Humongo Whiteboard on the Cheap

Our team continues to try to find better ways to work thru projects and prioritize the day to day projects in addition to the long term projects.   Our latest tool is a really high tech tool… or not.  Its a 12ft x 5 ft white dry erase board.  We rearranged Jim and Jeremie’s office and had a great space to hang the board… but then the price of a board this big was fairly steep…. well over $400 and some around $900.

Several people mentioned using bathroom wall board, but after while it doesn’t look good and starts to bow and sag and not erase.

Our Student ministries found some static cling clear plastic that works as a dry erase surface, but when you remove that paint starts to peel of… so it wasn’t worth the premium ($150+).  So the search continued until we found RustOleum Dry Erase Paint.  Two cans of this stuff cover a 14×7 ft area and only cost $40 at home depot.

So we picked up two cans and our awesome campus services team got to work putting on the first coat.  And after the 4th coat we posted a note not to write on the board until after 2 days… Next the Campus service guys put up some low profile molding to make a frame around the writing surface to keep Jeremie’s crazy drawings off the wall. And finally, a great surface for department planning!

Apples just work?

Apple’s claim: “It just works…” but when it doesn’t the support is HORRIBLE!

Last week we decided to re-format a PowerPC G5 to replaced the current OS (10.3) with the the new Image we created and integrate this G5 into AD. 

When we tried to boot the G5 from the NetInstall service the big globe comes up, then the smaller globe, but then it goes to a window that reads: “You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several seconds or press the restart button. After the restart the same error displayed.  I checked the image server and all the services appeared to be working correctly so I contacted AppleCare Tech support. 

I have learned how to get thru to enterprise support on the AppleCare voice prompts by saying “OS X Server”.  After waiting on hold for about 15 minutes I was greeted by the technician and gave the appropriate information and then told him about my problem.  The tech instructed me to try booting from the CD to try installing the OS from the CD, which I did and the install prompts displayed.  So I asked the tech, so how do we fix the issue with the NetInstall Image not working, and following conversation was worth noting:

Todd: You need to install from the CD since there was an issue with the NetInstall. 

Me: I have used the NetInstall before and it worked well, what can we do to trouble shoot the NetInstall/NetBoot service so we can use our PowerPC image with applications and drivers already configured?

Todd: It isn’t an issue with Apple Server, but your image you created. Are you sure this is an image of a PowerPC?

ME: Yes its a PPC image. The image has worked on several other PPC installs, what is causing it to fail now?

Todd:  I don’t know, but since the installer works from the CD, it is an issue with your Image.

Me: I know its an issue with the Image, but what can we do to fix the problem.

Todd: Install from the CD.

Me: (Getting annoyed) But the Image has all the configuration for our machines, and the CD install doesn’t I really would like to have you help me get the Netboot Service working, can you not help troubleshoot the image service since…. well its is part of OSX server.

Todd: The Install from the CD works so you should use that, I don’t know what else to tell you what to try.

Me:  Is there anyone else that can assist me?

Todd: No, but here is my email address if you find any additional information that will help us solve the problem you can email me.

Me: That is ridiculous, and you aren’t able to assist me?

Todd: That is all I can help you with, thank you for calling apple care, I hope we can assist you in the future.

I got off the phone and began ‘googling’ the error message and found this discussion on the apple web site: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7698665. After copying the images to another location, deleting the Share Point, copying the images back and restarting and reconfiguring the service all was well.

Then the best part is getting the support evaluation request from apple… Are you serious?  I was tempted to ask if they were using the Abbot and Costello”Who’s on First” sketch as a training tool.

Shame on you Apple Support….Yeah Apple Community forums!

Our SonicWall Lineup

Since our Sonicwall Line-up has changed and Darin Jacks asked after a post about our datacenter about a CDP, well this is one of those post that I started a while back and never finished… so here a list of our line-up.

Some might say its almost the whole SonicWall product line, and I guess they might be close but then they might also go an purchase a lot of Sonicwall gear too (you know who you are, Justin)…

2 - E-Class 5500
The E-Class does a great job load balancing between 2 cable modems and our T1 all while doing content filtering and unified threat management.  Once we receive the switch from our reseller, we will have these two units install in a HA Pair

1 - CDP 4440i (Disk to Disk Backup)
The  CDP has been rock solid for backup, except for recently having an issue keeping too many backups of exchange (but this is being resolved…. i would much rather have too many backups than no backups… Yikes that brings back awful memories of 2 years ago this week)

1 - SSL-VPN 2000
The SSL-VPN just works great.  Any remote access (OWA, RDP etc.) all comes thru this single location for our users… great way to simplify remote access training.

1 - Email Security 400
We have had ups and downs with this Spam appliance, but since we got it dialed in… only 1-2 spam messages hit our users inbox per week (avg.)

1 - 4060 Pro (Enhanced OS)
Offline and For Sale If you are wanting to buy at used Pro4060 leave a comment.

12 - SonicPoints for Public WiFi
We recently deployed all the WiFi radios and have almost 100% coverage over 170K sq.ft.

Mac and Microsoft RDP

With our recent push to better serve our mac users, I have used the Mac on my desk a little more…. I wish I could report that I use it a lot more but that’s just not true. 

I have been using Microsoft’s RDP client for the Mac and it has been working well.  RDP allows me to connect to a windows server while I am also remotely connected to our OSX Leopard server.  The one issue with Mac RDP was not being able to connect to the Windows Server Console… but alas you can.  If you enter the server name /console in the address bar it connects you to the console session of that Windows server.

