IT @ Winter Park Tech

2007-11-11T08:56:00.000-05:00

Note the S.M.A.R.T. status of your system drive

Here are a few programs that will allow you to see the current S.M.A.R.T. status of your drive(s):

1. HD Tune (simple display) - highly recommended

2. Belarc Advisor (simple display)

3. SMART Explorer (advanced display)

4. SpeedFan (advanced display)

5. DTemp (advanced display, but easy to use)

6. SMARTUDM for MS-DOS (advanced display and technician-oriented)

Consult the documentation that comes with each program for more information. Also visit the S.M.A.R.T. Wikipedia entry.

There is also a wide variety of software available on S.M.A.R.T. Site

2007-11-11T08:55:00.000-05:00

Get support for this version of Dial-a-fix at Lunarsoft.

Dial-a-fix is an advanced utility for 32-bit versions of Microsoft Windows written by DjLizard in Borland Delphi 7 that repairs various Windows problems, such as:

Windows Update errors and problems with Automatic Updates

SSL, HTTPS, and Cryptography service (signing/verification) issues

COM/ActiveX object errors and missing registry entries

and more.

Dial-a-fix (hereafter known as "DAF") is a collection of known fixes gleaned from Microsoft Knowledgebase articles, Microsoft MVPs, and other important support forums, that will assist you in repairing problems with your system. Although this tool is ordinarily meant for power users, technicians, and administrators, it is quite safe to use even without technical guidance (although guidance is recommended). Simply choose the solutions you wish to apply via checkmarks, and click GO. There are other buttons and tools present on the main dialog as well, such as the policy scanner. All tools and checkmarks identify their purpose when you mouse over them.

DAF's primary philosophy is to fix problems by setting various things back to their original Microsoft defaults. DAF currently does not interface with or repair any third party programs (and there are no plans to do so).

DAF works on all pertinent 32-bit versions of Windows: 98, 98SE, Me, 2000, XP, and Server 2003. Dial-a-fix dynamically disables functions that are not applicable to your version of Windows. The version of Windows with the most support and functionality is currently Windows XP.

2007-10-27T10:48:00.000-04:00

New IT Academy Benefit: Microsoft Digital Literacy

Designed for anyone with a ninth-grade reading level and a need for digital literacy skills, the Digital Literacy curriculum is now available to IT Academies. Digital Literacy provides essential ICT skills training for students new to computing by providing a fundamental understanding of how computers impact daily life, and the concepts and skills to create documents, communicate using e-mail, browse the Web, and use a computer responsibly.

The curriculum consists of five courses:

•	Computer Basics
•	The Internet and World Wide Web
•	Productivity Programs
•	Computer Security and Privacy
•	Digital Lifestyles

Each course has online e-learning and a skills assessment. Completing the assessment creates a personalized learning plan so that students will know which topics may require further study. The curriculum culminates in a low-stakes certificate test that explores topics from all five courses. Students who pass the certificate test may personalize and print out a Digital Literacy certificate.

2007-10-27T09:06:00.000-04:00

Take a look at the Microsoft Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Curriculum Roadmap. This roadmap will guide you through Microsoft Learning products toward a career in computer technology. Whether you are new to computing or have some experience, this roadmap will help you understand the skills and knowledge requirements necessary to begin or resume your career in ICT.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/education/roadmap/default.mspx

2007-08-26T07:19:00.001-04:00

Support and Troubleshooting

How-to Articles

•	How to use System Restore to log on to Windows Vista when you lose access to an account

2007-08-26T07:16:00.001-04:00

Survival Guide of Windows Server 2008 Documentation
It seems like there's more new Windows Server 2008 content to talk about every week and sifting through it all can be daunting. If you're in the process of evaluating the upcoming Windows Server 2008 and looking for a one-stop location for information on planning, deploying, maintaining, or supporting the new environment, bookmarking the Documentation Survival Guide is a great place to start. And here's some of that great new content I'm referring to:

•	Internet Protocol Security Enforcement in the Network Access Protection Platform
•	Server Core Installation Option of Windows Server 2008 Step-by-Step Guide
•	Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems Feature Support

2007-08-22T08:04:00.001-04:00

Videos from WinHEC 2007 on Memory, Windows Server, and Windows Virtualization

A dozen deep technical topics of critical interest to Windows developers are available on TechNet IT Showtime, including:
. Windows Memory Management Advances (Landy Wang)
. PCI I/O Virtualization Standards: Implementation (Mike Krause, Renato Recio)
. Future of Memory and Storage (Dean A. Klein)
. UEFI Implementation Guidelines (Andrew Ritz)
. Windows Server Longhorn (Iain McDonald)
. Dynamic Partition: Windows Server (Davis Walker)
. WHEA Systems: Design and Implementation (John Strange, Mukund Khatri)
. Power Management: Windows Server (Stephen Berard)
. Virtualization in Windows Server (Mike Neil)
. The 10 Most Important Things About Failover Clustering (Jim Teague)
. Application and Presentation Virtualization (Alex Balcanquall)
. NPIV SAN Integration and Microsoft Virtualization (Therron Powell, Mark Karnowski)

2007-08-19T20:45:00.001-04:00

Step 2: Run an Online Scan Tool

Run an online scan, using a tool such as the Windows Live OneCare safety scanner, to ensure that the computer has been checked against the latest antivirus and antispyware signatures, as well as other potentially unwanted software.

Other online scan software providers include:

•	Kaspersky Online Scanner
•	McAfee FreeScan
•	Symantec Security Check
•	Trend Micro HouseCall

In addition, several online software tools provide specialty scanning, such as VIRUSTOTAL, which you can use to scan individual files for malware.

2007-08-09T07:00:00.001-04:00

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Get a free PC safety scan

Windows Live OneCare safety scanner is a free service designed to help ensure the health of your PC.

· Check for and remove viruses

· Get rid of junk on your hard disk

· Improve your PC's performance

New: Windows Vista users, try the beta edition of the scanner, just for Windows Vista.

Fix specific PC issues

Use the full service scan to check everything. To help fix particular problems on your PC, turn to the individual scanners below.

Protection

Clean up

Tune up

2007-08-08T18:54:00.001-04:00

Cisco Networking Certification Targets Entry Level

By Andrew R. Hickey, searchnetworking.com, July 10, 2007

Cisco certifications, while helping networking pros hone and prove their expertise, had long suffered from a gap in the experience food chain, with the coveted and difficult Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) as the jump-off point and no lower-level certification targeting entry-level networkers.

Recently, however, Cisco announced that it has revamped its networking certifications, creating a new entry-level Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) and broadening the scope of the CCNA to include new technologies that were not previously covered.

According to Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, senior director of learning at Cisco, the certification changes are a way to invigorate networking careers and "expand talent on a global basis for networking."

CCNA has long been the entry point for Cisco certifications, but many felt that CCNA, which is targeted at a more experienced networker with roughly three years on the job, was exclusionary.

"We wanted a certification to demonstrate the skills for a learner who's gotten their first job," Beliveau-Dunn said. "We needed to expand that entry point."

Recent research by IDC indicates that there will be a roughly 40% gap between the demand for and supply of technical networking skills over the next five years. CCENT is looking to close that gap as a stepping stone to CCNA. CCENT is designed to validate the skills needed to install and verify basic routed and switched networks. The curriculum includes the ability to configure IP addressing, implement basic security measures, and understand the concepts of wireless networking.

Beliveau-Dunn said CCENT can introduce new networking pros to careers in help desk and technical support while also letting them get a head start toward CCNA.

"It's really meant to grab those people and mentor them toward that next goal of CCNA," she said.

Yankee Group senior vice president Zeus Kerravala said the new certification is good for Cisco and networking as a whole, opening up more networking career paths for some who may have been intimidated by CCNA.

"I think one challenge Cisco is going to face soon is that technology is much broader today than before," he said. "For the person graduating from college, there are many career paths. Lowering the barrier of entry into networking will help fuel the growth in network-centric people versus maybe Microsoft-centric."

