Tangible Thoughts

I am not using Windows 7, but I like it

Tariq — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:04:10 GMT

I am not using Windows 7 (at least not yet), but I am using Windows 2008 R2, which has the Windows 7 shell. I've been using it a couple of days and I like it a lot, I find the new win7 ui-shell very usefull, very productive. There are things I like a lot in it that makes my life easier. Specially 1. Improvements to Windows Explorer, Favorites and Libraries 2. Jump Lists 3. The new taskbar 4. How the Show desktop button is non intrusive, but readily accesible 5. the new tray area with app icons hidden. I think microsoft has a winner here with Win7/UI-Shell

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

Whats wrong with this code?

Tariq — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:30:57 GMT

[code]

/// <summary>
/// Gets or sets the site URL.
/// </summary>
/// <value>The site URL.</value>
[WebBrowsable(true),
WebDescription("Url of the site to process reports on"),
WebDisplayName("Site Url"),
Personalizable(PersonalizationScope.Shared)]
public string SiteUrl
{
    get
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(siteUrl))
        {
            return SPContext.Current.Web.Url;
        }
        return siteUrl;
    }
    set
    {
        siteUrl = value;
    }
}

[/code]

The above code snippet looks like a reasonable WebPart Propperty. In-fact you will find nothing weird with it untill you provision this webpart through a feature.

What happens is the reference to the SPContext…. in the property messes up the WebPart Order on the page and moves the webpart to Order 1 (i.e. first webpart on the zone), no matter what other preference you would have set in your feature.

Interesting eh? Something to keep in mind for future

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

Looking for a Media Server

Tariq — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:45:17 GMT

I have been looking for a software for a specific purpose but havent found it yet, so was wondering if anyone out there knew of something that serves this purpose.

Let me explain.
I want to have a Centralised Media Repository at home, like a server which other devices (laptops, pda etc) can connect to and listen to mp3s etc off the server (possibly by streaming). Users connecting to the server should be able to search media, browse media by album, artist etc.

Does anyone know of any software that suits this purpose?

Shell extention for wsp files

Tariq — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:00:49 GMT

This is old news but still its a great tip http://www.harbar.net/archive/2007/04/25/Rightclick-a-.WSP-to-Add-Solution.aspx How to get an "Add Solution" option as a shell extention in windows explorer

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

Office Communicator Mobile

Tariq — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:18:44 GMT

There is a new version of Office Communicator Mobile available.

But one feature that I really want is still missing, i.e. for COMO (Communicator Mobile) to run of the storage card. Microsoft Guys please can you add this? The main memory on the phones are not huge you know, typically about 100 MB or less, which gets consumed by every other app for some reason or other wanting to dump some files into the /Windows.

Technet points to the folowing

"Can I install Communicator Mobile (2007 release) on my device’s storage card?

No. Installing Communicator Mobile (2007 release) on a storage card is not supported because a device does not necessarily immediately detect a storage card when the device starts. As a result, Communicator Mobile’s auto-start feature cannot function as intended. Installing Communicator Mobile to a storage card is also not supported because when a device’s battery is low, the operating system stops running programs that are installed on the device’s storage card."

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb963948.aspx

But what if I don't want communicator on my today screen or for it to auto start, then can I please still install it on my Storage card.

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

Windows Mobile Development

Tariq — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:55:49 GMT

Over the last few months there has been quite a bit of news regarding Windows Mobile that has focused on 'pumping-up' the platform to compete with everything else out there (including the iphone)

for instance

But what has me stumped is the cost of breaking into development, the IDE Visual Studio Standard Edition still requires some hard thinking before investing for the hobby developer (which as you would notice accounts for quite a percentage of the Apps on the Apps Store)

Which brings me to the following question "What has Microsoft to lose by making a Visual Studio Express: Mobile Development Edition?". If they do make an express version for Windows Mobile development, wont there be a ROI if the apps developed make their way to the MarketPlace.

Also in my opinion the Windows OS got its leg up against all of its competitor because of the number of applications available for it.

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

Find the NetBios Name of a domain in AD

Tariq — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:16:50 GMT

Its been quite a bit of struggle for me to find an accurate way of finding the netbios name of a domain from AD using System.DirectoryServices.

In case you are in the same jam here how you do it.

Connect to AD using the following ldap url:
LDAP://CN=Partitions,CN=Configuration,DC=<DomainName>,DC=<local|com>
When querying AD using the Directory Searcher object uses the following filter:
netbiosname=*

This should give you a record from AD containing the netbios name of the domain as the CN

Explanation

AD stores the the netbios name in the Partitions naming container which is stored inside the configuration naming container.

A more detailed explanation and more samples can be found in the Active Directory Cookbook or its online version

Code sample:

 // Method call
 string netBiosName = GetNetBiosName( LDAP://CN=Partitions,CN=Configuration,DC=<DomainName>,DC=<local|com>,  "<userName"", "<password>");
 // Method call
  
 // Method Definition
 private string GetNetBiosName(
    string ldapUrl, 
    string userName, 
    string password)
{
    string netbiosName = string.Empty;
    DirectoryEntry dirEntry = new DirectoryEntry(ldapUrl,
            userName, password);  
    DirectorySearcher searcher = new DirectorySearcher(dirEntry);
    searcher.Filter = "netbiosname=*";
    searcher.PropertiesToLoad.Add("cn");  
    SearchResultCollection results = searcher.FindAll();
    if (results.Count > 0)
    {
        ResultPropertyValueCollection rpvc = results[0].Properties["CN"];
        netbiosName = rpvc[0].ToString();
    }
    return netbiosName;
}

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

The Page Hunt Game for Bing

Tariq — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:11:05 GMT

From neowin.net I came across this game.

http://pagehunt.msrlivelabs.com/PlayPageHunt.aspx

Its not exactly a great timer waster but its good for a good 5 minutes before you get bored.

What I still don't get is, Bing should take into account any suggestion we may make for returning the page result, instead of saying "no thats not it".

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

Windows Mobile App: ZoomSMS

Tariq — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:28:27 GMT

Here is a cool app for Windows Mobile. It gives you 2 neat icons on your today screen to indicate missed calls or text messages. Clicking on the icons shows you a popup with text message, or missed call phone number.

You can get it from here.

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

My Hiccup is Gone (the one I had 5 mins ago)

Tariq — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:38:20 GMT

Yep, Just followed these instructions and they worked.

http://www.cognitial.com/hiccups.asp

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

Site Highlight: WMPoweruser.com

Tariq — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:52:09 GMT

If you are a Windows Mobile User, then this site should be one of your frequent haunts.

Its not? well take a look-see anyway it has a whole bunch of reviews and news.

http://wmpoweruser.com/

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

Windows 7 - Home Premium is $49.99 on Amazon as well

Tariq — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:12:37 GMT

Amazon is offering pre-orders for Windows & Home Premium at $49.99 as well. Just a heads up because I thought previously thought the offer was only from store.microsoft.com

Link:http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Home-Premium-Upgrade/dp/B002DHLUWK

Crossposted from tariqayad.com

Did you know: Did you know that VWD 2008 can load class libraries as well.

Tariq — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:31:55 GMT

Did you know that Visual Web Developer 2008 can load class libraries as well. It can with SP1 installed, and it seems a bit hidden to expose this functionality.

The trick is to enable "Show Solution" in the solution pane. here is the tip on the official blog.

Once you have the solution showing on Solution Explorer, you can your class library projects. Please note this requires VWD 2008 SP1.

911 - MOSS Query Tool

Tariq — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:12:08 GMT

With the closure of GotDotNet this wonderful tool has gone missing. I redid my machine today and went looking for it. I couldn't find any alternative hosting for it either.

Does anyone have a copy of it that they can share please? Would greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks,

Tariq

Cross-posted from tariqayad.com

AT&T Goes Surface

Tariq — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:01:24 GMT

Saw this two posts on Gizmodo.

WOW, I thought surface was commercially still some time away.

http://gizmodo.com/375055/att-stores-the-first-to-get-microsofts-surface-table

http://gizmodo.com/375328/att-surface-retail-demo-buying-a-cellphone-finally-doesnt-suck

Technorati Tags: Surface,Microsoft,AT&T

Cross-posted from tariqayad.com