BurnedOutGeek

Installing SharePoint on Windows Server 2008 R2

BurnedOutGeek — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:07:21 +0000

Windows Server 2008 R2 is an amazing update to the original release of Windows Server 2008, however, those of us attempting to install SharePoint Server 2007 are being blocked by an error saying, “The program is blocked due to compatibility issues”. SharePoint SP2 enables compatibility with Windows Server 2008 R2, but in order to install SP2, you must first make a slipstream installation.

Creating a slipstream installation involves nothing more than copying a few files and placing those files in the proper directory structure so that the installation can find the necessary files when needed.

Microsoft offers a TechNet article on how to create the installation source for MOSS 2007, which can be cross-referenced at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc261890.aspx.

To create a slipstream installation of SharePoint SP2, follow these steps:

Download or copy a MOSS image to a folder
Download WSS and MOSS SP2 patches
Run each patch with the ‘/extract: \Updates’ command-line option
Delete the Wsssetup.dll file from the updates folder

Once you have built your slipstream installation directory, you will need to enable a few roles and features on your new Windows Server 2008 R2 machine. The roles that are required are:

Application Server
Web Server (IIS)
.NET Framework 3.5.1 Features

Once completed, begin your installation for your newly created slipstream installation directory and MOSS should install without issues.

Follow Me on Twitter!

BurnedOutGeek — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:23:19 +0000

Want to know what’s going on with me from day to day? Follow me on Twitter! Twitter is a service to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

In addition to just random tweets, I will also be posting interesting tidbits about SharePoint, Exchange Server, and other technology related information as I stumble across it. To follow me, register for a free twitter account, visit my Twitter profile and click on the Follow button.

Best Buy Sarcasm

BurnedOutGeek — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:19:08 +0000

OUCH! This viral image has been circulating the Internet all day today. Though some may feel that it’s slightly distasteful, you have to admit, it is a little funny. To make the story a little more amusing, go into a Circuit City store and look at their prices. Many of their “liquidation” prices are still more expensive than many online retailers’ everyday prices. I guess it’s hard to be competitive with the market when you mark everything back to retail prices before applying the closeout discounts.

Anyways, I guess someone found a little humor in one large company’s failure. Hmmm… Now I can’t help but to wonder if Best Buy is going to adapt the same “bait and switch” policies that Circuit City has aggressively used for all these years. Let’s hope not.

Upcoming Webinar: SharePoint Best Practices

BurnedOutGeek — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:51:24 +0000

You’ve heard the saying… “Measure twice and cut once.” This old saying for builders can and should also be applied to software projects. SharePoint Server 2007 provides a broad set of features which may be used to build different types of solutions, but in order to effectively use these tools, you should prioritize SharePoint’s features based on your organizational needs.

On Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. EST., I will discuss several best practices to consider when deploying SharePoint. This webinar is being hosted and sponsored by ASPE Technology. There is no charge for this webinar and you can enroll by visiting ASPE’s web site.

Upcoming Class Schedules Posted

BurnedOutGeek — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:09:06 +0000

To answer the many requests that I get, I will begin posting my upcoming class schedules. You can either use the calendar browser in the right-hand sidebar, or you can browse the “Upcoming Schedule” category to view the complete listing.

For those that would like to attend a class, ASPE is making a special offer to BurnedOutGeek.com visitors. Simply contact ASPE by phone at 877-800-5221 and give the priority code MWBOG to receive a $100 discount on registration. Be sure to mention the priority code at the time of booking to receive the discount! Special thanks to ASPE for making this possible.

Upcoming Webinar: Building a PMIS with SharePoint

BurnedOutGeek — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 04:21:26 +0000

More and more successful project managers are utilizing SharePoint 2007 to drive their projects and operational initiatives. Out of the box, SharePoint Server offers many features that lends itself to effectively managing projects.

On Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. EST., I will discuss using SharePoint as a tool for project management. This webinar is being hosted and sponsored by ASPE Technology. There is no charge for this webinar and you can enroll by visiting ASPE’s web site.

Microsoft Blasts “Apple Tax” Again?

BurnedOutGeek — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:17:37 +0000

Once again, Microsoft has made an official statement to criticize Apple for its alleged “Apple tax,” a higher retail cost for computers which otherwise have the same specifications as a Windows system. In an e-mail sent to journalists this week, Microsoft argues that a low-end Mac mini is approximately 16 percent ($100) more costly than an equivalent PC, while a low-end iMac is 25 percent ($300) more expensive.

Though this statement might have some truth to it when comparing physical hardware specifications, there are a few more things that buyers should take into consideration before believing this propaganda.

