Day: March 16, 2007

Cirque du Soleil: Varekai

by ucinfo, posted in !News, Flaphead

Oh, oh the new show is coming to Royal Albert Hall, London with Varekai, set to begin in January 2008.

Looks like it will run from the 10th Jan 2008 until the 3rd Feb 2008

On March 22, the tickets will be made available to the general public.

 

Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world—a world where something else is possible. A world called Varekai.

From the sky falls a solitary young man, and the story of Varekai begins.  Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures, this young man sets off on an adventure both absurd and extraordinary.  On this day at the edge of time, in this place of all possibilities, begins an inspired incantation to life rediscovered.

The word varekai means “wherever” in the Romany language of the gypsies the universal wanderers. This production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to the infinite passion of those whose quest takes them along the path that leads to Varekai.

 

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Exchange 2007 ActiveSync Performance Monitor Counters

by ucinfo, posted in Flaphead, MsExchange

I had to dump these all out today, so I thought I would share them with the rest of you.

They are under MSExchange ActiveSync in Performance Monitor

Average Request Time is the average time elapsed waiting for a request to complete.

Bad Item Reports Generated Total is the total number of bad item reports that were generated since the service was started. This occurs when items fail to convert from the server format to the client format.

Busy Threads is the number of worker threads that are busy processing requests.

Create Collection Commands/sec is the number of CreateCollections commands that are processed each second. Clients that are running earlier versions of the ActiveSync protocol use this command to create folders.

Create Collection Total is the total number of CreateCollection requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Current Requests is the number of HTTP requests received from ASP.NET.

Delete Collection Commands/sec is the number of DeleteCollection commands that are processed each second. Clients that are running earlier versions of the ActiveSync protocol use this command to delete folders.

Delete Collection Total is the total number of DeleteCollections commands that have been processed since the service was started. Clients that are running earlier versions of the Exchange ActiveSync protocol use this command to delete folders.

Document Library Fetches/sec is the number of DocumentLibrary fetches that are processed each second. This command is used by clients to download Windows SharePoint Services or Windows files shares files.

Document Library Fetch Total is the total number of DocumentLibrary Fetch requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Document Library Searches Per Second is the number of times per second that clients browse Windows SharePoint Services or Windows file shares items.

Document Library Search Total is the total number of DocumentLibrary Search requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Empty Folder Contents Total is the total number of Empty Folder Contents requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Failed Item Conversion Total is the total number of items that failed to convert due to modifications made by the server since the service was started.

Folder Create Commands/sec is the number of FolderCreate commands that are processed each second. Clients use this command to create folders.

Folder Create Total is the total number of FolderCreate requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Folder Delete Commands/sec is the number of FolderDelete commands that are processed each second. Clients use this command to delete folders.

Folder Delete Totals is the total number of FolderDelete commands that have been processed since the service was started. Clients use this command to delete folders.

Folder Sync Commands/sec is the number of FolderSync commands that are processed each second. Clients use this command to synchronize the folder hierarchy.

Folder Sync Total is the total number of FolderSync requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Folder Update Commands/sec is the number of FolderUpdate commands that are processed per second. Clients use this command to rename or move folders.

Folder Update Total is the total number of FolderUpdate requests that have been processed since the service was started.

GAL Searches/sec is the number of times that the global address list is searched per second.

GAL Search Total is the total number of GAL Search requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Get Attachment Commands/sec is the number of GetAttachment commands that are processed each second. Clients that are running earlier versions of the Exchange ActiveSync protocol use this command to download e-mail attachments.

Get Attachment Total is the total number of GetAttachments requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Get Hierarchy Commands/sec is the number of GetHierarchy commands that are processed each second. Clients that are running earlier versions of the ActiveSync protocol use this command to synchronize the folder hierarchy.

Get Hierarchy Total is the total number of GetHierarchy commands that have been received since the service was started.

Get Item Estimate Commands/sec is the number of GetItemEstimate commands that are processed each second. The GetItemEstimate command is used by clients to display synchronization progress.

Get Item Estimate Total is the total number of GetItemEstimate requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Heartbeat Interval is the heartbeat interval, in seconds, specified by the client that connected most recently.

Idle Threads is the number of worker threads that are idle.

Item Operations Commands/sec is the number of ItemOperations commands that are processed each second.

Item Operations Total is the total number of ItemOperations requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Mailbox Attachment Fetch Commands/sec is the number of Mailbox Attachment Fetches that are processed each second.

Mailbox Attachment Fetch Total is the total number of Mailbox Attachment Fetch commands that have been processed since the service was started. This command is used by clients to download e-mail attachments.

Number of Mailbox Item Fetches/sec is the number of times that clients download whole Exchange items each second.

Mailbox Item Fetch Total is the total number of mailbox item fetch requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Mailbox Searches/sec is the number of times that mailboxes are searched per second.

