Office 365 Deployment Training for IT Pros

Office 365 Deployment for IT Pros.

Hosting Windows Server Essentials Experience on Windows Azure Virtual Machines

Hosting Windows Server Essentials Experience on Windows Azure Virtual Machines.

Cross-product solutions with Exchange, Lync, and SharePoint Server

Cross-product solutions with Exchange, Lync, and SharePoint Server.

Installing DirSync on a Domain Controller

I have to admit I missed this update when it came out. In some Office 365 training in TVP last week we mentioned that it was now supported to install DirSync onto a DC. Well here is the info….

 

Version 6567.0018 released on 22/11/13 provides support for installing DirSync onto a DC. See the change log HERE  – and keep checking there for version updates.

 

See this link for information on the ‘Windows Azure Active Directory Sync Tool’ – and specially note that there are specific instructions required for installing on a DC

Personality Insights

This section is written to accompany my LinkedIn profile. I have done two ‘personality tests’ whilst working at Microsoft. Whilst I may not like some of the ‘insights’ I think it’s hard to argue to what these things come up with. I can use the warnings to good measure but at the end of the day ‘leopards don’t change their spots’! So, if people are looking to LinkedIn to find out who I am I thought that I would publish these summaries in an open and honest way – as opposed to most of the BS I read in peoples summaries of themselves!

Strength Finder

This first excerpt is from Strength Finders. I did this some time ago and unfortunately I can’t find the full list as the items as the bottom are just as important as those at the top. Maybe I’ll pay myself and retake it sometime. Anyhow, these are the top 5 from that exercise:-

Malcolm Bullock (510397)

Restorative You love to solve problems. Whereas some are dismayed when they encounter yet another breakdown, you can be energized by it. You enjoy the challenge of analyzing the symptoms, identifying what is wrong, and finding the solution. You may prefer practical problems or conceptual ones or personal ones. You may seek out specific kinds of problems that you have met many times before and that you are confident you can fix. Or you may feel the greatest push when faced with complex and unfamiliar problems. Your exact preferences are determined by your other themes and experiences. But what is certain is that you enjoy bringing things back to life. It is a wonderful feeling to identify the undermining factor(s), eradicate them, and restore something to its true glory. Intuitively, you know that without your intervention, this thing-this machine, this technique, this person, this company-might have ceased to function. You fixed it, resuscitated it, rekindled its vitality. Phrasing it the way you might, you saved it. Strategic The Strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you play out alternative scenarios, always asking, "What if this happened? Okay, well what if this happened?" This recurring question helps you see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere. You discard the paths that lead straight into resistance. You discard the paths that lead into a fog of confusion. You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path-your strategy. Armed with your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: "What if?" Select. Strike. Relator Relator describes your attitude toward your relationships. In simple terms, the Relator theme pulls you toward people you already know. You do not necessarily shy away from meeting new people-in fact, you may have other themes that cause you to enjoy the thrill of turning strangers into friends-but you do derive a great deal of pleasure and strength from being around your close friends. You are comfortable with intimacy. Once the initial connection has been made, you deliberately encourage a deepening of the relationship. You want to understand their feelings, their goals, their fears, and their dreams; and you want them to understand yours. You know that this kind of closeness implies a certain amount of risk-you might be taken advantage of-but you are willing to accept that risk. For you a relationship has value only if it is genuine. And the only way to know that is to entrust yourself to the other person. The more you share with each other, the more you risk together. The more you risk together, the more each of you proves your caring is genuine. These are your steps toward real friendship, and you take them willingly. Activator "When can we start?" This is a recurring question in your life. You are impatient for action. You may concede that analysis has its uses or that debate and discussion can occasionally yield some valuable insights, but deep down you know that only action is real. Only action can make things happen. Only action leads to performance. Once a decision is made, you cannot not act. Others may worry that "there are still some things we don’t know," but this doesn’t seem to slow you. If the decision has been made to go across town, you know that the fastest way to get there is to go stoplight to stoplight. You are not going to sit around waiting until all the lights have turned green. Besides, in your view, action and thinking are not opposites. In fact, guided by your Activator theme, you believe that action is the best device for learning. You make a decision, you take action, you look at the result, and you learn. This learning informs your next action and your next. How can you grow if you have nothing to react to? Well, you believe you can’t. You must put yourself out there. You must take the next step. It is the only way to keep your thinking fresh and informed. The bottom line is this: You know you will be judged not by what you say, not by what you think, but by what you get done. This does not frighten you. It pleases you. Learner You love to learn. The subject matter that interests you most will be determined by your other themes and experiences, but whatever the subject, you will always be drawn to the process of learning. The process, more than the content or the result, is especially exciting for you. You are energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence. The thrill of the first few facts, the early efforts to recite or practice what you have learned, the growing confidence of a skill mastered-this is the process that entices you. Your excitement leads you to engage in adult learning experiences-yoga or piano lessons or graduate classes. It enables you to thrive in dynamic work environments where you are asked to take on short project assignments and are expected to learn a lot about the new subject matter in a short period of time and then move on to the next one. This Learner theme does not necessarily mean that you seek to become the subject matter expert, or that you are striving for the respect that accompanies a professional or academic credential. The outcome of the learning is less significant than the "getting there."