Just chalk it up to another fact that may be totally useless.

Rolling out a Monster Rig Revisited

After the recent post about our Monster Video Production Rig several asked about the budget for the project so I have compiled a rough list of the costs.

Final Cut Computer:

Hardware:

- Mac Pro including - ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB (Two dual-link DVI)
- 8GB (2X4GB) PC25300 ECC Third Party Ram, not buying it from apple saves a ton (A TON of cash).
- 2 - Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP
- Wacom INTUOS 3 6×11 Wide Format USB Pen Tablet PTZ631W
- Logic Keycaps
- Tannoy Reveal 5A - 5″ Biamplified Nearfield Monitors

Hardware Total: $7311

Software:

- Adobe CS3 Suite Production Premium (2 year updates)
- CHV Shine + Magic 3D
- Digital Heaven Plug-ins
- Final Cut Studio 2
- Flip4 Mac Studio
-Futurismo Backgrounds
- Mac Office 2008

- Natress Big Box of Tricks
- Noise Industries FXPro
- Snap Z Pro
- Volumetrix FX pack

Software Total: $2749

Total Cost: $10,232.73

Seeing your Media Director Smile and act almost giddy, Priceless

VMWorld 2008

Our Zones Account Executive, Nathan, tipped me off on this event… I don’t think we are planning to attend since the price is way too high, but if you were near Vegas this might be something to check out.

IT = Part-time Detective

This past week I received a call from one of our staff members who reported that every key he pressed ANY key on his keyboard he heard a beep. He couldn’t type since everything displayed as strange characters and the problem didn’t go away after rebooting.

When arrived he showed me the symptoms he had described. I first thought that it had something to do with the laptop docking station, and removed the laptop from the dock… All was well.  So next we deleted the hardware profile and rebooted the laptop… and all was well.. for about 30 seconds and the problem started again.  None of the keys were stuck in the down position, but it appeared that the control key was stuck.  At the login page you could press alt-del and the login page displayed, if you pressed ctrl-alt-del the machine just beeped.

So for a few minutes I thought about the problem and suggested we get an external keyboard to see if that allowed us to use the laptop.  Quickly the user says “I have a keyboard right here under my desk, and its even wireless”.  On a hunch I suggested he press the ctrl key on the wireless keyboard while I press the alt-del keys on the laptop… sure enough the login prompt displayed.  The wireless keyboard had been left on and ‘connected’ to the laptop while under the desk.  Sometime during the day a small cardboard box fell over under the desk pressing the ctrl key.

Lesson learned: remove your batteries from your wireless keyboard when you aren’t using it!

{This Story was shared with the permission of G. Webb}

Erin & "J-Rock" Wedding

This past weekend our network administrator, Jeremie Kilgore got married to the wonderful gal who he affectionately calls “lady”.  See Erin’s user name on their wedding blog as shown below.

While at the Wedding I snapped some photos to share.  Of course I emailed these to JK on his phone before they were even out of the church…  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take a shot of them running thru the bubbles and email that to them before they got in the car… Sorry Bobbi.

So here are some photos of Jeremie & Erin’s Big day.

Jeremie Assessing the situation

Communion

Announcing Mr & Mrs Jeremie Kilgore

A Sweet Ride (What doe he do for a living??!)

Dave B and others waiting to “do the bubble thing”…you pull the top and toss whole container right?

Mel and Alex checking the car over.

Jeremie being a gent

Jeremie made the cake that Erin and he cut, and I am glad because the test cakes were tasty office treats!

This photo was placed on the tables at the reception, WOW I think I might have been too scared to hire JK if he still had hair like that…. Talk about a guy you wouldn’t want to mess with. Note to self… if you ever need a bodyguard, have Jeremie grow his hair long again….

Congrats Erin and Jeremie!!!!

Job Opening in OKC

Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City is expanding their MIS Team.  Michael Foster would be a great guy to work with and from the Spring CITRT,rossings appears to be a thriving place to serve.

Network Administrator

Scope of Position: Assist in supporting the stable operation of the in-house computers, servers and IP network infrastructure as well as other information systems applicable to Crossings Community Church.

Organizational Relationships: While this position will interact with most, if not all, of the departments of the church, the Network Administrator shall report to the Director of Management Information Systems (MIS).

Responsibilities: The Network Administrator’s role is to enable the ministry of the church with information technology hardware and software. This includes planning, developing, installing, configuring, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing all network hardware, software, and communication links. The person will also analyze and resolve end user hardware and software computer problems in a timely and accurate fashion, and provide end user training where required. This person will also work closely with the MIS Director to optimize all areas of the church’s information systems.

Skills Required for Position: Working knowledge of a Microsoft Windows domain and networking. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, desktop operating systems, and a strong willingness and ability to learn.

Education and Experience: The Network Administrator should hold a vo-tech or college diploma, at a minimum, and should have a minimum of 1 to 2 years experience in working with computers and various information systems components. A+ Certification or equivalent knowledge is required and any Microsoft or Cisco certifications will be beneficial.

If you are interested email a resume to Michael Foster (mfoster at crossingsokc dot org)

Exchange Storage Limits?

So do you use Storage limits on your Exchange Server?  If so what are they?

We have imposed fairly conservative limits on our users, not because of space but rather because of DR planning…. We got burned 2 years ago during a Exchange Server crash and there we no limits on the storage… so the reaction was to impose limits to prevent the nightmare of some of the mailboxes from not happening again… Today I am wondering if those limits are “fair”.

So just doing some research, what are your limits and why?