Martin Hinshelwood's Blog

Messenger United

Martin Hinshelwood — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:50:39 GMT

Although the site is a little skewed today…

…This is an excellent application. Role on the LinkedIn sync.

When you click the button (the big green one) you get taken to another site that has the actual application on it.

This it seams is part of Microsoft's Connected Systems initiative that Bill has been pushing for years. They are now starting to open up their services (recently with their Exchange and Messenger products) to allow better integration with third parties.

For those that do not use Hotmail (perish the thought) the only sync / import available is the Facebook one.

Technorati Tags: Connected Systems,Windows Live,Windows Live Messenger

Error creating listener in Team Build

Martin Hinshelwood — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:09:29 GMT

If, like me you are trying to run tests against your web services and you the error below, you will need to give permission to the service account that runs your Build Agent to create listeners in IIS.

Class Initialization method TestServiceProjects.RentalCentreServiceRemoteTest.MyClassInitialize threw exception. System.ServiceModel.AddressAccessDeniedException: System.ServiceModel.AddressAccessDeniedException: HTTP could not register URL http://+:3456/RentalCentreServiceRemoteTest/. Your process does not have access rights to this namespace (see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=70353 for details). ---> System.Net.HttpListenerException: Access is denied.

I first tried giving the service account administrator rights, and this did not work, so I added “Act as part of operating system”. Lo and behold, that worked…

Happy now…

Technorati Tags: VSTS,Team Build,TFS,MSBuild,Visual Studio Team System,Team Foundation Server,Visual Studio Team Foundation Build

TFS Error: MSB4018 The "BuildShadowTask" task failed unexpectedly

Martin Hinshelwood — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:54:05 GMT

There seams to be a problem in MSBuild when you add an “Accessor” as part of a Unit Test project.

C:\Program Files\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v9.0\TeamTest\Microsoft.TeamTest.targets(14,5): error MSB4018: The "BuildShadowTask" task failed unexpectedly.
System.IO.FileLoadException: API restriction: The assembly 'file:///C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\System.Web.dll' has already loaded from a different location. It cannot be loaded from a new location within the same appdomain.
   at System.Reflection.Assembly._nLoad(AssemblyName fileName, String codeBase, Evidence assemblySecurity, Assembly locationHint, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, Boolean throwOnFileNotFound, Boolean forIntrospection)
   at System.Reflection.Assembly.nLoad(AssemblyName fileName, String codeBase, Evidence assemblySecurity, Assembly locationHint, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, Boolean throwOnFileNotFound, Boolean forIntrospection)
   at System.Reflection.Assembly.InternalLoad(AssemblyName assemblyRef, Evidence assemblySecurity, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, Boolean forIntrospection)
   at System.Reflection.Assembly.InternalLoadFrom(String assemblyFile, Evidence securityEvidence, Byte[] hashValue, AssemblyHashAlgorithm hashAlgorithm, Boolean forIntrospection, StackCrawlMark& stackMark)
   at System.Reflection.Assembly.ReflectionOnlyLoadFrom(String assemblyFile)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting.Publicize.WebBinder.LoadData()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting.Publicize.WebBinder.Init()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting.Publicize.Shadower..ctor()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.BuildShadowReferences.BuildShadowTask.Execute()
   at Microsoft.Build.BuildEngine.TaskEngine.ExecuteInstantiatedTask(EngineProxy engineProxy, ItemBucket bucket, TaskExecutionMode howToExecuteTask, ITask task, Boolean& taskResult)

An Accessor allows your test project to access code that would normally be “Private” or “Friend” from outside the Assembly that it resides in.

It creates a little file with the “.accessor” extension that is the same name as your DLL, and contains the name of the DLL.

If you remove this file then your remote MSBuild server will then build you solution successfully again including running your Unit Tests.

Reference:

Re: BuildShadowTask Failed unexpectedly - Accessor Problem (Upconvert VS 2005 to 2008) – URGENT

BuildShadowTask Failed unexpectedly - Accessor Problem (Upconvert VS 2005 to 2008) – URGENT

Technorati Tags: MSB4018,VSTS,TFS,MSBuild,Team Foundation Server,Visual Studio Team System

OutSync with proxy servers

Martin Hinshelwood — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:01:00 GMT

If like me you want to try the rather groovy sync tool for Outlook that syncs your contacts (and pictures ) with your outlook contacts, which will then be displayed on your mobile phone, and you are behind a proxy server, then this info is for you…

NOTE: This will work for any .NET application where the developer has not already set it…

Open the [applicationname].config file in the install location and add:

<system.net>
<defaultProxy useDefaultCredentials="true">
<proxy usesystemdefault="True" />
</defaultProxy>
</system.net>

Just above the closing </configuration> tags. This will allow your application to authenticate with a proxy server…

Technorati Tags: .NET Framework, Proxy

TFS Event Handler Update

Martin Hinshelwood — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:48:20 GMT

The TFS Event Handler project on CodePlex has been updated today to take care of a number of bugs that were introduced in the last update. These have all been fixed and we are currently dogfooding with the new release. The Event Handlers have also been updated to take care of some issues that we found when using them in anger...

