Windows 7 Batch Files – More of the Same

Technical | Posted by Tom Carpenter
Mar 19 2010

With every new release of Windows, the rumors start. “Windows 7 will destroy the command prompt,” or “the command prompt will die in the next version of Windows.” Of course, these rumors have never been true in the past and they are not true now. Windows 7 batch files work in the same basic way as batch files worked in Windows Vista, Windows XP and every NT-based system all the way back to Windows NT 3.1. Windows 7 batch files provide more of the same, but this is a good thing.

Random Screening and Security

Fun | Posted by Tom Carpenter
Mar 01 2010

Is random screening really random? I don’t think so. My adventures with TSA seem to indicate otherwise.

SQL Server Training

IT Theory | Posted by Tom Carpenter
Feb 01 2010

Well, the first SQL Server training class with ASPE is going to happen in Phoenix, AZ on February 17-18, 2010. I am very excited about this class as well will be covering SQL Server 2005 and 2008 primarily. The old SQL Server 200 topics can slowly begin to fall by the way. Of course, we'll [...]

Great Overview of Windows 7 Deployment Tools

Technical | Posted by Tom Carpenter
Jan 26 2010

A great new technet blog post was added yesterday that provides an overview of the deployment tools for Windows 7. You can see how to deploy from media, a network share or from a WDS (Windows Deployment Services) implementation. You'll find the blog post here: http://edge.technet.com/Media/Deploying-Windows-7/ I am in the process of shooting some videos [...]

An Interesting Side Note

Fun, News | Posted by Tom Carpenter
Dec 28 2009

I noticed, today, that CNBC.com was listing the 10 unhappiest states. A few days ago, I noticed they listed the most religious states. Interestingly, when I compared these, 3 of the unhappiest states were in the list of the top 10 least religious states. None of the top ten most religious states were in the [...]

You Cannot Prevent a Wireless DoS Attack (wireless denial of service attack)

Technical | Posted by Tom Carpenter
Dec 28 2009

Don’t let wireless intrusion prevention system (WIPS) vendors fool you. You can detect a wireless denial of service (DoS) attack, but you cannot prevent it if it is an RF-level attack.

SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions

News | Posted by Tom Carpenter
Dec 23 2009

Microsoft has changed the edition structure for SQL Server 2008 R2 by adding two new editions: Datacenter and Parallel Data Warehouse. The Datacenter edition adds features for management improvement and support for more than 8 processors. The Parallel Data Warehouse edition supports much larger data stores and enhanced data warehouse functions. For more information about [...]

Windows 7 – Boot ini is Dead!

Technical | Posted by Tom Carpenter
Dec 17 2009

Starting with Windows Vista, thought it was missed by many IT professionals since Vista was largely ignored, the boot ini file is no longer used to store boot configuration information. Instead the boot configuration database (BCD) is used. Windows Server 2008 and now Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 also use the new BCD. Instead [...]

Windows 7 Application Compatibility List

News, Technical | Posted by Tom Carpenter
Dec 17 2009

The most up-to-date list of compatible (or incompatible) applications is now available at Microsoft's website. The Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Pros is available for download at the Microsoft TechNet site. The list includes more than 7000 applications and covers both business apps and games. The Windows 7 Application Compatibility List is a [...]

Viruses and Spyware and Wireless Clients

Technical | Posted by Tom Carpenter
Dec 12 2009

Many types of malware (malicious applications) exist that an intruder can place on a computer in order to obtain information that he could not get just by having regular file access to the computer.  The most common types of malware today are viruses and spyware.  Viruses are capable of disabling desktop PCs, taking web sites [...]