TFS 2010 Setup: Gotchas

I'm sure I missed a step somewhere during setup but...so the search engines catch 'em, I'm going to post my TFS/VSTS 2010 setup missteps below:

Issue: "TF255147: The following server that is running SQL Server is not listening on the expected TCP port: SERVER"
Resolution: Open SQL Server Configuration Manager. Under SQL Server Network Configuration, Protocols for MSSQLSERVER, right-mouse Enable TCP/IP. Restart SQL Server. Re-run TFS configuration wizard.

Issue: "TF255282: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 cannot be installed. The program is already installed on this server"
Resolution: Open up Add/Remove Programs (or "Programs and Features" under Win2k8 Server) and remove Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. Re-run TFS configuration wizard.

Overriding the default assembly output directory in Team Build

By default, Team Build (MSBuild-driven) wants to output compiled assets (assemblies, config, exe's, etc.) to a flattened ..\Binaries\Release|Debug directory. I had a client desiring to package up these assets in their relative, normal output directories into an MSI using WiX.

Fortunately, there's a simple directive to set within the TFSBuild.proj file such that the individual project OutDir is honored:
<customizableoutdir>true</customizableoutdir>
Set this within the main PropertyGroup element for your build. Unless you're performing a custom check-out, you'll also need to turn off read-only attributes set during the Get from version control. Update this attribute in the AfterGet target using an Exec task:

Agile with TFS Presentation Follow-up

Thanks for everyone attending my "Implementing an Agile Software Development Process with Team Foundation Server (TFS)" presentation today. We enjoyed some good discussion. I had a few TFS-related questions pop up which I thought I'd address in a post:

Q. Is it possible to fail the build but only if a specific test fails? So, let's say we have 3 tests. If Test01 or Test02 fail, fail the build. If Test03 fails, don't fail the build.

A. Not that I'm aware of. If any test fails in a build but compilation succeeded, that build lists a state of Partially Succeeded. With TFS 2008 SP1, we received a property to modify or control this behavior: TreatTestFailureAsBuildFailure. If true (false is the default), any test failure will set the build state to Failed (vs. Partially Succeeded). Nice write-up here.

You might take the approach of creating two separate builds: one that contains all your tests and one containing just mission critical tests. Set TreatTestFailureAsBuildFailure to true for that one and any test failure will fail the build. Not precisely what you want but close. It may also be beneficial or helpful to check the TestSuccess output parameter.

Q. Can I move a Work Item from one team project to another (prefer not to copy...delete)?

A. Unfortunately, no. One can use the TFS Migration Tool but it's a bit heavy. We typically copy to the destination team project and then Close the source work item. For one client, we even developed a desktop triage application to programmatically copy and then delete defects and task requests between team projects. The client wanted to triage out of one team project and then distribute the work item to the correct team [project].

Rollback a Ooops in TFS with TFPT Rollback

Rhut roe, Raggie. You just checked in a merge operation affecting 100's of files in TFS against the wrong branch. Ooops. Well, you can simply roll it back, right? Select the folder in Source Control Explorer and...hey, where's the Rollback?

Rollback isn't supported in TFS natively. However, it is supported within the Power Tools leveraging the command-line TFPT.exe utility. It's fairly straightforward to revert back to a previous version--with one caveot.

First, download and install the Team Foundation Power Tools 2008 on your workstation. Before proceeding, let's create a workspace dedicated to the rollback. To "true up" the workspace, the rollback operation will peform a Get Latest for every file in your current workspace. This can consume hours (and many GB) with a broad workspace mapping. To work around this, I create a temporary workspace targeted at just the area of source I need to roll back. So let's drill down on our scenario...

I'm working on Program.cs and I accidentally check in a change I shouldn't have. Oops.

Let's create a workspace mapped just to the folder housing Program.cs so we avoid a massive, entire workspace "Get" during the rollback operation.

Afterwards, select that workspace and perform a Get Latest (just to establish the file system directory). Open up a Visual Studio 2008 command prompt and browse to the workspace on the file system.

To perform a rollback, you can target a changeset or a filespec. I prefer the specificity of the changeset but whatever works for you. You also have flexibility with merge and recursive behavior. Here's the full write-up on MSDN for Rollback. Alternatively, just type in a

TFPT rollback /?

Executing the TFPT rollback command (with the /changeset option in this example), will earn you a prompt to get the latest. Go ahead and click Yes.

