Free WSS Cross-Site Search Web Part

CorasWorks Free Web Part - WSS Cross-Site Search

"Excellent stuff from CorasWorks. They have a free Web part available to allow users to search across different team sites instead of only in their own.This is certainly a Web part that is going to be very helpful. Thanks CorasWorks for the contribution.

The out-of-the-box SharePoint WSS Search performs a full text search through all of the list items and document libraries (including attachments) in the current WSS site. This search box is found in the upper right corner of a WSS SharePoint web page. Searches via the WSS Search box are limited to the current site. Sub-sites cannot be searched without first going into the sub-site.

The WSS Cross-Site Search Web Part performs the same type of search, except it searches through sub-sites as well. In addition, the starting URL for the search can be customized. As a result, a WSS Cross-Site Search web part placed on one site can search for results within another.

Download from: http://www.corasworks.net/learning/events/MSD2DJanDownload.html"

Just saw this on Patrick Tisseghem's Blog.

Pretty cool. I have a Sharepoint server where this would come in handy... And the price is just right.

Scobleizer: No RSS? No downloads? No interaction? Fake content? You're fired!

No RSS? No downloads? No interaction? Fake content? You're fired!

I don't usually re-blog/link Scoble (I kind of figure there are enough people doing that already...), but I couldn't help myself on this post.

As you may know I'm a HUGE fan of RSS. In the last couple years they have completely changed my daily web reading behavior. I now follow about 387+ different feeds, with many of those being aggregate feeds (like blogs.msdn.com), so all combined I'd say I follow about 900+ blogs. All via a single interface because of RSS (See my feeds via Bloglines).

Can you imagine daily browsing to 387+ individual web sites? Yeah...right...

Before RSS, I had a favorites folder with 20-30 sites I'd like to check daily. And then I'd have to remember what on those sites I'd already seen, etc, etc, etc.

Needless to say that without RSS I'm be mush less connected. But then again, it's almost "work" keeping up with all my subscriptions... Damn technology... :)

Anyway Scoble's post rants about a marketing site without feeds, without downloads, and generally without a clue.

This quote pretty much sums it up, "... So, let me get this straight. You don't have RSS feeds. That means I won't be able to build a relationship with this site. You have a fake site so even if I tell my readers to visit it they'll get there and feel dirty (and they can't interact or do anything there either). You won't let me download the videos to pass them around virally. Or remix them in fun ways.

Oh, and there's no permalinks so even if I wanted to link you directly to a piece of content there I couldn't. ..."

I feel the same way. If a site doesn't provide RSS feeds then while I still might check it out once in a great while, it will never make it my daily reading list...

If you're publishing content, provide a RSS feed. Please.

EverQuest II - /pizza

EverQuest II - /pizza

"You're in luck - pizza is just a few key strokes away! While playing EverQuest II just type /pizza and a web browser will launch the online ordering section of pizzahut.com. Fill in your info and just kick back until fresh pizza is delivered straight to your door.

..."

LOL. Now THAT's cool... And I'm sure just the tip of what we'll be seeing soon. How long before you can order Domino's from within WoW? KFC from Matrix Online?...

ASP.Net Code Sample - ECS Custom Control in VB.Net

Amazon Web Services Blog: ASP.Net Code Sample - ECS Custom Control in VB.Net

"ASP.Net Code Sample - ECS Custom Control in VB.Net

We have been working with our friends at Microsoft to create some additional code samples for .Net and ECS. Here is sample code for an ASP.Net custom control which uses version 4 of ECS. The control is written in VB.Net. Refer to the README file for more information and complete step-by-step directions on how to make use of the code. "

Pretty cool...

I have yet to get an app to work against V4. V3's pretty easy, but 4... well. When I was trying there were a number of issues with the WSDL, lack of examples, etc, etc.

Looks like things are better now, so I guess it's time to give it another go.

