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I’ve just added a new feature to my BigFix.me website… the Content Database!!! Come check it out!

This side-project catalogues fixlets, tasks, and analyses into one big content database (CDB). The first available feature of the CDB is the ability to search relevance statements. Type in one or more keywords like "operating system" or "exists" and you’ll get back tons of examples of how to use those inspectors or key words within your own relevance statements. The database even knows what type of data will be returned and we sort all the results by re-use count, which can be helpful in finding the most popular statements.

If you want to contribute to the database, simply logon or register and visit our import BES content page.

You can learn more here: http://bigfix.me/cdb.

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First let me send a shout out to my reference for this little tidbit of information:  How to add a Uninstall option in Visual Studio Setup project without writing code GoGoToTo created a very nice article on this.  I simply expanded it further to include getting your application “registered” so within BigFix it will show up as one of the registered apps.

First View your File System so we can add the special folder “System”

Uninstall and Register 1

If your application is x86, then we’ll want to add the msiexec.exe from the c:\windows\SysWow64 folder.

Uninstall and Register 2

Uninstall and Register 3

Left click to highlight the msiexec.exe file and in the properties window, adjust as indicated in the following image:

Uninstall and Register 4

Next we’ll need to add a shortcut to the “User’s Program Menu”.  In my example, I’ve created a sub-folder named after my application.  Click that folder and in the right window, right-click and create a shortcut.

Uninstall and Register 5

Navigate to the System Folder and select the msiexe.exe file.

Uninstall and Register 6

Uninstall and Register 7

Before we modify the shortcut’s properties, we’ll need to copy the ProductCode from the Setup Application Properties.

Uninstall and Register 8

Using that ProductCode, modify the shortcut’s properties as follows:

Uninstall 8a

Now we get to register our application… Open the Registry View.

Uninstall and Register 9

Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE add the following sub-keys:

Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\[name of your exe]

Remember to specify the last key to “DeleteAtUninstall” = True

Add the following 2 string values with the values as shown.

Uninstall and Register 10

 

That’s it.  You now have an uninstall link that will be created upon installation of your app.  You will also have your application properly “registered” so BigFix can properly detect it.

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Reblogged from PowerScripting Podcast:

Click to visit the original post

A Podcast about Windows PowerShell.
Listen:

In This Episode

Tonight on the PowerScripting Podcast, we talk to Karl Prosser about Portable PowerShell and PowerShell v3

News

This segment is brought to you by TrainSignal

Get online computer based training for you and your whole staff from TrainSignal. TrainSignal offers more than 80 IT training courses in the areas of Security, Network Administration, Virtualization, PowerShell and more.

Read more… 264 more words

My PowerShell for Tivoli Endpoint Manager (http://pstem.codeplex.com) project was featured on a recent episode of the PowerScripting Podcast.

Read more… 243 more words

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image

I have just published a beautiful new project via CodePlex. 

If you manage a TEM/BigFix infrastructure and like using PowerShell for managing your network, you’ll be interested in this one.

Visit http://pstem.codeplex.com

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This afternoon I have finally completed my Metro style Windows 8 application.  I’m still entering data into the database, but the app itself is completed.  When the app is launched it pulls that data and displays it to the users.

Here are a few screen shots of my application:

My application is based on the House of Representatives.  It allows you to quickly discover your congress person and provides you with contact information including Twitter, Facebook and other links they’ve shared on their websites.

The contest started here:  https://buildwindowscontest.com/

If I win, I will be included in the first round of apps added to the new Microsoft App store… very exciting!

Wish me luck!

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Here I am again working on my House of Congress/Windows 8/Metro app contest when I’m wanting to show the individual districts each Congress person represents.  Using a Bing search I found myself back at the Census website.  This time looking at the congressional boundary files:  http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cob/cd110.html

I don’t know anything about the e00 or shp files, so I’ll be working with the available ascii files.

Each state’s zip file contains two dat files.  One dat contains the Long/Lat coordinates for various map-polygons which represent districts that are defined in the other dat file.  What I wanted was a way to tie together the dat files with the Districts table I’d already defined at the start of my development.

