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2009 Conference Schedule

Session Concepts

SharePoint Saturday and SharePoint Vconferences 2009

The Frugal Admin, How to get the most out of the built-in web parts.

 Don't just accept that your home pages are boring. Put some life into them without spending a penny. Explore the existing web part templates and broaden the horizons of existing list view web parts. Push them to the limit and turn your bland, hum drum home pages into the spectacular, useful, web part pages they were meant to be. Wow your users, impress your boss, and never wonder if you could have built yourself what you just paid some one else to make. Know for sure what your options really are, without any additional cost.

The Frugal Admin, Do it yourself dashboards. 

Dashboards are easy, depending on what you want to do with them. Why pay for one when you can roll your own? Come see the secrets of the simple dashboard; how to create the views, the web parts, and the web pages that make a site's home page more relevant from management to worker. See how far you can go out of the box before you spend a dime.

The Frugal Admin, Make your own Custom Site Templates. 

So you think only Microsoft can come up with useful site templates? Think again. Don't be trapped into thinking that if you want a nice site (especially one you'd like to deploy in a few places) you have to pay a developer to create it. Come see how we wrap up this three part series by conserving the now customized site, full of fancy web parts and dashboards, by creating our own unique site template without having to invest in Visual Studio or even SharePoint Designer.  With tips and tricks concerning workflows, resource libraries, and more. Learn how to make your templates self referencing, so they can pack up and go without having any extra files to worry about. Elevate your status, become that much closer to a WSS expert by seeing how it's really done-- all without special developer training or expensive additional software. Create the templates you wish Microsoft had thought of after attending this session.

The Frugal Admin, Don't spend a penny, use what's already out there. 

There are many, many free and useful tools and templates for WSS administrators out there, just waiting for you to find them.  Say you need to create a new user group site, or your managers want you to create a time sheet site to track each department's hours on sharepoint related projects. Maybe your IT department want's their own helpdesk site. Before you start either trying to create those yourself, or finding someone to pay to do it-- consider looking online at the resources already available from Microsoft and Codeplex. With the Fantastic 40 templates, Groupboard 2007, and the Community Kit for SharePoint, you've probably got all bases covered, and then some-- for FREE. So before you start making promises to anyone, stop by this session and get a glimpse of the good stuff, and discover all those pre-made templates before the need to make your own wears you down.

2008 Conference Schedule

Session Concepts

SharePoint Virtual Conference- Fall 2008

Useful, effective, pre-made SharePoint templates-- from Microsoft, for free...

Need a help desk, timecard, or vacation request site? Considering just creating them yourself?  Don't.  Not until you explore the pre-existing application templates available from Microsoft.  Free for download, Microsoft has 40 fantastic application templates, not to mention the Community Kit for SharePoint with offerings such as enhanced blog templates, or sites for user groups. So before you invest time and technology in rolling your own, check out this session and get an idea of what's been rolled for you.

Pump up those List Views, or How to make a List View Dashboard

In Sharepoint, every list or library has view pages.  These are generally static pages that let you manipulate the data contained in those lists or libraries.  But did you know that list view pages are actually web part pages?  That you can add other list view web parts to make those pages more dynamic and more effective?  Come visit this session and get a taste of a new way of using the built in capabilities of list views and list view web parts, and make accessing data in your lists or libraries more powerful than before.

Avoid Disaster without spending a penny

Whether you've already implemented SharePoint, or are only preparing to, backup and recovery should be a priority. Discover how to use SharePoint's out of the box backup and restore capabilities to protect your data in case of calamity.  This session will take a quick trip through the built in backup options available with SharePoint; suggest some tips, tricks, and best practices; and focus on some techniques concerning how to restore that data before disaster strikes.

TechEd 2008, IT Professionals

Birds of a Feather session: "The less costly path, Windows SharePoint Services 3.0."

Session description:  "Are you supporting a small business or non-profit company that is interested in SharePoint? Considering installing Windows SharePoint Services 3.0? Join the author of "Mastering Windows SharePoint Services 3.0" to discuss the best practices, tips, tricks, and gotchas before you deploy WSS in your environment. Topics of discussion can include everything from what kind of installation to use (including Active Directory Account Creation Mode); to user management, tips on security, Directory Management Services, cost effectiveness, and more. Feel free to join us as we explore why, when, and how to implement Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 in a small/non-profit business environment."

IT360, Spring 2008

Virtualization Capabilities & Concepts: Windows Virtual PC and Virtual Server

Virtualization capabilities and concepts; comparing desktop virtualization to server virtualization, and the circumstances which favor one over the other. This session will be demonstrating Windows Virtual PC 2007 and Virtual Server 2005 R2, because of their simple interface and the fact they are free.  Attendees will come away with a good, basic understanding of the point of virtualization and whether desktop or server virtualization is right for them.

