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September 2007 - Posts
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hummmm maybe this is not a bad idea. ![Smile [:)]](http://owsug.ca/emoticons/emotion-1.gif)
"Last week a number of computers were stolen from our office in Vancouver, BC. One of those computers was a shared iMac with Flickrbooth, an app that automatically uploads photo booth shots to our flickr account, installed on it. Just this morning a friend called to tell us that there are photos of whoever has the computer now in our flickr stream! Obviously the guy didn't know he was uploading images of himself and his awesome tattoos. "
Here's a link to the shots on the company's flickr account. Do you know who this guy is? The theft victims and the Vancouver police would love to hear about it. Looks like the SomethingAwful forums are all over the case, too.
Update: A gem in the comments thread: "There should be a word for this, thinking you're getting away with something on the sly while the world laughs at you, anticipating your inevitable demise -- schadendouche?" [beatnik]
And looks like there are more security cam photos of this man here, and video here.
And a clarification: we don't know for a fact that the guy in these photos is the thief, that's for the legal system to decide. It is possible that he is simply an innocent new owner of a previously pilfered laptop or laptops.
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/09/24/idiot-criminal-uploa.html
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A man who attained instant infamy by unwittingly using a stolen computer to upload a shirtless self-portrait to the Internet has turned the machine over to police in Victoria.
The tattooed man, whose photo has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times around the world and who suddenly found himself famous from Iceland to Brazil, walked into the Victoria police station with the stolen machine at about 4 p.m. Tuesday, said gt. Colin Brown.
The man also contacted Global BC on Tuesday, telling the station he did not know the computer was stolen and that he had bought it from a friend who had bought it from someone else.
At Flickr.com - a popular website where the photo surfaced on Monday - people were viewing the photo at a rate of about 90 hits per minute. By late Tuesday, it had been viewed more than 217,000 times.
"It's pretty much worldwide. It's kind of hit everyone's radar," said Dane Brown, manager of Workspace.
"This is all I've dealt with for the last two days, is calls and e-mails about this," he added.
In Victoria, Brown would not give the tattooed man's name.
"He wouldn't say anything," he told The Vancouver Sun in an interview. "He came in with his lawyer."
Brown said the man was "known to police." He added that while no charges were laid on Tuesday, the matter is "certainly under investigation."
Brown said the man's lawyer apparently saw the shirtless picture in a Victoria newspaper Tuesday and alerted his client.
The machine - an Apple iMac with a built-in webcam - was stolen in the early morning hours of Sept. 19, Vancouver police spokesman Const. Howard Chow said.
Chow said the computer, along with five others, was taken from Workspace, a Gastown company that provides work areas to independent professionals. He said Vancouver police investigators had been unable to get any fingerprints.
Since the break-in, the managers of Workspace have taken images from the building's security camera and posted them to the Internet. They say the images - which show two men coming and going from the building, once with computers under their arms - are those of the men believed to have stolen their machines.
Two shirtless images the man took of himself using one of the stolen machines were automatically up-loaded to the Internet.
In the call to Global BC, he said he wanted to clear his name and that he has a legitimate day job as a bodyguard.
He was apparently set to tape a formal interview, but cancelled at the last minute on the advice of his lawyer.
At Workspace, Dane Brown couldn't have been happier.
"It's awesome. It's exactly what we wanted," he said in an interview.
Brown said he was curious to hear the full story from police, and was hopeful the man who turned the machine over will be able to help lead authorities to the five other missing computers.
"Hopefully this guy can give us more information about when he got the computer and we can trace it," he said, explaining most of the machines belonged to the independent professionals who use his workspace.
Before the computer was returned, the chief executive of a Vancouver-based computer recovery company was offering to help track the missing machine.
"We can work with the police and get it back," Absolute Software Corp. CEO John Livingston said.
"For us, recovering stolen computers is an everyday event," he added, explaining his company has technology that can communicate with missing machines, even if their hard drives have been completely wiped.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=6db9bed3-87db-4640-b1fb-a00cffbb20ac&k=91553
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Looking for a grass roots technical Security conference to go to this year?
Sign up today for Security Education Conference Toronto (www.SecTor.ca). Dubbed the ‘Black Hat of the North’, SecTor runs two full days, November 20 - 21. The event features Keynotes from North America's most respected and trusted experts. Speakers are true security professionals with depth of understanding on topics that matter. Many have never presented in Canada, and never all at one event!
Sign up before September 30th to save $100 use Discount Code OWSUG to save an additional 10% off.
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Upcoming UG Meetings
October 17th 2007 User Group Meeting
Topic: You Tour – Data Security Tools for IT Professionals
Description:
Over 700,000 laptops are reported stolen every year in North America. Laptops sales are skyrocketing and laptops are replacing more and more business desktops. Up to 80% of corporate data is stored on local drives. Add this all up and data security becomes crucial for your workforce.
Join us for this session as we discuss and demonstrate security guidance and tools to help protect the data on your XP and Vista desktop and laptop computers. Topics to be covered include
- Data Security Fundamentals
- Data Security Best Practices
- XP and Vista Security Guides
- Microsoft Security Toolkits
- XP and Vista Security Technologies
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: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032354871&Culture=en-CA
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I’m sure some of you are asking where has Garth been the last few days.. Well it is twofold, first I have been on training and secondly I’m getting ready to re-format my laptop again. This time I will install Vista Business and not Ultimate! Having a Windows Experience Index of 1.0 make Ultimate useless on my existing laptop. 
So the question is Which laptop should I got for?
I like Laptop 2 (XPS all the cool kids have one and they make the light flash too) but whatever reason Dell does not sell it with Vista Ultimate!?!?! However the solid state HD will be very nice!!!
So do you think that my bos will let me buy either of them?
Laptop 1
Laptop 2
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I like Texas Hold'em! but not enough for me to keep this PC with Vista as I'm finding it way too slow! This PC even has 2 GB or RAM and new 7200 RPM HD! When it takes over 15 minutes to print out 10 PPT pages under Vista with Office 2007 and 3 minutes for the same pages in XP with Office 2003, there is a problem.
I will have to either purchase a new PC or Re-install XP.
And don’t get me start on this new security setup of vista. It is clear to me already that MS missed the boat on what security is really about. 
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The other day I purchased a new monitor as I was tired of looking at my 17” monitor and trying to have two documents side by side. So I order and received a new 22” monitor. However shortly after installing it I started to see a flicker on the screen. I found this to be very annoying! So after finishing off the main deliverable for my current project I upgrade the drivers on my laptop. Things when from bad to worse, so finally today I was trying to decide if I should upgrade my exist laptop`s HD or buy a new one.
Well I purchase a new 7200 RPM 60 GB HD for my laptop and a USB case for the old HD.
So I have just finished upgrading my laptop to Vista Ultimate, Office 2007 and OneCare. The biggest issue so far from the upgrade has been trying to find drivers for the video card, which I did eventually find. This will help me with the study group 70-620 Vista Config exam that I am a member of.
I`m desperately trying to resist the urge to change Vista to `Classic mode` and I’m not sure that I like Word but I will give it a try. If I remember in a week I will post what I think about Vista, Office and OneCare. 
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I'm still catching up on my blog reading and I ran across this tidbit. So book it into your calendar!
Certifications for TSFKASMS+MOM
http://blogs.msdn.com/trika/archive/2007/09/19/certifications-for-tsfkasms-mom.aspx
That's right, I'm referring to certifications for Systems Center Configuration Manager 2007 (SCCM) and Systems Center Operations Manager 2007 (SCOM): the Systems Formerly Known As SMS and MOM.
If you want to learn more about what these things do, you can visit some smart, helpful blog, like I often do.
If you want to hear about certifications we are developing to help you validate/show your skills on Systems Center, you can attend this Live Meeting we are having on October 24. Rob Linsky (or "Slinky," as Spellchecker prefers to call him, our certification program manager) will give you the scoop on what these certs are all about and how to earn them. Click on these links to register for:
In advance of that, I can tell you that we are developing two Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certs and a professional-series (MCITP) certification for Systems Center, all of which will be available in 2008 (January/February for MCTS; later for the MCITP).
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I found this last night while I was at the study group, I found this link. http://www.microsoft.com/canada/awards/finalists_2007.mspx
I’m not surprised that both CTE Solutions and Compugen are up for a few awards. CTE Solution is extremely helpful to the Ottawa Windows Server User Group and I know a number of the Compugen staff include Rod K. from Calgary and he is always will to help out within the SMS/ConfigMgr community and I know that he has even helped out the local user group with in Calgary too.
Keep your finger crossed.
Learning Solution of the Year
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CTE SOLUTIONS |
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HiTech Institute / Dynexa |
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Nexient Learning Inc. |
Advanced Infrastructure Solution of the Year
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Compugen |
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Dell Canada |
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KOM Networks, Inc. |
Licensing or Software Asset Management Solution of the Year
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Compugen |
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CONAMEX INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE CORP |
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SOFTCHOICE CORP |
Marketing Innovation Award – Enterprise
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Compugen |
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Dell Canada |
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SOFTCHOICE CORP |
http://www.microsoft.com/canada/awards/finalists_2007.mspx 
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Well I like many other have finally joined facebook, well I went looking for a friend of mine who is a teacher at a local school. He teaches History, Law and Rugby.
Anyways some of his students have created a facebook group for him, “Everything I learned, I learned from Pat Easton”
One of the stories that he would tell us over drinks is how he would read cereal box labels to his students at detention. I was never quite sure if he was telling the trurt or not but I always got a giggle out of the story. Well it is true.. Check out the facebook post.
