Advantage of PowerShell over STSADM

In SharePoint 2010, new concept called Power Shell is introduced. The main adavantage of using Windows Power Shell over STSADM is follows:

• Windows PowerShell is built on the Microsoft .NET Framework and accepts and returns .NET Framework objects. Hence, can interact with .Net objects directly.
• Here we use commandlets (cmdlet) instead of commands. Commandlet is a instance of .Net objects
• We can automate the tasks using power shell scripts.
• Windows PowerShell also gives you access to the file system on the computer and enables you to access other data stores, such as the registry and digital signature certificate stores.

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Event ID 28721 in Source cannot be found

Problem:I have faced this problem when I tried to upload a document one of my document library in SharePoint. Neither the upload is successful nor no errors while uploading.
Event Log:I was unable to view any errors with respect to the document upload in the event log. I could see only the following logs in the event viewer:
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Windows SharePoint Services 3
Event Category: General
Event ID: 28721
User:  N/A
Description:The description for Event ID ( 28721 ) in Source ( Windows SharePoint Services 3 ) cannot be found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for details. The following information is part of the event: #960013: Antivirus scanner timed out.

Following are the investigations done for fixing the errors:
1. Checked the file size limit in the web application general settings – but I have tried to upload only a few KB text file.
2. Checked the SQL server logs and there is enough space for the upload.
3. Created a new document library and tried attaching a new document which is unsuccessful.
4. Created a new list and added an item which is successful. But when tried attaching a document (or text or small file) it is unsuccessful.
Hence, I have concluded that there is no problem with SharePoint or any corruption of document library or list definition.
Looking at the event log carefully, I finally came to an idea that Antivirus is blocking something and it is where the problem is arising.

Solution:1. I have tried changing the Antivirus settings in the Central Administration 
2. Go to -> Central Administration -> Operations -> Antivirus -> Antivirus Settings -> I have unchecked the option Scan Documents on Upload -> Clicked save

3. Now, I have tried uploading the documents in the document library which is successful. Hence, concluding that the problem is due to the Microsoft Fore Front Security Antivirus.
4. Note: But we cannot make this option as default, since without antivirus scan, unwanted files (viruses, malwares, spywares, etc.,) may be uploaded which would be threat to the SharePoint environment.
5. Finally, updated the Antivirus definitions and license for the Fore Front antivirus. Then onwards, the upload is successful and secured one.

Microsoft Fore Front Security Antivirus1.  It is an antivirus provided by Microsoft dedicated to SharePoint environment. It will protect the SharePoint environment from the virus, spywares and other treats being uploaded.
2.  To know about the Microsoft Fore Front Security Antivirus click on this link

http://sharepoint.microsoft.com/en-us/product/Related-Technologies/Pages/Forefront-Protection-2010-for-SharePoint.aspx
3.  In the central Administration -> Operations -> Antivirus -> Antivirus Settings -> Scan documents on upload is set, then all the documents being uploaded will be scanned by the for front and then only uploaded into the SharePoint environment.

Happy Sharing!

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Parser Error Data at the root level is invalid. Line 1, Position 1

I have got this error message suddenly in a (WSS 3.0) SharePoint site. The site is working as expected and it does not throw any errors before.
The error screen shot is below:

From the error message, I could understand that there is a problem with the browser comapatibility.
Solution:
I have navigated to the SharePoint site in the IIS and then explored the files in the IIS.
Then navigated to APP_Browsers folder, there I could see there is a  sub folder named _vti_cnf  inside I could see a file compat.broswer in it. This file (file which mentions the compatible browsers for loading the SharePoint site.) is already present in the root directory.
I have deleted this file (compat.browser) which is inside the _vti_cnf folder and refreshed the site, it worked as before.
Happy Sharing!

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The POP3 service could not create the mailbox – the account already exists

In Windows Server 2003, I have configured POP 3 service, created domains and mailboxes.
I have created many users and associate mail boxes in the POP3 service and deleted for some reasons.
When I try to create the same user I have got the error:
The POP3 service could not create the mailbox - The account already exists

Even on manually deleting the folders (mailboxes created for each user created), I got this error.
Reason:
Then I came to know that the user associated with the mailbox is not deleted.
Right Click on My Computer -> Manage -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> System Tools -> Local Users and groups -> Users -> Delete the user account for which you are unable to create the mailbox.
Note: Check the user associated with any other applications or any services before deleting the user.
Now, try creating the mailbox, you will be able to create the mailbox successfully!

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Download Image from Right Click Disabled Website

In this article, we will know a small trick where we can download the images from the web page in which the right click is disabled in the web page.
Usually, web masters will disable the right click on the web pages in order to protect the content in the web page.
But sometimes, we need to download the images or copy the content from the web pages. Following are the different steps:
1. In the web page, only Right Click is disabled. Hence, we will use LEFT CLICK. Point the image and left click on the image and then drag the image to the desktop or to the address bar in the browser. Hurray! You can save the image.
2. In Internet Explorer, we can disable the active scripting and copy the image. The reason behind this is kind of scripting is written using “JAVA SCRIPTS”.Got to IE -> Tools -> Internet Options -> Security Tab -> Custom level -> Go to Scripting -> Active Scripting -> Disable -> Click OK and restart the browser

3. In Mozilla Firefox  the steps is as follows:
Open the browser -> Go to Tools -> Options -> In the Content Tab -> Uncheck or Deselect the Enable JavaScript -> Restart the browser

There are many third party tools which enable to download the images and contents. But the above are the few easy steps to achieve the goal!

