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Alex Pearce's SharePoint Blog

Alex Pearce
  • I'm attending TechEd - IT Pro EMEA

    I'm off to Barcelona for this years TechEd IT Pro in Barcelona starting on the 3rd November.

    I'm not getting there until the Tuesday due to another trip but more details on that later.

    I'm really excited as this will be my first proper Microsoft conference that I have been to, my first conference aboard and my first as a MVP. 

    Let me know if your attending.  It would be great to meet up.

  • Content Editor WebPart: Flash

    In part 2 of Using the Content Editor WebPart I want to talk about how you can integrate a Flash file into your site.

    We've all seen flash before and we all know that you can create some great animations.  If you look around the internet many websites use flash for animations.

    Some companies such as the BBC and SkySport have streamed videos through flash and YouTube using flash videos to stream their videos. 

    Many sites that have banner advertising, also user adverts that are now in SWF/flash format.

    So lets add a flash file (.swf) to run on the front page of our SharePoint Site.

    We first need to upload the swf file into a document library.

    Create yourself a document library.  You might want to tell the document library to be hidden from the Quick Launch bar down the left hand side so visitors/members of your site can't easily find the library.

    Go to Site Action - Create and under Libraries click on Document Library.

    Give your Document Library a name.  I'm going to call mine SWF.  Under Navigation, click No which will hide the library from the left hand side navigation.

    I'm now going to upload my SWF file into the library and anything else that might be required for the flash file to run.

    At this point we need to find out the URL of the SWF file as we need it later.

    Right click on your flash file.  You will see your standard Internet Explorer properties and we need to copy the URL.  Click on Copy Shortcut and it will add the URL to your clipboard.  Paste this into Notepad or Word for reference later on.

    We now need to add the Content Editor Web Part to our site.

    Go back to the top of your Site and click on Site Actions, Edit Page and then Add a Web Part.

    Find the Content Editor Web Part and add it to your site.

    Click Edit on the webpart and then into Modify Shared Web Part.

    Click on Source Editor and paste the following code

    <embed src = "http://www.website.com/site/SWF/flash.swf" width = "500" height = "375"></embed>

    If we have a quick look at the code here you will see three main areas.

    Src = the URL of the flash file
    Width = the width of your flash file
    Height = the height of your flash file

    We now need to add the code to the content editor web part.

    Before we click save and finish we need to tell the code where to pull the SWF file from.

    We copied it earlier, so we'll now paste the URL of the SWF file in the code after src =.

    Click Save and you'll have your flash running in the page.

     

  • Content Editor WebPart: YouTube

    In my first post of the series I want to looking at getting YouTube videos embedded into a site. 

    Many schools look at YouTube and see a website that is full of violence and inappropriate videos but when you search for some of these key words nothing comes up.

    We look at YouTube and see a vast number of videos that can help students in their understanding of the subject.

    So how do we get these into out SharePoint site?

    There are many different ways to download videos from YouTube, convert them and then upload them to play in your site but there is a very simply way of adding them.

    Go and find your video on YouTube.

    If the user has allowed it you will see an embedded section down the right hand side.  You will then see some code down just below it.  Copy this text.

    So now you should have something like this ready to paste into your SharePoint site

    <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QeoKQbT8BKs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QeoKQbT8BKs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

    Open your SharePoint site and add a Content Editor Web Part to your page

    When you’ve loaded the web part properties click on Source Editor.

    Paste the code into this box.

     

    Now click on OK and Ok again and you will see your video on your SharePoint site.

    You now have your video in your sharepoint site

  • Back Blogging

     

    It's been a while since I last properly blogged so it's time to get back on track.

    In the last few months I've changed jobs, been to the USA and now planning my next trip away which includes visiting a school in Serria Leone and TechEd in Barcelona.

    While I was in the New York last month I managed to pop into the New York SharePoint Group event which I really enjoyed - thanks to those who made me feel so welcome.

    I do a lot of posting at EduGeek.net and looking at doing some ‘how to' through Microsoft Live Meeting. If you have any suggestions please leave a comment in this post.
    http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-edugeek-news-announcements/23217-live-meeting-opportunities.html

    So I've decided I'm going to do a little series of blogs on the content editor webpart.  I'm hoping this can help enrich your environment in your schools and show you how you can get some external teaching resources into your school.

