Severud @ SFSU

The Microsoft TechNet article New Areas of Policy Management details new features in Group Policy for Windows Vista and Longhorn server. One long overdue feature:

Deploying Power Management Settings
In Windows Vista, all power management settings have been Group Policy enabled, providing a potentially significant cost savings. Controlling power settings through Group Policy could save organizations up to $50 for each computer per year. You can modify specific power settings through individual Group Policy settings or build a custom power scheme that is deployable by using Group Policy. For more information, see the power management settings located under Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Power Management in the Group Policy Object Editor.

Posted by Kevin at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post   

Microsoft Client Protection:

"Microsoft Client Protection is a new security product that helps protect
business desktops, laptops, and file servers from emerging threats such as spyware and rootkits, as well as viruses and other traditional attacks.
The product is built on proven technology and backed by an innovative global research system. An integrated management console will put IT professionals in control of their environment. Insightful, prioritized reports and alerts will help focus resources on the right issues. Microsoft Client Protection will integrate with existing IT infrastructure such as Active Directory and other software distribution systems, helping to reduce deployment time and maximize value.

The product is currently in development. Microsoft plans to make an
early beta of the product available to selected customers later this year.
Pricing and licensing will be announced at a later date."

Posted by Kevin at 9:24 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post   

Vista won't be here until the end of the year and even then you'll still likely have XP machines that need to be maintained. So read Applying the Principle of Least Privilege to User Accounts on Windows XP to see how to provide some better security for your clients than you may currently have.

Posted by Kevin at 1:31 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post   

Network Access Protection (NAP) is a component of Windows Vista and Windows Server "Longhorn". NAP policies can be customized to:

• Validate computer health before allowing access or communication.
• Automatically update healthy computers to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Optionally isolate unhealthy computers to a restricted network until they become healthy.

Because Network Access Protection is part of Windows Vista and Windows Server Longhorn," you need to be a participant in the Windows Vista and Windows Server "Longhorn" beta programs in order to try NAP. To be considered for the beta programs, please send e-mail to asknap@microsoft.com with "NAP Longhorn beta nomination" in the subject line. Please provide the following information along with your request: your name, company name, primary e-mail address with company domain name.

Posted by Kevin at 9:19 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post   

A Piper Jaffray analyst is predicting that Dell is likely to adopt AMD chips this year. This is, to date, the most promising news on this topic. The rumors about this happening have been around for years so let's hope that this time they're true. And let's hope it's more than just Opeterons.

Posted by Kevin at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post   

The January 2006 edition of The Cable Guy discusses The New Windows Firewall in Windows Vista and Windows Server "Longhorn". Support for outgoing traffic is a welcome addition as is finer grained control via the Advanced Security snap-in.

Posted by Kevin at 9:05 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post   

Read Blogger Buzz: Rich Editing in BlogThis! for more info on the new features.

Posted by Kevin at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post   

It has been convenient in the past to use MS-DOS for troubleshooting and tasks such as imaging with Symantec Ghost. However, storage drivers, network drivers and the like make this a difficult process at times. As BartPE has shown us there is quite a bit of value in having a Windows based environment to boot to and use for a myriad of tasks. Enter Windows PE 2.0 for Windows Vista Overview.

Posted by Kevin at 3:22 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post