Important to note here with the changeset option: you want to identify the changeset one prior to the version you wish to rollback to. So, if I want to rollback to changetset 227, I want to use changeset 228 in the TFPT operation.

Next, you'll be presented with all the assets (files) in that folder involved in that particular changeset (228 in this case). We only want to roll back Program.cs so we'll only select that file. If you Ctrl-A and uncheck one box, it will uncheck them all. Click Rollback.

Next, you'll receive feedback at the command line about the operation. But wait, you're not finished! Rollback is a local operation. You still need to check in your change. This is a great "safety" if you messed up the rollback itself. Just Undo Pending Changes.

Ok, so we're ready to check in our changes.

Looking at View History once more, note we actually have a third version and changeset now: 229. But, we've indeed returned to the original (the first, changeset 227) version of the source.

Being back to square one never felt so good...

Installing TFS/VSTS 2010 Beta 1

I finally found some time to get rolling on VSTS/TFS 2010 and wanted to share how I kitted out my environment. Somewhat related, fantastic overview on where to start.

1. Started with my Windows 2008 Server VPC
2. Installed and configured IIS 7
3. Downloaded and installed the SQL Server 2008 180-day Trial
4. Configured SQL Server 2008 and SSRS, SSAS
5. Turned off IE Enhanced Security for Administrators
6. Under Win7 Beta1 (my host OS), I have a jerky mouse on the VPC. Unfortunately, the Change settings button under the Troubleshoot tab of my display driver is disabled under 64-bit :( Otherwise, I would enable the hardware acceleration recommendation. It's slightly better under full-screen.
7. Downloaded and installed Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) v3.0.
8. Downloaded and installed TFS 2010 Beta 1 following the instructions to the letter.
9. Downloaded and installed VSTS 2010 Beta 1.

Happy exploring and learning!

Troubleshooting the TFS Data Warehouse

Occasionally, I encounter issues with the TFS data warehouse failing to refresh. Sometimes, it's as simple as the VS TFS Task Scheduler service isn't started but other times, it's more complicated. Here's a helpful troubleshooting document up on MSDN for troubleshooting the SQL Server TFSWarehouse relational table / Operational Data Store (ODS). If you're expereincing issues with Analysis Services (SSAS) and/or the cubes, reference this one.

Microsoft BizValue Series

Thanks to everyone attending my firm's monthly Microsoft BizValue Series. In case you missed it, I've presented recently on the Microsoft Business Intelligence (MSBI) stack, Microsoft Online Services / BPOS and Team Foundation Server (TFS).

We meet in our offices downtown (Columbus, OH) on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Next week (June 10th), I'll be delivering a talk on leveraging TFS for agile software development efforts. I'll deliver a similar presentation in our Charlotte, NC offices the following day (June 11th).

You can learn more and register here and here.

ArcReady: Architecting for the Cloud

Update: 3/28: Thanks for joining us in Mason, OH. Slide deck is here and on Slide Share here.

Thanks for joining us at ArcReady in Columbus, OH "Architecting for the Cloud". I hope everyone got some good information out of my "Cloud Services" session. I'll also be delivering this same session in Mason, OH this Friday. Thanks for coming and thanks to Brian Prince for offering the opportunity to present.


Architecting for the cloud
For our next ArcReady, we will explore a topic on everyone’s mind: Cloud computing. Several industry companies have announced cloud computing services . In October 2008 at the Professional Developers Conference, Microsoft announced the next phase of our Software + Services vision: the Azure Services Platform. The Azure Services Platforms provides a wide range of internet services that can be consumed from both on premises environments or the internet.

Session 1: Cloud Services
In our first session we will explore the current state of cloud services. We will then look at how applications should be architected for the cloud and explore a reference application deployed on Windows Azure. We will also look at the services that can be built for on premise application, using .NET Services. We will also address some of the concerns that enterprises have about cloud services, such as regulatory and compliance issues.

Columbus Exchange and Windows User Group (CEWUG): Unified Communications

One solution from Microsoft I've always been curious about but never had the time to dedicate to, Office Communication Server or OCS. Presence with instant messaging, VOIP, video conferencing...all kinds of neat stuff. The next meeting of will provide a full demo. Might want to check that out.

What: Columbus Exchange and Windows User Group (CEWUG)

Join Microsoft and BT to learn how Microsoft Unified Communications solutions help streamline communications between people and organizations, bringing together e-mail, calendaring, voice mail, IM/ presence, VoIP, audio, video, and Web conferencing. This interactive session will include a live demonstration of the Microsoft Unified Communications Solutions.

