Sharepoint 2010 installation hotfix on Win server 2008

If you happen to install Sharepoint 2010 on Window Server 2008(without SP2), you may encounter the below problem while accessing sharepoint sites."Request is not available in this context "

Problem

Server Error in '/' Application.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request is not available in this context
Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.
Exception Details: System.Web.HttpException: Request is not available in this context

Solutions

This is been a known issue since while and Microsoft have acknowledge and rectified it in Windows Server 2008(SP2). if you are using SP1 of Windows Server 2008, I would suggest you to install SP2 or download the hotfix for this solution by clicking on here. Basically, .NET CLR does not understand the new optimization mechanisma and hence after installing this hotfix, one need to also set set the optimizeCompilations property of the tag in your web.config file to true. More information about it is also mentioned in Microsoft support site at here

Case Study on Bengaluru Airport

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) used Windows 7 as to enhance IT Management, security and optimised user experience. There is a 4 page case study that Microsoft has uploaded. Click here to know more details about case study

Crystal Reports in VS2010- Where is it ?

Crystal Reports has been integral part of Visual Studio since 1993. I believe the first time, Microsoft introduces Crystal reports with Visual Studio was with VB 2. Now, with VS2010, Crystal Reports are not integral part of VS 2010 any more.

Well, Not to worry.. Crystal Reports will be separately available as download from Sap. Yesterday, beta version is launched and can be downloaded by clicking here. The good part and as I read the article from Sap Networks here is that Crystal reports will always be available as a free download. The actual product is expetced on Q3 2010.

Silverlight 4 release on Feb 13

Remember Feb 13, 2007... Silverlight went public for the first time and yeah, here post 3 yrs later at Feb 13,2010, Silverlight 4 got released... This seems to be a intresting fact isn't it .. :) .. There are lots and lots of capabilities coming on Silverlight 4 . The RIAs support seems to be increasing in Silverlight on their every release.. So if you would like to know what's new in Silverlight 4, click here
Silverlight 4 application requires VS 2010 as an IDE. I would be blogging more on Sharepoint 2010 , VS 2010, Silverlight 4 and few more upcoming Tech.. in coming day and will talk about specific features of each of them..

WCF error "No end point listening at net.pipe://server name:port/service name that could accept the message

Often, While having client and server communication via WCF, one of the typical error that is received is no endpoint is listening. I am blogging the error and resolution for the benefits of all blog readers

Error : There was no endpoint listening at net.pipe://servername:portnumber/ that could accept the message.This is often caused by an incorrect address or SOAP action. See InnerException, if present, for more details.
Resolution:
If you get above error, ensure to follow the below steps
Step 1. Ensure you are pinging the server only if it is started. Normally, this is a typical issue while accessing the service, client pings the server even if it is not started.
Step 2. Ensure that config file in both client and server does not have different address.
Step 3. netpipe/named pipe only works if client and server resides in same machine.Use netTcp binding incase they are not in same machine or if there is any chances in future that both of them does not resides in same machine.

Also, ensure that your IP is been correctly accesed via the client. Normally, this does not happen if you are using load Balancing techniques provider the hardware components. If still the problems does not solve, email me :)

Review Sharepoint Prep kits for UCertify

I have been asked to review Prep kits for 70-630 exam titled Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuring (70-630). Though I have not got a chance to review each questions but I did found that the concepts related to 70-630 are clearly outlined and thoroughly covered.

There are few small things that has been take care of in this prep kits. For e.g. Pause button which provide a reader to take a break while preparing for the exams.This is very nice and extremely useful. The other noticeable things that I like are adding Tags to each questions, providing review etc to name a few. Also like other prep kits, they did explain the reasons for correct as well as incorrect answers.Few things that I really liked in this Prepkits is its GUI and study notes section.



SharePoint 2010 is on the way. If you are a SharePoint geek, I would still reckoned to get through this exam titled “70-630 – TS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007” since still the basics are same. Being my blog reader, you are also entitled to a 10% discount for this prep kit. The discount code is "UCPREP".

MOSS Service Pack 2 Released

Microsoft have released Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) Service Pack 2. This can be download from here. This service pack include all the unreleased fixes, security updates etx. It is strongly recommend to go through the link Service Pack 2 Improvements to know about the improvements in SP2

Free ASP.NET MVC Book

ASP.NET MVC framework brings a lots of easiness for creating MVC applications in ASP.NET. There are already lots of tutorials, documentation for new ASP.NET MVC Framework. If you need the sum of all , do go through the upcoming book called ASP.NET MVC 1.0 of Wrox publication. Scott Guthrie has written one of the chapter and is also available for free download. Click here to download the first chapter written by scott Guthrie

Microsoft Software + Services: The Greater Sum :)

Tech Ed 2009

This year, MS Tech Ed 2009 is happening at Hyderabad from May 13th-15th‏.
What's New this time in Tech Ed , 2009 ?

• 28 Technical tracks
• Technical Learning Center (TLC) : With more than 100 Demo Stations, 24 Instructor-led Hands-on-Lab sessions, 12 Technology Tents (hosted by Microsoft Product Development Teams), product-specific Ask-the-Expert rooms
• Microsoft Certification for free at Tech ED : One of the unique opportunity of its own
• Speakers : Chance to hear from 78 eminient speakers that includes Steve Balmer, CEO of Microsoft.

How to view Tech Ed online
Click here to view Tech Ed Online

Where to Register ?
Go and get register for Microsoft TechEd India 2009 at www.msteched.in now

Virtual Techdays in back

Virtual techDays is back again. it will be on 24-26 November 2008.
for more information and registration, go on http://www.virtualtechdays.com/

WCF REST Starter Kit Now Available

if you have seen noticed about whats new in .NET 4.0 for WCF. One of the things that have been brought into the attention is the support for creating RESTful Services. So does that mean that in order to create RESTful services via WCF, one need to wait for .NET 4.0. Well.. Not really.. if you are working on .NET 3.5 SP 1, then you got a WCF REST Starter Kit. It is available for download on CodePlex. This kit simplifies the development of REST services by adding new features and guidance tightly integrated with ASP.NET and the existing WCF release in .NET 3.5 SP1. Click here for Learning Resouce on WCF REST Starter Kit

Ramp up- a free, online, community-based program

Recently i have got a chance to got a visit a wonderful site called Ramp Up program (http://www.myrampup.com/) . Ramp Up is a free, online, community-based program that can help users save time in learning Microsoft technology. The easy-to-access content (provided by subject-matter gurus) is specifically tailored to the Ramp Up program, and offered in a variety of forms (whitepaper, v-lab, codecast and slidecast). There are lot of tracks in it SharePoint track, along with the other currently offered tracks (eg, Visual Studio 2008), teaches the important skills in a guided path, making the learning process easier and more efficient. Currently, there are no assessments in the program, so it's quicker than ever to graduate and receive the reward (25% off on certification and 50% off on e-Learning - only for graduates of Ramp Up).