MSDN TV: Building Custom Solutions with Excel Services
Building Custom Solutions with Excel Services This presentation covers the reasons behind Excel Services, the benefits of using them, and a demonstration of using a Web service to incorporate Excel-based business logic into your own server solutions.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Live Office: An Heretical View
George Ou, Technical Director for TechRepublic.com, has posted in his blog, a sobering article on the realities of web-based applications:
'David Berlind wrote this blog "Corporate PCs: Underpowered for Vista. Overpowered for Writely?" and asked if the computing world should be going back to lower powered computers to run Web-based Applications like Google's Writely instead of ramping up their hardware to run Windows Vista. But in my opinion, the question should be reversed since web applications actually eat up more resources than Windows Vista.
Google's newly acquired Writely should hardly be considered a replacement for Microsoft Office, Word Perfect, OpenOffice.org Write, or any other rich client. The only Web-based word processor or Office Suite that comes close to something like Microsoft Office is ThinkFree Office which is written in Java. But ThinkFree Office makes resource-hogging OpenOffice.org look good by comparison. Just the word processor alone with no data loaded eats up 100 MBs of RAM. Loading up the spread sheet and presentation software will cost you another 200 MBs of RAM. Oh and if you actually want some data with that, you better prepare a Gigabyte of RAM. Vista on the other hand will run on a computer with 128 MBs of RAM (without any Aero Glass eye candy).
Some ask why not come up with a Web-based Office with something like AJAX but the reality is, it's not the panacea some make it out to be. Sun's James Gosling recently gave this interview and talked about the problems of AJAX development. The truth of the matter is, Web-based applications are just a poor way of pushing the presentation layer to the user. If all that is desired is online-only application access, then Citrix is the way to go because it delivers a vastly superior user experience while requiring far less bandwidth and far less resources on the client side.'
George Ou, Technical Director for TechRepublic.com, has posted in his blog, a sobering article on the realities of web-based applications:
'David Berlind wrote this blog "Corporate PCs: Underpowered for Vista. Overpowered for Writely?" and asked if the computing world should be going back to lower powered computers to run Web-based Applications like Google's Writely instead of ramping up their hardware to run Windows Vista. But in my opinion, the question should be reversed since web applications actually eat up more resources than Windows Vista.
Google's newly acquired Writely should hardly be considered a replacement for Microsoft Office, Word Perfect, OpenOffice.org Write, or any other rich client. The only Web-based word processor or Office Suite that comes close to something like Microsoft Office is ThinkFree Office which is written in Java. But ThinkFree Office makes resource-hogging OpenOffice.org look good by comparison. Just the word processor alone with no data loaded eats up 100 MBs of RAM. Loading up the spread sheet and presentation software will cost you another 200 MBs of RAM. Oh and if you actually want some data with that, you better prepare a Gigabyte of RAM. Vista on the other hand will run on a computer with 128 MBs of RAM (without any Aero Glass eye candy).
Some ask why not come up with a Web-based Office with something like AJAX but the reality is, it's not the panacea some make it out to be. Sun's James Gosling recently gave this interview and talked about the problems of AJAX development. The truth of the matter is, Web-based applications are just a poor way of pushing the presentation layer to the user. If all that is desired is online-only application access, then Citrix is the way to go because it delivers a vastly superior user experience while requiring far less bandwidth and far less resources on the client side.'
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
What's New in Access 12:
Build Better Looking Forms and Reports Faster
MSDN Blogger, Erik Rucker, in posts this month has highlighted some cool new tools that will be available in Access 2007:
AutoFormatting - 25 New Themes
Better Image Support - If you want to store images directly in the database the new attachment data-type is a god-send. In the past you would use the OLE Object data type, and because of how OLE worked, there were bloat issues as Access had to store a preview of the file along with the OLE data. Attachments are a new complex data-type that stores multiple attachments to a record in a binary field in a hidden table, and Access compresses the file when it is added if it isn’t already a compressed file type.
