automatically and then prefix it with Z28.

So, if your Serial number as 000001 then the resulting PC name will be Z28-000001.

This is a very nice way to ensure all your Imaged workstations are named according to your naming convention during boot time.

2010 Camaro Production delayed 1 month

rcrumbaker — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:31:00 GMT

Production was scheduled to begin Feb. 16th 2009, but has been pushed back to March 16th, 2009.

Merry Christmas to all...

rcrumbaker — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:41:00 GMT

Merry Christmas to all and a happy new year to you!!

Ordered my 2010 Camaro on Oct. 31, 2008

rcrumbaker — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:52:00 GMT

So...after all the debating about what color, what options, how much can I afford, etc. I finally got the approval from my wife...so I ran down to the local Chevy dealership and ordered my 2010 Camaro.

I opted for a Cyber Gray Metallic Camaro SS with the RS package, black leather interior, 6 speed Manual, Hurst short throw shifter, Shortie Headers, Car Cover, Gas cover, Camaro Car Cover, Cold Air Induction, and some other things I don't remember.

Hope to see you on the streets!!

Production starts Feb. 16, 2009!

Should receive sometime after that!

Get out and Vote

rcrumbaker — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:58:36 GMT

I did!!

Windows Azure

rcrumbaker — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:09:55 GMT

Windows® Azure is a cloud services operating system that serves as the development, service hosting and service management environment for the Azure Services Platform. Windows Azure provides developers with on-demand compute and storage to host, scale, and manage Web applications on the Internet through Microsoft® data centers.

To build these applications and services, developers can use their existing Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2008 expertise. In addition, Windows Azure supports popular standards and protocols including SOAP, REST, and XML. Windows Azure is an open platform that will support both Microsoft and non-Microsoft languages and environments.

Services - Windows Azure | Azure Services Platform

User Research Study: Wanted IT Administrators with Active Directory Users and Computers

rcrumbaker — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:45:50 GMT

User Research Study: Wanted IT Administrators with Active Directory Users and Computers

Microsoft User Research is conducting a study focusing on the next version of Active Directory Users and Computers between November 10 and November 14, 2008. This is a great opportunity for IT administrators who have experience with ADUC to provide feedback and help improve the next version. You do not need to prepare anything for this. We want to learn from you, the experts. We highly value your feedback and will be offering you a gratuity option in appreciation of your time and participation.

We are recruiting individuals who:

• Have experience managing 4 to 40 Servers

• Are available for a 2 hour study session during the week of November 10, 2008

• Can make it to Microsoft’s main campus in Redmond, Washington

If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in participating, please email us at itusable@microsoft.com with ADUC in the subject line.

For information on other studies and to learn more about Microsoft's User Research program, email us.

Web Essentials aka Web Remote Tools v4

rcrumbaker — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:11:55 GMT

Can you please review these requirements for the portable console. Listed below is a ranking of customer requirements for the portable console that I’ve put together based on some earlier feedback. How would you rank these items yourself? Secondly if you feel that something is missing from this list, please add to it.

Portable Console Customer Requirements

(1 is most important, 8 is least important)

1. Ease of use

2. Remote access (web app)

3. Improved installation/update experience

4. Reliability

5. Improved performance

6. Faster load time

7. Security: predefined roles

8. Collection Wizard

Next for the scenarios, please review and add/remove anything else that you see as a possible use of the Portable Console.

Scenarios for Portable Console:

·Service Desk - handle daily activities like advertising applications

·View report/status information

· Updating collections

· Remote Control for remediation

· Installing a package

Here's a few questions I'm looking for answers to better improve this application:

1. What are some of the major pain points that the customers are experiencing in this area. What problems are they trying to fix?

2. What scenarios are they using the portable console?

3. Did they need remote access? How remote? Anywhere from the intranet? Or was even a wider access point required; internet kiosks/café? How important is remote access?

Windows Update fails after XP SP3 installed

rcrumbaker — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:21:42 GMT

This problem occurs when the latest Windows Update client has been installed and then you install Windows XP SP3 before restarting the computer. This causes the new Wups2.dll file not to be enabled (registered). When Windows XP SP3 is installed, it does not detect the Wups2.dll file, and it sets the registry to point to the original Wups.dll file version that is included in Windows XP SP2 and Windows XP SP3. Because the registry files that correspond to the Wups2.dll file are missing, update installations are unsuccessful.

Back to the top

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods.

Back to the top

Method 1: Register the Wups2.dll file in Windows

To register the Wups2.dll file in Windows, follow these steps:

Stop the Automatic Updates service. To do this, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.

At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

net stop wuauserv

At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

regsvr32 %windir%\system32\wups2.dll

Note For a computer that is running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

regsvr32 %windir%\syswow64\wups2.dll

Click OK on each verification message that you receive.

Start the Automatic Updates service. To do this, type the following command at the command prompt, and then press ENTER:

net start wuauserv

Exit the command prompt. To do this type exit, and then press ENTER.

My XBOX FINALLY arrived home

rcrumbaker — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:52:22 GMT

After over a month of trying to get my Xbox 360 repaired/shipped/returned, it has finally arrived home.

I have been without the thing for over a month...uggh!!

It took almost 4 weeks just for Microsoft to get the Xbox 360 due to them not being able to ship or email me a pre-paid label.

However, after 7.5 hours on the phone and 11 different case numbers with them...I am pleased to say it arrived on Friday.

WOW...I really missed it, but my oldest son was really missing it.

