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Webcast now available: Some of the changes made in the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC)

Yesterday, Chris Trimmer from WWLP described in a Webcast some of the changes recently made in our Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) with more information on improvements to the site.

As you may know (especially if you are a Microsoft Volume License customer), the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) is an online tool helps customers and partners manage VL program agreements, get access to licensed products and associated product VL keys. Registered partners and customers may access the VLSC here.

The February 3 Partner Webcast has more info from the VLSC team on "the enhancements make it easier for you and your customers to manage Microsoft Volume Licensing agreements, download licensed products, and access volume license keys."

Eric noted on the Microsoft SMB Blog that the Webcasts for Partners is now available…

"Last week I announced that Microsoft would be running a series of Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) Webcasts for Partners through Academy Live to take place on February 3rd, and it was great to see all of the Partners who joined us for these sessions yesterday!  Thank you for your participation.  One question that was asked during the session yesterday, as well as by some who were unable to attend live yesterday was, “Is this session going to be available to view as a recording afterwards?”  The answer is, “Yes,” the session was recorded and the replay is now posted and available for viewing.  Here is how to view the replay: CLICK HERE "

 

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, articles, blogs, what I read, Twitter,Volume Licensing Service Center,VLSC,licensing,Eric Ligman,support,Live Meeting,Academy Live,webcast,replay

del.icio.us Tags: Microsoft,Volume Licensing Service Center,VLSC,licensing,Open License,Open Value Subscription,Open Value,Select,Enterprise Agreement,Software Assurance,Eric Ligman,support,Live Meeting,Academy Live,webcast,replay

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Tips & Tricks: How to deauthorize Apple iTunes on all computers associated with your account

Yes, I use lots of different software, including applications from companies of all sizes, from WinZip to Scansoft, to popular applications from Adobe, Intuit, Microsoft (of course) and many more.

And yes, I also use software from Apple.

We own lots of different devices and systems in our home, and we have iTunes installed to manage content we purchased pre Zune days(mainly videos of network shows we missed on our Replay TV DVR or Media Center PC). As I was logging on to my account I noticed that I had reached the maximum number of authorized computers for iTunes (it’s five).

Unfortunately, we are only using iTunes actively on two of our many PCs in the home. Past computers with iTunes have given up the proverbial ghost, as it were, having wiped, upgraded and donated our old PCs.

Apple doesn’t make it too easy to find how to deauthorize computers you’re no longer using, But through the winders of Bing, I found Apple’s knowledge base article on deauthorizating PCs en masse. Turns out that once per year, you may deauthorize iTunes on all computers and then re-add the current computers.

To deauthorize all computers associated with your account (Apple KB HT1420)

If you find you have reached 5 authorizations, you can reset your authorization count by clicking Deauthorize All in the Account Information screen.

  1. Click iTunes Store in the menu on the left side of iTunes.
  2. If you’re not signed in to the store, click the Account button, then enter your account name and password.
  3. Click the Account button again (your ID appears on the button), enter your password, and then click View Account.
  4. In the Account Information window, click Deauthorize All.

Note: You may only use this feature once per year. The Deauthorize All button will not appear if you have fewer than 5 authorized computers, or if you have used this option within the last 12 months. If you need assistance on using this feature, please contact the iTunes Store support via email (http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ww/).

(I noticed that Apple uses a similar hierarchy for their support site as we do at Microsoft, using http://support.apple.com and then noting KBs such as this one as http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1420. I wonder if this is a case where Apple followed Microsoft’s lead.)

As you managed your accounts going forward, consider deauthorizing iTunes on a computer prior to its exit from your home network.

Oh, BTW Apple: please don’t automatically assume that I want to install new software or services, this time with Safari 4 and MobileMe. You tried to install Safari in the past, going as far as to setting the default to install the app, as noted…

After complaints, Apple tweaks Software Update for Safari

"Following a storm of criticism, Apple has changed its Software Update software to mark a distinction between new programs, such as its Safari on Windows browser, and updates to existing ones.

"Now, Apple’s Software Update has two separate boxes, one labeled "New Software" and the other labeled "Updates." Before Safari 3.1 was under the "Updates" box and there was no "New Software" heading.

"An Apple representative told Computerworld that the change was done to distinguish new software from updates but declined to say whether it was in response to criticisms or whether Apple may leave the "New Software" box unchecked, as Mozilla’s Dotzler suggested."

Personally, I like the options we provide in Windows Update that allow you to opt in for optional installations. Maybe you could emulate that approach, just as you have with your Support URLs. 😉

imageAnd please fix the text formatting in the Apple Software Update app…

 

 

Tags: Apple, Microsoft, iTunes, Windows, how to, tips, Customer Service.

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New Tablets, Slates, and Pads: oh, my. 2010 will be an interesting, touch-fueled year.

imageToday’s been a busy day, what with work and getting pinged with the press on the new tablet products coming from Silicon Valley, as noted here with an inside look at the HP Slate (the model that made its debut at CES). None other than HP’s CTO Phil McKinney shows off the the Slate in a "History of Innovation" in his latest blog post on HP’s The Next Bench blog.

Oh, yes, and there is the new Apple iPad, too. More info on the new Apple iPad via Bing here. There are some choice updates from people and press in attendance at the event today in San Francisco in my twitter feed.

imageA comment on design, timely especially since I was referencing the incomparable Bill Buxton today in a presentation.

