Ready or not Windows 7 is coming.  I admit it, I skipped Vista like many IT Pros did. I have been beta testing Windows 7 and I have to say, Microsoft delivered the goods this time.  I will no longer have to request “No Vista! Only XP SP3 please!” Anyway enough of me kissing Microsoft’s ass and lets give you what you came for:

Microsoft TechNet just released two 9 minute videos on how to use MDT 2010 to upgrade your XP boxes to Win7 with out too many headaches.

First Video: Part 1: Building the Deployment Environment

Learn how to build media that will automatically migrate computers from Windows XP to Windows 7 with user data, custom applications and drivers. This demonstration will walk you through the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) Deployment Workbench and how it works.

Explore the user experience for migrating the Windows XP computer to Windows 7 and how brief - or "lite touch" - interaction is required up front to automate the entire process of data migration, OS installation, driver and application customization, and domain join.

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Coach Culbertson over @ TrainSignal generously created a free 6 hour introductory video series for us. This free mini-course is divided into 10 lessons and covers the essentials of Server 2008. He focuses on a lot of new features that have been included or updated in the new Windows Server version.

This is a 6 hour course, so not everything can be covered about Server ’08, but this training will give you a pretty good start and you’ll pick up a lot of good skills.

Here’s what will be covered in his Intro to Windows Server 2008 training:

• Lesson 1: Welcome — what this course is about and how to use it
• Lesson 2: Installing Windows Server 2008 and Active Directory
• Lesson 3: Active Directory Users and Groups in Windows Server 2008
• Lesson 4: Windows Server Core and DHCP Servers
• Lesson 5: Windows Server 2008 File and Print Servers
• Lesson 6: Windows Server RODC – Read Only Domain Controller
• Lesson 7: IIS 7 Web Servers
• Lesson 8: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services
• Lesson 9: Windows Deployment Services
• Lesson 10: Windows Server 2008 MCITP Certification Info

Related

• 5 Free Videos that will help you with Active Directory
• Digeus Registry Cleaner

Our Friends over @ Windows Server HQ just wanted to let you all know the following:

Hey gang, Coach here with a really cool video clip that brings Hyper-V and SQL Server together.

Mel and I recently did a bonus video on how to install SQL Server 2008 on Hyper-V for our SQL Server 2008 Administration and Hyper-V trainings and today we wanted to share a short clip from that video.

The complete video on how to install SQL Server on Hyper-V will be available as a bonus video in both the Hyper-V and SQL Server 2008 Administration courses.

So check out the short video clip and let us know what you think!

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• Learn how to Deploy Windows 7 with 2 Free Videos
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Active Directory (AD) is a technology created by Microsoft that is a central component of the Windows platform. The AD directory service provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up network environments.

We have put together a list of free video tutorials that will help SysAdmins get a little more comfortable with AD.

1. How to Backup Active Directory + DNS with NTBACKUP
2. Active Directory Password Management in Windows 2003
3. How To Demote Your Domain Controller
4. How to create a Template User for Windows Server 2003
5. Installing Server 2008 and Active Directory
6. Bonus Video from Spiceworks TV: Active Directory: Managing Users And Groups

Related

• BackupPC – a Free enterprise-grade system for backing up Linux and WinXX PCs
• Master Windows Server 2008 with 10 Free Video Lessons

Alfresco is the leading open source alternative for enterprise content management (ECM). It couples the innovation of open source with the stability of a true enterprise-class platform. The open source model allows Alfresco to use open source technologies and contributions from the open source community to get higher quality software produced more quickly at much lower cost.

Alfresco is led by John Newton, founder of Documentum, and John Powell, former COO of Business Objects, and is backed by Accel Partners, Mayfield Fund and SAP Ventures.

