Build a Windows Server Update Services(WSUS) Server

1. Install Internet Information Services
   To verify that IIS was installed, open a web browser, and navigate to http://127.0.0.1/. You should receive an Under Construction page if IIS is installed successfully.
2. Install Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 2.0 and WinHTTP 5.1
   http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=47251
3. Install .NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable Package
   http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=68935
4. Install Report Viewer Redistributable 2005
   http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=70410
5. Install Microsoft Management Console 3.0
   http://go.microsoft.com/fslink/?LinkID=70412
6. Give Read permissions to Network Service on the root of the drive where the updates will be stored. In this case, it will be E:.
7. Install WSUS
   a. Set the location to store updates.
   b. Create the WSUS database
   c. Configure the update site.
   d. Set Product and Classification download settings.
   

Plantronics Discovery 665 Review

Today I'll be reviewing the Plantronics Discovery 665. This is one of a few bluetooth headsets that I've used, but this one is probably my favorite.

The Discovery 665 is very light and weighs in at only 9 grams. The headset is an in-ear design, much like headphones, but there is an optional stabilizing loop that hooks to your ear. It comes with different gel ear pieces to accommodate for people with larger or smaller ears.

The sound quality of this headset is much better than headsets that I've used in the past. Voice sounds clear to me during conversations and I haven't had anyone tell me that the quality on the receiving end was poor.

What really makes this headset stand out is it's charger. Rather than a traditional wall charger, this headset comes with a vehicle charger that you plug into the cigarette lighter. This feature practically sold the headset to me, since I'd be using this headset nearly 100% of the time while driving around Southern California.

This headset also comes with a USB charger, so you could alternatively charge this headset on your computer. Alternatively, you could purchase this traditional Plantronics Charger if you wanted to charge your headset in a more traditional manner.

The one gripe that I do have about this headset are the buttons to adjust the volume or to answer/hang up. The buttons feel very stiff and while you're wearing the headset, it feels like you're trying to mash it through your skull.

Overall, I would recommend this headset. It's simplistic interface, comfort to wear, and unique vehicle charger make this headset a keeper.

New User Account Not Showing Up on Login Screen in OSX 10.5

Macs in a predominately Windows environment don't play well. We all know that. But here's another reason that they don't play well. With OS X 10.5 systems, when you bind the computer to the domain, when new users log into the system, their account will be created but the account will not show up on the login screen. When creating local accounts, I've found that OS X 10.5 has no problem also displaying on the login screen. However, when a network account was logged into the machine, their account would not show up on the login screen. In Tiger, I didn't have problems, but since this is our first Leopard build, we're having all kinds of fun. The fix is simple, however.

1. Launch Directory Utility, which can be found in the Applications\Utilities folder.
2. On the Directory Servers tab, click + to bind it to the domain.
3. Click the Services tab.
4. Double-click where it says Active Directory.
5. Show the Advanced Options.
6. In the User Experience tab, right below, tick the box that says Create mobile account at login.
7. Reboot the system.

Recover Deleted Emails in Outlook

Ever get that weird feeling in your stomach after you delete something and realize that you need it? We all do. In Microsoft Outlook, you can recover your deleted emails quite easily.

1. Open the folder where the email was located.
2. Click on Tools -> Recover Deleted Items.
3. In there, you'll see a list of your emails that you recently deleted. Highlight the emails that you want recovered, and click Recover Selected Items.
4. You emails will then be recovered back to its original folder.