Perspective

Gmail Chat Bug: Excessive CPU Usage when Chat is blocked

Gary Pronych — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:15:00 GMT

For those of you using Gmail and the integrated Gmail chat client you could be affected by this bug if access to the Google talk server is blocked by a firewall or another method.

The past 2 weeks I noticed that Gmail is using 100% of one of my processors when I am at the office.
Access to the Google talk servers is blocked at our firewall so my Gmail integrated chat client is disabled when in Gmail, at least that is what Gmail tells me.
See the attached picture on the right.

However, when the integrated chat is expanded (+) it uses 100% of one processor even though it reads 'chat is disabled'.
If I collapse the chat module (-) this problem goes away, processor usage goes to normal levels.

I assume the Gmail chat client is unneccessarily trying to connect to the chat server even though the client is 'disabled'.
Fail!

I have posted this bug on Google forums and I will update this post once I have been notified this has been resolved.
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/gmail/thread?tid=4ba2c7660e1a21d6&hl=en

For now, if your chat client is disabled, collapse the feature or else you will be running with one less processor.

*Gmail integrated chat client expanded

I have confirmed this a problem with
- FireFox 3.5.2
- Chrome 2.0.172.43

Gary Pronych

GreenIT Communities and Events

Gary Pronych — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:26:09 GMT

Taking a GreenIT approach does not mean that you have to scrap entire projects.
As IT professionals it is native for us to look for the most efficient way to complete tasks; why not take this skill to the next level?

Everyone in the IT community can participate in GreenIT. Here are some roles and how they can contribute

Architect : Green design, integration
Developer : Reduce the "energy footprint" of your applications, CPU cycles, bandwidth/traffic
SQL Professional : Performance tuning, indexes, Access to SQL back-end as hugely green
DBA : balancing the other 3 and managing actual execution of the green data center
Network / Hosting Environment : Designing, building, maintaining the green data center through virtualization, terminal servers, power management.
Procurement : Small form factor computer components, LED LCDs, Energy Star, RoHS compliance
Everyone : Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Stakeholders : The more of the above you implement, it reduces your energy footprint which saves $$$$

DevConnections is now offering GreenIT tracks starting with their Orlando conference March 22, 2009.

I met Kathy Malone at DevConnections in Las Vegas 2008, she runs the Green .NET User Group.
Kathy will be hosting 3 of the Green IT sessions

What Green Means to IT Professionals and Why You Should Care
Green Across the Supply Chain: A Global Perfect Storm is Brewing for Chemicals. Will You Ride the Wave or be Washed Away By It?
Greening Your Business Case and Your Corporate Culture: Using Green to Support Your Projects

For those that cannot attend DevConnections there are resources for you as well.

Florida.NET is hosting a Live meeting for anyone Feb 18th on Does Green IT Matter?
Check out Kathy Malone’s blog
Check out the Microsoft Sustainability Panel at TechEd Online
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/events/teched/cc676818.aspx put in keyword “sustain” and it should get you there (low resolution mp3 gets all the content).
Hypothesis on GreenIT
Green Computing on Wikipedia

Stay green,

Gary Pronych

DevConnections Keynote: Next 10 Years of IT

Gary Pronych — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:48:14 GMT

Steve Riley, Microsoft Senior Security Strategist provided a keynote at DevConnections in Las Vegas.

The topic was, ‘Next 10 years of IT’.
The keynote was very unique and thought provoking, so I would like to share some thoughts.

Green IT

How many servers do you have in your server room? What is their utilization?

Personally, over my last few clients I know of a handful of servers that running less than 20% CPU utilization. Is this efficient?
If these machines where VM’d they could be reallocated and share resources on a single box.

This is a very important strategy in an area where businesses have growing concerns with their bottom line as the market tightens.

Streamline IT

In an era with SOA taking the stage, it is very possible program developers will only write services.
Information workers can use tools like WorkFlow (WF) to connect single responsibility services, this tool will allow them to assign business rules and logic.
A lot of productivity is lost explaining business logic / rules to programmers. If we could provide our business users with the tools to write their own rules, there will be signification productivity gains.

Consolidation of Vendors and Services

We did a quick review of hardware vendors from the 80’s to today; there were 20+ server vendors from this area. Today there are less than 10.
Is this because these companies could not adapt to change? Or they could not innovate?

IT must be Adaptive to Change

We did a quick review of the mainframe era, how IBM ruled the industry; soon thereafter, the PC came available.
It was desirable for end users to use personal devices, the mainframe systems could not adapt, therefore were left behind.
IBM ended up being left behind and lost significant market share.

How do we predict the future?
By looking at the past; history tends to repeat. We need to be agile and open to new ideas.

SharePoint Patterns and Practices Announced

Gary Pronych — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:03:47 GMT

Microsoft has announced the launch Patterns and Practices for SharePoint at DevConnections Las Vegas.
http://www.codeplex.com/spg

The MOSS P&P launch affirms that MOSS will be around for some time.
Microsoft has been pushing MOSS as their portal solution; Intranet and Internet. It is becoming clear that MOSS is becoming much more than a portal solution.
The director of SharePoint, Thomas Rizzo, wouldn’t comment on the release date of SP1 but he did recommend that all SharePoint users should install the infrastructure update.

