Sunday, February 27, 2011

User: Slidegob

Jennifer ODell Jenny McCarthy Zooey Deschanel Tara Reid Coco Lee

FindMakarov.com teasing Toronto group's 'Call of Duty-inspired' project [update]

Some times, some crimes go slipping through the cracks, and when that happens there's one gumshoe we can count on to pick up the slack: Dean (Hon.) Geoff Keighley. The Spike TV personality says he's unearthed the source of the FindMakarov.com teaser site and it couldn't be further from a Modern Warfare 3 announcement as we and many others assumed.

Keighley says the countdown was created by We Can Pretend, a Toronto-based group that's supposedly working on a Call of Duty-inspired project of some sort. Keighley added "production sources who worked on the self-funded project call it visually spectacular."

We Can Pretend appears to be closely tied to VVO Media, the group that mailed out the mysterious dog tags that got this whole train rolling. On VVO's now-defunct portfolio page, it takes credit for marketing two We Can Pretend-created videos, "Doritos Tablet" and "Wateraid."

As Activision stated previously, the megapublisher doesn't appear to be involived, though we'll hopefully have all the details when the countdown ends on March 2.

Update: The creators of the project sent us a teaser image of the finished product, which we've posted after the jump. If we were the guessing type, we'd say it's a still from a short film. Or an advertisement for super, super untrustworthy riot shields.

[Thanks, Morey]

Continue reading FindMakarov.com teasing Toronto group's 'Call of Duty-inspired' project [update]

JoystiqFindMakarov.com teasing Toronto group's 'Call of Duty-inspired' project [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cameron Richardson Chandra West Kasey Chambers Megan Ewing Kristanna Loken

Blog Post: Resources for Cloud Road Show for IT Professionals/IT Managers

First off all thank you very much to all the IT Professionals for being part of this Cloud Road show. This was an amazing experience for me to interact with all of you during the events. I am happy with the participation from Chennai & Mumbai IT Professionals for their active participation. Like as per my promise I will be sharing lot of resources in this blog post. During the presentations in Chennai & Mumbai I received quite a few questions around Cloud, Deployment, Security, Migration and of course Licensing. I will be covering each one of the those questions in this blog post.

First off all I will be talking about the tools I discussed during my session??Deployment & Consolidation: Notes from the Field?

I talked about A Well Managed Desktop == Control + Manage + Secure. (This includes Corporate Image + Group Policies + Security Policies + Data Synchronization)

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Tools I covered in this session, you can download from the following locations?

- Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit 5.5 ? DOWNLOAD MAP TOOLKIT FOR FREE

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 5.5 includes the following new features for simplified IT infrastructure planning:

  • Windows Azure platform assessment for easier migration to the cloud
  • Heterogeneous database discovery for accelerated migration to SQL Server
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer migration assessment for migration to Windows 7 compatible versions
  • Enhanced server consolidation capabilities help save time and effort when creating virtualization assessments and proposals

- Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.6 ? DOWNLOAD ACT TOOLKIT FOR FREE

- Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) ? This is part of MDOP for SA Customers.

- Microsoft Application Compatibility Factory (ACF Program) ? Visit here for more information http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/bb510132

The Windows 7 Application Compatibility Factory (ACF) Program helps customers identify and resolve potential compatibility issues they may face when migrating desktops and applications to Windows 7.

- Microsoft Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) ? DOWNLOAD WAIK FOR FREE

The Windows� Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows� 7 helps you to install, customize, and deploy the Microsoft Windows� 7 and Windows Server� 2008 R2 family of operating systems.

- Windows Deployment Services (WDS) ? This is the Server Role available in Windows Server 2008 & R2. Read here to know more http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd348502(WS.10).aspx

- Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Update 1 ? DOWNLOAD MDT FOR FREE

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Update 1 is the newest version of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, a Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. MDT 2010 Update 1 supports deployment of Windows 7, Office 2010, and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP.

- User State Migration Toolkit (USMT) - User State Migration Tool (USMT) 4.0 is part of Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK). Read here more http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd560801(WS.10).aspx

- Volume Activation Management Tool 2.0 (VAMT) ? DOWNLOAD VAMT FOR FREE

VAMT 2.0 allows administrators to automate and centrally manage a range of activities related to Windows client, Windows Server, and Office 2010 activation.

 

I am going to add the resources as per the basics of cloud computing model we discussed.

Such as ?Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service & Software as a Service?

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Infrastructure as a Service Model (Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 HYPER-V + System Center Suite + SSP 2.0)

Here are the useful links

Microsoft Cloud Power - http://www.microsoft.com/cloud/

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- Microsoft Private Cloud ? IaaS - http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/en/us/private-cloud.aspx

What Is a Private Cloud?

Private cloud is the implementation of cloud services on resources that are dedicated to your organization, whether they exist on-premises or off-premises. With a private cloud, you get many of the benefits of public cloud computing?including self-service, scalability, and elasticity?with the additional control and customization available from dedicated resources.

- Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager Self-Service Portal (SSP) 2.0 ? DOWNLOAD SSP 2.0 FOR FREE

The Virtual Machine Manager Self-Service Portal 2.0 (VMMSSP) is a fully supported, partner-extensible solution that can be used by customers to pool, allocate, and manage their compute, network and storage resources to deliver the foundation for a private cloud platform in their datacenter.

- Microsoft System Center IT Infrastructure Server Management Solutions - http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/en/us/default.aspx

 

Build Your Own Private Cloud - http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/en/us/private-cloud-get-started.aspx

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- Hyper-V Fast Track Program - http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/en/us/hyperv-cloud-fasttrack.aspx

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Platform as a Service Model (Windows Azure)

- What is Windows Azure - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/windowsazure/

Windows Azure? is a cloud services operating system that serves as the development, service hosting and service management environment for the Windows Azure platform. Windows Azure provides developers with on-demand compute and storage to host, scale, and manage web applications on the internet through Microsoft� datacenters.

