Last year I kicked off my blog posts by saying how I would write less, do more, etc. and I’m not sure that I succeeded. Re-reading that post seems strangely familiar: burned out in December; not enough family time; backlog of unwritten posts; overdue WordPress upgrade, etc. but I did discover Twitter last year…

Purists will say that blogs and tweets shouldn’t repeat one another – maybe they are right but I do advertise new blog posts on my Twitter feed (@markwilsonit) and now I’m recapping on some of the seventeen-hundred-and-something tweets for those of you who only read the blog and might have missed something interesting (don’t worry, it is edited – although a full extract of all of my 2009 tweets is available too, in CSV format).  Below, are edited highlights – basically information I’ve shared on Twitter (mostly from others) that might also have been interesting to readers of this blog.  It does come with a health warning though as my sub-140 character tweets are a little more informal than the blog posts I write and one or two may be offensive to those of a sensitive nature:

• July:
  • RT @4sysops Microsoft unleashes 20,000 lines of Linux code http://is.gd/1FqMb
  • No official news re: Windows 7 RTM but more details of when you can get the bits http://tinyurl.com/nrsmj2
  • RT @maryjofoley timetable for who can get the Windows Server 2008 R2 bits and when:
  • RT @Microsoft Statement on Microsoft Proposal to European Commission – if accepted there will be no more E Edition :-)
  • RT @joiningdots Innovative marketing – to launch a car, use it to create a new font http://is.gd/1OtMM (link includes ‘making of’ video)
  • RT @4sysops Linus Torvalds: “Microsoft Hatred Is a Disease” http://is.gd/1K3ZP – Linus seems to talk a lot of sense in this – worth a read
  • RT @JoeBaguley http://twitpic.com/b51ux (The World According To Americans) – anyone who works “overseas” for a US company will understand!
  • RT @maryjofoley European XP and Vista users to get the browser ballot screen too
  • RT @airjrdn ItsHidden free VPN service for anonymous Internet traffic – http://tinyurl.com/l4xf6n ^MW no more ISP traffic shaping :-)
  • RT @MSSpringboard Free tool for creating bootable Windows USB drives  http://is.gd/1RKEQ ^MW Arghh! I spent days working out how to do this!
  • Dell’s Technical support page for “No power when using only the AC adapter” tells me to shut down Windows – WTF! http://tinyurl.com/5rsbt7
  • RT @edbott: Microsoft finally does the right thing for beta testers:  ^MW Yay!!!
  • RT @joiningdots: This site is trying to get people fired – http://www.employeediscounted.com/ ^MW oh my word!  Are people that daft?  Yes!
• August:
  • RT @maryjofoley: Windows 7 XP Mode release candidate bits are downloadble by the public today. Final code due Oct. 22:
  • Another reason to boycott Sony products… talk about a company that has lost it’s way  http://tinyurl.com/lpn6ld #sonyfail #fail
  • RT @stealthpuppy: Windows Virtual PC XP Mode RC bits and 
  • Nikon has launched a digital compact camera with a built in projector.  Cool :-)  http://tinyurl.com/meen5v
  • RT @stufox Why can’t some people get their facts right? Hyper-V is a type 1 hypervisor regardless of how it is installed http://bit.ly/zcfB2
  • RT @virtualization: Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V earns Common Criteria Certification http://bit.ly/16hWRj
  • RT @stealthpuppy @4sysops: Microsoft offers Office 2010 file format ballot to stop EU antitrust probe http://tr.im/vDdR #EUfail #fail
  • RT @jamesbannan http://bit.ly/19RzVX ^MW people may not like web advertising but no ads = no money = no hosting = no blog = no information
  • RT @4sysops: IT unemployment hits five-year high in the UK http://tr.im/vLPk ^MW Michael, you’re not making me happy!
  • RT @robmargel This day 12 years ago Microsoft saved Apple http://bit.ly/ffKte
  • RT @MSWindows: Some clarification on Windows 7 Enterprise Edition; Understanding Software Assurance/Volume Licensing – http://bit.ly/tJgMK
  • I never thought I’d agree with @jasoncalacanis but he actually talks some sense in his Case Against Apple in 5 Parts http://tr.im/w5RL
  • RT @JoeBaguley: Too cool – the bible in Lego: http://www.thebricktestament.com/index.html
  • RT @GreggRobertson5: Trying to dig into PowerCLI but don’t know PowerShell? Start here.   #vmware #powershell
  • RT @markveldhuis: Hitler finds out about FriendFeed’s acquisition by Facebook and is not happy http://bit.ly/EavdG Even mentions @Scobleizer
  • RT @longzheng: Windows 7 C! C is for Cookie. http://bit.ly/tpAs6 “In Europe, the cookie will only be sold unbaked”
  • RT @shanselman: I’m starting to see why Google Chrome would need an Operating System of its own. http://twitpic.com/dl4ur ^MW LOL
  • RT @4sysops: Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 (RSAT) are now available for download http://is.gd/2dJkj
  • RT @jamestenniswood Low-cost USB touchscreen monitor http://ow.ly/jMTA
  • RT @jamestenniswood Strangely I quite like the slime covered Dell Mini http://ow.ly/jM8v ^MW me too, maybe I can get transfers for my S10e
  • RT @shanselman: RT @peterschay: Another Windows 7 XP Mode success — running Cisco VPN Client 5.0 ^MW not tried it myself (yet!)
  • I have 2 Lenovo S10e netbooks but I noticed that the newer one doesn’t have RAM fixed to the m’board so I don’t lose 512MB of a 2GB SODIMM
  • Following the advice of @shanselman and downloading Windows Home Server… running an a VM looks interesting  http://tr.im/wo6F
  • RT @VirtualPCGuy: Windows Virtual PC Team blog started here: 
  • RT @shanselman: “Friends do not let friends use IE6,” said Amy Barzdukas, Microsoft’s general manager for Internet Explorer.
  • RT @windows7hacker: Amazing High Resolution Windows 7 theme Wallpapers http://ff.im/-6D4tE
  • RT @mythokia: No x64 guest support for Windows Virtual PC? Poop. ^MW I agree but no surprise. A client-side hypervisor would be nice MSFT.
  • RT @joiningdots: Don’t forget you added your manager on Facebook when bitching about your job -  (via @lakeygal)
  • Think texting and driving is a good idea? Then watch this: http://tinyurl.com/nhw28h (Warning: this is very graphic – for good reasons)
  • RT @shanselman: RT @SCMcDonnell: Apple has become what Microsoft used to be.  No cross platform capabilities and even the SDK requires money
  • RT @IE: How to write an IE 8 Web Slice for WordPress blogs –
  • RT @Microsoft: Windows Server 2008 R2 is now available for 180 day evaluation: http://bit.ly/428rGy
  • RT @jamesoneill: A tale of two codecs. Or how not to be a standard. http://bit.ly/qo0jk #adobe #dng #fail
  • New Google profile at http://www.google.com/profiles/markwilson.it (mark.wilson is not in use… but not available either :-( )
  • RT @phnat: […] the Home Office have issued new advice on photography and Terrorism Laws: http://bit.ly/14SVuY ^MW still some way to go…
  • RT @joiningdots: New blog post: SharePoint in plain English http://is.gd/2rR75
  • RT @ExchServPro: Visio Stencils for IT Pro posters download – http://bit.ly/wHpFg ^MW this will be /so/ useful
  • RT @airjrdn: A Steve Jobs Confession, a Fanboy Shock http://tinyurl.com/lgwue2 ^MW when will someone realise that Apple is anticompetitive?
  • RT @stevesimon: Are you a photographer and the opposite of a morning person? Check out Andy Frazer’s night photo blog http://bit.ly/iYx1K
  • RT @BrentO: I just used UnTweeps to unfollow 14 Tweeps who haven’t tweeted recently. http://untweeps.com ^MW may come in useful!
