So okay, I wasn't able to sleep so I started reading some email. You kow trying to catch up on some inbox reading.  I then came across my occasional MCP Flash email that told me about a new online game.  It is a  Microsoft Professional Quiz Show style game!  I know sounds geeky, but I figu re if you are reading my blog you might be into this kind of thing.  Anyways, You can use your passport login on Live ID whatever you have, and give it a go.  If you login it will track your progress so that you can leave and pick up where you left off later.  Also for me it was adictive, and it points out what I need to brush up on (since this is my career I figure I need to stay sharp). 

Questions Range from Easy, Medium, and Hard and it is timed when you see your answer choices.  There are also some lifelines or as they call them, "Vouchers" that you can use.  Questions topics include but are not limited  to: Win 2008, 2003, Exchange 2007, Win 7, XP, and SQL 2005.  There could be more but I didn't play for long.

The name of the game is Are You Certifiable?.  And, here is the link: http://www.microsoft.com/click/areyoucertifiable/default.aspx

If you want add me as a friend in the game, screen name: DRMILES

Happy Gaming!

This past year I have spent much time trying to work more efficiently and find excellent solutions for my clients that will not break the bank.  In my pursuit I have tested Linux and Windows software.  Some have been duds and others have been GOLD.  Below you will find my top ten for 2009 and receive David Shoffitt's seal of approval. 

XenServer - http://www.citrix.com

Wow.  Let me say it again, WOW.  Citrix has released a wonderful Virtualization Solution with a robust HyperVisor that allows companys to start a virutalization initiative at NO COST, provided that you have the hardware to run it on.WHen we first started trying it out we ran it on a PC class machine with a Core2Duo at 2.4 GHz.  We ran 6 servers on the small computer with no speed problems.  We then migrated them to an enterprise class environment.  We also converted 2 baremetal machines to virtual in the process all at no cost.  Let me say again WOW.  We have no need for VMWare at our business because we have a enterprise class solution at again no cost.  There are some added features that you can get that cost money like enhanced Storage Link Technologies, and email alerts and notifications, and rapid server provisioning which still would come in at a fraction of the cost of VMWares solutions. Cost :Free

True Crypt - http://www.truecrypt.org

I use this software on my laptop.  It works great!  I use preboot authentication so that if someone were to steal my laptop they would have to know a password that is well over 20 characters before they could access the files or even boot the computer.  My data is safe.  You can also create virtual HardDisks on your computer that are encrypted if you just want to encrypt some data but not all data.  I recently had corrupted my OS on my computer and was able to plug my HardDrive into another computer to recover my files.  The harddrive was not readable until I used the TrueCrypt software on my PC and mounted the drive as an encypted volume and then I was able to read it.  Very Powerful product. Cost :Free

Drop Box - http://www.dropbox.com

This is a nice synchronization tool that allows you to synchronize a folder on your computer with other computers over the internet.  Very useful!  Also it will allow you to go to the website and download your files directly in case you are not around any of your subscribing PCs or laptops. Cost :Free

CloneZilla - http://clonezilla.org/

 In my line of work it is almost a daily necessity to take a point in time fully restorable backup of a PC before you potentialy kill it with some update or possible fix to resolve a problem that would require you to rebuild the computer.  Well with this software you can reapidly redeploy a computer with its configuration prior to when you formatted it along with all of the partitions that were on the harddrive originally. I like the version based on Ubuntu. Cost :Free

Ultimate Boot CD - http://www.ubcd4win.com/

The Ultimate Boot CD is a must have for any technician.  It will empower you to be able to reset the local admin password if you ever forget it.  It will also allow you to browse the HardDrive of a computer that is broken and allow you to fix partition tables and even copy files to a network resource or USB Drive. There are many, many more utilities on this disk that are useful for a technician.  Cost :Free

RichCopy - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.04.utilityspotlight.aspx

I often have the responsibility of moveing large numbers of files and large amounts of data from location to another and Windows File Copy rarely fits the bill.  What I have found is RichCopy which offers a large amount of options so that you can leverage multiple threads to copy more than one file at a time.  I love this tool and user atleast once a week! Cost :Free

USB to SATA -  http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2329300&CatId=3770

A wonderful tool that will allow you to hook your SATA or IDE HardDrive of another computer up to your computer via USB without having to open the case of your computer to use it..  Simple tool, great flexibility. Cost :~$20

CD Burner XP - http://cdburnerxp.se/

My favorite CD Burner application.  Can burn audio or data.  Can make ISOs and burn them too.  Everything I need a nice little package.  Cost :Free

FileZilla Server - http://filezilla-project.org/

FileZilla is a simple and robust FTP server that allows for Secure Encrypted FTP along with normal FTP.  The best thing about this software is that it comes with all the necessary bells and whistles to setup a small business FTP Server.  The big feature I would like to see would be Active Directory Lookups or LDAP Authentication.  Cost :Free

PrtScr - http://www.fiastarta.com/PrtScr

Nice and easy screen capture utility that allows you to do freeform captures and markups.  Cost :Free

As more and more of our lives move online, protecting our personal information becomes ever more important and ever more of a challenge.  Additionally, there are so many different kinds of security risks these days including viruses, malware, spyware, phishing scams, denial of service attacks and many more.  And it's only going to get worse as hackers and botnets become more sophisticated.

