Archives 2009

I was recently on the Internets when it came about that Oracle President Charles Phillips said he he didn’t realize that customers wanted to run their Oracle products on VMware (similar to how Microsoft customers run their  line of products on both VMware and Hyper-V today)   Wow, is the first thing I’d say – normally you expect “Hey, they’re just ignoring our needs, I mean cmon… who DOESN’T want their product to be virtualized? I mean even the greatest OLTP app, I’d rather find a way to scale and virtualize it than taking up even MORE footprint on the floor with power and cooling to run yet another app on yet another physical box! (Let’s not even get into DR!)

With that said though, Charles Phillips needs to hear from you – the customer : Do you want to run Oracle on VMware? Let him know! – The contact information sniped from another location (which I’ll cite inline as well :))

Re: Need a favor – Oracle

You are not going to believe this. Some VMware folks met with Charles Phillips, the president or CEO of Oracle and he said no customers had ever mentioned to him that they wanted Oracle to support their products on VMware. Or modify the licensing scheme. He offered if anyone knew of customers who did want better or more support for Oracle on VMware, or virtualization friendly licensing, to email him directly. His email is Charles.phillips@oracle.com and he really needs to hear that customers run Oracle on VMware, and better support / licensing would be nice!

So, I’d like to send special thanks to Oracle Storage Guy, Duncan Yellow Bricks, Chad SaKac – and I’m sure others may have discussed this already!

Oracle on VMware – it’s time for us to speak up or shut up!

Oracle feels that not many people want to run their apps in a virtual environment!

Charles Phillips Asks for Customer Input on VMware

I feel it bears repeating – Let Charles know how you feel about Oracle on VMware! I’m always a fan of using my existing virtualization investment to run my next app on, instead of having to invest in yet ANOTHER point solution to run one of my existing apps (which is where it looks like they’ve been trying to go with their Xen, Iron and other investments ;))

If you know me (Sure you do, right!? ;)) you know that I like to find good value which is quick, effective and often and especially free! :)

I’d like to introduce you to Mike Laverick, Virtualization guru extraordinaire! And what Mike has produced here is amazing videos (which you can actually see, since he converted them to SWF/Shockwave files) and not to mention they’re human, humourous and even more so, extremely valuable and fast!

Oh, did I mention these videos will also be supplemental to his Book?! (the book isn’t out yet, but I’ll pick it up as I know how valuable it will be!)

So, I highly encourage you to check this out, if you’re familiar with ESX and haven’t touched on vSphere yet, if you’re a master of VMware and want some good insight and value, and most importantly, even if you’ve never touched VMware, or virtualization before – You’ll get a –lot- out of this! So check it out, this is some of the best content you can pay for – and it’s free!

September 4th, 2009 was a beautiful yet fateful Friday.   The sky was clear, lunch was good, and it also happened to be my last day working at NetApp.

Yes, it was my last day at NetApp – breaking up is hard to do, and this was a particularly challenging breakup!

I didn’t have the opportunity to send a formal farewell message to folks internally, so this will serve as my farewell (but not goodbye!)

For those of you who don’t know, I worked for NetApp in the Chicago District – Yes, this is the very same Chicago district who recently won Teamwork Award across all of the Americas in the hardest Q4 most businesses had to deal with in their entire business!   So, it goes without saying that I had the opportunity of working with a cohesive family which embodied teamwork.

Fortunately, I worked with, met and interacted with so many intelligent and passionate individuals, the entire experience of working for Fortune magazine’s #1 best company to work for was an absolutely great, engaging and rewarding experience like no other.    In the short time (2 years) I was with NetApp I have seen extraordinary change, the ecosystem of business and the economy go on a rollercoaster adventure.   Never once did these individuals stray, but instead stepped up to the occasion and became better for their actions.   I know in my stead, this trend will continue and I look forward to seeing the growth within the community over the passage of time.

So, while I will miss you all – this is only farewell, but not goodbye.  Fortunately the community we’re all a part of is a receptive and growing one.  Our paths will cross continually and growth and self-development will always be an agenda we all pursue.   My community involvement will not shrink, and likely will continue to increase.  And my communication back out of offers to the technology community as a whole (whether those be discount vouchers, opportunities, so on and so forth) will continue to flow like a tapped pool of knowledge!

I’m sure given the circumstance many of you may be interested in why I made this particular decision.   Know that through heavy calculation, this was chosen as the best decision for me and my family at this particular stage in my life, and is in no way a reflection of the absolutely amazing organization I am walking away from to the equally amazing organization I am going towards.  