WYSIWYG Form and Report Authoring - new forms authoring tools allow you to see live data at design time.
Working with Layouts - Access 12 introduces a new control-grouping concept called Layouts that provide control flow. Using Layouts, when you move controls around they can snap into position and the other controls can reflow because the controls are all aware of their relationship to one another.
Multiple Item Forms - Multi-item forms can be created in one click, and also use Layouts for control positioning. Building a multi-item form creates a datasheet that can be edited, and with a "new item" row at the bottom that can be used to add new records.
Rich Text In Access Forms - Better late than ever: Access 2003 dropped support for the "unsafe" VB6 RichText Control. Access 12 now provides a native rich text control, and allows users to both display and edit rich text at runtime. Rich text support can be turned on through the property sheet or rich text fields can be added to a form through the Add Field task pane.
Sidebar: How about native controls that replace all MS Common Controls, such as the TreeView amd ListItem controls?
Color Pickers - More colors that can be set by using the Access theme color picker that is available from the ribbon and builds on color properties in the property sheet.
Build Better Looking Forms and Reports Faster
MSDN Blogger, Erik Rucker, in posts this month has highlighted some cool new tools that will be available in Access 2007:
AutoFormatting - 25 New Themes
Better Image Support - If you want to store images directly in the database the new attachment data-type is a god-send. In the past you would use the OLE Object data type, and because of how OLE worked, there were bloat issues as Access had to store a preview of the file along with the OLE data. Attachments are a new complex data-type that stores multiple attachments to a record in a binary field in a hidden table, and Access compresses the file when it is added if it isn’t already a compressed file type.
WYSIWYG Form and Report Authoring - new forms authoring tools allow you to see live data at design time.
Working with Layouts - Access 12 introduces a new control-grouping concept called Layouts that provide control flow. Using Layouts, when you move controls around they can snap into position and the other controls can reflow because the controls are all aware of their relationship to one another.
Multiple Item Forms - Multi-item forms can be created in one click, and also use Layouts for control positioning. Building a multi-item form creates a datasheet that can be edited, and with a "new item" row at the bottom that can be used to add new records.
Rich Text In Access Forms - Better late than ever: Access 2003 dropped support for the "unsafe" VB6 RichText Control. Access 12 now provides a native rich text control, and allows users to both display and edit rich text at runtime. Rich text support can be turned on through the property sheet or rich text fields can be added to a form through the Add Field task pane.
Sidebar: How about native controls that replace all MS Common Controls, such as the TreeView amd ListItem controls?
Color Pickers - More colors that can be set by using the Access theme color picker that is available from the ribbon and builds on color properties in the property sheet.
New Office and SQL Server Articles and Webcasts
From DevX.com:
Articles
XML Onboard: The Developer Potential of Office 12 for Commercial Enterprise Software
SQL Server 2005: Better Than Ever for Software Developers
The XML Data Type
ADO.NET 2.0
Server Management Objects
2005 Web Services
SQL Server Service Broker
From DevX.com:
Articles
XML Onboard: The Developer Potential of Office 12 for Commercial Enterprise Software
SQL Server 2005: Better Than Ever for Software Developers
On Demand Webcasts-SQL Server 2005 For Developers Series
The XML Data Type
ADO.NET 2.0
Server Management Objects
2005 Web Services
SQL Server Service Broker
MS Access: Quick Tip
In a Datasheet View, when you want to hide columns, don't select Format > Hide Columns, use Format > Unhide Columns... , as this command opens the Unhide Columns dialog, from which you can dynamically hide/unhide as many as columns as you want, by using the checkboxes for each column.
In a Datasheet View, when you want to hide columns, don't select Format > Hide Columns, use Format > Unhide Columns... , as this command opens the Unhide Columns dialog, from which you can dynamically hide/unhide as many as columns as you want, by using the checkboxes for each column.