Kerravala added that an entry-level certification like CCENT can prepare administrators and even application developers looking to learn more about networking.

"More and more things are network dependent, so more jobs should have a basic understanding of it," he said.

Along with announcing CCENT, Cisco also made some revisions to the CCNA certifications exams and courses. Beliveau-Dunn said the courses will now be more robust and include new areas that networking pros need to explore, such as new technologies and standards beyond just routing and switching, and more advanced voice, wireless and security lessons.

"We've increased the hands-on exercises," she said, adding that examinations will involve more simulation work.

Another area the revamped CCNA will focus on is troubleshooting, which used to be limited to simply ensuring that the network was up and running.

The new courses will be offered starting July 26, with new exams on August 1. Old exams will continue through November 6.

The new CCNA focuses on a comprehensive understanding of networking fundamentals and validates the knowledge and skills required to install, operate and troubleshoot a small to medium routed and switched network, including the ability to implement and troubleshoot protocol to manage addressing and authentication, as well as establish and troubleshoot connections to service providers over a wide area network.

"Career opportunities in networking are abundant and span a wide array of experiences from software applications and systems design to troubleshooting global networks that span all business, government and person-to-person communications," Beliveau-Dunn said. "Networking offers people a broad opportunity for career advancement while learning about the world, about business and about ways to improve human interaction."

2007-08-08T18:53:00.001-04:00

12 IT skills that employers can't say no to

By Mary Brandel, Computerworld, 07/11/07

Have you spoken with a high-tech recruiter or professor of computer science lately? According to observers across the country, the technology skills shortage that pundits were talking about a year ago is real.

"Everything I see in Silicon Valley is completely contrary to the assumption that programmers are a dying breed and being offshored," says Kevin Scott, senior engineering manager at Google and a founding member of the professions and education boards at the Association for Computing Machinery. "From big companies to start-ups, companies are hiring as aggressively as possible."

Many recruiters say there are more open positions than they can fill, and according to Kate Kaiser, associate professor of IT at Marquette University in Milwaukee, students are getting snapped up before they graduate. In January, Kaiser asked the 34 students in the systems analysis and design class she was teaching how many had already accepted offers to begin work after graduating in May. Twenty-four students raised their hands. "I feel sure the other 10 who didn't have offers at that time have all been given an offer by now," she says.

Suffice it to say, the market for IT talent is hot, but only if you have the right skills. If you want to be part of the wave, take a look at what eight experts -- including recruiters, curriculum developers, computer science professors and other industry observers -- say are the hottest skills of the near future.

1) Machine learning

As companies work to build software such as collaborative filtering, spam filtering and fraud-detection applications that seek patterns in jumbo-size data sets, some observers are seeing a rapid increase in the need for people with machine-learning knowledge, or the ability to design and develop algorithms and techniques to improve computers' performance, Scott says.

"It's not just the case for Google," he says. "There are lots of applications that have big, big, big data sizes, which creates a fundamental problem of how you organize the data and present it to users."

Demand for these applications is expanding the need for data mining, statistical modeling and data structure skills, among others, Scott says. "You can't just wave your hand at some of these problems -- there are subtle differences in how the data structures or algorithms you choose impacts whether you get a reasonable solution or not," he explains.

You can acquire machine-learning knowledge either through job experience or advanced undergraduate or graduate coursework, Scott says. But no matter how you do it, "companies are snapping up these skills as fast as they can grab them," he says.

2) Mobilizing applications

The race to deliver content over mobile devices is akin to the wild days of the Internet during the '90s, says Sean Ebner, vice president of professional services at Spherion Pacific Enterprises, a recruiter in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. And with devices like BlackBerries and Treos becoming more important as business tools, he says, companies will need people who are adept at extending applications such as ERP, procurement and expense approval to these devices. "They need people who can push applications onto mobile devices," he says.

3) Wireless networking

With the proliferation of de facto wireless standards such as Wi-Fi, WiMax and Bluetooth, securing wireless transmissions is top-of-mind for employers seeking technology talent, says Neill Hopkins, vice president of skills development for the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). "There's lots of wireless technologies taking hold, and companies are concerned about how do these all fit together, and what are the security risks, which are much bigger than on wired networks," he says.

"If I were to hire a wireless specialist, I'd also want them to understand the security implications of that and build in controls from the front end," agrees Howard Schmidt, president of the Information Systems Security Association and former chief information security officer and chief security strategist at eBay Inc.

But don't venture into the marketplace with only a wireless certification, Hopkins warns. "No one gets hired as a wireless technician -- you have to be a network administrator with a specialization in wireless so you know how wireless plays with the network," he says.

4) Human-computer interface

Another area that will see growing demand is human-computer interaction or user interface design, Scott says, which is the design of user interfaces for the Web or desktop applications. "There's been more recognition over time that it's not OK for an engineer to throw together a crappy interface," he says. Thanks to companies like Apple Inc., he continues, "consumers are increasingly seeing well-designed products, so why shouldn't they demand that in every piece of software they use?"

5) Project management

Project managers have always been in high demand, but with growing intolerance for over-budget or failed projects, the ones who can prove that they know what they're doing are very much in demand, says Grant Gordon, managing director at Kansas City-based staffing firm Intronic Solutions Group. "Job reqs are coming in for 'true project managers,' not just people who have that denotation on their title," Gordon says. "Employers want people who can ride herd, make sense of the project life cycle and truly project-manage."

That's a big change from a year ago, he says, when it was easy to fill project management slots. But now, with employers demanding in-the-trenches experience, "the interview process has become much tougher," Gordon says. "The right candidates are fewer and farther between, and those that are there can be more picky on salaries and perks."

The way Gordon screens candidates is by having on-staff subject-matter experts conduct interviews that glean how the candidate has handled various situations in the past, such as conflicting team responsibilities or problem resolution. "It's easy to regurgitate what you heard from PMBOK [the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge], but when it comes to things like conflict management, you start seeing whether they know what they're doing."

In one case, Gordon asked a candidate to describe how he'd go about designing a golf ball that goes farther by changing the dimples on the ball. "No one has the answer to questions like that, but it shows how they think on their feet and how they can break down a problem that's pretty ambiguous into smaller segments," he says.

6) General networking skills

No matter where you work in IT, you can no longer escape the network, and that has made it crucial for non-networking professionals, such as software engineers, to have some basic understanding of networking concepts, Scott says. At the very least, they should brush up on networking basics, such as TCP/IP, Ethernet and fiber optics, he says, and have a working knowledge of distributed and networked computing.

"There's an acute need for people writing applications deployed in data centers to be aware of how their applications are using the network," Scott says. "They need to understand how to take advantage of the network in their application design." For instance, to split three-tier applications among multiple machines, developers need to know how to build and coordinate that network. "People who understand basic distributed systems principles are very valuable," Scott says.

7) Network convergence technicians

With more companies implementing voice over IP, there's a growing demand for network administrators who understand all sorts of networks -- LANs, WANs, voice, the Internet -- and how they all converge together, according to Hopkins.

"When something needs to be fixed, companies don't want the network administrator to say, 'Oh, that's a phone problem,' and the phone guy to say, 'Call the networking guy,' " Hopkins says. "Our research has validated that there's a huge demand for people who've been in the phone world and understand what the IT network is, or someone managing the IT network who understands the voice network and how it converges."

8) Open-source programming

There's been an uptick in employers interested in hiring open- source talent, Ebner says. "Some people thought the sun was setting on open source, but it's coming back in a big way, both at the operating system level and in application development," he says. People with experience in Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP, collectively referred to as LAMP, will find themselves in high demand, he says.

Scott Saunders, dean of career services at DeVry University in Southern California, is seeing the same trend. "Customer dissatisfaction and security concerns are driving this phenomenon, especially in the operating system and database markets," he says.

9) Business intelligence systems

Momentum is also building around business intelligence, Ebner says, creating demand for people who are skilled in BI technologies such as Cognos, Business Objects and Hyperion, and who can apply those to the business.

"Clients are making significant investments in business intelligence," Ebner says. "But they don't need pure technicians creating scripts and queries. To be a skilled data miner, you need hard-core functional knowledge of the business you're trying to dissect." People who can do both "are some of the hottest talent in the country right now," he says.

10) Embedded security

Security professionals have been in high demand in recent years, but today, according to Schmidt, there's a surge in employers looking for security skills and certifications in all their job applicants, not just the ones for security positions.

"In virtually every job description I've seen in the last six months, there's been some use of the word security in there," he says. "Employers are asking for the ability to create a secure environment, whether the person is running the e-mail server or doing software development. It's becoming part of the job description."

This, Schmidt says, mirrors the trend toward integrating security into companies' day-to-day operations rather than considering it an add-on role performed by a specialist. Companies will still need security specialists and subject-matter experts, Schmidt says, but more and more, every IT person a company hires will have to have an understanding of the security ramifications of his area.

Hopkins echoes that sentiment. "Every single certification we do now has an element of security built in," he says. "We keep getting feedback from the market researchers that security touches everything and everyone. Even an entry-level technician better understand security."

Saunders says DeVry University has responded to this demand by adding a security curriculum to some of its campuses throughout the U.S. "Companies are increasingly interested in protecting their assets against cyberterrorism and internal threats," he says.

11) Digital home technology integration

Homes are increasingly becoming high-tech havens, and there has been enormous growth in the home video and audio markets, and in home security and automated lighting systems. But who installs these systems, and who fixes them when something goes wrong?

To answer that question, CompTIA developed a certification in cooperation with the Consumer Electronics Association, called Digital Home Technology Integrator. "It's the hottest and most vibrant market we've seen in a long time," Hopkins says.

12) .Net, C #, C ++, Java -- with an edge

Recruiters and curriculum developers are seeing job orders come in for a range of application frameworks and languages, including ASP.Net, VB.net, XML, PHP, Java, C#, and C++, but according to Gordon, employers want more than just a coder. "Rarely do they want people buried behind the computer who aren't part of a team," he says. "They want someone with Java who can also be a team lead or a project coordinator."

2007-06-09T11:38:00.001-04:00

Look at the cool downloads of VHDs for trial ....

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/try/vhd/default.mspx

2007-06-02T10:03:00.001-04:00

Alex discovered this utility on PC World. Is a system information on steroids. Some very interesting information and a worthwhile tool. Also will run from USB, BartPE, and does not require install. : )

http://www.gtopala.com/

2007-05-21T06:26:00.001-04:00

DIGITAL TELEVISION (DTV) Tomorrow's TV Today!

http://www.dtv.gov/

------------------------------

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the recipient(s) and may contain privileged information. Tampering with
or altering the contents of this message is prohibited. This information
is the same as any written document and may be subject to all rules
governing public information according to Florida Statutes. Any message
that falls under Chapter 119 shall not be altered in a manner that
misrepresents the activities of Orange County Public Schools.
[References: Florida State Constitution I.24, Florida State Statutes
Chapter 119, and OCPS Management Directive A-9.] If you have received
this message in error, or are not the named recipient notify the sender
and delete this message from your computer.

2007-05-19T10:05:00.001-04:00


•	Vista Selling Points
•	Vista Shortcomings
•	Vista Channel Pros & Cons
•	Slide Show: Top 10 Improvements: Vista Vs. XP
•	Slide Show: Hot New Products For Vista
•	Slide Show: Vista Rollout: Not So Fast

2007-05-05T12:44:00.001-04:00

students a chance to win a scholarship of up to $5,000

As an IT instructor, you are already helping your students work toward a future career in IT. Now, CompTIA is offering them a way to further their successes with a scholarship just for them. To celebrate our 25th Anniversary, CompTIA is offering eligible students a chance to win a scholarship of up to $5,000 to use toward their IT education. Have your students write an essay on the following topic and they could win!

Essay Topic

In November 1985, Microsoft® Windows® version 1.0 was released. It changed forever the way we use computers. In 2001, Apple launched iPod®, revolutionizing the worlds of music and entertainment. The coolest new technology of the next 25 years will be …

Follow this link for full contest details and rules. The deadline for entries is May 15, 2007.

Contact scholarships@comptia.org with any questions.

2007-04-28T19:11:00.001-04:00

Creating a Winning Cover Letter

A cover letter serves two important functions, says recruiter Emy Unger. It introduces and sells you. Putting your best foot forward means sending a thoughtful, distinct letter. Here are nine tips for creating a winning cover letter:

1. Keep it short.

2. State the position.

3. Explain why you want the job.

4. Clearly describe ways you will contribute.

5. Match, but don't reiterate, your resume.

6. Don't say you're not qualified.

7. Keep your tone and content professional.

8. Tell the reader what you're going to do next.

9. Proofread.

2007-04-28T17:09:00.001-04:00

http://channel9.msdn.com/Showpost.aspx?postid=292774

2007-04-16T06:59:00.001-04:00


	Career Connection

For this issue, Cisco interviewed Maureen LaLonde, Business HR Director for firedog, a division of Circuit City.

Cisco: Maureen, thanks for taking the time to meet with us. I think everyone has heard of Circuit City, but firedog sounds new. Please tell Cisco Networking Academy alumni about it.

firedog: We launched our firedog brand in the fall of 2006 to provide a new level of personal computer services, home theater installations and integration of home electronics. Circuit City has offered home theater installations and PC services for a few years, but with firedog, we expanded and refined our offerings, and brought them under a single brand umbrella to make it easier for consumers to get the help they need.

firedog technicians receive extensive training to install, repair, or optimize consumer technology products. firedog in-store and in-home PC services are available through Circuit City's more than 600 Superstores across the United States. Home-theater installations are available within 25 miles of Circuit City locations. In addition, consumers throughout North America with High-Speed Internet connections can access the firedog remote technical assistance for PCs through www.firedog.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week. firedog also operates a toll-free telephone, 1 800 FIRE-DOG (1 800 347-3364)

Consumers are demanding these kinds of services. We believe that in the year 2010, American consumers will spend about 20 billion dollars for services, and we expect
firedog to be a significant player in the field.

Cisco: That sounds like some great opportunities for Cisco Networking Academy students and alumni. What types of positions might be available to candidates who are looking for networking/IT employment within your company?

firedog: There are significant opportunities for students of this caliber. We are looking for candidates that understand both the typical IT infrastructure and how that works with all the new innovative residential technology that is and will be introduced in homes over the next few years. It will take people with a specific skill-set to put it all together and we believe that the Cisco Networking Academy students would be a perfect fit for this role.

There are multiple learning and growth opportunities for our associates. They include not only Circuit City developed training, but outside certification courses from such names as Microsoft Learning and Apple. We’re also looking at other services we might roll out to meet consumer needs in the future. The potential for a new associate today is really limited only by his or her ambition.

Circuit City and firedog associates who have a desire to learn and apply themselves could be presented a variety of store management opportunities. Circuit City also has an education assistance program for qualified associates. In short, this is a great time to be part of the Circuit City and firedog team.

Cisco: How might candidates best prepare for a networking/IT or sales position at your company?

firedog: Many of the elements in the Cisco Networking Academy provide students with a solid foundation in the IT field. We believe that there are other facets to this puzzle that will aide them in being “well-rounded” in this field. Understanding how audio/video technology and home networking work together is a definite plus. In addition, new technology specifically designed for the home is emerging each month. Staying informed about how these operate and the technology behind their functionality is also a plus.

Cisco: What advice can you give Cisco Networking Academy candidates about the job-search process in general?

firedog: We are looking for individuals who are ready and excited to be part of this growing service business. At Circuit City, we believe it’s all about providing assistance. Our compass has four points that guide us in our actions; treat me like I matter, guide and support me, make it easy for me, and excite and inspire me.

Our culture is based on creating an environment where all associates are actively engaged, fully involved, and enthusiastic about their work and where they can utilize their strengths everyday. If this sounds exciting to your students and alumni, we’d love to talk to them.

In addition to technical skills, our associates need to have a passion for providing an exceptional customer experience. They should enjoy helping customers get the full benefits of their home theaters, computers, sound systems, and other electronics.

Our mission is to enhance the full potential of our customers’ digital lives through helpful, friendly, reliable experts who have a passion to serve.

Cisco: How would a candidate learn more and apply?

firedog: Anyone interested in learning more about Circuit City and the opportunities with firedog can visit firedog.com or circuitcity.com. There is a career link on both sites that will connect you to the application.

Additionally, they can call one of our firedog recruiters and speak with them directly about career opportunities. Dan Marrs handles the western half of the United States and can be reached at dan_marrs@circuitcity.com or by phone at 801-380-6661. Chris Thomas handles the eastern half of the United States and can be reached at chris_thomas@circuitcity.com or by phone at 804-263-5895.

2007-04-14T15:53:00.001-04:00

Planning Your Career/Landing the Job

Choosing a Career Path (multiple articles)

12 Essential Skills for New Grads

10 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Interviews

The Eight Worst Questions to Ask in an Interview

Crazy Resumes and Lasting Impressions

The Best Ways to Blow an Interview

Working with Nonprofilts: Advantages and Drawbacks

Getting the Most from IT Placement Agencies

2007-04-14T10:24:00.001-04:00

Acing Your Tech Interview

You might think technical-job interviews are no different from interviews for non-tech jobs, but in fact, they’re special situations with unique potential pitfalls. The three tips that follow will help you better prepare for them.

1. Be prepared to prove yourself.
Your resume will be examined from top to bottom, taken apart and put back together. Make sure you know what’s on it, and make sure you’re telling the truth. Edith, a business analyst at a technology-consulting firm, says “It may be tempting to load up your resume with experience you wish you had, but as soon as the interviewer asks you for more information, you’ve blown it.”

David, a systems administrator, is adamant that the biggest mistake you can make in a technical interview is to try to fake your way through it. “If you don’t know something, don’t BS about it.” And Johanna, a recruiter, warns that interviewers may even ask you questions that are impossible to answer, just to see if you’ll admit what you don’t know.

The best way to prepare is to review your resume and practice expounding on each and every part of it. If you say you know Java, can you prove it? If you say you have network administration experience, can you talk an interviewer through the process of setting up a mailbox and giving multiple users access to it? Be prepared to answer questions about how to build a particular application or tackle a specific problem.

The questions themselves, of course, depend on the specific position. But you can be sure that your interviewer won’t just take your resume at face value.

2. Watch your attitude.
Perhaps the worst mistake you can make in a tech interview (besides lying or trying to convince an interviewer that you know more than you really do) is to be arrogant. Techies often get a bad rap for lacking social skills, particularly when they’re dealing with non-techies. Be confident, yes, but don’t try to talk over your interviewer’s head and don’t be condescending. “You should come across as knowledgeable, relaxed, and sure of yourself—never arrogant,” says David, the systems administrator.

Don’t be careless in your dress, either. The rule of thumb for dressing for any interview—wear a conservative version of what you’d wear for the job one level above the one you’re seeking—applies to tech jobs, too. Sure, you might wear sweatpants and pocket T-shirts once you’ve got the job, but the interview is not the time to be casual. Emy, a dot com recruiter, says “It’s not necessary for a man to wear a tie or for a woman to wear a suit, but it sure does impress me.”

3. Ask well-informed questions.
At the end of each interview, when the interviewer says, “Well, that’s about it. Do you have any questions?” don’t say no. (That’s a good rule of thumb for any interview, not just for tech jobs.) But make sure that you ask questions that show you understand the business, not just the technology.

Johanna, the recruiter, says “Show you’re not only interested in money, but in what the position has to offer. Ask questions such as ‘What new markets does this company intend to go after, now that you’ve conquered this market? Looking to the future, how do you see me fitting into the company?’ Make a big deal out of the big picture. Don’t be too narrowly focused.”

It’s also a good idea to ask to meet people in other departments. Talk to members of the company’s marketing or business-development teams to find out how they represent the company to potential clients. You’ll show that you’re interested in learning how the entire company functions and that you’re not planning to hole yourself up in the server room all day.

Author Bio
Jennifer Rae Atkins is a former WetFeet editor

2007-04-09T06:19:00.001-04:00

Mark Russinovich: From Winternals to Microsoft, On Windows Security, Windows CoreArch

http://channel9.msdn.com/Showpost.aspx?postid=294410

2007-03-27T06:48:00.001-04:00

http://channel9.msdn.com/Showpost.aspx?postid=291308

Great video on Vista Networking!

2007-03-14T07:56:00.001-04:00

How to Stay Graceful in a Stress Interview

Most commonly used in investment banking, stress interviewing is the deliberate creation of an uncomfortable situation in order to test how the candidate reacts to pressure.

The ethics of this kind of interviewing are questionable, and it is far from certain that the stress created is similar to what would occur on the job. However, it's also true that one person's stress situation is another person's fair, if tough, question.

Common Examples of Stress-Creating Techniques

The interviewer doesn't say anything for the first five or ten minutes of the interview.

The interviewer is reading the paper when the candidate comes into the room.

The interviewer asks a tough question right off the bat, without even introducing himself.

The interviewer challenges your answer by disagreeing with you.

The interviewer pauses for a long time after listening to your response.

The interviewer ridicules your background.

The interviewer takes you into a department meeting with no introduction.

The interviewer is deliberately very late, then keeps looking at his or her watch.

The interviewer pretends to fall asleep.

How to Handle Such a Situation—if You Still Want the Job
If the interviewer ignores you when you walk in the room, just dive in with something like, "I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and tell you why I think I'm the right person for this job." After a long pause, you might say, "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear." Then explain your previous response.

If the manager ridicules your background, you could say, "Perhaps you expected different qualifications, but these have served me well so far and I intend to continue to build on them."

If the manager thrusts you into a department meeting without an introduction, just introduce yourself and ask the other people for their names, then explain that you are happy to meet them and learn more about the department.

If the interviewer pretends to fall asleep, write a note saying, "I enjoyed meeting you," put it in front of the interviewer, and rise to leave. Chances are, you'll get the interviewer's full attention.

The important thing, if you're unfortunate enough to encounter this form of interviewing, is to keep your cool, maintain your dignity, and find a way to use the situation to your advantage.

Lowell Vanderpool

Instructor

Winter Park Tech

901 Webster Ave

Winter Park, FL 32789

407-622-2936

www.wpt.ocps.net

http://itwpt.blogspot.com/

2007-03-12T14:47:00.001-04:00

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE !! ü *Computer Systems Technology* ü *Medical Assisting* ü *Medical Coder/Biller*

« Please forward this to anyone in your organization who may know someone who could benefit from this amazing opportunity!
The Succeed Florida Grant scholarship is a *renewable* scholarship awarded for academic excellence. The student may demonstrate academic excellence through an academic transcript or through TABE test scores.
*PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING:* The applicant is required to attend a program orientation (group or one-on-one orientation) to learn about the program design and instructor expectations. The applicant will submit the completed Succeed Florida Grant Scholarship Application packet to a Winter Park Tech counselor. The Succeed Florida Grant Scholarship application packet will include: Application form (1 page) Official high school/college transcript that shows an overall 3.0 GPA or higher OR a copy of the applicant’s TABE scores of 11.0 or higher (on program appropriate TABE test) in reading, language, and mathematics Applicant’s written explanation of his/her career goals and how this scholarship would help reach those goals. A final interview is required with the program administrator and program instructor to complete the application process. Application deadline: April 1, 2007.
For more information about scholarships or online components, call 407.622.2904 or email jonese@ocps.net

2007-03-11T07:42:00.001-04:00

Intel says goodbye to Silicon Dioxide in new 45 nanometer fab:

http://www.podtech.net/scobleshow/technology/1329/intel-says-goodbye-to-silicon-dioxide-in-new-45-nanometer-fab

2007-03-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

Bill Gates’ Feb Keynote speech on Office 2007, Vista, and Exchange 2007

http://www.microsoft.com/Business/launch2007/weblaunch.mspx

2007-02-28T07:40:00.001-05:00

Thank You Letters—How to Do Them Right

Dear Frank,

What's the general etiquette on "thank you" letters after first-round interviews? E-mail okay? Do they have to be snail mailed? How should they be tailored? I don't know the first thing about them, and I have interviews coming up!