    Area I will cover include:

    • YouTube
    • Adding a Silverlight Application
    • Adding a Flash Application
    • Mashup

     

  • EduGeek gets 8000 Users

    As part of my community work online I do a lot of posting on edugeek - www.edugeek.net

    Edugeek is full of technical staff from the education field but there are many other who don't work in the education who post.

    There are many discussion boards in the site including Windows, Open Source, Learning Gateways and VLEs, Security and Mac.

    Also on the site there are wiki pages, chat areas, edugeek software (free) and blogging.

    I would like to congratulate edugeek on receiving its 8000th user today.

    If your stuck about something - give edugeek and try and test some of the best IT minds from around the globe.

  • Twynham School: Technet Example Solution Architecture

    I've covered Twynham school a few times in my blog and I think there are doing a great job down in the south of England.  I've been warned several times by the management team there that I am not allowed to nick their developers ;-) keep your eyes open Dave.

    Twynham have been contacted by Microsoft to do some case study work and here is the first of hopefully many.

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc262582(TechNet.10).aspx

    Its great to see some coverage of a school on the Microsoft website.

  • SharePoint Learning Kit Add-On Pack: Released

    Only a few hours after I blog on the press release it now released on codeplex.

    Its an extra download on www.codeplex.com/slk

    You can download directly from www.codeplex.com/.../ProjectReleases.aspx

    I'll get it installed over the next few days and do some screan shots for you all.

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  • Awarded MVP...!!!

    Couldn't believe the email I got today!  "Congratulations - You have received the Microsoft MVP Award!"  Get in!

    Thanks to all those who have helped me in the last year to get this and thanks for nominating me as well!

    Alex

  • Press Release on SharePoint Learning Kit Add-On Pack

    Microsoft have released a press statement on the new update on the SharePoint Learning Kit.  No sign of when it will be availability for us to download but a bit more information on what it will do.

    http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2008/jul08/07-01slkaddonpack.mspx?rss_fdn=Top%20Stories

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  • Microsoft Learning Gateway Product Image

    I've talk a lot about the Microsoft Learning Gateway and have just implemented it into the largest school in Europe (this school is massive).

    I use this image below in my presentation and it shows from the end-user to the back-end of the Microsoft Learning Gateway.

    Any stakeholder from the educational organistation can access the information with the site users any device, whether its a laptop or tablet to a mobile phone.

    The bottom step is the operating system.  All the product have got to be installed on a Microsoft OS.

    The next step is in two sections, front-end and back-end.  The left is the front end and has products such as SharePoint, Exchange, Office Communications Server, Live Meeting and at the bottom you have ISA which is the security for internet access.

    The back-end includes Active Directory, SQL and other features required.

    The arrows coming down from the top are other products that are not Microsoft products.   If your a SharePoint developer you will know you can add webparts into the the web application and these arrow are the same.  Many schools have other none Microsoft products installed such as a timetabling system that can be bolted onto the system using the .net framwork or just a pageview.

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    Posted Jun 26 2008, 05:03 PM by apearce with 2 comment(s)
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  • SharePoint Learning Kit 2: 30th june

    I was recently at a Microsoft event in Reading, UK in which 23 companies presented their SharePoint/Microsoft Learning Gateway solutions.

    Microsoft also announced that the new version on SharePoint Learning Kit will be released on the 30th June.

    I don't know too much more than that but it looks very promising!!!

    Posted Jun 02 2008, 09:41 PM by apearce with no comments
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  • Improved Image Web Part

    I've never really liked the image web part that came out of the box with SharePoint!  Looking at it from a users point of view it was too many tasks to upload a single image.

    1. Add a picture library to your site
    2. Upload your image to the image library via Microsoft Office Picture Manager
    3. Find the URL of the image
    4. Add the image web part to your site
    5. add the URL of the image to your web part

    This new image web part does all this for you.

    1. Add the image web part to you site
    2. Use browse to add the images
    3. Click save

     

    So much more user friendly.

    It adds the URL of the image for you, saving the user having to find, copy and add this information.

    You can download this web part from codeplex

    http://www.codeplex.com/ImageUpload/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=13397

    A document file is attached to the download - I didn't user it - so here is how to install it

    Install the WSP file and add the solution to your site.

    When you add the web part to your site it tells you that you need to set the default location to upload images.