I am particularly excited about the new role I will starting on September 14th, 2009 (My Birthday of all days!)   Yes, while this may read as though it is a rebirth; starting a new job on my birthday, I will be certain to bring the same level of passion, engagement and enthusiasm that every one of you who has ever met me is likely to recall. :)

The next chapter of my life will be living the rock star life of a Senior Technology Consultant at EMC, continuing my trend of raising awareness, education, doing the right thing, evangelizing and informing the Enterprise IT community.     I know what you’re saying “Wow Christopher, you’ve held one consulting role or another for the past 20 years” Damn straight skippy! A consultant is strangely what I grew up knowing and being, and the evangelist side of things is just a further extension of my adopted religion (Re: Facebook Religion status is listed as Technology:))

I will continue to be actively involved in giving back to various technology communities.   Within the Exchange community (there’ll be more to say on that soon ;)), within the Chicago Microsoft space in general (Chicago Windows Users Group), the global Microsoft space (TechEd) and the Training Community (MCT Summits, etc).  I encourage you to reach out to me through any of these avenues, not to mention LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, (vouchers ;)) and any number of random Security, Cloud and Virtualization events as they come up! (Oh, email is fine too :))

So, I wish every one of you I’ve had the opportunity to work with, customers, partners and colleagues alike the best! Do keep in touch and let me know how things are with you, and I’m glad to help in the various ways I can and do help within the community!    And to my future customers, partners and colleagues – I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!

Best of luck, I appreciate all of the encouragement and continue to look for good things from me… :)

Did you get one of these mails? House Party extravaganza?! If you didn’t, well here is the low-down!

Be a part of Windows^® history.
Host a Windows^® 7 Launch Party.

Have Fun. Help Your Friends.

Receive a Signature Edition of Windows^® 7 Ultimate.

You host the party. We’ll bring the favors.

Apply online to host a Launch Party. Choose a day from October 22-29 and if you’re selected, you’ll not only receive a special Signature Edition of Windows^® 7 Ultimate but your very own Windows^® 7 Party Pack.

Hosting a Windows^® 7 Launch Party is easy.

You’ll be assisted by House Party, the world’s leading party organizer. Pick a theme, then upload photos and videos, chat with other hosts, blog your experience, and download fun favors all from your personal House Party page.

Let’s Party!
Just choose one of our Windows® 7 Party Themes:
•    > PhotoPalooza
•    > Media Mania
•    > Setting Up With Ease
•    > Family Friendly Fun

All around it sounds like it’d be a blast! Fill out the form, and coordinate a party, receive a party pack and give away favors.. yay?!   I don’t know about you, but I’m all signed up and if I get approved… par-tay! It doesn’t hurt that a majority of all computers we run in our household are already running Win7 ;)

So, get out there, apply.. earn your free Signature Edition of Win7 Ultimate! Party Favors! Connect with the community! and more!   Hell, I may host mine at our 2000 square foot studio if I get much demand for this! :) So, party down! win7, yay! :)

Whoa! Wait a minute! You mean I have a chance to save 5% more than the 20% off voucher I can request which is very visible on the sidebar?!

Why yes, yes you do! Your opportunities are flipping endless! This offer is valid until December 31st of 2009, and only applies to a finite number of exams, but if you happen to hit one of the exams which is 25% off, I’d say take that over my 20% off vouchers any day! (albeit, if its 20% or 15% off… let me know and I’ll get you a voucher if you’re in one of the 20% off countries :))

TECHNOLOGY EXAM TITLES NUMBER   Windows Server 2008 TS-Active Directory, Config 640 Get Voucher Windows Server 2008 TS – Infra Services, Config 642 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Managing and Maintaining Environment 290 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Implementing, Managing and Maintaining, Network Infra 291 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Planning and Maintaining Network Infra 293 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Planning, Implementing and Maintaining AD 294 Get Voucher Windows 7 TS – Windows 7 Configuring 680 Get Voucher Windows Vista TS – Vista Config 620 Get Voucher Windows XP Installing, Config, and Administering 270 Get Voucher Windows XP Supporting Users and Troubleshooting 271 Get Voucher Windows XP Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Apps. 272 Get Voucher SQL 2008 TS – Implementation and Maintenance 432 Get Voucher SQL 2008 TS – DB Dev 433 Get Voucher SQL 2008 TS – BI Dev 448 Get Voucher SQL 2005 TS – Implementing and Maintaining 431 Get Voucher Exchange 2007 TS – Exchange, Config 236 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 2.0, Web-based Client Dev 526 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 2.0, Web-based Client Dev 528 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 2.0, Distributed App Dev 529 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – App Dev Foundation, .NET 536 Get Voucher Virtualization TS – Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, Config 656 Get Voucher Virtualization TS – Windows Server Virtualization, Config 652 Get Voucher Sharepoint TS – Sharepoint 07 Config 630 Get Voucher Sharepoint TS – Sharepoint07, App Dev 542 Get Voucher

if you want to take an exam on this list, and you’re located in the US, UK, Germany, Australia and other 20% off countries – Let me know and I’ll get you a 20% off voucher instead!