Speaking of WSDL's, the readme includes a URL for the lastest Amazon ECS WSDL, http://webservices.amazon.com/AWSECommerceService/2005-01-19/AWSECommerceService.wsdl

Test Driven Development with Visual Studio 2005 Webcast

Geek Speak: Debugging and Tweaking Week (Part 5 of 5): Test Driven Development with Visual Studio 2005 - FollowUp

"http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032267715&Culture=en-US

This session highlights two useful features in Visual Studio 2005 that help developers improve the performance and quality of their software. Learn how the built-in profiler monitors the execution of a running program and generates detailed reports on the application's behavior that can be used to identify those bottlenecks that most affect the program's performance. We will also show how to take advantage of the support for test-driven development in Visual Studio 2005 to ensure that you are preserving the integrity of your existing code as you enhance or extend your solutions.

..."

Another nice webcast from David Waddleton. This one was an intro to Test Driven Development (TDD) in Visual Studio 2005.

Like all of Daivd's casts this week, he focused on showing it work and not just showing a static slideshow. It was great seeing the new VS Test System testing stuff in action. So of course now I'm jones'ing for VS2005 (like I wasn't already ;)

As I think I've said before, I believe it's clear that VS2005 is going to be the break out version for .Net development...

Microsoft Enterprise Library WebCasts

Enterprise Library WebCasts

"Enterprise Library is the next generation of the patterns & practices Application Blocks. The Enterprise Library is designed to assist developers with common enterprise development challenges and it delivers the most widely used blocks in a single integrated package. The vision at Microsoft is to build a broad community of customers and partners using, sharing and extending their own Application Blocks that are consistent with and integrate into the patterns & practices Enterprise Library. Please attend this webcast discussion which will provide an overview of the Enterprise Library.

MSDN Architecture Webcast: Overview (Level 200)
Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032269668&Culture=en-US

MSDN Architecture Webcast: Enterprise Library Webcast Series: Configuration (Level 300)
Friday, March 04, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032269437&Culture=en-US

MSDN Architecture Webcast: Enterprise Library Webcast Series: Data Access (Level 300)
Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032269686&Culture=en-US

MSDN Architecture Webcast: Enterprise Library Webcast Series: Caching (Level 300)
Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032269439&Culture=en-US

MSDN Architecture Webcast: Enterprise Library Webcast Series: Exception Handling (Level 300)
Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032269748&Culture=en-US

MSDN Architecture Webcast: Enterprise Library Webcast Series: Crypto (Level 300)
Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Pacific Time
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=42341

MSDN Architecture Webcast: Security (Level 300)
Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pacific Time
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=42438

MSDN Architecture Webcast: Enterprise Library Webcast Series: Building Your Own Block (Level 400)
Monday, March 28, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032269455&Culture=en-US

MSDN Architecture Webcast: Enterprise Library Webcast Series: Enterprise Library Applied (Level 200)
Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=42347"

If you'd like some insight into Microsoft's new/updated Enterprise Library then you might want to check these webcasts out.

Signed up...

Side-by-side Assemblies

Side-by-side Assemblies

"Recently I've been researching into Isolated Applications and Side-by-side Assemblies [1] for one of my customers. I thought I'd share a few evidently little-known rules and gotchas around this technology. I actually have a lot of these, and I'm still collecting them, so I'll start with just a few here and I'll post some more in the future. I also plan to write an MSDN article on the subject so I'll post the link to that in due course.

First, Side-by-Side (SxS) with native COM components. ..."

Side-by-Side for native COM components might be something I'll need in the future...

Update: Here's another useful article on this topic, How To Build and Service Isolated Applications and Side-by-Side Assemblies for Windows XP

Present for Mom?

Gizmodo : From the Barbie Mekong Delta Playset

Something for my Mom, the Barbie collector?

:|

WinDirStat (Drive Usage Analysis/Treemap Utility)

WinDirStat Home Page

"WinDirStat reads the whole directory tree once and then presents it in three useful views:

The directory list, which resembles the tree view of the Windows Explorer but is sorted by file/subtree size,
The treemap, which shows the whole contents of the directory tree straight away,
The extension list, which serves as a legend and shows statistics about the file types.

* Coupling. Select an item in the directory list: The treemap highlights it; and vice versa.
* Zooming.
* Built-in cleanup actions including Open, Show Properties, Delete.
* User-defined cleanups (command line based).
* Works with network drives and UNC paths.
* 'Create disk usage report' option.
..."

This is another utility in drive space usage and analysis space.

There's another that I've been using for a bit and has become a standard for me, Treesize from JAM Software. TreeSize's Explorer context menu is the feature that has hooked me. Fits easily into my normal routine.

