I’m an IT Infrastructure Manager with 13 years experience, mostly centered on Microsoft technologies.
Sharepoint
Sharepoint is probably the technology I blog about the most, as it is still a relatively young technology. While we run MOSS 2007, I also blog a lot about features that are available in WSS 3.0 as well. Beyond the administration aspect of Sharepoint, I also try to focus on the look and feel of Sharepoint, and finding ways to present information in a useful way. I prefer solutions which do not require programming, because I think more people are comfortable with this. Of course, I will still create my own web parts when needed.
Microsoft System Center Operations Manager
As an Infrastructure Manager, SCOM is an important tool. There are a lot of really good blogs out there discussing SCOM. My focus is more on the organizational aspects, like using it to capture knowledge in Distributed Application Designer, or delivering performance graphs in Sharepoint.
Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager
Because I have a strong interest in reporting, most of my work with SCCM involves asset management. We have used SCCM for Windows Updates, with mixed results, and we also use it for one off software deployments. I have written several useful utilities for SCCM that I would like to publish at some point, I just haven’t had the time.
IIS 7 and Windows Server 2008
FastCGI support in IIS 7 has really opened up the things you can do with this platform. I have always used IIS as my web platform, and in the past did not pursue certain open source initiatives because they required Apache. This WordPress blog is hosted on IIS 7.
Virtualization
All the hype is about virtualization these days, and rightly so. This has been a very disruptive technology that has really changed the way data centers are managed. While no one will argue that VMWare is still the market leader, I have a feeling this will slowly change as more of the Microsoft base moves to Hyper-V, which is what our data center has done.
Methodology
Beyond covering technologies, I really have a stronger interest in how these technologies are managed. This to me is an important part of the future of technology. In a hundred years, no one will care about Sharepoint 12.0, but the methods we create as an industry for dealing with technological change will still be around, and will still be evolving.
Management
At some point in time, many technical people will become managers. I am always looking for interesting articles on management theory and practice
Application Development
My focus around application development is “Build your own tools”. I am not coding to create products for end users. Most of my code is around solving specific gaps in existing technology.
Certifications
I am a firm believer in technology certifications, both for myself and my team. Below is a list of my current certifications.
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
MCSD.NET
MCSE 2003, 200, NT4
MCDBA
While I do drink the Microsoft Kool-Aid most of the time, I do go open source when I can.