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SharePoint PDF Icon Tool Gets Even Better

acrobat_pdf_iconDoes your SharePoint http://companyweb site running on SBS 2003 or R2 still show missing icons for PDF files you’ve uploaded?  Tsk-tsk.

Solutions:

GOOD – Back in the day we used to fix this problem manually by uploading the 16×16 PDF icon, updating the XML file, and restarting IIS.  Tedious, but effective.

BETTER – Then in 2004 Chad Gross [SBS-MVP] created a cool ZIP / batch file to automate the PDF insertion process for Windows SharePoint Services 2.0.

BEST – Skip forward to 2007 and Chad’s super-handy tool has gotten WAY better.  The new version works with WWS 2.0 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0!  Chad’s rewritten it in VBS, updated the icon to a newer PNG, and it creates an output logfile at C:\pdficon.log so you can make sure everything went smoothly.  Mega sweet!  Download the NEW PDF icon tool and try it out today!

I carry it on a USB drive keychain with my other must-have utilities.  Getting a PDF icon to display in SharePoint has never been easier.  Thanks Chad! You rock!!

Source:  Chad’s Blog

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Deepfish – It’s About Time!

Filed under “Why didn’t someone think of this before?”

Video link:  On Channel 10
Deepfish blog: RSS feed available too
Deepfish website:  http://labs.live.com/Deepfish

What is Deepfish? 

Deepfish is a lightweight client application that leverages a powerful server side technology for delivery of content such as web pages to a Windows Mobile device. Content is displayed in a familiar desktop format that requires no additional work by the content or site author.

Deepfish provides:

  • A familiar look and feel of web pages on mobile as seen on desktop
  • Bandwidth optimized rendering for faster content delivery
  • Address bar web navigation
  • Intuitive zooming, panning and cue map for quick navigation and browsing
  • Support for simple link navigation and form submission

Source:  Funboard

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MCPS and MCNPS

I was moving my Microsoft Certified Professional ID over to Applied Tech today and noticed “MCPS and MCNPS” listed under “Tracks and Specializations”. 

If you’re not familiar with the alphabet soup of Microsoft Certifications:

  • MCAD – Microsoft Certified Application Developer
  • MCDBA – Microsoft Certified Database Administrator
  • MCDST – Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
  • MCITP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional
  • MCLC – Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant
  • MCP – Microsoft Certified Professional
  • MCPD – Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
  • MCSA – Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
  • MCSD – Microsoft Certified Solution Developer
  • MCSE – Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
  • MCT – Microsoft Certified Trainer
  • MCTS – Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
  • MOS – Microsoft Office Specialist
  • MSBC – Microsoft Business Certifications (New)
  • Microsoft Certified Architect Program

Oddly, the following certs don’t show up on the Microsoft site:

  • MCNPS – Microsoft Certified Networking Product Specialist 
  • MCPS – Microsoft Certified Product Specialist

They do show up in a Google search (albeit usually in people’s sig lines on message boards).  Apparently, the MCPS and MCNPS show up when you pass the 70-282.  I called Russ Grover and chatted up Susan on IM, but still no URL of proof. 

I’ve also seen this one:

  • MCPSI – Microsoft Certified Professional in Systems Integration

Not sure if that one is real or not.  I’ll do some research and post back when I get an authoritative answer.

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Win2K3 SP2 Live on Microsoft Update Today

From the SBS Diva via IM today:

Susan says (2:26 PM):
  btw give your gang a heads up
  win2k3 sp2 is on mu
  and there’s a “SBSers read this KB”
  that is not yet live
  yet the sucker is on MU right now
  they should have done it next week

Here’s the Service Pack she’s talking about…

DON’T install it on SBS yet!

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (32-bit x86)
Date last published: 3/13/2007
Typical download size: 120 MB

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) is a cumulative service pack that includes the latest updates and provides enhancements to security and stability. In addition, it adds new features and updates to existing Windows Server 2003 features and utilities. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

System Requirements
  Recommended CPU: Not specified.
  Recommended memory: Not specified.
  Recommended hard disk space: Not specified.