WinDirStat's usage of a Treemap is pretty cool. There are other utilities in this space that also use treemaps, but WinDirStat's combined list/data views with the treemap are very cool.

Also WinDirStat is free and open source...

Now I just need to see if it has any command line options so I can mung an Explorer context menu for it...

(via Larkware - The Daily Grind 561)

Geocamming Scavenger Hunt

Geocamming Scavenger Hunt

Remember when I posted about all those unsecured webcam's on the net? (geocamming - unsecurity cameras revisited)

Well Andrew sent me an email pointing me to the Geocamming Scavenger Hunt.

"Geocamming is the act of viewing unsecured cameras connected to the internet and using them to explore the world. These cameras can be found using Google searches.

My Goals
My goal is to have people help me compile a list of cameras that are out there and their real-world locations. Think of it as a distributed computing project/contest.

The Contest
Here's the deal: there is no way I can go through all the cameras and find their locations, so a friend of mine and I developed a "game" to make life more interesting. We both look for cameras, and the person with the most confirm-able locations at the end of a set time period, wins. I want to run this game on a global scale...."

Interesting... I was happy to see the no hacking rule.

If someone has a window with the curtains open, people can be reasonably expected to look in. There's no expectation of privacy if they are left open.
If they are closed, then there is an expectation of privacy. In my mind the no hacking/password cracking honors this. (As you can see, I've been watching way to much Law and Order).

But then again, I get pissed when people scan my PC's for open ports/services... But that's a much more intrusive than googling for cam's...

Anyway, if you're into Geocamming, check out Andrew's site.

Interview Question Generator

Interview Generator

"ESR is pleased to announce the release of a free web based interview guide generator to help employers build printed interview forms for any position. The tool allows employers to select from generic interview questions, or to create their own questions, and then create a printed form that can be saved or modified.

Using a 'structured interview' guide during applicant interviews helps employers ask permissible questions in a consistent fashion for all applicants for a position. The tool also gives employers the flexibility of adding their own question to different sections of the interview guide.

This free tool solves several issues for employers. It helps employers and HR professionals produce a printed structured interview guide and focus on developing relevant questions for each position. Printed interview forms also help employers ensure that interviewers are asking the right questions every time, in the right way. Using a 'structured interview'guide helps employers ask permissible questions in a consistent fashion for all applicants for a position. An employer should only choose those questions that are valid predictors of job performance for a particular position. ..."

This is a simple service, but still might be usefull when I start hiring again...

Disney auctioning off vehicles from various rides...

Disney auctioning off vehicles from various rides...

Duncan posted about a cool eBay auction, where Disney is selling a front car from Space Mountain...

Only $2.5K (so far).

Now if I could only get someone to ask my wife for me if I could get it... :|

Microsoft Log Parser Toolkit

Microsoft Log Parser Toolkit

"It's out now :) Microsoft Log Parser Toolkit ! get it at major online bookstores. You will be amazed by how powerful and flexible this tiny parser can do, it will parse almost any log that you can find in Windows OS. It is a must have tool for Windows sysadmin. ..."

Wow... A book on Log Parser? That's... interesting...

Some of my past posts on Log Parser:
Log Parser 2.2
Unofficial Log Parser Support Site

100 Funniest Jokes of All Time

100 Funniest Jokes of All Time

"Compiled by Don Steinberg for GQ
with input from comics and writers including David Brenner, Jim Brogan, Dick Cavett, Larry David, Al Franken, Larry Gelbart, Jon Groff, Richard Jeni, Jonathan Katz, Chris Kelly, Billy Kimball, Robert Klein, Richard Lewis, Jackie Martling, William Novak, and Gene Perret.

