Friday 10 May 2013

Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Microsoft Exam 70-640 - Ed Liberman - Train Signal

Windows Server 2008 Active Directory
Microsoft Exam 70-640
Ed Liberman
Train Signal


Active Directory is such a core component of many Windows Environments, and yet to really master it takes a lot of time and effort. Even for administrators who work with one or more of the AD tools each and every day, you often only really know or use a specific set of tasks and do them over and over again. This course goes over it all - what you use day in and day out, and what you set up and seldom touch.

For the most part it was a really good course. But at times seemed a little ridiculous; some of the stuff was way too basic.  If you do not know how to use Shift or CRTL select you should not be doing an AD course. And I sure do not want you playing in any production environment I have a stake in!

The Lessons are:
1. Getting Started with Windows Server 2008 Active Directory
2. Lab Set Up
3. Scenario for Course
4. Introduction to Active Directory
5. The Role of DNS in Active Directory
6. Installing Windows Server 2008 R2 and Active Directory
7. Remote Management
8. Creating Active Directory Objects
9. Managing Active Directory Objects
10. Configuring Access to Network Resources
11. Configuring Group Policy Objects
12. Working with Group Policy Exceptions
13. Configuring Group Policy Preferences
14. Using Group Policy for Software Deployment
15. Configuring Password Policies
16. Delegating Administrative Control
17. Managing and Maintaining Active Directory
18. Active Directory Backup and Recovery
19. Creating Sites and Configuring Replication
20. Securing a Branch Office Domain Controller
21. Upgrading Your Active Directory Infrastructure
22. Working with Trust Relationships
23. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services Overview
24. Active Directory Rights Management Services Overview
25. Active Directory Certificate Services Overview
26. Active Directory Federation Services Overview
27. Preparing for Your Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring (70-640) Certification Exam
28. Next Steps
29. Active Directory Recycle Bin
30. Active Directory Administrative Center
31. Active Directory Best Practices Analyzer
32. Active Directory Offline Domain Join

Overall, this was a really good course. Some courses that are designed for specific exams only teach what is needed for passing that exam. This course gives you the overview of all you need to know to become a good AD administrator. The material is engaging. Ed presents in a manner that will keep your attention. It is another great course from TrainSignal!





Wednesday 8 May 2013

One for the Team - Maggie Clark - K-City Kink Sisters Book 2


One for the Team
K-City Kink Sisters
Book 2
Maggie Clark
Smash Words
ISBN 9781458101594


This is the second eBook short story available in the K-City King Sisters series. And for now it is the last. Maggie is dedicating her writing time to other projects and any future stories in this series will likely be a long way off. More the pity.

This book comes with a content warning: "This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages." And to be honest, if your writing is not offending someone it is likely not very good, or a-la Nicholas Sparks. Yes this story is set in the world of Roller Derby, and yes there is a certain amount of lesbian love, lost and revenge. But it is the story of a relationship remembered and saying to hell with the consequences and dishing out punishment in the world of flat track roller derby.


I consider it a privilege to know Maggie Clark personally. It has been awesome watching her writing explode upon the literary scene. With each new piece I read I have a greater appreciation for her skill and talent. I do not think she has fully found her voice yet but she has created some awesome reads. Check this and her other stores out; they are sure to entertain! It is a good read and will give you a taste of her writing that will likely leave you wanting more.

Books by M.L. Clark:

Children
The Bitter Sweet Here and After - Short Story
Uncle Remy's Whizz-Bang Circus
Game of Primes
Fat of the Land
The Shape of Things to Come
The Stars, Their Faces Uplifted in Song
Then Raise the Dead Man High
The Shadow & The Shadow

The Menagerie Mysteries:
The Stars, At Last Count
Wildly Runs The Dying Sun

K-City Kink Sisters:
Lacing Up To Reality - Short Story
One For The Team - Short Story

Contributed to:
Bastion Issue #6 September 2014
Lightspeed: Year One
Lightspeed Magazine, March 2011
The Year’s Best Science Fiction & Fantasy, 2017


Analog:
Analog Science Fiction and Fact, June 2013
Analog Science Fiction and Fact, March 2014
Analog Science Fiction and Fact, September 2015


Clarksworld:
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 199
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 193
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 181
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 173
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 165
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 162
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 156
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 123
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 92
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 86
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 80
Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 74

Works translated by M.L. Clark:
The Marquise of Yolombo - Tomás Carrasquilla
...

