Links: Windows Server Catalog

The Windows Server Catalog (http://www.windowsservercatalog.com) Web site is a useful reference.  It includes software and hardware testing status, third party compatibility and certification, and server virtualization validation program information.

Links: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Feature Pack

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Feature Pack
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=CEB4346F-657F-4D28-83F5-AAE0C5C83D52

• Microsoft® SQL Server Report Builder 3.0 for Microsoft® SQL Server 2008 R2
• Microsoft® SQL Server® PowerPivot for Microsoft® Excel
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Reporting Services Add-in for Microsoft® SharePoint® Technologies 2010
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Reporting Services Add-in for Microsoft® SharePoint® Technologies 2007
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Policies
• Microsoft® Sync Framework 2.0 Software Development Kit (SDK)
• Microsoft® SQL Server® Compact 3.5 SP2 For Windows Mobile
• Microsoft® SQL Server ®Compact 3.5 SP2 Server Tools
• Microsoft® SQL Server® Compact 3.5 SP2 Books On-line
• Microsoft® SQL Server® JDBC Driver 3.0
• Microsoft® Connector 1.1 for SAP BW for SQL Server® 2008 R2
• Microsoft® System CLR Types for SQL Server® 2008 R2
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Remote Blob Store
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Books On-line
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Upgrade Advisor
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Native Client
• Microsoft® Core XML Services (MSXML) 6.0 SP 1
• Microsoft® OLEDB Provider for DB2
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Command Line Utilities
• Microsoft® SQL Server® Service Broker External Activator for SQL Server® 2008 R2
• Microsoft® Windows PowerShell Extensions for SQL Server® 2008 R2
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Shared Management Objects
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 ADOMD.NET
• Microsoft® Analysis Services OLE DB Provider for Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Analysis Management Objects
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Data Mining Add-ins for Microsoft® Office 2007
• Microsoft® Datamining Viewer Controls For Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008
• Microsoft® SQL Server® Migration Assistant
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Best Practices Analyzer

(Microsoft, 2011)

Reference

Microsoft (2011). Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Feature Pack. Retrieved January 20, 2011 from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=CEB4346F-657F-4D28-83F5-AAE0C5C83D52.

Link: Process Monitor

Microsoft offers Process Monitor as a free download. In short, this tool helps capture detailed events and isolate issues. I recently used Process Monitor when I encountered a performance issue with one of my portals; the default.aspx page was taking a long time to save. Process Monitor helped me isolate the issue and determine that the cause was a buffer overflow.

Reference

Microsoft (2010). Windows Sysinternals, Process Monitor v2.91. Retrieved July 6, 2010 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

Links: Microsoft Licensing Information for SharePoint 2010

Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Licensing
http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/en-us/buy/Pages/Licensing-Details.aspx

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Licensing
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/licensing.aspx

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Licensing
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/licensing-R2.aspx

Links: MSDN Ramp Up Track, SharePoint for Developers

Microsoft has a Ramp Up program on MSDN, to help facilitate learning and professional development, http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/rampup/default.aspx. There are some interesting tracks, including the following ones related to SharePoint:

MSDN Ramp Up Track, SharePoint for Developers Part 1
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/rampup/dd221355.aspx

1. Introduction to Web Parts
2. Data Lists for Developers
3. Programming Event Handlers
4. Workflow in SharePoint
5. Silverlight and SharePoint
   

MSDN Ramp Up Track, SharePoint for Developers Part 2
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/rampup/dd320759.aspx

1. Page Navigation – Integrate navigation into your SharePoint application
2. Page Branding – Brand a SharePoint site to look like your existing web application
3. Web Services – Access list data using built-in web services
4. Custom Content Types – Implement behaviors from different document types
5. User Management – Manage web site users without code

Links: Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Launch Event

Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Launch Event
http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/2010launch/en-us/Pages/home.aspx

Webcast
May 12, 2010
11:00 AM EDT
Keynote to be delivered by Stephen Elop.

Links: SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) SDK for PHP

Here are some references for information on interoperability between SQL Server Reporting Services and PHP:

Interoperability Bridges and Labs Center
http://www.interoperabilitybridges.com

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) SDK for PHP
http://www.interoperabilitybridges.com/projects/sql-server-reporting-services-sdk-for-php

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) SDK for PHP on Codeplex
http://ssrsphp.codeplex.com/

(Microsoft, 2010)

Reference

Microsoft (2010). SQL Server Reporting Services SDK for PHP. Retrieved May 11, 2010 from http://www.interoperabilitybridges.com/projects/sql-server-reporting-services-sdk-for-php.

Links: Planning SharePoint Server 2010 Search

(1 of 4) Microsoft: Search Technologies for SharePoint 2010 Products
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=D7C0091E-5766-496D-A5FE-94BEA52C4B15&displaylang=en

(2 of 4) Microsoft: Search Environment Planning for Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5655EACA-22DF-4089-BCD3-38A1F5318140&displaylang=en

(3 of 4) Microsoft: Search Architectures for Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=22FFC029-2C08-457D-8311-CA457C6D160E&displaylang=en

(4 of 4) Microsoft: Design Search Architectures for Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5A3CA177-FB9A-4901-9797-0C384277DB7C&displaylang=en

Links: PowerPivot videos on Microsoft Technet...

PowerPivot videos on Microsoft Technet...

PowerPivot Part 1 - Loading Data
http://edge.technet.com/Media/PowerPivot-part-1-Loading-Data/

PowerPivot Part 2 - Preparing data
http://edge.technet.com/Media/PowerPivot-part-2-Preparing-data/

PowerPivot Part 3 - Analysis
http://edge.technet.com/Media/PowerPivot-part-3-Analysis/

PowerPivot Part 4 - Sharing in SharePoint 2010
http://edge.technet.com/Media/PowerPivot-part-4-Sharing-in-SharePoint-2010/

PowerPivot Part 5 - Management
http://edge.technet.com/Media/PowerPivot-part-5-Management/

Links: Windows PowerShell compiled Help for SharePoint Server 2010

I am relieved that Microsoft has published PowerShell help files for SharePoint. The help files will certainly come in handy. These are available for download:

Windows PowerShell compiled Help for SharePoint Server 2010
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=045f7af5-b226-4a05-8ace-4e17cfdef856&displaylang=en

This site contains separate help file (.chm) downloads for:
· Access Services
· ECM
· Excel Services
· InfoPath
· PerformancePoint
· Search
· Secure Store
· SharePoint Foundation Search
· SharePoint Products
· State Service
· User Profile
· Visio Services
· Web Analytics
· Word Services

Links: CommonCraft: SharePoint in Plain English

I've seen this video posted on various blogs. I like it a lot. Its titled, "SharePoint in Plain English." It is by CommonCraft, http://www.commoncraft.com/. Brilliant!

View Here:
http://www.commoncraft.com/custom-video-sharepoint-plain-english

Download Here:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/5/6/A56BB856-74F5-4A6B-887B-876BAE88116F/SharePoint%20in%20Plain%20English.zip

FAST ESP Videos on YouTube

Want to view a demonstration of current and future capabilities of FAST ESP? Here are a couple YouTube videos that provide a great overview.

Fast ESP for SharePoint - 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTbcCNby8xE

Fast ESP for SharePoint - 2 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjW6ZjX8Pyk

CBT Clips

One of the most challenging aspects of a SharePoint rollout is user adoption and user education. Organizing training sessions and brown bag lunch demonstrations are good ways to inform and educate users about SharePoint and how it is used in the organization.

However, ramping up several users on SharePoint at once requires that each person has some context for what they are learning. You can't always force this on people; force them to imagine working a certain way, role play to a point where the instruction actually makes sense.

For this reason, a successful user education strategy should include reference material that is easy to locate, easy to use and relevant. It should be easily accessible at the point in time when a user has a specific question while performing a task. The reference material should address the specific question at hand, and only that. Otherwise, the user will not be able to find the answer to their question and they will lose interest.

I have found CBT Clips to be a great solution for fulfilling this need. CBT Clips offers collections of very brief, to-the-point, computer based instruction videos. These are perfect for new users who just want to know how to upload a document, how check in/check out works, or how to use Outlook with SharePoint.

The price for a company wide license is very reasonable and I think that depending on the size of the organization, an investment may easily pay for itself.

FAST ESP: Fast ESP 5.3 for Windows, 32 Bit Only

FAST ESP 5.3 for Windows is only available in 32 bit. However, the software can be installed on either 32 Bit or 64 Bit versions of the Windows operating system.

Consequently, prior to installing FAST ESP, you must install the 32 Bit versions of Java SE Runtime (JRE) and Java SE Development Kit (JDK): http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp.

Links: MS SQL Server Reporting Services Add-In for MOSS

Here are the links for downloading:

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services Add-in for Microsoft SharePoint Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=200fd7b5-db7c-4b8c-a7dc-5efee6e19005

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Add-in for Microsoft SharePoint Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1E53F882-0C16-4847-B331-132274AE8C84&displaylang=en

Event: Focus On Series: Optimize Your SharePoint Investment

On Tuesday, Feburary 24, 2009 I will be presenting at an event sponsored by Vitale Caturano. For more information or to register, please follow this link: http://www.vitale.com/sharepoint

Links: Microsoft Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008: System Requirements
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/system-requirements.aspx

Windows Server 2008: Overview of Editions
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/editions-overview.aspx

Windows Server 2008: Compare Features
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/compare-features.aspx

Windows Server 2008: Compare Server Roles
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/compare-roles.aspx

Links: Microsoft SQL Server 2008

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Product Specifications for SQL Server 2008
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143287.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2008
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143506.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Maximum Number of Processors Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2008
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143760.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Memory Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2008
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143685.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Maximum Capacity Specifications for SQL Server 2008
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143432.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Editions and Components of SQL Server 2008
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144275.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Features Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2008
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645993.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Using Upgrade Advisor to Prepare for Upgrades
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144256.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Getting SQL Server Assistance
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms166016.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Planning a SQL Server Installation
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb500442.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Overview of SQL Server Installation
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb500438.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: How to: Install SQL Server 2008 (Setup)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143219.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: How to: Upgrade to SQL Server 2008 (Setup)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144267.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Migrating to SQL Server 2008
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb677619.aspx

MSDN: SQL Server 2008 Books Online: Backward Compatibility
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc280407.aspx

Links: Foxit PDF IFilter 64 Bit

Foxit PDF IFilter 64 Bit
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/ifilter/

Links: Microsoft TechNet: White papers for MOSS 2007

Microsoft TechNet: White papers for Office SharePoint Server 2007
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc262733(TechNet.10).aspx