 

Insights

More recently I have undertaken Discovery Insights personality Profiler. If the above was insightful at the time this one was scarily real. How a ‘tool’ can get this from a few questions I don’t know but…. Again, interesting to learn from it’s assessment of weaknesses but Leopards…. This is the Summary section, though they do deliver a detailed analysis that is many pages long.

Overview

These statements provide a broad understanding of Malcolm‘s work style. Use this section to gain a better understanding of his approaches to his activities, relationships and decisions.

Personal Style

Malcolm is a direct, results-oriented person who considers people within the framework of his objectives. Malcolm is an adaptable realist, relying on what he sees, hears and knows for himself. Whenever he is asked to assume responsibility, his desire for control leads him to want to say “Yes”. Developing, fostering, improving and honing his skills is likely to be a life’s work for him. He uses his thinking to run as much of the world as he can and is in his element when a situation needs to be organised, criticised or regulated.

He is usually neat, tidy and orderly, both at work and at home. He likes to have control of most situations and can speak out clearly and forcibly when he sees the need to do so. He is keen to pick out logical inconsistencies. Malcolm is a good organiser and seeks to control the world around him with structure and discipline. Gifted in natural marketing and selling, Malcolm needs work that challenges him and holds his attention.

He enjoys getting things done – sometimes at the expense of others! At his best, be is responsible, industrious, decisive and energetic. He tends to he disinterested in subjects for which he sees no practical application. He is responsible and faithful to his commitments and obligations. He assumes that everyone else should share his desire for advancement and may be disappointed when others appear to lack his strength of character.

He likes to make sure that he knows what is going on and tries to make sure that everyone is pulling their weight. Hard work, busy schedules and merit-based remuneration are hallmarks of the way Malcolm prefers to work. Once a desired objective is fixed in his mind, he moves into action without procrastinating. He has an urge for lifelong learning and can shake off depression by simply finding projects that fascinate him. He possesses a natural gift for presentation. He is a natural manager and finds himself in command through his ability to plan and keep both long and short-term objectives clearly in mind.

He dislikes confusion, inefficiency, half measures and anything that he sees as aimless or ineffective. He is a disciplinarian who can be tough when the situation calls for it. Eager to add to his knowledge, Malcolm is passionate about researching significant new subjects that capture his interest. He prefers practical work that can be tackled step-by-step. He is likely to exhibit impatience with someone who is disorganised or inconsistent. He enjoys work that allows him to get his teeth into new projects. He is seen as a powerful leader as he is able to think on his feet. To manage his tensions, he needs to be constantly in control and get things done without wasting time.