  • RT @VirtualPCGuy: VMLauncher allows you to run an executable from Windows 7 under Windows XP mode directly:  http://bit.ly/9T5r7
  • RT @JoeBaguley: And now, for all you grammar pedants: http://www.apostropheabuse.com/
  • RT @JoeBaguley: xkcd does it again : http://xkcd.com/627/ – I am sending a copy of this to everyone in my family… ^MW Me too!
  • RT @VirtualPCGuy: RT @hyperv_r2: Great news! for Hyper-V R2 users: Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 is RTM! http://bit.ly/aZOca
  • RT @WinObs: Nokia Booklet 3G Mini Laptop Unveiled: http://bit.ly/30GE52 ^MW This looks nice – an aluminium netbook with built in 3G and GPS
  • RT @govirtual Hello Freedom: VMware adds more restrictions to VMworld exhibitors | virtualization.info http://bit.ly/FKR9g
  • RT @WinObs: Power IT Down Day -  http://bit.ly/4AhAQb
  • UK government’s response to music industry pressure re: P2P is cutting off Internet access #failed business model http://bit.ly/zPcQk
  • RT @edbott: Snow Leopard upgrade: http://bit.ly/xGZLB “looks a lot like a service pack” and no 64bit even though my MacBook’s CPU is capable
  • RT @stealthpuppy: IT restrictions hurt productivity: http://bit.ly/oSPt2; Unchain the Office Computers!:
  • Snow Leopard could include some security features […to…] push it closer to […] Windows 7 http://bit.ly/3RnTd1 (via @hanselman)
• September:
  • RT @timanderson Why don’t we all use macs http://bit.ly/eFNMw and truth about Snow Leopard and Exchange http://bit.ly/WdLkb
  • Nikon point and shoot camera with built in projector. Nice idea – let’s see if this takes off. http://bit.ly/4gKSJf
  • I’ve been rumbled… now the Tech Support Cheat Sheet (http://xkcd.com/627/) has reached my Project Manager…
  • Attempting to install Windows Home Server in a VM, using iSCSI for storage…
  • Finally, something sensible is written on the Mac vs. PC debate… on The Register of all places! http://bit.ly/3BKAiJ (thanks @timanderson)
  • From @techradar – The Ten Commandments of social networking http://techradar.com/633187
  • RT @jamesbannan MDT 2010 final version has been released :-) #auteched http://bit.ly/cYOWX
  • RT @edbott: Windows haters who guffawed over using Start button to shut down, pls explain why I use iTunes to manage a phone and buy movies.
  • Microsoft and Tesco working together to provide a Silverlight-based “Virtual DVD” service to UK Internet users http://bit.ly/809BO
  • Windows 7 tip: Ctrl+Shift+click an application icon to run the app as Administrator
  • RT @veronica Awesome PR stunt: Carrier pigeon faster than broadband http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8248056.stm (via @buzzfeed)
  • RT @edbott Can’t preview PDFs in Windows Explorer or Outlook on a 64-bit Windows installation? Here’s the fix: http://bit.ly/418R0z
  • RT @maryjofoley Morro/MSE vs. Forefront security client positioning: http://bit.ly/2HRekC
  • RT @maryjofoley Microsoft to business users: No need to delay Win 7 deployments. http://bit.ly/2AUYP4
  • RT @sixrevisions Popular Search Engines in the 90’s: Then and Now http://bit.ly/25NsdI (via @robmargel)
  • RT @jamesbannan Having to do ANYTHING on Windows XP after using Windows 7 is like chipping away at rocks… ^MW I feel your pain James
  • Confirmation that Microsoft’s 26% server virtual’n market share includes Virtual Server (type 2) /and/ Hyper-V (type 1)
  • RT @bbctech Tomorrow’s World goes online http://tinyurl.com/r9efe8
  • RT @verkoren: if browsers were women… http://bit.ly/ayfiR (via @markveldhuis)
  • RT @shanselman Hilarious read as a guy asks for a Crack for software IN THEIR FORUMS. Read the keys carefully. http://bit.ly/PgLRW
  • RT @stufox Top Microsoft Support issues for Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V: http://bit.ly/138Akn
    Windows 7 tip: Show your Computer Name in the Taskbar (via @shanselman) http://bit.ly/2saG3D
  • Top tips to run a Live Meeting: http://bit.ly/kNqSR
  • RT @frederickvan Flickr announced a new feature today… Galleries! http://bit.ly/ZHrWu ^MW like a set or collection but from other people
  • Why is there always some idiot on Live Meeting who can’t operate the mute button on their phone?
  • RT @JoeBaguley Adobe releases Lightroom 2.5 – http://is.gd/3ibwd
  • RT @vmguru_nl: New post: The road to VCP 4 certification (http://cli.gs/GpysL) (via @GreggRobertson5)
  • Potentially useful Windows PowerShell resources (via @jamesbannan) http://bit.ly/Bifaq and http://powergui.org/
  • RT @markparris Microsoft will not release a Service Pack 3 for Windows Server 2003 http://bit.ly/y9PcO
  • BT’s Broadband Enabling Technology (BET) should allow 1-2Mbps in areas without existing broadband coverage
  • RT @wikileaks et al UK govt database of all 1,841,177 post codes & precise geographic coordinates http://bit.ly/2oOVZu (via @JoeBaguley)
  • Windows 7 tip: use the Bing background picture as a desktop wallpaper that changes each day: http://tinyurl.com/p2g93o (via @Kikim)
  • Impressed to see TweetDeck translate a German tweet into English for me :-)
  • RT @4sysops: Windows 7 “XP Mode”: What are the Security Implications? http://is.gd/3l8cB
  • Windows 7 tip: RT @MSWindows: See how easy it is to transfer your wireless settings with Windows 7 (via @Lifehacker) – http://bit.ly/Pvypw
  • RT @maryjofoley: Still no comprehensive private-cloud strategy from Microsoft, but it now has a private cloud blog: http://bit.ly/bqHCY
  • RT @slimboyfat: Handy way to create “offline” Windows Update ISO’s for non-internet connected boxes http://bit.ly/14Z4v0
  • Windows 7 Tip: RT @TheWindowsClub How to display Recycle Bin in Computer folder in Windows 7 http://tinyurl.com/koy2xx (via @MSWindows)
  • RT @mikester01: Hyper-V Integration Components accepted upstream into Linux kernel – huge news! http://bit.ly/33IbXC (via @hvredevoort)
  • RT @guardiantech: Find your nearest postbox – legally http://bit.ly/ZLHtG ^MW just added the locations for the ones near me…
  • RT @shanselman: Analysis of the CodePlex Foundation from the founder and org. dev of MySQL: http://bit.ly/4pl8n ^MW commenters are not happy
  • RT @stufox: Pretending that VDI solves desktop management is silly. Desktop management is people, process & technology. VDI only changes one
  • RT @shanselman: Put a Recycle Bin in your Windows 7 Taskbar http://bit.ly/UubrR
  • RT @WinObs: Serve IE6 Visitors the Default WordPress Theme -  http://bit.ly/3FPGtj ^MW or any other theme you like…
  • Got an ac.uk e-mail address? Microsoft offers UK students Windows 7 for £30 http://tinyurl.com/np7sfd (via @MVPAwardProgram)
  • Not sure why the Microsoft student deal of £30 for Windows 7 (http://tinyurl.com/np7sfd) doesn’t include sch.uk addresses too though…
  • RT @guardiantech: Photography: a model of lost liberty http://bit.ly/Jmfqc ^MW How true – and a very sad indictment on the world we live in
  • RT @4sysops: Joe Wilcox: Why I chose Windows 7 over Snow Leopard http://is.gd/3nM66 ^MW it seems I’m not alone in my views (FAO @alexcoles)
  • RT @maryjofoley: MS delivers Office Web Apps test build: Ten things testers need to know: http://bit.ly/1R2UDZ
  • Apple’s incredible, amazing, awesome keynote in under two minutes http://bit.ly/FiXNE (via @guardiantech)
  • RT @jamestenniswood: Oh really liking Gmail Notifier Plus for Windows 7 (now it works with Google Apps) http://ow.ly/qmSj ^MW me too!
