Windows Vista Administration and Support
19+ hours of Step-by-Step Video Training
70-620 Configuring Windows Vista Exam Coverage

Package Contents - Here is what you get....
More Info

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http://www.trainsignal.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=73

1) 19+ Hours of Windows Vista Training Videos on CD[/u]

You get 19+ Hours of Training covering Microsoft Windows Vista. "Get your Hands Dirty" with this Real World Training that is 100% Instructor Led! In this course Scott Skinger will lead you through Scenarios and Examples that will have you ready to tackle anything Windows Vista will throw at you.

2) 50+ Pages of the Instructor's Notes (PDF File on CD)

These professionally organized notes work great as quick reference and give you the opportunity to add notes and information as you follow along with the Windows Vista Videos.

Course Outline

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Here are just SOME of the Topics we Cover in our
Windows Vista Training Videos:

    * Know Your Installation Options and How to Install Windows Vista(The Right Way!)
    * Master Windows Vista's New User Interface and Navigation
    * Users & Groups Are the First Step to Securing Your Systems While Maximizing Performance - We'll Teach You the Ropes
    * Learn How Vista Can Be Utilized in a Networked Environment
    * Now More Than Ever Users Are Mobile - Understand Vista's New Mobile PC and Wireless Features
    * Keep Your Systems Fast and Clean With Vista's Disk Management Tools
    * Customize Windows Vista's Security to Your Needs as You Are Walked Through NTFS Permissions, Share Permissions, Security Programs and more
    * Internet Explorer 7 and Its New Security Features in Vista For a Safer Web Experience
    * Running Software in Vista Is Different Now Than Ever Before. Know What Your Systems Are Doing and How They're Doing It.
    * Need to Make Administering Your Systems Easier? We Cover All the Tools You Need to Speed Up Your Tasks: Performance Monitor, Event Viewer, Management Console, etc...
    * Learn the Intricacies of Installing New Hardware and Printers Within Vista
    * Backups are Important! Know How To Do Them Right in Vista
    * Master Windows Vista's New Group Policy Features
    * ...This is Just the Beginning!!!

Download

CD 1

CODE

http://rapidshare.com/files/68260447/tsvista_d1.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/68255484/tsvista_d1.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/68443572/tsvista_d1.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/68466927/tsvista_d1.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/68484456/tsvista_d1.part5.rar

CD 2

CODE

http://rapidshare.com/files/68468275/tsvista_d2.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/68472455/tsvista_d2.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/68480760/tsvista_d2.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/68467897/tsvista_d2.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/68477910/tsvista_d2.part5.rar

backtrack

BackTrack is the most Top rated linux live distribution focused on
penetration testing.
With no installation whatsoever, the analysis platform is started
directly from the CD-Rom and is fully accessible within minutes.



It's evolved from the merge of the two wide spread distributions -
Whax and Auditor Security Collection. By joining forces
and replacing these distributions, BackTrack has gained massive
popularity and was voted in 2006 as the #1 Security Live Distribution
by insecure.org.
Security professionals as well as new comers are using BackTrack as
their favorite toolset all over the globe.




BackTrack has a long history and was based on many different linux
distributions until it is now based on a Slackware linux distribution
and the corresponding live-CD scripts by Tomas M. (www.slax.org) .
Every package, kernel configuration and script is optimized to be used by
security penetration testers. Patches and automation have been added, applied
or developed to provide a neat and ready-to-go environment.



After coming into a stable development procedure during the last
releases and consolidating feedbacks and addition, the team was focused to
support more and newer hardware as well as provide more flexibility and
modularity by restructuring the build and maintenance processes. With the current
version, most applications are built as individual modules which help
to speed up the maintenance releases and fixes.



Because Metasploit is one of the key tools for most analysts it is tightly
integrated into BackTrack and both projects collaborate together to
always provide an on-the-edge implementation of Metasploit within the
BackTrack CD-Rom images or the upcoming remote-exploit.org distributed and
maintained virtualization images (like VMWare images appliances).



Being superior while staying easy to use is key to a good security
live cd. We took things a step further and aligned BackTrack to penetration
testing methodologies and assessment frameworks (ISSAF and OSSTMM). This will
help our professional users during their daily reporting nightmares.




Currently BackTrack consists of more than 300 different up-to-date
tools which are logically structured according to the work flow of security
professionals. This structure allows even newcomers to find the
related tools to a certain task to be accomplished. New technologies and
testing techniques are merged into BackTrack as soon as possible to keep it
up-to-date.