I need this information to be in the most covenant format for my application, therefore, I’ll be importing the information for each state into my SQL database.  I created a new table defined as follows:image

SNAGHTML6ef6126

Like many of my tables, I’ve setup an Id which auto increments and is the primary key for each row.  Next we have the linked DistrictID, the PolygonID identified within the dat file as well as the Latitude and Longitude values.

First thing was to download each individual ascii file, unblock (windows 7 “feature”), extract and rename each file… only took 20min.

Then using my import program, I follow the following sudo code to get into my database:

foreach DAT file
    read in dat and def files
    extract state name //will use this later to get district reference
    
    open database
    find state
   
    foreach dat file line
        parse Long/Lat and cur Polygon # if available
        if cur Polygon # found, then
            foreach def file line
                if cur polygon # then
                    district id = line
        if have district id and current polygon
            insert new coordinates into database

In the end we have a database called Boundaries that looks something like this:

image

If you have any questions or would like to see the source code for my importer mention it in the comments section below.

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So, you have an XML document, your programming in Visual Studio 11 for your new Windows 8 Metro app, and you need to access the data within?  I’m here to help…

DE serializing your XML document is very simple.  First you’ll need to define a CLASS object the way your XML document is…

Here’s my example XML document:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>

<Congress>
  <Regions>
    <Region>
      <Title>Northeast</Title>

      <States>
        <State>
          <Title>Connecticut</Title>

          <Districts>
            <District>
              <Title>District 1</Title>
              <SubTitle>Larson, John B.</SubTitle>
            </District>
          </Districts>
        </State>
      </States>
    </Region>
  </Regions>
</Congress>

This is an example of an XML document I’m currently using in my contest application.  As you can see there can be multiple Regions, States or Districts.  Each organized in sub objects… I am showing you only one of each since it would get pretty long otherwise…

Now, we’ll need a few classes organized just like this XML document:

[XmlRoot("Congress")]
public class clsCongress
{
    [XmlArray("Regions")]
    [XmlArrayItem("Region", typeof(clsRegion))]
    public clsRegion[] Region { get; set; }
}

[XmlRoot("Regions")]
public class clsRegion
{
    [XmlElement("Title")]
    public string Title { get; set; }

    [XmlArray("States")]
    [XmlArrayItem("State", typeof(clsState))] 
    public clsState[] State { get; set; }
}

[XmlRoot("States")]
public class clsState
{
    [XmlElement("Title")]
    public string Title { get; set; }
        
    [XmlArray("Districts")]
    [XmlArrayItem("District", typeof(clsDistrict))]
    public clsDistrict[] District { get; set; }
}

[XmlRoot("Districts")]
public class clsDistrict
{        
    [XmlElement("Title")]
    public string Title { get; set; }
        
    [XmlElement("SubTitle")]
    public string SubTitle { get; set; }
}


As you can see form my class objects, you’ll need to specify the XmlRoot for each class as well as each XmlElement so everything maps correctly.  In my example, the elements match, but they don’t have to so long as they’re mapped with the XmlElement tag.

Now, I know you can find this code anywhere on the net… but what they don’t go into detail explaining is the array variables I have shown here. 

In my example, I have Congress which is made up of multiple Regions, which is made up of multiple States, and Districts.  In my example here, I demonstrate how to get multiple sub-objects pulled in easily and quickly.

Here is the code I use to load up the XML text, oh and I’m downloading this content using the new fancy async features from VS11 and Windows 8:

internal async Task PullRegionsAsync(Uri baseUri)
{
    string baseUrl = "http://danielheth.com/myexample.xml";

    //download the data xml
    //http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/system.net.http.httpclienthandler.maxrequestcontentbuffersize(v=VS.110).aspx
    //says there is a 65k limit on the size of what this function will download...
    var client = new HttpClient();
    var response = await client.GetAsync(baseUrl + "Data.xml");
            
    //------------------------------------------------
    //convert xml into an easily digestable object
    clsCongress congress = null;
    XmlSerializer des = new XmlSerializer(typeof(clsCongress));
    congress = (clsCongress)des.Deserialize(response.Content.ContentReadStream);
    //------------------------------------------------

    foreach (clsRegion r in congress.Region)
    {
        string RegionTitle = r.Title;

        foreach (clsState s in r.State)
        {
            string StateTitle = s.Title;

            foreach (clsDistrict d in s.District)
            {
                string DistrictTitle = d.Title;
            }
        }
    }
}

There you have it… deserializing your XML document into an easily digestible object within C#.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them below…

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I’ve entered myself into a new Windows 8 application contest.  I’ve come up with a wonderful idea which includes utilizing Bing Maps.  After an awful lot of research I’ve come up with something that works… Perfectly!!!