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SharePoint 2013

Everyone knows SharePoint 2013 server and SharePoint 2013 foundation has been released with many new features by Microsoft.

 

Here are the few links for the SharePoint 2013 for the start up:  

• Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Preview
• SharePoint Foundation 2013 Preview
• SharePoint Designer 2013
• Language Packs for SharePoint Server 2013 Preview

 Let’s start using SharePoint 2013 and start collaborating more than ever!

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Visual Studio Workflow in SharePoint

Part II

To know about the Basics and Advantages of using Visual Studio Workflow

read this article.

In this article, we will how to Create a Simple Sequential Workflow Console Application.

Steps:

1. Open Microsoft Visual Studio -> File -> New Project -> Select Visual C# -> SharePoint -> Workflow -> SequentialWorkflowConsoleApplication

2.  You can see the required DLL’s added in the solution for running the work flow in the Solution Explorer

3.  From the Toolbox -> Select Code -> drag and drop inside the designer view as shown below. Double Click on the codeActivity1 -> you will be navigated to Code behind page of the solution.

4. I have initialized a variable with get and set methods and activity for the code1 as shown below:

5. Now, go to the Design view -> From Toolbox -> Drag and drop IF ELSE activity and the code activity for IF and ELSE branch

6. Right click on codeActivity2 and click Generate handlers to create handlers the activity and do the same for codeActivity3

7. Now, we will set the condition for the ifElseActivity1 and 2. Right Click on ifElseActivity1 -> Properties -> Condition -> Select Declarative Rule Condition

8. Give the Condition Name and then Click on Expression for setting the condition:

9. Following are the conditions set for both the activities:

10.Now,if you click on any one of the activity -> properties -> select the name

then -> you can see the two conditions being used in the solution as shown:

11. Finally, I have added the message to be returned for the both activities

12. Now build the solution and then execute the code:

Here is the full solution. Click to download. Happy Sharing!

Hope, you have enjoyed this article.

Please free to comment and share this article, if it helps you!

Happy Coding!!

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Visual Studio Workflow in SharePoint

Part I

To know about the Basics of Workflow in SharePoint, read this article.

To know about the Creating a Designer Workflow, read this article.

To know about the New Features added in SharePoint Designer 2010, read this article.

In this we will learn about Basics of Visual Studio Workflows in SharePoint.

Windows Workflow Foundation -WWF:

Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) is a Microsoft technology for defining, executing, and managing workflows.

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Workflow_Foundation

Why Visual Studio Workflow is necessary?

From the business perspective, we need some custom workflows to be designed and developed in order to meet the requirements. By using designer, we cannot achieve all the custom actions and hence Visual Studio workflows are necessary.

Moreover, Visual Studio is a known environment to the developers (working with Microsoft Software’s) and hence the design and development is very easy.

Software Requirements

  Ø  Windows Server 2003 R2 Download

  Ø  Microsoft .NET framework 3.0 Download

  Ø  Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Download

  Ø  Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 with SP1 Download

  Ø  Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 SDK Download

  Ø  Visual Studio 2005 Extensions for Windows Workflow Foundation Download
   Limitations of using Designer Workflow:

  Ø  A major disadvantage is that, you can create only Sequential Workflows using designer and not the State Machine workflows.

  Ø  We cannot write custom code and custom activities for workflows while creating using designer.

  Ø  Maintenance and upgradeable methods are very less.

To know how to create a sample Sequential Workflow using Visual Studio, read this article Visual Studio Workflow in SharePoint.

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Prevent Outlook from Sending Emails with a Blank Subject

Objective:

In the IT Industry, Outlook is most popularly used as the Email client. The subject line is a very important part of any email. Many times has it happened to you that you have sent an email through Outlook without a subject line? After clicking the Send button, you realize that you have made a mistake (What if it is a case you have sent a mail without Subject to a Client or a Manager?)

By default, Outlook does not validate a mail with a blank subject and here is the solution.

Steps:

1. Open MS Outlook -> Tools -> Macro -> Visual Basic Editor

2. You will see Visual Basic Editor will be opened 

 3. Click ThisOutlookSession which will open the Code Editor paste the below code in the Editor -> Save it and Close the window.

Private Sub Application_ItemSend(ByVal Item As Object, Cancel As Boolean)
   Dim strSubject As String
   strSubject = Item.Subject
   If Len(Trim(strSubject)) = 0 Then
       Prompt$ = "Subject is Empty. Are you sure you want to send the EMail?"
      If MsgBox(Prompt$, vbYesNo + vbQuestion + _
            vbMsgBoxSetForeground, _
            "Email Subject is Empty") = vbNo Then
        Cancel = True
      End If
  End If
End Sub

4. Now, restart the outlook. You will be prompted with a window where in Click on Enable Macros.

5. Now try sending an email without subject, you will be prompted for entering a Subject in the Email.

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Pillars of SharePoint 2010

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