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August 2007 - Posts
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SELECT MB.PrimaryBusType0, Count(MB.PrimaryBusType0) AS 'Count' FROM v_GS_MOTHERBOARD_DEVICE MB GROUP BY MB.PrimaryBusType0 
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I’m working on a major project that requires me to have several Virtual Servers running at one time.
Well today we had some thunderstorms that knock out the power for a short time. Well I was happy because I installed UPS’s every where!
1 for the internet connect, router and network switches
1 for old server + my laptop
2 for my primary server
1 for my home theater system
Not once, but three times, the power when out and in every case my network, servers, workstation and internet connection still worked perfectly! Well mostly…
When I bought the primary server I connect the UPS cables to the server via a small USB hub. I tested the load on each UPS by un-plugging the other UPS. Everything worked fine. I even tested that it would shutdown the server before it ran out of power, simulate of course.
Today on the second power outage, which was only about 8 seconds, my primary server shut it self down. Now I’m grateful that I didn’t “lose” any thing but I did learn two things!
- Make sure that your setup the UPS software to not shut down your server when the power is lost for 8 second.
- I need to tune the WaitToKillServerTimeout, it seem too long.
I guest that I will have to add that to my list of things to do tomorrow.
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Stats from Aug 20 2007
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
.NET Framework 2.0: Distributed Applications 2,955
.NET Framework 2.0: Web Applications 8,155
.NET Framework 2.0: Windows Applications 4,960
SQL Server 2005: Business Intelligence Development 210
SQL Server 2005 18,336
BizTalk Server 2006: Custom Applications 1,228
Business Desktop Deployment Solution Accelerator 2.0 1,925
Business Desktop Deployment with the BDD 928
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: Configuration 875
Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 582
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Application Development 342
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration 1,608
Microsoft Team Foundation Server: Configuration and Development 198
Windows Mobile 5.0: Application Development 97
Windows Mobile 5.0: Configuration 109
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Application Development 308
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration 980
Windows Vista: Configuration 4060
Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) 73,658
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
Microsoft .NET 30,898
Visual Studio 6.0 46,157
Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)
Enterprise Application Developer 2,166
Web Developer 1,577
Windows Developer 647
Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)
SQL Server 2000 147,435
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
Windows XP 34,243
Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
Business Intelligence Developer 102
Consumer Support Technician 103
Database Administrator 2,871
Database Developer 1,122
Enterprise Support Technician 853
Enterprise Messaging Administrator 153
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
Windows Server 2003 85,853
Windows 2000 288,111
Windows NT 4.0 395,746
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE): Messaging
Windows Server 2003 7,815
Windows 2000 8,630
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE): Security
Windows Server 2003 11,411
Windows 2000 7,853
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
Windows Server 2003 132,509
Windows 2000 145,582
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA): Messaging
Windows Server 2003 45,290
Windows 2000 29,648
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA): Security
Windows Server 2003 13,645
Windows 2000 4,786
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) 2,149,006
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Recently I was reading Mitch’s blog and I saw a banner Ad for CertGruard but for whatever reason Mitch has it setup so that you can’t click through to the site. Anyways I searched his blog site and found this blog post. http://mitchgarvis.com/blogs/mitch/archive/2007/03/13/certification-security.aspx
I have to agree with Mitch that I work hard for my certification that I do have and I plan on do so again for new ones that I’m working on now. That is why not to long a go MS to report a few sites that where clearly “Guns for Hire” site.
So take a look at Certguard, they can help you find legal training material.
http://www.certguard.com/index.asp
Here are some interesting stats from CertGuard.
http://www.certguard.com/decertified.asp
|
· Month-Year |
Banned/Shutdown |
Monthlies |
|
Test Centers |
Cheaters |
Dump Sites |
Gunmen Sites |
|
June 2007 |
2 |
8 |
5 |
2 |
17 |
|
July 2007 |
3 |
7 |
1 |
5 |
16 |
|
Totals= |
5 |
15 |
6 |
7 |
33 |
So If you are certified be proud of it and protect yourself and your certification by reporting “brain dumps” and “Guns for Hire” sites.
If you are not certified yet, then what is stopping you? Find a study group and get going! 
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SELECT USB.Name0, Count(USB.Name0) AS 'Count' FROM v_GS_USB_CONTROLLER USB GROUP BY USB.Name0 
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Newsletter for
August, 2007
In this issue, you'll read:
Upcoming User Group Meetings on Sept 11th
Upcoming Study Group Meetings 70-620 Vista
Are you interested in a Self-Study, Study Group?
