FolderShare - OMG What Was I Thinking?

FolderShare - File Transfer & Remote File Access - Product Overview

"FolderShareTM allows you to create a private peer-to-peer network that will help you to synchronize files across multiple devices and access or share files with colleagues and friends. You no longer need to send large files via email, burn them to CDs/DVDs and mail them, or upload them to a website. FolderShare allows you to share and sync important information instantly with anyone you invite, making it the perfect solution for personal or small business use.

How can I use it?
Synchronize all your devices - Retrieve work files at home or access photos at work. With your devices in sync, you no longer have to be frustrated that your information is on another computer.
Share files, photos, and home videos with your peers - Select the content you want to share, invite members, and they will be able to access the shared files directly from their device.
Access your computer or device remotely - FolderShare mobile access allows you to access your computer from any web browser.

Any restrictions? We'll let you decide...
Share files up to 2 GB in size
Unlimited file space - Store as many files as you wish; you are only limited by the storage capacity of your device
Unlimited file transfers - no limits on quantity or size of files transferred
Any file type - files are synced and transferred in their original format

How much does it cost?
FolderShare is now free of charge..."

What the heck was I thinking, not checking this out until today?

We've all heard how MS bought FolderShare... Well today I heard that it's now totally free, and since free is 100% "Greg Compatible" I had to check it out. Dude, this is beyond cool. Install it, sign up and go... It just works.

Tomorrow it's going on every PC I own. And I'll probably be setting up an account for my wife so she can share our family pictures... And maybe one work account and one personal account... and... and... and...

And once I figure out how to do auto-accept invites, this is how I'm going to share the code from my personal projects with the world (taking my queue from TestDriven.NET 2.0 Beta on FolderShare) too.

If you were like me, and holding off checking out FolderShare, stop reading now and go check it...

(via Test Driven .NET - TestDriven.NET 2.0 Beta on FolderShare)

Feature Pack for SQL Server 2005 (Nov 2005) Download

Download details: Feature Pack for SQL Server 2005 Nov 2005

"Microsoft ADOMD.NET
Microsoft Core XML Services (MSXML) 6.0
Microsoft OLEDB Provider for DB2
Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 Management Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 PivotTable Services
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 DTS Designer Components
Microsoft SQL Server Native Client
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services 9.0 OLE DB Provider
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Backward Compatibility Components (DMO, DSO, DTS)
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Command Line Query Utility
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Datamining Viewer Controls
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 JDBC Driver
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Management Objects Collection
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Notification Services Client Components
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor
Microsoft .NET Data Provider for mySAP Business Suite
Reporting Add-In for Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express "

Wow, now that's a bunch of downloads... lol, I sure am glad MS put these all on one download page...

Each of the above items are individually downloadable on the page and many come in 64 bit flavors too.

Blog Worth - VB Style

Inspired by Jon Galloway’s Let's get the Blog Worth thing out of our system post (and cause I needed a simple example project to kickstart my playing with VB8) I’ve hand converted his C# example to VB.

I made some simple modifications to the code so it could handle OPML with nested outline nodes, such as provided by BlogLines (here’s my blogroll OPML for example), to use StringBuilder and to wrap it into a class.

Besides that it’s straight port.

Now I’m going to embrace and extend it a little… ;)

I really want to have the class return a collection of objects, then use the new data binding to bind the new grid to my objects. Then I can do any sorting, filtering. Or I could stuff the data into a datatable, and use it’s native ability to sort and filter.

Also I want to use the backgroundworker so my UI doesn’t freeze. And for the class to raise events so I can see what’s happening…

And.. and.. and...  LOL. Man, I love coding... :)   

sigh... I've been trying to post my code here in a way that doesn't screw up my Blogger layout, and it's just not happening. I think it's important that I share my work so I'm going to try some other approaches. CodeProject? My MSN Space blog? A MSN Group? GotDotNet? Not really sure, but I would like to post the actual files along with a blurb about it, so I'm thinking CodeProject or GotDotNet...

Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) Beta 1.2 for VS2005 RTM

Download details: Windows Workflow Foundation

"Version: 1.2
Date Published:  11/4/2005
Language:  English
Download Size:  2272 KB - 108113 KB*
*Download size depends on selected download components.

Windows Workflow Foundation is the programming model, engine and tools for quickly building workflow-enabled applications on Windows. It consists of a Microsoft® WinFX® name space (System.Workflow), an in-process workflow engine, and designers for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005. Windows Workflow Foundation is available (currently as Beta) for both client and server versions of Windows. Windows Workflow Foundation supports a wide range of scenarios including workflow within line-of-business applications, user interface page flow, document-centric workflow, human workflow, composite workflow for service-oriented applications, business rule-driven workflow and workflow for systems management.

