2005 June

A blogger on the MSDN network has started a series of posts with easy resources for learning various .NET technologies. For us nuts and bolts techies more used to video cards than object-oriented languages, this could be precisely what we need.
In Windows 2003 Server, the ability to at least use the Windows [...]

This paper explains the fundamentals of VoIP, focusing on the functions and components that make up a VoIP solution. It will answer the following questions: What does it mean to an organization to deploy VoIP? What makes up a VoIP solution and how can they take advantage of it? It will offer readers a general [...]

Exam 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment is Perform system will test your knowledge of NTFS permissions. Some of the topics you need to know include:

How to configure NTFS permissions

Determine the effective permission for a user or group

How to change ownership of a folder or file

Combining NTFS and share permissions

Troubleshooting NTFS [...]

Since most VoIP telephone sets require an external power source (not powered inline), planning for power is as important as the telephone set itself.
This TECH-Topic focuses on VoIP power. Based on the NIST recommendations regarding VoIP deployment, we wanted to give you some guidance in this area and note that this technology is “Under Construction.” [...]

It’s funny that, as soon as we get into a career with computers, we are
automatically deemed nerds. Just because we love computers though does not
always make us nerds. A nerd by definition is as follows:

This is a pretty hectic point in my life. But I made the time to listen in to Chris’ show today and I really enjoyed it! Ever since he has added the ability to call in to the show LIVE, it just seems really reminiscent of the old TV days. If you have not [...]

Quite some time ago (about six months, I think), I set up one of those ultra-cheap Wal-Mart PCs up at my mom’s bookstore for the front counter. Being that Linux offered everything they needed, I figure why not? Well I just went over there today because I got a call that the PC was [...]

Boy, when I asked for feedback on the HDD excessive usage article, you guys were not kidding! Check this out:

Services can be added through the Add or Remove Programs applet in the Control Panel, the Optional Networking Components option within the Network Connections applet, or by using the Manage Your Server Wizard.
Once services are installed they can be managed using the Services snap-in located under the Administrative Tools applet in the Control Panel. [...]

Microsoft Connected Services Framework is a set of development tools designed for the “converged” triple-play plus provider. Utilizing UDDI [Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration] which is designed for use with SOAP [Simple Open Access Protocol] which defines how to package or format a database request such OLAP [On-Line Analytical Processing] as an XML string (bits [...]

In the last column, I gave an example of a puzzle that could be solved easier if one assumes that it does have a simple solution than if one works it through from scratch. But the world is full of counter-examples where one goes terribly wrong by assuming the puzzle is well-posed and thus has [...]

If the book were titled, All Marketers Are Storytellers, would you consider looking at it? Godin brought up this point in the book and it clearly explained what he means by “liars.” Of course, he didn’t insult marketers as he belongs in that category. But “storytellers” would be nothing new.
Though he didn’t use “storytellers,” the [...]

In a PPVNP [Provider Provisioned Virtual Private Network], there may be more than one label. To begin with, IP [Internet Protocol] packets may have a number of labels or “tags” attached to them. MPLS [Multi-Protocol Label Switching] is just one type of label. Here are some terms associated with labeling:

Push: add a label

Swap: replace the [...]

I guess I can’t say that things have not been hectic. Happy as I am to see things slow down some with the PC repairs, I have managed to keep myself very busy with other activities. Biking, watching really silly videos, and working on more projects than I have in my entire life. You know, [...]

Today we have a very special issue of Just Ask Matt. OK, it’s not really that special. But this question was not actually directed to me specifically. Still, I am going to be offering my thoughts on this matter in addition to asking you for yours.
Today, David writes:

Selling your PC repair business. Is this even possible? To be honest, I really have no idea. But regardless, I think it is something that is worth exploring. A few days ago, I received some feedback suggesting that selling my business might be possible if I am looking at getting out of the repair business [...]

One of the exam objectives covered on exam 70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment is Perform system recovery for a server. In other words, you need to know the different options available to recover a server in the event of failure. One such option is Automated System Recovery or ASR.
First of all [...]

The May issue of eNewsletter Journal is posted. We know the effects of those big, bad, unwanted e-mails. Did you know they cause other problems besides annoyance? The first part of our two-part series gives the lowdown.
A reader is developing a fee-based e-newsletter designed to be paid for/sponsored by larger organizations on behalf of their [...]

HSPDA [High Speed Downlink Packet Access] was released in 3GPP [Third Generation Partnership Project] Release 5 for indoor and urban outdoor high speed data access at 10 MBPS [Mega Bits Per Second] range (14.4 MBPS theoretical).
HSDPA [High Speed Downlink Packet Access] is based on the following key concepts:

Recently I presented a puzzle that relied on making assumptions to solve. It came on the tail end of a piece about the dangers of jumping into solving mode without looking at the underlying assumptions. The puzzle:
Two mathematicians are given slips of paper by a third colleague.
To the first mathematician, he says, “The [...]