For those looking to upgrade their existing certification to MCSA Server 2012 by passing the exam “70-417 Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012”, be sure to check out these resources:
Also consider using the Prometric discount offer for those who intend to upgrade to MCSE.
For those looking for articles with more detailed information on (specific) Server 2012 features, take a look at one of my previous posts.
Tags: 070-417, 70-417, 70-417 Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012, certification, ICT, jump start, MCSA, MCSA Server 2012, mcse, Microsoft, Prometric, Window 2012, Windows, Windows 2012 Server, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 Upgrade Jump Start
First of all, for me it was obvious my type of use would require a Windows 8 tablet. An iPad, Android or Windows RT tablet would not meet my needs. For more information about differences, please read my previous post.
At the Microsoft Objectives 2012 event that was held at the 25th of October in Amsterdam, I was able to test numerous new devices from companies like Sony, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Fujitsu and Acer. This included all-in-ones, tablets, convertibles, ultraportables and notebooks. The approach/design choices of the companies differs greatly. To get a better idea of the different types and models and these differences, check out the Windows website.
Since I was looking for a Windows 8 tablet, I’ve tried many different ones intended either for consumers or companies/professionals. My favourite among all these tablets was the new Samsung Series 7 slate with a i5 processor and a S-pen for digital note taking/writing.
Since I saw all these great devices and Windows 8 would be released the day after, I went to multiple stores on launch day and ultimately came back home disappointed because there were no Windows 8 tablets in the stores yet.
Still I decided to order an Acer Iconia Tab W700 tablet (NT.L0EEH.002) because:
+Full Windows 8 version (not Windows RT).
+Good specs (i3 CPU, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, 11.6″ screen, 1920*1080 resolution).
+MicroSD Memory card slot.
+Dock and keyboard included.
+No other Windows 8 tablet with similar specs and peripherals comes even close to its price (599 euros at the time I bought it, but now it is 699 euros which could make other alternatives viable).
+Available relatively quickly (November 8th , November 23rd, November 28th).
There are however compromises as well:
-Not an i5 CPU.
-No GPS
-No built-in 3G (can use USB dongle though).
-No memory card slot (can use USB flashdrive / USB disk though).
-No digitizer in the screen / pen support.
-Keyboard is seperate (not a docking, and therefore also no additional battery).
-Previous experiences with Acer with regards to build quality and warranty leave much to desire.
-It is a bit unclear whether the tablet will have a 10.1″ or 11.6″ screen because of contradicting specs on different websites. I assumed it will be 10.1″ because of the price, but I hope I’m wrong 🙂
I chose to accept these compromises because it meets my needs and because I expect a lot of better and cheaper Windows 8 tablets in the near future (including AMD Hono CPU with better integrated graphics). By then I will probably get a new Windows 8 tablet and sell or repurpose this one.
Beware: It seems there are different models of the Acer Iconia Tab W700 in different regions around the world, so pricing and specs may differ. Once again, this article is regarding the NT.L0EEH.002 model.
[UPDATE 09-11-2012]
- Apparently the Acer is expected to be available from November 23rd from Dixons instead of the previously advertised November 8th.
- Screen will be 11.6 inch.
[UPDATE 24-11-2012]
- New expected delivery is 28th of November 😦
- Acoording to specs, there will be a MicroSD memory card.
Tags: Acer, Acer Iconia Tab W700, Iconia Tab W700, tablet, Windows, Windows 8, Windows 8 tablet
Through a colleague of mine, Gabrie van Zanten (Gabes Virtual World) I heard that there was another free e-book for Windows 8 available called “Windows 8 for Dummies, Dell Pocket Edition” and I wanted to share this with you.
I’ve browsed a bit in this e-book and it looks like it’s a really good read for people who have not much experience with (Windows 8) computers. It covers the basics, but also contains many practical tips for common home users.
If you want to upgrade to Windows 8, take advantage of the limited time cheap upgrade offer. Also if you want to know more about Windows 8, check some of my other blog posts covering Windows 8.
Tags: Dell, Dell Pocket Edition, dummies, dummy, e-book, ebook, Free, Microsoft, Windows, Windows 8, Windows 8 For Dummies
In a previous blog post I compared Windows 8 tablets with other tablets. In it I said that it was nice that you could use memory cards to expand your storage, but unlike Android there is no easy way to move windows 8 / modern UI apps to the memory card and run them from there.
Since I saw the question pop up a couple of times and because I was convinced it would probably be possible, I went to look for a workaround. This is the procedure I used to change the default app install location:
- Close the Windows Store app.
- Make a new folder in the desired location. By example “D:\WindowsApps”.
- Run regedit as administrator
- Create a backup of your registry just in case.
- In regedit go to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx”
- Take ownership of this path and everything below it (inheritance).
- Edit the value of “PackageRoot” to your desired location. By example “D:\WindowsApps”
- Start the Windows Store app.
- Install apps.
- Run apps.
Beware: I’m not entirely sure if and how this affects security, so use this at your own risk.
This article regarding the use of junction points may also interest you.
Tags: appx, ICT, Microsoft, Modern UI, modern ui app, regedit, registry, Tutorial, Windows, Windows 8, windows app, windows apps, Windows store
Introduction
Even though Windows 8 has been available for quite some time for IT pros and developers, it is now available for the general public as well.
