Aug09

SharePoint Guide promotion

 

Until the end of August I’m running a special promotion on my full SharePoint Guide. If any one you refer purchases the Guide and then lets me know it was you who made the recommendation, I’ll send you a $25 gift card from Amazon or Borders (Australia only).

 

So, if you refer two people who purchase the Guide then you’ll get a $50 gift card and so on. You don’t already have to be a Guide subscriber to take advantage of this offer, all you need to do is let the person purchasing the Guide know to send me an email (cirector@ciaops.com) providing your contact details as the reason for their purchase. Hopefully you can’t get any simpler.

 

The offer is only available until the end of August 2010 and you can find out all the information you need about the Windows SharePoint Operations Guide via http://www.wssops.com.

 

Image: wallyg

Published: Aug-09-10 | 0 Comments | Link to this post

Aug04

Encore

encore

 

So I’ve just received the fantastic news that I have again been selected to present at SMB Nation. An encore Vegas presentation – wow – just like the big boys eh? I take this opportunity to thank Harry Brelsford and SMB Nation for the opportunity.

 

 

The SMB Nation Fall 2010 conference runs from October 22 – 24 at the Flamingo Hotel 3555 Las Vegas Blvd (right in the heart of ‘The Strip’). For more information, including registration head to http://www.smbnation.com/Events/SMBNationFall2010/tabid/307/Default.aspx.

 

When I get more information about my presentation times I’ll post it here but I certainly hope that if you are coming to conference you’ll say ‘Hi’ and we can catch up over a drink or something (my shout).

 

So now I have to start working on my travel plans and was thinking that because I’ll be travelling through the west coast of the U.S. on my way to Vegas whether anyone (attending SMB Nation or not) would like to catch up in your neck of the woods? I’m talking to a few contacts already about maybe attending some local user group meetings to see how they operate as well as meet reseller and find out how they do business. If you are interested in may be getting together in the late October time frame please contact me (director@ciaops.com) now so I can make the appropriate travel arrangements.

 

Stay tuned for more news on my encore Vegas tour.

Published: Aug-04-10 | 0 Comments | Link to this post

Aug03

SharePoint Foundation and PDFs video

For subscribers to my Guide I have created a 30 minute video that shows you step by step how to index PDFs with SharePoint Foundation 2010. The video also shows you how to display a PDF icon in SharePoint Foundation 2010 rather than just the generic one.

 

This video is the companion to the recently added chapters to the Windows SharePoint Operations Guide. What I am trying to do now is to create a video for every major component of the Guide because most people haven’t got the time to dedicate to learning the details. So providing a video is a quick way to get a good overview of the topic and then there is always the normal Guide to fall back on to get the exact details and screenshots of what needs to be done.

 

I have uploaded the video to humyo.com but for what I can work out I need to individually share it, which is a bit of a pain. So for the time bring if any subscriber wants access just email email me (director@ciaops.com) and I’ll make it available. Going forward I’m still looking for a good way to store and share video (and large files) via an individual login. If you have a suggestion I’d love to hear about it.

 

The next video I’ll be working on will take you through the process of migrating WSS v3 databases to SharePoint Foundation 2010. I’ll be doing this on SBS 2008 so that base also gets covered as well. Look out for that video soon.

 

Remember that I have now included videos like those mentioned above in both the Migration and SBS packs (if relevant). Thus, if you don’t believe the complete Guide is a worthwhile investment for your SBS world then the SBS Pack now includes not only SharePoint Foundation 2010 information and video tutorials.

 

More information about the Windows SharePoint Operations Guide can be found at www.wssops.com.

Published: Aug-03-10 | 0 Comments | Link to this post

Aug02

Update of WSSOPS SBS Pack

A while back I created two additional products that were a subset of my full Windows SharePoint Operations Guide (www.wssops.com). These were the Migration Pack (Chapter 7) and the SBS Pack (Chapters 4,7,11). My thinking was that they would prove popular because they were much cheaper but still had the same information as that found in the full Guide.

 

Alas, these ‘Packs’ have never proved popular at all for some strange reason. In all honesty I was simply going to pull them and focus on the full product but I have a change of heart and will give them a temporary reprieve. What I will do is include the SharePoint Foundation 2010 chapters of the Guide as well with these ‘Packs’. Thus, if you buy the Migration Pack you’ll not only receive Chapter 7 from the Windows SharePoint v3 Guide but also from the SharePoint Foundation 2010 Guide. Likewise with the SBS Pack. I will also include any of the relevant videos for these chapters, thus for the SBS Pack purchasers will get access to my 3 part series showing you how to install SharePoint Foundation 2010 on SBS 2008.

 

Given the focus that SharePoint Foundation 2010 on SBS 2008 is generating I’m hoping that there will be demand for these products. So for less than $90 you can not only get documentation on Windows SharePoint v3 on SBS but also SharePoint Foundation 2010 on SBS including video tutorials.