  • RT @guardiantech: EU publishes its antitrust case against Intel http://bit.ly/YSG5b
  • From a conversation from one of my senior colleagues: “E-mail is an asynchronous communications medium.  Do not expect an instant response.”
  • RT @4sysops: Microsoft to offer free antivirus software soon http://is.gd/3xtqs ^MW Looking forward to replacing AVG free on my systems…
  • UI designers, please stop creating dialogs that require a 600px  display (my netbook is 1024×576)
  • RT @edbott: Linus Torvalds: Linux kernel “getting bloated and huge”  http://bit.ly/sbZxG ^MW it’s not just a Windows problem then ;-)
  • Thanks to @shanselman I found the MSDN Beginner Developer Learning Center… maybe I can learn to write code again! http://bit.ly/UB1GI
  • RT @shanselman: Great 20 min intro for absolute beginners who wonder how the Web Works… http://bit.ly/108NOd
  • RT @liveside: SkyDrive to become the center stage of Windows Live? http://bit.ly/GdxII ^MW woot!
  • RT @guardiantech: Is Microsoft a tax dodger? http://bit.ly/2KyLWY ^MW as the article says: “Tax evasion is illegal, tax avoidance isn’t”
  • RT @bbctech: BBC’s iPlayer should be charged “micro payments” http://tinyurl.com/lnss7k ^MW I already paid for the BBC via my TV license!
  • RT @bbctech: UK Government’s plans for a 50p tax on fixed phone lines. http://tinyurl.com/l6rebg ^MW as if VAT wasn’t enough…
  • RT @VMMDocs: VMM 2008 R2 Configuration Analyzer now available, see here: http://tinyurl.com/mfpyu2
  • RT @edbott: An 89MB iTunes 9 update! Uh, Apple, do you have to reinstall the whole damn thing every time? Why not patch? ^MW how true!
  • RT @dmsaxon: RT @shanselman: RT @gruber: The Ultimate Productivity Blog: http://productiveblog.tumblr.com/
  • Could this be the answer to my Inbox madness? http://two.sentenc.es/ (via @dmsaxon)
  • RT @guardiantech: Information overload http://bit.ly/dS8UL ^MW Why does this sound so familiar?
  • RT @frederickvan: Is it possible to create an HDR image from a single raw file? http://bit.ly/1t5i3j
  • RT @leadfollowmove: RT @themolk: A very suspect laptop upgrade!  My new comic – http://bit.ly/47ir8Y (via @agent_x) ^MW LOL
  • RT @petapixel: Build your personal brand with a good photo: http://j.mp/3xpUVb ^MW Think I need to work on mine…
  • RT @edbott: Can a Windows geek learn to love Snow Leopard? Ed’s quest for Mac alternatives to favorite PC programs http://bit.ly/p7JkQ
  • RT @MVPAwardProgram: Restoring XP backups to Windows 7? NT Backup Restore is available and a fix is on the way http://bit.ly/10XfW0
  • RT @guardiantech: Confess your symptoms of information overload and addiction ^MW I confess!
  • RT @NickHodge: WebSiteSpark. Lots of free Microsoft stuff for web startups: http://tinyurl.com/ycwz2yu
  • RT @longzheng: Facing competition from Microsoft’s free AV solution Norton releases this video http://bit.ly/pZr3D ^MW Weak and desperate…
  • RT @JoeBaguley: Speaking of Clouds » Must-read e-book from the Google infrastructure team http://bit.ly/Lihhc
  • 99 Bottles of Beer programmed in 1290 different programming languages: http://www.99-bottles-of-beer.net/ (via Martin Doxsey, on e-mail)
  • Virtualisation calculator for Windows Server 2008 – which edition is most cost-effective, regardless of hypervisor http://bit.ly/RQE95
  • RT @MSWindows: Heading to Paris?  If you’re there after October 22, stop by the new Microsoft Windows Cafe: http://bit.ly/9VSgD
  • RT @markparris: Ever dropped your iPod? Spare parts on http://cnn.cn – DIY if it’s out of warranty
  • 28 Windows 7 tips from the Microsoft Partner Network https://partner.microsoft.com/download/UK/40101540 (via @robmargel)
  • RT @guardiantech: O2 denies delaying 0870 app for the iPhone – so was it Apple? http://bit.ly/IMuXx
  • RT @bbctech: Twitter confirms major cash boost: http://bit.ly/iFUFT
  • RT @joe_elway: http://tinyurl.com/yctcwmk British wildlife photo competition winners
  • RT @guardiantech: Microsoft’s grinning robots or the Brotherhood of the Mac. Which is worse? http://bit.ly/YWHxR
  • RT @mspartnersuk: 77 Windows 7 Tips http://bit.ly/j1nUT ^MW I could only see 63 but worth a look anyway!
  • RT @IE: 101 five-minute fixes to incrementally improve your website: http://bit.ly/16UkRh ^MW I should work on these…
  • RT @guardiantech: Orange signs iPhone deal with Apple http://bit.ly/2XgHQ ^MW Come on Vodafone… what are you doing about this?
  • RT @4sysops: Microsoft shows off prototype next-generation office wall http://is.gd/3K9GQ ^MW I too believe in fat desktops…
  • RT @timanderson: Blog: Open Source is good business http://bit.ly/RUDYC ^MW some interesting thoughts…
    Exchange group, say EHLO to Windows Server group: http://bit.ly/vHEfH No Exchange support on the latest version of your own server OS – WTF!
