I’m very happy to report that my first training offering for Train Signal is now available. I have assembled a course that should cover just about everything you need to know to get started right away using Windows PowerShell. You can get the course online or on disk. If the disks are like other train signal courses,…
Category: Training
Friday Fun: Start-TypedDemo v2
Not too long ago I posted a function I wrote for doing PowerShell demonstrations. My goal was to simulate a live interactive demo but without the typing so I could focus on explaining and not typing. The first version was a good start but I always had plans for a more feature complete function including…
Start-TypedDemo
As you know, I do a lot of presenting and training. Normally I use the ubiquitous Start-Demo function to run through a demo list of commands. Most of this time this works just fine. But when I’m doing videos, especially for a video project, I want the viewer to focus on the command and not…
My TrainSignal Interview
During TechEd in New Orleans this year, I had an opportunity to sit down with some great people from TrainSignal. We had a great chat on PowerShell, why it matters and why you should take the time to learn it. I hope you’ll take a few minutes and watch the video.
TechEd 2010 Demos
As promised, I’ve assembled my demo scripts as well as the transcriptfrom my TechEd 2010 talk Paradigm Shift Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition to Windows PowerShell. The official slide deck is supposed to be available on the TechEd web site. I’m going to post an expanded version of the deck here sometime next week. In…
Promoting PowerShell
This question comes up quite often: “How can I encourage adoption of Windows PowerShell in my organization?” I periodically poll people about their adoption plans and what sort of things are standing in the way. Most of the obstacles in my opinion can be cleared with experience, exposure and education. On Twitter today, @ChuckBoyceJr was…
Think Objectively
A challenge many new comers to PowerShell face, especially those arriving with a VBScript background, and one that I often talk about, is shifting gears from working with text to working with objects. Here’s a good example.
TechMentor Spring 2010
If you are thinking about what conferences to attend next year, I hope you’ll consider joining me in Orlando for the Spring TechMentor show. The show runs March 8-12, 2010 in sunny Orlando, FL. This is a great show where you can take away a ton of information that you can put to work immediately….
Hanging Out My Shingle
Way, way back in the day professionals would hang out a painted shingle indicating they were open for business. Even if your literacy skills were lacking you could distinguish between a doctor and an undertaker. Although I think sometimes he did both, but that’s another story. I thought I should officially hang out my “shingle”….
Absolute Beginning PowerShell
I was looking at my current Mr. Roboto column “Polish Your Shell” on learning PowerShell by starting with 3 basic commands and noticed a lengthy and serious comment. I’ve always felt PowerShell is easy to use and learn, which was the point of my column. However, the comments paint a different story and one that I feel is more pervasive.
I’m afraid the comment is representative of how PowerShell is perceived by many IT admins. They don’t have time to learn anything new or their hair is constantly on fire (to borrow a favorite Jeffrey Snover phrase). Even though the concepts of cmdlets, parameters and a pipeline seem easy and practically self-apparent, they are not. Especially for an administrator who has never had to open a command window before. Granted GUI-based admin tools might have been cumbersome, but at least you could make some educated guesses about how to use it. A command line is very different.
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…
Online PowerShell Training
Time is running out to register for SAPIEN Technologies’ online PowerShell Fundamentals training. The first class starts June 17. The class is essentially self-study with materials supplied by SAPIEN including an e-book version of Windows PowerShell: TFM 2nd ed. I’ll meet online twice a week via Webex with students to review the material. Students will…
PowerShell Training Poll
I’ve put up a quickie poll on the blog about PowerShell training. As you know I’m very involved in promoting PowerShell and helping people learn it any way I can. I’m very curious about how you will learn PowerShell. Please stop by and vote. It should take you less than 10 seconds and it’s pretty…
Prof. PowerShell is taking roll
My weekly column that I’ve been writing for MCPMag.com is now officially Prof. PowerShell. The column’s goal is to introduce you to PowerShell and help you get up to speed. I obviously can’t teach you everything in a weekly 300 word column, but hopefully it will be enough to get you going and if nothing…
Techmentor Just Around the Corner
The registration deadline for the first Techmentor conference of the year is almost upon us. I’ll be doing sessions on using Powershell to manage Active Directory, PowerShell and WMI, Logon Scripts and more. Plus, I’m always happy to hang out and chat. I always have a great time. Hope to see you there. If you…