Since this is a Windows 8 application, I’m writing this in Visual Studio 11 express which utilizes an awesome multi-threading feature called async/await.  So I’ll be taking advantage of that here.

First thing I needed to do was acquire my Bing Map Developers key… Acquire yours free from:  https://www.bingmapsportal.com

Let’s start coding!!!

I followed the following MSDN article to setup my app for access to the Bing SOAP API’s.  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc966738.aspx

Then added the following to the top of my code:

using HouseofRepresentatives.GeocodeService;
using HouseofRepresentatives.SearchService;
using HouseofRepresentatives.ImageryService;
using HouseofRepresentatives.RouteService;


private ImageSource _map = null;
public String Latitude = "";
public String Longitude = "";


public ImageSource Map
{
    get
    {
        if (this._map == null) UpdateMap();
        return this._map;
    }

    set
    {
        if (this._map != value)
        {
            this._map = value;
            this.OnPropertyChanged("Map");
        }
    }
}

I had two situations for my locations… in one case I knew the exact Lat/Lon, and in others I only knew an address… in my case a state name.  First I needed to turn that address into a Lat/Lon for passing onto the get map function.

private async Task<string> getLocationPoint(string address)
{
    if (address != null && address != "")
    {
        GeocodeRequest request = new GeocodeRequest();
        request.ExecutionOptions = new HouseofRepresentatives.GeocodeService.ExecutionOptions();
        request.ExecutionOptions.SuppressFaults = true;
        GeocodeServiceClient geocodeClient = 
            new GeocodeServiceClient(GeocodeServiceClient.EndpointConfiguration.BasicHttpBinding_IGeocodeService);
        HouseofRepresentatives.GeocodeService.Credentials t = 
            new HouseofRepresentatives.GeocodeService.Credentials();
        t.Token = "[[put your Bing Maps Key Here]]";

        request.Query = address;
        request.Credentials = t;

        GeocodeResponse response = await geocodeClient.GeocodeAsync(request);
        if (response.Results.Count() > 0)
        {
            return response.Results[0].Locations[0].Latitude.ToString() + 
                "," + response.Results[0].Locations[0].Longitude.ToString();
        }
    }
    return "";
}

Next I needed to actually get the Image from Bing.  Now let’s do that using the following function:

private async Task<string> GetImagery(string locationString)
{  //http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd221354.aspx
    string key = "[[insert your Bing Maps Key here]]";
    MapUriRequest mapUriRequest = new MapUriRequest();

    // Set credentials using a valid Bing Maps key
    mapUriRequest.Credentials = 
        new HouseofRepresentatives.ImageryService.Credentials();
    mapUriRequest.Credentials.ApplicationId = key;
                      

    // Set the location of the requested image
    mapUriRequest.Center = new HouseofRepresentatives.ImageryService.Location();
    string[] digits = locationString.Split(',');
            
    mapUriRequest.Center.Latitude = double.Parse(digits[0].Trim());
    mapUriRequest.Center.Longitude = double.Parse(digits[1].Trim());

    // Set the map style and zoom level
    MapUriOptions mapUriOptions = new MapUriOptions();
    mapUriOptions.Style = MapStyle.AerialWithLabels;
    mapUriOptions.ZoomLevel = 17;

    // Set the size of the requested image in pixels
    mapUriOptions.ImageSize = new HouseofRepresentatives.ImageryService.SizeOfint();
    mapUriOptions.ImageSize.Height = 240;
    mapUriOptions.ImageSize.Width = 480;

    mapUriRequest.Options = mapUriOptions;

    //Make the request and return the URI
    ImageryServiceClient imageryService = 
        new ImageryServiceClient(ImageryServiceClient.EndpointConfiguration.BasicHttpBinding_IImageryService);
            
    try
    {
        MapUriResponse mapUriResponse = await imageryService.GetMapUriAsync(mapUriRequest);

        if (mapUriResponse.Uri != null)
        {
            return mapUriResponse.Uri;
        }
        else { return ""; }
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        return "";
    }
}

Ok… now that I have my image Uri, it’s time to use it to load a picture:

public async Task<bool> UpdateMap(string address = "")
{
    if (address != "")
    {
        //then user is specifying an address instead of a specific long/lat.  
        //We need to get that info in order to proceed...
        string point = await getLocationPoint(address);
        if (point != "")
        {
            string[] p = point.Split(',');
            Latitude = p[0];
            Longitude = p[1];
        }
    }

    if (Longitude != "" && Latitude != "")
    {
        string uripath = await GetImagery(Longitude + "," + Latitude);
        if (uripath != "")
        {
            this.Map = new BitmapImage(new Uri(uripath));
            return true;
        }
        else
        {
            this.Map = new BitmapImage(new Uri(imageBaseUri, "Data/blank.png"));
            return false;
        }
    }
    else
    {
        this.Map = new BitmapImage(new Uri(imageBaseUri, "Data/blank.png"));
        return false;
    }
}

If you’ve stuck with me this far… you are a programmer… LOL.

In each of my functions I utilized the new async/await features.  This means when I call either of the two functions as below, it will load the image once the OS has downloaded and cached it.  The image will automatically appear when ready…

//calling the get-map function with an address
UpdateMap("Arkansas");

//or
UpdateMap("1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington");

//or i can configure my lat/lon then update
Latitude = "39.450000762939453";
Longitude = "-98.907997131347656";
UpdateMap();

If you guys have any questions or comments, be sure to post them below!

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So, you have a large batch of files and want to move or copy them reliably from one location to another.  (this works for nearly all scenarios:  local->local, local->network, ext hd->local, ext ht->network)

Microsoft TechNet reference for Robocopy

Helpful TechNet Magazine article on Robocopy   and another

Download it here if you don’t already have it

All you have to know is this simple command:

robocopy [destination] –z –e

/Z :: copy files in restartable mode.  This means if the command stops because the network is no longer available or some other reason… all you have to do is re-run the command and it’ll pickup where it left off.

/E :: copy subdirectories, including Empty ones.  This will recreate the exact directory tree… so if you’re copying an entire tree (files and sub-directories) it will exactly recreate it even if there are no files inside of a folder.

image

This command also takes advantage of a few defaults:

/COPY: DAT :: what to COPY for files.   This means the files that are copied, will also transfer over the data, attributes, as well as the timestamps like last modified, etc…

/R:n :: number of Retries on failed copies: default 1 million.  This means if the command fails it will sit and retry up to a million times before failing.  I rely on this since I usually run my command overnight.  If the network goes down, it is probably do to a simple power issue.  The hub will go down but the computers won’t due to my UPS’s.  When power is restored and the hubs come backup, the copy will continue.

/W:n :: Wait time between retries: default is 30 seconds.   If it fails as described previously, this is the timer which runs before retrying.  Every 30 seconds upon a failure. 

 

Robocopy is an essential command that everyone who uses computers should be aware of.  Put this one in your pocket and pull it out when needed. 

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RemoteDisplay

I’ve written another application to assist us with the development of our weekly webcast Week in Review.  This time I’ve constructed a very special server->multiple clients application for displaying text to our hosts.11-28-2011 12-39-39 PM

The application basically works like a remote display allowing the operator of the server or any of the operators of the clients to edit text as well as scroll the content displayed on the screen.

The primary purpose of this application is to allow David and I the ability to enter in our show’s flow chart.  Then as each event occurs, we “scroll” down the list and it automatically marks out as well as highlights the next item. 

ss1My friend is loosing his eyesight so in an attempt to make it extremely easy to determine which item we’re on, I’ve created a very special “ScrollText” .NET control.  This allows the “selected line” to be much larger and a different color than the rest of the content, thus making it extremely easy to see.

ss2

This is another free application I’m publishing for anybody to use and enjoy.  If you have any comments, concerns, or questions… please leave your comments below.

Get it from CNET Download.com!

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