Infrastructure Update for Microsoft Office Servers

Microsoft recently released a new update targeting Office Servers, including MOSS and WSS 3.

One of the feeture I was looking for answers was Federated Search. In the description of this update, Microsoft added this functionality to MOSS's search features. This makes me pretty exciting to know and want to try ASAP.

The details of the update can be found here:
Install the Infrastructure Update for Microsoft Office Servers (Office SharePoint Server 2007)

Description of the Microsoft Office Servers Infrastructure Update: July 15, 2008

Issues that are fixed in Microsoft Office Servers by the Microsoft Office Servers Infrastructure Update

I will add more infromation and reactions from the community later.

Have fun.

Microsoft SharePoint Developer Site

Microsoft just announced their latest SharePoint development resource web site: Microsoft SharePoint Developer Site.

I haven't really explore the whole site but you will be able to find vidoes, whait papaers, demo and other things.

Enjoy the site.

Visual Studio extensions for WSS V 1.2 is Available

The Version 1.2 of Visual Studio extensions for WSS is now available for download. You can find the file here.

This is the first version of VsWSS to support Visual Studio .Net 2008 and only 2008.

If you are using 2005, then do not install this version.

Enjoy it.

Good Article About How to Imstall MOSS SP1

SP1 for MOSS and WSS have been out for a while. I recently implemented to a virtual environment very close to the production system and under testing. Microsoft released lots information for any of you out there to read (after you finish all the SharePoint blogs, tips, technical info and codes).

If you do not have time to finish the documents and you have a simple environment, then Shane Yang published a very clear article to guide you through the installation. Read it before you start and you should be fine.

Remember, you have to install SP1 for WSS first, do not run configuration wizard and the install SP1 for MOSS. I heard some one only installed MOSS SP1 and had to re-build the virtual server. So, read it before you start.

Enjoy it.

Change Automatic Update on the SharePoint Server

This may not look like a good idea to some system or network administrators due to the security concerns. However, any patches installed to your SharePoint server may bring up issues that give you errors in the even log every couple minutes. The worst thing could happen other than your server explode or transform into a robot is, of course, stop working as you expected.



I have read people from the on-line communities talking about how an installed patch brought down the server or made certain features stop functioning as before.



If your environment does not have a centralize system or process to evaluate the updates sent by Microsoft, change the update service from install to download and notify you instead. You will have chances to review them and stop any potential problems before you are certain.

Two tips to install SharePoint

Since last summer I have spent some time to answer questions on a web site to help others with SharePoint. Some of the problems or questions I came across were pretty common: web site broken after update installed and server account stopped working.

Especially for those who was using Small Business Server (SBS), it happened more often than regular Windows 2003 implementation.

So, here are two tips for you if you would like to learn or start SharePoint (WSS, 2003 or MOSS 2007) installation:

1. Do not use the Default Web Site in your IIS. Especially if you are sharing a server with other applications. You may break other application or vice versa. Create another web application and use it for your SharePoint sites. This has nothing to do with using port 80.

2. Remember to use real user accounts to install and configure your SharePoint and/or database. If the environment is under a domain, use domain user accounts. If it attaches to a workgroup, use real user accounts. Do not use any machine or system service accounts in your application pools, search and indexing services.

Enjoy your trip with SharePoint.