Key Features

• Document Management
• Web Content Management
• Collaboration
• Content Platform and Repository
• Content Management Interoperability Services (CMIS)
• Records Management
• Image Management

Download From

• Alfresco’s Wiki (Stable)
  • Latest Nightly Build (untested)
  • Alfresco Records Management
  • Alfresco Office Integration
  • Alfresco SDK
• SourceForge

Links / Tutorials

• Developer Guide
• Installing Alfresco on Ubuntu 7.10
• OpenOffice.org Plugin for Alfresco
• How To: Liferay, Alfresco, LDAP and SSO – Full Integration
• What’s Next For Alfresco?
• Running Alfresco web scripts as Liferay portlets

Screen Shots

Videos

Workflows and Actions in Alfresco from Alfresco Software on Vimeo.

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BackupPC is a high-performance, enterprise-grade system for backing up Linux and WinXX PCs and laptops to a server’s disk. It is highly configurable and easy to install and maintain. The program is written in Perl and extracts backup data via SMB using Samba, tar over ssh/rsh/nfs, or rsync. It is robust, reliable, well documented and freely available as Open Source on SourceForge.

Key Features

• Optional compression support further reducing disk storage. Since only new files (not already pooled) need to be compressed, there is only a modest impact on CPU time.
• No client-side software is needed. The standard smb protocol is used to extract backup data on WinXX clients.
• A powerful web (http/cgi) user interface allows administrators to view log files, configuration, current status and allows users to initiate and cancel backups and browse and restore files from backups.
• Direct restore (via smbclient, tar, or rsync/rsyncd) or downloading a zip or tar file.

• Supports mobile environments where laptops are only intermittently connected to the network and have dynamic IP addresses (DHCP).
• Flexible configuration parameters allow multiple backups to be performed in parallel, specification of which shares to backup, which directories to backup or not backup, various schedules for full and incremental backups, schedules for email reminders to users and so on. Configuration parameters can be set system-wide or also on a per-PC basis.
• Users are sent periodic email reminders if their PC has not recently been backed up. Email content, timing and policies are configurable.
• Open Source hosted by SourceForge and freely availble under GPL.

Download From

• SourceForge
• Debian

Links / Tutorials

• BackupPC Documentation
• 13 Great Free Backup Programs for Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Backup Central / BackUpPC Wiki
• Back Up Linux And Windows Systems With BackupPC
• BackupPC – restoring backups from command line

Screen Shots

Videos

Related

• WPKG – Push/Pull Service Packs, hotfixes, or installations in Windows for Free
• WinDirStat – Free visual disk usage and cleanup tool for Windows

WPKG is an automated software deployment, upgrade and removal program for Windows.

It can be used to push/pull software packages, such as Service Packs, hotfixes, or program installations from a central server (for example, Samba or Active Directory) to a number of workstations.

Key Features

• Runs as a service to install software in the background without user interaction.
• No more repackaging to perform software installations.
• Supports MSI, InstallShield, PackagefortheWeb, Inno Setup, Nullsoft .exe packages, .bat and .cmd
• WPKG is free and open source software.

Download From

• WPKG.org
• Soft32

Links / Tutorials

• Documentation, tips & troubleshooting
• osdir.com.package-management.wpkg.user

Screen Shots

Videos

N/A – Got One? Please Send it.

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• BackupPC – a Free enterprise-grade system for backing up Linux and WinXX PCs
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Are you looking for some apps that can ease your workload & free up some room in your budget?

Then you came to the right place.  Here are 7 apps that will help you accomplish both.

1. CCleaner – Free Windows maintenance & optimization tool

   

   CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. But the best part is that it’s fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware. Continue Reading »

2. UltraVNC – Free, Easy and Powerful Remote Control Software

   UltraVNC is a powerful, easy to use and free software that can display the screen of another computer (via internet or network) on your own screen. The program allows you to use your mouse and keyboard to control the other PC remotely. It means that you can work on a remote computer, as if you were sitting in front of it, right from your current location. If you provide computer support, you can quickly access your customer’s computers from anywhere in the world and resolve helpdesk issues remotely ! With addons like SingleClick your customers don’t even have to pre-install software or execute complex procedures to get remote helpdesk support. Continue Reading »

3. Look@LAN – Free and Easy Network Monitor

   Look@LAN Network Monitor, a free solution for both personal and commercial use, is an advanced network monitor, which allows you to monitor your network in few clicks. Extremely easy to use and very fast in discovering your network’s active nodes. Full of relevant features such as auto-detect of network configuration, monitoring, reporting, trapping, statistics and graphs, network tree view, network log, proof single node scan, os detection and so on. This solution is perfect for any kind of network size and design, as its network core has been developed to be able to work in any scenario.