Author Profile Interview with M.L. Clark

Monday 6 May 2013

Evernote Essentials v2 - Brett Kelly

Evernote Essentials v2 
Brett Kelly 

I was given a bound copy of this book but the ebook is easily obtainable from the author's site. I should also note that there is now a version three available. This book is an amazing tool. I have used it and found it has greatly increased my organization and productivity. The chapters in v2 are: 

1 Introduction
5 Evernote Anatomy
8 Installation and Configuration
17 A Quick Tour of the Main Evernote Window
20 Adding Stuff to Evernote
28 Evernote Organization 101
33 Notebook Sharing
40 Evernote Search: Seek and Ye Shall Find
51 Evernote on the Go
53 Evernote, Email and You
57 Evernote and Satellites in Space
58 Tagging for Superhumans
62 A Smorgasbord of Random Evernote Organizational Tips
67 Evernote for Bloggers
70 Evernote for Programmers
73 Evernote for Foodies
75 Evernote for Covert Double Agents
77 Evernote as an Address Book
79 Evernote as a Simple Photo Sharing Service
81 Evernote as a Task Manager
87 Evernote as a Filing Cabinet
89 For Longtime Users: Regaining Control of Your Evernote Database
92 Conclusion
93 About the Author
94 Disclosure
95 Acknowledgments

 If I had known the book was $29 before it was given to me, I would not likely have bought it myself. But I am glad it was bought for me. It is awesome.
Version two has some additional chapters and added content. But in doing so, some mistakes were made. Chapter 5 ends stating that 'Searching' will be covered next, but a new chapter on sharing has been inserted in between.  I know it is a small thing, but for a $29 PDF of 99 pages, it makes a difference. But overall I can highly recommend this book. I have suggested it to numerous people, from lawyers to Microsoft trainers, and everyone who has gotten the book, finds that they now use Evernote for a lot more. Also, everyone I have recommended this book to has also come back and told me they have told others about it. Even if you only apply one or two of the techniques listed in the book, you will get your money's worth! And with under 100 pages you can read a chapter at a time and apply it before moving on to the next technique.

A great resource for anyone with multiple devices and wanting to be more organized!

Friday 3 May 2013

Scoubidou: A Book of Lanyard & Lacing - Karen Phillips - Klutz

Scoubidou: A Book of Lanyard & Lacing
Karen Phillips
Klutz
ISBN 9780545492836


This book and activity kit comes with everything you need to complete 14 amazing projects. But to be honest it is just a jumping off point. Once you have learned the basics you can buy your own supplies and you and your children will be doing fun crafts and activities for years to come.

What you get:

Beads: small beads, big beads, toggle beads and pony beads
Scoubidou
Lanyard clips
Key Rings
Instruction book with built in ruler

The book comes out of the supplies case and can be kept separately while working on the projects, and then stored once those included are completed.

The sections in the book are:

Bracelet Basics
Zippy Wristbands
Lacy Bracelet
Fancified Flip-Flops
Celtic Knot Wristband
Wrapped Pen
Pen leash
Spiral Bracelet
Loopy Hair Elastic
Loop de Loopy Hair Elastic
Woven Whatzit
Toggle Bracelet
Classic Lifeguard Lanyard
Wrist Lanyard

The book also has a history of Scoubidou, hollow tube-like plastic cord, to a song and musician in the late 1950's. It is very different from gymp (gimp) which is a flat cord. It is a great kit and sure to be a favorite. It will definitely provide hours of fun.

Wednesday 1 May 2013

How I Got Rich Writing "C" Papers - Andy Hueller

How I Got Rich Writing "C" Papers
Andy Hueller
Cedar Fort
ISBN 9781462110582


This is the second book by Andy Hueller that I have read. The first was Skipping Stones at the Center of the Earth and it was a great read. So I jumped at the chance to read another book by the author. It did not disappoint.

Charles Remington Dremmel has a great business going. He writes papers for other students. He started with a plan in Grade 9 and by senior year, was writing papers for almost every student in his school. But he has very specific requirements. In the contract it states: "will compose, proof, and print every written assignment for the school year".

His rates are:
$5 for D's
$10 for C's
$20 for B's
And $100 for A's and that is per paper.

Charles has a plan and that plan means making enough money to go to any college he wants to. But during his senior year things start to change. There is going to be a writing assignment in school, the blue book exam. And some of his clients have not written a paper in years. He needs to come up with a plan to save his own hide and that of his clients.  For Charles, writing has always been easy and throughout this book he shares his writing times that will help you become a student who constantly achieves whatever writing grade you desire. The book is full of humor, writing tips, and lots of good clean fun. It was a great read and I really enjoyed it. And I look forward to Mr. Hueller's next offering with eager anticipation!

Books by Andy Hueller:
Dizzy Fantastic and Her Flying Bicycle
Skipping Stones at the Center of the Earth
How I Got Rich Writing C Papers