  • SCOM now supports #Windows7 and #WS08R2 (are you listening #Exchange team?) http://bit.ly/kmpqt
  • RT @MSSpringboard: Microsoft Security Essentials – free anti-virus software for genuine Windows users http://bit.ly/qN7BB
  • Price matching to trick consumers: identical products, different packaging, 40% price difference http://twitpic.com/jn7pv #Tesco #fail
  • RT @guardiantech: The BBC is encrypting its HD signal by the back door http://bit.ly/WNSA9
• October:
  • RT @maryjofoley: MS releases XP Mode for Windows 7 to manufacturing. Available on Oct. 22 for download: http://bit.ly/IZoSV
  • RT @CIOsConnect: Is Your Organization Ready for Windows 7? Find out on Oct 6. http://bit.ly/AfWep
  • Playing with the Voice Recorder on my iPhone… turns out I won’t need the Sony ICD-UX71 that so nearly ended up on my Amazon.co.uk wishlist
  • RT @maryjofoley: You know Google Wave needs a reset when @Scobleizer says it is over-hyped
  • Wondering if I can get a MiFi that will work with Vodafone UK, contract free? (http://bit.ly/18CDGs)
  • It seems that there is a limit on the number of sheets in an Excel workbook that GDocs can import… 85 (1 a month since Sep 02) is too many
  • RT @bbctech: Flash will soon run on just about every smartphone… except Apple iPhones http://bit.ly/SBuH1 #Apple #fail
  • RT @airjrdn: AVG launches free antivirus suite as Microsoft crashes its party – http://tinyurl.com/yb9sss7 ^MW I’m still switching to MSE…
  • RT @bbctech: Microsoft confirms that it is investigating hotmail account credentials leak http://bit.ly/q4Nn6 ^MW changing my creds now…
  • RT @OneMicrosoftWay: Google tells employee not to accept Microsoft MVP award http://arst.ch/8j1 ^MW Not good http://bit.ly/3lKYy0
  • Does the Royal Mail really own the intellectual property rights on the UK postcode database? http://bit.ly/4Dxn7R #publicmoneypublicdata
  • Shutdown, restart or logoff a PC, remotely, using Twitter: http://bit.ly/Fct21 – there’s a Mac equivalent too: http://bit.ly/CUi2P
  • RT @timheuer: Adobe’s new page on iPhone if you try to install flash: http://twitpic.com/kf361 ^MW Short and to the point (via @timanderson)
  • Companies such as BP are giving users the money to buy their own IT assets #MSWembley ^MW I believe this is the desktop model of the future
  • 1 in 7 helpdesk calls related to users installing their own software and corrupting systems #MSWembley ^MW there are licensing issues too
  • Shocked to see that so many people create images by using the last image, tweaking it, and re-sysprepping. Noooooo! #MSWembley
  • Just been looking at some of the Microsoft hardware at #MSWembley: HD webcam is very impressive as is keyboard with Win7 taskbar integration
  • Loving my new Arc Mouse (and it even comes with a little pouch :-)
  • RT @IE: Are you guilty of any of these? The most used and abused web design trends of all time: http://bit.ly/yiwd
  • The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is the webcam I tweeted about earlier: http://bit.ly/2e9WtH 720p@30fps, low light sensitivity, close focusing
  • The Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 is the keyboard I liked with the palm rest and the #Windows7 taskbar integration
  • Waiting for my netbook to copy today’s images from my DSLR… large file transfers are not really what Atom processors were designed for :-(
  • RT @bbctech: Blogger turns 10 but how relevant is blogging now? http://bit.ly/1qslqX ^MW Less than it was… and Blogger lost its way too
  • Microsoft is /still/ plugging XP Mode as a way forward at #MPN2009 It’s really just a sticking plaster and is irrelevant in the enterprise!
  • #Windows7’s Aero Shake is now known as “the Windows Wiggle” (via James Akrigg at #MPN2009)
  • RT @stufox: RT @Sysinternals: disk2vhd tool simplifies the migration of physical systems into virtual machines (P2V): http://bit.ly/Pw2K0
  • Just checking the VMware support matrix and cannot believe that VI3.5 components still don’t support Windows Server 2008 or SQL Server 2008
  • RT @markveldhuis: Bug in Snow Leopard deletes all user data http://bit.ly/10PdGD ^MW from a pro-MSFT source but still very serious!
  • RT @google: Track UPS, Fedex or USPS packages – just put the tracking number in the search box ^MW works with Bing too
  • RT @4sysops: Web Browsers turn 15 http://is.gd/4i3Qo and Windows is still alive despite threats going back 13 years http://is.gd/4i4iN
  • RT @govirtual: Microsoft certifies RHEL on Hyper-V, validates Windows on KVM http://bit.ly/FCdnJ ^MW #1 Linux distro is supported on H-V now
  • RT @maryjofoley Gartner calls Windows 7 ‘all but inevitable’ for business users: http://bit.ly/2acGzX
  • RT @CIOsConnect: Windows 7: Don’t Wait for Service Pack to Test, Gartner Says http://bit.ly/2825y6 by @smoneill
  • RT @CIOsConnect: Gartner analyst’s take on Windows 7 Migration
  • RT @maryjofoley: Pure speculation that Google might drop a Chrome OS beta as a Windows 7 spoiler http://bit.ly/2R3eYF ^MW It’s only Ubuntu!
  • RT @guardiantech: Channel 4 deal with YouTube will let users watch full-length TV dramas online http://bit.ly/2gPbq8
  • RT @Gartner_inc: 5 issues enterprises should examine with upcoming launch of Windows 7: http://bit.ly/19q39c http://bit.ly/3IVwoN
  • RT @guardiantech: BBC Trust blocks plan to share iPlayer technology with terrestrial channels http://bit.ly/14Zcc
  • RT @jamestenniswood: Hell has frozen over, the iMac has an SD slot! eek ^MW MacBook is still light on USB ports and media slots though…
  • RT @maryjofoley Windows-7-friendly version of Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is now available for download: http://bit.ly/2vJtb0
  • Wow! Really chuffed to see @edbott refer to one of my posts in his Q&A on Windows XP Mode http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=1461 – thanks Ed!
  • On my way to a press briefing on #Windows7… only hours to go until GA of a very solid release – even Gartner say no need to wait for SP1
  • RT @leolaporte: Windows 7 has been in public beta test with 8 million people for a year. Snow Leopard? The beta is now (via @markveldhuis)
  • RT @BrentO: Twitter, stop saying you’re over capacity. The real problem is that you’re underpowered.
  • Here’s a thought… shouldn’t the USB sticks with the embargoed Windows 7 launch info for journalists be encrypted with BitLocker ToGo ;-)
  • I have an urge to buy new tech toys: multitouch monitor to use with Windows 7? WiFi enabled photo frame? Xbox 360 Elite? Must write to Santa
  • Introducing Windows Server 2008 R2 e-book (from @MicrosoftPress) is free at http://bit.ly/3VX4HW (via @markparris at http://bit.ly/aBX9a)
  • RT @JoeBaguley: Business Traveller – What do you actually do? http://is.gd/4xzuF – Fabulous! ^MW Armstrong and Miller are /very/ funny
  • RT @thurrott: How you can easily clean install Windows 7 with Upgrade media: http://tinyurl.com/win7cleanupgrade
  • Being very brave: encrypting the hard disk on my netbook using BitLocker (have never used encryption before for fear of locking myself out)
  • From @techradar: Apple to offer Windows 7 support this year http://techradar.com/644191
  • Things I hate on the net #1: Websites that make me register to leave a comment (unless it’s using something like OpenID or Windows Live ID)
  • Things I hate on the net #2: Websites that spread stories over lots of pages – yes, I’m talking about you MSN, TechTarget, et al.
  • Things I hate on the net #3: Websites that want me to see a full page ad before I can get to content
  • Things I hate on the net #4: Websites that play audio without warning
  • Things I hate on the net #5: Blogs that only syndicate article summaries
  • End of rant about things I hate on the net…
  • RT @ForbesTech Why Apple Is Gushing Hate On Windows 7 (article by @bcaulfield) http://cptlst.com/e5cp
  • RT @guardiantech: Microsoft: An ageing giant http://bit.ly/3NyLS8 ^MW Interesting but misses the point – i.e. 3 screens and a cloud
  • RT @joiningdots: “Twitter costs UK economy £1.3bn” http://is.gd/4DgqX ^MW and my employer gets 60 hrs a week of my time for the price of 37
  • RT @4sysops: Free Microsoft Press eBook by Mitch Tulloch: Windows 7 troubleshooting tips http://is.gd/4DX1t
  • RT @garrymartin: [blog] Hardware Specific Application Targeting with MDT 2010 – http://bit.ly/3PgEJX
  • RT @shanselman: RT @floatingfrisbee: BBC has built a JavaScript library: http://www.bbc.co.uk/glow ^MW open source and wide browser support
  • RT @guardiantech: Does Twitter really cost British business £1.4bn a year? http://bit.ly/42AAoC ^MW Not if you look at the bigger picture…
  • RT @OneMicrosoftWay: Microsoft selling crapware-free PCs in its stores: http://bit.ly/1cFsoq ^MW sadly not yet in the UK or via OEM channel
  • RT @google: Google PowerMeter rolls out in the UK: http://bit.ly/3U43UU ^MW might be worth investigating…
  • It’s 40 years since the first message was sent on the ‘net http://bit.ly/2Ulsxj It was L O and then the link crashed before they got to G!
  • RT @MSSpringboard: Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide for DirectAccess Now Available! http://bit.ly/3GfIgO
  • RT @paulbunnell9: National Stress Awareness Day – 4th November ^MW see http://bit.ly/1EsgHN
  • Downloading the new netbook remix of Ubuntu 9.10 “Karmic Koala” to have a play with…
  • RT @4sysops: Microsoft confirms Win 7 install trick is legal http://is.gd/4Hvw0 ^MW Storm in a teacup – @thurrott wasn’t encouraging piracy
  • Trying out Connectify and my first impressions are very positive – see @shanselman’s post for more info http://bit.ly/4AI9R1
  • RT @robmargel: RT @scottisafool: @manan the arc mouse is nice, really like mine :) totally agree love mine as well ^MW I have 2 of them :-)
  • RT @AndrewWoody: These sessions must be a short straw for Microsoft people – MVPs aren’t shy when it comes to expressing opinion #ukie09
  • RT @joe_elway: #ukie09 MVPs state opinions and stick a question mark on the end in Q&A!
  • RT @hinshelm: Woo, Office 2010 web app will be available on Skydrive for non-business users… #ukie09
  • RT @AndrewWoody: Azure is cool – but you need to really work through the numbers to ensure you know what the costs are #ukie09
  • RT @guardiantech: Crowds mob first Microsoft shops http://bit.ly/4ocbTf
  • RT @shanselman: HTML 5 – a 3 minute guide by @secretgeek http://bit.ly/sNBaW
  • RT @shanselman: Great utility adds “Attach” and “Detach” to VHD files: http://bit.ly/1GioFY
  • RT @guardiantech: The power of tweets http://bit.ly/14g0XB
  • RT @airjrdn: Microsoft Security Essentials rated best free antivirus for Windows http://tinyurl.com/y9ty3be
• November:
  • RT @garrymartin: Intel Virtualization Technology List – a list of processors that support Intel VT-x http://ark.intel.com/VTList.aspx
  • Installing the Ubuntu 9.10 “Karmic Koala” netbook remix on a spare USB key… may sound like heresy but there’s no harm in taking a look!
  • Saw Win7 Home Premium in Costco yesterday for £50.99+VAT… not sure if it was an upgrade or a full edition, but that price sounds good
  • RT @windowslive: With Office 2010 you can save your work directly to Windows Live SkyDrive: http://bit.ly/1naglr ^MW Sweet!
  • RT @maryjofoley: Microsoft chops prices of its hosted enterprise cloud offerings: http://bit.ly/2DJNJ0
  • RT @ForbesTech: Apple disses netbooks, proves it’s not Microsoft, again http://cptlst.com/orx2 ^MW no more hackintoshes http://bit.ly/RM8DD
  • RT @guardiantech: Can you spare 84p? That’s your best saving on Orange’s iPhone contract http://bit.ly/486A8O ^MW so much for competition…
  • RT @robmargel: Googler regains MVP status http://is.gd/4LQbk sort of…
  • I just learned that my 4 (nearly 5)-year-old has e-mail, calendar and intranet access at primary school! Impressive, but scary too…
  • My laptop gets a new #Windows7 skin:  http://twitpic.com/o9l1o
  • Enabling PowerShell in Hyper-V Server 2008 R2: http://bit.ly/38OGSP
  • RT @garrymartin: Exchange 2007 *will* be supported on Windows Server 2008 R2 http://bit.ly/37der0 ^MW Hurrah for common sense!
  • RT @Kikim: Microsoft Courier interface explained in detail: http://bit.ly/3lwsGc ^MW I /need/ to get me one of these :-)
  • Comparing the plug sockets of the world – more amusing than it sounds! http://bit.ly/3bOpjg (via @codinghorror)
  • RT @guardiantech: Got Windows 7? You’ll still need antivirus, Sophos shows http://bit.ly/2c2PXE ^MW Well… duh! Of course you do! I use MSE
  • SkyDrive Explorer: Guess what this does? http://bit.ly/1RNKDh (via @OneMicrosoftWay and http://arst.ch/9o3)
  • RT @eileenb: Behind the scenes at the Tech.Ed keynote http://tinyurl.com/yew5vmb ^MW Looking forward to it! #TEE09
  • RT @jamestenniswood: Lego http://ow.ly/15ZPdQ
  • Creating business cards for #TEE09 DECAdry SnapBack card paper is great… HP OfficeJet 6310 sheet feeder is not… lots of wonky cards :-(
  • RT @garrymartin: From 10 November, the iPhone can be unlocked for O2 customers in the UK: http://bit.ly/1jX9i7
  • RT @fastflame: Twitter allows the audience to punish a speaker Immediately… keynote showed this #tee09 ^MW so did 3000 people walking out
  • RT @followdan: Keynote; verb; to attempt the rescue of an awful presentation using surreal videos of animals and robots. See ‘fail’ #tee09
  • Isn’t it funny how only positive #TEE09 tweets appear on http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/teched/default.mspx (that was rhetorical)
  • Netbook is doing much better on juice today at #TEE09… remembered to put it into power saver mode (not just turning off Wi-Fi)
  • RT @stealthpuppy: Stop Paying for Windows Security; Microsoft’s Security Tools Are Good Enough: http://bit.ly/I8pFQ
  • RT @joe_elway: http://tinyurl.com/yc6fyop – Aidan’s response to a poorly-researched article (http://tinyurl.com/yfl5skq) about Hyper-V
  • Someone asked at #TEE09 if BranchCache will be made available for Windows XP – audience response: LOL. MSFT response: “We sell software” ;-)
  • RT @markveldhuis: Windows 7 Inspired By Mac OS X? Microsoft Says No Way. http://bit.ly/3dIwrC ^MW Mac fans flatter themselves…
  • RT @rschu: Fun Fact: “Mark Russinovich” is latin for “Dude, you just make my head explode” #TEE09 ^MW He has a brain the size of a planet!
  • RT @MicrosoftPress Free e-book from Microsoft Press & Technet Mag: Deploying Windows 7, Essential Guidance: http://ow.ly/Bkuc
  • Win7 Tip: I left TweetDeck off today and got much better battery life at #TEE09… powercfg.exe -energy can help identify other culprits
  • I had a fantastic week at #TEE09 – very intensive but great fun too – thanks to all who worked so hard to make it happen
  • Woohoo! My iPhone is now /legally/ unlocked and running with a Vodafone UK SIM  http://twitpic.com/pvj9c
  • RT @thurrott: Microsoft Offers a First Peek at Feature-Complete Office 2010 http://bit.ly/1jjonY
  • RT @timanderson: Post: PDC Day one – Windows in the cloud http://bit.ly/2QGzE0
  • RT @bbctech: Social networking sites criticised for failing to introduce a help button for children being bullied http://bit.ly/1jl8yY
  • RT @windows7hacker: Smallest Desktop That I’ve ever seen http://bit.ly/4ExdY ^MW Hmm… maybe my next media centre PC?  Only 10W!
  • RT @JoeBaguley: #Quest announces #Azure-based on-demand software offerings #cloud http://budurl.com/QuestOnDemand
  • RT @MSWindows: Windows Media Center plugin supporting live TV from UK providers like the #BBC – http://bit.ly/37WFOB
  • Just installed a Windows XP/Office 2007 system, starting out from XP SP1 and Office 2007 RTM media – 184 updates!  That’s why XP has to die!
