The need to transform all the screen shots to use approved names for people and servers has slowed things down a tad but I think we are now back on schedule. The manuscript is now circa 437,500 words, mostly because I can’t stop making changes to text as I go through the chapters to revise with the updated (and approved) names, but also because I keep on finding new material that’s interesting and worthwhile. For example, Microsoft’s TAP call on Transport changes in Exchange 2010 SP1 this week was very interesting and generated three new pages of information. I’ve also had some interesting experiences unraveling the complexities of Outlook Protection Rules and how legal investigators can access IRM-protected content that is uncovered by a mailbox search. Both issues have resulted in substantial correspondence with engineers to figure out what’s going on. Such is life.

The aim is to hand over the complete book to Microsoft by June 4. Eleven chapters have been submitted so far and I have six more that should be ready to go later on today. That leaves three to complete next week and the major thing that’s holding them up is a number of queries that I have open with the development group (who are doing an excellent job of responding to my many varied questions).  Of course, once the chapters are submitted a new phase opens and I’ll have to start to respond to the gentle probing of the technical reviewer – but that’s work for June and July and I won’t worry about it for now.

– Tony