SharePoint 2010 RC Installation Changes

As expected, the SharePoint 2010 GUI installer was updated again in RC.  So, for those of us that had been installing on a DC box, there was a new surprise.  When installing on a DC, the SharePoint 2010 RC bits detect this and only allow StandAlone Install.  So, all services are configured for you using Local System or Network Service.  Likely, you want a farm install and not standalone. 

I soon came across this posting that had the issue and resolution.  This worked for me and should for the rest of us that need a single fully featured server for demos, prototyping, etc.

Solution with config.xml settings

I’m Back – Goals for 2010 and more

Well, I haven’t been blogging much lately.  Looking at my history, I better dust off the cobwebs having let this go dormant since November was an unintended consequence of getting busier.  At any rate, I promised my colleague Brian Jackett a post on goals, so I thought I’d start there.  I’ll try to keep them unchanged based on what I now know from what I would have said Jan 1, 2010.

Personal Goals: 

1. Home improvement – I bought my first home in October of last year (part of the reason my blogging slowed down).  Now, I have some plans to improve it.  This year we wanted to tackle the back yard, office, and game room.  So far, we’ve already made good progress on backyard in large part due to my wife’s green thumb.  My main fear is wiring the office for better network. 
2. Slim and trim – I love outdoor volleyball and rollerblading, but have found myself lacking the stamina to really go after these past times.  So, I’d like to work out and increase my stamina and lose some weight in the process.
3. Find time for friends – When I get to the weekend, I just want to collapse sometimes and forget about all the people that I care about outside of my professional life.  They are all busy too, but I want to change the tendency to not socialize since it is more convenient to not have to plan a get together.

Professional Goals: 

1. Obtain some certifications – I am in the camp that thinks many certifications are not as valuable as they could be, but I still think taking the time and effort to learn something and sit for an exam will help drive learning.  Besides, keeping test taking skills fresh will pay off.  I’ll likely look at 2010 SharePoint certs once available, but I’ve always wanted some SQL/BI exposure as well.
2. Speak more – This goal is already underway.  I gave one talk all of last year.  This year, I’ve already led one discussion and been part of facilitating another.  I have submitted a talk for SPSHOU and will be submitting a talk for H-SPUG as well.  I just got invited to talk at the JSC SharePoint User Group at NASA which was exciting too.  So, this goal is being worked and will likely get a gold star come year end.
3. Community involvement – Help organize SPSHOU and ensure the H-SPUG group has the resources it needs.  I am volunteering to live blog at SPSHOU too, which should be fun.
4. Read more – I really want to get back to reading other blogs and books on both development and methodology.  This one is hard though since I’d rather play with technology than read about it, but seeing other’s points of view is very beneficial.
5. New technologies – I love working with SharePoint (most days), but would like to see some other techs out there.  In particular I’m interested in Project Server, BizTalk as platforms and WCF/Silverlight as new .NET skills.  Very excited with VS2010 and Blend coming that the ability to mashup these technologies may be getting easier all the time!

Future Goals:

1. PMP Certification – I believe I may be able to do this during 2010, but not sure. 
2. MSFT MVP – I am not sure I want to make this a definite goal, but I would like to keep it on the radar.  I know that I will need to do more if this one is to succeed though.
3. Travel – I want to find time to travel more.  I find myself travelling a lot to visit relatives and occasionally for work, but I’d like to see more of the world on my own dime both in the US and abroad.  If I could do this with my wife while working for the community, that would be a bonus.

I wish you all luck with your 2010 goals and thanks for stopping by!