There are two downloads on this page:

The Windows Workflow Foundation Beta 1.2 runtime components are required for Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services "3.0" (Beta 1), Office "12" servers (Beta 1), and "FrontPage 12" (Beta 1).

The Visual Studio 2005 Extensions for Windows Workflow Foundation are required for customers who are designing workflows in Visual Studio 2005 and/or require the Windows Workflow Foundation SDK."

I'm very interested in WF... Now to install this on my primary or in a VPC?

I like the standard beta disclaimer on the page, "Note: This is a Beta release. Therefore, do not install these builds on machines you depend on."

sigh... VPC

Now all I have to do is build a VPC with VS2005 RTM on it. Oh well it's just time and drive space.  :|

(via JOPX on SharePoint, MCMS, Office 2003 and SOA - Windows Workflow Foundation Beta 1.2 - VS.Net 2005 RTM compliant...)    

Update #1 – 11/5/2005 @ 4:46PM PST:
Here’s a post from the MS WF Tech Manager, Paul Andrew, Windows Workflow Foundation Beta 1 for Visual Studio 2005 RTM that confirms WF beta 1.2 is for VS2005/.Net 2.0 RTM.

“…In terms of functionality there's no difference between Beta 1 and Beta 1.2 but they require different versions of the .NET Framework.

1. Windows Workflow Foundation Beta 1 requires the .NET Framework 2.0 Beta 2


2. Windows Workflow Foundation Beta 1.2 requires the .NET Framework 2.0 RTM

…”

This is starting to really piss me off… Election Voice Spam

This coming Tuesday, November 8th, we have a special election here in California. For the past week or so our home phone has been ringing off the hook with automated recorded calls for or against the different ballot measures.

And the pace of call seems to be picking up. We’ve had five calls, just today!

And it’s really, really starting to annoy me. Today I’m starting a tally by measure and the stance the recorded caller would like us to take.

AND I WILL VOTE FOR WHO EVER CALLS ME LESS! So if I get 2 calls for Yes on Proposition 74 and 1 for No on 74, then I’m voting No on 74.

Okay, maybe I won’t go to that extreme, but I sure am getting pissed at the constant calling.

It’s not enough that every other commercial is on these propositions, my mailbox is full of ads for and against, it’s all over the radio, but now I feel my home is truly being invaded by those involved. It’s the “push” and aggressive nature of this method of pushing their agenda that has raised my hackles.

The worse part of it all there’s little I can really do about it. EXCEPT with the power of my voice here in my blog (hahaha ;) and in the casting of my vote.

These calls are nothing less than worthless voice spam and their value is like that of spam, resulting in annoyance, frustration, irritation and finally anger.

Okay… I feel better now… Thanks.   (

SQL Server "Cannot generate SSPI context" Solution for When Not Connected to Domain

SQL Protocols : "Cannot generate SSPI context" error message, when connect to local SQL Server outside domain

"...
[MDAC] “Cannot generate SSPI context”;

It can happen when all of followings are true:
(1) The hosting machine of SQL Server is connected to a network, including home network or dialup connection, but it is disconnected from its domain.
(2) The OS of the hosting machine is Windows XP or 2000. Not windows 2003.
(3) The connection is to a local SQL Server.
(4) Connection configuration causes network library to choose TCP/IP provider.

...

In very rare case, however, if you really in need of TCP/IP connection, the option is to use TCP/IP loop-back address, i.e. “127.0.0.1”, as your . For example, if your connection string has form of “\” and is not prefixed with “tcp”, without modifying the connection string, you can configure an alias with alias name as \, protocol as TCP/IP, server as “127.0.0.1\” or “127.0.0.1,”. Remember that the “Cannot Generate SSPI context” problem described in this post only happens when connecting to a local server; thus, the “127.0.0.1” is applicable. ..."

This information helped me solve some recent "Cannot generate SSPI context" problems so I wanted to make sure I shared (and captured it here in case I need it again in the future)

I develop on my notebook and in many cases in remote locations (i.e. home). I recently moved to Windows XP and that's when the problems started. If I were to VPN into work, everything would work fine. But I'd rather not have to VPN in just to development and run my projects...

This evening I had ENOUGH! It was fix it or else... Luckily it ended up being a easy fix. The above post's suggestion to use the loop-back IP address did the trick for me.

Now I'm happily testing my apps without being connected to the domain/network. (Yeah I know... working/coding/testing on a Friday night... I so need a life. But I've heard they are over rated ;)

This GIF says it all...

Enough said...