No other commercial or freely available analysis platform offers an
equivalent level of usability with automatic configuration and focus
on penetration testing

DOWNLOAD IT FROM HERE
http://www.remote-exploit.org/backtrack_download.html

backtrack

BackTrack is the most Top rated linux live distribution focused on
penetration testing.
With no installation whatsoever, the analysis platform is started
directly from the CD-Rom and is fully accessible within minutes.



It's evolved from the merge of the two wide spread distributions -
Whax and Auditor Security Collection. By joining forces
and replacing these distributions, BackTrack has gained massive
popularity and was voted in 2006 as the #1 Security Live Distribution
by insecure.org.
Security professionals as well as new comers are using BackTrack as
their favorite toolset all over the globe.




BackTrack has a long history and was based on many different linux
distributions until it is now based on a Slackware linux distribution
and the corresponding live-CD scripts by Tomas M. (www.slax.org) .
Every package, kernel configuration and script is optimized to be used by
security penetration testers. Patches and automation have been added, applied
or developed to provide a neat and ready-to-go environment.



After coming into a stable development procedure during the last
releases and consolidating feedbacks and addition, the team was focused to
support more and newer hardware as well as provide more flexibility and
modularity by restructuring the build and maintenance processes. With the current
version, most applications are built as individual modules which help
to speed up the maintenance releases and fixes.



Because Metasploit is one of the key tools for most analysts it is tightly
integrated into BackTrack and both projects collaborate together to
always provide an on-the-edge implementation of Metasploit within the
BackTrack CD-Rom images or the upcoming remote-exploit.org distributed and
maintained virtualization images (like VMWare images appliances).



Being superior while staying easy to use is key to a good security
live cd. We took things a step further and aligned BackTrack to penetration
testing methodologies and assessment frameworks (ISSAF and OSSTMM). This will
help our professional users during their daily reporting nightmares.




Currently BackTrack consists of more than 300 different up-to-date
tools which are logically structured according to the work flow of security
professionals. This structure allows even newcomers to find the
related tools to a certain task to be accomplished. New technologies and
testing techniques are merged into BackTrack as soon as possible to keep it
up-to-date.



No other commercial or freely available analysis platform offers an
equivalent level of usability with automatic configuration and focus
on penetration testing

coolest keyboards

The 25 Coolest (and Most Unconventional) Keyboards

Keyboards come in all shapes and sizes, from the standard ten dollar gray board to something straight out of a science fiction movie. Here’s a list of some of the coolest and strangest keyboards out there.

1. The WristPC Keyboard: This keyboard is designed for “portable and wearable” computer applications, whatever that means.


2. The Comfort Keyboard: This one can be split into three separate section, supposedly for added comfort. It also features key reprogramming and a programmable “rest period indicator.”
   
   
   


3. Orbitouch keyless keyboard: This one is a little hard to explain. It was designed for people with “repetitive stress injuries” like carpal tunnel. As you can see, there are no keys.
   
   


4. The Roll-Up Keyboard: This standard 104 key keyboard takes portability to a new level while providing surprisingly good tactile feedback.
   
   


5. The Optimus Maximus keyboard: Little OLED displays on each key let you customize the layout. Probably the most talked about keyboard ever.
   
   



6. DataHand Professional II: Another Keyboard focused on ergonomics. Is the normal keyboard really that uncomfortable?


7. The Apple Adjustable Keyboard: A pretty creative keyboard considering the 1992 release date. It was designed to minimize carpal tunnel syndrome.
   
   


8. The Frogpad: A keyboard meant to be used with one hand. Supposedly you could reach 40 words per minute with a days practice.


9. The Twiddler 2: This is a one handed, hand held, keyboard. It wins the prize for most uncomfortable keyboard to use.


10. The Tablecloth Keyboard: Designed by German designer Tonia Welter. Ideal for those who take every meal in front of the computer.



11. The Combimouse Keyboard: This Australian company decided to do the impossible: Combine the keyboard and the mouse!


12. The Apple Keyboard: Quite possibly the most beautiful keyboard ever crafted. Comes in wired and wireless varieties.


13. The Virtual Laser Keyboard: You’ll definitely turns a few heads with this one. This “keyboard” allows the user to type on almost any flat surface.
    
    


14. The Washable Waterproof Keyboard: Do you ever get the sudden urge to type underwater? If so, this keyboard is for you!