Download the latest working release here

View the Documentation here

Technorati Tags: TFS Event Handler, Team Foundation Server, TFS

SharePoint Solutions Rant

Martin Hinshelwood — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:25:24 GMT

<Rant>

There needs to be a way to easily build MOSS Solutions in Visual Studio. I know that there are a bunch of bits and pieces available form Microsoft and third parties, but I want an end to end solution.

You should be able to create a SharePoint "Solution" in Visual Studio. Then Add Feature projects to it that can contain many list or site bits with the ability to compile and build the solution file that can be uploaded into SharePoint with out all of this faffing around...

Oh, and you should be able to do it remotely! On a workstation!

</Rant>

Technorati Tags: MOSS, Sharepoint, Rant

Developing for SharePoint on your local computer

Martin Hinshelwood — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:21:48 GMT

If you are wanting to developer solutions for SharePoint in Visual Studio 2008 then you need a couple of things to get started:

You will need to install VSeWSS 1.1.
http://blogs.msdn.com/sharepoint/archive/2008/02/11/announcing-the-final-release-of-vsewss-1-1-and-the-upcoming-version-1-2.aspx
Then follow the instructions on Martin Vollmer`s Blog in his post on getting it installed without Sharepoint.
http://blogs.msdn.com/martinv/archive/2008/03/19/new-registry-file-for-developing-moss2007-projects-in-a-workstation-xp-or-vista.aspx
And to get workflow working you need to again follow the instructions on Martin Vollmer`s Blog in his post on getting the workflow dll's out of the server.
http://blogs.msdn.com/martinv/archive/2008/01/21/developing-custom-moss-2007-sharepoint-workflows-on-a-remote-workstation.aspx

Although this is convoluted it does work...

If you are developing for either of my MOSS Codeplex Projects (MOSS Time Off Management or MOSS Designer Workflow Activities) then you will need this up and running if you do not want to have to install everything on a SharePoint server...

UPDATE: If you can get this to work, you must be a SharePoint developer guru

Technorati Tags: MOSS, MOSSTOM, MOSS Time Of Management, Sharepoint, WF, MOSS Designer Workflow Activities, MOSSDWA

Change of plan

Martin Hinshelwood — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:27:04 GMT

After having thought about it for a while I think that my idea not to create a separate TOM system independent of MOSS was a bit of a silly idea. The whole point of the system is to exist in any environment, so the first version will exist separate of SharePoint. The main advantage of this will be debugging and testing....

The first version will use simple web pages as stubs to the SharePoint bits, but the final version will need to run in MOSS.

This project will give me an idea of how complicated it will be to produce SharePoint features and how much time will be spent in bug fixing...

Technorati Tags: MOSS, Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server, MOSSTOM, TOM, Time Off Management, Sharepoint, WF

Creating a SharePoint Solution

Martin Hinshelwood — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:03:38 GMT

Over the next few weeks I will be blogging my escapades in developing an application solution for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server. I have entitled the application "MOSS Time Off Management" and it will be up on CodePlex for all to follow @ http://www.codeplex.com/mosstom (coming soon).

The idea behind this application is twofold:

First to give me a project that I can get my teeth into to learn all of the ins and outs of the SharePoint model, including how one debugs and developers for it. And second to give my company a working system at the end... There is nothing like dogfooding and everyone should eat what they make.

It will be build in .NET 3.5 and use a combination of WebParts, Workflow, InfoPath, SQL Server and a few other assorted munchies. I will be trying to include Test Driven Devolvement (but that will be determined by SharePoint) and I will be building the installer first.

Although this application will not stand alone (although I may have to build a skeleton if SharePoint becomes a pain), it will be able to be deployed globaly on many servers (SharePoint farms) around the world with a single point of truth...

Now I am scared....

Technorati Tags: MOSS, Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server, Sharepoint, InfoPath, WF, Workflow

Linked in VSTS Group

Martin Hinshelwood — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:52:22 GMT

If you are a developer who customises or extends Visual Studio Team System then this LinkedIn group is for you...

