Monday, November 28, 2005
BlitBlog
Want to know more about the people in Microsoft Malaysia? Always wondered how it looks like on the 30th floor? Check-out BlitBlog - our very own Channel-9 like videos from our local subsidiary brought to you buy Loke Uei, our Developer Evangelist.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
What.Is.The.Meaning.of.Life?
Recently, I have this huge thought about the meaning of life or atleast its purpose and somehow, I discovered that life is meaningless and purposeless.
Everyone of us is brought up in the same way - we were told to study hard, get good grades and find a good job and that is suppose to guarantee us a 'bright future'. To look deeper, we were actually brought up to be workers or in a more closer-to-reality term - slaves.
I once thought like any other young gun who stepped into the working world. Like many, I have this target of being a Senior Programmer in 3 years and a Systems Analyst by 5 years. Beyond 8 years, I would like to be a manager because that is where the big car and big house is.
I made it to manager in 4 years and started thinking that I may want to be a CTO or CEO next. Everyone around me is like encouraging me to do it. But after awhile, I realized that it is not what I wanted. I can't be climbing all the time and I can never earn all the money in this world. Every step higher comes with a lot of stress and it brings me closer to the meaningless life.
In 2003, I had discovered a growth in my body and that scared the shit out of me. I'm too young to go as I said to myself. I went through the surgery, survived the trauma and I started to see life differently. I have grown to have least attachments to things nowadays because the thought of 'impermanence' dwells deep inside me.
I started to focus on things that I enjoy most in doing. I have very little desires. I don't aim for a big house because I don't think I can clean it. I don't think I need a bigger and sexier car because my current one serves me well and I feel safe in it. I just want to do things that excites me i.e. coding and developing something. I enjoy the feeling of seeing my creations come to life.
That's when I fell into the period where most people felt that I'm unhappy. It was like a time of restructuring. I don't fancy being big up there, spending company's money to increase my cholestrol level and playing golf. I want to pursue my dreams - things that I had always wonder whether I could achieve in this world.
Hence, my needs, wants and desires had changed. Nowadays, being in the city, I am closer to those that live like clones. Luxury cars are desires, golf is a hobby and beer is life. They will complain about increment and bonuses eventhough they may have enough - but it is never enough. The next position in the ladder is always the better one. Work balance means spending time-slices with family during weekends - some even have those scheduled as appointments in their PDAs.
Very seldom, I hear people talk about their aging parents, their children's growing up experience (except for the midnight diaper experience) or even their pets. Many would just pick up a magazine, point at a picture and tell me, "This is where I want to visit next."
Strange enough there is no place that I want to visit. (There is however a place where my dream is.) So cars, golf, travel and what next? Look at the ape next to us and see if there is any difference? As much as we all can greed and want, we will not be able to escape suffering and ultimately, the tombstone.
I was once told, "When a baby arrives in this world, he/she brings happiness to everyone in the surrounding. But every baby comes to this world crying, knowing that it is the beginning of his/her suffering." So what is the meaning of life afterall - from womb to tomb?
All I know now, is to see if I can fulfill my dreams. Nothing much less matters.
Everyone of us is brought up in the same way - we were told to study hard, get good grades and find a good job and that is suppose to guarantee us a 'bright future'. To look deeper, we were actually brought up to be workers or in a more closer-to-reality term - slaves.
I once thought like any other young gun who stepped into the working world. Like many, I have this target of being a Senior Programmer in 3 years and a Systems Analyst by 5 years. Beyond 8 years, I would like to be a manager because that is where the big car and big house is.
I made it to manager in 4 years and started thinking that I may want to be a CTO or CEO next. Everyone around me is like encouraging me to do it. But after awhile, I realized that it is not what I wanted. I can't be climbing all the time and I can never earn all the money in this world. Every step higher comes with a lot of stress and it brings me closer to the meaningless life.
In 2003, I had discovered a growth in my body and that scared the shit out of me. I'm too young to go as I said to myself. I went through the surgery, survived the trauma and I started to see life differently. I have grown to have least attachments to things nowadays because the thought of 'impermanence' dwells deep inside me.