I don’t hate, or even dislike Microsoft. What I do not like is this type of corporate marketing. Companies should spend their time and money marketing the strengths of their own products rather than doing nothing more than pointing out “false negatives” about their competition. All of this reminds me of several recent political campaigns.

Now, back to the point…

Comparing an Apple computer to a machine that is purchased from another manufacturer such as HP, Dell, or Lenovo is not an “apples to apples” comparison (pun intended). Though the hardware specifications of the machines may be similar, what comes under the hood is quite different. A few that come to mind:

The Operating System: A Mac comes preloaded with Apple’s OS X operating system, while other manufactures include either Windows XP or Windows Vista. Only you (the user) can determine which best suits your needs and meets your lifestyle.

Included Applications: Windows-based machines are notorious for coming with a lot of software… called Bloatware. Bloatware is pre-installed software bundles that mostly consist of demos and trial software that you can purchase at a later time. Some PC manufactures actually justify charging an additional fee to uninstall bloatware from their machines, so many users opt to do it themselves by either reloading the operating system or manually removing the programs by hand. Not fun. On the other hand, Macs come preloaded with software as well. The one difference is that Macs come preloaded with useful software applications that enable users to manage their music, movies and pictures at no extra charge.

Design, Quality, and Style: Many people believe that Apple computers are designed better than their PC counterparts. For example, Apple laptops are built with lightweight metal instead of cheap flimsy plastic. For road warriors (like myself) that spend the majority of their time dragging a laptop through airports and from hotel to hotel, a more durable laptop is worth spending a little extra money on. At the same time, Apple has done an amazing job making their equipment not only functional, but also stylish. Take a look at any Apple computer or device and you will see a work of art that others manufactures strive to imitate.

What’s the bottom line? Only the purchaser can decide what meets their needs and what they are willing to pay for. Who is Microsoft to criticize me for paying $100 more for a laptop because I use the additional software and prefer the more appealing style over Windows-based PCs? I’ve been an Apple fan for many years and without a doubt, have paid my fair share of this so-called “Apple Tax”, but I don’t see me changing my ways any time soon. Until PC manufactures can step up to the plate and offer comparable solutions, my mind won’t be changed.

Microsoft, stop criticizing others and concentrate on your own problems.

The Cost of SharePoint Server 2007

BurnedOutGeek — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:05:05 +0000

Almost weekly, I am asked about the pricing structure for Microsoft SharePoint Server. Though this is a hard question, and I usually prefer to direct someone to their Microsoft sales representative, I have found a nice little online calculator that can serve as a decent starting point. Remember that your licensing agreement with Microsoft may be different, but if you’re curious, you can use the SharePoint Price Calculator from Bamboo Nation.

An Amusing Diversion

BurnedOutGeek — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:32:14 +0000

Since Apple’s announcement of the MacBook Air back in January, it seems to be the machine that people love to hate. The design of the machine is absolutely amazing, but the innovative design sacrifices some of the functionality that people have come to expect on a laptop. As an alternative to the MacBook Air, PC maker Lenovo introduced a new model to add to their lineup called the X300. The X300 is a little slower and larger than the MacBook Air, but it does include a few of the things that Apple had to sacrifice. To help drive these selling points home, Lenovo recently posted an ad Parody on YouTube. This is great…

My opinion? Given all of its limitations, I still like the MacBook Air. I just find it amusing that not only are companies doing everything in their power to duplicate machine designs and technology from Apple, but now, they are borrowing from the minds of their creative marketing teams as well. I guess some things never change, do they?

Goodbye to my Dear Friend…

BurnedOutGeek — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:44:00 +0000

Today, I had to say goodbye to my best friend, Rhett. After being my best friend and companion for the past eight years, Rhett lost his fight with a cancerous tumor in his spleen. He was always there for me through the good and bad times and I knew that I could always count on him to raise my spirits. His departure leaves a hole in my heart that will not easily be healed.

Rhett: I know you are in a better place now. A place with an unlimited buffet of “Marrow Bones” and cute poodles that you can chase around. You know I’m going to miss you, but I’ll always have the memories that we made together. Farewell my friend… warm up a cloud for me.

There’s a hole in my heart where a dog used to be.
He’s nuzzled my soul and is now part of me.
His pain is his life and I know what to do.
But when I release him, I’m losing me, too.

The dog that I cradled eight years ago
is a thirty pound bundle of love and I know
that he’d lick away all of my tears if he could.
It’s his sense of duty to make me feel good.

It’s my obligation to do what is best.
The love of his “master” is put to the test.
It’s a wrenching and sorrowful way that we part;
it doesn’t hurt less when the head rules the heart.

There’s a hole in my heart where my Rhett has passed through.
When we say goodbye part of me will go too.

- Modified poem written by Amy Waggoner -