Geekette's Blogette

I have a laptop running VISTA Ultimate with an 80 GB hard-drive.  Something unseen to me is consuming my hard drive. Here's my steps in figuring out what is happening.  I have not resolved the issue yet, but will keep updating this post until it is resolved.

• I had already deleted all of my Temporary Internet Files using the IE Browser.
• After digging through the folders via Windows Explorer, I discovered that C:\Users\<my name>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows folder was 25GB.  Yet when I look inside the folder, none of the subfolders is large.  (I am showing all hidden files and folders).
• I then ran Windows Explorer as an Administrator.  (Navigated to C:\Windows\Explorer.exe).  I can now see a Temporary Internet Files folder under the C:\Users\<my name>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows folder.  This is nearly 25GB. (using right click- properties to check it).  However, the files and folders do not come close to 25GB.
• I checked the Previous Versions tab for the Temporary Internet Files.  There is one file and it is 23 GB! I now know the file, but I do not know of any way to delete it. 
• I deleted all of my System Restore points except the most recent.  (Control Panel - System and Maintenance - System - System Protection).  That only decreased the use by less than 1 GB.  I turned off  Restore Points and rebooted.  I still do not have my space back; so I turned automatic restore points back on.
• Next steps: Time to tweet and see if I can get a solution.

This month the RV.NUG decided to hold a yard sale right before the monthly meeting.  The reaon for this was to

• encourage attendance (following Code Camp and winter drop in attendance)
• give some older books and accumulation of geek items a good home

The yard sale worked.  We had the highest attendance since Code Camp, found good homes for the books.  We even met our secondary goal of making a little bit of money.

In addition, we realized a bigger (and unexpected) benefit. 

• We had the most networking before a monthly meeting ever! 

It didn't matter that the books were old or that the collection of items from trade shows were not high-tech gadgets.  Everyone still rummaged through the items and networked.  There were a lot of comments of "who still uses this?", "who would want this?", but it was fun.  I noticed a lot of contact information being traded between members during the yard sale. 

Looks like we will be adding a yard sale to the RV.NUG annual events. 

I admit, I am biased but RV.NUG is the best UG ever! Roanoke Code Camp 2009 showed why I think this. 

• Leadership TEAM. It was the leadership team’s idea to meet for lunch once a week for 8 weeks to plan the event. I thought it was too much to ask; but they wanted to do it because they wanted a great Code Camp and they like networking with each other. 
• RV.NUG and RVSPUG membership GROUP as the core group of attendees. The UG members promoted the event with enthusiasm. They showed up with enthusiasm early on a spring-like Saturday morning and helped make every attendee welcome. The members know how to network and used their skills throughout the day.
• Attendees. They showed up with enthusiasm and a passion to learn. They also showed up with appreciation for the opportunity. Many of the presenters say that Roanoke is their favorite place to present and it’s because of the attendees.
• Presenters. Many are presenters from prior years. They include local talent and talent from as far away as Philadelphia and Minnesota. Each have contributed countless volunteer time learning and preparing presentations simply to share their passion and knowledge with communities (both their own and others). 
• Volunteers. The volunteers were willing to do anything to help make the event run smoothly – anything from registration to carrying boxes or emptying trash. Many of the attendees became volunteers simply because they saw a need and helped out without being asked. 
• Contributors. It’s nice to have books to give away in each session; raffle prizes at the close; food to eat all day (and the night before if you’re a presenter or volunteer). 

Thanks to every person that participated. Each and every person was a contributor in making this a great event. 

Now for some proof that I am not totally biased. Here are comments from others on Roanoke Code Camp 2009.

• Getting ready to head home from #RoanokeCC. Had a great weekend everyone.
• Had a great time at #RoanokeCC today. Thanks to everyone that attended my sessions.
• Home. Great day at #RoanokeCC.
• Leaving Roanoke Code Camp after party. awesome Code Camp. Farewell my friends in the valley.
• #RoanokeCC rocked. See you again next year!
• #RoanokeCC was well worth!
• Done with my class at #RoanokeCC. It was worth the six hour drive :-)

• Thank you very much for your generous hospitality this weekend.  You and your team put in a great deal of hard work and it showed!  Yesterday’s Roanoke Code Camp was truly the best code camp I’ve attended.  It was a pleasure presenting and teaching my topic.  I would be very happy to present again at the event in the future.  
• When I got back home last evening, the first thing I told my wife was that Roanoke, VA is the most hospitable place on the planet!  My entire experience, ranging from the Hyatt hotel staff, the folks at Shakers, your user group members, the other speakers, event attendees and even the Virginia Wesleyan baseball team that I ran into at Burger King on the way home (only I could pick the only restaurant along I-81 where an entire college baseball team is stopping for dinner), was one of friendliness.  