The new Zunes in action

rcrumbaker — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:04:04 GMT

The new Zunes in action | Beyond Binary - A blog by Ina Fried - CNET News

The new software will work on any of the zunes once you upgrade the firmware!! YES, Microsoft has been very good about this...

Best Practices Resource Center for SharePoint Server 2007

rcrumbaker — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:13:26 GMT

Microsoft did some updated of there Sharepoint TechNet site: Best Practices Resource Center for SharePoint Server 2007

Best Practices Resource Center for SharePoint Server 2007

To avoid common pitfalls and keep your Office SharePoint Server 2007 environment available and performing well, follow these best practices based on real-world experience from Microsoft Consulting Services and the product team.

Best Practices Resource Center for SharePoint Server 2007

SQL Server - Best Practices

rcrumbaker — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:12:07 GMT

Microsoft did some updated of there SQL TechNet site: SQL Server - Best Practices

SQL Server Best Practices

Get the real-world guidelines, expert tips, and rock-solid guidance to take your SQL Server implementation to the next level. These SQL Server best practices draw on the extensive experience and expertise from respected developers and engineers at Microsoft, who walk you through the specifics on solving particularly difficult issues.

SQL Server - Best Practices

The Mojave Experiment

rcrumbaker — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:58:49 GMT

The Mojave Experiment

I love the whole concept of this experiment. I personally really like Vista...but I know a lot of people who do not.

Aside from that...I want to talk about the website itself. I love it. The way you can scroll the individual videos is simply amazing.

One of the best and coolest websites I have visited in a long time. Nice work.

Check it out:

http://www.mojaveexperiment.com

Google search for Chrome...

rcrumbaker — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:53:47 GMT

This is funny...

If you search for Chrome using Google, their new browser link is second in the list.

Is Google really unbiased in their ratings?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=chrome&btnG=Search

Nice to see this Google...

Great Quote

rcrumbaker — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:30:07 GMT

Today on the email lists:

"A lot point back to MyITForum.com... Man those guys are helpful!!!"

Correction was needed:

It should have been

"A lot point back to MyITForum.com... Man the COMMUNITY is helpful!!!"

LED light bulbs that look familiar

rcrumbaker — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:33:53 GMT

DVICE: Frog Design shows off snazzy LED light bulbs that look familiar

Now, this is a great spin for a new technology for those people that don't like change.

Nice idea, and one that’ll pay off with a 30-year lifespan, better color rendering and no nasty pollutants like those from compact fluorescents. Check out the gallery below to see Frog’s other two variants in its frogware series, all scattering the LED light in different ways for your viewing pleasure.

My XBOX 360 - Still out for Repair

rcrumbaker — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:28:00 GMT

WOW...

I called Microsoft the last week of July...and my XBOX 360 is still out for repair. AMAZING!!

I blogged about it the first week of August.

It took 4 weeks for them to get a way for me to ship my console back to them...

I had 11 different case numbers with them and spent well over 7 hours on the phone trying to get my either a box or pre-printed return label for me to ship my console back to them...

The reason is their automated system for mailing out pre-printed labels was "rejecting" my address, even though I get my Microsoft MVP awards shipped there...

I had to force them to ship me a box with the pre-printed label in the box, but once I finally received the box...there was no pre-printed label in there.

So, I had to phone them again and go through the whole process again.

I finally did get a box to get the console returned. I did get a confirmation that the console is on its way home. Crazy.

Be sure to read Chrome's fine print - CNET News

rcrumbaker — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:02:16 GMT

Be sure to read Chrome's fine print | Beyond Binary - A blog by Ina Fried - CNET News

"Here are a few things that stood out to me.

1. Google reserves the right to automatically update and install Chrome.

This is becoming standard fare with much software these days, but worth noting.

"The software which you use may automatically download and install updates from time to time from Google. These updates are designed to improve, enhance and further develop the services and may take the form of bug fixes, enhanced functions, new software modules and completely new versions. You agree to receive such updates (and permit Google to deliver these to you) as part of your use of the services."

2. Although you retain any copyrights to content you own and use in the browser, Google says it has a right to display some of your content, in conjunction with promoting its services. Here's their exact wording.

"By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any content which you submit, post or display on or through, the services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the services and may be revoked for certain services as defined in the additional terms of those services."

3. Don't be surprised to see more ads.

Traditionally, it is Web pages and not the browser itself that serves ads. Google isn't saying it will change this paradigm, but it's terms of service don't rule that out either.

"Some of the services are supported by advertising revenue and may display advertisements and promotions. These advertisements may be targeted to the content of information stored on the services, queries made through the services or other information.
The manner, mode and extent of advertising by Google on the services are subject to change without specific notice to you."

Also worth paying attention to are the settings when you install it. By default, Chrome will add all manner of shortcuts, so if you don't want it to do that, be sure to click "customize these settings." Of note, it does not make itself the default browser without a user agreeing to do so. "

I did notice Google updater now running on my machine...hmm

Google Chrome...based on Safari 3.1

rcrumbaker — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:19:29 GMT

So, looking through the docs...I find this:

"If you've tested your website with Safari 3.1 then your site should already work well on Google Chrome."

What the crap! Time to uninstall!

I thought this was a browser that Google designed..."A Fresh take on the browser"

Google Chrome...more features I like

rcrumbaker — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:08:18 GMT

I really like the simplistic toolbar design...very nice.

I like the "Waiting for page..." at the bottom left of the window.

I like the "Aw Snap" when something goes wrong with the page you are viewing.

Adobe did load, finally...

Pretty impressed with it right now...

I have been playing around with Maxthon2...which is good, very good. However, I will use Google Chrome for sometime to make an honest view of the two.