The Sharepoint Diary

Configuring SharePoint 2010 services with PowerShell (and without the GUIDs in the database names)

2010-09-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

Did you wonder how to configure sharepoint services with powershell?
Did you wonder how to provision sharepoint services without the guids in the database names?

Well, a lot of people does :)

Greetings goes to Todd Carter, who shared the long powershell script in his blog http://todd-carter.com/post/2010/04/26/The-Wizard-Likes-His-GUIDs.aspx

Duray Akar

Watch out for dispose issue in the snippets for Visual Web Parts

2009-10-28T08:36:00.000-07:00

The code snippet below has an issue that you need to watch out...
The dispose guidelines have NOT changed in SP2010, so you have to be careful:


protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
SPWeb thisWeb = null;
try
{
TreeNode node;
thisWeb = SPContext.Current.Web;
//Add the Web's title as the display text for the tree node, and add the URL as the NavigateUri
node = new TreeNode(thisWeb.Title, null, null, thisWeb.Url, "_self");
//The Visual Web Part has a treeview control called siteStructure
siteStructure.Nodes.Add(node);
//Get a reference to the current node, so child nodes can be added in the correct position
TreeNode parentNode = node;
//Iterate through the Lists collection of the Web
foreach (SPList list in thisWeb.Lists)
{
if (!list.Hidden)
{
node = new TreeNode(list.Title, null, null, list.DefaultViewUrl, "_self");
parentNode.ChildNodes.Add(node);
}
}
foreach (SPWeb childWeb in thisWeb.Webs)
{
//Call our own helper function for adding each child Web to the tree
addWebs(childWeb, parentNode);
// have to dispose those
// you should use a try finally block to trap exceptions, 
// but at least do:
childWeb.Dispose();
}
siteStructure.CollapseAll();
}
finally
{ 

// you should not dispose the web that you got from the context
// note that this finally block is obsolete now
//thisWeb.Dispose();      
}

Update: These issues have been fixed thanks to Paul Andrew.

Developer Readiness for SharePoint 2010

2009-10-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

10 modules to get ready to develop on SharePoint 2010...

It is a work in progress, and the virtual labs are not there yet.

If you want to set up your development environment, you should check Setting Up the Development Environment for SharePoint Server, which is also preliminary and is subject to change. Who is not subject to a change nowadays :)

Happy SharePointing...

Hello SP2010

2009-10-28T08:09:00.001-07:00

Hi,

Re-igniting (:)) my blog for 2010...
As I go deeper into SP2010, I will share my findings here.
Since I keep my expectations high, I somewhat expect to be disappointed to a certain degree.
But will keep my comments on the constructive side.

Happy SharePointing...

Sharing my point on Avis Assist

2006-09-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

I almost never post rants and raves, but I cannot stop the urge to post this one.

I want to shout Avis Assist SUCKS, and this is keeping my French for a later time!

They should be ashamed to provide this as a service, let alone request you to pay for it. It is mind-boggling even you give it as a complimentary service...

Avis Assist fails to find the direction you are traveling, takes about 3 "reroute" commands to get it right.
Avis Assist has outdated road information, it tells you to make a left where there is an elevated median.
Avis Assist looses connectivity, you get disconnected in the middle of Manhattan.
Avis Assist does not have a map, just points out the direction you need to go, and gives the mileage. If there are 4 exits close to each other, go figure...

I am glad, I am not the only one that shares this opinion.
Here is Scott Van Vliet, sharing my pain...

They did take the charges back from my bill, but still, it SUCKS. It is not the charge, but the disappointment, and sorror of not having my "Microsoft Streets & Trips" CD's with me... I drove about 5000 miles up and down the East Coast using that, and did not get lost once, let alone get notified about road works and alternative routes, finding nearby hotels and restaurants, and doing it all OFFLINE.

I will NEVER trust to Avis Assist, and keep my Streets and Trips CD's with me all the time, in my laptop case...