- Windows Azure Pricing Pricing - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/pricing/

- Windows Azure Pricing Offers - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/offers/

- Windows Azure FAQ - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/faq/

- Windows Azure Whitepapers - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/whitepapers/

- ONE STOP FOR ALL THE SECURITY RELATED QUESTIONS AROUND WINDOWS AZURE INCLUDING CERTIFICATIONS, STANDARDS ETC?below 2 links will answer all the questions

Security Resources for Windows Azure  - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff934690.aspx (This has multiple links to multiple questions/resources)

Windows Azure Security Overview  - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/whitepapers/papers/default.aspx

- Windows Azure Get Started - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/getstarted/

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Software as a Service Model (BPOS/Office 365)

- What is Office 365 - http://office365.microsoft.com/en-US/what-is-Office365.aspx

Microsoft Office 365 delivers the power of cloud productivity to businesses of all sizes, helping to save time, money and free up valued resources. Office 365 combines the familiar Office desktop suite with cloud-based versions of our next-generation communications and collaboration services: Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Lync Online.

Office 365 is simple to use and easy to administer ? all backed by the robust security and financially-backed, guaranteed reliability you expect from a world-class service provider.

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- Office 365 Beta - http://office365.microsoft.com/en-US/office365-beta.aspx

- Migration from Lotus Notes to Exchange Online

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/onlineservicesmigrationandcoexistence/thread/eb2d3112-76f6-429b-a0f4-4b75029540e6

 

Cloud offerings for Business

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Cloud offerings for Consumers Across 3 Screens

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DOWNLOAD WINDOWS LIVE ESSENTIALS 2011

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Microsoft Licensing Resources

Microsoft Volume Licensing:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing

Enterprise Agreement and Enterprise Subscription Agreement:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/licensing-options/enterprise.aspx

Microsoft Software Assurance:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/software-assurance/default.aspx

Case studies:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/value-of-volume-licensing.aspx

 

TechNet Resources

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PS: If you feel that I have missed something in the list, feel free to reply to me over an email or add the comment on the same post. I will add the necessary updates. Thank You.

Brody Dalle Taryn Manning Nikki Cox Carla Gugino Ana Hickmann

Week in gaming: Bulletstorm PC, Geohot cash, Tiny Wings

Even though the story was about how much of a pain in the butt it is to get Bulletstorm running on the PC without it feeling like a console title, I have to say it was fun to really dig into the .ini files and see what we could tweak. Made me feel like a kid again!

This week we checked out a great board game, a great iPhone game, and looked at some modular robots. Also, if you haven't watched the Battlefield 3 trailer yet, you need to do so. Here are the stories that everyone was talking about.

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Carla Gugino Ana Hickmann Mischa Barton Jamie Lynn Sigler Stacy Keibler

Blog Post: Removing Fast installation from server.

 

� From the Start menu, under Microsoft FAST Search Server for SharePoint 2010, open a Microsoft FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint shell as administrator (right-click and select Run as administrator).

� Go to your fast search install folder: cd %FASTSEARCH%\installer\scripts

� Type this in:   .\psconfig.ps1 -action u -deleteAdminDatabase

� On the Start menu, click Control Panel.

� In Control Panel, under Programs, click Uninstall a program.

� Click FAST Search for SharePoint.

� When the uninstaller has finished, restart the server.

� Delete the files in the <FASTSearchFolder> (<FASTSearchFolder> is the folder where you installed FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint, for example C:\FASTSearch).

Marisa Miller AnnaLynne McCord Emma Heming Vitamin C Scarlett Johansson

Anticipating a Decline in Crude Prices: Shorting Oil, Silver ETFs Should Be Profitable

Steven Jon Kaplan submits:

There has been a lot of talk in the media regarding why crude oil prices will rise because of tension in Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East. The usual analysis will mention something about potential supply disruptions due to uncertainty about who is or who might be in charge, and what the future might hold for the region. The assumption is that, one way or the other, total supply is going to be curtailed, which will naturally lead to higher prices.

However, those who are reasoning in this manner have not considered the true implications of recent developments in that region. For decades, governments in the Middle East, especially those of major oil-producing nations, have been able to conspire to keep total output restricted, in order to ensure artificially high prices. There is no question that Middle Eastern countries could increase their production of crude oil, as is evidenced


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Cameron Richardson Chandra West Kasey Chambers Megan Ewing Kristanna Loken

Just Add Water working on four Oddworld games for this year

After news surfaced last summer that Gravity Crash developer Just Add Water is working on multiple Oddworld projects, we wondered just what the UK-based dev had up its sleeves. And while we already heard about remakes of Stranger's Wrath headed for PlayStation 3 and Abe's Oddyseey for unknown platforms, a post on the company's official site meant to solicit new talent also revealed that said talent "would be working on various Oddworld Inhabitants-based projects, with four to be released THIS year [their emphasis]."

Given that we know of two other Oddworld titles getting remakes -- notably the first and the last of the series -- it stands to reason that Abe's Exoddus and Munch's Oddysee are also getting the HD treatment. Just Add Water is staying mum for now, though, instead choosing to tantalize us with vague blog posts. That said, don't go getting your hopes up for that long awaited new entry in the Oddworld series -- last we heard, it was "on hold."

And hey, if you're a programmer or artist in the UK with a penchant for working with strange creatures, Just Add Water's hiring!

JoystiqJust Add Water working on four Oddworld games for this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Janet Jackson Georgianna Robertson Reese Witherspoon Jordana Brewster Laetitia Casta