Awesome Tool! TiddlyWiki

Can't remember anything? need to have information organized. Need to have it searchable? Don't have the time to make and host a whole wiki yourself? Welcome to TiddlyWiki.

Tiddlywiki is perhaps the easiest to set up wiki available. You don't need a server. You don't need to setup a SQL database. You need to download 2 files, be able to run JavaScript and open the HTML file. It works on Linux, OS X and Windows as well as multiple browsers. I had mine set up and running in about 2 minutes flat and now I use it every day. What was the fix for that random problem? What's the login for that site? What's my long distance code? TiddlyWiki knows and it's even encrypted and stored on my a network drive that only I can access.

I would highly recommend everyone check this out.

Awesome Tool! Remote Desktop Connection Manager

I was flabbergasted recently after talking with a number of peers in the industry that that they are still opening up the old trusty Remote Desktop client for remoting into servers. Some are going to the start menu or have custom made shortcuts to servers but all of them are doing things incredibly inefficiently and wasting their precious time.

How To Configure Disk Space Alerts on Server 2008

Some of us may not have access to enterprise level third party tools like What's Up Gold that will do server monitoring. Luckily, Microsoft has built in some tools to handle this for you.

The general premise is to set up a new data collector set with the Reliability and Performance Monitor that will kick off an automated email via a scheduled task letting you know the disk space on your server is nearly full.

How to SysPrep a Windows 7 PC: In Plain English (Part 1)

Over a year ago I was charged with deploying Windows 7 to our organization in stages. I quickly found that sysprepping had changed dramatically from Windows XP and there wasn't a clear and concise place to find step by step instructions on how to go about creating and sysprepping Windows 7. This step by step guide is intended for Technicians and Veterans alike that just need a clear no-nonsense set of instructions on how to get their task accomplished.

Powershell: Get service tag or serial number

In case a machine name gets changed accidentally or perhaps your users have admin rights and decide to rename their computer the below powershell script will return you the true serial number or service tag. This is also useful in case the physical sticker or tag on the laptop or desktop has been rubbed off or is illegible.

MCTS, Windows 7 Configuration : Passed!

The first step in, I'm sure, a long line of certifications to come is now complete. I passed my Windows 7, Configuration (70-680) exam with flying colors.

It was a good experience, overall, even if I have gripes about how your knowledge is tested. I now have a wider array of tools at my disposal for problem solving issues and coming up with solutions. There's actually a wide variety of tools Microsoft supplies which you can use to fix one problem in a few different ways.  It's nice having that knowledge and the skills to apply it.

Next up for me is the Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator MCTS which will give me my first MCITP as an Enterprise Desktop Administrator. While perhaps not as prestigious as the MCITP in Server Administration this is a good first step, I feel, and should serve me well in future certs as well as professional endeavors.