(Via
Full of I.T. - Full of I.T. : So much to blog. So little time. So much SQL Server 2005)

Have a Mint? (C# RSS Starter Kit)

Mint Source - Academic Alliance - Microsoft UK



"Mint Source is the unconventional new starter kit for students that enables you to quickly get your hands on the freshest, hottest technology from Microsoft. Think of it as a direct line to Microsoft information. We'll give you samples of what you can do and the tools to do it. Get ahead. Get Mint Source... and be the first to download the latest knowledge and tools. Free 'n' easy just got easier. "

This is a kind of interesting little VS2005/C# 2.0 WinForm RSS Starter Kit.

But I think I like the Evil Lamb best of all... lol

Amazon ECS.Net Library

Amazon Web Services Blog: Amazon ECS.Net Library

"AmazonECS.Net is a free, open source .Net library. The library was used to build the DVDs Universe site.

Classes are provided to represent many ECS search and lookup operations including requests for item details, new releases, browse node children, browse node paths, similar items, top sellers, and the shopping cart. The site also includes demos of each function."

AmazonECS.Net .:. a .net library for the Amazon E-Commerce Service

"AmazonECS.Net is an open-source .net library developed in C# for the Amazon E-Commerce Service. It can be used in any .Net application by any developer who wants to use Amazon's ECS. Built using a simple and clean design, it is very easy to use and implement.

The library can be used in many ways, from a simple item listing in an application or website to a complete high-level ecommerce website including remote shopping cart management. AmazonECS.Net makes it simple to earn money using your Amazon Associates account. It also features a caching engine for all requests to make response times smoother and faster.

Most libraries available for Amazon's ECS are in PHP. AmazonECS.Net is one of the firsts (if not the first) made publicly available for the .Net platform.

Features
The library currently supports the following features:

Access Amazon.com product data (only the US locale is supported)
Request Validation
Caching engine
Search and browse Amazon
Navigate categories
Get detailed item informations
Get latest releases
Get top sellers
Manage a remote shopping cart ..."

Man if you're doing Amazon development in .Net, you just gotta to check this out.

Glad it only comes with a ASP.Net demo. This gives me a chance to learn as I create a WinForm demo... ;)

Related Past Post X-Ref:
Using Amazon Web services to build an app that searches for books, music or movies
ASP.Net Code Sample - ECS Custom Control in VB.Net

DevAge Source Pack 1.0 Released

DevAge Source Pack 1.0

"DevAgeSourcePack is a set of .NET projects created to extend and add some new features to the standard .NET Framework. DevAgeSourcePack is developed as an Open Source project, licensed under a MIT style license. You can copy and modify the code or simply reference the binary version directly from your projects.

One of the most popular project of this package is SourceGrid control, see SourceGrid 3 article for details.

DevAgeSourcePack is written in C# and C++, compiled with the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 and Visual Studio .NET 2003.

...

DevAgeSourcePack 1.0 is the first official release. There is still some work to do, especially to improve the usability and performance and to complete the documentation but it is quite stable. ..."

This is a very cool OSS .Net package, which includes a number of cool Windows Forms controls and a complete Grid control.

LEGO Factory

LEGO Shop At Home

"With LEGO Factory, you can now design your own original custom LEGO model, and then purchase all of the bricks and elements you need to build your model for real! Just follow the easy steps below to start custom building today."

Life is good when you have LEGO's... ;)

(via Make: - Build your own LEGO kit...)

Outlook Redemption 4 Released

“Redemption 4.0.0.452
Version 4.0 of Redemption includes a completely new library: RDO (Redemption Data Objects) that can function as a complete replacement of the CDO 1.21 library.

While Safe*Item Redemption objects are designed to be used with either Outlook Object Model or CDO 1.21 objects to work around the security prompts with minimum modifications to the existing code, RDO is designed to provide a complete functionality replacement for CDO 1.21, which besides being blocked by the security patch, also hasn't been updated (functionality-wise) for almost 10 years.

RDO blends the low level access of CDO 1.21 with the functionality of the Outlook Object Model. It can be used from any code: COM add-ins, EXEs, scripts, Windows Services, etc. It can be used in any language that supports IDispatch-friendly objects (VB, VB Script, Java, .Net languages, C/C++, Delphi, etc).
 
For the complete documentation, see http://www.dimastr.com/redemption/rdo/”

If you are doing ANY Outlook/MAPI/CDO development, then you owe it to yourself to check out Outlook Redemption. This is a must have tool…

Today I heard the 4.0 has been released and that there’s now a new very cool library called Redemption Data Objects (RDO – Which reminds me of old RDO – Remote Data Objects, but that’s just cause I’ve been VB Man since V1…)

I could have really used this about 6 months ago when I migrated an Outlook 2000 (pre-Security SP) to Outlook 2003. Talk about painful…

Anyway, this sounds VERY cool and I’m glad to see Redemption continue to improve with age.

For more information about Outlook Redemption, see http://www.dimastr.com/redemption