    Create a image library at the top of you site.  All users who need to be able to add images to anywhere on your site application need to have write permission to this library.  You can hide the library where ever you want - even in another web application.

    the script for this is

    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12\BIN>STSADM -o SetImageUploadLocation -webapp http://127.0.0.1/ -library http://127.0.0.1/PublishingImages

     

    Posted May 28 2008, 11:46 AM by apearce with 5 comment(s)
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  • Free Microsoft Software for Students

    Microsoft are giving away software to students for free.  This is great!  I'm so please that they have decided to set up a scheme that allows this.

    Microsoft Dream Spark gives students access to Microsoft Windows Server, Visual Studio, Expressions Studio and XNA to help them become either IT Pros or Developers.

    Your local authority or university have to join the scheme but after that you can apply to get it.

    I think this is a great step to giving students free software.  Next step - feel licensing to all schools!

    https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/

    Sorry its a little off subject but education is my passion!

    Posted May 19 2008, 02:23 PM by apearce with no comments
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  • SharePoint at Twynham School

    A few months ago I posted a PDF of what a school in Christchurch, UK had done with SharePoint which included making their own webparts.

    I met up with the guys from Twynham and it was a great meeting which also include the representatives from Shirelands.

    I had a email from Dave at Twynham the other day to say he has made some videos of the use of SharePoint in the school and has published them on the internet.

    These are great thing to look at if your looking at implementing SharePoint are you school.

    http://www.twynhamschool.com/supportinglearning/

    Posted May 14 2008, 04:50 PM by apearce with no comments
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  • Silverlight 2 Application to enable/disable your proxy server in IE

    I've been playing around a lot with Silverlight 2 recently, I'm find it a lot easier to code than version 1.

    In many of the schools I have been to, they have had a proxy server for all their internet traffic.  I created a bat script that wrote to the registry and asked the user to either type 1 to turn the proxy on or 0 for off.  It worked great but wasn't easy on the eye and one network I went to it stopped the users from using command lines.

    @echo off

    Echo.
    echo.
    Echo                     Please type the following
    echo.
    echo ----------------------------------------------------------------
    echo ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Echo ---      Proxy server must be enabled to work in school      ---
    echo --- Type '1' if you wish to enable internet access in school ---
    echo ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Echo ---       Proxy server must be disabled to work at home      ---
    Echo ---     Type '0' If you wish to disable the proxy server     ---
    echo ----------------------------------------------------------------
    echo ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Set /p inet=   Type 'Number 1' or 'Number 0' here:

    reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /t REG_DWORD /v ProxyEnable /d %inet% /f
    pause

    So I thought it was time to create something that was more graphical.  It would also solve the issue of a user typing 2 on the above script and causing errors in the registry.

    So this is what we are going to create

     

    Download the Microsoft Expression Blend 2.5 March Preview (available at time of writing this post).

    Create a WPF Application and call it ProxyEnableDisable

    Add 2 buttons and name one Proxy On and the other Proxy Off

     

    Now we want to let our users know what this silverlight application can do so we'll provide them with some instructions

     

    We've done everything we need to now in Expression Blend so we need to move the project over to Visual Studio.  Make sure you save your project.

    Over on the write hand side you will see Solution 'ProxyEnableDisable'. Right click here and click on Edit in Visual Studio.

     

    This should have now opened up Visual Studio.  You will see the same layout above, down the right hand side.  Double click on Windows1.xaml.  This is the silverlight coding.  If your using Visual Studio 2008 you will see the xaml code and a graphical view of our project.

    We need to start adding come code to the buttons.  We'll give it a x:name and then add a click handler for both of the buttons.

    Find the line of code for the button with the content that is equal to Proxy On and add x:name="On".  Also type click and click on <NewEventHandler>.  This will allow us to add come C# handling code to this button.

    Your line of code should now read

    <Button HorizontalAlignment="Left" Margin="105,201,0,193" Width="150" Content="Proxy On" x:Name="On" Click="On_Click" />

    Do the same for the Proxy Off button but instead of giving the x:name the value of On - call it off

    This is the last bit of XAML coding for this project.  The window1.xaml should now read

    <Window
        xmlns="
    http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
        xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
        x:Class="Proxy_Enable.Window1"
        x:Name="Window"
        Title="Window1"
        Width="640" Height="480">