Using Business Data Catalog in Sharepoint 2007 at Jacksonville Code Camp

2006-08-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

I presented this topic @ JAX Code Camp, find the details in the link below

Using Business Data Catalog in Sharepoint 2007 at Jacksonville Code Camp

I won the Coolest Code Award !

2006-08-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Duray Akar's Blog : I won the Coolest Code Award !

Check it on sharepointblogs

Jax Code Camp 2006 August 26th

2006-08-15T05:20:00.000-07:00

Jax Code Camp 2006 August 26th is coming up. Different then other code camps, this one will have different tracks. Click here to get more information about the tracks from Vinay Ahuja.

And I will be presenting a SharePoint session, namely Business Data Catalog, thanks to Stacy Draper, Andrew Connell and Vinay Ahuja.

Check the agenda here. You may find very interesting sessions for yourself!

Technorati: jacksonvillecodecamp06

Sharepoint 123 Session 100

2006-06-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

We did the first sesion last weekend, and it went well, except for some timing issues...
Apparently 3 hours is not going to cut it for a separate seminar + HOL, even 3 hours is a pretty long time...

Stacy and I are planning the 200 session to be a "blended" one, at the same location...

But we got some good reviews from the audience, and Stacy has an interesting point of view. :)

Preparing Websites with Active Content for Announced Browser Changes

2006-05-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

If you use ActiveX controls like Macromedia Flash on your page, as my brother does on http://www.otomnekadar.com, with the Internet Explorer updates, the users will not be able to interact with them unless they "Click to Activate" them...

There is a solution for this on Adobe site :
Adobe site

The link seems like it will not be there forever, so here is
the link to the JavaScript files
you would need...

Since we struggled to find this, thought might help others

Business Data Catalog in Sharepoint 2007

2006-05-18T01:01:00.001-07:00

This was something I was tryingto do with data connections, and dataviews in FrontPage.

How cool is this...

Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies Team Blog : Business Data Catalog

Microsoft SharePoint 2007 > Rolling up information in SharePoint Sites

2006-05-17T04:55:00.000-07:00

Here are two long-waited parts in the new version, that answers "How can I see all my documents in a gazillion workspaces?", Well, not gazillion :) , but if you have a handful, that would work:

Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies Team Blog : Rolling up information in SharePoint Sites

Delighted to see this coming up.

I need to check if it is possible to roll them up vertically in one single list, lol, and yes, without touching the database ;)

FitzBlog : Please Stay Out Of The Database!!!

2006-05-17T03:48:00.000-07:00

I am a Sharepoint Object Model fan...

I find it very well designed, and thought.

A little old posting, but worth to check:
FitzBlog : Please Stay Out Of The Database!!!

Even I touched the database "sparingly" in crisis cases, like for version upgrade after a disaster, I agree with most of the points there. The fact that there is a caching layer between sharepoint and the database makes it even riskier.

However, I also think that, ideally, for an enterprise product, it should either be NOT possible at all, or not be an issue. SQL server is capable of handling locks, isn't it?

I posted my comments there, I was wondering what would be the best way to determine weather a 3rd party web part uses direct database approach...

Introduction to Upcoming SharePoint Products and Technologies

2006-05-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Mike Fitzmaurice gives an overview of the technologies that will release within Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services (version 3) and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, with an eye toward pointing out areas with specific developer opportunities.

If you are involved in, or thinking about getting involved, you must see this...

What's Coming in WSS "v3.0"

2006-05-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

What's Coming in WSS "v3.0"

A very cool list compiled by Gene Kraybill, and posted on Dustin Miller's blog...

Some links are broken, but still valuable information out there...

Sharepoint Bloggers

2006-05-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

I have asked, and was accepted to http://www.sharepointblogs.com/, which is a more specialized blog for sharepoint community.

At this time, I will keep posting the items there, and refer to it here...

Duray AKAR

Windows sharepoint services site directory

2006-05-05T01:03:00.000-07:00

There will be a site diretory in the upcoming version in WSS, but I think it is one of the biggesst whoos in the WSS2.0, that there is no site directory...