VSTS Developer

NOTE: All requests to join these groups will be checked before they will be approved. Evidence of your participation in VSTS development.

Technorati Tags: VSTS, TFS, Team Foundation Server, Visual Studio Team System, LinkedIn

Linked in Codeplex developers group

Martin Hinshelwood — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:41:37 GMT

If you are a developer on Codeplex then there are now two Codeplex LinkedIn groups for you to join.

Codeplex Developer

All members must have an account with CodePlex and be a developer on at least one project. Please provide your account name after requesting to join...

Codeplex Coordinator

All members must be a Coordinator of at least one Codeplex project.

NOTE: All requests to join these groups will be checked before they will be approved. Please provide a link to your Codeplex profile.

Technorati Tags: Codeplex, Developer, LinkedIn, Coordinator, Codeplex Developer, Codeplex Coordinator

Post Event: MSDN Roadshow (Glasgow)

Martin Hinshelwood — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:08:40 GMT

Spent the day yesterday at the MSDN Roadshow in Glasgow. It was a very good day that provided me a deeper insight into the ADO.NET Entity Framework, Data Services and Silverlight 2 (Which I like even though I did not like Silverlight 1... no JavaScript).

The last session on Team Suit was a little marred by Neil Kidd being rather ill...get well soon Neil...but I followed it anyway, but I do think that other attendees became lost fairly quickly...we all have bad days...

If you have not been lucky enough, or bothered to attend then you can get all the resources from http://www.msdnroadshow.co.uk/.

Oh, and I managed to blag myself a new keyboard which is pretty nifty, I would never have forked out for on my own, and a F5 MSDN T-shirt, which is a might tight...

Technorati Tags: MSDN, MSDN Roadshow, MSDN Roadshow 2008, Glasgow, Scotland

Post event: Developer Day Scotland...

Martin Hinshelwood — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:32:21 GMT

What a fantastic day... Thanks to Colin Mackay for the fantastic job he did organising this event and I hope that there will be more events like this in Glasgow in the future...

I can only comment on the speakers that I attended, but they were all very impressive...

Guy Smith-Ferrier did an excellent presentation on ADO.NET Data Services which I now understand and see the benefits and applications of, thanks Guy. And Ben Lamb did an interesting session on "Anti-Patterns" that left me thinking a lot about code I had written in the past, you can find his presentation on his blog...

After lunch when you normally start to fall asleep we got a session on Continuous integration from Richard Fennell that sparked my interest (more on team system Richard). Then came the speaker that probably had the most impact for me. The talk was entitled "Red, Green, Refactor!" and was all about "Test Driven Development" from a guy that seams to know much about the subject, Ben Hall.

If I took anything away from this day, it was that although I know a lot, I know very little....

Technorati Tags: DDDS, Developer Day Scotland, Events

Developer day Scotland!

Martin Hinshelwood — Fri, 09 May 2008 23:02:10 GMT

Its the main event tomorrow...

Developer Day Scotland - 10th May 2008

If you have not already signed up, well, its probably too late...but if you are still up and you are in Glasgow tomorrow get yourself down to Glasgow Caledonian University (I went to University there) and drop in. Don't forget to sign up tonight...

If you are up for it there is a Developer Day Scotland Geek Dinner on afterwards and some drinking before that.

Technorati Tags: Developer Day Scotland, Scotland

Assembly Version does not change in Visual Basic Workflow projects

Martin Hinshelwood — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:05:00 GMT

If you are having an issue with the assembly version in your compiled assembly not updating after a rebuild then you are not alone. The is a bug in the Visual Basic compiler that causes this problem and it requires a manual fix:

http://kbalertz.com/952628/Assembly-Version-change-Visual-Basic-Workflow-projects.aspx

Not hard, but annoying...

To check the problem, double click on the assembly in your bin folder and open out the version tag.

You can see from the image below what I am getting at. This causes no end of problems with signed assemblies. The KBAlertz article above implies that this only affects Workflow assemblies. But I have has t6his problem in other types of Visual Basic project.

This is not a big problem unless you are creating custom assemblies for SharePoint and have a convoluted deployment process before you can test, and can't figure out why you changes are not going through...

Technorati Tags: WF, Workflow, Windows Workflow, Assembly, Version, Assembly Version

Another day another Codeplex Project

Martin Hinshelwood — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:18:46 GMT

I have been using the Useful Sharepoint Designer Custom Workflow Activities project on CodePlex to augment the capabilities of SharePoint Designer to add such features as "Start another workflow" which is very useful for compartmentalising your workflow so as to not make it too complicated.

Well I found a wee problem. The "Lookup user info" activity only looks up information from the site and not from the users MOSS profile. So I started another CodePlex project for activities I will be building and I am creating once called "Lookup user profile" on my shiny new MOSS Designer Workflow Activities project.

This one Activity will alleviate my immediate need, but I can see many more in the future...

Technorati Tags: Sharepoint Designer, MOSS, Sharepoint 2007, Custom Activity, WF, Activity, Sharepoint

Major deadline

Martin Hinshelwood — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:39:41 GMT

Well the faeces hit the fan at work today...let me explain...

We have a completely unmanaged Sharepoint Portal server at work. It was installed in early 2004 and has been running in self service mode ever since. Not all of the company is using it, but those that are, are using it heavily. Particularly areas that service customers and one customer specifically use it so completely that that area of the business would find it hard to function if it was not available.

So early this year I started a project to migrate / rewrite for Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server (MOSS) and we now have a proof of concept site online that demos the features and architecture of a finished portal. This POC version was scheduled for go live in Q4...

This had been ticking over for a while with a number of project requests getting in the way, the TFS Sticky Buddy for one, along with many others. As the only .NET developer in EMEA it can get a little hectic.

Recently I had a project to make a copy of one of the Sharepoint 2003 portals and I ran into a number of problems... now, I am not a Sharepoint 2003 guru, having had most of my exposure to it with Team Foundation Server deployments, but I followed all of the documented approaches for copying a site, to no avail. For each attempt, of which there were many, and for each approach, again there were many, I ran into problem after problem. Either the export commands failed, or the import command failed, and the resultant restore looked nothing like the original having been mangled during the process.

The result of my efforts was a custom APS.NET application that replicated the functionality provided by Sharepoint (it is worth noting that the site did not use much of SharePoint to do its job). Problem solved...

But not really... I still had a soon to be mangled Sharepoint 2003 portal server with over a thousand users on it.

Then the bomb shell landed... I had been getting some reports of problems for the users of a site that is used to handle a customers contract, these users were running into real performance issues and functionality limitations. They were aware of the proof of concept MOSS deployment and wanted a look, so when some of the guys were in the office I stupidly, as I always do, started showing off MOSS features and functionality that puts Sharepoint Portal server to shame. How stupid of me... in my zeal to get MOSS deployed to the business I inadvertently stepped on a land mine. They went home, spoke to a few people and lo and behold, my deadline has been moved up from Q4 to now.... or at leas as soon as possible, and specifically for the aforementioned site.

The Plan

Apart from quitting, having a nervous breakdown and ultimately committing Seppuku I had to come up with a way of fulfilling this insane idea of a deployment schedule.

To do this I plan to use the Business Data Catalog to connect to customer data, and create a portal site that dynamically build sites using an as yet non existent site template for a specified customer. This way there is system data available for creating excel services reports and stats along with document library and InfoPath forms. The site should look exactly like the My Sites, but for a customer. It can then be branched out for other entitles like products (we build them and then rent and service them) and contracts.

In the immortal words of the Windows 2003 Active Directory Installer:

This may take some time, or considerably longer...

Technorati Tags: Sharepoint, MOSS, Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server, Sharepoint 2007, Sharepoint 2003, InfoPath, BDC, Business Data Catalog

Vote for your feature

Martin Hinshelwood — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:25:56 GMT

I am currently taking votes for which features will make it into the next version of the TFS Sticky Buddy (v1.1 CTP 1), which will move towards v2.0. The current list of features is slim, but specific.

Features (11 Votes) Click an item to submit your vote...

Votes	Status	Title
2		Add Second diagram for Dashboard
1		Data Refresh
3		Drag and Drop
1		Percent work complete
3		Should be able to hold more work items per "node"
1		Suggestion - Click on the work item

If you want to suggest another feature, please be my guest but make sure you are not making a duplicate :)

If you are interested TFS Sticky Buddy v1.0 has been downloaded 256 times since Apr 21 2008... No I am not making it up....

Technorati Tags: TFS Sticky Buddy, Sticky Buddy, Digital Dashboard, Visual Studio Team System, TFS, Team Foundation Server, VSTS

Kerberos problems

Martin Hinshelwood — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:37:13 GMT

I have been having a lot of Kerberos double hop problems on the network at work, and although I have not yet managed to fix them... I did find these useful pages:

What Is Kerberos Authentication? - Good high level overview...

Troubleshooting Kerberos Delegation - which I think I may find the most useful...

I will keep you updated on my progress...

Technorati Tags: kerberos, troubleshooting, work, windows