Note: this article covers a product that is in beta at the time of writing; therefore the specifics of the approach outlined in this article may be subject to change. This is not a recommendation to use this approach in production; rather it’s an exercise in understanding what’s possible with a new data synchronisation product.

Rory asks via Twitter - can we pre-cache App-V packages on laptop clients so that all applications are available offline, using AppSense Environment Manager?:

It’s a simple task to virtualize Firefox, as it lends itself well to application virtualization; however getting it right takes a little more effort. I’ve previously shown you how to sequence Firefox 8, Firefox 7 and Firefox 5. Before embarking on sequencing Firefox, please refer to this companion article - Prepare Mozilla Firefox for Enterprise Deployment and Virtualization - which covers configuring a Firefox installation for virtualizing. It’s important that Firefox is configured correctly for virtualization by disabling specific features..

There’s one thing that I can’t get enough of when automating Windows deployments, it’s ambiguous and confusing error messages. More please, I’m a sucker for punishment.

Deploying Citrix Receiver (full or Enterprise) via an unattended command-line, may result in the installer running indefinitely and not completing until you interact with the target machine.

I shared a lightning round session at BriForum London 2012 with Dan Brinkmann. I rolled two lightning rounds (including Should Office Be in the Base Image?) into one with The Definitive Guide to delivering Office with App-V.

At Citrix Synergy 2012, I had the distinct pleasure of moderating a Geek Speak panel: “User Environment Management smackdown 2012” with Shawn Bass, Helge Klein, Harry Labana from AppSense, Bob Janssen from RES Software and Mike Larkin from Citrix on the state of User Environment Management.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have performed technical editor duties on a couple of App-V books by Augusto Alvarez - Getting Started with Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.6 and Microsoft Application Virtualization Advanced Guide.