        <Grid x:Name="LayoutRoot">
            <Button HorizontalAlignment="Left" Margin="105,201,0,193" Width="150" Content="Proxy On" x:Name="On" Click="On_Click" />
            <Button HorizontalAlignment="Right" Margin="0,201,145,193" Width="150" Content="Proxy Off" x:Name="Off" Click="Off_Click" />
            <TextBox Margin="105,78,145,0" VerticalAlignment="Top" Height="101" Text="For you to use your laptop away from school you require the proxy server to be turned off.  Click on Proxy Off.&#xd;&#xa;&#xd;&#xa;For you to use your laptop at school you require the proxy server to be turned on.  Click on Proxy On." TextWrapping="Wrap"/>
        </Grid>
    </Window>

    Expand the Windows1.xaml and click on windows1.xaml.cs

    We're now going to add some C# coding that will write to our registry to either add turn the proxy on or off depending on which button the user clicks on.

     

    We need to add a reference to our C# code.  At the top add Using Microsoft.Win32;

    The below code will turn the proxy server on.  The 4th line down is where you are telling the registry to either have the proxy server enable or disabled.  The value of 1 will turn the proxy on where 0 will disable it.  Add the line of code to both of your button event handlers remembering to change that 1 to 0 for proxy off.

    RegistryKey RegKeyWrite = Registry.CurrentUser;
               RegKeyWrite = RegKeyWrite.CreateSubKey("Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Internet Settings");
               RegKeyWrite.SetValue("ProxyEnableScript", "TRUE");
               RegKeyWrite.SetValue("ProxyEnable", 1);
               RegKeyWrite.Close();

               RegistryKey RegKeyRead = Registry.CurrentUser;
               RegKeyRead = RegKeyRead.OpenSubKey("Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Internet Settings");
               Object regSuccessful = RegKeyRead.GetValue("ProxyEnableScript");
               Object regAttemptNumber = RegKeyRead.GetValue("ProxyEnable");
               RegKeyRead.Close();

               if ((string)regSuccessful == "TRUE")
                   Console.WriteLine("Succeeded on attempt # {0}", regAttemptNumber);

    If you press F5 now you will be able to turn your proxy server on and off with a simple application

     

    Now its all yours to be customised.

    Don't forget to install Silverlight 2 on your clients before rolling it out.

    Click here to download the bat file

    Click here to download the application

    Click here to download the source code

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  • SharePoint Educational Vendor Day: 21st May

    Microsoft Education UK are running a vendor days on the 21st May in Reading.  It should be a really good day as they have arranged for 23 different companies to come and talk about their SharePoint solutions including companies such as RM, ITWorx, LP+ and Nisai Academy.

    Some of these including fully hosting products, in house products, library systems and VLEs (Virtual Learning Environments).  Here is a full list of all the vendors that I have taken from the Microsoft UK Schools Blog.

    1. Nisai Virtual Academy

    2. MicroLibrarian Systems – Eclipse

    3. RM – Kaleidos Learning Platform

    4. Hunterstone/ER4L – eLibrarian and Content Server

    5. Scholaris Learning Gateway

    6. Etech – StudyWiz

    7. Parabola Marking Records

    8. Business Insights Group – Student Billing

    9. ITWorx – Catalyst Provisioning (MLG)

    10. LP+ Learning Gateway

    11. Arc – Vitaelity ePortfolio

    12. NetMedia Education – MyClasses

    13. eLearningForce – SharePoint LMS

    14. Fronter VLE

    15. WinVision – Digital Portfolio

    16. Core Education – Talmos Primary

    17. Cambridge University Press – Global Grid for Learning

    18. Morse - Wisdom

    19. eCopy

    20. Digi-Link – Revelation

    21. K2 – K2 Workflow

    22. Houghton Mifflin – Learning Village

    23. Visual Software – SIF Agent Wizard and Zone Integration Server

    If you want to attend click here and book for free.

    See you there

  • SharePoint on a Nintendo Wii

    Back at Christmas I showed what SharePoint looked like on a Apple IPhone/ITouch.

    The other night I was babysitting my god daughter and after she had gone to bed I turned on the Nintendo Wii to play a bit of Mario Kart but when I turned it on I noticed it had the internet connection.  I understand you have to pay for this to be added to your Wii.  As it loads the browser it says it is powered by Opera.

    The TV is a Samsung 32" - great picture.

    I entered, using the Wii remote pointing at the screen, the address of my test site and load the page.

    This is the same screen you get when entering your password.

    I'm using ISA 2006.  The text boxes aren't the same size but still work.

    Front page loaded normally but doesn't fully fit on the screen.

