As I sit here feverishly refreshing the MSDN Subscriber Downloads page, waiting for the RTM release of Windows 7 to become available. I thought I’d take a moment to shoot a brief update.

Since starting my new job, I’ve really let my Cisco training slip. I’ve been bouncing around, going back and forth in my studies. One day it will be SCOM, the next ITIL. Then one day I’ll spend researching Powershell. Basically a lot of work without getting a whole lot accomplished.

That’s not to say I’m not learning anything. However, I’m not exactly keeping my promise to myself to acquire one new certification per Quarter.

However! I have just been asked to sell upper management on adopting ITIL Best Practices, and coming up with a strategy to implement it here at AAFES.

This will actually prove to be a very exciting opportunity.

Certification, Cisco, ITIL, jobs, MSDN, training, Window 7

So, today is the day that the Windows 7 was released to the public.  If you haven’t already, I highly recommend giving it a shot!

I recently signed up for the Windows 7 Beta Exam, 71-680, which pretty much forced my hand to install Windows 7.  In fact, I went as far as to completely abandon my normal day to day machine, and make Windows 7 my primary workstation.

So far, I’m liking what I’m seeing!  I was able to download the MSDN version on April 30th, so I’ve only had a few days to evaluate the product.  But the buzz phrase everyone seems to be using is “Vista Done Right”, and I tend to agree.  I have to warn you, the task bar will come as a major shock.  And when I was building a Windows 2008 R2 Server lab, one of the first things I did was get rid of the new taskbar, and make it work like older version of Windows.  However, since I’m going to be taking the Windows 7 exam, I’m really approaching Windows 7 as a full blown end user, and enabling and evaluating all of the features with an open mind, but also with the goal of being exam ready.

The OS feels very snappy and polished, and like I mentioned above, the new taskbar is really growing on me.  Expect a video demonstration as soon as I can get around to it.  (Disclaimer:  I’m in the process of completely re-landscaping my house, building a new storage server, re-purposing my old machine as a Hyper-V box, studying for the beta exam, and the CCNA exam, plus I have to get my network completely up and running before Verizon shows up this Saturday to install FIOS)

Here is the design of the new network for the house, which will use several Cisco Switches and routers. And this is just functional portion of the network. I'll be adding a router with a serial WAN link to another router will act as my "lab" portion of the network. :)

CCNA, Cisco, Hyper-V, MSDN, Video, Windows 7

Just the other day I was complaining about Windows Home Sever not being available to MSDN subscribers.  Well, I suppose someone must have heard my call, because now it is available.

You can find the news here.

So now how about putting NT Server 4 back up for people like me that need to test out legacy applications from time to time!

MSDN

Ponder this.

Windows Home Server is currently not offered to MSDN Subscribers, but Windows for Workgroups 3.11 is? Just because MS is currently offering a 40% discount on exams, and home networks and automation is kind of a pet project of mine, I was considering taking the MCTS: Connected Home Integrator exam. But unfortunately, I do not have a copy of Windows Home Server to ensure that I have the skills necessary to meet the exam objectives.

What a jip!

*UPDATE*

Someone heard my call and it is now available here.

MCTS, MSDN