Microsoft MVP 3rd edition

I'm happy to report that I am again a Microsoft MVP for PowerShell the 3rd year in a row. This is always a nerve wracking time of year where I wonder if I did enough for the community and think about what else I could have done. Now I have another year to continue to support the PowerShell and IT Pro community in as many ways possible.

Reboot and Reload

After a terrific few years at SAPIEN Technologies, I'm back on my own. This site will be my new home. I've revamped the title, but I think it more accurately describes my subject matter. Even though I write extensively about scripting and PowerShell, which I'll continue to do, the topic is really a means to an end. I strongly believe that scripting and automation technologies are essential keys to success for Windows administrators with too much work on their plates and not nearly enough time or resources.

I hope to use this blog as a foundation for sharing tips, scripts, solutions, advice and anything else I can do to make your job easier. This will also be the place I'll announce new books, writing projects, training classes and anything else I'm up to professionally that I think you might like so I hope you'll subscribe.  By the way, the SAPIEN Technologies blog is still active and I hope you stay subscribed as it is the best way to keep on top of new offerings.

In the mean time I hope you'll stay subscribed to this blog, follow me on Twitter and let me know what would make your life easier. Please feel free to post comments here or email me directly jhicks@jdhitsolutions.com

New stuff coming

Watch this blog for new content..coming soon

PrimalForms now Available

Even though PowerShell is by design a console based management tool, there are instances where you would like to use a GUI. PowerShell can use the Windows forms classes from the .NET Framework. However in the past creating anything other than the simplest of forms was very tedious and time consuming. Now SAPIEN Technologies has a free solution. Download the free PrimalForms tool and use a WYSIWYG form editor. Drag and drop controls, configure them and define events such as Click and SelectionChanged. PrimalForms will generate a PowerShell script to create the form. All you have to do is refine it, add your PowerShell code to react to the events, test and deploy!

Be sure to read the Getting Started guide which includes a walk-through of creating a new script. There are also several sample forms and scripts. Read the release announcement and a followup.

Technorati Tags: PrimalForms,PowerShell,WinForms,Scripting,SAPIEN

TurboChargeAD.Org

I'll be adding yet another writing gig to my portfolio. This time I'll be contributing a bi-weekly blog column at TurboChargeAD.org. The site is run by Quest Software with contributions from many members of the IT Pro and PowerShell community that you are likely familiar with like Don Jones, Brandon Shell, and Darren Mar-Elia, to name a few.

The site's aim is to offer a wealth of information for enterprise management. You'll find white papers, blog posts, video demos and material that will hopefully make your job a little easier. My posts will be primarily Active Directory task based, such as creating a disabled users report or finding all empty groups. I'll be leaning heavily on topics from Managing Active Directory with Windows PowerShell: TFM.

Look for my posts on Wednesdays, starting Oct. 15 in the articles section.

PowerShell Poll

Are you using Windows PowerShell v1.0 in production today? Are you thinking about it? If you aren't, why? Inquiring minds at SAPIEN want to know. Take a moment to answer a simple yes/no poll at http://blog.sapien.com/index.php/2008/09/23/powershell-production-poll/. If you aren't using PowerShell, kindly leave a comment explaining why. Nobody's passing judgment and there are many reasons why PowerShell may not have gained traction in your organization.

Updated Domain Password Script

This month's Mr. Roboto column offers a script you can use with PowerShell to build a domain password report. There were few issues that came up which have since been resolved. You can download the latest version, currently 1.2 at www.jdhitsolutions.com/scripts in the Mr. Roboto section.

Waynes World of Tips

I've blogged in the past about Wayne Martin and his outstanding list of command line tips. These are one line commands, some complex some simple, that you can use to accomplish a wide range of task. The overall number of tips is to 425 and Wayne recently reorganized them into 7 categories to make it easier for people to digest. There's very little scripting with any of these commands. Most use native or freely available command line tools. But because they are executed from a command line you could incorporate them into a script. I encourage you to check them out.

The single list:

http://waynes-world-it.blogspot.com/2008/09/useful-command-lines.html

The same commands split into categories:

http://waynes-world-it.blogspot.com/2008/09/useful-active-directory-command-line.html

http://waynes-world-it.blogspot.com/2008/09/useful-dns-dhcp-and-wins-command-line.html

http://waynes-world-it.blogspot.com/2008/09/useful-general-command-line-operations.html

http://waynes-world-it.blogspot.com/2008/09/useful-vmware-esx-and-vc-command-line.html

http://waynes-world-it.blogspot.com/2008/09/useful-windows-mscs-cluster-command.html

http://waynes-world-it.blogspot.com/2008/09/useful-windows-printer-command-line.html

http://waynes-world-it.blogspot.com/2008/09/useful-ntfs-and-security-command-line.html

Order Managing Active Directory with Windows PowerShell: TFM - Finally!

Yes, its finally true. You can finally get your hands on Managing Active Directory with Windows PowerShell: TFM. The book is being printed so you can get your copy today. You can order it today at ScriptingOutpost.com in both print and ebook format. Or if you prefer the best of both worlds get both as a bundle.

Table of Contents

1. PowerShell Crash Course
2. PowerShell Extras
3. Managing Local Computer Accounts
4. Managing Local Groups
5. Managing Active Directory with PowerShell Fundamentals
6. Managing Active Directory Users
7. Active Directory Password Management
8. Managing Active Directory Contacts
9. Managing Active Directory Groups
10. Managing Active Directory Computer Accounts
11. Managing Organizational Units and Containers
12. Managing Group Policy
13. Active Directory Security and Permissions
14. Managing Active Directory with WMI and PowerShell
15. Using the Active Directory PSDrive Provider
16. Managing Active Directory Infrastructure
17. (Appendix A) Managing Active Directory with PowerGUI

You can also download a sample chapter. This title is also available at Amazon.com.

You don't have to wait for Microsoft before you can begin managing Active Directory with PowerShell. You can start today.