Test Server

Dell PowerEdge 2950
Dual Quad Core Xeon CPUs (3GHz)
16GB RAM
2x 300GB 15000rpm HDD, RAID-0

Test Client

Dell PowerEdge 2550
Dual Xeon CPUs (933MHz)
4GB RAM
2x 18GB 10000rpm HDD, RAID-1

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I was having some trouble getting my BartPE disc to work correctly with Dell’s new Optiplex 755 desktop, due to the fact that it comes with a new Intel Gigabit NIC chip (82566-2, specifically). I had added the new drivers as downloaded from Dell’s website, to no avail, getting a “Cannot install network devices” error at bootup.

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1. Windows Media Center: If I happen to throw down a small fortune for a Digital Cable Ready (read: CableCard) Windows Media Center PC, I would love the ability to stream both live and recorded TV to other Windows Media Center PCs in the house. It only makes sense to offer the ability to combine the resources of multiple WMC PCs with eachother, with a unified electronic program guide (EPG). Media Center Extenders should also be able to use this aggregation of resources, presenting a seamless experience.
2. iPhone: the closest thing to the perfect phone needs some serious upgrades before I’d consider owning one.
   • Exchange ActiveSync
   • 3G
   • Picture Messaging
   • WPA enterprise
   • Bluetooth DUN/PAN or WiFi sharing support
   • More storage would also be nice
3. Other automobile OEMs to offer something similar to Ford’s Sync. It doesn’t necessarily need to be voice activated, but I really would like my car to seamlessly integrate with my iPod and Bluetooth phone.

I stumbled upon a really nice utility for Windows Vista called Start++.

From the website:

Start++ is an enhancement for the Start Menu in Windows Vista. It also extends the Run box and the command-line with customizable commands. For example, typing “w Windows Vista” will take you to the Windows Vista page on Wikipedia!

http://brandontools.com/content/StartPlusPlus.aspx

One of the most annoying things about Windows Vista’s new User Account Control is the “Secure Desktop”. I particularly dislike how it interrupts your work flow in the most startling way possible short of setting off an air raid siren. While I understand the premise behind it (it is supposed to prevent spoofing of the User Account Control prompt), I am perfectly comfortable recommending disabling it to any moderate to advanced Vista user. In any case, here’s how:

• From the Start Menu search box, type Local Security and allow yourself to elevate.
• The Security Settings window should appear: Navigate to Local Policies, Security Options.
• On the bottom of the right hand side, double click the setting User Account Control: Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation, Disable it, and you are good to go.

I’ve found the User Account Control prompts to be considerably more tolerable when disabling this feature. While this will not protect you from a malicious coder attempting to spoof the UAC prompt, I am OK with that level of risk.