I started to focus on things that I enjoy most in doing. I have very little desires. I don't aim for a big house because I don't think I can clean it. I don't think I need a bigger and sexier car because my current one serves me well and I feel safe in it. I just want to do things that excites me i.e. coding and developing something. I enjoy the feeling of seeing my creations come to life.
That's when I fell into the period where most people felt that I'm unhappy. It was like a time of restructuring. I don't fancy being big up there, spending company's money to increase my cholestrol level and playing golf. I want to pursue my dreams - things that I had always wonder whether I could achieve in this world.
Hence, my needs, wants and desires had changed. Nowadays, being in the city, I am closer to those that live like clones. Luxury cars are desires, golf is a hobby and beer is life. They will complain about increment and bonuses eventhough they may have enough - but it is never enough. The next position in the ladder is always the better one. Work balance means spending time-slices with family during weekends - some even have those scheduled as appointments in their PDAs.
Very seldom, I hear people talk about their aging parents, their children's growing up experience (except for the midnight diaper experience) or even their pets. Many would just pick up a magazine, point at a picture and tell me, "This is where I want to visit next."
Strange enough there is no place that I want to visit. (There is however a place where my dream is.) So cars, golf, travel and what next? Look at the ape next to us and see if there is any difference? As much as we all can greed and want, we will not be able to escape suffering and ultimately, the tombstone.
I was once told, "When a baby arrives in this world, he/she brings happiness to everyone in the surrounding. But every baby comes to this world crying, knowing that it is the beginning of his/her suffering." So what is the meaning of life afterall - from womb to tomb?
All I know now, is to see if I can fulfill my dreams. Nothing much less matters.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Aging.or.Sleepie.Head
I'm quite pissed-off with myself lately. I can't seem to stay awake whenever I read technical materials. No matter how much sleep I get, whether it is 6, 8 or 10 hours, I will still doze-off. I used to be able to read articles without problems in the past but now... *Sigh*
I did an experiment where I started the day with enough sleep and tried reading MSDN for 5 times. Guess what?! I fell asleep on my desk for 5 times! What the heck is wrong with me??! Mom said it could be my eyes or my spectacles. I have a hunch that it is a symptom of aging.
Oh! It doesn't happen when I watch movies though and certainly not when I'm playing computer games or reading blogs. Whatever it is, I will never succumb to it. I must defy Defy DEFY!!!
Nowadays, I'm feeling that I'm getting stupid already for lagging behind all the new .NET 2.0 and SQL 2005 stuff. I can't let this problem get in my way. I must DEFY IT! Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up!
I did an experiment where I started the day with enough sleep and tried reading MSDN for 5 times. Guess what?! I fell asleep on my desk for 5 times! What the heck is wrong with me??! Mom said it could be my eyes or my spectacles. I have a hunch that it is a symptom of aging.
Oh! It doesn't happen when I watch movies though and certainly not when I'm playing computer games or reading blogs. Whatever it is, I will never succumb to it. I must defy Defy DEFY!!!
Nowadays, I'm feeling that I'm getting stupid already for lagging behind all the new .NET 2.0 and SQL 2005 stuff. I can't let this problem get in my way. I must DEFY IT! Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
I.Saw.The.Sign
Today, while combing my hair, I found my first strand of white hair. *Sob* *Sob* *So sad*
Saturday, November 19, 2005
READY.Worldwide.Launched
The READY Worldwide Launch at KLCC Convention Centre on Tuesday was quite an exciting event for me. Although it was pretty tiring, I'm glad I was there to catch-up with my ex-colleagues and people from the developer community. Most of all, it was a pleasure to meet my CEO, Steve Ballmer. (I was told that not very often, a CEO from my company lands in Malaysia. I guessed it was my lucky day!)
He was at the launch delivering his speech for the opening keynote and as usual, he is himself with his energetic style. I'm also glad that he decided to spend some time with us (local employees) after the event but was a little disappointed for not having a photo session.
Coming back to the event, I'm happy to hear that some developers from the community applaud us for establishing on-line and off-line communities to help them learn more about .NET, Visual Studio and SQL Server. I will definitely feed this back to my colleagues in DPE so that they can continue to improve the community programs.
