I had a very well-attended talk on Windows PowerShell at TechEd 2007. Missed it? You can catch the Web simulcast recording HERE, if you want! PowerShell architect Jeffery Snover had very nice things to say about the presentation. Additional upcoming PowerShell talks: Windows Connections (www.winconnections.com) will host a two-day pre-conference PowerShell event which I’ll be […]
Category: Windows PowerShell
Do you need some prompting?
During Don’s TechEd session that was simulcast on the web, I was furiously answering questions for the online crowd. One of the questions was about Don’s PowerShell prompt. I thought I’d figure out what Don did plus came up with a bunch of new prompts you can use.
Elevating Permissions for Vista Scripts
The June issue of TechNet magazine (www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag) will have an article about elevating script permissions under Vista’s User Account Control (UAC), including some “PowerToys” you can use in your scripts to utilize RunAs, Run as Administrator, and other goodies. And, of course, there’s always my monthly Windows PowerShell column <grin>. Check it out!
Do you “get it?”
In his blog at http://4sysops.com/archives/free-windows-powershell-book-or-why-powerscript-would-have-been-a-better-name/, Michael has a lot to say about his first thoughts about Windows PowerShell. Unfortunately, I think he may have missed a few salient points, and may just not “get it” yet. That’s easy to do with PowerShell – it’s a new way of thinking about things, and it requires you to acknowledge some realities about Windows that many administrators just aren’t comfortable owning up to.
PowerShell Just Rocks
Here’s an excellent example of using PowerShell for string parsing and text file parsing – or, rather, NOT parsing: I have a friend who runs a small mailing company. He has an upcoming project where he needs to send out a bunch of brochures to various people; in most cases, each envelope he sends out will contain multiple brochures – but not all will contain the same number of brochures. In other words, the postage will be different on each letter.
So he’s already built this great CSV file containing addresses and the needed postage for each address. Problem is, the postage software he uses can’t read the postage from the file – it can only read the address. So he needed to split his one file into seperate files – one output file for each postage rate…..
Switching from VBScript to PowerShell Just Got Easier
We’re pleased to announce the release of a new Snippets pack for SAPIEN PrimalScript: VBScript to PowerShell Conversion Snippets. No, they won’t convert your scripts for you – they help convert your brain! Just install the Snippets using the simple directions provided. Then, open PrimalScript and start a new Windows PowerShell script (PS1 file). Finally, type […]
VBScript to PowerShell Conversion Webcast
Visit http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/donjonesscripting.mspx to sign up for my May 22nd Webcast on VBScript to Windows PowerShell converstion. Sign up even if you can’t attend live; you’ll be e-mailed links you can use to download the recorded ‘cast. I’ll cover not only language conversion and resources, but also ways to “convert your brain” over to the new, PowerShell-ish […]
Live Search in Windows PowerShell
This was just too cool not to share: Put this function into a PowerShell script file named LiveSearch.ps1. Then, dot-source the function into the shell:
. path/LiveSearch
Then, get search results:
$hits = Get-SearchResults “PrimalScript”
$hits alone will display the hits
$hits[0].title displays the first hit’s title
$hits[0].Open() opens the first hit in a new IE window
Neat, eh?
May Snover Watch Over Us
As you may know (or not), I’m doing a PowerShell session at TechEd 2007 in about five weeks. I’m a bit nervous; the session has garnered a lot of early interest, so they’re not only repeating it once, but also simulcasting it via LiveMeeting. Eeek – no pressure. So, I figured since PowerShell architect Jeffrey Snover always gets rave reviews, I’d copy some of learn from his example. For example, he starts his sessions using a PowerShell script that runs MS Agent – little talking cartoon characters – and he’s even published the script he uses. Which isn’t quite Vista-compatible. Erk.
(Updated) New PowerShell Book: Early Reviewer Program
Are you interested in getting a sneak peek at the new PowerShell book that I’m working on? Would you like to influence the final content of the book? Would you like a free copy of the final product? We’re accepting a limited number of folks into our Early Reviewer program for the new title (which, as yet, as no title). But, there are some caveats: Read on.
