I may have added to the confusion by being all wordy and less then precise.
All of our teams have a team based distribution list are build using #Name format and managed by the teams manager. So to make up some names for example purposes #Windows Applications #Windows Infrastructure #Accounting #NE Sales #SW Sales #Management You can just have people add those 'identified/targetted' distribution lists to the local Communicator contacts. The membership will dynamically update. I still prefer my inidvidual lists, but as an alternative to pushing out contacts and maintaining them via scheduled updates, you can leverage existing distribution lists or make some up special for this purpose and just tell people to add them via documentation. Steven Peck http://www.blkmtn.org On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 10:28 AM, Cameron <[email protected]> wrote: > You mention something interesting (we do have OCS2007r2)...target > distribution groups? Sounds like a much better way to go. > Any pointers? > > On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 12:25 PM, Steven Peck <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Ya, we created documentation on adding contacts and it became a manager >> issue if they cared (LCS2005sp1 less tools) which it turns out they did >> not. With OCS2007r2 you can just target distribution groups and their >> membership will dynamically update so that may be a less painful route to >> go. If posible, I would try to edge your management to away from 'mandated >> minimum standard contacts'. >> >> Let's see, right now the average number of contacts per user here is 34.64 >> (I wonder if being .64 of a contact hurts?). Our highest is 162 contacts. >> >> Good luck with that, some management teams seem enamored with the illusion >> of top down dictates. >> >> Steven Peck >> http://www.blkmtn.org >> >> >> >> On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 9:16 AM, James Rankin <[email protected]>wrote: >> >>> I had to do that in a previous job. It can be done with those scripts but >>> it is fairly non-dynamic when it comes to updating users who have left, etc. >>> You could do it with some form of scripting querying AD but it's a big >>> fudge. >>> >>> In the end we opted to set up a script to auto-enable every user for OCS >>> and then simply allowed them to create their own contact groups. >>> Administratively it was a huge PITA to maintain these "contact sets". We put >>> together a document detailing how to set up contact groups, how to use OCS >>> for dialing people from Outlook, etc. and sent it to every user after they'd >>> been enabled for the software. In the long run this was probably more >>> productive. >>> >>> >>> On 15 April 2011 17:12, Cameron <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Actually...that's what I've been *asked* to setup...a minimum 'set' of >>>> contacts from the various locations grouped by function, etc >>>> >>>> >>>> On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 12:03 PM, Steven Peck <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> OK wait, I think there is some confusion here. Yes, OCS is a Microsoft >>>>> Product. Microsoft purchased the technology that became Live >>>>> Communications >>>>> Server 2003 and released LCS2005 soon afterwards. OCS2007 is really more >>>>> in >>>>> the mode MS likes and OCS2007r2 included nice improvements. >>>>> >>>>> All the above said, OCS is a communications tool built on the SIP >>>>> protocol and is constrained by that model ( >>>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_Initiation_Protocol) and is not >>>>> like email despite it being positioned next to Exchanage in the MS >>>>> messaging >>>>> suite. >>>>> >>>>> SIP leans more towards subscription and OCS overall is a messaging and >>>>> presence tool. When you 'add a contact' you are really 'subscribing' to >>>>> that contacts presence status. That person is so likely to be someone you >>>>> interact with, that it is important that you are 'notified' of their >>>>> presence status so that you can communicate more effectively with them. >>>>> Everytime a person in your contacts status changes (away, in a meeting, >>>>> busy, do not disturb) that change is 'pushed' to all clients with a >>>>> subscription to that person. This adds load do the database and >>>>> environment >>>>> and I think the default contacts (subscriptions) per person is 100 (as in >>>>> each person can have 100 people add them to their contact list, we've set >>>>> ours to 200). If a person is not someone that you interact with on a >>>>> regular basis, then why would you want them in your cntacts list? Just >>>>> look >>>>> them up in the address book or see their status in the latest email you >>>>> got >>>>> from them in Outlook. >>>>> >>>>> An example, I have in my contacts list all the members of my team and >>>>> the two other windows team and associated managers. I have specific >>>>> individuals from our help desk and the database team and a few people I >>>>> lunch with and two project managers whose projects I am a resource on and >>>>> I >>>>> will remove the PMs as soon as the project is done (40 people). Anyone >>>>> else, >>>>> I get out of the address book, I don't normally care what their status' >>>>> is. >>>>> >>>>> Distribution lists can be added to a persons contact list and these >>>>> will update membership locally but generally these are client driven >>>>> operations, not pushed out globally. There are tools/scripts to do this, >>>>> but it's not generally how any of the tools in this space operate even >>>>> though it can be done. When we