Speaking of community programs, we had a booth there to launch a 'refresh version' of MSDN Connection. We have a new program manager looking after the program now and I hope all the membership problems will be solved. If you have problems with your membership, do catch him on the next event. He usually lingers around the MSDN Connection Booth.
At the booth I also spotted one of our Malaysian Idol contestant - Andrew. It took me a while to figure out who he was. I was planning to ask him to autograph my MSDN stress-ball, but I didn't. *Pai-seh* He is now one of the Student Ambassadors - I heard.
I chatted with more people this time as compared to the previous MEDC event. I guessed I needed sometime to adjust myself since my role is different now. I do feel happy to mix around with the developer community and the MVPs. I know I may missed out a few people in events like these and I really apologize for that. If you see me next time in events like these, just come and say 'Hi' -don't be shy ;)
Well, it was a fun day but I came home with a slight migraine. Went straight to bed after shower and that's why I didn't blog this on that day itself.
He was at the launch delivering his speech for the opening keynote and as usual, he is himself with his energetic style. I'm also glad that he decided to spend some time with us (local employees) after the event but was a little disappointed for not having a photo session.
Coming back to the event, I'm happy to hear that some developers from the community applaud us for establishing on-line and off-line communities to help them learn more about .NET, Visual Studio and SQL Server. I will definitely feed this back to my colleagues in DPE so that they can continue to improve the community programs.
Speaking of community programs, we had a booth there to launch a 'refresh version' of MSDN Connection. We have a new program manager looking after the program now and I hope all the membership problems will be solved. If you have problems with your membership, do catch him on the next event. He usually lingers around the MSDN Connection Booth.
At the booth I also spotted one of our Malaysian Idol contestant - Andrew. It took me a while to figure out who he was. I was planning to ask him to autograph my MSDN stress-ball, but I didn't. *Pai-seh* He is now one of the Student Ambassadors - I heard.
I chatted with more people this time as compared to the previous MEDC event. I guessed I needed sometime to adjust myself since my role is different now. I do feel happy to mix around with the developer community and the MVPs. I know I may missed out a few people in events like these and I really apologize for that. If you see me next time in events like these, just come and say 'Hi' -don't be shy ;)
Well, it was a fun day but I came home with a slight migraine. Went straight to bed after shower and that's why I didn't blog this on that day itself.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Sneezie.Sneezie.Day
*ah..aR...aRH...ChoOOO!!!* *aR-ChoOO!!!* *aR-ChoOO!!!* *phnnnnggggt*
I've been sneezing all day. *rubbing my red nose*. I decided to clean my room (or part of it) this morning and my sensitive nose is behaving like a running tap as usual. *aR-ChoOO!!!* *Sniff* *Sniff* Not only that, it also creates a sharp pain in my ear when the mucus starts to accumulates. I really hate cleaning. Makes me feel so sick. *aR-ChoOO!!!*
Mom knows my problem and she bought some special cloths that attract dust statically. It says on the box, "Prevents dust particles from raising into the air". Looks like thick-tissue-paper to me but it works wonders. I didn't start sneezing until I unload those old files stashed underneath my shelves - VB 6.0 and SQL 7.0 training materials. Sigh! I'm really a dinosaur.
I started digging out all sorts of stuff from my shelves and study desk. Going through magazines dating back as old as 1999 - Oh-My! How did they survive in there for so long? *HeHe* *Blush*. I also found a RM10 note! It was stapled on some documents that was returned to me some years back. Ok! That shall be my reward for today. :p
I re-arranged most of the stuff on my study desk and donated a lot of rubbish to the bin. I also cleaned my computer table and stacked my router and wi-fi hub. I hope that won't freak mom out when she needs to plug-in the phone cable to surf the Internet. She'll probably call me up and ask me where to plug again.
Alright! Everything looks kinda clean and neat now...uh...I mean sorta neat I think. I think there are still a lot for me to clean - like those VB 4.0 and Windows NT books sitting on the shelves. *Sniff* *Sniff* Err... maybe next time lah.