—WJP

Dear WJP:

I'm all for "thank you" letters. Sending them shows you're thoughtful, shows you're detail oriented, and shows you care. They give you a chance to say: "Here I am and, by gosh, I'm interested in the job we discussed—and by the way, thanks for talking to me about it!"

However, as in every business agreement, there are caveats: If you misspell words, you'll sink your chances of landing the job. If you say the same thing to everybody you talked to, chances are they're going to find out—and that won't impress your hiring manager the way an individualized letter will.

You should also know that hiring managers in different industries have different expectations regarding "thank you" letters. Many investment-banking recruiters say they don't like them: "thank you" letters do more harm than good, overall, because of snafus like those above. In I-banking, we've heard recruiters say, too, that they've made their decision before a "thank you" letter arrives—so it does no good.

Still, I recommend sending them. I also recommend proofreading them three or four times, having a friend proofread them three or four times, and then proofreading them again.

Should you e-mail or snail mail your thank you? That depends. If it's a tech company, you should e-mail it. No matter what type of company it is, if they're going to make the decision overnight, right after your interview, then you should probably e-mail it, too.

But let me ask you a question, WJP: when was the last time you received a "thank you" letter in the mail? How did it make you feel? If it was sincere, printed neatly, and on a nice card, I bet it made you feel good. And if a recruiter received a "thank you" of that type, you can be sure it's going to make him or her feel good, too. Even if you're dinged from the job, they're likely to remember you as a thoughtful applicant. And who knows when your paths will cross again?

2007-02-24T08:33:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the Windows Home Server page on Microsoft Connect – Microsoft’s community destination for downloading beta products.

Thank you for your interest in Windows Home Server. Our goal is to provide availability of Windows Home Server Beta 2 to as many eligible people as possible.

Who is an ideal candidate to participate in the Windows Home Server Beta 2 program (English-only version)?

People with:

·Two or more PCs

·A broadband connection and router

·A spare PC or server that can be dedicated to Windows Home Server software

We will contact qualified participants as we expand the Windows Home Server Beta 2 program and will provide instructions about how to participate. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to invite all candidates.

If you feel you meet the criteria listed above, please fill out this survey:

Windows Home Server Beta 2 Public Survey

2007-02-11T07:54:00.001-05:00

Windows Vista virtualization licensing terms

By Serdar Yegulalp

When Windows XP was introduced in 2001, there were (as far as I know) no explicit provisions in its licensing agreement that covered how the operating system (OS) could be used in a virtual machine (VM). In the time since XP was rolled out, however, virtual machines have gone from being exotica to almost commonplace. To that end, Microsoft decided it was also high time to add provisions into the EULA (end-user licensing agreement) for the next version of Windows -- namely, Windows Vista -- that would explicitly address how the OS could be used in virtual machines.

The resulting license restrictions have confused a great many people, largely because they seem to blatantly contradict each other in various ways! Fortunately, ZDNet's Ed Bott was one of the few people to step up to the plate, talk with Microsoft directly (through Director Scott Woodgate) and get a number of answers about how Vista's licensing deals with virtualization. I owe Bott a massive debt for his hard work, which helped me put together this tip.

Because the whole issue is a little tangled, it's hard to say where to start, so I will begin from the bottom of the Vista SKU lineup and work my way upwards.

Vista Home: Don't virtualize
Let's start with Vista Home. If you buy retail or OEM copies of Windows Vista Home-either Home Basic or Home Premium-the licensing agreements don't allow them to be run inside virtual machines, period. From what I can tell there is nothing within the OS's setup routines that will explicitly prohibit this from happening-it's just not allowed within the terms of the license.

Why do this? The restriction is probably because Vista Home's price point is not intended to encompass a feature like virtualization. In other words, it's been deliberately omitted for the same reason as many of the more advanced Vista features, like the full-system backup and restore feature that's only available in the Business or Ultimate SKUs.

There is, however, a broad exception to this rule-which I'll cover later in this article, because it deserves its own specific discussion.

Vista Business / Vista Ultimate
Both Vista Business and Vista Ultimate, in both their retail and OEM versions, can be run in virtual machines. However, there are restrictions.

1. Each distinct copy of Vista that is run in a VM must have its own license. A virtual-machine installation is treated as a separate device, which in turn requires a separate license.

2. Virtual machines cannot be copied. You can move a virtual machine to another PC, but you cannot duplicate a VM to another machine.

3. OEM copies of Vista that are run in VMs cannot be copied or moved to another machine. They are licensed only to run on the same physical device as the host OS, as per the general restrictions for OEM copies of Windows.

This last restriction about OEM copies of Vista is one of the blurrier provisions in the licensing. One would think that a VM itself counts as a device, but evidently Microsoft doesn't see it that way: the "device" that the OEM copy is licensed to is the host PC and not a virtual machine.

Vista and MSDN
If all of the above sounds a bit bleak, there is one perfectly legitimate way you can get around many of these restrictions. You'll notice that this whole time I've been emphasizing that these restrictions are for retail and OEM copies of Vista. But what about copies of Vista that you've obtained through an MSDN subscription?

This is where things get interesting, because MSDN subscribers have a great deal more freedom with Vista in VMs-more freedom than just about anyone else. Here's what you can do with Vista if you have an MSDN subscription:

1. All editions of Vista that you can obtain through MSDN-from Home up through Ultimate-can be installed in a virtual machine.

2. You can move or copy VMs created with the MSDN editions of Vista to other machines.
However, you're only allowed to use the VMs in question for internal testing and development, as per the MSDN licensing agreement itself.

3. The last provison falls in line with how MSDN editions of an operating system can't be used to build a system for retail sale or public use. You can't host a publicly-accessible Web server with an MSDN copy of Windows Server 2003, so you should only be able to use VMs made from MSDN licenses for internal use as well.

Conclusions
The way Vista licensing works for VMs should make it clear what's to be done if you need to work aggressively with Vista in virtualization: get an MSDN subscription and use that, as long as the virtual machines in question are being used for testing and development and are not production systems. Each subscription will give you up to ten Vista machine activation licenses to work with, and you won't have to worry about violating some provision of the agreement. You can then purchase full licenses for Vista seats once you've determined how suitable they are outside of testing.

2007-02-02T20:48:00.001-05:00

Online training

•	Installing Windows Vista on a new PC
•	Moving to Windows Vista
•	Working with Windows Vista

2007-02-02T20:15:00.000-05:00

In case someone needs, here is the direct link to download Sysinternals Suite that you have mentioned

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/sysinternalssuite.mspx

2007-01-21T19:22:00.000-05:00

Check out one site for CES show info

http://microsoftatces.com/Default.aspx

2006-12-19T10:27:00.000-05:00

New on TechNet: Windows Sysinternals TechCenter

The Sysinternals TechCenter provides you with advanced utilities and technical information related to Windows internals that you won't find anywhere else. These tools are used by IT pros and developers for detailed troubleshooting and analysis of Windows software.

2006-12-19T09:57:00.000-05:00

An IT Pro's View of the 2007 Microsoft Office System

Find the tools and information you need to quickly and successfully deploy the 2007 Microsoft Office system. Look into the new components related to enterprise content management, enterprise project management, collaboration, and business intelligence, and learn about common deployment and integration scenarios.