    Same for the calendar - not the whole calendar fits on - only a few dates

    On the bottom of the Wii remote is the 'B' button.  If you hold that down and move the controller in the direction you want to see, you can navigate around the page.  In the image below you see me moving it down from top right to bottom left

    Posted Apr 26 2008, 08:35 PM by apearce with 3 comment(s)
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  • SharePoint and Microsoft Learning Gateway Links/Resources

    I’ve sent a lot of people information about SharePoint and Microsoft Learning Gateway so thought it was time to put it all together in a single post. It would be great if you could add more links to resources.

    SharePoint 2007

    Educational SharePoint add-on (Free)

    Education SharePoint add-ons (Purchase)

    SharePoint/Education Website

    Microsoft Learning Gateway

    Case Studies

    Resources

    Videos

    The Future

     

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  • SharePoint Mug...

    I received a thank you present this week for some work I did for a school and my contact there gave me a SharePoint Mug!  How cool is this!!!

    It has the 6 pillars of SharePoint and also says..." People Tell Me That I Am The SharePoint King"

     

    Thanks Greg...stay in touch...

  • SharePoint Learning Kit: Installing on Single Server Farm

    I've seen a few requests recently for the SLK install documents to be updated to show how to install SharePoint Learning Kit onto a single server environment. This is something that I encounter a lot with my installs so thought it was time to do a post about it.

    When you install MOSS or WSS3 onto a single server the install wizard automatically installs the embedded version SQL 2005 Express on the same box but when you go to create your SLK database you get the below error message! 

     

    An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server)


    More information has been written to the server event log.

    Install SLK onto a Single Server

    Having installed MOSS or WSS on your single server download SharePoint Learning Kit from www.codeplex.com/slk

    Extract the SLK zip file in a new folder.

    Run AddSolution.cmd - This will add SharePoint Learning Kit to your farm

     

    To add it to your default site you need to run DeplySolution.cmd

     

    This has now deployed the MyAssignment WebPart to your default site and add the SharePoint Learning Kit Feature but now you need to create the SLK database.

    Open Central Administrator and go to the Operations tab

    Under Data Configuration click on Default Database Server

     

    You will see Default Database.  This is normal called {yourserver name} followed by OfficeServer.  Copy this information and click cancel

     

    Now click on Application Management at the top

    At the bottom you will now see a new area called SharePoint Learning Kit Configuration.  Under that area click on Configure SharePoint Learning Kit.

    In the Database Server box, paste the same information you copied from the default database.

     

    Now when you click ok you will be able to create the SLK database needed for SLK to work.

    A quick tip - if you open Configure SharePoint Learning Kit with Create New Database unchecked - it has connected and created your database for you.

     

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    Posted Apr 08 2008, 08:14 AM by apearce with 5 comment(s)
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  • Document Conversion: Turn your DOCX to a HTML page

    I've been in many forums and discussions about how Microsoft's new file format is unfair on the education industry.  More than ever, more users are accessing electronic documents from schools not just staff and pupils but parents, local community and businesses.

    I believe that its all a load of rubbish (trash), the fact that people say 'you shouldn't use Office 2007 because you won't access to files from home.'  Its a matter of training and communication!  Making the end user aware of how they can access the files with compatibility packs and free views all provided from Microsoft.

    Another solution is still to use Office 2007 but save your files as DOC files.  This is something you can set at your GPO level if you download the GPO templates from the web so users auto save it as a doc file.

    Another solution is using the SharePoint file conversion tool built into SharePoint 2007 which converts your DOCX file to a HTML file.  Down side to this tool at the moment is that it doesn't add your images but here's how to do it, a few tips and some things you might find useful.

    Enable the use of DOCX to HTML in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007

    Open your Central Administration for your farm

    Go to the Operations Tab and click on Services on Server

    Ensure you have both Document Conversion services start.  These have to be started on all front end servers

    Click on the Operations tab in Central Administration.

    Under External Service Connections click on Document conversions.

     

    Select your web application, check yes under Enable Document Conversion and then select your Load Balancer Server.

    When you go to your SharePoint site and to your document library you should see Convert Document.

     

    You must have Office SharePoint Server Publishing enabled in your site features for it to convert the file.

    Here are some useful links.

    On the sites I setup for education I always add a content editor web part with the below text.  Two basic links to the free Word Viewer and Adobe Acrobat.

     

    Click here to download the DWP file and add it to your site.