Welcome to System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 (DPM)

Disaster recovery is an important part of managing any enterprise.  Learn to leverage Windows client and server volume shadow copy capabilities with Data Protection Manager 2007 (DPM), to protect and recover application server, file server, and client data. Data Protection Manager can take frequent snapshots, realtime, of server and client files, allowing for continuous data protection.  DPM 2007 has specific features for protecting Exchange, SQL, and Virtual Server Virtual Machine implementations, all from one administrative console.  Learn the ins and outs about what DPM is, how to deploy it and its agents, how to manage it using the administrative console, and more.  Discover the data protection tool your network might be missing with this brief but data packed presentation...

An introduction to Windows SharePoint Services 3.0

An IT professionals guide on what it is, how to prepare for it, and how to install it, as well as an introduction to configuration and administration with some dos and don’ts.  Learn what web applications and site collections really are, Alternate Access Mapping, and Managed Paths.  Discover why you don't need Directory Management Services to do incoming email, and what Active Directory Account Creation Mode is.  For those of you considering WSS 3.0, or those who may have inherited it, this is a must see session by the author of "Mastering Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. Attendees will come away with an understanding of what Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 is, what it takes to install it, and which deployment is the right one for their organization.

Hey, what’s Going On? How to Monitor and Control SharePoint

Deploying SharePoint is only the beginning.  Once installed it must be monitored to avoid unexpected growth.  In this one hour seminar, we'll explore the existing tools for monitoring activity in SharePoint, how to control "site collection creep," manage user alerts, site quotas, database limits, and more. Use usage summaries, logs, and site confirmation and deletion to your advantage. Don't let SharePoint get out of control.  Learn how to exploit the built in monitoring capabilities of SharePoint and Server 2003 to avoid being overwhelmed and come away with a better handle on what to do when faced with the task of managing SharePoint.

2007 Conference Schedule

Session Concepts

Windows Connections, Spring 2007

Windows SharePoint Services Demystified 
An IT professional’s guide on how to install, set up, and administer WSS 3.0 with an overview of what it is and what it does. Includes topics such as what Windows Sharepoint Services are and how they differ from MOSS; what WSS does to the server under the hood; dos, don’ts, and best practices from an administrator’s point of view; and what the heck a document library actually is. Learn what to consider when installing WSS; how to use preexisting libraries, lists, and other out-of-the-box goodies; how to create subsites (and why); how to manage users, rights, and configure settings that any administrator needs to know. Attendees will come away with a working knowledge of Windows Sharepoint Services and what to watch out for when deploying it in their business environment.

Leveraging One of SharePoint's Forgotten Gems, Part One: Harness the Power of Custom Lists
WSS is often simply written off as a document sharing tool. But oh contraire, it can be much more than that. Come see how to unlock the hidden database potential of WSS, creating custom lists that allow you to enable your users to access, enter, and display shared data (like inventory, sales, and more). Watch how WSS can become a data management tool with built-in security capabilities, reporting, and more.

Leveraging One of SharePoint's Forgotten Gems, Part Three: Harness the Power of the Simple, Built-in, List View Web Parts
Web Parts are usually considered for developers only, but that's just not true. Come see the third and final installment of the forgotten gems series, and learn how to use Web Parts to your advantage. Don't just fill your home page with stock market tickers and sports stats; learn how to leverage custom lists and their views to make your site's homepage more relevant and useful (without becoming a developer).

Leveraging One of SharePoint's Forgotten Gems, Part Two: Harness the Reporting Power of Custom Views
Every list, table, or database is simply comprised of records of data. And although that's nice, on it's own it's not that nifty. It's not enough to simply add data, and it's not enough to simply have it stored somewhere. You have to be able to see it, to query it, to *use* it. And that's what SharePoint lists and their views are all about. Come see how to use the power of view customization and learn a whole new way of using SharePoint.

Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Backup and Restore
Now that you have SharePoint deployed, the last thing you want is SharePoint destroyed. Learn how to back up, archive, and restore your critical SharePoint sites and databases. Also see how to template your lists and sites for safe and easy restoration in case of a smaller emergencies. Become the hero as you ride to the rescue of your users if their favorite collaboration tool should suffer from the cruel hand of fate.

2006 Conference Schedule

Session Concepts

NetworkWorld

The freebie show (NT109)

Would you like to wring all the functionality out of your Windows server 2003? CA Callahan will provide an exciting review of some of the free features and downloads for Windows Server 2003. Why buy a third party solution, when Windows might already be able to do what you need without added cost? Learn about Windows Server Update Service, Windows Sharepoint Services, Remote Installation Server, Streaming Media Services, and more. Before you pull out your checkbook, check out this tutorial and save by getting more out of your server. This tutorial will benefit IT professionals that want to learn about server capabilities they may have overlooked. A basic understanding of the Windows server 2003 operating system, active directory is recommended. LinuxWorld Conference and Expo Canada - - Special Features

Deployment--with RIS and WDS (Longhorn) (NT119)