 

For further information on all the Windows SharePoint Operations Guide products and versions, including plenty of free stuff as well and how to purchase the products, visit www.wssops.com.

Published: Aug-02-10 | 0 Comments | Link to this post

Aug02

August Guide Update

I’ve just completed the update of my Windows SharePoint Operations Guide (www.wssops.com) for subscribers to download. This month has a number of updates that I think will be valuable to people looking at SharePoint 2010.

 

Firstly, there is information about migrating your Windows SharePoint v3 (WSS v3) data into SharePoint 2010. This comes on the back of last month’s addition of how to get SharePoint Foundation 2010 running on SBS 2008. If you have large content databases (around the 10GB or more mark) then you may have some real decisions to make as SQL 2008 Express R2 (which is free) only supports databases up to 10GB. It is a real pity that SharePoint 2010 can no longer, by default, take advantage of the SQL Server Embedded Edition which had no database size.

 

Secondly, there is information about getting Acrobat PDF indexing working with SharePoint Foundation 2010. Another disappointment that this is not supported out of the box and an even bigger disappointment that it is more work to get it running now. Hopefully a better solution will present itself in the future but for now at least subscribers can get it working if they want.

 

So what’s on the cards for next month with the Guide? At this stage I think I’ll turn my attention to documenting how to get Search Server Express 2010 and Office Web Apps running with SharePoint Foundation 2010. I’ll also be doing some videos on the migration and PDF indexing process as well. Going forward, I’ll be attempting to do videos for all the topics that I cover which will hopefully add more value for subscribers. This way they can watch the video and use the documentation for further reference.

 

I’m always interested to hear what people would like to see included in my guide so if you have a suggestion, I’m all ears.

Published: Aug-02-10 | 0 Comments | Link to this post

Jul07

SharePoint Foundation on SBS 2008 – the video

I have just made available to all Windows SharePoint Operation Guide subscribers 3 videos that cover the whole process of getting SharePoint Foundation 2010 running on SBS 2008. These videos cover how to install the prerequisites, SharePoint Foundation 2010 on SBS 2008 as well as migration of existing Companyweb data.

 

I will be updating the Guide documentation to cover all the information in these video but I wanted to make sure that subscribers had access to this as soon as possible. Going forward I am planning on doing more video tutorials for subscribers as I think they arte generally an easier way to convey information quicker.

Published: Jul-07-10 | 0 Comments | Link to this post

Jul03

Now all my subscribers know

That’s right, the July update of the Windows SharePoint Operations Guide has been released to subscribers and it contains the complete instructions on installing SharePoint Foundation 2010 on SBS 2008. It takes you through the whole process as well as the integration with the existing SBS 2008 console.

 

In very near future I’ll also be covering in the Guide how to do a complete migration of any existing Companyweb site onto SharePoint Foundation 2010 on SBS 2008. I’ll also release these details via this blog but over a longer period of time as my first priority is to the people that subscribe to my Guide (thanks to all those). So if you really want to know how to do it step by step then I’d suggest you get my Guide (it’s cheap for the amount of time it will save you and you get for 12 months!).

 

Another upgrade to this month is the migration of the Guide to its own SharePoint site. Much like my new BPOS Portal the new Guide site will provide a much better platform to deliver content for subscribers.

 

image

 

As you can see from the above screen shot the Guide covers a number of different versions of SharePoint including WSS v3, Foundation 2010, MOSS and even BPOS. Many of these are still a work in progress but the important things is that additional information is being added to these regularly. I used to update the Guide monthly but this new SharePoint site should allow me to do it far more regularly.

 

Now not only do subscribers now have a step by step process for getting SharePoint Foundation running on their SBS 2008 machines, they have a new site full of SharePoint content that is being updated daily and of course that have full access to the new CIAOPS BPOS Portal as that is a free inclusion for all Guide subscribers.

 

As AMEX says, the benefits of membership.

Published: Jul-03-10 | 0 Comments | Link to this post

Jun24

Vote for me

An interesting email arrived here at the fortress of solitude. It would seem that by some unforeseen circumstance I have been:

 

“recently nominated for the SMB Power 150 by one or more of your peers.”

So to the one person out there who did nominate me (thanks Mum), I guess that I should try to a least double my votes to two by throwing up the URL where you can vote. So if you are into the SMB Power 150 then feel free to vote for me (or anyone else) here:

 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SHP9NTH

 

So what does the top 150 get? According to the email, fame and fortune:

 

“The 150 nominees receiving the most votes will be recognized at the SMB Nation Fall Conference and in SMB PC Magazine and be profiled on a new SMB150 website.”

 

Well maybe a little fame I suppose.

