June 2007 - Posts

• IIS7 Extensibility at its Fullest

  Definition of Extensibility- The ability to add new features to an existing program without disturbing any existing code. www.it.bton.ac.uk/staff/je/adacraft/glossary.htm For quite some time I have been speaking about IIS7's extensibility and the great potential this feature holds as it allows to shape IIS7 into whatever your needs are by writing modules that tie right in the iis7 pipeline. The best way  to explain this concept is by showing a demo of the DIRECTORY LISTING MODULE written by Bill Staples. Here is the way IIS7 ( and it's predecessors) display folder content via http when the Directory Listing option is turned on: Here is the way IIS7 ( and only IIS7) displays the same content.  However, in this case the DIRECTORY LISTING MODULE has been turned on. Learn more about this module here. Link-  http://ccaneja.poweredbyiis7-appliedi.net/ninja/ This will allow you to view the functionality of this module. The real beauty here is the no need to deploy some 3rd party ASP.net application in order to create this gallery. All I simply did was install the dir listing module on IIS7 (need admin rights to do this) and then call it  via the web.config (just need access to your site's web.config file).  Last, I uploaded the pictures and turned dir browsing to on. So far I hope that readers understand that IIS7 doesn't just allow you to post a pretty gallery up in no time. The purpose of the exercise was to show the extensibility so that you may shape IIS7 into whatever you need it to be. Here is an interesting case that led me to write this post: New Atlanta Communications  was able to to write a module that allows Cold Fusion to tie right into the core IIS7 pipeline for one of their main products (BlueDragon).  This allows Cold Fusion to plug in natively into IIS7 (just as ASP.net does).  They even went as far as writing an admin module.  Read Vince Bofanti's blog to get the details. Posted Jun 28 2007, 03:44 PM by caneja with no comments Filed under: Windows Server 2008, IIS7

• How fast is your site?

  Test your site speed using this web driven tool. It will quickly  break down load times on your site's images, scripts, CSS files, etc. http://www.pingdom.com/   Posted Jun 17 2007, 09:04 PM by caneja with no comments Filed under: misc

• Creating an installer package for your ASP.net application

  This "how to" comes from a recent post off one of my favorite blogs (Scott Gu's). Scott explains how you can create an installer for your asp.net application using visual studio 2005. This is the preferred method of installation by many end users as it removes a few frustrations to achieve the functionality of the freshly deployed application. Example, the  installation wizard takes care of executing the scripts against your MS SQL responsible for creating the schema.  Utilizing this method eliminates the need to use any third party tools.  Normally all you have to do  is define the server location, catalog name, and credentials. Another example is the automatic update of your connection string. As we all know this is a key concept of any database driven application. Many installers handle updating the application's connection string.  This is based off the parameters supplied on a prior installation step. Click here to read the full post. Posted Jun 17 2007, 08:44 PM by caneja with no comments

• HP Pavilion TX 1000 runs hot

  I have noticed my new HP Pavilion TX 1000 gets scorching hot when it is plugged in and running on the "High Performance" power plan. Changing the Minimum processor state value to '5%' (from 100%) under the High Performance power plan allows the CPU to rest when high demand is not necessary thus allowing your laptop to run cooler. This value can be updated under: Control Panel > Power Options > High Performance Power Plan > Change Plan Settings > Change Advanced Power properties > Processor Power Management > Minimum Process state > Plugged in: Posted Jun 16 2007, 04:23 PM by caneja with no comments Filed under: Tablet PC

• IIS7 and Windows 2008 Server Core @ TechEd Orlando '07

  ↓ Downloads: Zune iPod WMV WMV(High) We headed up to Tech·ed 07 which was held in Orlando FL to speak with Microsoft's Mario Juarez and Eric Woersching about our hosting experience with IIS7 and Server core. Mario said that I was a real "natural" on the camera but when I saw this video it made it clear that this was not the case. Bottom line on Server Core.  This is a new feature on Windows Server 2008 where the OS has been tremendously scaled down.  To give you an idea all of the administration is done via CLI. Since it has  a reduced footprint it delivers better overall performance of the desired service role this server will have on your network. Additionally, you can lower your TCO as Server Core may allow you to use legacy or less powerful hardware. Although server core does not yet support the ASP.net Framework it does offer significant potential for other services. Here is the skinny on IIS7. Microsoft has decided to move away from the monolithic model and take on a modular architectural approach with IIS7. This new version of Internet Information Services has been completely rewritten from the ground up and offers tons of new features. Here are 2 upcoming features that hosters and developers will not want to go on without: 1. Error Reporting- No longer is IIS a "black box" where requests go in and maybe come out. You now have the ability to run a trace against your application should it throw an internal 500 server error or should just decide to hang. These error conditions can be defined by a user and do not need administrative privileges on the environment in order to be modified. Click here to lean more about Automatic Failed Request Trace Logging. *this is only 1 of the 40 modules that IIS7 comes with out of the box! 2. Portability I would say that this is hoster and developer nirvana. When it's time to migrate an application this feature alleviates many problems that cause downtime and frustrations. All the IIS7 capabilities are controlled via XML stored on your app's web.config. With IIS7 there is no need to spend time configuring a server prior to migration. The real beauty is that those of you who still want the GUI control feel may still use the Management Console and IIS7 is intelligent enough to read or write any changes you make or have made to your  site wether via XML or the GUI!!! Stay tuned for an upcoming post I have been working on that is more feature descriptive on what IIS7 brings to the table: Security. Extensibility. Delegation. Secure FTP (YES!!! FINALLY!!!!).   From Left to Right-- Mario Juarez, Jess Coburn, Eric Woersching, Carlos Caneja @ Teched '07 Posted Jun 08 2007, 05:13 PM by caneja with 1 comment(s)

• Windows Live Writer Beta 2

  Microsoft has released beta 2 of Live Writer. This is an essential must have tool in your collection if you are a blogger as it allows you to write on your local workstation or laptop and post at a later time. The tool supports many popular web blogging platforms such as: Community Server (this is what I use) Wordpress Blogger Sharepoint 2007 Here are some of the new blogging features offered in beta 2: Inline spell checking Table editing Ability to add categories Page authoring for WordPress and TypePad Support for excerpts and extended entries Improved hyperlinking and image insertion Paste Special The tool also supports the capability to add plugs-ins: Blog This for Firefox Screen Capture Plugin SnagIt Screen Capture PluginCommunity Server Gallery Plugin click here for the complete plug-in directory. Be sure to get your free download here. Posted Jun 06 2007, 02:26 AM by caneja with no comments