Latest MS Access Knowledge Base Articles
Courtesy of KbAlertz.com:
Access 2000
913070 #Deleted is displayed in the records when you open a linked ODBC table from an Oracle 10g database in Access 2003, in Access 2002, or in Access 2000
199879 OFF2000: Remove All Doesn't Remove Temporary Shortcut Bar Files
212761 OFF2000: Application Information Missing in System Information Utility
199901 OFF2000: Removing Templates Removes Modified Database Files
907337 You receive an error message when you start Visual Basic for Applications code in an Access database
226517 OFF2000: "Keep these programs" Check Box Unavailable
229381 OFF2000: Unable to Install Internet Explorer 5 in Office Maintenance Mode Setup
228690 OFF2000: Extra Programs Listed in Removing Previous Versions Dialog Box
229457 OFF2000: Error Installing Office on Windows NT with Internet Explorer 2.0
229386 OFF2000: "...setup completed successfully" Message Does Not Appear at the End of Setup
229375 OFF2000: "Web Browsing Component Only" Installs Internet Explorer 5
221437 OFF2000: Task Scheduler Is Turned On After Installing Office
233273 OFF2000: List of Settings Migrated from Earlier Versions of Office
243253 OFF2000: How to Manipulate the Feature Tree by Using the Keyboard
228616 OFF2000: Exit Setup Dialog Box Appears Unexpectedly When You Press the ENTER Key
217435 OFF2000: Microsoft Office Manager View Settings Do Not Migrate to Office Shortcut Bar
210055 OFF2000: Copy To Commands Missing in Bookshelf After Upgrade
228677 You receive a "Could not find a package to install on the installation media" error message when you run Office 2000 Setup from an administrative installation point
229410 OFF2000: Cannot Open Binder Documents After Installing Office 2000
234041 OFF2000: Error Message: "This Installation Is Forbidden by System Policy ..." Running Setup
231611 OFF2000: Unable to Run Setup with AlwaysInstallElevated Policy Enabled
238417 OFF2000: Numbers in Quicken 98 Reports Appear with Spaces After Installing Office 2000
229459 OFF2000: AlwaysInstallElevated Key Is Reset to Zero
217609 OFF2000: Some Switches and Properties Are Ignored When Using the /j Switch
228631 OFF2000: Motionless Office Assistant Is Always Installed to \Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office Folder
229451 OFF2000: Removing Office Removes User-modified Files
233119 OFF2000: How to Automatically Reboot After the First Portion of Setup
226530 OFF2000: UserName and CompanyName Fields Not Set to Blanks
241056 OFF2000: "A Newer Version of DCOM95 Had Been Installed..." Message During Setup on Windows 95
217683 OFF2000: Maintenance Mode Requires 1280KB of Disk Space in Addition to the Features That You Choose to Add
217673 OFF2000: Setup Error "Installation was not completed successfully" in Quiet Mode
245088 OFF2000: MSDN CD Not Recognized When You Apply the Office 2000 ODBC Vulnerability Update
245113 OFF2000: MSDN DVD Not Recognized When You Apply the Office 2000 ODBC Vulnerability Update
Access 2002
917418 You receive an error message when you try to create or to modify the design of an SQL object in Office Access 2003 or in Access 2002
917415 Access 2002 exits when you create or try to modify an in-line function when the Access 2002 project is connected to a SQL Server 2005 database
917584 Description of the Office XP post-Service Pack 3 hotfix package: March 31, 2006
915749 Description of Access 2002 post-Service Pack 3 hotfix package: March 11, 2006
913572 Description of Access 2002 post-Service Pack 3 hotfix package: March 15, 2006
Access 2003
905409 Description of the Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package: April 12, 2006
917418 You receive an error message when you try to create or to modify the design of an SQL object in Office Access 2003 or in Access 2002
Access 2003
905409 Description of the Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package: April 12, 2006
917418 You receive an error message when you try to create or to modify the design of an SQL object in Office Access 2003 or in Access 2002
Monday, April 24, 2006
CreateInstall Free
I have just come across, CreateInstall Free, a neat little application for creating Windows install sets, and is particularly suitable for deploying Access applications. It has a crisp clean interface, is very easy to use, and handles advanced features such as INI files, command-line parameters, and auto-registration of system files, including DLL's and OCX's.