Mailbox Search Total is the total number of Mailbox Search requests that have been processed since the service was started

Meeting Response Commands/sec is the number of MeetingResponse commands that are processed per second. The client uses this command to designate a meeting as Accepted, Declined, or Tentative.

Meeting Response Total is the total number of MeetingResponse commands that have been received since the service was started.

Move Collection Commands/sec is the number of MoveCollection commands that are processed each second. Clients that are running earlier versions of the Exchange ActiveSync protocol use this command to move folders.

Move Collection Total is the total number of MoveCollections requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Move Items Commands/sec is the number of MoveItems commands that are processed each second. Clients use this command to move Exchange items between folders.

Move Items Total is the total number of MoveItems commands that have been received since the service was started.

Number of Empty Folder Contents Processed/sec is the number of number of Empty Folder commands that are processed each second. This command is used by clients to delete all items in a folder.

Options Commands/sec is the number of Options commands that ar
e processed each second. Clients can use the Options command to discover the ActiveSync protocol version that is supported by the server.

Options Total is the total number of options requests that have been processed since the service was started.

PID the process ID that is hosting ActiveSync.

Ping Commands Dropped/sec is the number of Ping commands per second whose connection to the client was dropped before a response could be issued.

Ping Commands Pending is the number of Ping commands that are currently pending on the server

Ping Commands/sec is the number of Ping commands that are processed by the server each second. This command is used to send clients notifications about new e-mail messages or changed items.

Ping Dropped Total is the total number of Ping commands whose connection to the client was dropped before a response could be issued.

Ping Total is the total number of Ping commands that have been processed since the service was started.

Provision Commands/sec is the number of Provision commands that are processed each second. The server uses this command to enforce mobile policies.

Provision Total is the total number of Provision requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Proxy Logon Commands Sent Total is the total number of proxy logon commands that were sent from this server to another server. This can happen when a user’s mailbox is located on an Exchange 2003 server. It can also happen when the Exchange 2007 Client Access server in the same Active Directory site as the user’s Mailbox server is not Internet facing.

Proxy Logon Received Total is the number of ProxyLogon commands that have been received by this server from another server since the service was started.

Recovery Sync Commands/sec is the number of Recovery Sync requests that are processed each second. The recovery sync process happens to compensate for a failed synchronization with the client.

Recovery Sync Total is the total number of Recovery Sync requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Requests/sec is the number of HTTP requests that are received from the client via ASP.NET per second.

Requests Queued is the number of HTTP requests that are waiting to be assigned to a thread.

Requests Total is the total number of HTTP requests received from ASP.NET since the service was restarted.

Search Commands/sec is the number of Search commands that are processed each second. This counter represents the total number of global address list, document library and mailbox searches that are issued by the client.

Search Total is the total number of Search requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Send Mail Commands/sec is the number of SendMail commands that are processed per second.

Send Mail Total is the total number of SendMail commands that are processed.

Settings Commands/sec is the number of Settings commands that are processed each second.

Settings Total is the total number of Settings commands that have been received since the service was started.

Smart Forward Commands/sec is the number of SmartForward commands that are processed each second. Clients use this command to forward items without having to upload them to the server.

Smart Forward Total is the total number of SmartForward requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Smart Reply Commands/sec is the number of SmartReply commands that are processed each second. Clients use this command to reply with items without having to upload them to the server.

Smart Reply Total is the total number of SmartReply requests that have been processed since the service was started.

Sync Commands/sec is the number of Sync commands that are processed per second. Clients use this command to synchronize items within a folder.

Sync State KBytes Left Compressed is the total amount of sync state data that was left compressed since the service was started. This value contributes to the total amount of memory consumed.

Sync State KBytes Total is the total amount of sync state data that was loaded since the service was started. This value contributes to the total amount of memory that is being consumed.

Sync Total is the total number of Sync requests that have been processed since the service was started.

 

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(Virtually) Everything you need to know about Microsoft Virtualisation Technologies

by ucinfo, posted in Flaphead, Windows

Richard posted this the other day.  Check it out, it has load of interesting links.

Source: http://blogs.technet.com:80/richard_macdonald/archive/2007/03/12/Virtually-Everything-About-Microsoft-Virtualisation-Technologies.aspx

For a recent customer presentation on Virtual Server, I created a handout CD that contained a lot of tools, documents, script, etc related to Microsoft Virtualisation technologies.  Having everything (more or less) in one neat little package proved quite popular, so I’ve recreated it as much as possible as a series of web links.

Windows Mobile Device Center and Windows Live OneCare

by ucinfo, posted in Flaphead, Mobile

So I have been using Windows Vista for a while, and I signed up to OneCare too.

I couldn’t understand why my i-mate JAMin wouldn’t sync.  I had basically given up, as I thought my JAMin might be knackered.

Anyway, I had an issue yesterday and wanted to check my Firewall settings in OneCare.  Guess what, the damm bit of software has a Firewall setting “ActiveSync/Windows Mobile Device Centre – Synchronize my mobile devices with my computer”.

I Check the stupid box and guess what, I can sync now!