I've been sneezing all day. *rubbing my red nose*. I decided to clean my room (or part of it) this morning and my sensitive nose is behaving like a running tap as usual. *aR-ChoOO!!!* *Sniff* *Sniff* Not only that, it also creates a sharp pain in my ear when the mucus starts to accumulates. I really hate cleaning. Makes me feel so sick. *aR-ChoOO!!!*
Mom knows my problem and she bought some special cloths that attract dust statically. It says on the box, "Prevents dust particles from raising into the air". Looks like thick-tissue-paper to me but it works wonders. I didn't start sneezing until I unload those old files stashed underneath my shelves - VB 6.0 and SQL 7.0 training materials. Sigh! I'm really a dinosaur.
I started digging out all sorts of stuff from my shelves and study desk. Going through magazines dating back as old as 1999 - Oh-My! How did they survive in there for so long? *HeHe* *Blush*. I also found a RM10 note! It was stapled on some documents that was returned to me some years back. Ok! That shall be my reward for today. :p
I re-arranged most of the stuff on my study desk and donated a lot of rubbish to the bin. I also cleaned my computer table and stacked my router and wi-fi hub. I hope that won't freak mom out when she needs to plug-in the phone cable to surf the Internet. She'll probably call me up and ask me where to plug again.
Alright! Everything looks kinda clean and neat now...uh...I mean sorta neat I think. I think there are still a lot for me to clean - like those VB 4.0 and Windows NT books sitting on the shelves. *Sniff* *Sniff* Err... maybe next time lah.
Friday, November 11, 2005
SQL2005.Feature.Pack
Wanna add more 'kick' to your SQL Server 2005? Enter Feature Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - November 2005 - a suite of packages that comes with the following goodies:
Microsoft ADOMD.NET
Microsoft Core XML Services (MSXML) 6.0
Microsoft OLEDB Provider for DB2
Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 Management Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 PivotTable Services
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 DTS Designer Components
Microsoft SQL Server Native Client
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services 9.0 OLE DB Provider
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Backward Compatibility Components
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Command Line Query Utility
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Datamining Viewer Controls
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 JDBC Driver
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Management Objects Collection
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Notification Services Client Components
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor
Microsoft .NET Data Provider for mySAP Business Suite
Reporting Add-In for Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express
I guessed some of them are already available when we install SQL Server 2005 but then, check-out all the stuff for Analysis Services and data providers.
Microsoft ADOMD.NET
Microsoft Core XML Services (MSXML) 6.0
Microsoft OLEDB Provider for DB2
Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 Management Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 PivotTable Services
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 DTS Designer Components
Microsoft SQL Server Native Client
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services 9.0 OLE DB Provider
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Backward Compatibility Components
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Command Line Query Utility
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Datamining Viewer Controls
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 JDBC Driver
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Management Objects Collection
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Notification Services Client Components
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor
Microsoft .NET Data Provider for mySAP Business Suite
Reporting Add-In for Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express
I guessed some of them are already available when we install SQL Server 2005 but then, check-out all the stuff for Analysis Services and data providers.
Learned.A.Lesson
Following my post, Exploring Unchartered Regions, I've finally managed to pull through 'the feat' today. It was actually the 071-528: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Web-based Client Development exam which contributes a credit towards the MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications certification.
The reason why I think it is a big feat is because the exam is currently in beta and will not be publicly available until next year. I was invited to take the beta exam and this was my first beta exam experience. Now because it is beta, there are no training materials or training kits readied for it. Even the classroom courses are not ready. Candidates will just have to rely on MSDN and other available information out there - which makes it more or less look like a suicide attempt. :p
Indeed it was a suicide attempt for me but that was mainly my own fault. The exam spans through 4 tiring hours which I had used more than two-thirds of the time. The exam adheres closely to its "Skills Being Measured" (See link above) and if only I followed it diligently as a study guide, I would have been able to answer more questions.
Early in the morning before I went for the exam, I had spent my time revising on topics which I have already known instead of covering more grounds. I thought I could give a few topics a pass but it was those topics which I skipped that came out. Anyway, I learned my lesson and will stick to the "Skills Being Measured" in future.
