Scott Says : " This is how we do a Custom Windows Install"

This is to everyone who's been inquiring on unattended window xp installs and customization. If you go to the following sites there are many how-to's and programs that explain it all. There is a lot of reading to do so make sure you have some spare time :) I can answer most questions you may have on Nlite, BartPE and MSFN. I'm just learning Windows Post-Install.

So let me start off the list:

1) http://www.nliteos.com/ - This is a program that lets you customize your winxp install, from integrating service packs and hot fixes, drivers, disabling services, removing components from the install, integrating the unattend.txt file into the cd and more.

2) http://www.wpiw.net/The_Dark_Side/home.html - This is Windows Post-Install Wizard a program that allows you to create a custom post install, you can configure and define a list of programs to be included with the install and pick and choose which programs to automatically install after winxp installation.

3) http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ - This is BartPE it allows you to create what is called a Live cd of winxp, which is a bootable and installed version of XP on cd with any/all apps you want. This is useful as a troubleshooting tool when you can't boot into your computer, as you can install tools to fix problems from a windows environment and all its tools.

4) http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/1/ - This is a site that explans how to create a custom windows xp install, can be used with Nlite or on its own.

5) http://www.msfn.org/ - A great resource for everything windows, specially when it comes to customizing. I highly suggest you create an account (its's free). Any doubts/questions can be answered here and there are tones of how-to's on many subjets.

Have Fun!!

Scott

Staying Awake at Work !

phew.. its always a terrible day at work when you are sleep deprived. You lose concentration, and productivity suffers overall . Its would be even more embarrassing to doze off in front of a whole bunch of students, or in your case your co-workers at your future work place. I also realise that some of our dear video instructors have aserenading voice that can gently lull you to sleep.

So here is a primer on " How to beat Sleep at Work/ School !"

Steps

1. Use your sense of smell. A strong scent, good or bad, can make you more alert very quickly. Aromatherapists often recommend essential oils of the following plants to stimulate the nervous system and reduce fatigue (open the bottle and take a big whiff when you're feeling drowsy) :
   
   
   • Rosemary, Eucalyptus oil, Peppermint, Coffee (beans or brewed, study has shown that simply smelling coffee can awaken a person)

   
   

2. Use acupressure. Massaging any of the following points will improve circulation and ease fatigue:
   
   
   • Top of your head (lightly tap with your fingertip)
   • Top of the back of your neck
   • Back of your hands (between thumb and index finger)
   • Just below the knees
   • Earlobes^[5]
3. Take a power nap. If you have the time, sleeping for just 15-20 minutes can increase your alertness by leaps and bounds if you have a cup of coffee (or any other form of caffeine) right before you fall asleep.
4. Expose yourself to bright light, preferably natural daylight. Your body's internal clock, its circadian rhythms, are regulated by your exposure to sufficient light. Even if you're in an environment where there's artificial light, brighter is better. If you can step outside (even on a cloudy day) or look out the window for a full minute, you'll be more alert. Wherever you work, see if you can replace the light fixture or add a lamp that will brighten your workspace.
5. Keep yourself uncomfortable.
   
   • Stay on your feet as much as possible. If you have to sit down, get the most uncomfortable chair you can find. Make sure the back is upright, forcing you to sit up very straight. Don't allow your head to rest on anything--your hands, the desk, the wall.
   • Stay cold. If it's a little cold, take off your sweater or jacket so you stay on the chilly side. Open a window or put on a small fan, pointed at your face.
6. Exercise at your computer. Just because you're sitting down doesn't mean you can't use your muscles.
7. Avoid a full stomach. Munch on snacks all day, rather than having a big meal. The key is to not get a spike of sugar intake (followed by the inevitable crash). The same goes for caffeine. Break your consumption down into small doses.
   
   
   • Apple - the sweetness and tartness in the flavor, along with the "crunch" will perk you up in a healthy way
   • 

     
     
     Sunflower seeds still in the husk (put a small handful in your cheek and crack them open one at a time, using only your teeth and tongue; this will require just enough active thought and tongue movement to prevent you from dozing off, and the salt of the sunflower seeds is invigorating and stimulating; spit out the sunflower husks into a paper cup as you go, as quietly as possible so as to not disturb others around you)
   • Raisins
8. 
   Listen to music that's energizing to you; if possible, dance or sing along, even if you just bob your head or hum. Music that's irritating or jarring to you can also work. Just make sure to use headphones so you don't disturb your co-workers.
9. Every thirty minutes, do one of the following:
   
   
   • Physical activity for 2-3 minutes (jumping jacks, push-ups, jogging in place, or walk around)
   • Splash cold water on your face
   • Drink an ice cold glass of water (the coldness picks you up, and guarantees you getting up every half hour or so to go to the bathroom; you won't fall asleep on a full bladder)
   • Brush your teeth
   • Chew gum. Chewing gum stimulates muscles in your face, increasing blood flow to your head, helping you stay alert and awake.

Hmm .. i tried steps 1, 5, 7 and 9 and did not drive to work. Worked so far. But i still don't think Rainer will appreciate anyone dancing in the classroom.

:)

MS Windows7 Licensing - Decoded

Imagine a bright day in the future. You are the wise old Senior Network Architect working out of the corner office, with a swank young fashionably dressed assistant, a whole team of junior network admins and drive around in a nice Porsche. Hmm.. oki at least a Lexus for reality's sake. One of the biggest challenges you have is to justify to your top management that you indeed deserve the big bucks you are being paid as a salary. Just how do you do that ?

Well that training starts now .. and its called 'Cost Management' and 'Purchase Decision Support'. This is increasingly becoming the work of network admins and its upto us to keep costs for all products; software / hardware as low as possible. One of the biggest software costs to any company are OS licenses being paid out to Microsoft. Use the following article to understand exactly what the options are and also what features you can and cannot get from each version.

More info is available here!

Demo : Simple VPN Connectivity

Happens tomorrow at 11 am ( wednesday).

:)

Lecture : Smartphones, Netbooks and the Changing Lanscape of Client Computing

In the recent years everyone has got hooked to the buzz of smartphones. From Pres. Obama to your FedEx delivery guy; there is a phone out there that suites your bill and needs. Gone are the days when IT industry relatively discounted these small devices as playthings. Smartphones have become the game changer in today's IT infrastructure and all the vendors are embracing the enterprise and corporate networks.

Lets have a quick view of the devices, the reasons they are becoming popular and how we will have to support them in the very near future. Remember to carry your iPhones. Blackberries, HTC's, and Nokias to class tommorow.

1100 am tommorow is when its all happening.