Encode movies to Zune player

Since I've got my Zune player from Microsoft, I could not sync some movies to it. Those movies are Microsoft Webcast files, weird huh? Yes! On Demand Webcast is using .wmv file format and Zune player supports .wmv format, but it's just does not work.

The only way to do it is to convert the webcast file to Zune 'compatible' format. There are many products available on the market to do this, but they are not free.

Alternatively, you can use the Windows Media Encoder 9 to help you to encode the .wmv file to be Zune 'compatible' format.

I've created a video how to do it, and posted it on Youtube - have fun :)

Citrix Conference 2007

Today is the Citrix day.
Darling Harbour was the place for Citrix Conference 2007!

Citrix has got a great range of solutions for Enterprise:

• Presentation Server
• Desktop Server
• Access Gateway
• WANScaler
• NetScaler

I've been using Citrix Access Gateway with Advanced Access Control - this product is awesome! with two form of authentication and end-point analysis makes this product as secure as it can be.

WANScaler rocks as well!! It optimizes traffic between main office and branch offices by caching and compressing the data and use token to simplify the traffic.

There is a new coming appliance product which is based on Citrix and Microsoft technology, not available yet now. They are saying this product can be used as a Domain Controller at branch office as well as the WANScaler!

Some notes from the session about upgrading to Presentation Server 4.5:

1. Parallel Migration


• Build Presentation Server 4.5 Data Store
• Build License Server 4.5 (member server 4.5 does not work with earlier version of license server)
• Build new zone data collector
• Create a Web Interface Site 4.5 (using access management console -> create site)
• Add Server Farms
• Migrate Servers (install PS4.5 to the existing member server - note: maske sure the one that has data store installed is the last one to be migrated
  


2. In-place Upgrade (insert the CD to the existing server and install)


• First to upgrade -> License Server
• Upgrade Farm Metric Server
• Upgrade Consoles
• Upgrade Web Interface 4.5
• Upgrade Zone data collector
• Upgrade Member Server

Some pictures:

APAC SharePoint Conference 2007 - 1st Day

Today, I attended the 1st day of APAC SharePoint Conference 2007 in Hilton, Sydney.

Very exciting !! met a lot of MVPs and SharePoint guru from Microsoft and the Partners. I was attending cool stuff sessions about InfoPath 2007, Groove 2007, Security and Disaster Recovery.

If you don't know what Groove is, check this and this out. It is basically the collaboration tool you can use to share files securely, collaborate with other people around the world without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure such as the firewall.

Met with Joel Oleson - check his blog here. One of the most active SharePoint blogger dude :)

Some pictures:

Microsoft Zune

Ahh... finally, after 3 months - the most existing gadget has arrived safely to Sydney, Australia :)

It is the reward for winning the Microsoft ASAP Pro Infrastructure Architect design contest on February 2007.

The Zune looks great - and it's got the most existing Digital FM Radio! However, it is very hard to find any accessories on the market, since it is not officially released in Australia yet by Microsoft.

Some pictures: