Mark Harrison: April 2005

Useful CSS resources at Webcredible ... lots of tips and tricks - learn something new and see how many you already know.

CMS Tool 2005

CMS Tool 2005 ... lists the channels/postings/custom properties/Template Galleries/ Templates.

Thursday, April 28, 2005

Migration to CMS.RAPID with Metalogix

From Nick ...

... announces that Metalogix Migration Manager can now integrate seamlessly with RAPID so that customers can port content programmatically from existing sites (MCMS or other) into their new RAPID-based sites.

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition Beta 2 - Download

Visual Web Developer 2005 Express gives you everything you need to easily design, build and deploy powerful, dynamic Web applications faster than ever before.

Download
Download Visual Web Developer 2005 Express and start building Web sites immediately!

Build
Dive right in using the Guided Tour and learn how to build your first interactive,
data-driven Web site!

Explore
Explore, customize, and deploy the Personal Web Site application.
Learn how to use and extend the kit by following along here.

SAP and Microsoft Announce First Joint Product

SAP and Microsoft have announced they are jointly developing and planning to offer a new product, code-named 'Mendocino' that will help companies gain a competitive advantage by revolutionizing the way information workers access, analyze and use enterprise data to make better business decisions. 'Mendocino' will link SAP process functionality directly to Microsoft Office applications. Users of this product, the first to be developed jointly between SAP and Microsoft, will enjoy the familiarity of Microsoft Office as they access SAP's best-practice business processes and information.

More

Color Scheme Generator

Color Scheme Generator ... useful tool to create color schemes.

Fabrikam 3.1

At long last - the FabriKam 3.1 Solutions Learning Platform has eventually been made available on MSDN.

In this solutions learning platform, developers at a fictitious enterprise, FabriKam Inc, created solutions for common business processes. FabriKam, a furniture manufacturer with about 10,000 employees, faces business problems and challenges not unlike many of today's enterprises. Starting with a set of realistic infrastructure assumptions, FabriKam developers built five solutions and four reusable components that address FabriKam's needs in innovative ways, with extensive use of Web services, XML, integration of front-end applications and back-end systems, and full use of the Office environment with which most information workers are already familiar.

FabriKam, a Microsoft Office System Solutions Learning Platform
Read the online documentation that describes how FabriKam incorporates tools, processes, and technologies that developers can use to build powerful solutions on the Microsoft Office System.
Download the FabriKam Documentation
Get a single compiled help file that features all the same documentation as the online version.
Order the FabriKam Solutions Kit
Order a copy of the FabriKam DVD which includes the six FabriKam solutions in a virtual PC image and technical documentation. The solutions are configured with all required software, including source code and Microsoft Visual Studio projects. In addition, this DVD includes all the development resources available in the Microsoft Office System Developer Kit 3.0 .

Monday, April 25, 2005

Microsoft UK Technical Roadshow

MSDN and TechNet have joined together again to bring you the next Technical Roadshow .

During the three tracks across each day the following topics will be covered. For more details on the agenda click here

Day One

IT Professional: General Technology Update for IT Pro's: Level 200 technical content on Windows, Exchange, Management and Integration & Interoperability
Developer: Visual Studio 2005: What's New?
Security: Security Guidance for IT Pro's: Implementation and essentials to better protect your IT Infrastructure

Day Two

IT Professional: New Technology Update for IT Pro's: Level 200 technical content on SQL and new technologies
Developer: SQL Server 2005 for Developers
Security: Security Guidance for IT Pro's continued - further essentials and delve deeper into strategies and implementation

Registration

Saturday, April 23, 2005

SQL Server 2000 Reporting SP2 download

Service Pack 2 for Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services includes bug fixes and some functional enhancements.

Key Functional Enhancements:

SharePoint Web parts enable you to explore and view reports located on a report server by using Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services or SharePoint Portal Server.
Reports can now be printed directly from within Internet Explorer. A Microsoft ActiveX control is provided to support a rich client-side printing experience including full page preview.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Hyper.Net Web Parts for SharePoint

Coextant has released new Web Parts that select and display Hyper.Net-published content within SharePoint solutions.

More

Patterns and Practices Live

Patterns and Practices Webcasts

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 SP2 Beta in Windows Server 2003 R2

This document details the new features available in Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 SP2 beta, which is part of Windows Server 2003 R2. This version of Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 SP2 is available in Windows Server 2003 R2 Beta2, RC0, RC1 and RTM. The document describes how to configure and test the new features, as well as any workarounds which are required to enable them.

Download

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

RAPID:Workflow

Yesterday we hosted the UK RAPID partner community meeting and had some great discussions on both the current version and future developments. Great to get some demos of early developments of RAPID Membership and SharePoint integration.

We also got an impressive demo of Trinity Expert Systems's own workflow solution/designer which is driven by the BizTalk Human Workflow Services engine. We saw how this is currently being used for Freedom of Information workflow and SharePoint Document approval workflow.

Some exciting news is that Trinity have very kindly offered to freely share this workflow solution to the RAPID partner community and we have started discussions on how this should be packaged up, potentially as RAPID:Workflow.

Sharepoint Explorer

From Stefano Demiliani ...

A new interesting project is starting in these days: Sharepoint Explorer.

Sharepoint Explorer will allow the developers to administer and explore a Sharepoint site from Visual Studio .NET, essentially like actually Server or Solution Explorers works now on VS.

More

Sharing and Partnership - A Future for Council Services?

eGovTV panel discussion - including Nigel Bates (Head of Local Government Sales, Microsoft UK) and Nick Mayhew (CMS.RAPID Launch Director, Artemis Corp).

Comparison WSS v SPS

Comparison of features that are included in Windows SharePoint Services and in SharePoint Portal Server 2003 :

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;830320

Monday, April 18, 2005

AJAX.NET

AJAX seems flavour of the month ... and AJAX.NET is a version for .NET:

AJAX is short for "Asynchronous JavaScript with XmlHttpRequest" and a mechanism to improve the experience of a web user by enabling parts of the page to be updated without a complete page refresh.

But what's new ? ... we had this back in 1999 with Remote Scripting ?

Sunday, April 17, 2005

Visual Studio 2005 beta 2 download

From Angus ...

... Visual Studio 2005 beta 2 / Visual SourceSafe 2005 beta 2 is now available to download for MSDN subscribers

More

Friday, April 15, 2005

SPS 2003 Search Web Service Tester

From Stramit ... new tool to test the SPS 2003 search web service

More info & Download

Thursday, April 14, 2005

SharePoint Advanced Search Tools workspace

Further to my previous blog about Matthew Cosier's SharePoint Advanced Search Tools ... there is now a GotDotNet workspace at http://workspaces.gotdotnet.com/sast .

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Microsoft SQL Server Report Pack for IIS Logs - download

I previously blogged the Microsoft SQL Server Report Pack for IIS Logs ... a set of 12 reports that work with a sample database of information extracted from Internet Information Services log files.

MartynJ has spotted that it is now available to download .

MCMS 2002 SDK major update

The MCMS 2002 SDK has undergone a major update and been republished on MSDN here.

The IT Professional and end-user content, is no longer on MSDN and is now here.

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Information Bridge 1.5 Walkthrough - Part 1

From Patrick and Tom ...

... the first part of an IBF 1.5 walkthrough is available from the code project.

Local Authority Portal Solution (LAPS) ... powered by CMS.RAPID

The Local Authority Portal Solution (LAPS) white paper illustrates Microsoft's solution for delivering 'transactional' web portals - one of the critical components of an eGovernment infrastructure.

In order to understand the context within which LAPS has been developed and to provide a structured analysis of why it should be implemented, this paper has been divided into in the following sections:

Introduction ... Touching on the predominant issues in the current economic and political framework and how those issues can best be tackled through the more effective use of IT systems.
Business challenges ... Highlighting how others have attempted to improve quality of service to residents and businesses. It shows a number of scenarios where LAPS could be applied to good effect and features a case study from the London Borough of Newham, demonstrating how they will use LAPS to address their challenges.
The Microsoft solution ... A brief analysis of how we propose to implement LAPS across Local Government - including a high-level architecture. Also an overview of what impact this implementation would have on delivering proposed integrated eGovernment solutions
The Microsoft Technology Platform ... Illustrates the individual elements of Microsoft LAPS and details the benefits of each element.

download - zip password: harrison

LAPS is powered by CMS.RAPID. Various UK partners are now collaborating to build other vertical solutions on the CMS & RAPID platform.

