Microsoft Outlook does many things that save time and streamline our communications process. In fact, it’s hard to remember how we business communications worked before the days of email.  Each time you correspond with a new person, Outlook stores this address for quick recall at a later time.  This is a good thing.  We’ve all used this.  You start typing an address and one, or several, options appear for us to select.

However, this auto-complete function has a dark side.  It also remembers mistyped entries and keeps old addresses even when the recipient may no longer use that address.  Fortunately, there’s a solution.  There’s a fairly simple way to delete auto-complete entries that are incorrect or simply not of use.

Follow the steps below to delete undesired entries:

1. Create a mew email in Outlook.
2. Begin typing either the name or email address you want to remove.
3. Once it appears, use the down arrow on your keyboard to highlight the entry you would like to delete.
4. Press Delete on your keyboard.
5. Repeat for all undesired addresses.

Access the Start Menu Properties by right clicking on your Start menu.

In Windows 7 the default option for shutting down your machine is Shut Down.  However, the fly out arrow to the right of Shut Down gives us other options.  It’s here that we can put our machine to sleep, log off or switch users.

If your daily routine regularly requires an action other than shutting down, it’s possible to change the default action in your Start menu.  For instance, you can make it so that the button executes the Log Off function and you must click the fly out arrow to access Shut Down and the others.

To change the default action simply:

1. Right click on the Start menu.
2. Select Properties.
3. Confirm that you are in the Start Menu tab.
4. From the Power button action drop down, select the option you desire.
5. Click OK.

Once you’re done, you can click on the start menu to confirm the change.  It’s that simple.  For other hidden gems of Windows 7, check out the Log On to Learn webinar Windows 7: Tips, Tricks and Techniques on March 28^th.  The $99 event is free with the promo code MADNESS.
Register Here.

Categories got a complete makeover.  They work throughout Outlook in many helpful ways.  Any Outlook item you create can be categorized by right clicking on the item and choosing categorize.  The first time you use each category you will be asked to name the category.  There are six categories by default (all named for colors) but you can add many more.

Once you begin using categories, they will be available throughout Outlook.  For example you can create a label for a project then categorize all emails, contacts, meetings and tasks associated with that project for easy distinction.

Is YouTube The Future of Online Education?

YouTube is a fountain of information on every topic imaginable–including information technology. But can the instructional videos posted online substitute formal technical
education? Here, find out what YouTube can–and can’t–offer IT professionals.

YouTube’s Online Video Learning Experiment

Online educators are continually seeking innovative ways to put multimedia resources to work in engaging and teaching their students. In recent years, YouTube has emerged as one front in the new paradigm of online video learning.  Universities such as MIT, Yale, Harvard, and Stanford led the way by posting a handful of their college lectures free on YouTube. To encourage the trend, YouTube released a sister site, YouTube EDU, in 2009. This site collects thousands of lectures from universities across the country and serves them up to users, completely gratis.

The latest chapter in YouTube’s emergence as an online video learning center has users posting their own instructional lectures that share their expertise. In a recent Chronicle of Higher Education feature, “College 2.0″, financial analyst Salman Khan is profiled. Kahn developed a recurring series of 10-minute lectures on science and technology specifically for YouTube. Over time, he’s launched more than 1,400 mini-lectures on mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, and finance. His efforts have lead to a dedicated following from college students, “netizens,” venture capitalists, and more who are all eager to explore alternatives to traditional higher education.

YouTube for IT Education?

Information technology is well-represented among YouTube’s educational videos. For example, YouTube EDU includes lectures on the following:

• Health informatics
• Global IT
• IT policy
• System architecture
• Library information science

YouTube itself has thousands of IT instructional videos ranging from basic educational topics to promotional videos and joke content. The emphasis is on how-to videos, ranging from “How to Install an Operating System” and “Basic Desktop Publishing,” on up to more complex concepts and techniques.

Is YouTube a Match for Higher Education?