Interacting with Others

Malcolm likes to be valued for his directness and strength in relationships. Malcolm can turn his talents to many jobs, but finds more satisfaction from work that allows him to use his creativity and interpersonal skills. He is not particularly discouraged by indifference or criticism. Malcolm’s work style is down-to-earth, assertive and persuasive. He has a tendency to blame other people for difficulties he encounters and may sometimes dismiss others’ opinions as of relatively little or no value.

He may appear not to be overly concerned with the needs of others. He may need to slow down to consider the feelings of people he is involved with and regularly listen to, and accept, other people’s opposing points of view. He strives energetically to ensure the well-being and happiness of his loved ones, operating from a strong position of protectionism. Malcolm is alert to changing situations and will act quickly to get results, giving direction or instructions to others as he thinks is necessary. Because of his apparent work focus, other people may be surprised to discover that Malcolm is quite devoted to his family and friends.

He might confess to being puzzled by others’ perception of him as rigid and intractable. This perception may result from his tendency to express his independent views rather directly. He is a good innovator, negotiator, and manager. Errors made by others may upset him arid cause him to react loudly and vociferously. Although his emotional and social life may not seem as important to him as other aspects of life, he tends to seek consistent and stable relationships. Much of his true style may be hidden from others at work as he is unlikely to express his feelings until he knows someone well.

Decision Making

Malcolm enjoys making decisions. He likes to be in control of things and values efficient and effective decision making. Malcolm’s tendency to think “out loud” enables others to follow his line of thinking. Practical and realistic, Malcolm is a most matter-of-fact and thorough individual. Malcolm is willing to admit the truth about people or things that are important to him, is very alert to problems, and seeks to find solutions himself. He is adaptable but constantly needs to get results.

Malcolm is self-reliant and is not frightened to take “the path of maximum resistance” in his efforts to produce the best results. He needs to learn to consciously delay making decisions until he has considered more information as he may have overlooked sounder alternatives. He may appear dismissive of decisions made on “gut-feel” rather than objective analysis. Although gifted in both sensing and intuition, he may well rather base plans and decisions on established procedures than listen to his inner voice. He is comfortable in leadership positions and readily accepts responsibility for making things happen.

He is logical, objective and analytical with great reasoning power. Impatient with what he may see as inefficiency and incompetence, he can take tough decisions when the situation calls for it. Malcolm tends to be seen as strong, analytical and impersonal. Good at organising, decisive, quick, logical and strong in reasoning power, he values truth in the form of fact, formula, method and judgment. “Do it now” is his motto. If something does not seem rational, he runs the risk of dismissing it out of hand, even if it is a critical issue.

Lync 2013 Ignite | Channel 9

The new Lync 2013 Ignite is now available at Channel 9

Lync 2013 Ignite | Channel 9.

Which Exchange feature in which plan??

I just noticed this thing of beauty nestling in a recent blog from the Exchange team.

Essentially they have created a feature spread sheet from the full Exchange Online Service Description that we (should) all know and love

Click this link and check out the easily filtered list – it includes Exchange 2013 on-prem too!

 

Service descriptions | Office 365 | features, comparisons | TechNet.

Update that enables the “operator assistance” feature during a PSTN dial-in conference in a Lync Server 2013 environment

Update that enables the “operator assistance” feature during a PSTN dial-in conference in a Lync Server 2013 environment.

Free ebook: System Center: Designing Orchestrator Runbooks – Microsoft Press – Site Home – MSDN Blogs

Free ebook: System Center: Designing Orchestrator Runbooks

via Free ebook: System Center: Designing Orchestrator Runbooks – Microsoft Press – Site Home – MSDN Blogs.

Network Analyser is dead… meet Message Analyser!

Microsoft has release a new network analysis tool to the Download Centre and this great blog will tell you all about how the new tool will allow you to Capture – Analyse – share data, with new capabilities such as SSL/HTTPS inspection. That blog reads well but I then discovered a series on message analyser with quite a few follow-up post to the intro post above. I’m off the read the section on ‘Dealing with too much data’ before I go ahead and install the tool in my MTC datacentre!