AchieveForms for SharePoint

AchieveForms have announced a SharePoint solution enabling organisations to quickly publish intelligent, web-based forms that integrate with existing back-end systems.
SharePoint.

More

Monday, April 11, 2005

Join the SHAREPOINT colony

Further to the XBOX 2 Teaser blog entry ...

... come and join the SHAREPOINT colony - the passcode is 79919830 .

Second instance of MCMS for failover

Glen at Cubik asked me today whether it was permissable to install a second instance of MCMS on a second server, to act purely as a fail-over, without needing to purchase a second licence.

After checking with the licensing team - Glen clarified that SA customers are entitled to install a second server, but it must be switched off (cold). Further information is at:

WSS Lists Items to MCMS

From Stephen Huen ...

... MCMS SharePoint List Items Placeholder - For use in Microsoft Content Management Server (MCMS), this custom placeholder control (WssListItemsPlaceholder) lists items in a Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) list. The list can almost be any WSS list, like Document Library, Image Library, Announcement, Events, Contacts etc.

Saturday, April 09, 2005

Indigo - MSDN TV

Introduction to Indigo - the managed communication stack that will ship with WinFX.

It is the "V.Next" for ASP.NET Web Methods, .NET Remoting, Enterprise Services, System.Messaging, and WSE. Steve Swartz provides a brief conceptual overview of Indigo, walks through some code, and introduces you to his jackalope.

Friday, April 08, 2005

XBOX 2 Teaser ?

You made it to our colony, this is where the game lives, breathes and evolves.

Colony isn't about alternate reality gaming it *is* reality.

More

Coveo Search Interface Controls

Coveo have release a beta of CES ASP.NET Controls ... includes "CES.NET - Getting started.pdf" which will help you setup, create and customize an ASP.NET search interface.

MCMS 2002 User Guide

Intergen has developed a 148 page generic Microsoft Content Management Server 2002 User Guide.

This is created for non technical users who create, maintain and manage Internet site content.

The User Guide covers the following:

Introducing Content Management Server
Users and Workflow
Basic Concepts
Working with content
Advanced concepts
Troubleshooting

The User Guide is available in hard copy and electronic forms. Contact Sales@Intergen.co.nz for more information.

Thursday, April 07, 2005

InfoPath / AchieveForms for MCMS & SharePoint

Business Web Software have announced the InfoPath Import module for AchieveForms, enabling organizations to leverage their investments and extend their InfoPath forms to the web. Using AchieveForms, an InfoPath form can be published as a web form inside SharePoint or on the Internet using MCMS 2002. By implementing AchieveForms, InfoPath can become a part of a portal strategy based on the Microsoft platform.

More | PDF | Free AcheiveForms (AFLite)

USB Flash Drive Manager

USB Flash Drive Manager ... an application to backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you.

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Web Author Enhancement v2.0 Free Edition

ITHit have just released the Web Author Enhancement v2.0 Free Edition. It includes:

Select Internal Link dialog
Copy Page dialog
Move Page dialog
Ready to use Popup Console
Kill Lock Console Action
Internal Link dialog integration with Telerik r.a.d. Editor

UK Architect Events

Architect Forum: Interoperability and Integration
26 April, 9.00 - 16.30, Reading

Enterprise Library Overview
21 April, 8.15 - 12.45, Reading (Customer event)
21 April, 13.45 - 17.30, Reading (Partner event)

Architect Forum: Connected Systems
16 June, 9.00 - 16.30, London

Personalization in ASP.NET 2.0

Advanced Personalization Services in ASP.NET 2.0 ...

Part 1 - article explains how to implement personalization with ASP.NET 2.0 using Membership API, Membership Providers and Membership objects. Includes setting up membership, creating a user, Web Application Administration Tool, Login and Login Status Controls, Setting Up a Role Manager and more
Part 2 - article explains how to implement personalization in ASP.NET 2.0 using the Profile object. It presents profiles in ASP.NET 2.0 including how to create a profile and setup a SQL Server Personalization Provider and more.
Part 3 - article explains the use of the new Web Parts and Web Part Manager in ASP.NET 2.0 Personalization Services.

[Links updated]

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

Windows Server System Reference Architecture

The Windows Server System Reference Architecture (WSSRA) is a technology architecture that has been rigorously tested and proven in a partnered lab environment to provide exceptional planning and implementation guidance that addresses fundamental infrastructure issues such as availability, security, scalability, and manageability of the platform.