YouTube’s instructional content gets a lot of press, and educators and students are constantly evaluating the site’s promise as a medium for online video learning. The general consensus among these groups is that YouTube is a worthy complement to traditional higher education—not a replacement. Students who watched the Khan Academy videos, for example, reported they saw the service as a “helpful supplement to the classroom experience” rather than an alternative to a college education.

YouTube online video education does offer some advantages:

• A multimedia experience
• Self-directed learning
• Short, targeted information sessions

Yet YouTube’s videos can’t replace formal IT training programs, and the resume boosting degrees that come with them. Colleges and online IT training programs feature:

• Accreditation
• Degrees and IT certifications
• Reliable, high-quality content
• Instructors with professional and academic credentials
• Full IT courses, offering comprehensive training
• Hand-on training alongside online video education
• Robust online video learning tools

Formal IT training, either on campus or online, extends well beyond a short lecture. An IT course online, for example, includes video demonstrations, discussions with peers and instructors via IM, live instruction via digital whiteboards, and other interactive features. Campus and online courses create a comprehensive learning experience, explains John Moravec of Education Futures: “In these environments, student learning does not occur as much within lecture halls as it occurs outside of the classroom–through interactions with other students, individual and informal study groups, independent or directed research, etc.”

KnowledgeWave, a Certified Learning Training center for Microsoft who also delivers computer training and technical certifications in Citrix, Cisco, and ITIL, is an example of such online training success in the modern digital era. Combining the advantages of face-to-face instructor led training with that of the latest conferencing technology, KnowledgeWave can effectively and conveniently provide quality video training sessions with their subscribers via multiple platforms; instructor led training, live remote training, on-site training, and a unique on-demand library via Log on to Learn that has over 1,000 video tutorials that range from beginner to advanced. Additionally, KnowledgeWave has created a YouTube Channel providing free tutorial content.

YouTube has its place in IT education, but the innovative service can be limited when it comes to educating listeners. Professional IT courses that are taught online, on the other hand, are comprehensive and aren’t likely to be replaced by YouTube any time soon.

Professors used to complain about students sitting in class, surfing sites like YouTube or listening to their iPods. But now, it’s thanks to sites like YouTube EDU and iTunes U, that the one-time classroom distractions may now be vital learning tools.

Debbie Lawrence is a content editor who primarily writes for an online schooling blog. You can contact her at dlawrence2[@]quinstreet.com with any suggestions, questions, or comments. You can find her on Twitter here.

MS 6425: Configuring and Troubleshooting Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Domain Services is now scheduled and confirmed to run the week of April 16-20, 2012. This class will run in-house at our 30 Community Drive, South Burlington, Vermont location. You can attend at our site or live from your desk. Contact Dan St. Hilaire at 800-831-8449 if you would like to enroll.

About this Course
This five-day instructor-led course provides to teach Active Directory Technology Specialists with the knowledge and skills to configure Active Directory Domain Services in a distributed environment, implement Group Policies, perform backup and restore, and monitor and troubleshoot Active Directory related issues.

Audience Profile
The primary audience for this course are AD Technology Specialists, Server Administrators, and Enterprise Administrators who want to learn how to implement AD in a distributed environment, secure domains using Group Policies, and perform backup, restore, and monitor and troubleshoot AD configuration to ensure trouble free operation.

At Course Completion
After completing this course, students will be able to implement and configure Active Directory domain services in their enterprise environment.

Course Outline

Module 1: Implementing Active Directory Domain Services
This module explains how to install and configure Active Directory Domain Services and install and configure a read-only domain controller.

Lessons
* Installing Active Directory Domain Services
* Deploying Read-Only Domain Controllers
* Configuring AD DS Domain Controller Roles
* Lab : Implementing Read-Only Domain Controllers
* Evaluating Forest and Server Readiness for Installing an RODC
* Installing and Configuring an RODC
* Configuring AD DS Domain Controller Roles

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Install Active Directory Domain Services.
* Deploy Read-Only Domain Controllers.
* Configure AD DS Domain Controller Roles.

Module 2: Configuring Domain Name Service for Active Directory Domain Services
This module explains how to configure Domain Name Services (DNS) for Active Directory Domain Services.