I will have to ask him about this one!!!!
I can answer this story but I’m not sure that I want to.
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SELECT CS.Name0, CS.Manufacturer0, CS.Model0, PB.Description0, PB.SerialNumber0, SE.SerialNumber0 FROM v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS LEFT OUTER JOIN v_GS_PC_BIOS PB ON CS.ResourceID = PB.ResourceID LEFT OUTER JOIN v_GS_SYSTEM_ENCLOSURE SE ON CS.ResourceID = SE.ResourceID 
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SELECT CS.Name0, PB.SerialNumber0, SE.SerialNumber0 FROM v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS LEFT OUTER JOIN v_GS_PC_BIOS PB ON CS.ResourceID = PB.ResourceID LEFT OUTER JOIN v_GS_SYSTEM_ENCLOSURE SE ON CS.ResourceID = SE.ResourceID WHERE CS.Name0 = @compname 
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MagicISO is a powerful CD/DVD image file creating/editing/extracting tool. It can open / create / edit /extract CD/DVD image files, and it can convert bin to iso and back. as well as make ISO file from DVD/CD-ROM or hard disk, and handle bootable information at meanwhile.
http://www.magiciso.com/
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Set nocount off
Declare @now datetime
set @now = getdate()
SELECT DISTINCT
CS.Name0,
ARP.DisplayName0,
ARP.TimeStamp
FROM
v_GS_ADD_REMOVE_PROGRAMS ARP,
v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS
WHERE
CS.ResourceID = ARP.ResourceID
And DateDiff(dd,ARP.TimeStamp, @now) < 30
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SELECT SD.Status0, Count(SD.Status0) AS 'Count' FROM v_GS_SOUND_DEVICE SD GROUP BY SD.Status0 
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Ellen (my wife) sent me an email on Friday telling me that there is a new brewery called Beaus in our neck of the woods, well if you call an hour’s drive near. Anyways we were out last night and happened to go to a restaurant that severed their beer PJ Quigley's . I ordered a pint, now normally I am not a fan of lagers but Beaus’ Lug Tread was good and I even ordered a second one.
After telling some of guys about it we are now going to have a guys' road trip to visit the brewery, take the tour and do some sampling. We are looking for Designated Drivers (DD), are there any volunteers? ![Big Smile [:D]](http://owsug.ca/emoticons/emotion-2.gif) 
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By popular request we have added a second presentation on September 11th to focusing more on Government and Large Business and how to deploy Vista and Office 2007.
Upcoming UG Meetings
September 11th 2007 User Group Meeting
Topic: Noon, Simplified Desktop Deployment for Large / Government Businesses
Register here for noon presentation
Topic: 5:30 p.m., Simplified Desktop Deployment for Small and Medium Businesses
Register here for evening presentation
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:
11:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. Event registration
Noon & 5:30 p.m. Presentation
1:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Q & A
2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Door Prizes
Notes: Pizza and Pop will be served, Please RSVP to help us order enough of both.
RSVP:
Noon https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=120683
5:30 p.m. https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=120188
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SELECT CS.Name0, CS.UserName0, RAM.TotalPageFileSpace0, RAM.TotalPhysicalMemory0, RAM.TotalVirtualMemory0 FROM v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS, v_GS_X86_PC_MEMORY RAM WHERE CS.ResourceID = RAM.ResourceID AND RAM.TotalVirtualMemory0 > (RAM.TotalPhysicalMemory0 * 2) 
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BHG and GridMaster Training are pleased to offer the first public advanced Softgrid course in Calgary Alberta! The course will run in November and still has limited seats available. Please click here for more information, and contact Kevin Kaminski for further details. 
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Updated to fix a cut&paste error and now it uses a join.
SELECT Distinct
CS.Name0 as 'PC Name',
isnull(CS.UserName0,HCS.UserName0) as 'User Name'
FROM
v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS Left outer join v_HS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM HCS on CS.ResourceID = HCS.ResourceID
WHERE
HCS.UserName0 is not NULL
Order by
CS.Name0 
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SELECT RAM.TotalVirtualMemory0, Count(RAM.TotalVirtualMemory0) AS 'Count' FROM v_GS_X86_PC_MEMORY RAM GROUP BY RAM.TotalVirtualMemory0 
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It has been a while since I did my top 25 post. There are some interesting results.
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SELECT Distinct CS.Name0 as 'PC Name', isnull(CS.UserName0,HCS.UserName0) as 'User Name' FROM v_GS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM CS, v_HS_COMPUTER_SYSTEM HCS WHERE HCS.ResourceID = CS.ResourceID AND HCS.UserName0 is not NULL Order by 
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SELECT MB.SecondaryBusType0, Count(MB.SecondaryBusType0) AS 'Count' FROM v_GS_MOTHERBOARD_DEVICE MB GROUP BY MB.SecondaryBusType0 
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