(approximately 3/4 of this list appeared as "The 75 Funniest Jokes of All Time" in GQ magazine, June 1999) "

100 Funnest of All Time? I don't know about that, but some of them sure made me laugh...

(via Daypop Top 40)

XP Application Icons

GotDotNet User Sample: XP Application Icons

"XP Application icons for use in GUI and web based applications. These icons come with perfect alpha channel ensuring prefect blending on any background without the slightest jag. The Icons come in many formats and sizes for use anywhere within an application including toolbar. Supplied by Icongalore.com which is well known for software application icon development. "

12 nicely drawn application images in four formats (PNG, GIF, ICO-32 Bit, ICO-8 Bit) each in four resolutions (16x16, 24x24, 32x32 and 48x48)

MS Webcast - Debugging Production Applications - (Memory Leaks)

Geek Speak: Debugging and Tweaking Week (Part 2 of 5): Debugging Production Applications:

"Registration Url: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032267685&Culture=en-US

This .NET Framework 1.1 session will equip you with the mindset, tools, and techniques that will help you successfully identify and resolve common production application debugging issues. Learn efficient ways to handle some of the more difficult issues you are likely to encounter when running ASP.NET applications in production environments, such as memory consumption, contention, and unexpected server crashes.

..."

This was a good session and presented some good info. I had to leave early (actually it ran long and I had a meeting...), so I plan on viewing the rest later this week.

This post includes a nice list of memory, memory leak and debugging related links too.

IE7 And Microsoft Update Coming Soon to a PC Near You...

Gates Highlights Progress on Security, Outlines Next Steps for Continued Innovation

"...Gates announced Internet Explorer 7.0, designed to add new levels of security to Windows XP SP2 while maintaining the level of extensibility and compatibility that customers have come to expect. Internet Explorer 7.0 will also provide even stronger defenses against phishing, malicious software and spyware. The beta release is scheduled to be available this summer.

...To further simplify the update process, Gates announced that a beta version of Microsoft Update, a unified update service for consumers and small businesses that includes technologies such as Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Server™ 2003, Office 2003 and Exchange Server 2003, is scheduled for release in mid-March. Microsoft Update will consolidate the latest security and reliability updates in one convenient location.

..."

Everyone in the MS blogsphere is alreay posting about IE7... but in the release there's a couple other nuggets.

The fact that the Microsoft Update will be available for Win2K is pretty cool. Also that the MS AntiSpyware will be free is nice. I've been running it since it came out and am pretty happy with it.

I do dislike that IE7 will only be for XP2 (I assume Win2K3 too?).

WWII Ammo Box Case Mod

Gizmodo : WWII Ammo Box Case Mod

"Case modding stud muffins bit-tech.net were recently commissioned to produce two small form factor PCs for a giveaway by two of the UK's biggest PC gaming magazines. This is the fruit of their labor: two matching units built from WWII-era ammo boxes, completely with (hopefully) dead shells on the top and an incongruous but appealing mirrored front. They've got a step-by-step breakdown of their creation, if you're into that sort of Monster Basement sort of thing."

Nice. Now those are Frag boxes... :|

I have this 50Cal ammo box in my garage. That's the prefect size for a full sized PC.

Hummmm...

(Okay, I'm WAY to lazy to actually build a mod with it... but it sure sounds cool. Just think of the looks I'd get carrying THAT into a LAN party! [That is, if I had friends and went to Frag Fests...])

Don't Freak Out About Visual Studio

Visual Basic Developer Center: Don't Freak Out About Visual Studio

"This is the first installment of the Visual Basic Newbie series written by MSDN staffer Betsy Aoki to help first-time programmers and 'Visual Basic Newbies' get accustomed to the concepts and the environment provided by Visual Studio. The series is no substitute for formal study, a book, a good developer-friend, or perusing the MSDN Library, but is meant in a kindly way.

Think of this article as a personal therapist. Together, we will explore Visual Studio, pointing out its quirks and ignoring everything that would give us phobias about the programming to come. Visual Studio is actually a great tool that makes learning Visual Basic .NET easier, and as good as the Express versions are, there's nothing like playing with all the bells and whistles.

...

And on that note, with luck you are feeling better about Visual Studio and Visual Basic. Sip your coffee, contemplate art and the meaning of life, and then go on and write the best darn Visual Basic you can. Cheers!"

I've had a number of people ask me, "I want to learn how to program, how do I get started?".

While this article is not 100% on message it's pretty darn close, helping to answer, "How do I learn how to program in Visual Studio?".

For a beginner, the first time seeing VS can be pretty scary. This article is meant to help get ove that initial fear.

And it's kind of funny...

LOL - Developer Evangelism?

[Giagnocavo]Michael::Write() - Developer Evangelism?

LOL... Somehow this just seems wrong... :)