• My favorite presentation was “everyone I saw”
• Thank you!
• Job Well Done RV.NUG/Code Camp Committee!
• Developers != Mornings, otherwise Great Job

• Andrew Duthie
  • Why I love my job and wouldn't want to do anything else
• Brian Hartsock
  • I attended my first Code Camp this past weekend. Overall, it was a great experience, although for a few reasons you might not expect. I learned a little about new .NET features, but the biggest benefit for me was the networking… Through Code Camp, blogging, and Twitter I have joined a community of developers much larger than Mailtrust’s. More

Photos:

• Kevin Hazzard: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wkhazzard/sets/72157614876475269/
• Susan Lennon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanlennonmct/sets/72157615045688716/

• Thank you notes (speakers, volunteers, contributors, attendees)
  • You have been communicating with these groups all along. Draft thank-you emails as you go. (You can add one or two lines after Code Camp if you like, but most of the work can be done prior to the event).
• Post speaker content to the web
  • Get speaker content early (if possible – even if you only get 2 or 3, it’s helpful).
  • Leave a flash drive in the speaker room so they can easily leave content the day of Code Camp.
  • Have everything in place to easily upload files.
• Connect prize winners with vendors
  • See thank you notes. Have the emails drafted and ready to go so all you have to do is add the winner’s contact information.
• Cleanup
  • If you put one person in charge, this usually is not a problem. Everyone wants to leave and we’ve never had a problem getting people to pitch in – IF we have someone asking for help.

We are now accepting speakers / presentations for the third Roanoke Code Camp (western Virginia) being held on Saturday, March 7th at Virginia Western Community College. 

If you have presented at a past Roanoke Code Camp -- welcome back!  Our past reviews tell us we want you back.  If you've never presented at a RCC, welcome!

We will be having 4-5 tracks this year with topics including .NET anything and everything, SQL Server and SharePoint.  If you would like to present this year please submit the following information

SPEAKER: Name, Email, Bio
SESSION: Title, Level (100,200,300), Abstract

During the closing session of Virginia Beach SharePoint Saturday, I guy came in alone and sat next to me.  I started chatting with him and found he was very impressed with the event.  He had never heard of User Groups, Code Camps and had found out about SharePoint Saturday by chance.  He wanted to know how to find out more.  My initial reaction was to collect his email address, promise to send him information and then maybe send it to him in a few weeks. 

Then I remembered and gave him the link to CommunityMegaphone.  He had his laptop, immediately checked out the site and bookmarked it.  I have shared that site so many times as an easy to remember way to keep up with events. 

Then he asked what user groups there were in his area.  Turns out he was from the DC area so I started listing them.  He mentioned he was from the same town as the mid-Atlantic DE, Andrew Duthie.  I remembered the user group map on Andrew's blog of all the mid-Atlantic user groups.  I shared the link, he clicked the map and said "Wow!  This is great.  I can find out anything I want to know between these two sites."

Thanks Andrew, for making it easy to share with the developer community.

The first, ever (but not last) SharePoint Saturday was held January 10th in Virginia Beach.  Congratulations to the organizers of this very successful event.  The primary organizers were

• Susan Lennon - Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads UG leader
• Michael Lotter - SharePoint architect, author and evangalist
• Kevin Israel - Richmond UG leader

There was an awesome lineup of presenters including many SharePoint MVPs and authors.  Each of them volunteered not only their time but many paid their own expenses.  I saw sessions from the following and all were excellent.  There were at least five more sessions I would have liked to attend but I have yet to figure out how to attend two sessions at once.  The organizers have promised to post slide content soon. 

• Todd Bleeker
• Joel Oleson
• Josh Carlisle
• Becky Isserman

As always, I spent time talking to old friends and making new ones. 

There will be more SharePoint Saturdays.  Kansas City and New York have been scheduled and there are more in planning stages including DC.  Watch for news on their site and register early.  The inaugural event sold out!

Roanoke Valley .NET User Group meetings and events for the first quarter of 2009 has been scheduled.  For more details visit www.rvnug.org

I received this in an email from a friend (thanks Bret!); I enjoyed it so much I had to blog it. Merry Christmas!

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Rep eat step #3.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

 Remember this motto to live by:

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, 'WOO HOO what a ride!'

A user group officer has referred a friend to me -- his friend wants to start a user group and does not know where to begin.  The three of us are going to work together to get a group up and running.  I will blog my advice, the acutal steps (and notes on what works and what doesn't). 

Phase 1:  In this phase, we're going to start planning and create the user group.  The group must exist before you can do anything else (promote it, recruit speakers etc). 

• Find one enthused person that wants to spearhead the effort.  (We've got that).
• Contact existing user group leaders.  They will have contacts with Microsoft, presenters and vendors. (Did that).
• Find a few other local folks to assist.  Assist is the key word here.  At this stage of planning, you definitely need a point person -- ruling by commitee tends to slow things down.  Things they can do that will help:
  • The folks will turn into the initial user group core.  They can help along the way.  Just as important, they will be attending almost all UG meetings and the UG networking will radiate from this initial group. 
  • Begin creating a distribution list of potential members
• Find a venue and pick a recurring date/time for the meetings.  Consistency is very important.  This makes it easy for members to plan to attend the meetings.  Also, it makes it easier for the UG leadership to do everything; scheduling presentations, marketing, recruiting sponsors, venue setup/cleanup, communication with members.  Some ideas for venues:
  • Community colleges (this one is especially nice because they also provide a great avenue for promoting the group)
  • Training rooms of local companies
  • Libraries
• Create a user group name. 
  • Make it easy to remember.  For ideas look for other user group names.  INETA is a great place to start. 
  • Make sure there is a domain name available.  (Having a web site will be a requirement).

December user group meeting we combined the Roanoke Valley .NET User Group and Roanoke VAlley SharePoint User Group into one meeting.  Kudos to Kevin Israel for addressing an audeince that is:

• 50% SharePoint Admins that do not know .NET
• 50% .NET Develoeprs that have never seen SharePoint

He lived up to the promise of providing contnet for all.  Quick overview of SharePoint OTB, SharePoint Object Model and SharePoint Services and then a demo in C#. 

Might have to do this again sometime before next December.  Good turnout, good interaction from both groups.

(Note: Slides will be posted soon to both user group site RV.NUG and RVSPUG)

Steve Ballmer raised the Search Challenge to MVPs at 2008 Summit, with the words, “I’m going to ask you one week switch your default, one week. At the end of the week…I’ll want feedback, how was your week, what happened, what did you like, what didn’t you like … Can I make that deal with you? (Cheers and applause.) That’s the deal.”

I was there, I agreed, so here goes... I'm giving up Google and going to use Live Search for one week.  For one week I have the opportunity to provide feedback every time I wish I received different results. 

I'm sure the real goal is for me to stay with Live Search and not return to Google. 

If you want to join in and provide feedback, just post comments to this post. 

I recently had a problem with Excel 2007 where the cell contents did not show.  I could see the contents in Print Preview and in the formula bar.

Research via goggle showed me that it was likely to be caused by Wrapped Text on Merged Cells.  I didn't have Merged cells, but I did have wrapped text.  I was able to see the contents again if I

• used the ToolBar and did Clear - All formats. 

This is nice, but I need it formatted.  It is a standard worksheet used by the entire organization.

More oddities

• Other users could open and view the contents on their laptops
• I could see the contents when I didn't have my laptop docked
• It worked for months and then just quit working one day.

The fix (thanks Jennifer!)

• Changing the font size, changing the monitor resolution did NOT fix the problem
• Remove the laptop from the dock, boot the machine and delete the dock profile, redock the machine and let a new profile be created.  Problem cleared.

Not sure what was in the profile causing the problem, but I hope it doesn't come back.

I'm a developer .. I have avoided learning infrastructure.  After all, there is enough to learn as a developer - how can I possibly have time to learn that as well.  As such, I do not have a tool kit to accomplish some seemingly simple tasks, such as moving folders that have a deep folder structure or a large volume of data (or both). 

Scott Hanselman has an excellent article on 3 tools to accomplish just this.  Not only can you restart a copy due to a network interruption, you can copy only what has changed. Here's Scott's link

For a quick reference, here's the 3 he recommends.

RoboCopy

SyncBackSE

XXCopy