Learn about the current remote installation technology hidden in Windows server 2003 and what is on the horizon for Vista and Longhorn server. Discover how to customize installs, modify the user experience, and recover from client disasters, all with your remote installation server. Come see how the whole remote installation process has been revamped with Vista and Longhorn server, with an updated setup manager, imaging, Vista Ximage technology, Windows PE. Determine how to overcome hardware issues, avoid unnecessary multicast traffic, manage deployment user interaction,and more. You should have a working knowledge of Windows 2003 and understand Windows 2000/2003 or XP Professional.LinuxWorld Conference and Expo Canada - - Special Features

Protecting your network from unmanaged clients (NT223)

You are at risk if you have users remotely accessing your network through a VPN, or visitors plugging into your office network for internet access. Learn how to protect your network with Network Access Quarantine Control and Network Access Protection. NAQC (built into Windows Server 2003), focuses on protecting your network from VPN clients accessing your network from the outside, while NAP (coming out with Longhorn server), does that and protects against security non-compliant visitor computers from within your offices. Close another security hole on your network and learn how to use these tools to your advantage. This will be a fast paced, moderately advanced security session best benefited by IT administrators, network administrators, and IT professionals who need to protect their networks from unsecured clients. A working knowledge of Windows Server 2003, Active Directory and how to set up remote access on a Windows network, is recommended.LinuxWorld Conference and Expo Canada - - Special Features

TechEd 2006

Instructor Led Labs

Come join me in the Instructor Led Labs.  One of the least publicized (at least it wasn't last year) aspects of TechEd.  If the independent hands-on labs leave you frustrated, consider stopping by.  The instructor led labs are filled with proctors (like me) who are more than qualified to assist you in following the instructor and accomplishing the lab tasks to get the most out of your hands-on experience.  Come stretch your boundaries in a fully assisted environment, incorporating the best of both worlds- hands-on lab and instructor presentation. Come learn in a less passive way than any other session at the event.

This year I actually lead two sessions covering what's new with administration in SharePoint Services v. 3 (otherwise known as Microsoft Office SharePoint Services 2007 or MOSS).  The sessions, based on modules pulled from courses 3369a and 3373, were assigned to me by the ILL team leads from Microsoft.  The session presentation requirement was a bare fifteen minute intro and overview of the lab contents (and virtual pc), which was challenging to say the least.  Be forewarned, there are some significant changes in the look, feel, and features of the third version of SharePoint Services.  The way administrative settings are laid out and organized may take some getting used to.  Also note, the template for the team site is now more like a meeting workspace and less like a document workspace than ever before.

For those of you who may have come to this site looking for my PowerPoint slides from that presentation, I am afraid you will be disappointed.  Those slides are part and parcel of the afore mentioned Microsoft Official Curriculum courses and are not, apparently, available for convenient download without paying the fee associated with the course.  In addition, the courseware (as is the product itself) is in beta and not commercially available at this time.  Sorry about that.  If you wait until November, I may be able to swing my own content for an equivalent session covering the changes in MOSS 2007.  I can assure you that it will contain considerably more content than that which can be covered in fifteen minutes.

Windows Connections 2006

Protecting Your Network from Unmanaged Clients Using Network Access Quarantine Control
Do you have employees using the VPN to connect to your network from unmanaged computers? Has your network ever been compromised because of it? Is it just a matter of time? If this is a concern of yours then this session may be for you. Learn the ins and outs of Network Access Quarantine Control, and how to protect your network from client computers that are not normally managed by you or your company. Discover how to use NAQC to your advantage; its strengths and limitations, and close another security hole on your network.

The Next Generation of Network Access Quarantine Control
You know securing your network with a firewall isn't enough. Hardening your servers, installing antivirus and spyware programs on your managed clients isn't enough. Even strong passwords isn't enough when it comes to reining in unmanaged clients inside and outside of your network. Network Access Protection, available in Longhorn and Vista, is the next generation of client quarantine technologies. Evolving far past the concept of Network Access Quarantine Control, NAP can enforce policy compliance of the computers connected to your network via not just VPN enforcement but DHCP, IPsec, or 802.1x as well. Protect yourself from the visiting laptop inside your office or the unmanaged computer across your VPN. Learn about how Network Access Protection will work for you--it's components, settings, suggestions, and best practices.

Deployment Improvements in Vista and Longhorn using Ximage, and Windows Deployment Services (preconference session)
For anyone who has ever used RIS (or thought about it and changed their minds, or heard of it and didn't know what it was...), this presentation is for you. It's about the new deployment tools bundled with Longhorn and Vista. First, there's Ximage. It's workstation imaging technology built right into the Vista OS. Second there's Windows Deployment Services. Longhorn's answer (and upgrade) to RIS. Meant to deploy images rather than just to do installs, it's faster, stronger, and smarter. Come see how deployment has improved, become more efficient, and more cost effective. If deployment effects your bottom line, then this session is a must see.

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