However, I thought I had a bug and reported it on the blog.  You’ll never guess who called?  Yea, PlateSpin contacted me directly to address any concerns I had.  Shortly after, we worked together on a particular problem and some kinks have been worked out of our system.  

That’s incredible though.  A rather random blog was posted about their product and PlateSpin contacted the author just as a matter of policy!  I haven’t heard anything like it actually.

If the software industry follows the PlateSpin customer service policies, then we have a wonderful future to look forward to.  Cheers!

1.  Download VMWare Server.  It’s Free.  There is even a version of ESX for free, get that if you are comfortable.  You may also use Virtual Server if necessary.

2.  Purchase several NAS devices, or just big external hard drives.

3.  Using the P2V tools from Platespin or from VMWare, create an image of your servers: they likely can be restarted on any box in the future.

4.  Copy those images to your storage devices.

5.  Get out of Houston, with the storage devices.

6.  If your business gets wiped out, and you absolutely need those servers back online, then bring those storage devices to Dallas and give me a hollar.  We should have you going in a couple of days.

Note: I do suggest reading some of the documentation for VMWare prior to performing the P2V conversion.

There really is much, much more to it but if you’re in a bind (and have been blind), then this may help.

Good luck and stay dry.

-MB

Anyway, I found the WordPress Automatic Upgrade plug-in today.  I’ve used it in the past but something prevented me from actually using it on this particular site.  If I remember correctly, I seriously balked at putting in my FTP information.  Again, hesitation gets zero results…

I installed the plugin, performed the upgrade and PRESTO!  The system has been updated.  For a bonus, it also backs up all the files and the database so I have a fresh backup on my local drive.

THANK YOU WPAU

First, GroupWise Instant Messenger is Novell’s enterprise instant messenging tool.  It has a relatively small footprint, can be installed on Windows or Novell, LDAP authentication, has built in security, a PDA client, and it does not require a company to be a Novell shop to use it.  I actually expect Novell to change the name to Novell Instant Messenger.  The GroupWise name is probably marketing’s idea to keep the GroupWise product on the tip of the tounge. 

A user can use the product over the internet, without a VPN and they cannot add users outside of the GWIM network.  However, one company, Trillian, has included a GWIM client so a user can aggregate all of their instant messenger identities in one location.

GWIM was pretty easy to install, the installation media does all of the work with the exception of creating the agent ids.  I did have difficulties creating the certificate and key for SSL connections – it actually took a very long time because I didn’t have the appropriate key generation tools at my disposal.  However, with the right tools, a company can get a private IM tool up and running in a short period of time.  Other features include Archiving, contact list maintenance and searching, etc. 

Unfortunately, with all IM products, GWIM eventually becomes the primary form of communication – even for people in neighboring cubes.  This takes away from vital personal interaction and what was left of formal communications in email. 

I went a bit long on this one so ZEN is a post for another date.

Novell’s OEM of XEN and now Platespin’s P2V and energy management capabilities are the elements of a perfect storm.  I hope Novell can mix them just right. 

My current contract is a Novell shop and we’re looking for a reason to stick with them for the next 4 years.  A DC move and new deployment of hardware may be just a bit more cost effective if the storm hits the way I hope, some decisions will very easy to make.