Sharepoint Portal Server has a sophisticated one, but WSS lacks a built in site directory...

So I developed my own webpart:

Displays the site hierarchy for the current user, points out the current site, shows the siblings, sister sites, and parent site...

Pretty simple, isn't it ?

Can share the code or CAB if anyone is interested.

SharePoint List of Bloggers

2006-05-05T00:53:00.000-07:00

Mark Kruger compiled the most inclusive SharePoint List of Bloggers I have came across...

I asked to be in :) maybe he will include my blog there ...

Moving data between workspaces

2006-05-05T00:51:00.000-07:00

Posted this on sharepoint university:
Moving data between workspaces

If I get some interest, I will share the code to do it ...

Microsoft CRM 3.0

2006-05-03T15:07:00.000-07:00

I attended a CIO technical event in Ft Lauderdale, and learned about the new version of Microsoft CRM.

It has gone far beyond since version 1.2.

I am exploring my options on how to get it implemented in my work place...
hopefully it would integrate a lot of separate pieces that we have, and become the boiler plate for all the applications we use. We are a "service oriented" company, so we should fit well in the target market for the product.

10 things that I like most about it is:

1) Integrated into Outlook
2) Actually looks and feels like OUTLOOK, not like a monster living in there
3) Has online / offline as well as mobile capabilities, thanks to Outlook
4) Utilizes SQL Reporting Services
5) Has a SQL Server back-end, UNLIKE Outlook
6) Can import/export data from your existing CRM systems
7) Can host your existing .Net assemblies
8) Has a REALLY VERY SIMPLE and at the same time FLEXIBLE workflow implementation
9) Uses ENTITIES, which are CUSTOMIZABLE, and RELATIONAL
10) Integrates with Sharepoint

Things that I did NOT like about it :

1) Try to get a pricing ! I mean how complicated can that be? Is it worth NOT publishing the price online? Is it even more complicated than SQL server pricing ? :)
2) Demo labs are 30 minutes. It takes 5 minutes to setup the environment, so you got a FULL 25 MINUTES to play with it :)

MSDN and TechNET labs are 90 minutes, so why this one wouldn't be ? I don't know.

Hopefully I will learn a lot more know about it shortly.

Kudos to MS support

2006-04-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

I was searching for more on Sharepoint 3.0 , and found out that the "click for more" link is broken on MS site... I sent a feedback email.

Here is the reply I got the next day :
'
Hello Duray,

Check out this webcast for a preview of what’s to come in Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 -- http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdntv/episode.aspx?xml=episodes/en/20060406sharepointmf/manifest.xml.

The good news is that Windows SharePoint Services is going to have its own Developer Center on MSDN, where we’ll be publishing content for the next release. You might want to check out Mike Fitzmaurice’s blog at http://blogs.msdn.com/mikefitz/default.aspx for news of when the new developer center is online.

In the meantime, there’s quite a bit of discussion in the community; for example, this blog entry gives a brief overview of some of the new features.

http://www.sharepointblogs.com/dustin/articles/5235.aspx

'

Recently I got a personal reply for each an every documentation feedback, site feedback, broken link reports etc. I sent to Microsoft in a timely manner. I also got 3 hotfixes for Visual Studio Professional 2005 through 1 800 Microsoft.

Hey, I don't work for MS, but I must say I am one happy customer...

Kudos

Sharepoint 3.0

2006-04-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I got my first views of sharepoint 3.0, and the asp.net 2.0 integration. Impressive.

Today, I watched it on MSDN TV. A true JAW DROPPER.

Trying to get my hands on the BETA

A winforms datetimepicker with Null binding support

2006-03-17T09:05:00.000-08:00

The DateTimePicker in winforms 2.0 (and the previous versions) does not support null binding.

Using generics and a few lines of code, I created my own bindable control.