Links
September 11th 2007 User Group Meeting
Topic: Simplified Desktop Deployment for Small and Medium Businesses
Description:
In this presentation, Mitch Garvis will demonstrate how businesses can leverage new deployment technologies in Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007 to simplify and standardize desktops in your environment. Learn the basics of Light Touch Implementation and how it can benefit you, whether you are the in-house IT Pro for your company, or a consultant administering networks for your clients.
Presenter:
Mitch Garvis holds numerous Microsoft certifications including MCSA, MCITP, MCDST, and MCTS. He is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, and has been recognized for his community work with the prestigious Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award.
As founding president of the Montreal IT Professionals Community, Mitch learned both the value and rewards for helping his peers. After several years as a consultant and in-house IT professional for several companies in Montreal, he now works with InFront Consulting Group delivering training on behalf of Microsoft to its partners throughout the United States and Canada. He has also contributed to the creation of several exams for Microsoft Learning. Mitch is not married, has no kids, and has never been to Cleveland.
Location:
Microsoft Canada Co.
100 Queen Street Suite 500
Ottawa, Ontario
Agenda:
5:00 p.m. Event registration
5:30 p.m. Presentation
7:30 p.m. Q & A
8:00 p.m. Door Prizes
Notes: Pizza and Pop will be served, Please RSVP to help us order enough of both.
RSVP: https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=120188
Ottawa Windows Server User Group
Fall 2007 Certification Study Session
MCTS: Configuring
WINDOWS VISTA
Client (Exam 70-620)
Interested in getting certified on Microsoft’s latest operating system?
Join the OWSUG certification study group as we dive deep into the next generation Windows technology!
Session runs Monday nights starting September 10th to December 10th & December 17th social event.
Cost $250, includes MS Press training kit book, exam voucher and contribution to December 17th social event.
10 positions remaining, first come first served - priority given to people serious about writing the exam before Christmas
- All participants are expected to contribute to discussions and presentations
- This is not a course
Contact certify@owsug.ca for info on how to sign up.
Ottawa Windows Server User Group
“Self-Study” Study group
What is a “Self Study” study group? It is a group of people that study independently of each other but on a timetable. This allows each member to put aside the time that is convenient to them but give them the ultimate goal of joining all members on a weekend final study session. They will have access to a forum, where all study members can ask questions and post answers.
Since this is a new idea, there is a lot still to be determined but the user group will help is a number of ways, if possible.
- Try to arrange discounts on training book
- Try to arrange discounts on exam vouchers
- Provide forums for use by the study group
- Help arrange for weekend final study session
- Help arrange a social event for the study group
We are looking to try something new, are you interest in studying and passing any of the following exams?
70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
70-291 Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows server 2003 Network infrastructure
70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-294 Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
70-431 Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance
70-443 Designing a Database Server Infrastructure using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
70-444 Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Are there other exams we should be looking at? Let us know.
If you are interested please contact certify@owsug.ca
Links
OWSUG.ca Web Site http://owsug.ca/default.aspx
OWSUG.ca Mailing list http://lists.owsug.ca
OWSUG.ca Forums http://owsug.ca/forums/default.aspx
OWSUG.ca Blog http://owsug.ca/blogs/MainFeed.aspx
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That SMSCACHESIZE ccmsetup commandline switch specifies the size of the temporary program download folder in MB or as a percentage when used with the PERCENTDISKSPACE or PERCENTFREEDISKSPACE properties. If this property is not set then the folder defaults to a maximum size of 5,120 MB.
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Stolen from CanItPro Blog http://blogs.technet.com/canitpro/
RSS http://blogs.technet.com/canitpro/rss.xml
A few times a year the TechNet team travels across Canada delivering technical readiness sessions to IT professionals. The tours are always focused around a particular theme, take the Core I|O Tour last fall which had branch office as a theme. Going out for the Fall tour this year we are changing things up a bit and letting YOU vote on what YOU would like to see us come to your city and talk about. We are hitting 10 cities across Canada in this tour on the following dates.
