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Microsoft Windows Desktop

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Pane Relief: Excel Utilities
Sep 1, 2006
If you use Excel for more than just simple P&L spreadsheets, you've probably done some experimenting with its built-in functionality. But what if Excel doesn't do everything you need? Rick Cook discusses the pluses and minuses of using third-party resources to power up your spreadsheets.
Data Representation in Windows Communication Foundation
Aug 18, 2006
How is data sent from a Windows Communication Foundation client to a service? This chapter explains the involvement of XML serializers to improve control and optimization.
Running Remotely: Remote Control for Windows
Jun 30, 2006
If you've ever had the experience of being bumped out of your office chair by a Help Desk technician who's trying to solve your problem, you might prefer one of the many "remote control" options that are available now. Rick Cook discusses some of the popular products, how they work, and why you need to give some serious thought to whether handing over control of your system is a good idea.
Designing High-Availability Windows Systems
Jun 23, 2006
Computer systems that don't provide enough working time are worthless at best and disastrous at worst. But the fine distinction between "available enough" and "99.999% available" can end up hitting the bottom line pretty severely. Rick Cook explains the major options for designing a system with an appropriate amount of uptime.
Managing Windows User Accounts on Your Home Computer
Jun 23, 2006
Even in households and home offices that have multiple computers (the reason you are setting up your wireless network), it’s not uncommon to share a computer with another user or users. This chapter takes a look at sharing a computer with another person and focuses on creating and managing Windows user accounts. It also covers the process of logging on and off your Windows system and switching users.
Application Architecture in Windows Forms 2.0
Jun 9, 2006
Pane Relief: Virtual Operating Systems
May 12, 2006
Hypervisor virtualization has broken out of the software development community and is rapidly becoming part of the mainstream for Windows installations. Rick Cook talks about who's hot and who's not quite there yet.
Pane Relief: Desktop Management
Apr 14, 2006
Install. Reinstall. Uninstall. Administrators spend a lot of time on repetitive tasks to keep users' desktops running. If you have more than a few desktop (or smaller) machines, Rick Cook explains how your business can benefit from a desktop management system that automates these tasks.
Pane Relief: Herding Cats -- User Provisioning in Windows
Feb 24, 2006
Your Windows administrator may spend (waste?) a lot of time setting up users with passwords and access permissions (and redoing it when a user forgets his password). Provisioning systems can help by automating the process, but you're still stuck herding cats: figuring out who should grant permissions for what and making it all work. Rick Cook discusses the current options and issues for identity management and user provisioning systems.
Pane Relief: Registry Management Tools
Feb 10, 2006
The Windows registry works like an attic; stuff just keeps getting tossed in there, eventually creating a big, jumbled mess. Rick Cook explains why you need to pay attention to the registry and reviews types of registry tools for doing some spot cleaning.
Pane Relief: Rooting Around for Rootkits
Jan 27, 2006
As if your computer didn't give you enough cause for concern, now there's rootkits, nasty programs designed to hide away on your system and conceal software that takes control invisibly. Rick Cook explains what you need to know about these electronic cockroaches, how to find them, and what to do when you discover that you've been infested.
Planning a New Installation of Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS)
Dec 30, 2005
Regardless of the actual installation approach you may choose, many aspects of the customer's network environment must be considered when bringing SBS into the mix. This chapter focuses on gathering the information necessary to successfully bring the SBS product into any environment.
From a Distance: Using RealVNC to Control Your PC from Far Away (for Free)
Dec 16, 2005
In this article, Kulvir Bhogal will introduce you to RealVNC, an implementation of VNC available for free under the GNU General Public License. After reading this article, you'll be set up to use VNC to control your computer from afar.
Upgrading Windows XP: Tips To Save Your Sanity
Dec 16, 2005
This chapter covers how to perform an upgrade Windows XP installation, in which Windows XP replaces a previous Windows OS without first removing all data from the system drive and starting from scratch. This option is most useful in cases where you have customized user settings that you want to preserve.
Microsoft Security Assessment Tool: Can It Make Your Organization More Secure?
Dec 9, 2005
The Microsoft Security Assessment Tool (MSAT) claims to analyze whether your existing network security architecture meets some of the common industry best practices. Zubair Alexander assesses the assessor, reporting on the strengths and weaknesses in this free utility.
Configuring Your Windows XP Mobile Computer To Go On The Road
Nov 23, 2005
This chapter explains how to use Windows XP to set your notebook computer based on the Intel Centrino mobile technology to work with wireless networks. You'll learn about working with the Control Panel; the New Connection Wizard and Network Setup Wizard; the Network Connections window; Network Wireless Connections Properties; and Wireless Network Security Settings. You'll also find out how to enable a personal firewall and choose an SSID. In other words: if you need to get your Windows computer ready to go on the road, this is the place to begin!
E.T. Print Home: Remote Printing with Windows XP
Nov 23, 2005
You don't need an expensive machine running Windows 2003 Server to print documents away from home. Let Kulvir Bhogal show you how to set up Windows XP as a VPN server and you'll be printing remotely in no time!
Mastering File Types in Windows XP
Nov 4, 2005
Microsoft offers scant documentation and tools for working with file types in Windows XP, presumably to protect the sensibilities of the novice user. Ironically, however, this just creates a whole new set of problems for beginners, and more hassles for experienced users. This sample book chapter remedies that situation. You'll learn the basics of file types, and then see a number of powerful techniques for using file types to take charge of the Windows XP file system.
How To Build the Ultimate Windows Media Center 2005 Machine on a Budget, Part 2
Oct 28, 2005
In part 2 of ur DIY Home Media Center 2005 project, our machine gets sexy hardware components at a budget price. Learn how to select the optimal TV tuner and graphics card that form the heart of your home theater centerpiece.
Windows Pane Relief: Picking Up The Pieces with Disk Defragmenters
Oct 28, 2005
Disk defragmenters are little understood and about as glamorous as taking out the trash. However, just like taking out the trash, disk defragementation is something you've got to do — or you'll drown in your own waste.

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