There’s an interesting similarity to the bezel design on these two devices, both somewhat different from the approach seen on other touch tablets (‘though reminiscent of of the iPhone). As I noted on Twitter, the ASUS Eee PC T91MT makes more sense (or costs fewer cents?) given that you have the choice of using the keyboard or not. Having the option is nice, as I found when I made the case for a Revitalized Notebook (aka getting more from computers currently gathering dust). This was when I updated my Toshiba M200 with Windows 7.

imageAlthough I like the tablet functions, it’s certainly nice to have the keyboard input option. With the new touch enabled PCs like the ASUS above (and even my home desktop, the HP Touchsmart 2), the ability to move between typing and touch become second nature after a while.  And if you have a portable form factor like the ASUS or even the HP (with optional dock, I’m guessing, as we saw originally on the 2004 release of the HP Compaq TC1100) the slate design works well overall for consuming media.

Interesting to note: Amazon’s taken no time to respond on its web site with this promo for the Kindle on the home page, touting the free wireless and no need for a wireless contract…

But should you get a tablet, or slat, or pad? That depends. More on that later…

Tags: gadgets, Amazon, CES 2010, CES, Kindle, Microsoft, tablet, Tablet PC, Windows 7.

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How I work: No matter what anyone tells you, there’s still a bunch of paper in this digital world

Adapted from a past post, Staying ahead and Work/Life Balance, revised for 2010…

How Bill WorksLauren Cooney noted on Twitter today…

"What is the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning? Check work email, regardless of day. Bad habit or good? Or just Microsoft-ie?"

I mentioned that checking mail in the morning first thing has just become de rigueur & was a personal morning ritual pre Microsoft. My wife might note that it was more round the clock in the early days (pre-kids) when I worked closely with our offices in Asia and Europe.

This reminded me of a a past article (and associated post) of interest from Fortune, on "How I Work" in which "a dozen super-achievers tell how they stay ahead in the fast lane."

…the following 12 interviews are by no means a litany of complaints. These people, ranging from jazz maestro Wynton Marsalis to jurist Richard Posner to Goldman’s CEO, Hank Paulson, love what they do.

The challenge is to continue to do it well, when the responsibilities and complexities keep increasing. One common answer is to get up early — real early. Note to MBA students: If you can’t rise at dawn, you might just reconsider your goal of making it as a CEO.

At the office, we spend cycles on thinking about how to enable work/life balance, important when you consider we generally spend more waking hours at work and with other employees at the office than with our own families. There’s a good aggregation article on the work essentials for work/life balance.

I, of course, offer my own take on this in my post Your questions: How I Work at Microsoft. Note the date, please. 😉

The main difference a year later is that more of my office is opened up since the move to a truly paperless existence. That really is due to the fact that I moved offices, and embraced an effort to shred or file (scan) any paper on my desk at the beginning of a new month; also trying the same approach at home with good results (but it’s early). It also helps that everything is (for the most part) still in boxes at the office as a move to a new location is pending (same role, new view).

For me, I find that Office offers great processing tools (I no longer use but have great reverence for Snarf from MS Research) to manage the flow of emails I get on a daily basis (after rules process out all the mail lists): on a good/bad day (you pick), I still see 200+ mails in my In box.

Of note: one colleague I respect is so serious about work/life balance that he all but forbids his team from sending emails late into the night or weekends (sure, there are exceptions to the rule). But he is able to live within the boundaries by responding to mail offline after the family goes to bed and then sync’ing mail the next morning at the office.

Tags: microsoft, time management, snarf, work life balance.

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Our new Microsoft Signature PC arrives, and I like what wasn’t included in the shipment

IMG_3871As noted on Twitter, even Microsoft employees use the MicrosoftStore, especially when there’s a sale on some of the latest PCs around. Needing to replace an older model (tried and true) Sony Vaio that is headed to the repair shop, I ordered a new PC from the Microsoft Store last week, a new HP Pavilion DM3-1044nr Entertainment Notebook PC.


Models available from several different computer vendors are available at the Store, each featured as a “Microsoft Signature PC, designed to help you get your new computer up and running more quickly and easily than ever before.”


What the heck is that?


Well, Tom’s Hardware said that the Microsoft Signature PCs “could be a step towards stomping out crapware – which we’re all in favour of.”



“Would you believe that it’s Microsoft’s own “Signature PCs” that are the ones most clean from the crapware? According to TechFlash, a certain line of PCs sold at the just-launched Microsoft Store in Scottsdale, AZ do away with the annoying pre-installed software and instead come with full versions of Windows Live services, Silverlight, Zune software and some of Adobe’s popular online software. While some of that software could be debated as unwanted crapware, it’s still a world of difference from the typical computer that one would buy from a large retailer.”


Here are a few pictures of the OOBE (Out Of Box Experience) with the just-received new PC… you’ll note the shiny stocker that enveloped the HP, and perhaps be as shocked as I was when I turned on the PC and happily found (gasp) no desktop full of pre-installed software.


       IMG_3870 IMG_3879


For me, this was a bonus: I use Windows Live apps, Silverlight and the Zune service, so all of these were welcomed. All in all, I was up and running much faster than ever before, not having to de-install a bunch of unwanted software, add-ins, tool bars or applets. In some instances, the applications are nice value ads, sometimes not. YMMV.


So far I’ve found the new HP to be snappy, responsive and rick-solid rock-solid, similar to that I’d read in several reviews in the likes of PC Magazine and here on Wired. I haven’t put the reported long life battery to the test yet, but all indicators will be that it may survive some of my older mobile phones and powerful enough to run most demands that our household will likely throw at it.


(updated thanks to Michael Sainz today, 012310 😉


Tags: Microsoft Store, Signature PC, twitter, Microsoft, Windows 7.


Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse, how-to, Security, download.


 



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