Why was a platform chosen that doesn't support SSL?

It's not any safer than using normal XP after April 8.

Flat out do I think it's safe - no. Can you mitigate it, yes, assuming you can isolate them from the internet completely.

Assuming you don't want to drop $16K for that OCZ, how do you go about getting a 2 TB single drive or larger? I've never understood has JOBD work, maybe that's the answer?

You can build your own VMWare server using the free version for testing. You can get trial versions of Windows 2012 R2 for building test VMs. If you have an extra PC (needs to be newer) there's a good chance ESXi will install on it for testing purposes.

Veeam has a 30 day trial option that you could install on your workstation to backup your VMs and learn how it works.

If the app does not require any network access, it's safe, but if it does - really need to replace that application.

same thing that happens to normal XP, no more security updates.

Are we there yet with Enterprise SSDs? would it be safe to do RAID 0 SSDs?

So you're saying they are kinda like RAID controllers themselves? So reliable that you just don't worry about them? Just be prepared with your backups as you always should be.

@scottalanmiller I'm sure you have an explanation for that. Care to share?

what do you do in terms of safety? two of them RAID 1?

@scottalanmiller said:

That doesn't sound like fun.

The only thing that isn't fun is the rush. But it will be two models, so two images, purchasing 5+ a week and rolling them out until it's done. Luckily the users have next to nothing on their machines so a transfer to another computer is pretty simple.

I've been given a directive to only replace a machine when it's economically not worth fixing, but it must be broken, not just slow or mildly inconvenient. That being said, I did recently get approval to replace all of my XP machines . 40 machines to replace in the next 6 weeks. Won't make the deadline, but it will be close.

I agree with Rogue, I really don't like seeing the PDF format adding all of this functionality. I wish it would be a different file format and keep PDF back to their original purpose, cross platform identical printing/viewing. all these bonus features just add more avenues for hackers - Adobe has shown they can't make anywhere near clean code, flash anyone?

@scottalanmiller said:

The importance of a start button is that it gives a visual clue. Without it the interface is literally a mystery. All navigation is missing. With it you have some guidance. For normal users that is of incredible importance.

I have to give you that one.

I was really close to buying an iphone before Android hit mainstream. I started my 'smartphone' adventures with the HTC 4200 (I think), HTC Touch Pro, shortly there after HTC Touch Pro 2. Moved onto the HTC EVO 4G but never had 4G services in Nebraska, HTC EVO 3D and now the Samsung S4. Those old Windows CE devices were just plain awful. Overall I enjoyed the HTC Android phones I've had. The performance on the S4 was pretty good until I started installing more apps. but now it's pretty laggy. I'm sure it's an app causing a problem but I haven't hard reset it (have to disable all of the two factor accounts using the google authenticator). I also really dislike all the junk that comes preinstalled and not removable on carrier provided devices.

did the driver name of the Mac's printer driver change? I know for the windows ones to work there needs to be a driver mapping setup.

@scottalanmiller said:

@Hubtech said:

@scottalanmiller said:

One of the things that remains tough about labs is that testing virtualization still requires a lot of hardware. If you want to test XenServer, HyperV, vSphere and KVM in any serious way, that is a minimum of eight servers! If you want to do any cloud, that is a whole bunch more.

well, at the cost of these servers, i could fill up a rack in no time lol

Filling up a rack is easy, it is keeping the power on that really gets you.

And the sound.

@scottalanmiller said:

@IRJ said:

@aaron-studer Don't you use Sophos at work?

They usually allow you to install AV for home use as long as you have a valid license at work. We have licenses for 250 users, so we are allowed to register 250 for home use at zero charge as well.

That's pretty nice.

Panda AV did this for me in the past too. This kind of seems to be a small trend. Offices that move to Office 365 with local install Office, the users often find themselves with several licenses worth they can install at home.
Cox provides it's home users and corporate customers with McAfee AV included.

I've never supported Macs officially, and barely unofficially.

Several of my docs have said they are interested in Macs in our office. This lead them to purchasing Macs at home. Now those docs are telling me that they barely use their Macs - yes they are pretty, but they can't be bothered with the time it takes to really get to understand how to use it, so they fall back on their old Windows machines to get their work done.

This on top of the fact that most of the software they currently use works best if not only on Windows (and more frightening only on IE).

I've dropped a few hints in my office that I can't support an iPad because I don't own one and haven't played with one enough to even know how to turn it on, but they have yet to pick up the hint.

I do understand the idea behind a virtual network that runs over the actual - the ease of use for giving users access to internal network resources (heck this would be a great solution to allow companies to use AD servers in Amazon's Cloud services).

I look forward to seeing add-ons to the current product line up.