first implemented it here some managers >>>>> wanted to force a standard 'contacts' list to everyone but we were >>>>> fortunatly able to brign them around and not do that. >>>>> >>>>> What are you looking to do? Force 'standard' contact lists? That will >>>>> be an unfortunate adminstrative burden for you. >>>>> >>>>> Steven Peck >>>>> http://www.blkmtn.org >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 6:17 AM, Cameron >>>>> <[email protected]>wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Yep, the resource kit is installed and I've been looking at them. The >>>>>> problem with trying to automate the jobs will be that I can't just do it >>>>>> by >>>>>> OU (to break the users into groups) unless I want to start moving people >>>>>> around and verifying the GPO's against them. Though it may be something >>>>>> I'll >>>>>> do in the future to make the mgmt of this easier. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 9:02 AM, James Rankin >>>>>> <[email protected]>wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> There are some wsf files in "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office >>>>>>> Communications Server 2007\ResKit\WMI Samples" that can help with some >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> the automated tasks, if you have the resource kit installed >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 15 April 2011 14:00, Cameron <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Ok..so it looks like I jumped to a conclusion that it would fully >>>>>>>> integrate with AD seeing how it's a MS product. I *thought* that the >>>>>>>> contacts were tied to AD and were pushed automatically based on some AD >>>>>>>> setting. I've just started reading about this and can't believe how >>>>>>>> many >>>>>>>> hoops you have to go through to push the contacts out, esp if you want >>>>>>>> to >>>>>>>> group them (not using OU's). >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Well, at least it's Friday! >>>>>>>> Cheers, >>>>>>>> Cameron >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Thu, Apr 14, 2011 at 1:53 PM, Steven Peck <[email protected]>wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Normaly OCS just runs. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Recently I had a simliar issue after a data center power loss >>>>>>>>> (maintenence work on UPS, cut back over to UPS, UPS went POP, server >>>>>>>>> room >>>>>>>>> went dark, team came in at 2am to power on very surprised servers >>>>>>>>> [new UPS >>>>>>>>> ordered, we have a trailer UPS wired in right now]) I had to nuke the >>>>>>>>> files >>>>>>>>> and syncnow to correct a corrupt address book issue. However, if your >>>>>>>>> address book is working normally you will have a few hundred files >>>>>>>>> like >>>>>>>>> this. In my ABS directory I have 931 items dating back a little over >>>>>>>>> 30 >>>>>>>>> days. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> here's a link on how it works: >>>>>>>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee323492(office.13).aspx >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I don't understand the second question. OCS2007r2 will see >>>>>>>>> distribution lists are groups in the address list all on it's own. >>>>>>>>> If you >>>>>>>>> mean something else let us know. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Steven Peck >>>>>>>>> http://www.blkmtn.org >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Thu, Apr 14, 2011 at 8:26 AM, Cameron < >>>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Good morning all, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> After knocking my head against various problems with the setup >>>>>>>>>> (thank you very much Mr. Consultant). I now have them sorted, but I >>>>>>>>>> have a >>>>>>>>>> couple of questions. >>>>>>>>>> 1. Can I delete all the created address book files (there are over >>>>>>>>>> 500 Delta and Fulls) and then force an 'abserver -syncnow' to >>>>>>>>>> recreate a >>>>>>>>>> 'now' version of the gal? (yes I know I'd have to delete the >>>>>>>>>> galcontacts.db >>>>>>>>>> to get it to recreate). >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> 2. The consultant somehow managed to create groups that the users >>>>>>>>>> are being put in to, and I have NO idea where he did that. The >>>>>>>>>> address book >>>>>>>>>> settings are not setup to use OU's. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> As always...TIA! >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Cheers, >>>>>>>>>> Cameron >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ >>>>>>>>>> ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> --- >>>>>>>>>> To manage subscriptions click here: >>>>>>>>>> http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ >>>>>>>>>> or send an email to [email protected] >>>>>>>>>> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ >>>>>>>>> ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> --- >>>>>>>>> To manage subscriptions click here: >>>>>>>>> http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ >>>>>>>>> or send an email to [email protected] >>>>>>>>> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ >>>>>>>> ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> --- >>>>>>>> To manage subscriptions click here: >>>>>>>> http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ >>>>>>>> or send an email to [email protected] >>>>>>>> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> "On two occasions...I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr Babbage, if you put >>>>>>> into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am >>>>>>> not >>>>>>> able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could >>>>>>> provoke >>>>>>> such a question." >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *IMPORTANT: This email is intended for the use of the individual >>>>>>> addressee(s) named above and may contain information that is >>>>>>> confidential, >>>>>>> privileged or unsuitable for overly sensitive persons with low >>>>>>> self-esteem, >>>>>>> no sense of humour or irrational religious beliefs. If you are not the >>>>>>> intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying of this >>>>>>> email >>>>>>> is not authorised (either explicitly or implicitly) and constitutes an >>>>>>> irritating social faux pas. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Unless the word absquatulation has been used in its correct context >>>>>>> somewhere other than in this warning, it does not have any legal or no >>>>>>> grammatical use and may be ignored. No animals were harmed in the >>>>>>> transmission of this email, although the kelpie next door is living on >>>>>>> borrowed time, let me tell you. Those of you with an overwhelming fear >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> the unknown will be gratified to learn that there is no hidden message >>>>>>> revealed by reading this warning backwards, so just ignore that Alert >>>>>>> Notice >>>>>>> from Microsoft. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> However, by pouring a complete circle of salt around yourself and >>>>>>> your computer you can ensure that no harm befalls you and your pets. If >>>>>>> you >>>>>>> have received this email in error, please add some nutmeg and egg >>>>>>> whites, >>>>>>> whisk and place in a warm oven for 40 minutes.* >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ >>>>>>> ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> --- >>>>>>> To manage subscriptions click here: >>>>>>> http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ >>>>>>> or send an email to [email protected] >>>>>>> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ >>>>>> ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ >>>>>> >>>>>> --- >>>>>> To manage subscriptions click here: >>>>>> http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ >>>>>> or send an email to [email protected] >>>>>> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ >>>>> ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ >>>>> >>>>> --- >>>>> To manage subscriptions click here: >>>>> http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ >>>>> or send an email to [email protected] >>>>> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin >>>>> >>>> >>>> ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ >>>> ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ >>>> >>>> --- >>>> To manage subscriptions click here: >>>> http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ >>>> or send an email to [email protected] >>>> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> "On two occasions...I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr Babbage, if you put into >>> the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able >>> rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such >>> a question." >>> >>> *IMPORTANT: This email is intended for the use of the individual >>> addressee(s) named above and may contain information that is confidential, >>> privileged or unsuitable for overly sensitive persons with low self-esteem, >>> no sense of humour or irrational religious beliefs. If you are not the >>> intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email >>> is not authorised (either explicitly or implicitly) and constitutes an >>> irritating social faux pas. >>> >>> Unless the word absquatulation has been used in its correct context >>> somewhere other than in this warning, it does not have any legal or no >>> grammatical use and may be ignored. No animals were harmed in the >>> transmission of this email, although the kelpie next door is living on >>> borrowed time, let me tell you. Those of you with an overwhelming fear of >>> the unknown will be gratified to learn that there is no hidden message >>> revealed by reading this warning backwards, so just ignore that Alert Notice >>> from Microsoft. >>> >>> However, by pouring a complete circle of salt around yourself and your >>> computer you can ensure that no harm befalls you and your pets. If you have >>> received this email in error, please add some nutmeg and egg whites, whisk >>> and place in a warm oven for 40 minutes.* >>> >>> ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ >>> ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ >>> >>> --- >>> To manage subscriptions click here: >>> http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ >>> or send an email to [email protected] >>> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin >>> >> >> ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ >> ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ >> >> --- >> To manage subscriptions click here: >> http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ >> or send an email to [email protected] >> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin >> > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ > ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ > > --- > To manage subscriptions click here: > http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ > or send an email to [email protected] > with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to [email protected] with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin
