Monday, April 30, 2007

NEW v1.2 Ezy StartBar for Windows
A faster more versatile Start Menu for your Desktop



Ezy StartBar for Windows v1.2 is now available. After feedback from users, I have updated this very popular download, which has been listed by many software sites.

Ezy StartBar adds a supplemental Start Menu SideBar to your Windows Taskbar, and provides quick access to groups of menu items. It offers more flexibility than the standard Windows Start Menu, and the number of links is virtually unlimited. You can manage Ezy StartBar exclusively using your mouse.

Ezy StartBar behaves like the standard Start Menu, but also allows you to create groups of shortcuts, which can be added, edited and deleted on the fly, with full drag and drop functionality. You can drag shortcuts onto any group in the SideBar when Ezy StartBar is pinned to your Desktop.

A link to any program, file, folder, shortcut, or URL can be added to the Ezy StartBar SideBar by either pinning the SideBar and dragging and dropping a file or a shortcut onto a group, or by using the SideBar's File Open dialog whether the SideBar is pinned or un-pinned.

A group or an item can be renamed, edited, or removed from the SideBar by right-clicking the SideBar and using the commands available from the popup menu. The order of the items in a group can be arranged by dragging and dropping them to the preferred position within a group or from one group to another.

Unlike the standard Windows Start Menu, a SideBar link item created from a shortcut that is subsequently moved or deleted will still work, as the
Ezy StartBar link points to the actual file location not the shortcut.

Download (500kb)

New features and fixes include:
  • System-wide Hot Key
  • Default skin is now the user's Windows scheme - custom skin option removed
  • URL link source not lost when source shortcut is deleted
  • Launch bar now fully repositions and resizes with Taskbar position and size
  • Launch bar now visible when Taskbar is set to auto-hide
  • Menubar replaced by graphical toolbar

Friday, April 27, 2007

Office 2003 SP3 to provide Office 2007 Security Features

Microsoft plans to make some of the security improvements and features built into Office 2007 available for Office 2003, a company representative said Thursday. Service Pack 3 for Office 2003 will be focused on security. Joshua Edwards, a technical product manager for Office at Microsoft said: "We're not going to take everything, but we will take as much as we can."

Microsoft hasn't yet set a release date for the Office 2003 update, which like other service packs will be available as a free upgrade.

More from Source: news.com.com

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Application Templates

Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Application Template Documents: All Application Template Datasheets This download combines all of the datasheets for the Application Templates for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 into one convenient package.

Monday, April 23, 2007

AutoRuns for Windows v8.61

This utility from MSDN goes way beyond the MSConfig utility bundled with Windows. Autoruns is the most comprehensive startup monitor I have seen and shows which programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and the entries in the order Windows processes them, including applications in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. You can configure Autoruns to show other locations, including Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and more.

Autorun's Hide Signed Microsoft Entries option lists third-party auto-starting images that have been added to your system, and supports the auto-starting images configured for other system accounts. Also included in the download package is a command-line equivalent, Autorunsc, that outputs in CSV format.


Friday, April 20, 2007

Download the Office 2007 Formats Compatibility Pack

Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats
Open, edit, and save documents, workbooks, and presentations in the file formats new to Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Training presentation: Get up to speed with Office 2007

Download this Powerpoint template of training content about the new look of the Office 2007 and its new tools and benefits. This content is geared for a corporate trainer to present to a group.
Version: PowerPoint 2000 or later
Download size: 1350 KB (5 mins @ 56 Kbps)

Office 2003 and 2007:
MSDN Technical Articles, How-To Content, and Code Samples

MSDN have researched the MSDN Library – Office Solutions Development Node and pulled tons of useful links and categorized them by content type. MSDN will update these pages as more content is published.

These are all new resources pages that compile links to articles, code samples, and how-to articles for Office 2007:

They have also built some resource pages for Office 2003:

Source: Erika Ehrli's MSDN Blog - Adventures in Office Development and .NET


Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Connecting to Oracle With MS Access

These are helpful walkthroughs on using Access to connect to Oracle back-ends. The first article also addresses the differences between Oracle SQL and Access SQL:

Monday, April 16, 2007

Up-sizing from Access to SQL Server

A useful resource portal from MS Gold Certified Partner ssw.com.au on the rationale for up-sizing from Access to SQL Server and managing the up-size process. You can download an up-sizing plan template and these white papers:
  • What’s New and Different when Moving Your Backend from Access to SQL Server 2000
  • How to Migrate Your Backend from Access to SQL Server 2000
Fifty Ways to Improve Your Visual Basic Programs

An excellent article from VB author J.P. Hamilton on 50 things you can do to make your VB [and VBA] code more effective and easier to maintain.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

It's Official: Don't Deploy Access Database on Windows Vista

From Access KB Article No. 935370 issued by Microsoft on 10 April 2007:

When you open or are using a Microsoft Office Access database on a computer that is running Windows Vista, you may encounter one or more of the following issues:

Applies To

• Microsoft Office Access 2007
• Microsoft Office Access 2003
• Microsoft Access 2002 Standard Edition
• Microsoft Access 2000 Standard Edition
• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Ultimate

Symptoms


Access appears to stop responding.

Access responds very slowly.

Access exits unexpectedly or crashes.

An event that resembles the following is logged in the Application log:
Log Name: Application
Source: Application Hang
Logged: Date_and_Time
Event ID: 1002
Task Category: (101)
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Computer_Name
Description: The program MSACCESS.EXE version Version_Number stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel. Process ID: Process_ID Start Time: Hexadecimal_Time Termination Time: Hexadecimal_Time

After you encounter one or more of these issues, you receive the following error message the next time that you open the database: The document Database_Name caused a serious error the last time it was opened. Would you like to continue opening it? When you open the database, you encounter the following issues:


All data in tables and queries shows as "#Name?"

You no longer see any objects in the navigation pane.

This problem may occur if the following conditions are true:


The database that you are using is a shared database that resides on a Windows Vista-based computer.

Two or more Windows Vista-based computers are trying to use the database at the same time.

Note If you run the beta versions of Windows Server Code Name "Longhorn," you may also experience this problem.

Cause

This problem is related to issues with Server Message Block (SMB) 2.0 when SMB 2.0 is running on a Windows Vista-based computer.

Workaround

You can temporarily work around this problem by sharing the database from a computer that is not running Windows Vista or a beta version of Windows Server "Longhorn." We do not recommend this method as a permanent solution. You should check this article periodically for a permanent solution.

Status

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. Microsoft is currently working on a more permanent solution to this problem and will update this article when that information is available.

Monday, April 09, 2007

SQL Server Analysis Cubes and Excel 2007 Pivot Tables

Excel 2007 Document: Designing SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services Cubes for Excel 2007 PivotTables This MS document outlines how to improve the end-user experience by optimizing the cube design for Microsoft Office Excel 2007 PivotTable dynamic views.

Friday, April 06, 2007

MSDN April 2007 Library Available for Download

MSDN Library (April 2007) The MSDN Library provides access to essential programming information, including technical reference documentations, white papers, software development kits, and code samples necessary to develop Web services and applications.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

New SQL Server Hosting Downloads

SQL Server Database Publishing Services 1.1 SQL Server Database Publishing Services can be deployed by shared hosting providers to enable publishing of SQL Server databases over the Internet.

SQL Server Database Publishing Wizard 1.1 The SQL Server Database Publishing Wizard provides a way to publish databases to T-SQL scripts or directly to supporting hosting service providers.

Monday, April 02, 2007

PS: Help File for CodeGuru ZIP Library

I have compiled a Help file for the CGZipLibrary.dll, using the excellent freeware tool HTML Help COM Assistant from DevComponents.com. The CHM file documents all objects, methods and properies in the DLL.
Zip And UnZip In Access Without WinZip

Not all users will have WinZip on their PC. The following VBA code using the OpenSource CodeGuru Zip DLL library offers a simple and effective way to manage ZIP files during application installation and within applications. I have used this basic code in an application without mishap.

