RG024: Secrets of PWRGATE.EXE (Added March 5th 2010). This document will show some of the less know things you can use the pwrgate.exe process in PowerFuse 2010 to accomplish. For example you can launch the User Installed Applications (PMWS) wizard directly with this tool, and much more. A buildingblock is included for your convenience.

RG023: Managing multiple config sets for one app: (Added March 2nd 2010). Here we will examine how you can have multiple sets of configuration settings all stored under one application, enabeling the users to select which to apply when they  start the app. Very usefull for prod/test/dev scenarios. We will also examine the new Registry Tracing feature of PowerFuse 2010 in the same article.

RG022: PRINTERS.LST – The forgotten feature: (Added March 2nd 2010). This is the first article since the release of Powerfuse 2010. From this article you can learn how to create lists of printers which better reflect the geography and physical world, where the printers reside.

• Exporting all buildingblocks from the existing environment and creating a new database
• Copying the PowerFuse datastore and upgrading it to 2010

Go read the article here and remember to vote on it!

Go have a look here

While I need to check that it’s okay to post the releasenotes, may I direct your attention to the Corp. Website where you can download alot of PowerFuse 2010 info already. Scroll down to the end of this page and you will find them.

For those already working the RC1, the major deltas are that the [+] PlusMenu now is implemented for the Workspace Model node and Active Directory Sites are now supported as a new PowerZ… erm Location Rule. The new rule looks like shown here on the right.

Over the next couple of months, expect to see many more feature related articles describing how you can put the new features of RES PowerFuse to work for YOU!

For more details on this feature, go read the full article right here.

By creating a new folder and renaming it to [GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}] a user is capable of creating a special control panel that enables the user to modify all kinds of hidden settings in Windows 7. 

With RES PowerFuse 2008 and 2010 the access to this special folder can be blocked with Files and Folders security, by simple adding the rule to block “*{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}”.

Thanks to RES Software’s product management and support department for the tip!

Azure is a cloud-based SQL server, with many interesting features, which are covered in the RG021 article. Over the last month I’ve been gaining experience with Azure in the context of PowerFuse, which I’ve attempted to condense in this article. Here you can learn step-by-step how to sign up for the service and get the Azure database server created. I will also show you how to connect PowerFuse 2010 to the cloud datastore.

The overall concept is very cool, since PowerFuse is able to take full advantage of the cloud-based datastore as we cache everything locally. Thereby great performance is ensured no matter how bad the connection is to the server. Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself. Go read the full article here.

This release candidate includes:

• Zero Profile Technology
• Restore User Settings
• Override Feature Properties
• Support for Remote Assistance
• Microsoft SQL Azure database support
• Support for Citrix XenApp Application Streaming
• Automatically Run Workspace Composer
• Workspace Designer improvements (support for analyzing applications and locations/devices)
• Redesigned Management Console (IR3)
• Desktop Sampler (IR3)
• Workspace Designer (IR3)
• Workspace Model (IR3)
• Support for Microsoft Windows 7 (IR2)
• Folder Synchronization for PowerLaunch (IR2)
• Support for Multiple Directory Services (IR1)

For all partners and customers that are NOT part of RES Software’s EAP program the MSI can be obtained through the RES Portal.

The article can be found here

The new head of US operations is Mr. Jim Kirby (formerly HP and Neoware) who’s put together a great team in Pennsylvania. Their task it is to bring RES Software’s unique brand of User Workspace Management, Desktop Transformation, Runbook Automation and Orchestration Technology to the US markets.

Update Jan 30th: Several press releases have gone out over the last couple of days: Here is a couple of them. There is an article about RES expanding into the Canadian market in Computer Dealer News. Another article can be found in the Philadelphia Business Journal.

For our readers in the States, it may be of interest that we will be doing a PowerFuse 2010 Technical partner training in Philly on Febuary 9th-11th. Since this is a week before the official launch date for 2010, participants in this course will be some of the very first in the world to get actual hands-on with PowerFuse 2010. It will be yours truely throwing the whitboard markers around those days. If you are interested in participating in this event (I promise, it will be anything but boring ;), please contact Karen Katch.

Finally – the US team has put together a brief introductory who’s-who document with contact details (and there’s some nice pictures of our new offices in there too!), which we can share with you here.

Click here to download the document: