Going Down

I am currently experiencing major technical difficulties for both my e-mail and web site.

My mail domain had non-default MX record settings (Google Apps) and that was not updated with move to new server. Without noticing, my e-mail account was gone since 2009-06-19. MX records are now corrected, but it will probably be few more hours until DNS gets new data. And then again, I will be e-mailable.

My web site is also down since transfer to new server broke some settings and I broke rest of it.

Long night awaits…

[2009-06-22 02:00: Web site is finally up but not with full functionality. I still need to restore 404 functionality (in case of non-existent file, I used to redirect it to newest version).]

[2009-06-22 03:00: DotNetPanel was a problem. If you don’t put * into sub-code text field it will not warn you, but it will just start displaying “The data is invalid.” page for all http requests. It seems that error checking is unknown discipline in this product. In any case, web page is back up.]

[2009-06-22 03:00: My e-mail is up, but in very weird and uncomfortable setup. Hopefully normal access will be restored soon.]

[2009-06-22 12:00: I also need to thank to my web provider. While this was caused by them while moving me to another server, I must commend their availability in middle of night and during non-working days. I will most definitely stay with them.]

[2009-06-23 08:30: I got first e-mail to my server! It is sent from my web provider so it should take some more time for it to propagate through all DNS caches.]

[2009-06-23 23:30: I finally got my error reporting system back on-line. Some servers send me e-mail to correct address, but big part of them still hasn’t updated their DNS records.]

[2009-06-25: Finally everything works. :)]

Virtual Disk Management From PowerShell

Since my presentation on KulenDayz 2009 is over, I will share here PowerShell scripts for creating and mounting virtual disks under Windows Server 2008 R2. For those who really need it on Windows 7, there is solution with C# dll called from PowerShell (or just use small sample application).

Here are also links to some older post that cover most of what I was speaking about:

• VHD install
• Fixing bootable VHD
• Quick VHD install
• Quick VHD creation

If you are C# soul, you may also want to check my WinDays post.

Windows 7 - VHD

I am giving lecture at KulenDayz 2009 developer conference. I am quite curious how it will go since I am primary a developer and this is my first lecture in system administration track.

If you are in neighborhood, please do come.

P.S. Guess which one I am on this picture (hint: look what pumpkin’s eyes are saying)…

Project Natal

Today I was on coffee with dear friend and I learned that Microsoft has something called Project Natal. There I said that almost nothing can persuade me to get Xbox.

I saw this video and I changed my mind. There are things that could make buying Xbox a viable option.

Bing

There is new Microsoft’s search engine called Bing. Name itself reminds me of Alan Ford’s quote: “Hello, Bing, how’s the brother?”. While meaning of that greeting is not so nice (trafficking stolen goods), it means that I will remember it without problems.

Search interface is clean (with nice picture background) and search speed is good. However, after spending one day with it, I cannot say that I am too excited. When I look at all those things it can do, I feel cheated. All that seems really useful, but in reality almost everything is limited to North America. All I got from it is just generic search engine results.

P.S. It even fails at recognizing that I come from Croatia. Getting results of Slovenian pages does not help me much.

Juni Vs By.hero

I stumbled upon this video of Zerg vs. Zerg Starcraft match.

Until now, I though that this match-up cannot last more than ten minutes. Boy, I was wrong.

WinDays 2009

During WinDays 2009 Technology conference I gave presentation about support for virtual disks in Windows 7. To my great pleasure I was voted 4th best presenter while my presentation was voted as 5th.

Thanks to everybody watching presentation and giving me such a great score.

3-In-1

I got Nivea Active 3 from my wife and I consider it ultimate product for men. It combines showering gel, shampoo and shaving cream. Not only that you solve almost all men’s hygienic needs (no toothpaste inside), you only need to remember to buy single product. That is precious.

While this is primary showering gel and pretty lousy as anything else, it is definitely something you want to take on trip with you.

If they only had bacon-flavored version…

KulenDayz 2009

If you work with Microsoft technologies, you should definitely visit KulenDayz 2009 conference. It is community organized event held in Croatia with quite a few international speakers.

Conference will last for three days. First and last day will be fun, but second day will be all about learning. Sessions will be mix of Code camp style sessions (no fluff, just code) and Chalk&Talk (hanging around with flip chart). I definitely recommend later since amount of information you can get during informal chat is just amazing.

While small fee is required for lodging and events, conference sessions are completely free. Do feel free to register and join us (be quick, number is limited).

P.S. If you are wondering, Kulen is type of spicy sausage native to Slavonija.

Close Shave

For all fans of Starcraft, this game is must see. It is exciting until last moment.