2006-12-02T09:04:00.000-05:00

Ten Mistakes Keeping You From Getting an Interview

By Katherine Spencer Lee

You've sent out plenty of resumes, but you have had no luck landing interviews. You feel you have a desirable skill set and should be in high demand. Why aren't employers calling? Consider these 10 mistakes job seekers frequently make, which might be preventing you from getting an interview:

1. Sending a sloppy resume. Many job applicants feel their qualifications should speak for themselves and that a resume's appearance shouldn't matter. However, hiring managers see a messy resume as an indication the candidate lacks professionalism and attention to detail. If you haven't carefully proofread your resume for typos, grammatical mistakes and formatting problems, it might land in the "circular file."

2. Not customizing your job-search materials. Sending out the same cover letter and resume to all companies isn't likely to capture the attention of prospective employers. Take the time to research employers and customize your job-search materials by explaining why you're interested in a particular position and how you could make a contribution to the company. For example, you might note in your cover letter, "My experience working for rapidly expanding, small organizations and managing related IT needs would be valuable as your firm moves into new markets across the state."

3. Sharing too much/too little information. You might be including too much information if your resume is longer than two pages and you're not applying for an executive-level position. So avoid going into too much detail about jobs held very early in your career or that do not directly relate to the job for which you are applying. Conversely, if the descriptions of your most recent positions are brief and vague (e.g., "managed the corporate network" and "used Windows XP"), you aren't disclosing enough. Your goal is to give employers a clear idea of your skill set and what you have accomplished.

4. Appearing too arrogant. Even if you feel you are so knowledgeable about .NET development that you "practically invented .NET," never say so on your job-search materials. Everyone has room for improvement, and overconfidence can be seen as a liability.

5. Focusing on your needs over the company's needs. Yes, you are looking for a position that suits your preferences and interests. Hiring managers, however, want to know what you can do for the firm. Instead of saying, "I seek an employer that will allow me to work with Linux-based systems," for example, try, "My strong expertise with Linux-based systems would be an asset to your organization."

6. Failing to leverage your network. All your connections - both business and personal - can be a valuable resource during a job search. When seeking a new position, spread the word. You never know who might be able to help you.

7. Focusing on the Googles of the world. Many job seekers make the mistake of limiting their applications to firms with names they recognize such as industry leaders or companies ranked as excellent employers. While you shouldn't overlook these organizations, make sure you're also considering smaller and less well-known businesses. They might offer just what you're seeking, including plenty of responsibility, advancement opportunities and a positive corporate culture.

8. Not following instructions. Always adhere to special requests from employers. If the job advertisement says the company wants candidates to submit a hard-copy resume, for instance, don't challenge it. Sending your application via e-mail instead is likely to put you out of the running immediately.

9. Relying exclusively on online job ads. While you might find some opportunities through online job postings, you are limiting your search if this is your sole method. Networking, attending association meetings and contacting recruiters are just a few additional ways of uncovering job leads and potentially gaining interviews.

10. Failing to follow up. Finally, remember that once you send out your cover letter and resume, your work isn't done. Sometimes a simple follow-up phone call or e-mail to a prospective employer can be all it takes to stand out from the competition. Often it's the small actions - such as fixing a typo or broadening your search - that can make all the difference. With the right approach, interview requests will come more frequently.

2006-11-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

Resumes & Cover Letters
WetFeet Insider subscribers can look at a variety of sample cover letters and resumes—representing a variety of levels of experience and goals—to help you get started.
Check out this new website feature.

2006-11-16T08:22:00.000-05:00

Introducing the New CCNA Curricula

The Cisco Networking Academy Program is pleased to announce the next generation of the CCNA curricula. These new curricula have been designed to address a changing marketplace and respond to input from administrators, instructors, and students.

At a high level, the two new curricula will allow instructors to more easily and effectively teach CCNA concepts to students at different skill levels, which can improve both student and instructor satisfaction. We are currently identifying the curricula as CCNA-A, for advanced learning; and CCNA-B, for foundational learning. The official names will be announced when the curricula become available.

Two New CCNA Curricula
CCNA-A offers students in-depth theory, challenging labs, and information about protocol operation. It prepares students for successful careers as IT professionals in small-to-medium businesses as well as enterprise and service provider environments. CCNA-A is designed to be part of an integrated curriculum or continuing education program at postsecondary institutions; typically career and technical schools, colleges, and universities. CCNA-A is for students with advanced problem solving and analytical skills, such as students who are pursuing degrees in engineering, math, or science.

CCNA-B provides a hands-on approach to learning networking. It uses easy-to-follow labs to help students learn the general theory needed to build networks. CCNA-B allows for quick application of learned concepts, to encourage students to consider further education in IT, and teaches applied skills midway through the four-course series to help prepare students for entry-level IT careers. CCNA-B is designed to be delivered as an independent curriculum or possibly integrated into a broader course of study at upper-secondary institutions such as career and technical schools and colleges. It is for students with basic PC usage skills.

Both CCNA-A and CCNA-B prepare students for the CCNA certification, but in different ways. By using different methodologies to teach different types of students, we can help ensure student success in learning the content. New features in both of the next-generation curricula include embedded “e-Doing,” which uses the capabilities of a computer to provide guidance and opportunities for exploration and experimentation; enhanced instructional features; and an updated graphical user interface (GUI). In addition, they allow for more efficient translation to support Cisco's commitment to delivering the curricula in multiple languages.

Key Features of CCNA-A:

Designed for students with advanced problem solving and analytical skills, such as those who are pursuing degrees in engineering, math, or science
Can be part of an integrated curriculum or continuing education program at postsecondary institutions, such as career and technical schools, colleges and universities
Includes highly complex and challenging hands-on labs
Presents an integrated and comprehensive coverage of networking topics, from fundamentals to advanced applications and services

Key Features of CCNA-B:

Designed for students with basic reading, math, and PC usage skills
Can be delivered as an independent curriculum or integrated into broader course studies at upper-secondary institutions, career and technical schools, and colleges
Offers a hands-on, career-oriented approach to learning networking that emphasizes practical experience
Maps directly to everyday experiences with networks and covers important concepts based on the types of practical network environments students may encounter; ranging from small office and home office (SOHO) networking to more complex enterprise and theoretical networking models covered later in the curriculum

Availability
The English versions of CCNA-A courses 1 and 2 and CCNA-B courses 1 and 2 will be available in the June-August 2007 timeframe. The English versions of CCNA-A courses 3 and 4 and CCNA-B courses 3 and 4 will be available in the November-December 2007 timeframe. The current CCNA curriculum will continue to be made available for as long as it aligns with customer needs and certification requirements.

Cisco is committed to translating the new CCNA curricula into other languages. Information about the translations that will be performed directly by Cisco will be announced in the June-August 2007 timeframe.

On-Going Communication Process
Cisco is continually revising the Networking Academy program curricula to improve teaching and better align with student interests and goals. We want to keep you informed of impending changes as early as possible to assist with planning and migration.

Since the new CCNA-A and CCNA-B curricula are being announced so far in advance, we are still finalizing some of the product details, which is why some questions may not be answered in the materials we’re providing now. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

2006-11-15T15:31:00.000-05:00

Learn about powerful security enhancements in Windows Vista

Find out how new features and technologies in Windows Vista make it the most secure, reliable operating system ever developed by Microsoft. Plus, read an open letter from a Microsoft executive clarifying how some of the new security features work.

2006-11-15T15:30:00.000-05:00

Free spyware protection: Get Windows Defender

Are you looking for ways to protect your computer against spyware and other unwanted software? Download Windows Defender. This free program from Microsoft is automatically updated to help

2006-11-10T05:42:00.000-05:00

What Your Body Language Tells Interviewers

During a job interview, your body language can say even more than your words. Many interviewers can read the subtleties of body language, and even those who can’t will experience subconscious reactions to the clues you give off with your gestures and facial expressions. Let’s follow two job seekers through their interviews to see the difference body language can make.

