Microsoft

Microsoft Security Essentials - a review

Here is a great review for the new Microsoft Security Essentials products:

 http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/30/…

In reading the review I was actually tentatively impressed ( I will save real positive feelings after i test it myself).

Microsoft unleashing a good product is rare enough but a good product that is free? I am pretty sure the planets must be aligning in just the right way for this to happen.

For those of you who are thinking to yourself “but HyperV is free” please note that in my previous statement I did say free AND good.

Google releases plugin which turns IE into Chrome

Check this out:

 http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/24/…

Ok now this is just funny. Kudo’s to Google for one, improving a product which so desperately needs improvement, and two, having the balls to actually do this. I commend you!

MS Office Web

Check out this article:

 http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2009/09…

I can honestly say it would really rock the foundations of my world if Microsoft every had an original idea of their own.

Microsoft potshot: Oracle raising it’s pricing structure

Take a look:

 http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/27/…

So Microsoft reminds us that SQL server is still available at the same cost while Oracle is raising it’s prices. Now if only SQL server was any good …. they might just have something there.

Microsoft GPL violation hits memory hole

nbsp;http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/23/…

Interesting article. What is more interesting here is the concept of Microsoft supporting anything open source. Times perhaps are a changing.

The one problem here, if Microsoft ever did embrace open source, who would the elitest linux teenage fan boys hate next?

Microsoft releases Windows 7 RC go live dates

Check it out here:

 http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/26/…

I’m really excited about Windows 7, from everything I have seen it may be Microsoft’s best client OS yet (ok I realize that’s not a high bar to set ….)

Using a POP connector when migrating to from POP to Exchange

When focussing on the SMB (Small-Medium Business) market I find that alot of companies don’t yet have their own Exchange servers and are still using POP mail. With the age of virtual servers upon us it is easier then ever to sell them on Exchange when you are already selling them a physical server and Windows enterprise license.

Best practice I have found when doing the migration is to use a POP connector on your Exchange server. This allows for a gradual migration and eliminates any lost email during the time when you are changing over the MX records.

Microsoft includes a free POP connector with Windows Server 2003 SBS and yet for some unknown reason doesn’t include one with the real version of Exchange. Still, using SBS is in fact it’s own punishment so it’s not a huge loss.

I recommend the Exchange Connector product by Quantum Software Solutions. It’s really straight forward to use and very customizable. You get a 30 day free trial, which is all you need if you are only using it for migration purposes, though I think it is well worth paying for if you think you are going to use it on a ongoing basis.

Here is the link

 http://www.quantumsoftware.com.au/