The fact we are discussing Windows Mobile 5.0 and New Exchange Server 2003 SP2 messaging and security feature pack made me think about what today is.  It is the court hearing for Blackberry.  Wonder what will happen?   Keep tabs on what the latest developments are at:

http://news.com.com/BlackBerry%20getting%20squeezed/2009-1047_3-6042243.html?tag=cnetfd.ld4

for balance I have linked a small victory for them below...

BlackBerry Maker Scores a Gain in Long Patents War

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1930636,00.asp

I would recommend taking control of your messaging and mobile needs with Microsoft's line of products.  Find out more at a TS2 or Technet seminar or at:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/default.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/evaluation/features/owa_mobile.mspx

I know there is more buzz around vista than most products at Microsoft so I thought you would all like to know that the February CTP build of Vista (5308) is here.  MSDN, Technet and Beta Testers will be getting it shortly.  I found a nice artcle with a a link to numerous screen shots of Vista's features on Eweek.  I realize many of you have not had the opportunity to install and play with Vista and I realize this is no substitute, but Ithought I would pass along the link anyway!! ;-)

Inside Windows Vista, Build 5308

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1930303,00.asp  

Screenshots can be found at

http://www.eweek.com/slideshow/0,1206,l=&s=25983&a=171997,00.asp

Enjoy!

I just wanted to make sure all of you have penciled in this webcast on www.msreadiness.com

I will be backup presenter, but this should be a winner.  I have included the abstract below and would encourage all of you that can make it to do so.  ChristyAxford was a Microsoft employee not alll that long ago and brings a wealth of experience to the table. 

http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15003855   to register.

Description:
Does the thought of walking into a room of strangers strike panic in your heart? Have you left business functions disappointed with the results? Have you decided that networking comes naturally to some people but is a waste of time for others?

During this webcast, you will learn that “networking” and personal referrals are two of the most important tools in your marketing arsenal. Connecting with people on an individual level is the first step to a successful sales and marketing plan for your business. You will also learn more about IAMCP and how this can be an excellent place to put these new “networking” ideas into practice. Please join us to learn more about how marketing can be easy and effective through successful “networking”.

Christy Axford is the Manager of Entrepreneurial Marketing Services for The TransSynergy Group. She focuses on working with small and medium businesses to develop effective marketing strategies. The TransySynergy Group is based in Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit www.transsynergy.com or email Christy at caxford@transsynergy.com

News from the front.   Chris Henley, one of my peers on the Technet team has done an excellent Pod/screencast demo of Windows Vista Speech Recognition technology.  The best part about this is that it is looking at what is on the screen and interpreting your words to command windows or to dictate.  You can even use it on the Web!!!   Check out Chris' demonstration here:

http://blogs.technet.com/chenley/archive/2006/02/21/420136.aspx

Thanks,

Woody

Keeping in the same vein of webcasts that are worth mentioning, a partner and friend of mine, Shayne Yonce, asked me the other day to shoot him the link to a webcast he helped me record on Best Practices for Selling Windows XP Media Center Ed. 2005.   I just sent him the link and I thought you might want it as well.   Have a great day!

TS2 Wed on the Web: Best Practices for Selling Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=15003428

-Woody Walton

woodyw@microsoft.com

Fellow SBSers,

I received an email this morning congratulating me on doing a fine job on some webcasts on www.msreadiness.com back in late November.  Funny thing is, I was only the host and the real talent was the SBS Product support team at Microsoft!  They had Customer Satisfaction of over 8.4 on a 9 point scale. ...definitely worth your time!  I thought it would be good to mention the location of thse recorded webcasts so you can benefit even if you missed them at the time.  Below are the links:

With the all not too recent security issues that have been plaguing Oracle, I was surprised to hear about this whole MAC security controversy with regards to Malware outbreaks.

You can read more at http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2006/tc20060221_730128.htm 

I am not an  expert, but it does highlight that no OS is free from attacks and mailicious users.  I also read an interesting rebuttal (sortof) here:

Mac Attack a Load of Crap

http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,70257-0.html?tw=rss.culture

I do not agree with all the comments by Mr. Kahney, but I think his wanton lack of practical safeguards is amusing. 

-Woody Walton

Well,  I witnessed perhaps the worst weather of my life for a few hours in Wisconsin on Thursday February 16th.  I drove into Alliant energy center parking lot at 7:00 AM and it was being plowed by employees of the facility.  By 10:00 AM I ha a foot of snow on my car and the conditions were a white out.  Across the parking lot was a 5 story building that could not be seen at 100 yards away. 

Needless to say we canceled the events in the afternoon.   Only two persons showed anyway.  

It took me nearly 3 hours to drive to Milwaukee which is only 70 or 80 miles away an I counted well over a hundred cars in the ditch.  Keep in mind I did not start my drive during the white out.  I waited until the snow stopped falling to make my move.   ...I enjoyed the drive as I had un counting all the cars (emergency vehicles included) in the ditch!   I did not however enjoy my long wait in the Milwaukee Airport to fly home.

TTFN,

Woody Walton

...First of all I forgot to  mention  Happy Valentine's day to the attendees of the Kenosha TS2, so here goes...

Happy Valentines day!!!

Anyway, It was a great event and we had a good turnout.  There were howver some questions that I could not answer at the time.  I have provided thse answers below.

1.)  What was the name of the company Microsoft recently acquired that dealt with hosted Exchange.

   Answer.  The company that came to mind when thinking of aquisitions that dealt with Exchange was FrontBridge.  FrontBridge offers a comprehensive set of Total Message Management services that mitigate regulatory compliance and legal discovery risk, help minimize internal and external messaging threats, and help preserve the reliability, productivity, and continuity of e-mail during emergencies. For more information, visit the FrontBridge site

Or find out more about the aquisition at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/jul05/07-20FrontBridgePR.mspx

Back to hosted exchange ...if you are looking for partners that host Exchange here is the site to visit:

http://www.microsoft.com/serviceproviders/solutions/hostedmessaging.mspx 

2.)  When is Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 going to RTM? 

Answer: 

Windows SBS 2003 R2 update will release in Q2 of thi calendar year.  I will have to confirm whether I can be more speicific before posting to the BLOG.  I will update this post within 48 hours if I can be more precise.

Additional Windows SBS R2 info...

Exerpt from   http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/r2/default.mspx  Please note the technology gaurantee that starts on March 1st, 2006 (just a little over a week away).

Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2

Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 (SBS 2003 R2) is an update release to the award-winning SBS 2003 product, providing new features to address the growing needs of small businesses. Scheduled to release-to-manufacturing in the second quarter of 2006, SBS 2003 R2 will offer small businesses the following benefits to help them increase their productivity:

Once available (RTM slated for Q2 2006), SBS 2003 R2 may be obtained through the following channels:

In addition, Microsoft plans to offer a “Technology Guarantee” program ***, beginning March 1, 2006 for customers who purchase SBS 2003 from an original equipment manufacturer or a system builder. Customers that purchase SBS 2003 prior to March 1, 2006 should consider purchasing Software Assurance so they can obtain SBS 2003 R2.

See our FAQ for more information. Check back for further updates.

*Software Assurance contract must be active when SBS 2003 R2 releases-to-manufacturing.
**The purchase of new client access licenses (CALs) will not be required with SBS 2003 R2.
***The Technology Guarantee will be available from March 1, 2006 to 60 days after SBS 2003 R2 releases-to-manufacturing (will vary by geography).