CEWUG Registration Link

Agenda:

• 5:30 to 6:05: Welcome time; meet the MS steering committee, pizza and beverages
• 6:05 to 7:05: Microsoft Unified Communications overview and demonstration
• 5 minute break
• 7:10 to 8:15: BT INS discusses how they saved money using Microsoft Unified Communications

Where: 8800 Lyra Dr, Suite 400 Columbus, OH 43240

When: Wednesday: March 25, 2009 5:30 to 8:15 PM

Presenters:

• Michael Austin , Microsoft Unified Communications Group
• Joan Windsor, BT INS

The goal of the CEWUG is to build relationships with peers, share expertise and involvement with the central Ohio IT community.

We will meet the 4th Wednesday of the month at the MS Columbus Office: 8800 Lyra Dr, Suite 400, Columbus, OH 43240

Configuring a Development Sandbox for the Azure CTP

I'm getting up to speed on Azure and the other cloud SDKs and need to configure an environment for development, demos and learning. My experiences...

First off, if you've read my blog, you know I haven't installed non-productivity software on my core OS for years. Further, I don't get the warm and fuzzies installing CTP software on my core OS. I also love the recoverability and start-over-from-a-checkpoint features of virtualization. Virtual PC (VPC) houses all my development, demo and learning sandbox instances. So, let's start off with a VPC instance. For this to work well, ideally, you need a good 4GB of memory. Further to the ideal, you're running x64 so as to have access to the full 4GB of memory.

ACQUIRE AN AZURE SERVICES DEVELOPER KEY

To develop against Azure and/or .Net Services and SQL Services, you need an invitation code. Oooh, very exclusive. Pretty people to the front of the line! You can start the process here. If you run into problems, check this post here or the forums here. All invitations and registrations are managed out of Microsoft Connect.

Azure requires either Vista or Windows Server 2008. Fortunately, Microsoft provides a trial VPC download of Windows Server 2008.

CONFIGURE WINDOWS SERVER 2008 VPC

• Make sure you have Virtual PC 2007 with SP1 installed
• Download the Virtual Hard Drive (VHD) file and expand
• Within the Virtual PC Console, select: New >> Create a virtual machine >> provide a name and location >> Windows Server 2008 >> Adjust the RAM to at least 2GB if not 2.5GB (2560MB) >> An existing virtual hard disk (browse out to the VHD file you downloaded above and expanded) >> Finish
• Fire up the VPC instance and log in (credentials are on the download page)
• (TIP: If you need to flip between the window frame and Full Screen, it's Right-ALT + Enter)
• Suggestion: Right-mouse on the desktop, Properties, Screen Saver: None.
• Start >> Administrative Tools >> Server Manager (may already be up when you log in)
• Click on Add a Feature
• Within .NET Framework 3.0 Features, select the .NET Framework 3.0, (and within that...) select WCF Activation, (and within that...) select HTTP Activation and finally but optionally Windows PowerShell
• Install
• Click on Add a Role
• Select Web Server (IIS)
• Click Add Required Features
• Under Role Services, select ASP.NET (click Add Required Role Services if prompted)
• Install
• Create a share to your core OS
• Within the window frame of the VPC instance, select File...Install or update...additions
• Run Setup.exe and follow the instructions to install the additions. Restart if prompted.
• Within the window frame of the VPC instance, select Edit...Settings
• Select Shared Folders. Click Share Folder...
• We're setting up a share to all this software we're about to install which you've downloaded (or will). Typically, I have an Installs directory housing all my software installation files.
• Firewall: I'm not 100% sure this is required but I enabled port 1433 through the firewall for SQL Server. Instructions.
  

INSTALL THE SOFTWARE

Download or copy and then install all this software into the folder on your core OS which we just shared to the VPC. I typically just install from the share. This conserves space and prevents the virtual hard drive from expanding unnecessarily.

• .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (Here is the full download...the default is the bootstrapper. I'm assuming you lack Internet connectivity within your VPC.)
• SQL Server 2005 Express or above (I'm using SQL Server 2008 Express).
  • Note: SQL Server 2005 Express is included with Visual Studio 2008 Professional if you want to bundle this step and the next.
  • Note: I'm not sure if Express is a requirement but when starting up my Visual Studio instance and test project, it was hard-coded to look for .\SQLEXPRESS for Development Storage. So, I recommend installing Express vs. one of the full versions.
    