  • RT @ActionLamb: Hand drawn video explaining “What is Windows Azure” – suitable for non-techies: http://bit.ly/mQLku
  • RT @bbctech: The government has announced plans to make Ordnance Survey mapping data available free of charge online. http://bit.ly/3GJj6z
  • RT @GreggRobertson5: Dilbert on cloud computing http://bit.ly/ND7EI
  • RT @maryjofoley: Office 2010 public beta is available for download today (starting at 1 pm ET today) here: http://www.microsoft.com/2010/en/
  • Not convinced about the new Twitter retweet function… often I want to RT with comments that add some context…
  • RT @codinghorror: Internet Explorer 9 – it lives! ^MW hopefully this release will get even closer to web standards…
  • RT @timanderson: Blog: PDC day two – Silverlight 4 and a free laptop http://bit.ly/3rrNg4
  • RT @4sysops: Microsoft Volume Licensing Reference Guide http://is.gd/4YDW2
  • RT @guardiantech: Keep the PCC’s hands off blogs http://bit.ly/1TX7rT
  • RT @GreggRobertson5: More Dilbert on cloud computing http://bit.ly/ND7EI
  • RT @maryjofoley: Ozzie: MS still working on Adobe LightRoom competitor, but with a social twist: http://bit.ly/3a0IeY #PDC09
  • RT @ActionLamb: nice picture of possible iTablet – bonkers expensive RT @wired: Can an unannounced product be delayed? http://bit.ly/2H5GmL
  • RT @edbott: RT @inafried: Windows boss on building his first laptop (and more from Sinofsky to come) http://bit.ly/3GeNeK
  • RT @ActionLamb: PDC day 1 “Ray Ozzie” keynote is available for on-demand viewing http://bit.ly/3bYJlD
  • RT @Microsoft: PDC09 Day 1 & 2 keynotes on demand, downloadable video clips: http://bit.ly/ubvf6
  • A first look at the Google Chrome OS, by @timanderson http://bit.ly/3LxQ6E
  • RT @BrentO: The Chrome guys seemed completely surprised by the comparison to the original iPhone stance on apps. They’re screwed
  • First impressions with the Office 2010 beta are that it’s a lot more responsive (and of course more “polished”) than the CTP
  • RT @stufox: App-V distribution of Office 2010: http://bit.ly/1CHfdB
  • RT @edbott: Imagine the reaction from the press if Microsoft had announced something as incomplete as Chrome OS (*cough* Longhorn)
  • RT @timanderson: Conversation in shuttle to airport re #ChromeOS. “It sounds a bit big brother”. Also, “Will the EU want a browser ballot?”
  • RT @MVPAwardProgram: Couldn’t make PDC09? 91 sessions are now available for live streaming here http://bit.ly/2unrru
  • RT @jamiet: The EU says the browser isn’t part of the O/S so what will they make of Chrome OS? #justsayin
  • RT @robmargel http://tinyurl.com/yfj2dec – I’m a PC and my chops are done – Australian 7 second demos
  • RT @techradar: Why Chrome OS is no threat to Windows http://techradar.com/652569
  • RT @guardiantech: BBC bows to SEO http://bit.ly/1MSTI6
  • RT @thommck Google Chrome OS – What is it for and is it any good? … http://tinyurl.com/yb87syk ^MW good summary of yesterday’s briefing
  • Happy to be back in “thick client” Outlook (2010) after server certificate issue was resolved. OWA is OK, but I like the full functionality!
  • RT @shanselman: Here’s the technical details and specs of the #pdc09 laptop: http://bit.ly/8iNP2X ^MW are there any on eBay yet?
  • RT @guardiantech: Digital economy bill: A punishing future http://bit.ly/51LzGU
  • RT @sbink: Office 2010 Click To Run: App-v from the cloud http://tinyurl.com/ycxwtyy ^MW interesting: pity it’s device and not user-centric
  • RT @robmargel: handy hint for creating a Windows 7 custom key command http://is.gd/51JZx
  • This looks interesting when building home/small business PCs (i.e. no standard builds available): http://ninite.com/ (via @dmsaxon)
  • RT @ActionLamb: Superb Dilbert re: Twitter http://www.dilbert.com/strips/comic/2009-11-24/
  • RT @timanderson: First look at Chrome OS (strictly Chromium OS) screen by screen http://bit.ly/7Yz7s1 ^MW unfortunately, split over 11 pages
  • RT @thurrott: Just Like IBM http://bit.ly/71FihR ^MW I hope not… or else it could be time for a new career!
  • RT @stealthpuppy: Cool tool: EULAlyzer by Javacool Software http://tinyurl.com/yjfbu4c
  • RT @shanselman: Trying “Chromium OS” on my Dell Mini 9. Seems like any Linux live CD so far. It’s a bootable browser. http://bit.ly/7xirxQ
  • Looking at http://www.mini-itx.com/ for my low-power PC… lots of choices… trying to work out the physics…
  • RT @pzizz: MacWorld rates pzizz relax with 4 out of 5 http://tinyurl.com/ygjl5ff ^MW I use this app too: see http://bit.ly/8wqZnw
  • I just ran up ESXi on a netbook!  Totally by accident (was just about to wipe a disk that had been built in another system) but it ran!
  • Just confirmed that Windows Server 2008 will run on an Atom…
  • Just ordered mini-itx case http://bit.ly/8jiuOm and Atom 330 powered mobo http://bit.ly/8VAy8i – will blog when all working!
  • Microsoft Security Essentials won’t install on server operating systems :-(
  • RT @nickboldt (via @JoeBaguley) For any designer, writer or freelancer who’s been asked to work for free: http://is.gd/53UGH
  • Note to self: TechNet subs only give you a one-time key for Windows Server: should have grabbed the key from last year’s sub before expiry
  • Microsoft Security Essentials won’t install on servers but WIndows Update thinks I might want Windows Live Essentials! Interesting logic!
  • Interesting analysis of OpenID provider usage on stackoverflow/serverfault/superuser.com http://bit.ly/4TUbgb
  • Amazon.co.uk just delivered my copy of the Windows 7 Resource Kit: http://bit.ly/7CuFfj – at 1712 pages, is this the biggest paperback ever?
  • A description of Hyper-V and SLAT (Second Level Address Translation) by @joe_elway: http://tinyurl.com/y9etatw
  • RT @stealthpuppy: Rumour: will iconic Technics DJ turntables be discontinued? http://tinyurl.com/yzvcyaj . Noooo! ^MW Say it ain’t so!
  • RT @codinghorror: mini PCs FTW! An Atom paired with an energy efficient chipset: 11W idle 18W max. http://is.gd/55iUF
  • RT @timanderson: Is Microsoft really this stupid? Wants to charge for iPlayer on Xbox 360? http://bit.ly/5JhFrh
  • RT @guardiantech: Letters: Gary McKinnon extradition decision is shameful http://bit.ly/6nGtSO
  • RT @thurrott: Netbooks: Do They Make Sense for Business? http://bit.ly/8rERpB ^MW In a word, no.
  • RT @timanderson: How many people buy software from sites like this? http://bit.ly/5Bmg50 ^MW probably lots  – and that’s worrying
  • Just been looking at @dmsaxon’s new HTC HD2… think that’s my next new phone :-)
• December:
  • 2 years ago, I said that Time Capsule was not as good as Apple made out: http://bit.ly/1X37a8 (via @jamestenniswood) http://bit.ly/4PIoMj
  • BBC photographer on being stopped by police for taking sunset photo: http://is.gd/58UW3 #1984 #notacrime
  • RT @Sysinternals: Lots of Sysinternals tool updates today:  VMMap, Disk2vhd, Sigcheck, Autoruns, PsExec, and PsKill – http://bit.ly/6fb0xk
  • RT @VirtualPCGuy: Why Hyper-V cannot boot off of SCSI disks (and why you should not care) – http://bit.ly/678K2y
  • Finally got around to configuring multiple Exchange Server accounts in Outlook 2010.  Very useful feature :-) http://bit.ly/aHIy7
  • RT @phnat: Photographers rights, finally on the frontpage http://twitpic.com/ryecm #1984 #notacrime
  • RT @Gartner_inc: Through 2012, IT orgs will spend more $$ on private cloud computing investments than public cloud offerings #GartnerDC
  • RT @MSSpringboard: Windows Optimized Desktop can enable the easy/quick replacement of a lost/stolen PC http://bit.ly/873e2e
  • RT @MSSpringboard: Prevx agrees that the Black Screen of Death issue is not related to Microsoft’s security patches http://bit.ly/6TzdBx
  • RT @CIOsConnect: To recap: you will NOT be seeing the “Black Screen of Death” as a result of applying any of the Microsoft patches
  • Really pleased to see that PowerPoint 2010 can handle notes pages where the notes span several pages.  No need for http://bit.ly/4n6Glp :-)
  • OpenDNS responds to the Google DNS “threat”: http://blog.opendns.com/2009/12/03/opendns-google-dns/ (via @AndyParkes)
  • Got to admit that 8.8.8.8 is a pretty memorable DNS server address.  Hope they have something equally memorable for IPv6!