Microsoft Experience Pack for Tablet PC

If you have a Tablet PC - download the Experience Pack and get six new programs that will help you be more productive and creative.

Ink Desktop ... Take notes directly on your desktop for quick and easy access later. Jot down a phone number, directions, or top priorities for the day.
Snipping Tool ... Use your tablet pen to select a portion of a website, document, or other content on your screen. You can add handwritten comments and then paste it into an e-mail message or other program.
Ink Art ... Paint with your tablet pen using Ink Art, which simulates an artist’s toolset. Choose from different textured canvases, paint brushes, chalks, crayons, and more.
Media Transfer ... Copy or stream media files from your home computer to your Tablet PC, so that you can enjoy your favorite music, home videos, or digital photo albums wherever you go.
Ink Crossword ... Solve crosswords on your Tablet PC with your tablet pen. Twelve puzzles come with the game. You can also download a free daily puzzle and purchase more puzzle packs online.
Energy Blue Theme Pack ... Brighten the look of your Tablet PC desktop, Start menu, windows, and toolbars. Also get a new Windows Media Player skin that’s customized for the Tablet PC.

Monday, April 04, 2005

SharePoint Document Recovery

SharePoint Document Recovery by Stephane Cordonnier ... this tool grabs deleted documents from the database and saves them to your local hard drive.

But read Fitzs entry: Please Stay Out Of The Database!!!

CMS.RAPID Partners

CMS.RAPIDs huge traction continues with the global partner program starting to roll out ... the first partners to be recognised and join ArtemisCorp are: CompanyNet, Compusys, cScape, Diagonal Solutions, Parity, Intergen and MINT.

More

CAML Tools

From Mark Kruger ...

Patrick Tisseghem has released the U2U CAML Query Builder and Execution Tool ... The tool will help you build, test and execute your CAML queries
Stramit also has a CAML Viewer 1.0
Tariq also has a nifty CAMLCheck app which lets you execute CAML queries against a SharePoint List

ICANN approves .eu domain

The international body in charge of managing Internet domains has given the official go-ahead to create the European top-level domain suffix .eu

Announcement

Windows Server 2003 SP1 - RTM

Microsoft has released to manufacturing Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

This unique service pack provides customers with significant security enhancements as well as reliability and performance improvements. Building on a comprehensive collection of security updates, Service Pack 1 addresses additional core security issues by providing customers with a reduced attack surface, better protected system services with stronger default settings, and reduced privileges.

Press Release

Paint.NET v2.1 beta

Free Microsoft Security Guidance Training for Developers

From Michael Howard ...

I'd totally forgotten about this, but Microsoft eLearning has made available, "Clinic 2806: Microsoft Security Guidance Training for Developers". It's a free on-line clinic that lasts about 6 hours aimed squarely at developers. It covers, among other things: More

https://www.microsoftelearning.com/eLearning/offerDetail.aspx?offerId=11479

Windows XP N

The EU has chosen names for the version of Windows without Windows Media Player - they will be Windows XP Home Edition N / Windows XP Professional Edition N ... apparently the "N" stands for "No Media Player".

Microsoft MVPs - Jan / Patrick / Andrew / Arno

Congratulations to new Microsoft MVPs:

Jan Tielens - SPS
Patrick Tisseghem - SPS
Arno Nel - SPS
Andrew Connell - MCMS

Very well deserved !!

PDC 2005 - save the date

Registration will open in late May, with a special 15% discount off the registration price of $1,995 if you register by July 21 (a discounted price of $1,695).

We're looking forward to seeing you there!

September 13 - 16, 2005
Pre-conferences September 11 and 12
At the Los Angeles Convention Center

Receive PDC 2005 updates by e-mail.
Subscribe to the RSS feed.

Back

Catching up after some time away and then my ISP having serious hardware problems and failing to recover my site in a timely manner. I appreciate that some of my entries are old news but one of the main reasons I blog links is for myself - so that I can later easily locate useful information that ive come across.

Old Blog Archive - markharrison.co.uk/blog

SharePoint - Office - Windows - Live - XBox Search, Content Management, Portals, Collaboration, Business Process, Business Intelligence, Social Networking

Friday, April 29, 2005