1. Download the DLL's and source code from: http://www.codeguru.com/vb/gen/vb_graphics/fileformats/article.php/c6743/

2. Deploy the DLL, CGZipLibrary.dll, to the application folder or to the .../Windows/System32 folder

3. Add a Reference to the DLL

4. Use VBA code based on the following sample Access form module:

' Unzip/Zip Client program for the CGZipLibrary ActiveXDLL
' Based on VB6 Code by Chris Eastwood, July 1999
Option Explicit

Private Declare Function GetTempPath Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetTempPathA" (ByVal nBufferLength As Long, ByVal lpBuffer As String) As Long

Private Function GetTempPathName() As String
Dim sBuffer As String
Dim lRet As Long

sBuffer = String$(255, vbNullChar)
lRet = GetTempPath(255, sBuffer)
If lRet > 0 Then
sBuffer = Left$(sBuffer, lRet)
End If
GetTempPathName = sBuffer
End Function

Private Sub cmdUnZip_Click()
On Error GoTo vbErrorHandler

' Unzip the ZIPTEST.ZIP file to the Windows Temp Directory'
Dim oUnZip As CGUnzipFiles
Set oUnZip = New CGUnzipFiles
With oUnZip
' Which Zip File ?
.ZipFileName = "C:\ZIPTEST.ZIP"
' Where are we zipping to ?'
.ExtractDir = GetTempPathName
'Keep Directory Structure of Zip ?'
.HonorDirectories = False
' Unzip and Display any errors as required
If .Unzip <> 0 Then
MsgBox .GetLastMessage
End If
End With
Set oUnZip = Nothing
MsgBox "\ZIPTEST.ZIP Extracted Successfully to " & GetTempPathName

Exit Sub
vbErrorHandler:
MsgBox Err.Number & Err.Description
End Sub

Private Sub cmdZip_Click()
On Error GoTo vbErrorHandler

Set oZip = New CGZipFiles
With oZip'
' Give Zip File a Name\Path
.ZipFileName = "\ZIPTEST.ZIP"
.UpdatingZip = False ' ensures a new zip is created
' Add in the files to the zip - in this case - all the files in the current directory
.AddFile App.Path & "\*.*"
' Make the zip file & display any errors
If .MakeZipFile <> 0 Then
MsgBox .GetLastMessage ' any errors
End If
End With
Set oZip = Nothing
MsgBox "\ZIPTEST.ZIP Created Successfully"

Exit Sub
vbErrorHandler:
MsgBox Err.Number & Err.Description
End Sub

Sunday, April 01, 2007

NEW Ezy StartBar for Windows
A faster more versatile Start Menu for your Desktop



I have just launched my latest freeware application: Ezy StartBar for Windows.

Ezy StartBar adds a supplemental Start Menu SideBar to your Windows Taskbar, and provides quick access to groups of menu items. It offers more flexibility than the standard Windows Start Menu, and the number of links is virtually unlimited. You can manage Ezy StartBar exclusively using your mouse.


Ezy StartBar behaves like the standard Start Menu, but also allows you to create groups of shortcuts, which can be added, edited and deleted on the fly, with full drag and drop functionality. You can drag shortcuts onto any group in the SideBar when Ezy StartBar is pinned to your Desktop.

A link to any program, file, shortcut, or URL can be added to the Ezy StartBar SideBar by either pinning the SideBar and dragging and dropping a file or a shortcut onto a group, or by using the SideBar's File Open dialog whether the SideBar is pinned or un-pinned.

A group or an item can be renamed, edited, or removed from the SideBar by right-clicking the SideBar and using the commands available from the popup menu. The order of the items in a group can be arranged by dragging and dropping them to the preferred position within a group or from one group to another.

Unlike the standard Windows Start Menu, a SideBar link item created from a shortcut that is subsequently moved or deleted will still work, as the
Ezy StartBar link points to the actual file location not the shortcut.

Download (500kb)