Interview One: Allyson
Allyson enters the interview room and the interviewer offers her his hand. Allyson limply accepts the handshake, causing him to think she lacks confidence. She sits down before he does—which he finds rude—and crosses her arms, suggesting that she’s defensive and closed off.

She’s heard that it’s good to make eye contact with an interviewer, so she constantly looks at him—stares him down—which only makes him feel threatened. Sometimes she looks down, not making eye contact at all, which makes him think she lacks confidence or is being deceptive.

While she talks, Allyson twists a ring around on her finger, a nervous gesture. She also taps her feet and runs her tongue along her teeth. Listening to her, the interviewer begins to lean back in his chair. Allyson doesn’t realize that this signifies that he’s uncomfortable with the situation. She slouches in her chair, demonstrating a lack of self-assurance and interest in the job.

At the end of the interview, Allyson slinks out of the room with her shoulders slumped. The interviewer notices. He sighs, sits down, puts Allyson’s resume in the “no” pile, and calls in his next candidate.

Interview Two: Michelle
Michelle comes in and greets the interviewer with a warm smile and an extended hand. He immediately sees that she’s confident, friendly, and enthusiastic. Her handshake is firm, without being bone-crushing, another gesture that impresses the recruiter. He offers her a seat, and she sits down.

While they talk, Michelle sits up straight, leaning forward slightly. Her good posture shows that she’s alert and leaning forward demonstrates her interest in the conversation. When she’s not gesturing with her hands (exhibiting that she’s genuinely involved in the interview), her hands rest on her lap, palms open, which lends her an air of approachability.

Michelle makes eye contact with the interviewer, but she breaks her gaze occasionally, because she knows that many people naturally look away when they’re talking.

When the interviewer talks, Michelle nods attentively. He smiles at her and tells a few jokes. Michelle knows enough about body language to realize that this means he’s friendly and comfortable with the situation. When appropriate, she subtly tries to mirror her interviewer’s gestures—smiling and leaning back when he does. This allows him to feel a subconscious sense of bonding with her.

At the end of the interview, the interviewer again shakes Michelle’s hand, and they smile at each other. She walks away confidently—head up, shoulders squared—and he happily puts her resume in the “definitely” pile.

What’s the Difference?
How can you learn to be more like Michelle and less like Allyson? Start by becoming aware of the signals you’re sending. Next, work to replace your negative gestures with positive ones. Once you’ve begun to habitually project positive body language, you’ll find that you’re exuding enthusiasm, confidence, and interest in your interviews, and you’ll be on your way to a new job.

Body Language Glossary
Here are some examples of body language cues and their possible interpretations.

Crossed arms – closed off or defensive

Fidgeting, running tongue along teeth, playing with hair or jewelry, or tapping feet – nervous or bored

Lack of eye contact or, conversely, staring too intently without breaking a gaze – untrustworthy

Leaning back – uncomfortable

Clasping hands behind the head while leaning back – looking to gain power

Leaning forward – interested in the conversation

Smiling or attempting to be humorous – friendly

Eye contact with occasional, natural breaks in the stare – focused and curious

Nodding while listening – attentive and alert

Open palms – approachable and trusting

Gesturing with hands while talking – genuinely involved in the conversation

Author Bio
Jennifer Rae Atkins is a former WetFeet editor.

2006-10-12T20:07:00.000-04:00

Subject: Intel and Microsoft Show

October 26 Intel and Microsoft are introducing Windows Vista and the Intel Core 2 CPU. The show is at the Hyatt Regency Airport.

There is a cost for this show...$19.95 includes breakfast and lunch.

If you want to attend go to www.IntelMicrosoftR2R.com and register.

2006-10-08T20:35:00.001-04:00

Windows Vista: Now available for test drive

Did you miss the last opportunity to try Windows Vista? Now is your chance. If you're tech-savvy and comfortable running beta software, we invite you to try Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1), the latest pre-release version of Windows Vista.

Get ready for Windows Vista
Tips to prepare for an upgrade to Windows Vista
Explore the features of Windows Vista
Learn about security, gaming, and Windows Sidebar from the Windows Vista community
See what more you can experience with Windows Vista

2006-10-08T20:35:00.000-04:00

Listen to Microsoft webcast and media content whenever and wherever you want. You can stream or download these audio podcasts on your favorite podcast software or mobile device, and quickly and easily access content with RSS feeds. Microsoft podcasts are free and do not require registration—just click and listen.

Podcasts are listed below by product or topic, and each category has its own RSS feed ( ). Click the webcast title to learn more about the content and to also register to view the webcast online, download a WMV, and download the webcast PowerPoint. To access only the podcast, choose either the WMA or MP3 link, and right click and ‘save target as’ to download.

On This Page:
Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Active Directory
Scripting

2006-09-24T09:35:00.000-04:00

High Definition Audio in Windows Vista

http://channel9.msdn.com/Showpost.aspx?postid=215212

2006-09-24T09:29:00.000-04:00

Take a look at: Microsoft Forefront Client Security

http://www.microsoft.com/forefront/clientsecurity/default.mspx

2006-09-24T09:24:00.000-04:00

Get Started with a pro understanding of Vista:

Start with the updated Windows Vista Step-by-Step Guides for IT Professionals, which include instructions for deploying or migrating to Windows Vista. Likewise, for 2007 Microsoft Office, there is a wealth of "getting-started" and deeper information in the TechNet Beta Central Office Resource Page.

On the security front, one thing that may not immediately jump out at you when evaluating Windows Vista RC1 is that the BitLocker drive encryption feature in Windows Vista RC1 features a simplified user interface, making it easier to setup BitLocker on TPM 1.2-enabled hardware, while still offering command-line tools and scripting to access the functionality. For more on security for Windows Vista, check out the Pre-Release Review Program for the Windows Vista Security Guide.

And for manageability, did you know that Windows Vista includes built-in diagnostics that can automatically detect and diagnose common support problems and then help users resolve the problems themselves? Or that the event-logging infrastructure has been improved with a rewritten Event Viewer that you can use to create custom views, to easily associate events with tasks, and to view logs remotely from other computers? The Windows Vista Resource Page is a great place to dive deeper on these and other Windows Vista topics.

2006-09-16T17:27:00.000-04:00

Students:

Vista RC1 is now on your computers. It is in a virtual machine, if unsure how to launch it see your instructor. “Thanks” to Taylor who labored over the install. It does have a number of “eye-candy” features turned off for performance reasons. You can turn them back on just be forewarned.

This implementation of VPC is done by using a differencing disk. The parent hard drive is on the server read-only, you are using a disk on the local client to use the operating system. We are very interested in how many users can access the same network HD at the same time and how it impacts performance.

The boot time is LOOOOOONG so be patient. Use the save state when done, allows for faster access to the VPC and quicker shutdown.

2006-09-16T10:46:00.000-04:00

Help friends and family secure their PCs without leaving your desk

Use an instant messaging session to scan a remote computer instead of making a desk-side visit or trying to diagnose a problem over the phone. You can with Windows Live Messenger and the Windows Live safety scanner.

2006-09-16T10:40:00.000-04:00

BrowserShield: Helping Make the Web Safe for Surfers

BrowserShield, a research project from Microsoft Research's Redmond lab, offers significant advances in collaring the malevolent forces that haunt the World Wide Web. Work on BrowserShield began in the spring of 2005, and the current project tackles the challenge of cleansing the dynamic content of a Web page (such as embedded JavaScript code) through script rewriting and vulnerability-driven filtering. Learn why the cliché "the best offense is a good defense" rings true with BrowserShield.

2006-09-14T17:46:00.000-04:00

IT Essentials I Update Planned

Cisco is pleased to announce the development of an updated IT Essentials I: PC Hardware and Software course that will provide access to the knowledge and skills necessary for computer technicians and entry-level IT workers.