The install footprint is small, and the installation gui is well-designed and efficient:
Highly recommended.
I have just come across, CreateInstall Free, a neat little application for creating Windows install sets, and is particularly suitable for deploying Access applications. It has a crisp clean interface, is very easy to use, and handles advanced features such as INI files, command-line parameters, and auto-registration of system files, including DLL's and OCX's.
The install footprint is small, and the installation gui is well-designed and efficient:
Highly recommended.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
More SQL Server Downloads 2
SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Absolute Beginners Video Code Samples These are code samples that are a part of the Absolute Beginner Series for SQL Server 2005 Express Edition.
Teacher Starter Kit for SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and Visual Basic The Teacher Starter Kit is a rich client application for keeping track of students, course rosters, and assessments or grades.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 Community Technology Preview Download the Community Technology Preview releases of SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and SQL Server 2005 Books Online SP1 and submit feedback on these releases.
SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Absolute Beginners Video Code Samples These are code samples that are a part of the Absolute Beginner Series for SQL Server 2005 Express Edition.
Teacher Starter Kit for SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and Visual Basic The Teacher Starter Kit is a rich client application for keeping track of students, course rosters, and assessments or grades.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 Community Technology Preview Download the Community Technology Preview releases of SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and SQL Server 2005 Books Online SP1 and submit feedback on these releases.
More SQL Server 2005 Downloads
Teacher Starter Kit for SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and Visual C# The Teacher Starter Kit is a rich client application for keeping track of students, course rosters, and assessments or grades.
SQL Server 2005 Samples and Sample Databases (April 2006) Download over 100 samples and three sample databases for SQL Server 2005.
Teacher Starter Kit for SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and Visual C# The Teacher Starter Kit is a rich client application for keeping track of students, course rosters, and assessments or grades.
SQL Server 2005 Samples and Sample Databases (April 2006) Download over 100 samples and three sample databases for SQL Server 2005.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
SQL Server 2005 SP1 and Other SQL Server Goodies
SQL Server 2005 SP1 Download Service Pack 1 for Microsoft SQL Server 2005.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition SP1 Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition is a free, easy-to-use, lightweight version of SQL Server 2005. It is fast and easy to learn, allowing you to quickly develop and deploy dynamic data-driven applications.
Feature Pack for SQL Server 2005 Apr 2006 Download the April 2006 Feature Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005, a collection of standalone install packages that provide additional value for SQL Server 2005.
Design for Operations Integration Kit Application faults and performance bottlenecks automatically generate work items/trouble tickets in Visual Studio 2005 Team System
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor Download the April 2006 version of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor. Upgrade Advisor analyzes instances of SQL Server 7.0 and SQL Server 2000 to help you prepare for upgrades to SQL Server 2005.
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) is a free, easy-to-use graphical management tool for managing SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Toolkit Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Toolkit provides additional tools and resources for SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services is a new, free, easy-to use version of SQL Server Express that includes more features and makes it easier than ever to start developing powerful data-driven applications for web or local desktop development.
SQL Server 2005 SP1 Download Service Pack 1 for Microsoft SQL Server 2005.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition SP1 Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition is a free, easy-to-use, lightweight version of SQL Server 2005. It is fast and easy to learn, allowing you to quickly develop and deploy dynamic data-driven applications.
Feature Pack for SQL Server 2005 Apr 2006 Download the April 2006 Feature Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005, a collection of standalone install packages that provide additional value for SQL Server 2005.