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City |
Date |
|
Winnipeg |
October 11th |
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St. John's |
October 16th |
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Ottawa |
October 18th |
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Quebec City |
October 23rd |
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Montreal |
October 25th |
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Vancouver |
October 30th |
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Calgary |
November 1st |
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Edmonton |
November 6th |
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Regina |
November 8th |
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Toronto |
November 20th |
Now there are a LOT of topics we could come and talk about, and with the diversity of the Canadian IT community we did have to narrow it down to a few specific themes. The themes were picked from feedback we receive from various resources and there should be something for everyone in all of the themes.
So now it is YOUR turn. We await YOUR vote on what YOU want to see and learn about. Go vote, sign up for the TechNet Flash to keep up to date with the voting results and register for the event in your city. Do you want to know how to secure your environment? Manage a collaborative work environment? Or plan and test a disaster recovery plan? Let us know! We await your decision!
http://www.microsoft.com/canada/technet/mytechnet
I voted for Disaster Recovery. :-) I would have vote for something with ConfigMgr or MOM here there nothing this time. L
I guess that means I will have to do a presentation on ConfigMgr myself to the User Group.
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This query will find PCs with DirectX 9C, 128MB of Video RAM, and 32bit per pixel.
SELECT CS.Name0,
CS.UserName0,
DX.Version0,
DX.InstalledVersion0,
VC.AdapterRAM0,
VC.CurrentBitsPerPixel0
FROM
v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS,
v_GS_DirectX0 DX,
v_GS_VIDEO_CONTROLLER VC
WHERE DX.ResourceID = CS.ResourceID
AND VC.ResourceID = CS.ResourceID
AND VC.AdapterRAM0 >= 130000
AND VC.CurrentBitsPerPixel0>=32
AND DX.Version0 like '4.09%' 
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SELECT VC.AdapterRAM0, Count(VC.AdapterRAM0) AS 'Count' FROM v_GS_VIDEO_CONTROLLER VC GROUP BY VC.AdapterRAM0 
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SELECT VC.Name0, Count(VC.Name0) AS 'Count' FROM v_GS_VIDEO_CONTROLLER VC GROUP BY VC.Name0 
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SELECT Distinct CS.Name0, CPU.CurrentClockSpeed0, CPU.MaxClockSpeed0 FROM v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS, v_GS_PROCESSOR CPU, v_FullCollectionMembership FCM WHERE CS.ResourceID = CPU.ResourceID AND CS.ResourceID = FCM.ResourceID AND CPU.REsourceID not IN (select ResourceID from v_GS_PROCESSOR CPU group by ResourceID having count(CPU.ResourceID) > 1) AND CPU.MaxClockSpeed0 < '1800' AND FCM.CollectionID = 'SMS00001' 
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Recently, after I received many request to join, I finally succumbed and joined both LinkedIn and Facebook
To view my public profile,
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/in/configmgr
FaceBook
On Face Book I am a member a few groups such as OWSUG.ca, myITForum, and MCSE/MCITP study group. And I just created a SMSUG.ca Facebook group too.
Anyways feel free to add me to your Facebook or LinkedIN profile.
BTW What does it mean when someone “Zombie, Vampire or Werewolf’s” you in Facebook? 
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Distribution Points can be created on either server site systems or server shares. The main reason for you to create a share on a server and defining that share as a distribution point is that this allows you to choose a specific drive where Configuration Manager will create and write the support files for the distribution point role. This is done by creating a server share on the site system and directing it to a specific drive on the computer. You can then designate it as a distribution point. This is the only site role that can be created on a server share.
It is important to note, however, that if you use a server share as your distribution point, Configuration Manager will not create a data discovery record (DDR) for that site system. Without a DDR, the Heartbeat Discovery method will not monitor the health of the site system. If you do need a discovery record for a distribution point that you've placed on a server share, create the site system as both a Server Share and as a Server. Assign the distribution point role to the Server Share site system entry and don't assign any site system roles to the Server site system entry. It is important to note, however, that configuring both as a distribution point is not supported, as it will cause consistency problems between the two distribution points.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sms/smsv4/smsv4_help/6c1ea28e-894e-4a1d-8de3-dc8ac8acf71d.mspx?mfr=true 
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Lately I have been seeing a lot more of the “bump” being used within the mailing list, forums, and newsgroups!
What “bump” tells me is that the person doing it couldn’t be bothered to re-read their issue and re-write it to provide more details and so that it piques someone’s interest. Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind it when someone’s re-posting a message with new content within. It tells me that:
a) It is important to them
b) They are still looking into solving the problem themselves
c) They want to provide as much information a possible to people who might be able to help them.
d) Their office might be too cheap to pay for support. (That is another problem that need to be addressed within a different blog)
Don’t you just love it when they must have the answer now but will not spend a dime on support? They will not even wait one full business day before “bump”ing their message! Most of the time they will not even bother to use search engines to try and solve their issue!
Well, let me tell you, if I see a “bump” message, I will automatically delete the message. If you can’t take the time to explain your issue and / or to wait at least 24 hours / one full business day, then I don’t have the time for you. This may seem selfish but if it is so important to them then they can call and pay for support just like everyone else. How many of those people who use “bump”ing will actually answer a question for someone else?
I’m still undecided which is worse “bump”ing or “PLEASE HELP ME” messages! Most people within the forum/mailing list and newsgroups are professional and do have a regular job. They check the forums, mailing list and newsgroups as they have time and answer when they have time.
I know from talking to others at various conferences and other events, they also ignore people who “bump”! So if you are a “bump”er or “PLEASE HELP ME” person then understand that you have cut your support bases. If you are a chronic “bump”er or “PLEASE HELP ME” then you will most likely stop getting any support from the regular members.
To get help then I suggest you answer these questions both to yourself and within your message:
- What is the problem?
o What do the logs say?
o Is your subject line descriptive? Keep in mind that most people only read the subject line before moving to the next message.
o Think about what has changed recently and could it have been the cause?
- What have I done to solve the problem?
o Have you search Google or Live?
o What step did you take to reproduce the issue? (point form, no long winded answers)
- Don’t ask for help on more than one problem at a time
- If you need the answer now, then tell your management that you need to purchase support from a vendor. If they will not purchase support then tell them it will take some time to resolve the issue. 
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SELECT LD.Name0, Count(LD.Name0) AS 'Count of Name0' FROM v_GS_LOGICAL_DISK LD GROUP BY LD.Name0 ORDER BY LD.Name0 
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While I was investigating why my lab was not at 100% hot fixed compliancy, I found out that one of my servers was not update because it had and error within the “patchinstall.log” of "Unable to open registry key for package…". Like any good administrator I searched Google for the answer and I found KB 922352 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922352, however this was not my issue.
I determined that this issue was a conflict between ITMUv3 and HP ITCU. To solve this issue I delete the HP ITCU from the local cache and force the scan using the ITMU v3. Now all of my servers are at 100% hot fix compliancy.
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September 10th 2007 User Group Meeting
Topic: Simplified Desktop Deployment for Small and Medium Businesses
Description:
In this presentation, Mitch Garvis will demonstrate how businesses can leverage new deployment technologies in Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007 to simplify and standardize desktops in your environment. Learn the basics of Light Touch Implementation and how it can benefit you, whether you are the in-house IT Pro for your company, or a consultant administering networks for your clients.
Presenter:
Mitch Garvis holds numerous Microsoft certifications including MCSA, MCITP, MCDST, and MCTS. He is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, and has been recognized for his community work with the prestigious Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award.
As founding president of the Montreal IT Professionals Community, Mitch learned both the value and rewards for helping his peers. After several years as a consultant and in-house IT professional for several companies in Montreal, he now works with InFront Consulting Group delivering training on behalf of Microsoft to its partners throughout the United States and Canada. He has also contributed to the creation of several exams for Microsoft Learning. Mitch is not married, has no kids, and has never been to Cleveland.
Location:
Microsoft Canada Co.
100 Queen Street Suite 500
Ottawa, Ontario
Agenda:
5:00 p.m. Event registration
5:30 p.m. Presentation
7:30 p.m. Q & A
8:00 p.m. Door Prizes
Notes: Pizza and Pop will be served, Please RSVP to help us order enough of both.
