Thoughtsofanidlemind's Blog

Category: Writing

  • The ethics of cut and paste blogging

    Blogging is good fun. After all, if it wasn’t, we wouldn’t do it – right? But there are some blogging habits that are unacceptable. Abusing someone for instance would seem to be in pretty poor taste. So, at least in my mind, is the way that some populate their blog…

  • Flying the B-17

    Taking any recommendation from Paul Robichaux is always a risky business. Accepting that you should strap yourself into a World War II bomber that was built in 1945 and has been flying continuously seemed like one of his more outlandish suggestions, but it was absolutely wonderful and a fantastic thing…

  • Another STC award for Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Inside Out

    The nice people at Microsoft Press have been in contact with me again to let me know that my book Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Inside Out has now received an “excellence” award from the Society of Technical Communication (STC), the professional body for people who work with technical publications covering subjects from…

  • March 2012 articles posted on WindowsITPro.com

    Here is the digest of articles that I posted to March 2012 during March 2012: iPhone meet Exchange 2010 posted on March 29 is a review of Steve Goodman’s new book iPhone with Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 – Business Integration and Deployment, which describes how administrators can take on the…

  • Climbing the rock: Rocher de Roquebrune

    I have passed by the Rocher de Roquebrune frequently ever since my first trip to the South of France in 1981. The Rocher (literally “large rock”) is located close to the village of Roquebrune-sur-Argens in the department of the Var. The A8 autoroute passes by the hulking bulk of the rock…

  • February 2012 articles posted on WindowsITPro.com

    Understanding the bug fix for OAB downloads in Exchange 2010 SP2 RU1 (February 28): This is a fun article that pokes a gentle amount of fun at the wonderful turn of phrase exhibited by Greg Taylor when he explained a bug fix to improve OAB downloads in an article posted…

  • Microsoft Exchange 2010 Inside Out heads for another printing

    O’Reilly Media, who look after printing activities for Microsoft Press, contacted me yesterday to give the good news that Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Inside Out is now almost out of print. They plan to print a new run of the book early next month. Because most things associated with the publishing…

  • Best of Show award for Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Inside Out

    Following along from January’s “Distinguished Award” for Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Inside Out, I received news today that the book won the “Best of Show” award for “Informational Materials” at the 2011 Puget Sound Society for Technical Communications competition. It’s obviously pleasing to hear about such an award. I think…

  • An increase in web site quality from at least one site – Hurrah!

    I was delighted to read the story in Kerry Lauerman’s blog (editor-in-chief of Salon.com) describing the trauma Salon.com experienced in its attempts to drive web page views followed by the success that the site has gained by reversing course to focus on quality again. In brief, Salon.com went from the “me too”…

  • The trials and tribulations of writing and reviews

    I guess an author wouldn’t be human if they didn’t check out the reviews of their books that are posted on major book-buying sites like Amazon.com. I do this on an irregular basis, mostly because other tasks get in the way. Often, I learn from the reviews and appreciate the…