The Best of A Better Windows World for 2008

As 2008 comes to a close, I have been reading all the endless Top 10 this and Top 10 that lists for 2008. I thought about it long and hard and decided I would throw my two cents in and give my own top 10 list.
However, I added a little twist my list is based not on the top security or top new companies. My list is based upon what else…A Better Windows World… So here is my list of the top 10 A Better Windows World posts for the past year.

1. vConverter: P2V conversion quick and easy!
Virtualization is a great tool for consolidation and cost savings. Having the ability to convert physical machines into virtual ones is just ingenious vConverter is my number one post for 2008 because I love this technology.

2. Hyena: Easy Windows Management that’s even easier on your pocket
Coming from environments that were very budget conscience, I could ask for no better management tool in my network than Hyena. I believe in this product so much it was my first post ever. It was also my number one pick until vConverter. This tool has been diverse, compact and powerful. Making Hyena my IT management tool of choice and my number two post for this past year.

3. The Best tool for a better Windows World
The passing of my Uncle has left the world without one of the most dedicated and hard working people I think has ever existed. Great work ethics and a dedication to the job we do make this my number three post for 2008.

4. 8 little-known technologies that instantly make Microsoft shops run smoother
This one comes in at number four, not only because I believe in these products but also because I was amazed at how I was personally assassinated when this story hit Digg as a top news story. From accusations of favoritism and bribery to scathing reviews of the content (and my picture), the comments were as entertaining as the post itself.

5. 20 great Windows open source projects you should get to know
When I broke into technology, it was all Shiatsu massages and team lunches. The burst on the Internet bubble on Wall St, brought a screaming reality to technology departments worldwide… There were actually budgets and spending was reigned in, this meant we needed to come up with new ways of getting things done with less money. Open Source has always been a great way to get the job done without emptying your pockets making this post number five on my list.

6. A Better Windows World ... Really!
Number six was one of my earlier posts My reason for liking this post is entirely selfish. I enjoy entertaining as much as bringing reader’s great tools for their Windows environment. In this post, I not only reviewed a great set of tools I had a chance to revamp one of my favorite Louis Armstrong songs. For 2009, I may actually record the whole thing and post it for everyone. There is no reason why technology needs to be stiff and boring.
I watch my son play his Wii and I know
Technology will just continue to grow
And I think to myself, What "A Better Windows World"
Yes, I think to myself, What "A Better Windows World"
OH YEAH!!!

7. A Better Windows World makes list for Top 200 Tech blogs
How could I not put this in my top 10 list… After only a few short months of blogging, Datamation ranked A Better Windows World number 52 out of 200 tech blogs for the year 2008. That was both a great ego boost and a confirmation that the hard work has been paying off. Making that list makes this post number seven on my list.

8. 12 cool cross-platform tools for Windows, Macs and Linux
When I hit my first heterogeneous environment, it was a nightmare to try to get all the different OS’ to work together and cooperate. In fact it was like having three different networks from the stand point of managing the three platforms. This list was a great one to do to hopefully help those in a mixed environment to find a tool or two that will help them. That makes this post number eight.

9. Deskspace: Make your Windows system a virtual 3D workspace!!
Do I even need to give a reason for this post making the list at number nine. Yeah it is not really a management tool, although I give some pretty cool scenarios where you could make this a management tool. But a 3D virtual workspace… you gotta love it, Deskspace makes my top 10 list for 2008 just for being extremely cool.

10. 9 wickedly useful Web sites for Windows administrators
Not every tool for IT exists inside your network, Internet resources are invaluable at helping to troubleshoot, test or manage your network. This post was a culmination of years of work, not the post itself but the tools. I found many of these over the years and I still use many of them today. That’s why this post makes the list at number ten.

Well that is the list for 2008, I look forward to 2009 and bringing you even more tools to make your world…. A Better Windows World!

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