RSVP: https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=120188 
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Declare @total as int
Declare @NotBlank as int
Declare @diff as int
Declare @Per as int
Set @total = (Select count(*) from v_LU_CPU)
Set @NotBlank = (Select count(*) from v_LU_CPU where v_LU_CPU.CPU_Birth != '')
Set @diff = (select @total - @notblank)
Set @Per = (Select (sum((@Diff*100)/@total)))
Select
@Diff as 'No Date',
@NotBlank as 'With date',
@Total as 'Total',
@per as 'Percentage blank' 
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SELECT LD.SystemName0, Sum((LD.FreeSpace0+1)*100)/ sum(LD.Size0) 'Percentage free space' FROM v_GS_LOGICAL_DISK LD WHERE LD.DriveType0=3 Group by LD.SystemName0 
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SELECT distinct CS.name0 as 'Computer Name', CS.domain0 as 'Domain', CS.UserName0 as 'User', BIOS.SerialNumber0 as 'Bios serial', SE.SerialNumber0 as 'System Enclosure serial', CS.Manufacturer0 as 'Manufacturer', CS.Model0 as 'model', OS.Caption0 as 'OS', RAA.SMS_Assigned_Sites0 as 'Site', RAM.TotalPhysicalMemory0 as 'Total Memory', Sum(LDisk.Size0) as 'Hardrive Size', Sum(LDisk.FreeSpace0) AS 'Free Space', CPU.CurrentClockSpeed0 as 'CPU Speed' from v_GS_PC_BIOS BIOS, v_GS_SYSTEM SYS, v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS, v_GS_OPERATING_SYSTEM OS, v_RA_System_SMSAssignedSites RAA, V_GS_X86_PC_MEMORY RAM, v_GS_Logical_Disk LDisk, v_GS_Processor CPU, v_GS_SYSTEM_ENCLOSURE SE where BIOS.ResourceID = CS.ResourceID and OS.ResourceID = CS.ResourceID AND RAA.ResourceID = CS.ResourceID and RAM.ResourceID = CS.ResourceID and LDisk.ResourceID = CS.ResourceID and CPU.ResourceID = CS.ResourceID and SE.ResourceID = CS.ResourceID group by CS.Name0, CS.domain0, CS.Username0, BIOS.SerialNumber0, SE.SerialNumber0, CS.Manufacturer0, CS.Model0, OS.Caption0, RAA.SMS_Assigned_Sites0, RAM.TotalPhysicalMemory0, CPU.CurrentClockSpeed0 
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SELECT PFI.CompanyName, Count(PFI.CompanyName) AS 'Count of CompanyName' FROM v_ProductFileInfo PFI GROUP BY PFI.CompanyName 
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This question was posed in the newsgroup: "How can I find out what collections a machine belongs to?"
Here is the anwser:
SELECT Col.Name,
FCol.Name
FROM v_Collection Col,
v_FullCollectionMembership FCol
WHERE Col.CollectionID = FCol.CollectionID
AND FCol.Name='ComputerName'
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Electricity Demand Records
The all-time record for Ontario demand was set on Tuesday, August 01, 2006, when peak demand for electricity reached 27,005 MW. Here are the top twenty record demand days for Ontario:
| Rank |
Date |
Ontario Demand
(MW) |
| 1 |
Tuesday, August 01, 2006 |
27,005 |
| 2 |
Wednesday, July 13, 2005 |
26,160 |
| 3 |
Monday, June 27, 2005 |
26,157 |
| 4 |
Monday, July 31, 2006 |
26,092 |
| 5 |
Monday, July 17, 2006 |
25,898 |
| 6 |
Tuesday, June 28, 2005 |
25,861 |
| 7 |
Monday, July 18, 2005 |
25,857 |
| 8 |
Wednesday, August 02, 2006 |
25,816 |
| 9 |
Tuesday, August 09, 2005 |
25,816 |
| 10 |
Tuesday, July 12, 2005 |
25,808 |
| 11 |
Tuesday, June 26, 2007 |
25,737 |
| 12 |
Thursday, August 02, 2007 |
25,584 |
| 13 |
Monday, July 11, 2005 |
25,506 |
| 14 |
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 |
25,467 |
| 15 |
Tuesday, August 13, 2002 |
25,414 |
| 16 |
Wednesday, August 01, 2007 |
25,402 |
| 17 |
Thursday, July 21, 2005 |
25,383 |
| 18 |
Thursday, July 14, 2005 |
25,362 |
| 19 |
Monday, August 12, 2002 |
25,349 |
| 20 |
Thursday, August 01, 2002 |
25,343 |
http://www.ieso.ca/imoweb/media/md_peaks.asp 
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Declare @MS as int
Declare @VM as int
Declare @Real as int
Declare @Total as int
set @Total = (select count(*) from v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM)
set @MS = (select count(*) from v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM where Manufacturer0 = 'Microsoft Corporation' )
set @VM = (select count(*) from v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM where Manufacturer0 = 'VMware, Inc.')
set @Real = (select @total - @MS - @VM)
Select
@Real as 'Real PCs',
@MS as 'MS Virtual PCs',
@VM as 'VM Virtual PCs',
@Total as 'Total'
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