Category Archives: General

Just stuff that doesn’t really have to do with anything in particular – blog updates, friend updates, etc…

SharePoint Lists – Follow up

A few things that were brought up in my session on lists the other day at the Best Practices Conference:

Inline Editing – SharePoint 2010 introduces the concept of inline editing within views.  This allows users to add/update fields within the view without having to open the add or edit forms.  This feature is not turned on by default.  Jennifer Mason of SharePoint 911 has a nice post about this feature. 

Alerts by View – We mentioned alerts and we mentioned views, but I didn’t have anything about the ability to create alerts on views.  Great comment from the session attendees on that one.  After looking at this again, I realized that this is NOT as intuitive as it should be.  You can create alerts on views, but not all views and there are some criteria for it.  Check out the following post for more information:
http://sharepointalert.info/2009/09/alert-me-tricks-fo-power-users/

Metadata Navigation – Another attendee asked about metadata navigation.  I don’t remember all the context to the question, but metadata navigation is available, but only at the list view level.  It’s not something that can be used on the main page or other web part pages.  It does, however, work with which ever view is currently being displayed – which is what I think the question was about. 

Fun session.  We had 45+ people in (and outside) a room set up for 30.  Thanks to the folks that were packed in and spilling into the hallway.  Smile

Best Practices Conference 2011

We’re back for another Best Practices Conference – this time in La Jolla, CA (just North of San Diego).  This is the only domestic Best Practices conference this year as the Microsoft SharePoint Conference will be held this fall and is the primary event in the SharePoint community.  There is, however a UK version happening in a few weeks as well.   

If you’ve never heard of this conference, or don’t know what makes this one different from the myriad of other SharePoint conferences, user groups and SharePoint Saturdays out there – here’s what it is.  At the Best Practices Conference we focus on the WHY.  Most other conferences focus on the ‘what’ (features) and the ‘how do you do…’, which is fine – just different.  Here, we get to tell attendees what some of the best practices are regarding many aspects of SharePoint – and then describe WHY it is a best practice as opposed to all of the other options that are available. 

I’ve got three sessions this time around – two repeats from the fall 2010 event and one new session. 

Lists: Used, Abused and Underappreciated
Lists are used as the core of many things SharePoint but they are rarely used as well as they can be. Learn the top tips and tricks for getting the most of your lists: How to build them smarter, how to display them more clearly, and how to use them in your environment for effectively. Also see how these practices evolve from 2007 to 2010.

SharePoint: The Day After
You’ve deployed your farm, built your customizations and integrated your external systems… now what? How do you make sure your users are informed, educated, trained and supported? How do you measure success? How are you insuring the stability of the platform going forward? And why are answering these questions so important to your success.

SharePoint Implementation: When to Crawl, Walk or Run
Many of us have seen SharePoint 101 presentations describing features and functionality of SharePoint 2010. What we’re missing are the best practices and recommendations for what to implement and when. What are the benefits/risks of choosing to crawl first and then walk or run later? What effort is required to jump ahead and implement the utopia? This presentation will break down key functionality areas within SharePoint and outline the crawl, walk or run maturity models. Once you have an understanding of what it takes to implement and manage these models, you’ll be able to develop your platform strategy and make critical choices about where to focus your efforts.​

Now, if the sun would just come out for a little bit… 

SharePoint 2010: Six-in-One

In other fun and exciting news – I was invited to be a contributing author on a SharePoint 2010 book last year and the fruit of our labor was released a few weeks ago! 

We bring to you: SharePoint 2010: Six-in-One

I wrote Part I – Foundation and Overview.  If you want an overview of what SharePoint is, what versions are available, what to think about when considering and preparing to implement SharePoint and then some common places to start – check out these chapters:

  • Chapter 1 – SharePoint Overview
  • Chapter 2 – Planning for SharePoint
  • Chapter 3 – Getting Started with SharePoint

You can find it on amazon.com at the links below.  I’m very excited that it is also offered on the Kindle – can’t wait to see how it looks in that format…

Paperback edition:

Kindle edition:

The authors include:

Enjoy – and let us know how we did! 

