Archive for January, 2022

Server 2016 Service Pack 3.

January 29th, 2022

2016 was the last version of SQL to have Service Packs, since then Microsoft only ships Cumulative Updates.

Previously Microsoft has used a ‘last Service Pack’ when it closes off support for a version.

Long term support is only available for the last Service Pack for a product.

2016 SP2 only gets support until October 11, 2022, whereas support for the new SP3 will continue to 2026.

This makes support simpler for Microsoft which doesn’t have to deal with a wide variety of builds for older versions (is 2016 really that much older?) – “If you want help, then you need to be on build 13.0.6300.2.”

So apart from the fixes (see the KB article), the key point takeaway is that for long term support, ensure to patch all of your 2016 instances very soon. Its likely this will be the last SQL Server patch you’ll ever have to apply unless there is a critical security threat.

SQL Server 2016 isn’t dead , but Microsoft is already thinking about its retirement party and the gold watch for its services.

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Teams meetings with chat bubbles

January 3rd, 2022

With covid omicron rampaging across the globe wishing you all a Happy New Year sounds a somewhat hollow message. So let me pass on some good news.

Microsoft is working on a new update for Teams, for users to see both the messages in chat and the participants in a video call at the same time.

Last year Microsoft , added chat bubbles   so that users don’t miss private messages sent during a video call. Similar to WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, chat bubbles display a floating notification on your screen.

You may not find don’t this is an improvement if it distracts you from the important content discussed in the meeting. It forces you to constantly look around the screen to find and quickly the chat bubbles as they appear and before they disappear.

To turn off the chat bubbles and return to the previous behavior of opening the chat pane, click on the three dots in the control bar to open the menu. Click on the Don’t show chat bubbles item to turn off chat bubbles, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkR8T8pZfyU)

Using chat bubbles is a personal choice and it doesn’t replace the regular chat window. Microsoft says that chat bubbles make chat more central to a conversation, but it really depends on the type of meeting, the topic being discussed, and the number of participants

Microsoft is now planning to make chat bubbles available for group chats so that everyone can simaltaneously see the conversations happening via text as well as the participants in a video call .

Microsoft soft Teams rooms i was previously called Skype Rooms. With a Teams Rooms display set up in a meeting or conference room, the in-person attendees can focus on one screen rather than have to each stare down at their individual laptop.

With chat bubbles on a Teams Room display, remote workers will also be able to add to the conversation in a meeting room and attendees will see their messages in chat alongside a meeting’s video feed.

This new feature is set to roll out in April of next year and will l be a welcome addition for organizations that have implemented hybrid work practices.

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Posted in Microsoft, Teams collaboration remote access, Technology