TECHNOLOGY EXAM TITLES NUMBER   Windows Server 2008 TS – App Infra, Config 643 Get Voucher Windows Server 2008 Upgrading MCSA to MCITP 648 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Designing an AD Network Infra 297 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Designing Security 298 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Implementing and Administering Security 299 Get Voucher Windows Server 2003 Config and Managing Hosted Environments 501 Get Voucher Windows Vista TS – Deploying and Maintaining Vista and Office 2007 624 Get Voucher SQL 2005 TS – Implementing and Maintaining BI Solutions 445 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, Win Presentation Foundation 502 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, Win Communication Foundation 503 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, Workflow 504 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, Windows Forms Applications 505 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, ADO 561 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net TS – .NET 3.5, ASP.NET App Dev 562 Get Voucher Virtualization TS- System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008, Configuration 403 Get Voucher Sharepoint TS – Sharepoint 3.0, App Dev 541 Get Voucher Sharepoint TS – Sharepoint Services 3.0, Config 631 Get Voucher

If you’re interested in any of these exams, are in one of above mentioned countries and want your discount until June 30th, 2010 – Let me know and go for the 20% off! :)

TECHNOLOGY EXAM TITLES NUMBER   Windows Server 2008 Pro – Server Admin 646 Get Voucher Windows Server 2008 Upgrading MCSE to MCITP 649 Get Voucher Windows Server 2008 Pro – Ent. Admin 647 Get Voucher Windows Vista Upgrading MCDST to MCITP 621 Get Voucher Windows Vista Pro – MS Desktop Support 622 Get Voucher Windows Vista Pro – Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications 623 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Pro – Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining 450 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Pro – Designing DB and Data Access 451 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Pro – BI Dev 452 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Upgrade – SQL05 to SQL08 MCITP DBA 453 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Upgrade – SQL05 to SQL08 MCITP DBD 454 Get Voucher SQL 2008 Upgrade – SQL05 to SQL08 MCITP BI 455 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Pro – Designing DB Solutions 441 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Pro – Designing and Optimizing Data Access 442 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Pro – Planning, Designing, Developing and Optimizing DB Solutions 443 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Pro – Optiming and Maintaining DB Administration 444 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Pro – Designing a BI Solution 446 Get Voucher SQL 2005 Upgrade – MCDBA to MCITP 447 Get Voucher Exchange 2007 Pro – Designing Messaging Solutions 237 Get Voucher Exchange 2007 Pro – Deploying Messaging Solutions 238 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro – Designing and Developing Web-based Apps using .NET 547 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro – Designing and Developing Windows-based applications using .Net Framework 548 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro – Designing and Developing Enterprise Apps using .NET 549 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using Microsoft .NET Framework for VS.NET 551 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – MCAD Skills to MCPD using .Net Framework 552 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – MCSD .Net skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer 553 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – MCSD .Net Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer, Part 2 554 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro – Designing and Developing Windows Applications using .Net Framework 3.5 563 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro – Designing and Developing ASP.Net Applications Using .Net Framework 3.5 564 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Pro- Designing and Developing Enterprise Application Using .Net Framework 3.5 565 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – Transition your MCPD web developer skills to MCPD ASP .Net Developer 3.5 567 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – Transition your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer 3.5, Part 1 568 Get Voucher Visual Studio/.Net Upgrade – Transition your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer 3.5, Part 2 569 Get Voucher

If you have the chance to take these exams? Act on it! 25% off can’t be beat! (Well, unless you’re an MCT or MVP and your discounts massively out-rule that! ;)) but still! Act on these badboys! If you miss that window though, let me know and I’ll get you some vouchers to use before June 30th, 2010!

There is no better time than the present in order to get yourself certified! Take your future into your own hands – Did you hear there will be 4million IT jobs created in the next 5 years, but no qualified people to fill them? Hey.. Get Qualified! (but preferably at a discount ;))