4. DriveImage XML – Backup logical drives and partitions to image files for Free

   DriveImage XML is an easy to use and reliable program for imaging and backing up partitions and logical drives. The program allows you to backup logical drives and partitions to image files, browse these images, view and extract files, restore these images to the same or a different drive, copy directly from drive to drive.

   Image creation uses Microsoft’s Volume Shadow Services (VSS), allowing you to create safe “hot images” even from drives currently in use. Images are stored in XML files, allowing you to process them with 3rd party tools, so you’ll never again be stuck with a useless backup. Restore images to drives without having to reboot. DriveImage XML also runs from a WinPE boot CD-ROM. Continue Reading »

5. WinDirStat – Free visual disk usage and cleanup tool for Windows

   WinDirStat is a disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for Microsoft Windows (all current variants). WinDirStat reads the whole directory tree once and then presents it in three useful views: the directory list, which resembles the tree view of the Windows Explorer but is sorted by file/subtree size; the treemap, which shows the whole contents of the directory tree straight away; and the extension list, which serves as a legend and shows statistics about the file types.

   Continue Reading »

6. ClamWin – Free Antivirus for Windows

   

   ClamWin is a Free Antivirus program for Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003 and Vista.

   ClamWin Free Antivirus comes with an easy installer and open source code. You may download and use it absolutely free of charge.

   Continue Reading »

7. Smart Defrag – Automatically Optimize Disk Performance for Free

   Disk fragmentation is generally main cause of slow and unstable computer performance. Smart Defrag helps defragment your hard drive most efficiently. Smart Defrag not only defragments computer deeply but optimizes disk performance. With ‘install it and forget it’ feature, Smart Defrag works automatically and quietly in the background on your PC, keeping your hard disk running at its speediest. Continue Reading »

Did we miss any?

Leave a comment below and we will review IT!

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Disk fragmentation is generally main cause of slow and unstable computer performance. Smart Defrag helps defragment your hard drive most efficiently. Smart Defrag not only defragments computer deeply but optimizes disk performance. With ‘install it and forget it’ feature, Smart Defrag works automatically and quietly in the background on your PC, keeping your hard disk running at its speediest.

Key Features

• An “Install It and Forget It” feature that works automatically and quietly in the background on your computer.
• The ability to constantly keep your hard drive safe, error-free and running at its top speed and optimum performance.
• Eliminates slow downs, freeze-ups and crashes.
• Designed for Windows Vista, XP, and 2000, including Windows Server Editions.
• 100% Free for home, small business, organization, and enterprise.

Download From

• Download.com
• MajorGeeks
• SnapFiles

Links / Tutorials

• Defragment multiple drives simultaneously with Smart Defrag
• Speed Windows XP with IObit Smart Defrag Freeware -Better than- Default Windows Disk Defragmenter

Screen Shots

Videos

Related

• DriveImage XML – Backup logical drives and partitions to image files for Free
• AVG Anti-Virus – Protect your PC for Free

ClamWin is a Free Antivirus program for Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003 and Vista.

ClamWin Free Antivirus comes with an easy installer and open source code. You may download and use it absolutely free of charge.

Key Features

• High detection rates for viruses and spyware
• Scanning Scheduler
• Automatic downloads of regularly updated Virus Database.
• Standalone virus scanner and right-click menu integration to Microsoft Windows Explorer;
• Addin to Microsoft Outlook to remove virus-infected attachments automatically.

Download From

• SourceForge
• Softpedia
• FileHippo

Links / Tutorials

• Portable ClamWin on a USB or Removable Drive
• Support and Discussion Forums
• ClamWin Antivirus Glue for Firefox

Screen Shots

Videos

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• AVG Anti-Virus – Protect your PC for Free
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