Don Jones

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Don Jones

372 articles published

March 20, 2014 • 1 min read

We Want Your DSC Resource Wish List!

What sorts of things would you want to configure via DSC that don’t already have a resource? NB: Focusing on the core Windows OS and its components only; Exchange, SharePoint, SQL Server, and other products are off the table for this discussion. For example, I want a “log file rotator” resource, that lets me specify a log file folder, an archive folder, and a pair of dates. Files older than one date are moved from the log folder to the archive folder; archived files older than the second date are deleted.

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PowerShell for Admins

March 17, 2014 • 2 min read

My DSC Demo-Class Setup Routine

I think I’ve gotten my DSC classroom and demo setup ready. Understand that this isn’t meant to be production-friendly - it doesn’t automate some stuff because I want to cover that stuff in class by walking through it. But, I thought I’d share. I’ve basically made an ISO that I can carry into class, attach to a Win2012R2 VM and a Win81 VM, and run students through. The server VM is a DC in “company.

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PowerShell for Admins

March 5, 2014 • 6 min read

The DSC Conversation Continues

Some lovely conversation on DSC over on Reddit… with some I wanted to perhaps offer an opinion on. From what I’ve seen, these are very common sentiments, and they definitely deserve… not argument or disagreement, but perhaps an alternate viewpoint. I’m not suggesting the commenters are wrong - but that maybe they’re not considering the entire picture. Certainly if you work with a superset of MS OSs (i.e. you do Linux also), then Puppet or something like it seems like a no brainer.

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PowerShell for Admins

March 5, 2014 • 2 min read

Jobs: PowerShell Scripter Wanted

Told you this would eventually start happening ;). Matt Sullivan of Strategic Staffing contacted me with the following job posting; if you’re interested, reply to him directly at 781-347-5220. … My name is Matt Sullivan and I am a member of the Strategic Staffing Division at NTT DATA Inc., the sixth largest global IT integrator. We have more than 75,000 employees worldwide, offices in 40 different countires, and we are owned by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, the largest telecommunications company in the world.

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Announcements

March 4, 2014 • 3 min read

The DSC Opportunity for ISVs

Desired State Configuration offers a number of immediate opportunities for independent software vendors (ISVs) who are smart enough to jump on board _now. _DSC currently suffers from a marked lack of tooling. That’s partially deliberate; MS obviously needs to deliver the functionality, and they may well rely on third parties or the System Center team to build tools on top of that functionality. But let’s explore some of the immediate opportunities.

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PowerShell for Admins

March 3, 2014 • 8 min read

DSC: Must-Have or Just Nice-To-Have?

On a recent PowerScripting Podcast episode, I went off on a bit of a career-oriented rant, and amongst other things mentioned something to the effect of, “if you’re not learning DSC now, you’re screwed.” It hopefully goes without saying that my comment applies to folks working in environments that use Microsoft server products; obviously, in an all-Linux shop you’re pretty safe not knowing Microsoft’s technologies :). Some discussion on Twitter ensued, a place I hate for discussions because 140 characters leaves you enough room to be misunderstood and paraphrased, but not enough room to articulate your perspective.

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PowerShell for Admins

February 19, 2014 • 3 min read

Julie's Comments: The Scripting Games – Winter 2014

This post comes to us from Julie Andreacola, one of the members of team Kitton Mittons, who won The Scripting Games - Winter 2014. You’re welcome to submit your thoughts about the Games as well!__ The 2014 Scripting Games are over and once again, it was a terrific experience. This was my third scripting games and I was blown away with all that I learned. The team approach was very appealing to me as I have been the PowerShell expert at my workplace so I was hoping to find a team where someone knew more than I did as I’m only intermediate in PowerShell skills.

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Scripting Games

February 19, 2014 • 1 min read

Free eBook from Microsoft's Scripting Guy: Windows PowerShell Networking Guide

Ed Wilson, Microsoft’s Scripting Guy, has created a free ebook, _Windows PowerShell Networking Guide. _It’s designed to provide a super-quick PowerShell crash course, and then show you how to manage various networking scenarios by using the shell. And it’s free! Just click the link to get your copy - and please, tell a friend! PoshNetworking.pdf

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Books PowerShell for Admins

February 17, 2014 • 2 min read

What Should The Scripting Games Look Like Next Time?

If you’ve been following along with The Scripting Games over the past couple of iterations, you know that we’ve been trying some different, new things. This Winter Games, we did a team-based series of events that threw some really complex scenarios at you. However, we know some folks would like to see the next Summer Games include a less-complex track that perhaps includes a focus on one-liners. (Not that one-liners are an essential part of a work environment, but they’re fun and a good competitive thing - this is games, after all.

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Scripting Games

February 9, 2014 • 2 min read

Problems with Windows Live Logins

I know we’re currently seeing folks having a problem logging into the site by means of Windows Live accounts. Unfortunately, the problem is on Microsoft’s end - we’ve submitted a ticket. In the meantime, I want to point out a neat feature that can help: You can log in using a different social account, and if it or you provides the same e-mail address that you use with your Live account, our site will link the two.

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Announcements