Fortunately, there are many great security products on the market right now.  Personally, I rely on a mixture of security software to keep my computers safe.  Each entry on the list performs a different function or blocks a different type of threat, and I'll attempt to explain why each item is important.

Antivirus Software: AVG Antivirus

I have used and recommended AVG antivirus for home and corporate users for several years now.  I look for several things when selecting an antivirus solution and the free version of AVG's software for home users hits every item on my list.  First, it doesn't slow my computer down unreasonably.  Any software that is running is going to slow down a computer some and antivirus software is notoriously bad about this as it has to scan every file that is opened on a pc to make sure it's a safe file.  AVG does a good job of scanning the computer but leaving enough processing power that I can continue to work.  Second, AVG keeps itself updated.  As new viruses are released into the wild on an hourly basis, an antivirus software is only able to protect against the viruses that it knows about.  AVG is really good about updating itself automatically with the latest virus database.

AntiSpyware software: Spybot Search and Destroy

Spybot is great software for analyzing every file on your computer and detecting unwanted adware of spyware.  It's also very good at preventing spyware from being added to your PC.  We've probably all seen computers infested with spyware or adware - they usually get internet windows pop up on their screens either at random times or every time you do an internet search.  They make computing miserable.  It comes with a large database of known spyware or adware and the makers keep it up to date with the latest threats.

AntiMalware software: Malware Bytes

I cannot count the number of times this program has saved me from having to wipe and reload a computer.  Malware is a general term for malicious software including viruses, Trojans or worms.  Periodically, I'll come across a computer infected with so much malware that is unuseable.  In some cases, the computer will boot and work for 5 or 10 minutes and then come to a crawl where the Start button will not even work.  In those cases, I turn to MalwareBytes to remove the bad software.  It usually is able to resuscitate a compromised PC.  You can also install malware bytes on a clean computer and it will run as a background process and prevent malicious software from being installed.

Microsoft Windows Defender

Windows defender is very similar to Spybot or malware bytes.  It is a great free product that runs in the background and protects your PC from programs that cause Pop-ups, slowdowns or other security threats.

Firewall software: Comodo Firewall Pro

This software is essential for laptops that connect to public wireless networks.  Every time your computer connects to the internet, it is at risk.  I read an article years ago that said that a computer with an internet connection and no security software can be compromised in 4 minutes.  Most offices or home networks have a router that have a built in firewall that is sufficient to protect your computers.  However, if you take your computer away from that firewall, Comodo can fill the void.  It scans every packet that comes in to your computer from the internet and blocks the undesirable stuff.  It's also really easy to install, which is a major plus for most users.

Links:
AVG antivirus (http://free.avg.com)
Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html)
Malware Bytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org)
Microsoft Windows Defender ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx)
Comodo Firewall Pro (http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/)

Here's a list of some of the Cool Features in Windows 7:

• AeroShake - Hover your mouse overt the title bar of your active window, left-click and then shake your mouse.  All inactive windows disappear.  Shake again and everything comes back.
• Switch through documents with ease - Windows 7 groups all windows by type, for instance all open word documents will appear under the Word icon, all open email messages will be grouped under the outlook icon.  If you hold the CTRL key and click with your mouse on the document icon, each click will change the document will window to the next document in the order that you opened them.
• Use the windows shortcut key to move documents between multiple monitors.  If you click the Windows key + Shift + Right arrow, your active window will move to the right monitor at the same relative size it was before you moved it.
• Also, Click the Windows button plus the arrow keys to auto-resize your active window.  Windows + up maximizes the window.  Windows + left sizes your window to take up the left half the screen.  Great for viewing docs side by side
• The new calculator app has been given a dose of steroids.  It now includes the following modes: standard, scientific, programmer, statistics, unit conversion (temperature, weight, area, time).   It also has built in mileage, mortgage payments, lease payment and date calculations.

These are just a few of my favorite Windows 7 features.  There are many other cool new features of windows 7 including Jump Lists, Peeking and librarires.