Design for Operations Integration Kit Application faults and performance bottlenecks automatically generate work items/trouble tickets in Visual Studio 2005 Team System
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor Download the April 2006 version of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor. Upgrade Advisor analyzes instances of SQL Server 7.0 and SQL Server 2000 to help you prepare for upgrades to SQL Server 2005.
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) is a free, easy-to-use graphical management tool for managing SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Toolkit Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Toolkit provides additional tools and resources for SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services is a new, free, easy-to use version of SQL Server Express that includes more features and makes it easier than ever to start developing powerful data-driven applications for web or local desktop development.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
New Versions of Vista-Style Switchboards
Two new versions of my Vista-style Switchboard are now available:
Two new versions of my Vista-style Switchboard are now available:
- Vista Switchboard With Resizable Panes and hover links:
All About SQL Server 2005
Dig into the details of SQL Server 2005 Increase security, scalability, and availability with live and on-demand webcasts, along with virtual labs, where you can check out SQL Server 2005 without setup or installation.
Dig into the details of SQL Server 2005 Increase security, scalability, and availability with live and on-demand webcasts, along with virtual labs, where you can check out SQL Server 2005 without setup or installation.
Migrate Access 2003 Applications to Small Business Accounting 2006
Migrate Access 2003 Applications to Small Business Accounting 2006 Examine how integration of Small Business Accounting 2006 with Access 2003 can benefit ISVs, particularly the Access developers designing solutions for the small business market.
Migrate Access 2003 Applications to Small Business Accounting 2006 Examine how integration of Small Business Accounting 2006 with Access 2003 can benefit ISVs, particularly the Access developers designing solutions for the small business market.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Access Extra: Now on MSN® Alerts
You can receive Access Extra posts as MSN Alerts through your MSN® Messenger or Windows® Messenger, your e-mail, or your mobile device.
You can choose how and when to receive messages. MSN Alerts does not charge for sending alerts to your mobile device; however, your mobile service provider may charge for every text message you receive, including alerts.
Sign-up by clicking on this link:
You can receive Access Extra posts as MSN Alerts through your MSN® Messenger or Windows® Messenger, your e-mail, or your mobile device.
You can choose how and when to receive messages. MSN Alerts does not charge for sending alerts to your mobile device; however, your mobile service provider may charge for every text message you receive, including alerts.
Sign-up by clicking on this link:
Sunday, April 09, 2006
MS Access: RIP?
In his latest newsletter this weekend, author, Rick Dobson, says:
The development flexibility and excellent pricing for the [VB] Express suite contrasted with the higher pricing and relatively aged development capabilities of Microsoft Access suggest that many Access developers will find a more useful environment for creating custom database solutions with the Express suite.
I beg to differ. Outside large enterprises, independent Access developers must compete on price, and clients will not pay more for something less accessible and more expensive to build and maintain. Access has been a success because it is simply the best RAD for desktop databases.
In his latest newsletter this weekend, author, Rick Dobson, says:
The development flexibility and excellent pricing for the [VB] Express suite contrasted with the higher pricing and relatively aged development capabilities of Microsoft Access suggest that many Access developers will find a more useful environment for creating custom database solutions with the Express suite.
I beg to differ. Outside large enterprises, independent Access developers must compete on price, and clients will not pay more for something less accessible and more expensive to build and maintain. Access has been a success because it is simply the best RAD for desktop databases.
SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition To Run on all versions of Windows
SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition for handheld devices that run Windows CE and Windows Tablet Edition, is to run on all versions of Windows. Source: www.computerworld.com
SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition for handheld devices that run Windows CE and Windows Tablet Edition, is to run on all versions of Windows. Source: www.computerworld.com
Excel Hands-On Lab
Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office Excel Hands-on Labs The labs included in this download provide hands-on practice with developing Microsoft Excel solutions using Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office.
Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office Excel Hands-on Labs The labs included in this download provide hands-on practice with developing Microsoft Excel solutions using Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office.
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