When I write scripts to automate the deployment of software, I always prefer to check to see if a program is already installed rather than run the install and see if it fails.  One way to do this is to use Get-WmiObject to query the WMI_Product table. This is certainly the most direct way but it’s slow [...]

Every once in a while I’ll try to log into a server and get what I call the Remote Desktop Black Screen of Death.  No matter how many times I log out, log in, try to switch resolutions, etc. I could never defeat it.  Fortunately I just discovered a simple solution: hit the Remote Desktop [...]

QR Codes are all the rage right now.  You’re hard-pressed to find a print advertisement without them, and they’re finding new and interesting uses in education as well. I created this screencast to teach my coworkers at SUN Tech how to easily create QR codes to use in their classrooms. Enjoy!

When Microsoft released Windows Vista they also released a new volume licensing model using two different types of software license keys: MAK and KMS. MAK stands for Multiple Activation Key.  Each MAK key is a good for a specific number of device activations.  You configure a MAK key by typing it in during Windows Setup or [...]

NOTE: The Video is coming soon! Please be patient. Activating Windows 8 is the process of allowing your computer to connect to Microsoft and verify that your computer is licensed to run their software.  If you purchased a new computer with Windows 8 preinstalled, you’ll probably never have to worry about it.  However if you’re [...]