  • If I wasn’t looking after the kids this weekend I would try to be at this: http://bit.ly/8CEcye #StPaulsPhoto #phnat #notacrime #1984
  • RT @phnat: RT @TheIndyNews: Police told: stop this abuse of terror law http://bit.ly/5947ud #phnat #notacrime #1984
  • RT @guardiantech: Photography is our right, our freedom: http://bit.ly/8UiGmW #phnat #notacrime #1984
  • Anybody know a good way to test if a USB flash drive is dodgy? My demo worked after I switched devices. Suspect my 16GB thumbdrive is duff
  • RT @shanselman: Hm…this new Retweet feature sucks…without RT added commentary my twitter timeline is disturbingly quiet ^MW Hear hear!
  • RT @thurrott Best of Both Worlds: Windows 7 on the Mac http://bit.ly/623RS7
  • Google is an ADVERTISING company, not an IT company: the IT stuff is just a means to an end (@timanderson highlighted this to me last year)
  • CheckFlash found a dodgy area on my USB flash drive (thanks @adugdell) – how can I mark it bad (like I could with traditional disks)?
  • As I suspected, formatting a disk has no effect on physical defects: does anyone know how to make sectors bad on a flash drive?
  • RT @BillP: Ever wonder who’s gets your personal Facebook information? http://bit.ly/6muqIs
  • RT @guardiantech: Don’t stop this healthy IT project http://bit.ly/8a5K3W
  • RT @edbott: The ‘black screen of death’: fact, fiction, or FUD? History and troubleshooting tips http://bit.ly/6AEIFc
  • RT @Gartner_inc: Average number of workers using employee-owned notebooks to increase from 10% in ’09 to 14% by mid-’10
  • I ran GRC’s Domain Name Speed Benchmark (http://bit.ly/5gCScY via @markveldhuis): OpenDNS beats my ISP’s servers and Google DNS is slow…
  • Also, OpenDNS gives me filtering so I (or my family) don’t accidentally surf somewhere I shouldn’t…
  • RT @markveldhuis: -.-. — — .-.. -.-.–   RT @verkoren: translate text to Morse code http://bit.ly/4vhFHx!
  • RT @1854: Photographer detained by Police for taking pictures in London: http://bit.ly/6ILaZF ^MW So much for the #ACPO letter #1984 #phnat
  • RT @jasonsantamaria: RCA student radically improves the UK plug: http://j.mp/7aFeCH ^MW Superb! I do so hope this makes it into production!
  • Free dictation software for the iPhone: http://tinyurl.com/ya3mtje (via @airjrdn).  Only in the US though :-(
  • Google finally ships a beta of Chrome for MacOS X… 15 months after the Windows beta, and 14 months after I stopped caring about it…
  • RT @codinghorror: Dear Opera users, the web is not broken, *Opera* is broken. ^MW outspoken as ever Jeff! And right as usual
  • RT @CIOsConnect: 10 OS Lessons Apple could learn from Microsoft http://bit.ly/7c0Twg ^MW interesting points, spread over too many pages…
  • Microsoft Hyper-V R2 + SCVMM vs VMware vSphere + vCenter: finally, a decent feature comparison: http://bit.ly/4SCZXT
  • Some interesting links in this post about today’s heavy-handed police treatment of photographer: http://bit.ly/4owSp9 #phnat
  • Microsoft moves Windows Azure into its Server and Tools Business, forming a new Server and Cloud Division: http://bit.ly/7tYjZK
  • Microsoft’s Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Pros shows apps that have passed Win7 logo testing: http://bit.ly/cteTc
  • Core Configurator v2.0 is released for those who don’t like the command line: http://bit.ly/jBLIP (via @mattmcspirit http://bit.ly/7ZxHUF)
  • RT @leadfollowmove: No support for Exchange 2007 on [Windows Server] 2008 R2 until SP3 (H2 2010) http://bit.ly/5p6ax3 *doh* ^MW shot in foot
  • So, the UK Government has decided to implement the crazy “broadband tax” http://bit.ly/8jPLbR I can’t wait to vote these ****s out of office
  • Broadband tax would raise around £170m a year, way short of BT’s estimate of £5bn needed to provide super-fast fibre to every UK home…
  • RT @JoeBaguley: UK 13A wall socket with built-in USB charging socket – nifty: http://bit.ly/548osw ^MW pity it’s such an ugly faceplate…
  • RT @guardiantech: The difference between reporting and journalism: http://bit.ly/8x7lPE
  • RT @bbctech: Around Denmark’s first zero-CO2 house http://bit.ly/4Jq0Sw ^MW Nice! But possibly costs a little more than the average UK semi
  • RT @techradar: Is the App Store Apple’s biggest PR disaster? http://bit.ly/5TPwfq ^MW If devs leave the iPhone platform where will they go?
  • RT @tom_warren: Got a Windows 7 Touch PC and want the Touch Pack? It’s coming for download soon http://bit.ly/4urpKJ ^MW Looks like fun!
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Feature Component Poster: http://bit.ly/79ylvz (via @thurrott)
  • Listening to a Fujitsu PRIMERGY server presentation… sounds as if the TX120 would be quieter and use 43% less power than my Dell PE840 :-(
  • RT @leadfollowmove: Free e-book: “First Look: Microsoft Office 2010”: 
  • RT @jamesbannan: Today’s Haiku – Virtualisation / All of your applications / Are not really there ^MW James is good at these…
  • RT @shanselman: Three important Outlook rules for processing mail: http://bit.ly/6LjpLO
  • RT @Fotoe: going to take pics of cops. Then when they search the car they might find my missing lens cap! Always a silver lining! #phnat
  • Helping UK citizens to find out what their taxes are spent on: http://bit.ly/3H6qo4 (via @bbctech: http://bit.ly/5OeGYg)
  • Mass Gathering in defence of street photography on 23 Jan 2010: http://photographernotaterrorist.org/2009/12/mass-photo-gathering/ #phnat
  • RT @stephenfry: Amazing meeting with some v cool people at Microsoft. […] Pivot, Seadragon, so much coolosity I nearly fainted.
  • Sad to see @garrymartin leave Fujitsu today. Excellent technical skills and can also operate at CxO level. Will be a great catch for someone
  • Why eco-light bulbs aren’t what they seem: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8406923.stm
  • RT @edbott: Every webmaster’s nightmare: ^MW Feeling sorry for @codinghorror and thanking @alexcoles for my backups
  • RT @alanpurchase: Lots of really good people leaving Fujitsu.
  • RT @scaleovenstove: if you want to check out Sharepoint 2010 but don’t want to install, here you go: http://www.wssdemo.com/default.aspx
  • Just checked my MCP Transcript and saw that I passed the two Windows 7 beta exams I took back in October
  • Trying to work out if passing exams without any preparation means a) I know my stuff or b) the exams are not hard enough… I’d suggest b
  • RT @stealthpuppy: A Media Centre PC that mounts behind your TV: http://bit.ly/5gOlOB ^MW but have you seen the price tag?!