 

I’ve always worked so hard to be a glorious nobody, getting onto this list would sure destroy all that hard work now wouldn’t it! 

Published: Jun-24-10 | 0 Comments | Link to this post

Jun04

New portals from CIAOPS

Now that the June update for my Windows SharePoint Operations Guide has been released (including the first instalment of how to get SharePoint Foundation 2010 running on SBS 2008) I can now turn my attention to getting two new portals ready for release on July 1.

 

Part of the Windows SharePoint Operations Guide has always been a DVD that contained not only guides covering Windows SharePoint Services (WSS), Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) and Windows Foundation Server 2010 (WSF) but was also filled with training material, white papers, videos and more. The major problem has been that as this information grows the DVD ISO became larger and larger making it longer to upload as well as download for subscribers. Also, even though I include a searchable index of the Guide documents, it doesn’t include all the other material on the DVD.

 

To overcome both of these issues and provide even greater resources for Guide subscribers I am moving all the content to a hosted SharePoint site. This means that both subscribers and I can add information to the site and have it all readily indexed and available. Much easier.

 

Also on July 1, I plan to make available via subscription a Microsoft BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite) portal. In here will be information in and around BPOS including how to get signed up as a partner, marketing and sales material, a technical knowledge base and an extensive list of BPOS links.

 

Again the idea is that subscribers can also contribute information and knowledge to the portal in order for it grow in value. I have a few people testing it now but I plan to make it available for $120 ex GST (basically $10 per month) for subscribers.

 

Having both of these as SharePoint sites also has another benefit for subscribers, it gives you real world experience with SharePoint. Firstly, subscribers can improve their knowledge of SharePoint by using the portals, secondly they can understand how SharePoint can be used as a knowledge store and finally it means I will be able to update both sites on a regular basis rather than only monthly. Using the power of SharePoint attributes, such as email alerts, subscribers will be able to know exactly when new or updated information becomes available.

 

In the longer run I plan to start using shared OneNote files to provide even greater flexibility with the information I make available. This is part of the ongoing iterations being made to try and improve the information the CIAOPS makes available.

 

As always if you want more information or have some suggestions of what should be included don’t hesitate to contact me (director@ciaops.com) as I’d love to hear. Oh yes, all existing Guide subscribers will automatically get access to my new BPOS portal for the duration of their subscription. Another great reason to sign up to the Guide.

Published: Jun-04-10 | 0 Comments | Link to this post

May10

Australian SharePoint Conference

A while back I said that I’d got a gig speaking at the upcoming Australian SharePoint Conference, well now I have some more details.

 

Title:

Running SharePoint on Small Business Server: Pros and Cons - 100 Level

 

Description:

The least known component of Small Business Server 2008 is SharePoint and yet it offers the greatest opportunity for your business. This session will explain to you in simple terms exactly what SharePoint technology is and how it can be utilized to improve your business and that of your customer when using Small Business Server. You'll learn how SharePoint works, how you can use it and how to sell it to customers bundled with SBS. You'll also learn how to take SharePoint beyond the default install to configure an installation that truly provides business benefits to you customers by removing their pain points. You'll learn also how software like SharePoint designer, Search Server Express and third party add-ons work with SharePoint to provide true business value on Small Business Server.

 

Day:

June 17 (Day 2)

 

Time:

1:30pm – 2:30pm

 

Location:

Ballroom B

 

So if you are interested in SharePoint come along to this fabulous event and hear from some of the most experienced people using and implementing SharePoint.

 

General Conference info:

Only six weeks to go! Don't miss out on Australia's biggest SharePoint event of the year!

Something for everyone - one of the few IT events that specifically reaches out to multiple audiences

 

· 20 sessions of end user/power user/business content including some great case studies including Telstra, Volvo and a number of Industry verticals such as finance,  insurance, legal and engineering.

 

· 20 sessions of pure technical content for IT Pro, Administrators, Developers and Analysts

 

· Content is relevant to those using WSS, MOSS 2007, and new 2010 products

 

FREE Hosted SharePoint Server 2010 Site for EVERY delegate - thanks to Emantra - Hosted Solutions Australia you get to try out everything you learn AT the event and  for 3 months after - try 2010 first hand!

 

Hear from the best - International, Local, Microsoft, Industry Experts and Customers - see the Speaker list and get to collaborate with hundreds of your fellow SharePoint enthusiasts - ask all your SharePoint questions!

 

Additional Training - Pre and Post event Get to the Point Training Workshops for intensive half day courses - an excellent chance to up skill in both 2007 and 2010 content.

Exhibitor area - Support our sponsors and see all the great products and talk to the experts - 5 gold, 9 silver and 7 bronze sponsors

 

June 16 and 17   Hilton, Sydney  

$650 ex GST (group discounts available)

www.sharepointconference.com.au

Published: May-10-10 | 0 Comments | Link to this post

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