15. The Kinesis Freestyle Solo Keyboard: Basically, the fine people at Kinesis decided to split a keyboard in half and sell if for twice as much. Well Done!
    
    
    


16. The SafeType Keyboard: This one is supposedly more comfortable to use than a regular keyboard. However, it’ll probably take a long time getting used to.
    
    


17. Maltron’s Ergonomic Keyboard: This keyboard fits the shape of the hands to reduce tension. This may take some getting used to.


18. The Maltron Executive Keyboard: Are you rediculously rich and want a heavy stainless steel keyboard? Well then this is the keyboard for you!
    
    


19. Logitech diNovo Edge: This one’s up there with the Apple Keyboard. Sleek, Stylish, and with a touch of practicality..



20. Fingerworks Keyboard: Strange Keyboard that originally retailed at $340. The keys are in fact a flat surface, making them awkward to type on.
    
    


21. The Stealth Computer Keyboard: Made of strong component, this keyboard will function in even the most hazardous areas, or so they say.


22. Happy Hacking Keyboard: This one is also a little hard to explain. It is supposedly coated using a special brush made from the hair of virgins and sprinkled with gold dust. And it’ll cost you 525,000 yen.
    
    


23. ElekTex Fabric Keyboard: Similar to the Roll-Up Keyboard above, but a little more flexible and made of a different material. Good for people always on the go.
    
    


24. The EZ Reach Keyboard: Another variation of the keyboard. Why do people feel they must repeatedly reinvent the wheel?



25. Saitek Eclipse Illuminated Keyboard: This one should turn a few heads at the LAN Parties.

Update: A lot of our readers suggested the following keyboards and we responded. Enjoy.

1. The Das Keyboard: This keyboard features highly responsive tactile feedback, and the keys are completely blank.
   
   


2. The AlphaGrip: A controller style hand held USB ‘keyboard’ and trackball. Supposedly the “worlds most comfortable computing experience”
   
   
   

Recently Dugg:

The Next Social Network: WordPress

Could open-source blogging platform WordPress serve as your next social networking profile? Chris Messina, co-founder of Citizen Agency, thinks so. He’s started a project called DiSo, for distributed social networking, that aims to “build a social network with its skin inside out.” DiSo will first look to WordPress as its foundation.

This could be the next step towards the unified social graph that some technologists wish for. WordPress suits the purpose because it provides a person-centric way of coming online, offers an extensible architecture, and already has some features — such as an OpenID and a blogroll plugin — that can be pressed into social networking service. And its users represent exactly the sort of audience that might appreciate the permanent, relatively public identity that DiSo aims to offer.

Why blogs and not Facebook or MySpace

In contrast to social networking, blogging offers a person-centric way for individuals to come online. A social network like Facebook gives you your own place online, but it’s not really your own place. As Copyblogger Brian Clark recently said in a blog post, “For me, there’s really no appeal in spending a lot of time creating ‘user-generated’ content via a social networking application. That’s like remodeling the kitchen in a house you rent.”

Clark was responding to an ongoing conversation launched by blogger and cartoonist Hugh MacLeod, who proposed that blogging is far more important to him than social networking. Bloggers including Stowe Boyd and Darren Rowse seconded the idea. This growing disenchantment with social networking and return to blogging suggests that in the future we could see a migration, at least among tech bloggers, towards more distributed social networking — along the lines of what Messina envisions.

WordPress, why and how

WordPress is ideal for experimenting with a distributed social network. It has a plug-in architecture that makes it easy to extend. And people who use it are already comfortable to some extent with coming publicly online as individuals. Though there are, of course, WordPress installations that don’t represent just one person, in many cases they do.

Messina, along with Steve Ivy and Will Norris, is exploring how WordPress can serve as a social networking profile. To that end, a blog needs a way to identify itself to other blogs and share its contact lists, ideally in a privacy-protected manner. The OpenID identity standard can serve as a distributed identifier for both a person’s blog and the blogs of people to which that person is related. Messina and his partners plan to develop a WordPress plugin that exposes the contact list. An OpenID plugin for WordPress already exists; it was developed by Will Norris.

Not everyone wants unified social networking

WordPress-as-social-network, like the unified social graph meme, will most likely appeal to those who want to create one strong identity online. But not everyone does. Blogger danah boyd has written about how some people use social network identities in an ephemeral manner. Those who prefer a more multilayered and multifaceted depiction of themselves online might prefer to create multiple social networking profiles on different sites, representing themselves in different ways as the situation demands.

But those who already use WordPress probably want to build a strong and persistent online presence and identity. Plus they’re the geeky sort, with whom with the idea of a unified, distributed social network might resonate. And at least some of them are refocusing on blogging. The next hot social network might just be built out of blogs.

Full disclosure: Automattic, the company behind Wordpress.com is funded by True Ventures, which is also an investor in GigaOM.

Core of "Windows 7" taking shape: meet the "MinWin" kernel

Eric Traut, one of Microsoft's chief operating system design engineers, gave a fascinating demo (WMV) recently at the University of Illinois, where he talked about where the Windows core is going and ended with a sneak peek at the kernel of the next version of Windows, known by the exciting codename of "Windows 7." The demo showed what Windows would look like if it was literally stripped down to the core, showing the kind of work that is going on to optimize the aging NT kernel.

Traut runs a team of about 200 software engineers at Microsoft that is responsible for the core kernel scheduling, memory management, boot sequence, and virtualization technology such as Virtual PC and Virtual Server. The latter technologies are becoming more and more important as servers get more powerful and gain more and more CPU cores, and it was clear from the demonstration that Microsoft is placing significant effort into integrating virtual machine technology into everything that they do. The release of Virtual PC as a free download last year was just the beginning: Windows Server 2008 will ship with significant VM enhancements, and Windows 7 will only carry on from there.

Windows 7

Why "Windows 7"? The number is based on Microsoft's internal operating system numbers: the first version of Windows NT, 3.1, was given the same number as the "Classic" Windows when it was released in 1992. Since then there has been NT 4, Windows 2000 (NT 5), Windows XP (NT 5.1), and Windows Vista (NT 6). You can check these numbers by typing "ver" at a command prompt on any of these operating systems.

Windows 7 core running in a VM. Note the snazzy ASCII startup screen.

Traut ran a stripped-down version of Windows 7 called "MinWin" that included only the core kernel: for the first time Windows NT has been seen running naked, without even a GUI to dress itself. It ran only a miniature web server that would display simple HTML pages, including some dynamically-generated pages that showed the task list and other properties of MinWin itself. Thirteen tasks were running, most of which would be familiar to anyone who has opened Task Manager: smss.exe, csrss.exe, and svchost.exe were all there, plus the mini web server httpsrv.exe. The OS ran under Virtual PC, and this allowed Traut to show the audience exactly how many resources it was consuming: about 25MB on disk (compare with 14GB for a full Vista install) and 40MB of RAM. The OS booted up in about 20 seconds inside Virtual PC. Still not quite as lightweight as, say, AmigaOS or QNX, but remarkably small for Windows. Traut admitted that he would "still like to see it get smaller."

A virtual future

Traut, like most good engineers, is honest about the pros and cons of code that he works on. "I fully admit that there are some major problems in the Windows OS that are driving some of these [improvements in the core and virtual machine technology]" he said, in full self-deprecating mode. He reviewed some of the reasons one might want to run older operating systems in a VM, such as backwards compatibility and resource management. The idea, of course, has been around for a long time—Windows NT 3.1 ran older 16-bit programs in a VM called "Windows on Windows" or "WOW" for short. The technology has improved since then, however. Windows Server Virtualization, like VMWare ESX and Xen on Linux, will run in what is called "Hypervisor" mode, where a host OS is not needed. This greatly improves performance and can take full advantage of new on-chip VM hardware from companies like Intel. Parts of this technology will appear as "Viridian" as an add-on for Windows Server 2008.

Traut doesn't believe virtual machines are a panacea, however; he said that sometimes they could be used as a "crutch" to solve a problem that could be better addressed by improving the core of the operating system itself. However, in server applications, VMs are clearly an idea whose time has come. Powerful servers that can run multiple OSes at once can blur the line between traditional PC hardware and big-iron mainframes and increase the power of an existing datacenter.

Compatibility is another big advantage of VMs. Traut showed, just for fun, Windows versions 1.03, 2.11, "Classic" 3.1, and NT 4.0, running under Virtual PC. Few people need to run applications that are designed for these ancient operating environments, but the point was to demonstrate how VMs can solve even the trickiest of compatibility problems by simply running the entire OS that the application was written for.

If you don't want to sit through the entire one-hour presentation, istartedsomething.com has a handy nine-minute excerpt with the MinWin demo.