The new curriculum, which will be available in June 2007, will align with the new CompTIA A+ certification (http://www.comptia.org/)

IT Essentials I v4.0 will have improved content flow and will be approved by CompTIA as a “CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum.”

Course Design

IT Essentials I v4.0 will be a single course divided into two parts. The first part of the course will cover core competencies in the latest hardware and software technologies, including a greater emphasis on information security skills, safety and environmental issues, and soft skills. This first part will align with the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam required for all A+ candidates.

The second part of the course will be more hands-on and lab-based and will cover all three CompTIA job environment certification exams: IT technician (602), remote support technician (603), and bench technician (604). Instructors will have the flexibility to teach the course based on any or all of the certification exams.

2006-09-14T08:10:00.000-04:00

Take a look at Intel’s flash presentation on virtualization

http://www.intelvt.com/flash/

2006-09-14T08:08:00.000-04:00

WiMAX Deployment Slated for Milton Keynes, Fla.

Sep 05, 2006 News Release

A trial WiMAX network in Milton Keynes, Fla., will be developed and deployed by Airspan Networks Inc., and Pipex Wireless. Base station equipment and subscriber terminals will be provided by Airspan, and Ericsson will build and operate the radio network and required roof-top infrastructure.

The trial has been designed and planned in close cooperation with Milton Keynes Council, which already has an existing broadband supply relationship with Pipex. Trial base stations will be sited in areas of the town to evaluate WiMAX product propositions to both business and residential customers and to provide coverage where DSL broadband provision is currently limited or unavailable.

The trial will commence in December 2006 and continue for six months. If successful, it will be extended to provide wider coverage across Milton Keynes.

Pipex Wireless will initially deploy five Airspan HiperMAX-Micro base stations and provide services using indoor and outdoor subscriber terminals, both with integrated Wi-Fi available. Working with Milton Keynes Council, Pipex Wireless will initially offer the trial to approximately 500 users, providing connection speeds of between 2Mbps and 10Mbps.

2006-09-09T10:10:00.000-04:00

Packet Tracer 4.0 Now Available
See your assignment sheet for this new simulation software that can be used to teach complex CCNA-level networking concepts and to supplement classroom equipment.

Remember CCNA1-4 assignment sheets are all under construction as we add new software, tools and material! Always check the website!

2006-08-30T10:12:00.000-04:00

Biometrics are Coming!

Hello All!

Biometric technology is on the way to Winter Park Tech. Actually, the Pharmacy Tech program at Winter Park Tech East has already adapted this new technology for student attendance. Very soon though, each classroom at Winter Park Tech will be receiving a device which will allow a student to "sign in and out" each day using their fingerprint! (Not that we have this problem, but students will not be able to sign in or out for each other!!)

Fingerprinting in the workplace is growing because the technology has become more affordable, and more companies are giving security a high priority since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, experts say. Use has especially taken off among industries such as health care, pharmaceutical, government, schools and financial service companies.

The database does not store the actual fingerprints but works on a mathematical representation of the unique parts of the fingerprint which protects the users' privacy. I certainly don't understand the mathematics behind this database, but those who are using it seem to really love it. Several programs at Westside Tech and Orlando Tech also use it and the students and teachers say it is easy

To learn more about biometrics, check out these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics

http://biometrics.cse.msu.edu/fingerprint.html

2006-08-30T10:11:00.000-04:00

Winter Park Tech receives TWO Succeed Florida Grants!!!

Lt. Governor Toni Jennings and Education Commissioner John L. Winn announced Tuesday, Aug. 22, the recipients of $33.4 million in 2006-2007 SUCCEED, Florida! Career Education Grants including $247,556 for Winter Park Tech!

Winter Park Tech will utilize its funding for the following two program areas:

1) The Computer Systems Technology program will add two strands – wireless technologies and cyber security to the existing curriculum. By adding these components, Winter Park Tech will be meeting the needs of business and industry and be able to expand the capacity of the program by 30%. The program received $146,441 to:
• Purchase wireless and cyber security equipment
• Develop curriculum
• Add online components to curriculum
• Create a podcasting studio

2) The Medical Assisting and Medical Coder/Biller programs will be expanded to include online components so students will have additional access to enroll in and complete these two programs. Health care professionals are in high demand in Central Florida and by increasing access, graduates will be employable faster. The program received $101,115 to:

• Develop curriculum
• Purchase equipment
• Student scholarships to assist students entering the program

This funding, provided by the Florida Legislature, will support targeted sectors for economic development in Central Florida and throughout the state. Winter Park Tech is pleased that our two grants were selected for funding.

We also received $5,000 for a Florida Learn and Serve grant. This grant was written so that our dual enrollment students can build computers to increase the accessibility for Winter Park residents who do not have access to computers or the Internet. This grant will help "bridge the digital divide" in Winter Park!!

2006-08-30T10:09:00.000-04:00

Cisco Academy users: CCNA & IT Essentials students:

As you may be aware, we are conducting a significant refresh of the Academy program infrastructure to improve stability and to support the next generation of the Networking Academy program.

The most significant changes are as follows:

All server, storage, and networking equipment will be replaced.

The operating systems for our primary systems will be migrated to LINUX and the database software will be upgraded.

Platform hosting will be relocated to the new Cisco Data Center.

The cutover to the new environment was originally scheduled for the weekend of 8 July, 2006. Due to some issues that arose during testing, the IT team postponed the event. Over the past month, we have implemented a fix to the problem and thoroughly retested all applications. Select external Academies are currently testing the applications in the new environment for access and performance.

The cutover to the new Cisco Data Center is now scheduled to begin 15 September, 2006 at 8 p.m. Pacific Time. We anticipate a system-wide outage for up to 48 hours for complete data validation and functional testing.

During the cutover, users logging on to Academy Connection will be presented with a page indicating that the site is under maintenance. Access to the Help link will not be affected and users can contact the Support Desk with any questions about the migration.

2006-08-26T13:28:00.000-04:00

Cool wireless websites:

www.netstumbler.com and www.wigle.net

Very cool Linux live system forensics CD-ROM tools:

http://www.e-fense.com/helix/

News this week: We lost vwpms06 server due to a failing HD, actually we lost an array and fortunately we had a spare SCSI Ultra 320 10K 79G HD. Thank God! Had to rebuild a server in two hours so students could have access to the website. Sorry Cory, I had to take the box he had labored over for two days and wipe it out for a temporary server. : (

Winter Park Tech received two state grants, the only school in Central Florida to receive any state grants and WPT was selected for two grants! Wow! Ms. Culpepper our director and my supervisor Ms. Jones labored for weeks writing the grants. We appreciate the hard work they did!

One grant will be for IT, security and wireless and one will be medical. More news and info on this later.

2006-08-19T12:08:00.000-04:00

Wow, we have had a great start with new students and our committed returning students! I will be posting comments and thoughts on our blog each week so check out the “buzz”.

Another useful feature of this blog is anonymous posting. This will provide new tools for students to provide feedback and make comments to the team of instructors. You can post anonymously to share your thoughts/comments. We welcome feedback. You are the customer and your requests and needs are important, so use the blog to send us feedback.

This weekend I rolled out our certification Virtual PC to each workstation. This is a Windows 2000 with MeasureUP and Self-Test certification prep software installed. This combined with your TestOut and Online Expert test prep software should give you a real edge in building your confidence in passing certification exams.

Self-Test software will have:

· A+ Hardware

· A+ OS Technologies

MeasureUP software will have:

· A+ Hardware

· A+ OS Technologies

· Network +

· Windows 2003 Server 70-290

2006-07-07T14:01:00.000-04:00

Day and evening classes are available for people interested in taking computer/networking courses/programs at Winter Park Tech. New students will be starting August 14.

2006-07-05T10:37:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our blog that will allow interesed individuals to check out our program offerings and courses. We are all about professional training in the IT field.

We offer day and evening courses and programs, more to come on this. We cover Cisco CCNA, Wireless CWNP, CompTIA A+, Network +, Security +, Microsoft MCSA track and much more.