tmgirvin.com

Remote Server Admin Tools

tmgirvin — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:27:24 +0000

Where have you been all my life?!?!? You can tell I’m not a real IT Pro because I’m just discovering the RAST package.

Here is RSAT for Windows 7 and RSAT for Windows 8 Preview. Now I can manage Hyper-V from my desktop instead of logging into the server or even a dedicated admin console machine.

AgileDotNet Houston 2012

tmgirvin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:20:07 +0000

We just got confirmation on the final slots for AgileDotNet Houston. Chris Tullier, the region’s Microsoft Developer Technical Specialist and Improving alumnus will be delivering the opening keynote on agile development with Dev 11. And, Markus Egger of EPS Software, a prolific writer, speaker, and Microsoft Regional Director, will be delivering the closing keynote. AgileDotNet is April 20th, so if you’re in the Houston area, register now and come see the industry’s best and brightest!

Just finished reading Steve Jobs

tmgirvin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:07:58 +0000

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hugely insightful, entertaining, and inspiring. It’s not often that you get to read an authorized biography of such an accomplished person, let alone so open and honest.

View all my reviews

Links for the Day

tmgirvin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:05:00 +0000

A new SQL Server 2012 overview eBook is available for free:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2012/03/15/free-ebook-introducing-microsoft-sql-server-2012.aspx

Today my Outlook got stuck on top of all other windows. It looks like a problem with a plug-in. Here’s how to fix that:

http://pcmusings.wordpress.com/2010/08/08/does-your-outlook-window-stay-on-top-of-all-other-open-windows/

WinRAR–Do the developers use their own product?

tmgirvin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:33:06 +0000

I’m starting a recurring topic here called “Do the developers use their own product?” because I keep seeing “features” of products that make me think that those who develop a product don’t use it. They can’t or they would fix this crap. Here’s a feature that’s been frustrating me for years.

The WinRAR progress bar is wrong. It’s status doesn’t make any sense if you have a multi-segment RAR file. It often only shows status of the first segment. Here’s an example of a file being reconstructed from 10 segments.

See how the progress bar says it should be finished? Well, it should show about 30% because it’s on the 5th out of 16 segments. Why has it been like this for years and many versions? Don’t the developers and product owners of this product use it themselves?

AgileDotNet Dallas 2012

tmgirvin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:42:51 +0000

Improving is hosting our third annual AgileDotNet conference in Dallas on Friday February 17th. It will be a day of presentations and discussion focused on agile software development on the Microsoft stack, ALM tools, and the leadership and cultural issues involved in agile IT.

As the website says, AgileDotNet Dallas will be hosted at the Addison Convention Center, which is right near the Addison Circle and the big blue sculpture art thing. There are topics for everyone, weather you’re new to agile concepts or an experienced developer. For you PMI types, there are 7 PDUs (personal development units) up for grabs to help maintain your certification. The price is only $50 per person, which helps cover the cost of the venue and the food. Lunch is served and there’s a panel discussion with experienced leaders in the industry answering your questions. Come check it out!

Blog Reboot

tmgirvin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:21:47 +0000

My blog has been dormant for too long….It’s time to get it started again. Here we go!