MOSS 2007

SharePoint Development Track now available

Wayne Larimore — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:26:59 GMT

I caught this over at Stefan's blog. MSDN's ramp up site has a SharePoint Development Track available, located directly at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/rampup/dd221355.aspx.

Some of the tracks include:

Level 1: Web Parts
Did you know that in SharePoint you can build pages as easy as in ASP.NET – and allow end users to create dashboards? Web parts allow for creating components of Web user interface that can be reused on multiple Web pages. These are introduced in ASP.NET and built on in SharePoint where they can be added to pages by end users and managed by IT Professionals. In this topic you will learn about building simple Web parts for SharePoint and how to connect them back to SharePoint site data.

Level 2: Data Lists
Did you know that SharePoint developers can work with data from lists that users get access to too? Data lists provide data storage for end users in SharePoint. End users can create lists with schema all through the SharePoint user interface and they can create, edit, and view the data. All of this data can be programmatically accessed by developers and this topic is all about that.

Level 3: Event Handlers
Did you know that SharePoint developers can automatically process data that your users upload via a spreadsheet? Event handlers (or event receivers) are custom code that runs on the SharePoint server in response to something that happens on the server. Event handlers can be useful for running business logic in response to data being added to the site. This topic shows how to create simple event handlers and investigates ways that event handlers can be used in SharePoint.

Level 4: Workflow
Did you know that you can write WF workflows in SharePoint without having to worry about storage, persistence, or how to interact with the user? Workflow in SharePoint allows for implementation of processes that require interaction such as email approvals or form completion by people in your organization. This topic shows you how to create simple workflows in SharePoint using Visual Studio that involve approvals from people by email and for meeting room resource bookings with an administrator.

Level 5: Silverlight Web Parts
Did you know that you can build rich Internet applications with SharePoint? Silverlight is a new Web user interface technology from Microsoft that allows for each implementation of animations and videos. This topic shows how a SharePoint user interface can be enhanced by using Silverlight in Web parts as part of a SharePoint site.

Missing SQL Server Management Studio

Wayne Larimore — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:36:23 GMT

Missing your SQL Server Management Studio after installing SQL Server 2005? When creating my Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) development environment I had the same problem. Thankfully, Pete Orologas posted a solution and it worked for me. Apparently, if there is already a \Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools folder that exists then the installer moves on to the next step. How does that subfolder get there? Well, if you install Visual Studio before SQL it creates the folder when installing SQL Express. Or if you install the SQL Express edition it will create the tools folder.

THE SOLUTION?

Rename the Tools folder to something like Tools_bkup and run the "SqlRun_Tools" exe or msi file. This is located on the install media inside the {drive}:\{platform_specific_pathing}\Tools\Setup subfolder.

This worked for me. I hope it helps in your situation. Leave comments of your experience.

cannot get the list schema column property from the SharePoint list

Wayne Larimore — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:04:04 GMT

"cannot get the list schema column property from the SharePoint list"

Have you ever got this error? Recently, when troubleshooting a problem my manager was having while Exporting a custom list from MOSS 2007 WSS 3 to Office Excel 2003 I found a solution.

I found a thread of folks experiencing the same issue. In that thread I found that someone had pinpointed their problem to a date column. They changed the definition from date to 'Single Line Of Text' and then back to "Date" (Date Only) and fixed the problem.

So, I tried that and everything started working again. I have Office 2007 installed on my PC and didn't have this problem. I tested it out in our training room which has Office 2003 installed. Another strangety in SharePoint land but mystery solved on this end.

Other references:

http://epes.wordpress.com/2008/02/09/sharepoint-cannot-get-the-list-schema-column-property-from-the-sharepoint-list/
http://forums.technet.microsoft.com/en-US/sharepointgeneral/thread/5454b84f-6af5-4d3d-9671-45aa4aa9e418/

[update] Apparently, there's a post SP1 hotfix available here --> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941422

Hope this helps others that might be pulling their hair out. Post a comment if it does.

My Own SharePoint Resource Page

Wayne Larimore — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:45:26 GMT

I have started a SharePoint resource page. I have been recommending (and still do) some of the great ones out there. However, I have found that some of my experiences and needs differ in a lot of ways. As with others, my resource page has started out as something I use to personally reference in my day-to-day work routine. If it helps others that would be great too. Here's the beginnings of my MOSS SharePoint InfoPath Workflow .NET Resource Page. It will be growing significantly over the coming days.

Waynester's SharePoint Resource page

Do Less, Get More, Develop On SharePoint

Wayne Larimore — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:05:34 GMT

Great Resource for us SharePoint developers!

http://www.MsSharePointDeveloper.com

Hands on Labs for Developing Apps on WSS 3.0

Wayne Larimore — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:28:54 GMT

[via AC]

Do you need hands-on development experience with Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Applications? Here's a link to start your journey:

Hands on Labs for Developing Applications on Windows SharePoint Services 3.0

SharePoint Business Decision Maker (BDM) & Technical Templates

Wayne Larimore — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:44:49 GMT

[via TechNet]

Each application template has a companion set of two datasheets. For business decision makers, the functional overview (BDM datasheet) highlights the features and details of the scenario which can be used to consider deployment. The technical overview (TDM datasheet) is for IT professionals and describes the scenario, Web parts, relevant workflows, lists, and document libraries that are part of the template.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/sharepoint/bb848090.aspx

Sharepoint Developer Training for Newbies

Wayne Larimore — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:07:21 GMT

[via AC]

If you can, and it's free, hook into these upcoming SharePoint developer training series:

SharePoint Developer MSDN Web Cast Series

14 1/2 Years Of Loyalty Comes To an End

Wayne Larimore — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:05:36 GMT

Last Thursday I got "the call" that all employees dread - "you're no longer needed". Our company went through yet another round of layoffs and this time my number was called. I had survived so many of these over the 14 1/2 years of my career - with the same company (very rare, I know). It caught me by complete surprise. I was their number one "MOSS" man, they told me just days before. Then came "the call".

I guess I've been very fortunate in my career. I've only experienced two layoffs in 20 years. I do not recommend it to anyone. It kind of feels like being betrayed. At one moment you're part of the family, then the next you're thrown to the curb and locked out of the home (networks). It feels lonely. For two hours after that phone call, I didn't call my wife. I needed time to reflect of what just happened. Working remote, I wasn't escorted out of the building or asked to embarrasingly carry my box of personals out of the building (thank God!). However, I just sat there and reflected on what it all meant.

At the same time, I am not bitter. In fact, for the most part, I am at peace with the outcome. I know I'm going to be alright. My family and I don't have any debt, we have an emergency fund and I do not need to make any rash decisions on the next step of my career. I would love to keep my office and work for someone remote. However, I know that might not work out. I'm hoping to find a situation that I enjoy. There's got to be a place for a guy with my experience. If you know and / or looking for someone feel free to contact me.

I look forward to this new season of my career. I believe there's a reason for everything and nothing gets by God that He doesn't approve (refer to Job in the Bible). I'm not limiting myself to a specific technology or platform. I am a problem-solver and troubleshooter. I enjoy seeing my work make a difference in the workplace - a process more efficient, less paperwork to handle and / or simply lessening human workload. I guess you could say I'm a computer geek at heart.

[update] I have edited this posting and removed previous interview-related ones in deference to those who construe them offensive.