Home - Izzy's (Jason Sherry) Blog

1/1/2009

Got my Microsoft MVP Award again for the 4th year!

I just got my MVP Award e-mail in the area of Exchange for the 4th year.

It is an honor to be selected as a Microsoft MVP since there are only around 30 or so Exchange MVP in the US and 120 world wide. In order to become an MVP you must be nominated by others in the technical community you work with, Microsoft employees, or other MVPs. Each year a panel of Microsoft employees reviews the contributions of each nominee for quality, quantity, and level of impact on the technical community.

So basically you have to write articles, blog post, or otherwise contribute to the technical community and be recognized for your work.

In order to keep your MVP status each year you must continue to contribute to the community. This year I was so busy with my new job at Mimosa Systems (blog post on this topic), who creates an Exchange E-mail archiving solution called NearPoint, that I haven't had time to contribute as much as I normally do.

Here's what I did in 2008:

Participated in an "Ask the Experts" live chat on Exchange

We have over 350 people connected and over 200 questions asked that Steve Brant, Pat Richard, Martin Tulip, and myself (all Exchange MVPs) answered.

Tips & Tricks posted on my server: http://info.izzy.org/Technical/Lists/Issues%20%20Tips/By%20Year.aspx
Posting on ExchangeNinjas.com: http://www.exchangeninjas.com/_Recent?mode=user&user-username=IzKen
Posting on OutlookExchange.com: http://www.outlookexchange.com/articles/JasonSherry/default.asp
Group leader
FaceBook – Exchange MVPs & Microsoft MVPs
LinkedIn – Exchange MVPs & Microsoft MVPs
Did have much time to post in the forms this year
Google search for “Exchange” posting in 2008
Live search on “Jason Sherry” Exchange
Created script for the Exchange community to track Exchange activity over time (the data can be used as an input for the Microsoft Storage Calculator)
http://info.izzy.org/Wiki/EXCollect.aspx
Other scripts and bit from this year:
http://info.izzy.org/Technical/Scripting/Documents/Forms/Recent.aspx
Attended Exchange Center of Excellence/Ranger training on Exchange 2007
Testing E14 betas
Participate on most E14 and 2007 calls with product and support teams
Provide feedback on above
Working on E14 book (but nothing public yet J )

Posted at 12:50 PM by Jason Sherry | Category: Microsoft | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

12/3/2008

Have pressing Microsoft Exchange questions?

Whether you are struggling with today's challenges or planning 5 years out, we would like to invite you to bring your questions and issues to our panel of Microsoft Exchange Server MVPs.

During a live chat session you will also be able to learn about issues your peers are having as you get helpful tips and information from Exchange product experts. Our MVPs are open to any Exchange issues you would like to discuss such as:

Preparing for an Exchange 2007 migration
Options for High Availability
Blocking end users from creating PST files
Enabling Outlook Anywhere
Do you need Edge Transport?
Certificate issues
Hub Transport management
How best to plan and manage large mailboxes
Virtualization of Exchange
and much more...

Register now to discuss your most pressing issues and questions!

Posted at 9:45 AM by Jason Sherry | Category: Exchange | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

11/19/2008

Update on my computer upgrade...

So the motherboard from my 1st set of parts was DOA. decided to return the case, cooling fan, and power supply. already gotten a refund for the motherboard and NewEgg is going to give me a full refund and cover shipping on the other parts. I may have gotten a bad motherboard, but NewEgg was very helpful on working with me.

I've now gone with a Shuttle Prima XPC SX48P2-Deluxe case, PS, and MB combo. Much smaller form factor then the monster case COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP. Less expandable, only 2 PCI-16 slots of which only one can be used with my video card. But it had on board wireless, sound card (I hope it's OK), dual 1G NIC, 6 SATA, 1 Firewire port, so I think I will be fine.

I'm currently setting up Windows XP (x86) and then will install Windows Vista x64 (on a separate drive).

Won't have much time to work on it since I fly to Santa Clara tomorrow for a day trip then Chrissy & I are driving to TX for Thanskgiving week on Sat. We are taking the dogs with and will drive back the weekend of 28th.

Posted at 10:47 PM by Jason Sherry | Category: Computers | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

10/24/2008

Time for an upgrade to my Gaming system

My current system, AMD X4800 based, 4GB ram, Windows XP x64, GeForce 8800 GTS is getting a bit long in the tooth (it's two years old now) for gaming. In addition there isn't a good Vista drivers for the mother board's (ASUS A8N32-SLI) on board RAID controller. I've also started to have problems with the system, due to me trying to move my Windows\Installer directory to another drive using a NTFS junction/mount point. For some reason all of my Installer files are gone now, undelete utilities can't even find them and Microsoft Office and other applications are now acting up. Finally, I want to goto Vista (even though I hate it) for DirectX 10 support for some of the latest games.

So I could spend hours rebuilding my current system, minus the RAID0, with Vista x64 or hours rebuilding a new system… I choose the new system route. I will still rebuild my current system since I need a gaming system at the place we are renting in the mountains for the ski season, but that's a lower priority then having my primary system work correctly.

With that said here's what my requirements were:

Intel Quad Core support
1,600MHz FSB support
DDR3 RAM support
Two PCI X 2.0 slots (for future SLI/CrossFire support)
Can use my existing GeForce 8800 GTS
At least 6 SATA ports
1. DVD R/W
2. BlueRay (soon)
3. OS 1
4. OS 2 (mirrored)
5. Gaming/data drive 1
6. Gaming/data drive 1 (mirrored)
Two eSATA ports (minor point I know, but I have 1 eSATA drive that contains my entire networks backups and a 2^nd for "portal" music, which I have over 400GB now of)

Here's what I purchased:

MSI P45 Diamond LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Item #: N82E16813130183	$274.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811119137	$74.99
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-750-ACAA-A1 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail Item #: N82E16817171024	$129.99
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM Item #: N82E16827136152	$23.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail Item #: N82E16819115041	$319.99
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P16004GK - Retail Item #: N82E16820227297	$219.99
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail Item #: N82E16835118003 Standard Return Policy	$41.99
Total:	$1,055.95

I'll update my blog with the results once I build the system…

10/29: Got parts, but the case had some melted wires in it so I had to return it to NewEgg. I called them up and they sent me an RMA form and paid for shipping.
11/5: New case shipped out

Posted at 12:40 PM by Jason Sherry | Category: Computers | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

10/13/2008

Don't miss the 2008 EXPERIENCE HENDRIX TOUR

This is a VERY unique tour starting 10/15 and ending 11/7, 19 shows only!

Featured artists who will be performing music written by and associated with Jimi Hendrix include blues giant Buddy Guy, contemporary guitar greats Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Eric Johnson, Cesar Rojas and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos as well as Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford.

Hubert Sumlin, the Mississippi-born guitarist who worked with both Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters as well as the Memphis-based Eric Gales, Mato Nanji of Native American roots band Indigenous are also part of the tour as is Chris Layton, the legendary Double Trouble drummer who rose to fame backing Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Most remarkably, Mitch Mitchell (drums) and Billy Cox (bass), the same Jimi Hendrix Experience rhythm section that played behind Hendrix at such landmark rock festivals as Woodstock and the Isle of Wight will return again to celebrate the guitarist’s enduring legacy.

See the scedule here: http://www.experiencehendrixtour.com/schedule.php

Posted at 3:18 PM by Jason Sherry | Category: Music | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

10/9/2008

The Five (Major) Steps to Recover an Exchange 2007 Server

This quick overview covers how you can easily recover from a complete server failure (if you have backups) of an Exchange 2007 server.

See the full post here on outlookexchange.com

Posted at 4:21 PM by Jason Sherry | Category: Exchange | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

9/16/2008

Hurricane Ike

As some of you may know I lived in Houston, TX for 3 years and my fiancé has family in Beaumont area. My brother also still lives in Houston. Chrissy's dad lives right on the water, on Cow Bayou, in Orange, TX. He had about 2' of water in his house and his house was probably about ~18' above the water line.

