MOSStastic

Over the past several weeks, myself included, a number of people have complained about the True Singles network advertising that consumes at least 50+% of the ad space in my MSN Messenger alone.

When you get used to using MSN Messenger, it is not uncommon at all to have it open all the time; even during presentations and in Live Meetings.

Of late however, I have found myself closing Messenger simply because of these ads - they're simply not appropriate for Corporate America - no matter how much money is spent on the advertising - certainly MSFT has more couth, finesse... Or not?

A Road Less Traveled...

I have had a number of colleagues already that have approach me w/ideas for a new approach: That's right - we wipe out Messenger altogether and start new.

IMPOSSIBLE and INSANE is largely what the feedback was. Well, is it really? Come on! It's simply a messenger tool - and IM client that allows for peer-to-peer networking! Good heavens, surely no one thinks Microsoft's is a bed of any sort of rocket science? I didn't think so! :)

Just this past week, work on AMEN began - Anti-Messenger... Sorry, we were not really creative when the idea of an acronym came out of discussions - but hey, there is a decent pun there - if not a pun!

So... We will keep you posted on the success / feedback of the project. Please feel free to leave feedback for me personally here.

It's simple: NO MORE ADVERTISING - unless we opt in? That's a thought. But that's a second phase of the project. The first phase is to obviate MSN Messenger altogether.

Sorry MSFT - enough is enough - even if we do love your many other warez.

Cleaning up a Basic WSS (Windows SharePoint Services) v3 uninstall. Removing SQL Server embedded #SSEE database setup - this has proven a pain for a lot of our clients, as well as some of our developers that are not familiar with the goings on of WSS v3. and a Basic installation.

INSTALLATION

When you install WSS v3 - by default - and most of us love defaults - it blazes right through and does a BASIC installation/configuration.

BASIC

Under this installation - WSS creates NOT a well known documented and easily discernable MSDE flavor of SQL Server - in all the right places like \%PROGRAMFILES%\Microsoft SQL Server\blah blah blah...

Nope... It creates a hybrid of sorts - Microsoft Embedded SQL Server - nested under the OS folder. Neat...

FARM INSTALLATIONS / INSTALLATIONS using a separate SQL Server

The key to getting WSS to work on a remote SQL Server - major requirement in most all organizations, is to be aware that you need to do a COMPLETE installation - for a Farm - and when you run PSCONFIG after the install - you'll have the option to select a <domainName>\<instanceName>...

UNINSTALL WSS V3 - COMPLETE

Just running PSCONFIG and removing your configuration - then uninstalling WSS - does NOT solve your problem here. The real problem is that MSFT SQL Server Embedded (#SSEE) is still installed - and EVERYTIME you run the setup bits for WSS ??? It's reverting back to this database - w/no obvious way to get around it.

So, if you do not need the embedded version - and after you have uninstalled WSS V3 - do the following:

REMOTE #SSEE Embedded SQL Server

1. Start Registry Editor, and then locate the following registry key:              HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

2. Do an Edit/Find on Microsoft SQL 2005 embedded Edition

3. When you see a display name that matches the name, copy the value of the Key named “UninstallString”

4. Start-->Run-->CMD - opens a command prompt

5. Issue the following MSI - copying in your GUID and ensuring to complete the whole string.

6. - For example: MsiExec.exe /X{BDD79957-5801-4A2D-B09E-852E7FA64D01} CALLERID=OCSETUP.EXE

7. Confirm the removal - then bounce the box when you're done.

When you come back to install WSS v3 - do a Complete install - not a basic...

FAST Search for SharePoint Server 2007 / Microsoft (MSFT) Acquires FAST Search

The following links are provided to give you 1) more background on what this acquisition means, and 2) how to leverage it immediately in Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS).

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/jan08/01-08FastSearchPR.mspx

http://blogs.msdn.com/enterprisesearch/archive/2008/01/08/microsoft-announces-offer-to-acquire-fast-search-transfer.aspx

http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepoint/archive/2008/06/20/announcing-sharepoint-web-parts-for-fast-esp.aspx

A firm believe that there is nothing new under the sun, this does not surprise me. I see this as a serious enhancement to an already formidable foray into this space by MSFT.

Regards...

Okay, so I've run that one in the ground so much the past couple years, you're tired of hearing it, right? WRONG. We've only just begun...

Read the latest about Microsoft Office products here - MOSS is still in the early stages.

For some really useful quick links - check out Mark Grimes' blog - and many thanks for the links Mark.

I have received a host of pings regarding older postings on Directory Services, ASP.Net, BizTalk and more - and I will be posting some new source/solutions for Directory Services on my technical blog here.

As much as I love Microsoft myself, Dan Woolston had one of the best posts I've seen this year - here! Dan is a noted author and technical contributor in ASP.Net, AJAX and BizTalk - to mention a few - but this link was great!

Some technical footnotes:

• Windows XP Professional SP3 is now out.
• PowerShell is getting a GUI - what took you so long!?!?!?
• InfoPath Forms Services Expense Reporting - excellent reference for doing Forms Services outside of MOSS. The only other recommendation I could add is to check out offerings from business process management solutions stacks like BlueSprings' BPM Suite - they have the full-scale version, and one specific for SharePoint as well.
• Windows Essential Business Server 2008 - it has taken a long time, and I am really pleased with the progress and integration of the MSFT business solutions releasing this year.
• Finally, some tidbits from Scripting Guy! - always worth a glance now and then.

We're still looking to launch MOSStastic! mid-to end July '08 - and just some of the features include:

• Automated creation of site collection - create your own first site collection, and start down the path of building out a full-fledged Internet facing site.
• AJAX enabled wizards for User and Site Collection management - we take the best of the Central Administration features and attempt to provide your quick how-to wizards that will help you
• Define your IIS/Site collection/definition
• Setup user accounts / access permissions to your site collection
• Edit / Set permission sets and create/manage groups for your site
• and much more...
• Full support for SharePoint Designer 2007, including a video walk-through on customizing your master pages w/custom CSS and UI elements.
• How to create custom web parts and deploy those for a site collection, site-level, or as a custom Feature for your site.
• Video training support on advanced Features, Event Handlers and Site Definitions - step-by-step walk-through support to give you insight and guidance on best practices for custom development of your solutions.
• Much more...

A lot of people have worked hard to help make this possible, and I am grateful to everyone for the support.

Looking to get a hosting provider for a WSS, ASP.Net or DotNetNuke portal? Check out Dot Net Haven for some of the best, most competitive hosting solutions available.

On that note - I'm outta here - today is my best friend's birthday (translate wife!) and I have no business blogging more tonight!!!