I don't know how well (or bad) I did as the results will only be available 3 months from now or maybe longer. I really hope I can pass it and not go through the entire tiring process again. But whatever the results may be, I will need to keep moving forward. In the coming December, I will be sitting for the 071–431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance and 071-441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exams. Both are also in beta. I hope I can really take the opportunity to pass them and not have them turn out to be suicide attempts as well. :(
Wish me luck...
The reason why I think it is a big feat is because the exam is currently in beta and will not be publicly available until next year. I was invited to take the beta exam and this was my first beta exam experience. Now because it is beta, there are no training materials or training kits readied for it. Even the classroom courses are not ready. Candidates will just have to rely on MSDN and other available information out there - which makes it more or less look like a suicide attempt. :p
Indeed it was a suicide attempt for me but that was mainly my own fault. The exam spans through 4 tiring hours which I had used more than two-thirds of the time. The exam adheres closely to its "Skills Being Measured" (See link above) and if only I followed it diligently as a study guide, I would have been able to answer more questions.
Early in the morning before I went for the exam, I had spent my time revising on topics which I have already known instead of covering more grounds. I thought I could give a few topics a pass but it was those topics which I skipped that came out. Anyway, I learned my lesson and will stick to the "Skills Being Measured" in future.
I don't know how well (or bad) I did as the results will only be available 3 months from now or maybe longer. I really hope I can pass it and not go through the entire tiring process again. But whatever the results may be, I will need to keep moving forward. In the coming December, I will be sitting for the 071–431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance and 071-441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exams. Both are also in beta. I hope I can really take the opportunity to pass them and not have them turn out to be suicide attempts as well. :(
Wish me luck...
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Treadmills.&.Dumbbells
Yup! I'm going back to the gym again. Had an invitation from my colleague and I spontaneously agreed to sign-up. Guessed I have to get back in shape since stopping in 2002. Need to make myself feel healthy again and regain my stamina so that I can climb flights of stairs (never know when is the next fire-drill) and won't fall asleep easily when reading technical articles *HeHe*.
Get.Started.With.Express
If you are a hobbyist developer, enthusiast or a student who develops web applications for fun or for personal pleasure but don't have the deep-pockets to invest in the full suite of Visual Studio 2005 Professional, you may want to check out Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition.
Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition is a FREE and light-weight Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that is targeted to students and hobbyist developers who need an easy-to-use development tool to build their web applications in ASP.NET 2.0. What's cool is that it comes with all the basic features for building web applications including Intellisense and you don't need a web-server i.e. IIS to develop and test your web applications. You can read more about it here or download it here.
Here are some useful resources to get started:
- Visual Web Developer Express Guided Tour
- Visual Web Developer for Beginners Video Series
- ASP.NET 2.0 Quickstart
There are also some goodies if you register your copy of Visual Web Developer or any Express Edition products. Check it out here.
If you are developing windows application, check out these Express products:
- Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition
- Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
- Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition
- Visual J# 2005 Express Edition
Need a FREE database for your application? Check this out:
- SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (now comes with)
It is absolutely FREE. Yes! Free to use and Royalty-free distribution. Plus! It comes with a management tool - SQL Server Management Studio Express and supports SQL Server Reporting Services too.
So if you want to get started with developing .NET 2.0 applications, go and download all those cool stuffs today!
Updated: Blast!!! The Express Editions are only free for ONE year but that doesn't cover SQL Server Express which will remain free at all times. Anyway, go get it before the offer is over!
Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition is a FREE and light-weight Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that is targeted to students and hobbyist developers who need an easy-to-use development tool to build their web applications in ASP.NET 2.0. What's cool is that it comes with all the basic features for building web applications including Intellisense and you don't need a web-server i.e. IIS to develop and test your web applications. You can read more about it here or download it here.
Here are some useful resources to get started:
- Visual Web Developer Express Guided Tour
- Visual Web Developer for Beginners Video Series
- ASP.NET 2.0 Quickstart
There are also some goodies if you register your copy of Visual Web Developer or any Express Edition products. Check it out here.
If you are developing windows application, check out these Express products:
- Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition
- Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
- Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition
- Visual J# 2005 Express Edition
Need a FREE database for your application? Check this out:
- SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (now comes with)
It is absolutely FREE. Yes! Free to use and Royalty-free distribution. Plus! It comes with a management tool - SQL Server Management Studio Express and supports SQL Server Reporting Services too.