SharePoint MVP for 2011

OK, Ok… So it’s been a month already – but I’m still excited about it.  Smile  I’m part of the January 1st batch of MVPs and was blessed with a 3rd award this month.  Even more exciting was that a new batch of very deserving people were also added to the SharePoint MVP ranks this round – not to diminish previous awardees – I’m just getting to know more folks.  Smile  Some of them include:

A big thanks to the local Minnesota SharePoint community for letting me continue to be a part of it through the Minnesota SharePoint User Group (#MNSPUG) and SharePoint Saturday – Twin Cities (#SPSTC).  We’re looking forward to another fun and educational year. 

Congrats to all the new and renewed SharePoint MVPs in 2011 !!

Now, to get one or two more folks added… 

Microsoft SharePoint and Office 2010 Launch Events

Most folks know about the May12th Launch event that Microsoft will be streaming “Live from New York!”.  We’ll be carrying the event live at our monthly MNSPUG meeting which just happened to coincide with it.  We’ll also be having a panel discussion about SharePoint 2007 and 2010 beforehand…

What doesn’t seem to be getting as much press are the IT Pro and Developer events that are also happening around the country.  Check out the following link and dig in a bit:

http://www.microsoft.com/business/2010events/ 

We’ll be having a local event in Minneapolis (Bloomington actually) on May 27th – so take a look at the agenda and see if you like to attend with us! 

SharePoint 2010 – RTM

Microsoft announced today that SharePoint 2010 has reached RTM status.  Read about it on the SharePoint Team Blog – HERE. 

Sounds like the earliest availability for downloading bits will be on April 27th for Volume License and Software Assurance Customers. 

The official (virtual) launch will be on May 12th – which also happens to be our next MNSPUG meeting.  We’ll be streaming the launch live and working on adding some more fun as well – check the MNSPUG site for more information as we have it. 

Customer Service #FAIL – Best Buy and Samsung

So, I bought my current main monitor – a Samsung 204B three years ago – just over 3 years ago.  I’m sure you’ve already guessed that the manufacturer’s warranty period for the particular item is yes – 3 yrs.  For a little while, starting before the 3 yr mark, it started acting a little flaky – nothing too outrageous, but little “I wonder what’s up with that” kinds of things that I was able to get past with a power off/on, etc…  Literally a week after the 3 yr warrantee expires, it has a much more significant issue, that takes a number of unplug/plug-in cycles before it finally starts working again.  At this point I’m thinking – great timing – I’m probably out of luck because of the warranty and purchase date.  I at least want to check with Samsung and see what my repair, replace, whatever options are, so I send them an e-mail looking for assistance rather than sitting in support call hell. 

So, in addition to a little background information in my message to Samsung, I ask:  What options do I have for repair, replacement, credit… anything”.  The response I get back, in addition to the normal canned response is:  “We are sorry to inform you that Samsung does not provide free service for the warranty expired products”

No s… kidding Sherlock.  Now answer my question and tell me WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE.  I resubmit my question – still haven’t received an answer.  *sigh* 

What’s next… I’ve got two reasons to swing by Best Buy.  One, to see what’s new with monitors since I’m likely going to need another one anyhow between this one and getting rid of the rest of the CRTs in the house.  Two – since I’m heading over I might as well see what, if anything they can do about my busted one – which I originally purchased there. 

So we swing into Best Buy and are looking at monitors.  One of the folks working there stops by before too long and I explain my current situation.  She informs me that they have a 30 day grace period on warranties and that I should bring it in before that expires – which is the next day.  Sweet.  I’m thinking I’m not totally out of luck. 

The next morning I pack the monitor up, grab the receipt and head to Best Buy.  I head to Customer Service and explain my situation again.  The low-level CS guy enters my receipt and information and tells me the warranty period has expired.  I explain that I am aware of this, but that another person at the store informed me of a grace period under which I have some options – which I’m trying to figure out.  Let me check with the manager.  Super.  Nope sorry – but I can call and check with Samsung for you.  Ok – let’s do that… I’ll talk to your manager after we’re done with Samsung.  He calls the retailer super-special number and they’re closed.  So he calls the consumer number and hands me the phone.  Gee, thanks.  I could do this at home while sitting down without having to pack up my monitor…  After talking to the wrong person, they transfer me to the correct department with plenty of hold time in between.  He takes my information and explains that my warranty has expired.  *sigh*  So, Mr. Helpful, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS.  Well, you could check the web site for authorized repair services.  Fine, I’ll do that once I get home and have my monitor back up and running – I can’t check that from the desk at Best Buy.  Thanks for nothing.  OK Best Buy level 1 CS guy, since I’m here already let me talk to the manager just to make sure your story is correct and the person last night is wrong.  I talk to the manager and she informs me that yes indeed, they can’t do anything.  Lovely. 

So – with the help of the folks at Samsung and Best Buy I’ve gone from generally bummed that my monitor is busted and bummed at the timing of my monitor failing to:

  1. Wasting my time with trips to Best Buy, packing up my monitor (that at the time was in its ‘functioning mood’), sitting on the phone with Samsung AT Best Buy, re-setting up the monitor and smacking it around until it started working again – and now this silly blog post.  🙂
  2. Irritated at Samsung – who, honestly I have plenty of their products that I like – but the shoddy way this was handled was just crappy from a customer service quality perspective.
  3. Irritated at Best Buy for telling me (apparently erroneously) that I would be able to bring my monitor in and have something done with it.

Now, you don’t get the last few minutes you spent reading this back, but I feel better having written it.  🙂

Have a wonderful day everyone.  In other news on this day in history, a good friend of mine had a baby (late yesterday actually) and the East coast is getting slammed with 30” or so of snow.  So much more important things going on than my dealings with aging computer hardware and poor customer service. 

Oh hey – I just checked where the nearest service location is for my monitor… it’s in NEW JERSEY.  I’ll wait until they dig out of the blizzard to give them a call.  😉

SharePoint Server MVP for 2010

2010 was welcomed in with a SharePoint Server Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award renewal message from Microsoft for the new year.  What a wonderful honor and great way to start the new year – this is my second year being awarded.  Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. 

To be included with the SharePoint MVP community is really cool – everyone I’ve met has been incredibly gracious – eager to help and to share.  As with the greater SharePoint community, they are a community themselves – a lot more cohesive than some of the other MVP product groupings out there.  They are amazing technical resources and provide so much energy to the community at large, making the products we support and the people we work with so much better and more fun to work with.

2009 was an interesting year for the MVP community.  Maybe this happens every year and I wasn’t aware of it, but being a part of the MVP community this past year has made me more aware of it.  There were changes driven by the economy as well as conversation and criticism regarding who is awarded and how awardees are chosen – amongst other topics.  There are still plenty of things I’m not privy to, but I do know that regardless of who receives the MVP awards, there are a lot of people in the SharePoint community and other technical communities that are amazing contributors out there – people that love to learn and to share – people that will continue to advance our communities through their efforts – people that should be recognized and thanked.  Kudos go out to them as well.

A huge thanks goes out to the SharePoint community that I’ve been blessed to be a part of.  I hope we can continue to learn, share and grow in the coming year.  See you at the Minnesota SharePoint User Group (MNSPUG), other SharePoint user groups, SharePoint Saturdays, SharePoint Camps, conferences and other events online and in person. 

God Bless.

July MNSPUG Recap

Great session this past week with the Minnesota SharePoint User Group.  Our panel this month consisted of Bill English from Mindsharp, Sarah Haase (Twitter: @sarahhaase) from Best Buy, as well as Raymond Mitchell (Twitter: @iwkid), Neil Iversen (Twitter: @romangeeko) and myself from Inetium.  Lots of great questions from the group – both in the room and online. 

We only had 70 or so folks in the room, but had OVER 50 on the Live Meeting, which was very exciting – that offering is definitely growing quickly.  Thanks to Nick Stillings from Microsoft handling the tech details during the meeting so we could concentrate on the conversations. 

The session recording is available HERE – and yea, it includes video – yikes!