Here it is:

public class DateTimePickerNullable: System.Windows.Forms.DateTimePicker, INotifyPropertyChanged
{
public DateTimePickerNullable()
: base()
{
ShowCheckBox = true;
}

[Bindable(true)]
public Nullable BindableValue
{
get
{
if (Checked)
{
return Value;
}
else
{
return null;
}
}
set
{
if (value.HasValue && value.Value > DateTime.MinValue)
{
this.Checked = true;
}
else
{
this.Checked = false;
}
}
}

public new bool Checked
{
get { return base.Checked; }
set
{
base.Checked = value;
OnPropertyChanged("BindableValue");
}
}

protected override void OnCloseUp(EventArgs eventargs)
{
base.OnCloseUp(eventargs);
OnPropertyChanged("BindableValue");
}

#region INotifyPropertyChanged Members

public event PropertyChangedEventHandler PropertyChanged;

protected virtual void OnPropertyChanged(string propertyName)
{
if (PropertyChanged!=null)
{
PropertyChanged(this, new PropertyChangedEventArgs(propertyName));
}
}

#endregion
}

Sharepoint Web Part Library Project Template for Visual Studio 2005

2006-02-07T07:57:00.000-08:00

WSS Web Part Library Project Template for VS2005 is posted on :

Sharepoint Web Part Tempate for VS2005

A disaster recovery movie...

2005-08-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

Woked up alive from one of my worst sharepoint nightmares ever...

Thank god it is over. Took me 3 days in research trial-error.

My Sharepoint server burned (literally).The HDD's were recovered, so I was able to get the mdf files, thanks to our system admin. What would we do without him ?

I attached the mdf's to a new SQL server database, set up a new WSS site (SP1), and tried to use my existing content and database server (as every logical IT person would do).

But life was never that easy... Ever.

"The database schema is too old to perform this operation in this SharePoint cluster. Please upgrade the database and try again. " Said the holy WSS...

So, as a logical IT person, I tried to find the nice MS WSS utility to upgrade my database :) lol One would think that would exist, right ? Think again...

Basically I was trying to use both the content and the configuration database files (mdf files) of WSS on a virtual server "MyWSS" that used to run on a physical server called "MyServer", on a new physical server "MyServer2" with the same virtual server name... Of course, the physical database server needed to be changed as well.

Besides the version conflicts, it sounded like a disaster recovery that is almost identical to "the disaster recovery for the company WSS on Small Business Server", and actually the resources on that subject helped me quite a bit.

I ended up exploring the Configuration database tables with MsAccess, and replacing version numbers, server names, IP addresses, modifying the references in XML property columns e.t.c. directly in the database. Brutally...

:)

But worked.

I got it up and running except for a few image files... It is a shame that sharepoint images, templates and WebParts (Yes, they seem to reside in the database, but it didn't work, i had to re-install them) are still in the file system...

OH, and by the way, I did compare the database structure of both versions...
The only difference was that : In "Docs" table, a calculated "Extension" column was added in version 6.0.2.6411... So much for 3 days, a stupid "Alter table" statement should do the job...

What I did in a little more detail is:

Our system admin upgraded the WSS with the latest and greatest from MS.
I used a new configuration database, extended a new virtual server with the same name as my poor old blown WSS with a new content database...
I explored my old configuration database in my good ol' friend MsAccess.
I added my new SQL server to the servers table.
I replaced the serverID in the services table to reference the new SQL server.
I replaced my old physical server name to my new server name in the configuration database.
Then I changed my configuration database to my old (and purified :)) database in Central edministration.
IISreset
Expected it to work huh ? :) not yet...
Removed (without removing the content database) and re-extended my virtual server.
IISreset.
I got it up and running without the webparts at that point.
Then installed my web part installation cabinet files. (What an organized operson I am, I had all of them in one single folder)
A last IISReset, just in case, and after that fully functional, except that company logo and my "trans.gif" images missing.

Do not try unless you have to, and if you do so, do it at your own risk...

See you on another adventure.

Intra Site ListView

2005-04-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

I need a webpart that can display a "listview" from any selected site that you have access to...

on research for an existing one, but rolled up my own sleeves as well..

Blog world

2004-09-10T13:41:00.000-07:00

Time to join the blogging world.

I will share my sharepoint adventures here.