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[Keith] Welcome to the Mind Of Root. I'm Keith Albright

[Rich] and I'm Rich Niemeier.

[Keith] and this is Episode 124 streaming live on Ustream.tv on Wednesday December 9th, 2009. Today's show is sponsored by Quest Software; Helping you rule your domain.

Chit-Chat - What's going on with you?

[Steve]

[Rich]

  • I went sledding with the kids, but not very good snow for forts or snow people, to be politically corrrrrect?.

[Keith]

  • Steve may be home building snowmen. If the storm hit as he feared, he's snowed in with no access to his recording equipment.

Housekeeping Items

[Rich]

[Steve]

[Keith]

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____________________________READ TPN PROMO____________________________

  • Microsoft....There's a license for that. [KEITH]
-So, I need to move my Terminal Services remote clients into production so I need to purchase some TS CALS.
-I got the quote and they quoted both Desktop and User CAL's for RDS (Remote Desktop Services)
-In trying to determine which is more appropriate, I found that they no longer consider the TS licenses as concurrent users. You license the device or user....PERIOD. It can be transferred, but what was wrong with concurrent? It is basically seemless transferance.
-Oh, that's right; this puts more money in Micro$oft$ pocket.
-Link: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/licensing-terminal.aspx
  • Using Thin Clients and RDP more and more [RICH]
- Selling Thin Client computing by making it more restrictive
- That sounds really weird, sell the use of something by offering less?
- Well it seems everyone wants to limit or stop cyber slacking.
- in service areas set thin client auto login account to launch IE in kiosk mode
- In different service area set account to load proprietary application
- Now I think I am going to write a simple menu based script to open either the proprietary app or i.e. in kiosk mode.
-Link: http://
  • I hate short-term thinking [KEITH]
-Had a consulting gig with a local municipal gov't office. They need to save money, and one of the officials suggested ditching their current accounting package in favor of QuickBooks?.
-Currently paying $2k/year for support contract with vendor. It's a package written for gov't and they only use the basic A/R, payroll, and PO/Req functions.
-All could be done in QuickBooks?, but I don't know why they think there would be cost savings. To purchase the package w/Payroll it is about $700. Then, the monthly support plan is $79/month ($948).
-Even worse, the official suggesting this indicated they knew a QuickBooks? consultant to help migrate and support. Cha-Ching!
-I explained to them the tangible and intangible costs (quality of support, etc) and recommended against the change. They will make a decision this week.
-Link: http://
  • More and more requests for remote access [RICH]
- Where does one draw the line?
- I force them to request approval from superiors first
-Link: http://
  • Stop the Games [KEITH]
-Boss decided it was time to stop employees from playing games. So, I build a GPO object and applied it to my PC's to prevent launching of the standard MS Games included with Windows XP.
-Chose hash to prevent circumvention by renaming file.
-I think I will add the app name as well to hedge when a new version is available as well.
-Nothing in place to block online games, but we'll see if we need to pursue that.
-Link: http://thefreewarejunkie.com/2007/11/how-to-disable-windows-games-via-gpo.html
  • Google Chrome OS [RICH]
- found a VHD that runs on Virtual Box
- really not impressed
-Link: http://skattertech.com/2009/11/video-install-chrome-os-in-virtualbox/
  • Screw you Classmates.com[KEITH]
-Roughly two years ago, I signed up for a deal on Classmates.com since an old friend sent a message and you can only read it by being a member. $9.99 for the year.
-Wife did the same thing. Only problem is, I removed CC info and auto-renew option and she didn't (NOTE: She blames me claiming I set up her acct and didn't remove it)
-Anyway, fast forward to getting the CC bill and finding $40 charge for her acct. I called and they would only s/w her for privacy reasons.
-She calls and they won't refund any charges. I check TOS and it spells that out. She agrees to charge her for $9.99 and kill the $39.99 charge. Complaining the whole time she shouldn't even do that.
-Wife hadn't used the service in so long, it still had her Comcast.net email account associated with it.
-Classmates.com I have one concatenated word for you....Facebook. Now go file Chapter 7 you money-grubbing SOB's. Or, join us in year 2009 where your pay wall access is lame.
-Link: http://

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Listener Feedback

From listener....Brian

I know this is a little late, but I would say I am thankful for remote access. Not only does it make me lazier, but at times when I am out of the office and someone needs something, it is nice to fire up the 3G card and fix it without having the hassle of an office visit.

Also, I listened to episodes 121 and 122 back to back so I am not sure which one this was discussed. I added Rich as a friend on Facebook, and WOW - all he does is Mafia Wars. I have ignored at least 6 requests but they still come. Rich, what is so appealing about that game?

Website Picks

Rich - http://netbootdisk.com/Just a classic. Has boot disk for many uses.

Steve - http://

Keith - http://

Last Call

Anyone....Anyone....Buehler.....Buehler....

Closing Test- I'd like to thank everyone in the chat on UStream?.tv we always enjoy the additional comments and interaction. everyone should remember that there are numerous ways one can interact with the show. For listener feedback post comments on the main show site, or email us at feedback[at] MindofRoot?.com.

It's always fun to see where our listeners live, put a pin on our frappr map there is a link to this on the main show site.

To become even more involved you can leave suggestions for future shows on the topics request wiki. Again a link to the wiki can be found on the main show site.

There is a link to the wiki on the main show site. If you would like to participate in the show; either through an interview, a segment contribution, or any other way, please let us know. We are also a member of the Techpodcast network. Check out some other great shows by going to Techpodcast.com.

test end-

All right, well that is it for the show. For listener feedback; you can email us at Feedback [at] mindofroot.com or post a comment on the main site at mindofroot.com. If you use iTunes, you could write a review. If you just want to show us your listening, drop a pin on the Frappr map...there's a link on the show site.

Lastly, you can drop any show ideas or topic requests on the wiki. There is a link to the wiki on the main show site. If you would like to participate in the show; either through an interview, a segment contribution, or any other way, please let us know. We are also a member of the Techpodcast network. Check out some other great shows by going to Techpodcast.com.