Windows Client UPDATE--Virtual Learning--April 28, 2005

1. Commentary:
- Virtual Learning

2. News & Views
- Microsoft, EU Reach Impasse

3. Peer to Peer
- Tip: Side-by-Side Window Displays
- Featured Thread: Adding Web Sites to IE Trusted Sites

4. New and Improved
- Get the Latest IT News on Your Desktop
- Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt!

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==== 1. Commentary: Virtual Learning ====
by David Chernicoff, [email protected]

Often, after I make a recommendation in this column, I get email from readers asking me how to implement it. The problem is that many of the suggestions are fairly complex and difficult to walk someone through, especially if I have to introduce new concepts that the reader is unfamiliar with or has never tried.

Group Policy Objects (GPOs) are one such concept. For administrators that have been managing Windows networks, using GPOs is second nature. But for new administrators, especially in the small and midsized business (SMB) space, aggressively using GPOs can be a bit scary. Often, they need a little hand-holding to help them through their initial GPO deployments.

Help is on the way. Using GPOs is the subject of one of eight virtual labs that Microsoft has online right now. A virtual lab is a Remote Desktop connection via the RDP ActiveX control to a server at Microsoft. Each virtual lab has a downloadable manual that walks you through the exercise; you have 90 minutes to complete each lab exercise.

These virtual labs let users experiment with various tasks and technologies on a live computer, without the need to set up test computers in their own environment. They offer a great solution for small businesses that can't afford to keep test networks up and running for their IT departments. I've received positive feedback from readers for three of the eight available labs: Configuration Management with GPOs, Deploying Windows XP SP2, and Using the User State Migration Tool. The labs are definitely worth a look if you need a little help with unfamiliar processes. You can check them out at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/desktopdeployment/WebcastsVL.mspx

The link also has several on-demand Webcasts that cover a wide variety of topics on desktop deployment. The on-demand Webcasts are delivered as two downloads: a .wmv file containing the broadcast and a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. The Web site lists 38 on-demand Webcasts about desktop deployment, and the eight virtual labs all have accompanying Webcasts.

Webcasts and virtual labs are also available for topics such as security and for applications such as Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) and Microsoft Exchange Server. These online resources are excellent for jump starting your use of the technologies and processes that they cover.

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==== 2. News & Views ====
by Paul Thurrott, [email protected]

Microsoft, EU Reach Impasse
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer rushed to Brussels, Belgium, this week to placate the European Union's (EU's) Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes for the second time in a year. But Ballmer received a cold reception from Kroes. Her message was simple and to the point: Microsoft must meet the EU's antitrust demands--and it must do so immediately. To read the entire story, visit the following URL:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/Articles/ArticleID/46206/46206.html

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==== Events and Resources ====
(from Windows IT Pro and its partners)

Protect the Rest of Your Exchange Infrastructure
There is more to data protection for Exchange than protecting mail and mail servers. In this free Web seminar, you’ll learn some methods for anticipating, avoiding, and overcoming technical problems that can affect your Exchange environment, including corruption or errors in Active Directory, DNS problems, configuration errors, service pack installation, and more. Register now!
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Get Ready for SQL Server 2005 Roadshow in a City Near You
Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database computing environment. Attend and receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register now!
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Ensure SQL Server High Availability
In this free Web seminar, discover how to maintain business continuity of your IT systems during routine maintenance and unplanned disasters. Learn critical factors for establishing a secure and highly available environment for SQL Server including overcoming the technology barriers that affect SQL Server high availability and Microsoft's out-of-the-box high-availability technologies such as clustering, log shipping, and replication. Register now!
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Keeping Your Business Safe from Attack: Patch Management eBook
In Chapter 6 of this free eBook, learn about Microsoft’s free patch-management software, which you can use to manage the approval and deployment process of Microsoft security updates.
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Configuring Blade Servers for Your Application Needs
Blade servers pack a lot of function into a small space, conserve power, and are flexible. In this free, on-demand Web seminar, industry guru David Chernicoff details the best use of 1P, 2P, and 4P configurations using single and multiple enclosures; integrating with NAS and SAN; and managing the entire enterprise from a single console. Register now and take advantage of blade servers’ power and flexibility.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/bladeservers2/index.cfm?code=0427emailannc

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==== 3. Peer to Peer ====

Tip: Side-by-Side Window Displays
(contributed by David Chernicoff, [email protected])

I mentioned on an online forum that I use a high-resolution monitor (1920x1440x32), primarily because I almost always have two document windows open. A forum reader asked me how to display documents side by side in Microsoft Word. This functionality has been built into every 32-bit version of Windows since Windows 2000 Server. To have two documents (or two windows) open side-by-side, open both applications or documents, and bring one window to the foreground. Hold down the Control key, and on the taskbar right-click the second document or window you want to share the screen. Select Tile Vertically from the context menu. The window that was in the foreground and the window you selected from the taskbar will open side-by-side, filling the screen.

Featured Thread: Adding Web Sites to IE Trusted Sites
Forum user Stef is having trouble adding a site to Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) Trusted Sites. If you can help, join the discussion at http://www.windowsitpro.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=36&threadid=131971

==== Announcements ====
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==== 4. New and Improved ====
by Gayle Rodcay, [email protected]

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