So if you want to get started with developing .NET 2.0 applications, go and download all those cool stuffs today!
Updated: Blast!!! The Express Editions are only free for ONE year but that doesn't cover SQL Server Express which will remain free at all times. Anyway, go get it before the offer is over!
Monday, November 07, 2005
Firedancer.2005.Released
Happy Birthday To Me!!!
Welcome to the launching of Firedancer 2005. *LOL* *Oooo...* *Big Girl luuuu...* Came in to the office early today as I could not sleep well last night. To my surprise, the traffic has been good to me today. Just a breeze through the highway.
Sigh... getting old liow. Yesterday, I fell asleep 3 times while reading ASP.NET 2.0. Mom said, my eyes not so good liow. 10 years from now, I'm gonna be an ah-Sou, another 10, I'll be an ah-Sum, 10 more and I'll be an ah-Por liow. *Sob* *Sob* Anyway, don't care lah... Tomorrow's business, tomorrow worry.
I wonder if I will get any goodies today... a cake? balloons? I hope not cos I'm afraid of balloons. Visual Studio 2005 *Grin*? Probably a few smses kua...
Edited: I forgot to mention that I'm the only Consultant in the office today :'( *BoOHoOHoO*
Welcome to the launching of Firedancer 2005. *LOL* *Oooo...* *Big Girl luuuu...* Came in to the office early today as I could not sleep well last night. To my surprise, the traffic has been good to me today. Just a breeze through the highway.
Sigh... getting old liow. Yesterday, I fell asleep 3 times while reading ASP.NET 2.0. Mom said, my eyes not so good liow. 10 years from now, I'm gonna be an ah-Sou, another 10, I'll be an ah-Sum, 10 more and I'll be an ah-Por liow. *Sob* *Sob* Anyway, don't care lah... Tomorrow's business, tomorrow worry.
I wonder if I will get any goodies today... a cake? balloons? I hope not cos I'm afraid of balloons. Visual Studio 2005 *Grin*? Probably a few smses kua...
Edited: I forgot to mention that I'm the only Consultant in the office today :'( *BoOHoOHoO*
Sunday, November 06, 2005
It.Was.Only.Yesterday
Wow! Today is already Sunday. The last day of the long holiday. Everyone will return from their hometown and the city will be jam-packed again tomorrow. Didn't do much this holiday apart from watching movies and reading up on ASP.NET 2.0. The movies in the cinema were not so attractive as well, otherwise, I would have gone for a few movie marathons.
I guessed life goes back to normal again tomorrow and I will be a year older too. Time passes like a speeding bullet!
I guessed life goes back to normal again tomorrow and I will be a year older too. Time passes like a speeding bullet!
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Exploring.Unchartered.Regions
I've just registered myself for something I'm not sure if I can succeed. There are absolutely no guides, no resources and no one has done it before. All I can count on is just my experience and whatever that is available out there today. I have not done such a feat before and I hope I can succeed. Wish me luck ...
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
You.Don't.Bluff.Ah
A distant relative called mom yesterday...
... somewhere in the conversation ...
Relative: Where is your girl working now?
Mom: She is working in Microsoft now. Been there for two months already.
Relative: Aiyo! How can her company do such a thing?
Mom: What?
Relative: Simply take Microsoft's name lah. You know it is illegal to take other company's name as your own company name?
Mom: She is working in THE Microsoft lah.
Relative: You don't bluff ok?!
Mom: Tsk! She is going to Singapore and US soon lah.
Relative: Impossible lah. In Malaysia where got Microsoft?
Mom: She is working in Microsoft lah!!! The Bill Gates Company!!!
I later had to take over the phone to explain to my poor relative. *Hmm... Do I look so incapable in her eyes ah?*
... somewhere in the conversation ...
Relative: Where is your girl working now?
Mom: She is working in Microsoft now. Been there for two months already.
Relative: Aiyo! How can her company do such a thing?
Mom: What?
Relative: Simply take Microsoft's name lah. You know it is illegal to take other company's name as your own company name?
Mom: She is working in THE Microsoft lah.
Relative: You don't bluff ok?!
Mom: Tsk! She is going to Singapore and US soon lah.
Relative: Impossible lah. In Malaysia where got Microsoft?
Mom: She is working in Microsoft lah!!! The Bill Gates Company!!!
I later had to take over the phone to explain to my poor relative. *Hmm... Do I look so incapable in her eyes ah?*
VSTS.TFS.Quick.Guide
Finally got all my Visual Studio 2005 and Team System installations done. I made a silly mistake yesterday, by uninstalling Windows Sharepoint Services from one of my test machines and it screwed up the entire installation. Well, after removing it, I can no longer reinstall it. The setup application just can't launch. It turns out that, I just need to patch it with Windows Sharepoint Services SP2 to get it working instead of uninstalling. So, I spent the whole morning today, rebuilding my test partition. Now that everything is up and running, I should be ready to go Go GO!
If you are planning to install VSTS, here's a quick step-by-step guide on setting it up on a Single-Server Installation:
1) Install Windows Server 2003 Standard or Enterprise Edition with Service Pack 1.
2) Install Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0. Install SMTP if you want e-mail alerts. Do not install Front-Page Server Extensions.
3) Install Windows Sharepoint Services with Service Pack 2 in Server Farm mode. Leave the configuration alone and close the browser after the installation.
4) Install Microsoft Office Word 2003, Excel 2003 and Project Professional 2003. Install InfoPath 2003 if you want to toy around with the VSTS templates.
5) Install Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2 and Project 2003 Service Pack 2.
6) Install Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite.
7) Install the MSDN documentation for Visual Studio 2005.
8) Install SQL Server 2005 Developer or Enterprise Edition. Make sure everything is selected i.e. Analysis Services, Reporting Services and the rest.
9) If you installed SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition, you need to enable Remote Connections.
a) Goto Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2005 > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Surface Area Configuration.
b) Select Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections.
c) Under Database Engine select Remote Connections.
d) Select Local and Remote connections and choose Using both TCP/IP and named pipes.
10) Create two new user accounts. Name them TFSSERVICE and TFSREPORTS (or whatever creative names you can think off).
11) Make sure the following services are started and configured to startup automatically: SQL Server, SQL Server Agent, SQL Server Analysis Services, SQL Server Browser and SQL Server Reporting Services.
12) Install Team Foundation Server Beta 3 Refresh. Ignore the CoverAn.exe crash alert at the end of the installation if you encounter it.
13) Install Team Foundation Client.
And if all else fails, read the official Installation Guide.
If you are planning to install VSTS, here's a quick step-by-step guide on setting it up on a Single-Server Installation:
1) Install Windows Server 2003 Standard or Enterprise Edition with Service Pack 1.
2) Install Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0. Install SMTP if you want e-mail alerts. Do not install Front-Page Server Extensions.
3) Install Windows Sharepoint Services with Service Pack 2 in Server Farm mode. Leave the configuration alone and close the browser after the installation.
4) Install Microsoft Office Word 2003, Excel 2003 and Project Professional 2003. Install InfoPath 2003 if you want to toy around with the VSTS templates.
5) Install Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2 and Project 2003 Service Pack 2.
6) Install Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite.
7) Install the MSDN documentation for Visual Studio 2005.
8) Install SQL Server 2005 Developer or Enterprise Edition. Make sure everything is selected i.e. Analysis Services, Reporting Services and the rest.
9) If you installed SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition, you need to enable Remote Connections.
a) Goto Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2005 > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Surface Area Configuration.
b) Select Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections.
c) Under Database Engine select Remote Connections.
d) Select Local and Remote connections and choose Using both TCP/IP and named pipes.
10) Create two new user accounts. Name them TFSSERVICE and TFSREPORTS (or whatever creative names you can think off).
11) Make sure the following services are started and configured to startup automatically: SQL Server, SQL Server Agent, SQL Server Analysis Services, SQL Server Browser and SQL Server Reporting Services.
12) Install Team Foundation Server Beta 3 Refresh. Ignore the CoverAn.exe crash alert at the end of the installation if you encounter it.
13) Install Team Foundation Client.
And if all else fails, read the official Installation Guide.
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