Recently I have been working on a Business Intelligence (BI) planning team; we are looking to migrate to SQL 2008 as a BI platform.
A part of our process was to have a webcast with some Microsoft team members to showcase some of the features with company stakeholders.

Our agenda was to discuss reporting services in particular (SSRS). When it came time for the webcast, the demonstration focused more on Performance Point 2007 than SSRS.
One of the requirements for Performance Point is that it must run on SharePoint 2007.

To summarize, in order to get to ‘the Microsoft recommend BI platform’ you need to purchase.

1. SQL 2008

2. MOSS

3. Performance Point 2007

I think it is great that all 3 of these products work well together, but that also means our budget and resource requirements multiply by 3x plus.

Burdens of a Small Market User Group Leader

Gary Pronych — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:18:48 GMT

All .NET developers should know that there are a number of Launch events across Canada in the coming months.
US and International developers can use this link for registration information.

Larger cities are hosting big splash 'Launch and Technical Readiness' events which are the big bang marketing events for Microsoft.
The big cities and smaller cities will have a 'Community Connections' event which is a typically a more user group community orientated event.

Being a user group leader of a community with 150+ members I can understand we do not qualify for a big bang event; I am more than content with a community event.

My frustration is that everything you do in small market is an up hill battle.
- Limited Sponsors
- Limited experts to assist with events
- Advertisers avoid your region because of size

I can't speak for the large markets, but personally I would have an easier time coordinating events with additional resources in this area.

As Community Connection events are selling out nationally, I haven't even been able to confirm my event location; I just confirmed my speakers with 18 days to my event.

My point is that the Microsoft user group model supports large communities; for me it resolves to the old cliché 'The rich get richer, the poor get poorer'.

I can't decide what my call to action is here, I have shared my voice with my fellow developers at a DevTeach Summit and Microsoft Developer Evangelist to no avail; I just continue to climb the uphill battle.

Challenge 1 of Infinity

2 Parts Personal Developer

Gary Pronych — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:31:20 GMT

Last year, a number of developers participated in a 'Becoming a Better Developer' challenge issued by Justice Gray; I commend their efforts.

As a software developer, your entire career is devoted personal development.
What I love about this challenge is that it forces you to take a look at your goals and commit to a plan.

Not everyone can accomplish reading 27 books in x days, or even 1 year (myself included).
It requires a strong desire and commitment; a minor set back can easily cause derailment.

In my creed, I have 2 personal challenges everyday to make me a better developer
1) Learn something new
2) Make something better while using good practices

Some days I don't succeed both challenges; the beauty is that the next challenge is only the next business day away.
You only need to win the battle, not the war.

In a constantly changing industry, we are forced to revamp our skill set every 1.2 years!

For example, let's look at the .NET framework release schedule (RTM)
In 6 years, we have had 5 major releases.
For you veterans out there, I am sure you can look back at 1.0 and compare it to what you have seen of 3.5; even minor steps from 1.0 to 1.1 were significant.
Sure, a developer can transition from VB6 to .NET with a slight curve using VB6 development practices; but does that make them a .NET developer?
Sure.
Does that make them a good .NET developer?
No.

What makes a good developer?
Using the tools available to you at their full potential; where tools include IDE's, utilities and soft skills.
For .NET, using good OO design, recognizing design patterns will get you started.

I love the quote, 'Once code is written, it has entered maintenance mode'; which came from JP Boodhoo in his 'Nothin' but .NET' course.
I am firm believer in building a solid core that JP and Donald Belcham teach in this series; if you get an opportunity, attend one of these courses.

I worked with JP in 2007 to bring 'Nothin' but .NET' to Regina, SK Canada; If they will come to share the gospel with us, they can work with you to bring this course to your area.

As a developer, what can I do to build a solid core?
Go back to basics, take manageable challenges
1) Learn something new
2) Make something better using good practices
3) Read articles on your topic of interest - Increase your knowledge

Because of the way the industry continuously is changing, it is very important to have a continuous learning plan.
Hence my subtitle; 1 Part Developer, 2 Parts Personal Developer.

I challenge you to consider a similar creed; become a better developer everyday.

Green is the Color... Development is the Game?!

Gary Pronych — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:20:20 GMT

There is no hiding behind the fact; I am Green, I am Canadian, I am Saskatchewan.
Therefore I must wear my colors on this page of green to show pride in the 2007 Grey Cup Champions the Saskatchewan Roughriders; and while hailing from the province that has the most golf courses, per capita, in the world.

As my first GWB post, it seems appropriate to introduce myself.
I have been a .NET developer since .NET 1.0 back in 2002; behind the curtain there is a some ASP 3.0 EXP that we won't get into today... or ever.

I am the founder of the Regina.NET user group community in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
It can go without saying (but should be said), .NET and community are my passion.
At GWB I plan on living out both passions.

I have been interested in blogging for awhile, and finally decided there is no better time than now, thanks D'Arcy.

As part of my community involvement, I am participating in the Microsoft Heroes Community Launch as the Launch Leader and Visual Studio 2008 presenter.

I plan on sharing some of my thoughts, learnings, unlearnings and I would love to hear from you!