Lessons
* Overview of Active Directory Domain Services and DNS Integration
* Configuring Active Directory Integrated Zones
* Configuring Read Only DNS Zones

Lab : Configuring AD DS and DNS Integration
* Configuring Active Directory Integrated Zones
* Configuring Read-Only DNS Zones

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Describe Active Directory Domain Services and DNS integration.
* Configure Active Directory Integrated Zones.
* Configure read only DNS zones.

Module 3: Configuring Active Directory Objects and Trusts
This module explains how to configure Active Directory Objects and Trusts.

Lessons
* Configuring Active Directory Objects
* Strategies for Using Groups
* Automating AD DS Object Management
* Delegating Administrative Access to AD DS Objects
* Configuring AD DS Trusts

Lab : Configuring Active Directory Objects
* Configuring AD DS Objects
* Implementing an AD DS Group Strategy
* Automating the Management of AD DS Objects

Lab : Configuring Active Directory Objects and Trusts
* Delegating Control of AD DS Objects
* Configuring AD DS Trusts

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Configure Active Directory Objects.
* Describe strategies for using groups.
* Automate AD DS object management.
* Delegate Administrative access to AD DS objects.
* Configure AD DS trusts.

Module 4: Configuring Active Directory Sites and Replication
This module explains how to configure Active Directory sites and replication.

Lessons
* Overview of AD DS Replication
* Overview of AD DS Sites and Replication
* Configuring and Monitoring AD DS Replication

Lab : Configuring Active Directory Sites and Replication
* Configuring AD DS Sites and Subnets
* Configuring AD DS Replication
* Monitoring AD DS Replication

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Describe AD DS replication.
* Configure Active Directory Domain Services sites.
* Configure and monitor AD DS replication.

Module 5: Creating and Configuring Group Policy
This module explains how to create and configure Group Policy.

Lessons
* Overview of Group Policy
* Configuring the Scope of Group Policy Objects
* Evaluating the Application of Group Policy Objects
* Managing Group Policy Objects
* Delegating Administrative Control of Group Policy

Lab : Creating and Configuring GPOs
* Creating Group Policy Objects
* Managing the Scope of GPO Application
* Verifying GPO Application
* Managing GPOs
* Delegating Administrative Control of GPOs

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Describe Group Policy.
* Configure the scope of Group Policy objects.
* Evaluate the application of Group Policy objects.
* Manage Group Policy objects.
* Delegate administrative control of Group Policies.

Module 6: Configuring User Environments Using Group Policy
This module explains how to configure user environments using Group Policy.

Lessons
* Configuring Group Policy Settings
* Configuring Scripts and Folder Redirection Using Group Policies
* Configuring Administrative Templates
* Group Policy Preferences
* Deploying Software Using Group Policy

Lab : Lab Configuring User Environments Using Group Policies
* Configuring Scripts and Folder Redirection
* Configuring Administrative Templates
* Configuring Preferences
* Verifying GPO Application

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Configure Group Policy settings.
* Configure scripts and folder redirection using Group Policy.
* Configure administrative templates.
* Describe Group Policy preferences.
* Deploy software using Group Policy.

Module 7: Implementing Security Using Group Policy
This module explains how to implement security using Group Policy.

Lessons
* Configuring Security Policies
* Implementing Fine-Grained Password Policies
* Restricting Group Membership and Access to Software
* Managing Security Using Security Templates

Lab : Implementing Security Using Group Policies
* Configuring Account and Security Policy Settings
* Implementing Fine-Grained Password Policies
* Configuring Restricted Groups and Software Restriction Policies
* Configuring Security Templates
* Verifying the Security Configuration

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Configure security settings.
* Implement fine-grained password policies.
* Restrict group membership and access to software.
* Manage security using security templates.

Module 8: Implementing an Active Directory Domain Services Monitoring Plan
This module explains how to implement Active Directory Domain Services monitoring plan.