It also explains why my Xbox 360 stopped working with my media centre.  The “Connect my Xbox 360 or Media Centre Extender to my Media Centre PC” was unchecked!

Damm Firewalls!

Microsoft to Acquire Tellme Networks

by ucinfo, posted in !News, Flaphead

Humm, this could accelerate the user of IP Telephony!

Source: http://www.microsoft.com:80/presspass/press/2007/mar07/03-14PowerOfSpeechPR.mspx

 

REDMOND, Wash. — March 14, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it will acquire Tellme Networks, Inc., a leading provider of voice services for everyday life, including nationwide directory assistance, enterprise customer service and voice-enabled mobile search. Microsoft and Tellme share a vision around the potential of speech as a way to enable access to information, locate other people and enhance business processes, any time and from any device. Combining Tellme’s talented people and expertise in high-volume voice services with Microsoft’s platform, resources and worldwide customer reach will inspire new and innovative solutions.

“Speech is universal, simple and holds incredible promise as a key interface for computing,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft. “Tellme brings to Microsoft the talent, technology and proven experience in speech that will enable us to deliver a new wave of products and revolutionize human-computer interaction.”

Carbon Footprint

by ucinfo, posted in Environment, Flaphead

So I was off at the start of January after my Op.  One observation is how the phrase “Carbon Footprint” has exploded in media during the last week and a half or so.  Especially after Marks and Spencer announced a business-wide £200m “eco-plan”. Now in the last week both David Cameron and Gordon Brown are attempting to become more Eco Friendly .

It also looks like that in the not to distant future our Homes will be graded by how much Carbon they consume vs how much you save.  So I have been doing some digging and found a number of things that you might be interested.

Ages ago Shawn pointed me to this site http://www.centameter.co.nz/ This is a magic device that you attach to the  cable just before your electricity meter and it will tell you how much you are using.  It’s actually quite, mine arrive a few weeks back and it is very scary.  My house “idles” at around 0.55kw.  If your interested, order one, if anything it will give you an idea on how much electricity you use, and how much appliances in your house consume.  You should see what it does when I turn my xbox 360 on!

So to calculate your Carbon Footprint, check this site out: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/ 

In the Metro newspaper a while back they had an article on the possibility of everyone having a “Carbon Quota” and you having the ability to sell part of your quota or buy more to “top it up”.  This site has some interesting ideas: http://www.rsacarbonlimited.org

Something else that is interesting is that Marks & Spencer said was: “We will clearly label the food we import by air; UK, regional and local food sourcing will be a priority and we will trial the use of food waste to power our stores. We will do this without passing on the extra cost to our customers.” Now this could have some very interesting  effects on society. 

Why, well if people have a Carbon Quota, you might be more inclined to “buy local” instead.  This would change the whole world.  No longer would you want something from China as the “Carbon Cost” for that item to come to the UK would be too large, so you would look to source the item locally like in Europe or the UK. Hey maybe they would change import duties to take into account the “Carbon Cost”? That would really make things interesting.

So the other thing which I have mentioned before is making your electricity.  I should be free or at least cheap for every house to do.  Just think, if every house had solar panels and wind turbines,we wouldn’t need power stations. Imagine being able to sell electricity you generate. 

But we know that solar panels are currently too expensive and not very good at converting solar energy into electricity and wind turbines are ideal but still a bit expensive and you need to check will your local council to see if you are allowed to have one or need planning permission for one.

I love both ideas.  At some time in the future I will need to re-tile my roof and I would seriously consider solar panels (but Currys have still not come back to me and it’s been 6 months so far!).  As for a wind turbine, I still fancy the WindSave one.  I need to re-roof my garage and I think once that is done I will apply for planning permission for one.  You can even get them in B&Q these days too (Windturbine and Solar Panels). 

RANT OFF now, but hey if you use Windows Live Messenger check out The I’m Initiative and new secret emoticon as you can support http://www.stopglobalwarming.org

 

System Center Data Protection Manager

by ucinfo, posted in Flaphead, MsExchange

Check it out … this does look very good!  I have seen the beta in action.

Here is a “fact sheet” for using DPM to protect Exchange (http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/9/6/09623531-cb39-475a-88b7-1de963a99d9a/DPMv2_Datasheet-Protecting_Exchange_Server.pdf)

For more on DPM have a look at the website (http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/dpm/default.mspx)  You can also view a number of webcasts too.  Just downloaded and watched this one On-demand TechNet Webcast: Protecting Exchange Server with System Center Data Protection Manager version 2

Apple megapatch fixes multiple flaws

by ucinfo, posted in Flaphead, Security

ooops

Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/14/apple_megapatch/

Apple has released a security update to its Mac OS X operating systems to plug multiple security holes. Bugs in third-party components have also been addressed by the security update.

The availability of Mac OS X 10.4.9 and Security Update 2007-003 on Tuesday follows a month in which the security of the OS was put under the spotlight by the Month of Apple Bugs project, which took place in January and November’s Month of Kernel Bugs.