  • RT @poleydee: I am loving the new Sun advert ‘in the style of’ an iPhone ad… http://twurl.nl/ue3utc ^Fantastic ad. Shame about the paper
  • Want to get involved in the Microsoft Learning development process (beta exams, etc.)? See: http://bit.ly/8Y1Xlc
  • Really pleased to see that #officebeta 2010 Sharing is to SkyDrive /and/ SharePoint (I thought it was either/or): http://twitpic.com/thkyt
  • RT @mike_walsh: Why Should I Blog? My thoughts on why YOU should start a technical blog. http://tinyurl.com/yahwwd9
  • A useful Microsoft codename tracker from @maryjofoley : http://bit.ly/6l2gdB
  • Just found that the #officebeta 2010 includes Microsoft SharedView (http://bit.ly/5BhqsK) integration: http://twitpic.com/tisqo
  • Trying to write an Excel macro to do some of the legwork on our over-complex expenses process
    RT @jamestenniswood: Teletext killed off early! http://ow.ly/M1MS
  • Want to take a look at #Windows7? ITPros can test drive at http://bit.ly/8g9N8U; devs should go to http://bit.ly/4rN6tV (via @paulbunnell9)
  • @MSSpringboard Installing Windows 7 from USB is THE way to go. Very fast once the initial USB setup is done. How to at: http://bit.ly/8zjICu
  • RT @MSSpringboard: Watch Greg Lambert from ChangeBASE AOK discuss Windows 7 application compatibility http://bit.ly/5Wg8mu
  • Just sent a fax – how quaint! Haven’t done that in a long time! Couldn’t find a fax machine but Windows Fax and Scan did the trick for me…
  • RT @airjrdn: Dell lays off 700 workers, Dell.com suddenly filled with numerous price mistakes – http://tinyurl.com/y8e9ott
  • RemoteApp for Hyper-V. Hyper what? @stealthpuppy explains why this is a misnomer: http://bit.ly/8xZPgl
  • RT @garrymartin: http://xkcd.com/676/ You have to laugh at the ironic truth of it all :-)
  • RT @AndrewWoody: Is this a good thing – UK TV watching increased but we have rubbish broadband – Elite my arse http://bit.ly/7YykOK
  • RT @OneMicrosoftWay: Brief: Why Office 2010 won’t support Windows XP 64-bit – http://arst.ch/baf ^MW or on Server 2003 (i.e. for Term Svcs)
  • RT @4sysops: Getting to Know Hyper-V: A Walkthrough from Initial Setup to Common Scenarios http://is.gd/5qDCs New Microsoft paper
  • RT @lizmale A Christmas card to all Twitter folk (and an opportunity to raise money for Construction Youth Trust): http://bit.ly/67M4LK
  • Iraqi militants hack $4.5m Predator drones With Windows shareware: http://bit.ly/5EC2SX (via @jamestenniswood) #militarystupidity #fail
  • Microsoft customer satisfaction mandate looms: http://bit.ly/8x82hs #mspartner (via @ServicesReady)
  • RT @markveldhuis: Fixed in new @tweetdeck: tweets from people with a high number of followers going “missing” ^MW reappeared after update
  • RT @airjrdn: Google says it’s okay with ad-blocking extensions http://tinyurl.com/ycdt8zy ^MW Google may be OK, but I’m not.  No ads=no £
  • RT @joe_elway: Looking Into “9 Reasons Enterprises Shouldn’t Switch To Hyper-V http://bit.ly/7EfPGU ^MW Aidan beat me to it
  • RT @dutchie027: InformationWeek and Virtualisation – Take it with a grain of salt – http://tinyurl.com/ykllh7r ^MW Another attack on the FUD
  • Looking to deploy Windows 7? Check out the Windows Optimized Desktop Solution Accelerators: http://bit.ly/4RLBGZ (via @MSSpringboard)
  • RT @CIOsConnect: Ubuntu Linux founder stepping down as CEO http://bit.ly/5IKTMa
  • RT @Office: Office 2010 Volume Activation Tips and Tricks: http://bit.ly/8Uj29r #officebeta
  • RT @wordpress:WordPress 2.9 “Carmen” is alive. Upgrade! http://wp.me/p4Ez4-hl ^MW I really /must/ update my site!
  • Microsoft Australia is giving away 5 HTC HD2s: http://bit.ly/51z6vc (via @longzheng) ^MW Microsoft UK… how about something similar here?
  • Disappointed to see that the #spotify iPhone app needs a Premium account :-(
  • #Windows7 and hardcore geek courtship: http://bit.ly/12AHyb (via @jamesbannan and @adugdell)
  • RT @joiningdots: How some are limiting their time spent on Facebook: http://is.gd/5vYz0 ^MW I should do the same for Twitter!
  • Next-generation Intel Atom processors: smaller, more efficient, not much more powerful http://gizmodo.com/5430908/ #processors #intelatom
  • Great to catch up with social networking expert @eileenb – I just learned about Connectors, Mavens and Salesmen: http://bit.ly/165Jv
  • RT @jamesoneill: Drilling into ‘reasons for not switching to Hyper-V’ http://bit.ly/6SCqrg ^MW another attempt to cut though the FUD
  • My AV software just threw up a notification for BitTorrent traffic but why is this bad? There are legal uses too! http://twitpic.com/uieg1
  • RT @Lifehacker: The Lifehacker Guide to 64-bit vs. 32-bit Operating Systems http://lifehacker.com/5431284/ #windows #64bit
  • Very pleased with Humax PVR-9300T.  Easy setup and no noticeable fan noise.  Mrs W. is also pleased to be able to work our AV setup again!
  • RT @joiningdots: Seemingly rational changes create unintended consequences http://is.gd/5wEZa ^MW it’s not just startups that do this…
  • RT @ITPRO: Illegal music downloads on the rise http://bit.ly/6znLiO ^MW make it less expensive and people will pay…
  • RT @BrentO: FANTASTIC article for bloggers. RT @JonDiPietro: Getting started tips for non-bloggers http://bit.ly/7d5QP7
  • RT @wilhil: I have a new love of Windows 2000 inside a VM, runs Firefox and most .net programs, starts in <5 secs and takes only 256MB RAM!
  • RT @applespotlight: Tip: iPhone pic in low light? Cover camera, uncover, take photo before it adjusts to new light condition ^MW Nice tip!
  • RT @Office: RT @dinabass: Microsoft’s Office 2010 beta does not include the feature covered by the patent ruling in favor of i4i #officebeta
  • RT @codinghorror: Of the Windows-Icons-Menu-Pointer paradigm, only the last ONE was actually useful and necessary. See: the web
  • RT @guardiantech: The iPhone isn’t perfect http://bit.ly/7WsIfr ^MW Interesting idea that iPhone users experience “Stockholm Syndrome”
  • Have to admit that my own site’s search function is pants.  Searching on Google with site:markwilson.co.uk turned up better results :-(
  • RT @bbctech: BBC Two show Top Gear was the most watched programme of the year on BBC iPlayer, according to new figures http://bit.ly/5FXoVq
  • Download two chapters from Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant: http://bit.ly/6YoOwA /via @MicrosoftPress
  • Hunting for an RS232 cable to update the software on my PVR…
  • PVR software updated OK.  Had to use my wife’s ThinkPad T40 as it had a serial port and an old OS (WinXP) that would run Humax’s updater!

I’m still blogging too, although that has tailed off lately, it was largely due to work and home pressures. I have a couple of posts in my head that never quite made it to my keyboard over the Christmas break and they should be here soon. Watch this space – and thanks again to everyone who supports me by reading/watching/commenting on my various productions and makes it all worthwhile!