For those with Google Earth installed there is page setup here on Hurricane Ike that contains updated satellite footage (KLM file with updated pics). I've used Google Maps and Google Earth to create some before and after pictures of area where Chrissy's Aunt's beach house IS (it's still there). The power in the area, including parts of Houston, might be out for weeks and people aren't being allowed back in for many reason (roads are out; power lines are down; lots of debris, etc). Cell phone service in Houston is pretty limited still too; I've only been able to communicate with my brother via text messages.

Sue's house is the one with the larger one with the red roof. Click the pictures for a higher res version.

Out of the 22 houses in the picture on the left only 7 seem to be still "standing" on the right. But I would suspect that most, if not all, of these houses will be a total loss.

The main road, and all other roads, into the area have been washed out and some of the bridges have been destroyed. So it will be awhile before anyone will be able to make it out to the area to assess the damage in person.

Ferry landing area:

Lots of pictures of the Crystal Beach area
Click here for more pics (Requires Power Point)
News Video of Bridge City area

Posted at 8:58 AM by Jason Sherry | Category: Family | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Pink Floyd is gone – Rick Wright 7/28/43 – 9/15/08

Richard Wright, keyboardist, for Pink Floyd died yesterday in his home in Britain from cancer. Rich was one of the founding members of Pink Floyd with Roger Waters, Syd Barrett, and Nick Mason. David Gilmore joined after Syd had mentally checked out from the band.

This is a sad day for me since Pink Floyd is my all time favorite band and I had always hoped they would get together once again and I would have a chance to see them together once again. I have had the chance to see Rick, David Gilmore, and Nick Mason three times and I have seen Roger Waters four times, but never on the same stage together.

Article on MSNBC.com

Posted at 8:07 AM by Jason Sherry | Category: Music | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

9/15/2008

10 Things You Need To Know About Sarah Palin

There are multiples e-mails and website out there with this subject/topic. Here are some of the time items for me. Just Google "10 Thinks you need to know about Sarah Palin" for more.

She believes global warming is a farce and is opposed to listing the polar bear as an endangered species
She supports aerial shooting of bears and wolves even though Alaskans voted twice to ban the practice

She used $400,000 of Alaskan Tax-Payer dollars to support Arial Wolf Hunting. This is a controversial and sick type of hunting, if it can even be called hunting.
Watch this video as a wild wolf runs from the airborne gun-woman while bleeding in agony http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr183lk-wQk
Izzy is a support of Defenders of Wildlife

She supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and anywhere else big oil wants
Opposed to Equal Pay For Equal Work
Against Sexual Education programs in public schools and is quoted as saying "Sex-ed programs will not find my support."
Wants to stop insurance companies from covering birth control
Just 19 months ago Sarah Palin was the Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska

The population of Wasilla is ~7K. On average, the highest completed level of education for Wasilla residents is 10th grade

Originally supported the "Bridge to Nowhere"
The Corruption in a nut shell : After she fired the Dept. of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. Palin pressured Monegan to fire her sister’s ex husband who is a state trooper, and involved in a custody battle with Palin’s sister. When Commissioner Monegan refused, Palin fired him. Click here to read more.
She not that sharp

Sarah Palin is recorded laughing along with radio jocks as they call her Cancer-surviving colleague a "bitch" and a "cancer".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9AIDRGzUAw&feature=related
Or watch the recent 20/20 or other interviews with her

There are plenty of others, but the above are Izzy's top 9 pics with 10 being the other lesser items out there.

http://www.themansfieldherald.com/2008/09/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-sarah-palin/

Posted at 12:53 PM by Jason Sherry | Category: Politics | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/29/2008

Obama! It's time to move forward and to elect the man to change our nation!

It's time to move forward and to elect the person who can change the way of politics today for a better future. If you didn't see Obama's speech, then view it now!

Obama: ‘We cannot turn back’

Aug. 28: Barack Obama accepts the Democratic presidential nomination before a crowd at INVESCO Field telling them that there is much work to be done and that Americans cannot turn back and must march into the future.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26447607#26447607

Posted at 12:21 AM by Jason Sherry | Category: Politics | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

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