Exchange & Outlook UPDATE, Exchange Edition, December 11, 2003

1. Commentary

- The Exchange Admin's Holiday Gift Guide

2. Announcements

- Try a Sample Issue of Security Administrator

- Free eBook--Migrating to Windows Server 2003, Active Directory, and Exchange 2003

- Take Our Print Publications Survey!

3. Resources

- Using Log Files to Rebuild an .edb File

- Featured Thread: Full-Text Index vs. Character-Based Searches

- Outlook Tip: Sending Unsent Messages

4. Event

- New--3 Microsoft Security Road Shows!

5. New and Improved

- Improve Exchange Performance

- Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!

6. Contact Us

- See this section for a list of ways to contact us.

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==== 1. Commentary: The Exchange Admin's Holiday Gift Guide ==== by Paul Robichaux, News Editor, [email protected]

As the end of the year approaches, many folks find their attention turning to gift-giving. Here are my holiday picks for the Exchange Server administrator on your list.

Let's start with something free--free is always good, right? If you're an Exchange 2000 Server licensee who signed up for Software Assurance (SA), you're eligible for a no-cost license of Microsoft Live Communications Server 2003 (and its associated Client Access Licenses--CALs). This product replaces Exchange 2000's Instant Messaging (IM) product. (If you haven't signed up for SA, you can always buy Live Communications Server.)

Moving up the price scale a bit, have you ever wanted to recover email from a database without first restoring the database to a recovery server? If the answer is yes, a product that lets you recover data from an unmounted .edb file (e.g., Kroll Ontrack's Ontrack PowerControls, Aelita Software's Aelita Recovery Manager for Exchange) might be for you. Such products can be a real lifesaver when you're in a hurry.

As far as cool gadgets go, check out Microsoft's new line of Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) watches ( http://www.microsoft.com/spot ), which can receive radio signals to deliver stock quotes, weather, news, traffic, or other information. I'm nearly drooling at the idea of being able to step off an airplane and have my watch automatically set itself and tell me the forecasted weather.

Many administrators I know like spicy food. (I'm not sure why. Having grown up in southern Louisiana, I have a large extended family that glories in eating stuff hot enough to peel paint; maybe I just gravitate to people who remind me of my cousins.) I recently learned of Blair's Death Rain habanero potato chips, supposedly the hottest chip you can buy. I have some on order; if you're interested, drop me an email message and I'll let you know whether they're a worthy gift for the snack-happy admin on your list.

Lastly, in lieu of giving gifts, why not make a donation to a worthwhile charitable organization? A few years ago, I was delighted when my sister gave me a duck. Actually, she made a donation to the Heifer Project ( http://www.heifer.org ), which used the money to send a pair of ducks to a family in a developing nation. Instead of an impossibly dense fruitcake or a gift basket of crumbly cheese and mystery pseudo-sausage, why not give someone a bull, beehive, or water buffalo? Just think of the conversation that could start at the water cooler!

~~~~ Sponsor: Windows Scripting Solutions ~~~~

Try a Sample Issue of Windows Scripting Solutions

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==== 2. Announcements ==== (from Windows & .NET Magazine and its partners)

Try a Sample Issue of Security Administrator

Security Administrator is the monthly newsletter from Windows & .NET Magazine that shows you how to protect your network from external intruders and control access for internal users. But don't just take our word for it. Sign up for a sample issue right now. You'll feel more secure just knowing you did. Click here!

http://www.secadministrator.com/rd.cfm?code=fsei253xup

Free eBook--Migrating to Windows Server 2003, Active Directory, and Exchange 2003

Are you planning to migrate from Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Exchange 2000 Server, or Exchange Server 5.5? Reduce your learning curve by implementing practices that have proven effective in the field. Download this eBook today!

http://www.windowsitlibrary.com/ebooks/migrating/index.cfm?pc=ebkitl

Take Our Print Publications Survey!

To help us improve the hardware and software product coverage in the Windows & .NET Magazine print publications, we need your opinion about what products matter most to you and your organization. The survey takes only a few minutes to finish, so share your thoughts with us at

http://websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/12237/editorsproduct.htm

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==== 3. Resources ====

Using Log Files to Rebuild an .edb File

Have you ever wondered whether you can reconstruct an .edb file solely from your log files? See the Microsoft article "How to Use Log Files to Rebuild the Priv1.edb File" for the answer.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=278958

Featured Thread: Full-Text Index vs. Character-Based Searches

A forum reader is looking for a way to support both Exchange Server 2000 full-text indexing and traditional character-based searches. To offer your advice or join the discussion, go to the following URL:

http://www.winnetmag.com/forums/rd.cfm?cid=40&tid=65923

Outlook Tip: Sending Unsent Messages by Sue Mosher, [email protected]

Q: I imported a comma-delimited file into my Outbox folder and tried to use the file to create and send messages. However, the messages never left the Outbox folder. How can I get Outlook to send these messages?

A: Open each message, then choose Actions, Resend This Message. If you receive the "You do not appear to be the original sender of this message. Are you sure you want to resend it?" warning, click Yes. The message will then appear with recipients' names in the To box; click Send.

See the Windows & .NET Magazine Exchange & Outlook Web page for more great tips from Sue Mosher.

http://www.winnetmag.com/microsoftexchangeoutlook

==== 4. Event ==== (brought to you by Windows & .NET Magazine)

New--3 Microsoft Security Road Shows!

Don't miss out on three new Security Road Show events in December. Join industry guru Mark Minasi, and learn more about tips to secure your Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 network. There is no charge for this event, but space is limited, so register today!

http://www.winnetmag.com/roadshows/security2003dec

==== 5. New and Improved ==== by Carolyn Mader, [email protected]

Improve Exchange Performance

Lucid8 Information Services released GOexchange 3.0, an automated maintenance solution for Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 5.5. GOexchange checks the Exchange databases for consistency, corrects errors, and provides warnings to improve system performance while reducing the average message store by 30 to 55 percent. GOexchange is now implemented as a full 32-bit service application. You can schedule maintenance jobs to automatically take place on specific days or at specific times and intervals for any server within your organization. For pricing, contact Lucid8 at 425-451-2595 or [email protected].

http://www.goexchange.com

Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!

Have you used a product that changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden? Tell us about the product, and we'll send you a Windows & .NET Magazine T-shirt if we write about the product in a future Windows & .NET Magazine What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to [email protected].

==== Sponsored Links ====

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==== 6. Contact Us ====

About the newsletter -- [email protected]

About technical questions -- http://www.winnetmag.com/forums

About product news -- [email protected]

About your subscription -- [email protected]

About sponsoring UPDATE -- [email protected]