Lessons
* Monitoring AD DS Using Event Viewer
* Monitoring Active Directory Domain Servers Using Reliability and Performance Monitor
* Configuring AD DS Auditing

Lab : Monitoring Active Directory Domain Services
* Monitoring AD DS Using Event Viewer
* Monitoring AD DS Using Performance and Reliability Monitor
* Configuring AD DS Auditing

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Monitor Active Directory Domain Services using Event Viewer.
* Monitor Active Directory Domain servers using reliability and performance monitor.
* Configure Active Directory Domain Services Auditing.

Module 9: Implementing an Active Directory Domain Services Maintenance Plan
This module explains how to implement an Active Directory Domain Services maintenance plan.

Lessons
* Maintaining the AD DS Domain Controllers
* Backing Up Active Directory Domain Services
* Restoring Active Directory Domain Services

Lab : Implementing an Active Directory Domain Services Maintenance Plan
* Maintaining AD DS Domain Controllers
* Backing Up AD DS
* Performing an Authoritative Restore of the AD DS Database
* Restoring Data Using the AD DS Snapshot Viewer

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Maintain the AD DS Domain Controllers.
* Back up the Active Directory Domain Services.
* Restore the Active Directory Domain Services.

Module 10: Troubleshooting Active Directory, DNS, and Replication Issues
This module explains how to troubleshoot Active Directory Domain Services, Domain Name Service, and Active Directory replication.

Lessons
* Troubleshooting Active Directory Domain Services
* Troubleshooting DNS Integration with AD DS
* Troubleshooting AD DS Replication

Lab : Troubleshooting Active Directory, DNS, and Replication Issues
* Troubleshooting Authentication and Authorization Errors
* Troubleshooting the Integration of DNS and AD DS
* Troubleshooting AD DS Replication

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Troubleshoot Active Directory Domain Services.
* Troubleshoot DNS integration with AD DS.
* Troubleshoot AD DS replication.

Module 11: Troubleshooting Group Policy Issues
This module explains how to troubleshoot the application of Group Policy objects.

Lessons
* Introduction to Group Policy Troubleshooting
* Troubleshooting Group Policy Application
* Troubleshooting Group Policy Settings

Lab : Troubleshooting Group Policy Issues
* Troubleshooting Group Policy Scripts
* Troubleshooting GPO Lab11B
* Troubleshooting GPO Lab11C
* Troubleshooting GPO Lab11D

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Describe Group Policy troubleshooting.
* Troubleshoot Group Policy application.
* Troubleshoot Group Policy Settings.

Module 12: Implementing an Active Directory Domain Services Infrastructure
This module explains how to implement an Active Directory Domain Services Infrastructure.

Lessons
* Overview of the AD DS Deployment
* Planning a Group Policy Strategy

Lab : Deploying Active Directory Domain Services
* Installing a Read-only Domain Controller (RODC) onto a Server Core, and Creating a Branch Office Site
* Creating a Domain in a Separate Tree and Separate Site

Lab : Configuring Forest Trust Relationships
* Upgrading the Fabrikam Domain, and Creating a Forest Trust with Woodgrove Bank

Lab : Planning a Group Policy Strategy
* Planning Group Policy
* Creating a Domain in a Separate Tree and Separate Site
* Implementing the Corporate Desktop Policy

After completing this module, students will be able to:
* Implement an Active Directory Domain Services infrastructure.

This is a great event for any new Windows 7 PC user, or anyone that has been using Windows 7, but hasn’t learn the new great features that it has to offer. Join us in March for this great free event. Our events are valued at $99, but this event is free when using code MADNESS at check out.

Product(s): Microsoft
Windows 7
Audience(s): Business Professional
Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: March 28th, 2012
Start Time: 3:00 PM EDT (US)
Register Online (a $99.00 Value!) Use Code:
MADNESS at check out to attend for free!

Event Overview: Windows 7 is new from the ground up. It was created so that users could put the personalization back into the PC. Whether you’re already using Windows 7 or planning on making the switch, come and be part of this 60 minute webinar that will uncover many of the ways Windows 7 is different from earlier versions. In this tips-packed webinar, you will learn techniques in Microsoft Windows 7 to customize and organize your work, and streamline your business.

Watch are short video trailer for this event: