New player

Unsurprisingly, Google has announced that it will release an operating system targeted at Net Books as the article “Google takes on Windows with Chrome OS” details. That made me ponder the following:

 

1. Why is Google only taking on Windows? Doesn’t MAC OS or Linux count? I can’t see Google OS only detracting from Windows market share, yet it is interesting in that everything I have read only talks about Google taking on Windows.

 

2. Microsoft has a pretty large support infra-structure around it, what does Google have? You know that some Google OS Notebooks ARE going to end up in the hands of non-technology literate people. What happens when they need support, where do they turn? How will that experience be? For all it’s faults Microsoft has been doing direct support for years on operating systems is that an advantage or a disadvantage?

 

3. Competition in the market is good for everyone. Many of Microsoft’s products have been lacking any real innovation when they have no direct competition. Any competition should help all players lift their game.

 

4. Will the average user trust a Google OS after all these years of Windows? Sure they bitch and complain but in the end they are comfortable with Windows. Does the OS really matter anymore? Do people with netbooks run applications they care about or do they simply want a word processor, spreadsheet and browser?

 

Only time will tell.

Public folder guidance

I was at a SharePoint seminar today and the age old issue of SharePoint vs Exchange Public folders was raised. The most common myth is that Exchange Public Folder are going away in favour of SharePoint, and the following blog post from the Exchange team confirms that:

 

http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2008/03/31/448537.aspx

 

and in there it says:

 

“For this reason, Microsoft will continue to support Public Folders in the next major release of Exchange Server, after Exchange 2007.  This means Public Folders will have full support for 10 years from release of the next major release of Exchange Server.”

 

The post then goes on to discuss the strength of both SharePoint and Public folders, which is well worth a read.

 

If you think Public Folder in Exchange are going then think again! It should be a matter of using the best tool for the job and with SharePoint and Exchange Public folders you have the choice.

Not just me

So it seems I wasn’t the only one that thought the new ad for Internet Explorer 8 was rank. As the article “Microsoft withdraws offending ‘puke ad’” details Microsoft has stopped promoting the ad.

 

In this day and age it is really hard to be funny without offending or alienating someone or something. Microsoft has not had much luck of late with its Seinfeld ads and now this, whereas Apple has been able to really milk Mac vs PC.

 

I wonder what Microsoft has in the wings for Windows 7? Seeing this kinda worries you a bit doesn’t it?

Sign of the times

Have a look at this “commercial” for Internet Explorer 8.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB9fhjnJcB0&feature=player_embedded

Now tell me that you think it’s an effective way of promoting the features of Microsoft’s latest browser. I understand the concept, but really I gotta say that they have missed their mark in so many ways. For one I can’t say that I like seeing someone repeatedly ‘puke’ on someone else. Secondly, you’re promoting a function of the browser that allows you to view porn at the breakfast table. Maybe I’m missing something here and that feature is in high demand, but not amongst the small population of Internet users I know at least.

 

I don’t know who Microsoft is using for their ad agency but there’s gotta be someone other better! Is the only feature of Internet Explorer that is better than Firefox or Safari is that it allows you to surf porn in private? I can’t see that making people switch, but hey I could way off base here.

SharePoint Guide – July release

I’ve just finished uploading the July release of the Windows SharePoint Operations Guide for subscribers. In this month’s update you’ll find:

 

– A free SharePoint log viewer that makes troubleshooting SharePoint easier.

– How to configure cross site lookups.

– How to customize Team Discussions to suit any need

– plus more

 

All subscribers will also receive the source file to my recently uploaded Getting started with Companyweb document so they can customize it to suit their own business. I plan to make more of these documents available over the coming months so if you have any suggestions of what you would like to see please don’t hesitate to contact me.

 

If you are interested in becoming a subscriber go to www.wssops.com or contact me directly (director@ciaops.com).

Getting started with Companyweb

I have made available a free e-Book I created called “Getting started with Companyweb”. It provides a step by step guide to getting started with Windows SharePoint on Small Business Server 2008 (SBS 2008). It is particularly aimed at those who have no familiarity with Windows SharePoint at all but maybe using SBS 2008 without even realizing the fantastic tool that comes with the software.

 

It also contains links to other documentation and some of the better online videos so that readers can extend their knowledge beyond what I simply presented in the document. The e-Book is available as a free download in PDF format from http://www.slideshare.net/directorcia/getting-started-with-companyweb.

 

Subscribers to my Windows SharePoint Operations Guide (www.wssops.com) will receive a copy of the e-Book in format in which they can rebrand for their business and make available for their customers. I plan to makes more of such guides available to resellers for rebranding, which is another great reason to subscribe to my SharePoint Guide.

 

If you have any feedback on the e-Book please let me know via director@ciaops.com.

Courses this term

In conjunction with Macquarie Community College I’m happy to announce the list of courses that I’ll be offering in the next term.

 

309M293 – Improve your Technology Skills (Thursday September 10 2009 9.30am – 4pm)

 

Technology is a critical requirement of most positions these days. This course will help improve your technology skills and make you more valuable to any employer. Get hands-on experience with technologies such as YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, blogging, Twitter and Internet search engines and learn how to use them to improve your job prospects.

 

309M301 & 309C103 – Networking Basics (2 locations and times)

 

Gain the knowledge and confidence to set up your own computer network at home or work. Learn the fundamentals of networking two or more machines, as well as many of the technologies that comprise the Internet. We look at IP addressing, protocols such as TCP, routers, switches, firewalls, security and more. This course combines practical hands-on training as well as seminar based content.

 

309M297 – Networking with Small Business Server (3 sessions starting Thursday August 27, 7-9 pm)

 

Small Business Server is growing in popularity, and our expert trainer will clearly demonstrate its benefits. You will learn how to install and manage SBS, plus gain critical insight into security, backup, internet access and general network management issues. Highly beneficial if you have network systems and want to enhance your management of the technology.

 

309M299 – Wireless Networking (2 sessions starting Thursday September 17, 7-9pm)

 

This course will provide an overview of the technologies available, and the benefits and downfalls of what wireless has to offer. See practical demonstrations of the installation of wireless networks and receive valuable information about setting up your own wireless network – whether for home or business – so that you can get it right.

 

309M291 – Do Email Less (Friday, August 28, 9.30am – 4pm)

 

Email is an important tool, however if used incorrectly it can be the source of frustration, anxiety and lost productivity. Ask yourself, have you ever been trained how to use email effectively? Chances are you never have. This course will show you how to configure your email programs to obtain the maximum benefit from them.

 

309M295 – Everything Google (Thursday 13 August, 9.15am – 3.15pm)

 

Google is now so much more than a search engine. It allows you to create custom calendars, schedules and to do lists. You can create and store documents that you can access from anywhere. You can also use it as your primary email account. There are maps and street views of just about everywhere. This course will show you how to use all these tools to enhance your online workflow.

 

To for more information on any of these courses or to enrol simply visit www.macquarie.nsw.edu.au. I hope to see you there.

SharePoint licensing

I’ve recently been looking in greater depth into the licensing of Windows SharePoint Services (WSS). Given that it is a free download from Microsoft the typical first response is that you can run it wherever you can install it. Unfortunately, that is not true.

 

So here’s what I have discovered directly from Microsoft:

 

Windows SharePoint Services on Windows Home Server

 

“I can confirm for you that installing WSS to Windows Home Server currently is not supported or permitted by the licensing terms that govern the use of the software.”

 

Windows SharePoint Services on Windows Vista or Windows 7

 

Windows SharePoint Services is a component of Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2. Customers’ use of Windows SharePoint Services is governed by the license terms for their licensed copies of Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2.

 

Windows SharePoint Services on Windows Foundation Server

 

Stay tuned – yet to determine.

 

You may or may not know that it is technically possible to run Windows SharePoint Services on all these platforms but as I was told:

 

“I can advise that the Microsoft Software License Terms for these operating systems plainly state:

 

SCOPE OF LICENSE.  The software is licensed, not sold.  This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software… In doing so, you must comply with any technical limitations in the software that only allow you to use it in certain ways…   You may not work around any technical limitations in the software” [Emphasis is my own]

 

So even though it may be technically possible to install Windows SharePoint on these operating systems it is not licensed or supported. I think many people are starting to see the benefits of Windows SharePoint and are keen to use the product. Personally, I’d love to see it licensed on the above operating systems, especially for small to medium business, in order to keep costs down. I do however understand that it is a licensed product from Microsoft and must be used correctly.

 

When I have more information about Windows SharePoint Services on Windows Foundation Server I’ll post it here.