More information

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Upcoming Live Events (Q2 2007)

*Registration for some of these events hasn’t opened yet.  Here are the URLs so you can at least mark the dates on your calendar and check back later to register:

Reminder:  Microsoft Connections, MSDN, TechNet & TS2 events don’t charge for admission, but parking is your responsibility.

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Live Event – IW Services Opportunities in 2007

It’s almost time to get your ‘Information Worker’ learn on.  If you live in the ‘Heartland District‘ this Microsoft Partner-Only event is headed your way from March 26 – April 19, 2007.  

The content is broken into two sessions: Sales & Technical (dates & registration links are below.)

Sales Session Overview (2 hours):
Lunch and Learn presentation to partner sales reps on how to sell Information Worker (IW) solutions and services. Session will include resources, demos and sales tools.

Sales Session Agenda:

  • 11:00 am – Welcome and Sales Strategy Overview
  • 11:15 am – Overview of 2007 edition of Office System
  • 11:45 am – Luncheon Presentation
  • Selling Workflow & Forms Solutions
  • Selling Document Security
  • Selling Content and Document Management
  • Selling Real Time Communication
  • 12:45 pm – Tools and Resources to Help You Sell
  • 12:55 pm – Evaluations & Prize Giveaways
  • 1:00 pm – Sales Session Concludes


Technical Session Overview (3 hours):
Deep technical presentation to partner technical leads and personnel on how to position and implement Information Worker solutions in your customers accounts. Session will include resources, demos and additional training tools.

Technical Session Agenda:

  • 2:00 pm – Welcome and Overview of 2007 edition of Office System
  • 2:30 pm – Building Custom Workflow Solutions
  • Document Workflow
  • Integrating into LOB Apps and Scripts
  • 3:30 pm – Implementing Robust Content and Document Management Solutions
  • Migrating and Replacing File Folders
  • Implementing Company Wide Search
  • Setting Content Management Policies
  • 4:30 pm – Tools and Resources to Help You Deliver
  • 4:45 pm – Evaluations & Prize Giveaways
  • 5:00 pm – Technical Session Concludes


Locations & Registration Links:

· Southfield 3/26 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332362&Culture=en-US

· Grand Rapids – 3/28 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332351&Culture=en-US

· Nashville – 4/3 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332403&Culture=en-US

· Mason (Cincinnati) 4/11 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332366&Culture=en-US

· Cleveland 4/16 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332364&Culture=en-US

· Columbus 4/17 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332367&Culture=en-US

· Louisville 4/19 – http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032332365&Culture=en-US

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MAPS Webcast Redux

Lately I cringe every time I hear the phrase “Microsoft Action Pack Subscription” – almost as much as when I hear about Daylight Savings Time changes.  They are two topics that simply won’t die.  And like the indigestion from a gas station hot dog, the subject of MAPS rights is back with a vengeance. 

Eric Ligman says, “There have been a few questions about the latest Action Pack.” 

That’s the biggest understatement of February.  There have been a lot of questions, and they’re still coming.  Eric and Tram will be answering ‘what’ has changed with Action Pack licensing.  Yet the underlying theme of the questions on Schrag’s MAPS wiki are related to ‘why’. 

Tune in to the MAPS webcast tomorrow and see if we can get answers to our concerns.  Maybe if we learn the ‘why’ the ‘what’ will be a little easier to take:

Webcast:  “Understanding the latest MAPS Updates“
Date:  Wednesday February 14, 2007
Time:  2:30 PM Eastern (GMT -5)
Length:  1 hour
Hosts:  Eric Ligman & Tram Nguyen
Registration URL: http://www.msreadiness.com/WS_abstract.asp?eid=150…

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Whitepaper – Exchange IMF v2

Whitepaper title: Microsoft Exchange Server Intelligent Message Filter v2 Operations Guide
File name: IMF_SP2.doc
Version: 1.0
Date Published: Feb 7, 2007
Language: English
Download Size: 337 KB
Pages: 42
Download URL: Click here

Overview:
Microsoft Exchange Server Intelligent Message Filter v2 helps companies reduce the amount of unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE), also known as spam, received by users. This guide provides overall operational information to help optimize the performance of Exchange Server Intelligent Message Filter.