  • SharePoint Document: Resources from Microsoft Education: SharePoint (including mac browser support)

    Came across this document on the internet the other day and wanted to share it with you.  Its a must read if you are anything in sharepoint!

    Topics include:

    • What's New
    • Test drive software and labs
    • MAV and Browser Support
    • Development and Integation
      • Wed parts: Instructional and Docial Networking
      • Business Intelligence (SAP Integration)
      • SQL Server 2005 and Reporting Services
    • E-Learning for users and Administors
    • Department of Defence 5015.2 Certification
    • Downloadable Books
    • External SharePoint sites.

    Click here to download

  • My trip to CEBIT 2008

    This week wasn't just the SharePoint conference in Seattle but it was also CEBIT in Hannover, Germany.

      

    This show was massive,  I mean massive.  Over 5000 companies over 26 halls.

    I live in Birmingham near the NEC which is next to the airport and I thought this exhibition hall was big but Hannover is massive.

    I had the delight of Samsung flying me over with a tour of their stand and free entry to the show.

    They had some amazing new technology including an 82inch HD TV which was very clear and bright and also the worlds smallest colour laser printer and projector.

     

    I was over to talk about my ideas of connecting the Microsoft Learning Gateway with their Samsung Q1 which is a UMPC.  Fingers crossed we'll start seeing those in the near future.

    I also got chance to have a look around the show.  Didn't get enough time to look around the whole show - would have needed a week to do that but I did get to the Microsoft stand.  I thought the Samsung and T-Mobile stand was big but this one took up half a hall.  They had partners on the stand and showing off all the latest technologies including SQL2008 and Windows Serer 2008.  I wanted to get a few fliers about Windows 2008 as I'm presenting of the product next week and thought it would help.  Surprised and disappointed that they had nothing in English or Germany.

    IMAGE_017

    Over all I had a great day and thank everyone at Samsung for the day.

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    Posted Mar 09 2008, 04:15 PM by apearce with no comments
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  • Silverlight Blueprint for SharePoint

    I really wanted to go to the SharePoint Conference in Seattle this year but couldn't get the finance but have been keeping a close eye on blogs to find out what is going on.


    I've been wanting to get Silverlight into my SharePoint for a long time now and at the conference they announced Silerlight Blueprint for SharePoint.  Have a look at the link below

    http://www.ssblueprints.net/sharepoint/

     

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  • The IT Revolution

    I've just been reading an article that Computing wrote after an interview with Bill Gates entitled 'The revolution is only just beginning'.

    http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2209036/gates-outlines-vision-future-3801135

    Bill Gates talks about how he believes IT is only in its early days with multi-core processors, cheaper hardware, more portable devices and online services to come.  He also covers the topic of online services and how we will be able to access our personal documents from home, office, shopping centre etc...

    So how does this affect the education our kids - and their kids will have?  Will this be the end of schools and lessons taught over the internet on portable devices while kids are sat in the coffee shop of the local shopping centre?

    Technology will be the key tool in delivering lessons both in and out of the classroom.  Devices that are portable, easy to use and sexy looking are what kids want -something separate from their personal devices but something it will connect to.

    Kids want to be away from school and need that cut off point just as much as we may want from our work lives.  Whether this is because they don't enjoy school or exam stress, they still need that separation but when they do want to access the system they should be able to from any device, personal or school owned to warrant their enthusiasm.

    The importance of a single delivery tool is essential to this like the Microsoft Learning Gateway or Live@edu and being able to combine these into a single sign on.  All devices should be able to access any kind of web page, documents or service allowing this 24 hour access from anywhere.

    This adds a lot of pressure on the IT Support team and all staff in a school.  It's the responsibility of the IT Support team to make sure the system is available 24 hours a day, secure, reliable and relevant.   As for the rest of staff, it's their responsibility to add content for the pupils to find when they are having trouble with their course work or homework.  It's also their responsibility to make sure they add content for pupils who just want to find out information on the subject and make it relevant for the pupils learning instead of all sorts of information you can find in search engines.

    As a Network Manager myself I have to make sure that these services are available and secure and staff are regularly adding information.  I will soon be asking for each teaching department to audit their area so relevant information is always there.

    I saw the below video the other day which talked about how students in education today will be doing jobs in 10 years time with technology that is not yet developed!  We need to ensure we get the technology and education correct now to ensure the future for us all.

    Please post your views in the comments area.

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