Microsoft has also released its own Windows RT based tablet (Microsoft Surface) in some countries and is expected to release a Windows 8 based tablet (Microsoft Surface Pro) within the next three months. For more information about Windows tablets and the differences between Windows RT and Windows 8, read my previous blog post.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: all in one, convertible, desktop, Free, laptop, limited time, limited time offer, Microosft Surface, Microsoft, offer, slider, surface, tablet, ultra portable, ultraportable, upgrade, Windows, Windows 8, Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 8 Media Center Pack, Windows 8 Pro, Windows RT
Last week I got a beta exam invite for exam “70-688 Managing and Maintaining Windows 8” (in beta it is 71-688). As with most beta exams lately, you only have max two weeks to prepare and there are no books available yet that you can use to study. Therefore I start with looking at what skills are being measured and if there are preparation guides available. From there on I start looking for relevant learning resources for each subject and adding them to the skills that are being measured for easy future reference.
I hope it is useful for you as well.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 070-688, 071-688, 70-688, 71-688, ACT, Action center, AEM, Agentless Exception Monitoring, App-V, App-V 5.0, application compatibility toolkit, application reputation, Application Virtualization, Applocker, asset, asset inventory, authentication, Azure, backup, bcdboot, bcdedit, Beta, biometrics, BitLocker, BranchCache, certificate, client hype-rv, CMAK, computer inventory report, ConfMgr, ConfMgr 2012, ConfMgr2012, Connection Manager, Connection Manager Administration Kit, DaRT, DaRT 8, DCA, DEM, deployment strategy, Desktop Error Monitoring, Diagnostic and Recovery Toolkit, DirectAccess, DirectAccess Connectivity Assistant, disk image, disk image backup, DISM, DNSSEC, domain, EAS, EFS, EHD, Encrypted Hard Drive, Encrypting File System, Endpoint Protection, Exam, Exchange Active Sync, Exchange Activesync, file history, find and fix problems with devices, Firewall, folder redirection, group policy, hardware, hardware and devices troubleshooter, high-touch, Hyper-V, image, IPv4, IPv6, Learning, learning resource, learning resources, lite-touch, Live Mesh, live service, live services, LiveMesh, local account, Managing and Maintaining Windows 8, MBAM, MDOP, MDOP 2011 R2, metered network, metering, metro application, microsoft account, Microsoft Application Virtualization, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Bitlocker Administration and Monitoring, Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, migrate, migration, mobile, mobile device, mobile device management, multifactor authentication, name resolution, native boot, Near Field Communication, network, network metering, NFC, off-network, Office 365, Office 365 Desktop Setup, offline files, Packaged App, PC refresh, PC reset, picture password, Powershell, PowerShell Remoting, prep guide, preparation, preparation guide, prepare, print management, printer, rdp, RDS, Recimg, Recimg.exe, recovery drive, recovery media, remote access, remote desktop protocol, Remote Desktop Services, Remote Server Administration Tools, RemoteApp, removable storage devices, report, roaming profiles, roaming user profiles, RSAT, SCCM 2012, SCCM2012, Secure SIM, security, shim, sideload, sideloader, Skydrive, Skydrive Pro, smart card, Software Restriction Policies, SRP, Storage Spaces, study, Sync center, System Center, System Center 2012, System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection, System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection client, System Center Configuration Manager, System Center Configuration Manager 2012, System Center Desktop Error Monitoring, System Center Endpoint Protection, system restore, trust, trust relationship, Trusted PC, two-factor authentication, UE-V, upgrade, upgrade path, User Experience Virtualization, user state migration tool, usmt, VDI, vhd, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, virtual hard disk, virtualization, VPN, wet, Windows, Windows 7 file recovery, Windows 8, windows 8 application, Windows 8 FIle History, Windows 8 Image, Windows 8 PC refresh, Windows 8 PC reset, windows 8 upgrade path, Windows Azure, Windows Defender, windows easy transfer, Windows Firewall, Windows Intune, Windows Recovery Environment, Windows store, Windows To Go, Windows Update, wireless, workgroup, WRE, WSUS, zero-touch
After some technical difficulties the “Windows 8 for IT Pros Jumpstart” started about 50 minutes later than planned. For people new to Windows 8 I think that Stephen Rose and Joey Snow covered most of the important features that are relevant for enterprises. For me personally however, it was mostly repetition since I’m already very familiar with Windows 8.
The recorded videos are available now as well: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/jj687764.aspx
Nevertheless, for people who are interested, I’ve saved the chat / Q&A from the jump start which also includes a lot of links to use if you want to know more about specific features.
Some links from the Q&A include:
For people who are either struggling with the new user interface themselves or expect their family, friends, colleagues or customers to struggle, I suggest you take a look at my previous blog post.
If you’ve missed this event, it has been recorded and will probably be posted online somewhere in the next two weeks.
Also for those who are looking to upgrade their certification to Server 2012, next week there’s another jumpstart “Prepare for exam 70-317 – Upgrading Skills to Windows Server 2012 Jumpstart”. I hope to see you there.
Tags: Free, ICT, Joey Snow, jump start, jumpstart, Learning, Stephen Rose, Windows, Windows 8, windows for IT Pros
Yesterday I received an e-mail that I was eligable to register for the beta exam:
“71-688 Managing and Maintaining Windows 8”
The beta exam period runs from Oct 17 – Oct 31 and I will personally take the exam next week. It is free for those who received the beta invite. If you didn’t receive the beta invite,you can still register through the prometric website, but it will not be free. If you want to get access to future beta exams, read one of my previous blog posts.
Normally the preparation guide is published on the microsoft learning website, but apparently they’re experiencing a delay. Therefore the preparation guide has now been posted on the born to learn blog:
http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/weblog/archive/2012/10/16/where-39-s-the-71-688-prep-guide.aspx
For all people taking the exam, good luck!
Tags: 070-688, 071-688, 70-688, 71-688, Beta, certification, Exam, MCSA, mcsa windows 8, Windows, Windows 8
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