Whitepaper Contents:

  • Understanding Exchange Server IMF
  • Planning Your Exchange Server IMF
  • Configuring and Enabling IMF
  • Create an IMF
  • Specify Sender ID Filtering Options
  • IP Address Configuration for Sender ID Filtering
  • IP Address Configuration for Connection Filtering
  • Create a Connection Filtering Rule
  • Enable Connection Filtering
  • Enable IMF
  • Updating the Exchange Server IMF
  • Monitoring and Troubleshooting IMF
  • Customizing IMF
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So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish

As a general rule, I don’t blog about blogs.  But I’ll make an exception for Jim Allchin now that he’s retired from the mothership. 

Jim’s last Microsoft blog post entitled “What Comes Nest” was funny, sad, and insightful.  My favorite part was:

  • 4:30 PM: After a phone call with my Mom, I decided I needed to configure her account as a standard user for Windows Vista. This gives new meaning to “parental controls”, but a son has to do what a son has to do.
  • 5:00 PM: Dinner with the family. After they finished asking who was this strange man sitting at the dinner table, we had a great conversation about the kids’ day. May have spent too much time asking them “how they would have done things better” and “what do they see as their key areas for growth.”

Funny guy!  Who knows what he’ll achieve now that he’s an ex-Microsoftie. 🙂

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Vista Family Values

Microsoft launched Windows Vista this week and now you can buy it in 39,000 retail locations around the world, but you already knew that. 

And you already knew about the flavors of Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate.  Of course.

And you also already knew about the “Windows Vista Family Discount” right?  No?  Let me enlighten you:

“Enjoy the security, performance, and entertainment capabilities of Windows Vista throughout your home. Purchase the Windows Vista Ultimate retail boxed product, and you can upgrade up to two additional PCs in your household to Windows Vista Home Premium for only $49.99 ($59.99 CAD) each.* Order online, and within minutes you’ll be ready to upgrade your computers at over 60% off the estimated retail price!”

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsv…

Let’s do the Windows Vista Family Discount math (street prices / US dollars):

  • Vista Ultimate Upgrade + 2 ea. Home Premium Upgrades
    $249.99 + 153.99 + 153.99 = $349.97
    (Plus tax, shipping, etc.)

So how does pricing on the Windows Vista Family Discount stack up? 

Let’s compare:

  • Family Discount vs. 1 Ultimate & 2 Home Premium Upgrades
    ($349.97 vs. $249.99 + 153.99 + 153.99 = $557.97)
    Family Discount is $208 cheaper
  • Family Discount vs. 3 Home Premium Upgrades
    ($349.97 vs. $153.99 + 153.99 + 153.99 = $461.97)
    Family Discount is $112 cheaper
  • Family Discount vs. 1 Ultimate & 1 Home Premium Upgrade
    ($349.97 vs. $249.99 + 153.99 = $403.98)
    Family Discount is $54 cheaper

Verdict?  This is a SWEET deal because you can upgrade to Vista on three computers in your home cheaper than two computers.

Unfortunately, Microsoft is having fulfillment problems with the product ID keys.  So you might want to key an eye on that news story before taking the plunge.  But when they get the kinks ironed out people will be saving some serious dough.

And before anyone emails me…

  • Family Discount vs. 2 Home Premium Upgrades
    ($349.97 vs. $153.99 + 153.99 = $307.98)
    Family Discount is $41.99 more expensive
    (But you’re getting an extra Ultimate for that $41.99)
  • Family Discount vs. 1 copy of Vista Ultimate
    ($349.97 vs. $249.99)
    Family Discount is $99.98 more expensive
    (But you’re getting 2 Home Premium upgrades for that $99.98)
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