Happy Halloween from us at SMB PC

Just a short note. HAPPY HALLOWEEN to our beloved readers.

Have a great weekend…harrybbbb

Microsoft Response Point Town Hall Meeting this week!

Be there!

Dear Response Point Partner,   This is the big online event of the year! The Microsoft Response Point team is sponsoring a 1.5 hour Town Hall meeting for Microsoft partners who are selling and installing Response Point.  This is your best opportunity to find out what is going on with Microsoft Response Point and ask you business and technical questions! We have the General Manager, Marketing, Program Management, Development, and the OEMs on-line ready to go!   Town Hall Agenda:  1.       Update the VARs on recent changes and programs (i.e. the website changes, Loaner Program, the campaigns, Specialist program, new partners, etc) 2.       LISTEN to what the VARs want and need to grow their business  3.       Give the Response Point VARs an opportunity to get business and technical questions answered directly from the Microsoft Response Point team and senior representatives from Aastra, D-Link, and Syspine. 4.       Microsoft Program managers, Developers, Product managers, and OEMs will be in the background answering yourquestions via the question manager in Live Meeting.   Date: Thursday, Oct 30th, 9:00-10:30am PDT Audience: Microsoft Partners who sell and install Response Point solutions Location: Office Live Meeting Cost: FREE Attendee Registration for Microsoft Partners: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?publisher=12&delivery=255101   Response Point Partner Town Hall Meeting The Microsoft Response Point Marketing and Development teams are hosting a question and answer webcast for any and all partners who are interested in Response Point and are currently selling Response Point.  With recent announcements on new SIP Trunking providers as well as new peripheral partners for T1 support and conference phone support, the solution opportunity for partners and Response Point expands. Additionally, our go to market plans for the year focus on demand gen activities with Partners being an important cog in these planned campaigns.   Microsoft will spend a few minutes updating partners on what is currently going on with Response Point and will open up the floor for marketing and technical questions.  This is a great chance to find out what the product and opportunity are and get some straight answers from the team who is building the product. We have also invited the OEMs to be online to answer your questions and listen to your concerns and comments.     Note: If you can’t make it, the presentation will be archived and available for partners to view at the Microsoft partner learning center. It takes about 24 hours before the on demand link is ready. Register today and you will be notified. Thank You! The Response Point Team

Thanks, The Response Point Team

Standby for good news – we might be increasing our circulation again!

Hey there folks – I can’t let the cat out of the bag right now but by the end of this week, I might know if we are going to increase our magazine circulation to over 50,000 readers. Could be big fun!

cheers…harrybbbb

Cover story idea on the economy?

Hiya gang – Today I am writing the cover story for the magazine and I thought I’d roll with a piece on the economy…thoughts?
cheers…harrybbbb

SMB Advisory (Issue 2-23) GeekSpeak Edition: SBS 2008isms, RPisms and much more

SMB Advisory Newsletter  1-888-SMB-NAT1         www.smbnation.com GeekSpeak  Over 17,000 Global Readers! October 23, 2008 Issue 2-23 (bi-weekly) Sponsors                                                 Dear Harry, You are receiving this newsletter as a tribal member at SMB Nation.   The Indian summer continues in Seattle. But it is really fall in the northern hemisphere and folks are well into their work routines. That includes people educating themselves using various methods such as webinars, etc.    BTW – we just opened registration for the SMB Nation Europe event, a one-day workshop in London on December 5th with myself and the amazing JEFF MIDDLETON! This is the GeekSpeak issue and I discuss the following topics: SBSisms o    Heal thy SBS 2008 server IP address after installing o    Can’t connect your workstation to the SBS 2008 network – here’s why! o    DARE: Tell me what workstations are supported in SBS 2008          RPisms o    Making RP ring your PA system Also – this is the last newsletter before the US Presidential Elections – so if you are an American over the age of 18, please get out and vote!   cheers…harrybbbb  Harry Brelsford CEO  |  SMB Nation, Inc. |  Bainbridge Island, WA USA   PS – Read my new blog! SMB Dude BREAKING NEWS! Microsoft just released the critical update that you must review and implement! Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-067 – Critical Vulnerability in Server Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (958644) Click HERE to implement this importnat out-of-bounds patch! SBS 2008isms In writing my SBS 2008 Blueprint book with co-author Philip Elder, I have reinstalled the SBS 2008 product numerous times. This is common in a “lab environment.” One situation was very interesting when I performed a straight installation and the server’s default IP address was 192.168.0.2 as you would expect. Philip had written a portion of Chapter 3 to reflect a server IP address of 192.168.40.2 based on his router’s configuration. RATS! I had just entered in the ten employees of Springer Spaniels Limited and I didn’t want to go through this again late at night (another installation). Was there any hope at all? Could I deftly and safely change the server’s IP address at this late date? The answer is yes and here is how you do it. 1.       Click Start 2.       Type ncpa.cpl in the search bar and hit [Enter] 3.       Bring up the NIC properties 4.       Select TCP/IP v4 properties 5.       Change the server IP to 192.168.40.2 (remember that this is my specific situation) 6.       OK until you are out. 7.       In the Windows SBS Console, click Network. 8.       Click the Connectivity tab. 9.       Click the Fix My Network link under Tasks. 10.     Run through the wizard and allow it to make the necessary changes. Notice the IP address has been changed, a new DHCP scope has been created, etc. This process saved me hours and allowed my Springer Spaniels Limited SBS 2008 network to become exactly identical to Philip’s network. This is how you write a book with a co-author. Another reference is the post from Sean Daniel (SBS development team at Microsoft) below. “Fix My Network” Wizard in SBS 2008 By Sean Daniel In the previous version of SBS, the Configure E-Mail and Internet Connection Wizard (CEICW) could be run again and again and again … and again. If you had an issue with networking, you’d run the wizard as many times as you wanted to … Workstation fails to connect! Another SBS 2008ism I encountered concerns an older workstation that I sought to attach to the SBS 2008 network. Knowing that I was working with an older machine, I reinstalled Windows XP Pro on this workstation and tried to run Http://connect to connect the client computer for the fictional attendee Bob Easter to the SPRINGERSLTD SBS 2008 network. It failed telling me I needed NET Framework 2.0 so I downloaded that and Windows XP SP3 and installed both to make my machine current. Upon trying http://connect, I experienced failure again. This time I Googled my problem using descriptive keywords and arrived at TechNet Article #957708 titled Windows XP/Vista Workstations Fail To Connect To SBS 2008 When Using Http://connect. This article had me make a DNS suffix entry at the workstation and, SHAAZAM*, the workstation attached to the SBS 2008 network. *Learn more about Gomer Pyle who uttered this phrase on TV HERE. DARE! When I was encountering the above workstation maladies – I decided to look around the primary Microsoft SBS 2008 site HERE to discover what desktop operating systems were supported. I was unable to find this information anywhere at the main site (even here under System Requirements HERE). So my dare to you is to find where, on the primary SBS 2008 product pages at Microsoft, the supported desktop operating systems are shown? Note that I finally found the information I was looking for at this HP ProLiant servers site: HERE SMB Nation Europe, London, December 5, 2008 The show must go on! The goal of having a repeat SMB Nation Europe event has been realized. This time, instead of Amsterdam (2005), it’s in LONDON! And instead of two-days, it is one-day to accommodate everyone’s travel and accommodation budgets. It’s the Harry (Brelsford) and Jeff (Middleton) show and it is an INDEPENDENT view of SBS 2008. Harry checks off on the sales and marketing conversation. Jeff heads up the technical conversation.   Learn more HERE   Seating is limited to 200 so sign up NOW! Jeff and I look forward to seeing you December 5th in London!   BEST PRACTICE: This London event will also be our book release party for the Small Business Server 2008 Blueprint book! RPism! No GeekSpeak edition of this newsletter is complete without a RPism. That is, I like to proffer a Microsoft Response Point technical tidbit for you to digest. To write this piece, I simply took a snippet from the new Telephonation site (www.telephonation.com) that we run to support everything and anything related to RP!   So this issue’s RPism concerns having the Response Point ring over the PA system.   