Jeff Huber's Blog: Nothing to see here folks, please move along...

Spring cleaning for my home PC

With one of my home systems becoming consistently more sluggish, it's time for the annual rebuild process. There is never anything quite like the first boot of a Windows system. (It's all downhill from there :-). I've captured a list of applications, drivers, etc.. that I've installed over time. I'm using this list to help keep track of the items I'd like to reinstall.

Windows XP SP2

iWork Tools (Sun Provided)

• StarOffice 8

• VPN Client

• Symantec Client Security

Communication

• Mozilla Firefox

• Mozilla Thunderbird + Lightening

• Trillian

Productivity Tools

• Microsoft Office

• Microsoft Visio

Utilities

• SyncBack for Folder synchronization across systems

• Acronis TrueImage for System Imaging

• Adobe Acrobat Reader (time to find open source substitute

• Nero (provided with my DVD drive)

• CrossLoop for providing family tech support

• MagicDisc for mounting ISO images

• PDFCreator for printing PDF documents

• winMd5Sum for verifying all those Solaris and Nevada ISO downloads

Fun Stuff

• Apple iTunes

• Google Earth

• SlingPlayer

• TiVo Desktop

• VLC

Security

• Microsoft AntiSpyware

• Spybot Search and Destroy

• Threatfire

Drivers

• NEC SuperScript 870 laser printer

• Canon MP600 color inkjet

Attn all Chicagoland Java Developers:

Midwest Java Technology Days are coming to Chicago on October 18. The event will feature a keynote followed by eight technical breakout sessions covering core Java, jMaki, AJAX, Netbeans, Web Services, EJB, Java FX and Solaris Dtrace.

Midwest Java Technology Days are technically focused events offering attendees a great deal of interaction with the technical experts presenting. You will have the opportunity to learn about the latest and greatest in the Java space and network with peers, experts and the development community at large.

To Register Visit: https://www.suneventreg.com//cgi-bin/register.pl?EventID=1652

I just received an invitation in the mail to my 20-year class reunion. This will be the first time I've had the chance to attend a reunion. Looking forward to seeing some old friends.

The reunion is being held in the Quad Cities area over Labor Day Weekend. If anyone needs details on the reunion, please drop me a line. (Jeff dot Huber @ some company that rhymes with fun.com :-)

Go Maroons!

http://www.molineschools.org/mhs/

Amazing what happens when you combine Mac & Cheese, a couple six year olds, and a good beat.
At no point were any parents harmed in the making of this film.

Mark your calendars, Project Blackbox will be at Chicago’s Navy Pier on March 22nd for One Day Only! Don't miss this unique opportunity to tour the Blackbox in person.

 

Thursday, March 22 - Chicago, IL

Chicago Navy Pier

Festival Hall

600 East Grand Avenue

 

In addition to tours of the Blackbox, this event will include breakout sessions on a variety of Sun Innovations, as well as a Partner Showcase.

 

Register Here for the Chicago Event

 

Not close to Chicago? Blackbox is coming to a city near you. You can track it’s progress here on the Project Blackbox Blog.

 

And BTW, for any of those leary of the spring time weather we have in Chicago, this will be one of the few Indoor Events throughout the nationwide tour.

 

 

This reader-submitted article offers a cookbook for creating your own quad boot sysem (Windows, two instances of the Java Desktop System, and the Solaris 10 Operating System).

Quad Boot With Windows, Sun Java Desktop System, and the Solaris Operating System
Download the Guide (pdf)

No Partitioning!
No Boot Managers!
No CD Burning!

Looking for a quick and easy way to install Solaris 10 on your laptop or desktop PC, without repartioning your existing drive? Installing Solaris in a VMware "Virtual Machine" may be the answer.

While I've personally configured my laptop for triple boot (JDS, Solaris 10, and Windows XP), I find that by using VMware Workstation I can quickly test out a new version of an operating system with minimal disruption to my current environment. I can also use VMware to run a Windows XP and Solaris 10 session at the same time, allowing for some pretty interesting real-time interoperability demonstrations (ie: access a Sun Java Enterprise System Portal through an Internet Explorer Browser).

Requirements:

• Windows XP or Linux (ie: JDS as VMware Host)
  
• VMware Workstation 4.5
• 4GB of Free Disk Space (Minimum)
  
• 256MB of Memory (Minimum)
  

Preparation:
Step 1 - DOWNLOAD VMware Workstation 4.5
Step 2 - Register for 30-day trial or purchase a license
Step 3 - DOWNLOAD Latest Software Express ISO Images (Fully Functional Solaris 10 Preview) - FREE!!

Installing and Configuring VMware:
Step 4 - Install VMware Workstation
Step 5- Create a new Virtual Machine using the Wizard. See VMware documentation for details on options available.
    (Hint: With the exception of Disk Capacity, most Virtual Machine configuration options can be changed later, many
      can even be changed at run time.)

Installing Solaris 10 into a Virtual Machine:
Step 6 - Point virtual CD-ROM device to Software Express ISO Images:
     a) Click "Edit virtual machine settings"
     b) Choose "CD-ROM" from device list
     c) Select the "Use ISO Image" radio button
     d) Click "Browse" button and choose first Software Express ISO Image
     e) Click "Ok"
Step 7 - Click "Start this virtual machine" to begin the installation process. Follow the Solaris x86 installation process.
     (Hint: Choose Manual Eject for CD-ROM and Manual Reboot. Unmap ISO image, from virtual machine settings, before reboot.)
Step 8 - After reboot you'll be prompted to insert next CD-ROM. To remap virtual CD-ROM drive while virtual machine is running, choose VM-->Settings, and repeat steps 6b-6e.
     (Hint: Use Ctrl-Alt key sequence to bring mouse focus back to guest environment.)

Solaris 10 will include a number of groundbreaking technologies. These include:

•   Predictive Self Healing
•   N1 Grid Containers (Solaris Zones)
•   Process Rights Management
•   Network and System performance Enhancements
•   Dynamic Tracing
•   SPARC, x86 and AMD64 Platform Support

The big news of course is that customers and partners can begin using many of these technologies TODAY through Sun's Software Express Program.

Learn more about this early release mechanism:

ARTICLE Previewing the Next Solaris OS with Sun's Software Express Program
http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/features/articles/solaris_express.html

PREVIEW Solaris 10 Operating System
http://wwws.sun.com/software/solaris/10/

DOWNLOAD Software Express for Solaris
http://wwws.sun.com/software/solaris/solaris-express/sol_index.html