I have a client who has a PA system connected to their Syspine base unit. They can page from a handset without problems but they want the ability to have the ringing go through the PA when someone calls afterhours. They have had this on their previous phone systems and consider it a standard feature. Is there anyway to accomplish this with RP? Wondering Tom ### Dear Wondering – Yes, you can do this. It will require additional hardware however. Look at getting an FXS gateway for your unit, configure one of the FXS ports as a ‘phone’ in the system. Add that phone to the group for incoming calls. Quintum has a 2 port FXS gateway (AFG200). These also work great for outdoor ‘doorbell phones’, it allows them to call into the system and handle the call separately than the receptionist. Couple other points, make sure your overhead intercom can take either an RJ11 or ‘tip and ring’ input. Then you connect the RJ11 from the FXS gateway to the overhead paging unit. The good ones will only allow one at a time, so if a call comes in while someone is paging, it won’t override each other. Matt   BEST PRACTICE: Join Telephonation today! It all starts HERE. SBS 2008 Setup Webinar Join Philip Elder and myself (we are writing the forthcoming Small Business Server 2008 Blueprint title) for a complimentary 90-minute Webinar sponsored by HP/Microsoft FLP on Thursday, October 30 at 5:00PM PDT (UTC\GMT-7 right now until early next month).   You will specifically witness the SBS 2008 server-side setup process, learn more about the pre-requisite step of configuring your router\firewall FIRST BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING and the exact use of the answer file. There will be a presentation at mid-point by HP and then you will have plenty of time to ask all the questions that you have.   Register for the SBS 2008 Setup webinar here: HERE StorageCraft Announces ShadowProtect IT Edition Discount at SMB Nation Fall Conference Reliable and Profitable Solution for Disaster Recovery, System Migration and Data Protection   StorageCraft Technology Corporation, a provider of innovative disk-based backup, disaster recovery, system migration, data protection and security solutions for servers, desktops and laptops announces a significant discount of ShadowProtect IT Edition for a limited time offer. Terms of the offer for SMB Nation Fall Conference attendees and tribal members are:   For a limited time, purchase ShadowProtect IT Edition for $995. This offer provides an annual technician’s subscription, unlimited use. Buy ShadowProtect IT Edition now and your annual renewal rate stays at $995. This is an exclusive offer that ends 10/31/2008.   ShadowProtect IT Edition provides hardware independent restore for physical to physical system (P2P) recovery. ShadowProtect IT Edition also supports system migration from physical systems to virtual environments (P2V), virtual environments to physical systems (V2P) and virtual environments to virtual environments (V2V).   StorageCraft ShadowProtect IT Edition provides complete bare metal recovery in minutes. ShadowProtect IT Edition provides IT Professionals a bootable Windows environment to create and restore compressed and encrypted backup images, no software installation required. ShadowProtect IT Edition includes an easy to use interface for network configuration and a simple view to restore individual files and folders or update your backup images.   This offer is due to the incredible support StorageCraft has received from the SMB community and SMB Nation members. Attendees and members who want to take advantage of this offer can visit HERE.   StorageCraft has also recently released ShadowProtect Server Edition, ShadowProtect Small Business Server Edition and ShadowProtect Desktop Edition version 3.3. For more information please visit HERE.   If you have specific questions about this offer, you can contact your assigned StorageCraft business development manager or call 1.801.545.4700. Is Harry the next Tim O’Reilly? So who is cooler? Harry or Tim? Read about Tim’s latest mission HERE and let me know! With the elections coming up. I cast my vote for me! I am cooler than Tim O’Reilly! Response Point Primer Book SHIPS!   ‘Nough said! You can learn more at the link below.   Purchase Microsoft Response Point Primer HERE        Participate along with your customers in the “The Dream Server” Launch Event on November 12 Secure your position as trusted advisor by implementing Windows Essential Server Solutions to help your customers reduce costs and increase productivity by streamlining their IT infrastructure. Generate leads by inviting your customers and prospects to the Windows Essential Server Solutions special launch webcast using guidance and an invitation email template.   (submitted by Microsoft SBS Team)    TechDays ‘08 Pilot Events – Expert insights. Greater results.   10/27 – 10/30: Washington, DC 11/11 – 11/13: Orange County, CA 11/18 – 11/20: Dallas, TX     Learn more HERE  TS2 and SB2 (System Builder) Events – Remaining H1 Schedule   Date City State Morning Session Afternoon Session 10/21/2008 Indianapolis IN SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 10/23/2008 Detroit MI SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 10/28/2008 Minneapolis MN SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 10/28/2008 Portland OR SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 10/30/2008 Bellevue WA SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 11/5/2008 Cincinnati OH SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 11/5/2008 Waterbury CT – TS2 11/6/2008 Boise ID – TS2 11/6/2008 Columbus OH – TS2 11/6/2008 Long Island NY SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 11/11/2008 Philadelphia PA SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 11/11/2008 San Antonio TX SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 11/13/2008 Boston MA SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 11/13/2008 Houston TX SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 11/18/2008 Denver CO SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 11/18/2008 Orlando FL SB2 @ TS2: Solution Building for System Builders TS2 11/20/2008 Billings MT  - TS2 11/20/2008 Tampa FL  - TS2    Learn more about our content at www.MicrosoftTS2.com Read the on-line magazine edition! Learn about being the TRUSTED BUSINESS ADVISOR in the new SMB 2.0 world. Plus a great selling managed services article, Essential Business Server PLANNING and a fantastic column (I wrote it) on working from home (guess what percentage of y’all have a home office?.      Read SMB PC in digital format here

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SBS 2008 Setup Webinar next Thursday, October 30th

Hey gang – thought you might like to know:

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SBS 2008 Setup Webinar

Join Philip Elder and myself (we are writing the forthcoming Small Business Server 2008 Blueprint title) for a complimentary 90-minute Webinar sponsored by HP/Microsoft FLP on Thursday, October 30 at 5:00PM PDT (UTC\GMT-7 right now until early next month). You will specifically witness the SBS 2008 server-side setup process, learn more about the pre-requisite step of configuring your router\firewall FIRST BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING and the exact use of the answer file. There will be a presentation at mid-point by HP and then you will have plenty of time to ask all the questions that you have.

Register for the SBS 2008 Setup webinar here: http://www.smbnation.com/events_listpage.asp?Category=Webinars&Cat=Category

cheers…harrybbbb

Harry Brelsford, CEO at smb nation www.smbnation.com

Microsoft Small Business Specialist SBSC, MBA, MCSE, MCT, MCP, CNE, CLSE, CNP

PS – did u know I host a technology conference in the New York City area each spring? Save the date for March 6-8, 2009 and watch “voice meet data” in the SMB space!

PPS – my SBS 2008 book will be out in mid-November 2008!

PPPS – my Microsoft Response Point Primer book is here NOW!

MS release strong earning report and CRITICAL update

Read about the earnings here: http://www.marketwatch.com

Implement the crtical update here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-067.mspx

Sales Tip of the day

Starting 1-5-09 Watch for the daily Sale Tip of the Day!!!

SMB PC in London on December 5th: SBS 2008 workshop with Harry and Jeff!

Folks – it’s really happening — SMB Nation Europe!

This time it is a targeted one-day workshop….

http://www.smbnation.com/events_listpage.asp?Category=Events&Category2=London~2008

cheers….harrybbbbb

Update: Microsoft Response Point Yahoo! group moves to Telephonation

Moving to Telephonation!
Good day everyone!
One year later – I am delighted to announce that we are upgrading the Response Point community to Telephonation. Thanks for your support over the year and join me in this exciting journey!
• What is “Telephonation?”
o Telephonation is a rich forum AND e-mail newsgroup (like Yahoo!) that allows us to grow beyond the basic listserv concept into a full-fledged community.
o YOU CAN STILL RECEIVE YOUR POSTS VIA E-MAIL BY SUBSCRIBING TO A FORUM ONCE YOU LOGON!
• Why “Telephonation?” –
o Telephonation is a robust community and allows us to look and behave much more like the M&M’s SmallBizServer.net (www.smallbizserver.net) site in the SBS community versus the SBS Yahoo! Group.
o Equally important was our need to have a Third-party industry site that is focused on telephony, VoIP and Response Point that can be INDEXED by the search engines. Such is not the case with the Yahoo Group (it is not indexed)
o Ecosystem support. Note that each vendor in the Response Point world has a forum to post up support questions specific to its offerings. This is really a step forward for us!
o Microsoft provided developer resources to make Telephonation happen and is committed to the success of this site!
• How do I use “Telephonation?” It’s easy – your account has already been migrated. Simply follow these steps:
o Look for an e-mail sent from REGISTER to your e-mail account for details. The subject line is Your Website Account ID. (see a sample of this e-mail below)
o Go to www.telephonation.com
o Logon with your existing logon name from the Yahoo! Response Point Group
o Logon with your new temporary password in the above e-mail or contact Chris Bangs at chrisb@smbnation.com for assistance.
• Who is “Telephonation?”
o Harry Brelsford, founder and owner of the Yahoo Response Point Group and fellow RPer…
o Note that we have an esteemed group of Telephonation MVP’s acting as moderators at thesite to provide a top quality experience! Please salute the following individuals:
 John Holmblad
 Cindy Slade
 Allen Miller
 Dave Bainum
 Ed Carnes
 Jeff Loucks
 Tom Strickland
• When does “Telephonation” start? NOW!
• What does “Telephonation” cost? It is FREE!
So it’s time to go, grow and be SEARCHABLE across the Internet. Thank you for your amazing support during the past year on the Yahoo! Response Point Group. I think you will be very pleased with Telephonation. It all starts at www.telephonation.com!
Harrybbbbb
PS – Did I mention you can receive posts via e-mail just like Yahoo!?!?! It’s true – just subscribe to a FORUM once you logon.
PPS – Any problems – contact Chris Bangs at chrisb@smbnation.com . And here is the REGISTRATION e-mail that he sent out:
Response Point Yahoo Group User,

Greetings,

This is Chris Bangs on behalf of Harry Brelsford and Telephonation letting
you know that your account has been setup on Telephonation.com, your VoIP
information and community portal.

Your account was created so that we can move our Yahoo group over to
Telephonation.com.

Thank you for your participation.

Your Login ID for the web site is harrybsbs The related temporary password
is

Please log into your account and correct the first and last name as well
as change your password.

Note that the ID and password are case sensitive within the web site.
Please contact the web site administrator if you have any issues.

Thanks,

Chris Bangs
Telephonation.com