• Visual Studio 2008 with SP1 (Express is supported!)
• Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio January 2009 CTP
• Windows Azure Software Development Kit (January 2009 CTP)
• Microsoft .NET Services SDK (Dec 2008 CTP)
• SQL Data Services (SDS) SDK (CTP)
• Azure Services Training Kit - February Update
• Fix available: ASP.Net MVC RC Crash in a Windows Azure Cloud Service Project

Visual Studio Team System 2010 Hands on Labs

Thanks to Randy Pagels for organizing and for all enjoyed this event in Columbus yesterday. Feel free to post any questions/comments here and we'll get them answered.

One question that came up inquired about support for Sharepoint development within TFS/VSTS 2010. The Visual Studio team answered with a resounding: "Yes, Sharepoint is a first class citizen in TFS 2010".

Go Virtual! Save your Soul.

I haven't installed a development tool (production or beta/CTP) on my core OS for years. I do all my development, presentation preparation and learning / experimentation on Virtual PC (VPC) instances. (Ok, my clients pony up development machines for client work but...and no developing / architect jokes) Also, these are not VPCs I created. Certainly, one needs to license these instances properly when used in a production environment (vs. testing/evaluation) but leveraging a VPC will save you loads of time and effort (and headaches).

To be clear, I don't recommend this approach if you need to actually learn how to install and configure a product and/or operating system. If you're studying for your MCSE, it likely behooves you to actually install it a few times rather than leveraging an existing virtual instance.

But, if you want to learn how to leverage or use the product rather than how to install and configure it, go out to your favorite search engine or search.microsoft.com and download the VPC instances Microsoft so generously provides. These often 12-month expiry instances provide ample time to create a presentation demo or a proof of concept for a potential client. Investment in setting up and configuring the OS, SQL Server, MOSS, VSTS/TFS, etc in order to leverage your product of interest: ZERO (well, except the time to download perhaps).

As an example, I leverage the Visual Studio Team System and Team Foundation Server VPC instance for all my VSTS/TFS demos and client presentations. Recently, I started leveraging the Windows 2008 Server VPC trial instance for some Azure presentation work--Azure requires Vista or Windows 2008...yes, I'm still on XP...talk to my infrastructure guy :( Personally, I think Windows 2008 Server looks awesome. Do I want to set it up and configure it? Err, no.

If there's no existing instance configured the way you like, take it upon yourself to create a VPC for your team. (Again, disclaimer: license this up properly.) The folks on my MOSS infrastructure / config team kitted out a tremendous Windows Server 2008 with MOSS Enterprise, SQL Server 2008 and all the goodies. Now, the folks on the MOSS development team can benefit and get right to work learning and developing--their key focus.

Save yourself some time and energy--go virtual!

Developer Tools Roadmap: Columbus

Thanks to everyone who attended my firm's (Cardinal Solutions) / Microsoft joint-sponsored Developer Tools Roadmap event at the Columbus Microsoft MPR room. Thanks to Randy Pagels, Bill Steele and...(no, I won't thank myself) for speaking on C#/.Net 4.0 Futures, VSTS 2010 and Azure/S+S/Online Services, respecitvely.

Please contact me or leave a comment with any questions!

TFS for One Please

This post includes a recent inquiry and my response. Thought it was interesting...names changed to protect the innocent.

=============================
Jeff,
I was one of the attendees at the Foo Bar seminar you put together earlier this month. I got a lot out of it and have been inspired to give it a try.

I do not have an employer at the moment, nor any extra equipment lying around. I want to install and configure the whole mess on my laptop (dual-core processor, 2G RAM, Vista SP1 -- so it should handle it). I don't want to use the downloadable virtual image as I want to learn how to do the actual installation process. Hopefully this experience will help me in the future. (Or is this crazy and I should just stick with the virtual image?)

I have copies of all the relevant software, and am looking for some advice on the best way to do the installation and configuration where the Team Server, SQL Server (I already have 2008 Express installed), and Team Suite will all live on the one machine (no domain). My intent is to use it for my personal .Net development projects. Obviously, this is massive overkill, but I want to gain experience with it all that I can use in future consulting assignments.

Do you have any pointers to information that is specific to my situation? I have found a lot of information out there about installing TFS, but it all assumes it is at least going on a dedicated test server.

Thanks, Itching for TFS in Lawrenceburg

========================================
Itching for TFS in Lawrenceburg,

Sure, I remember you. Glad you enjoyed the sessions. Your desire to learn is commendable! If I were you...I would probably focus on learning how to leverage TFS instead of installation and configuration.

Realistically, one only stands-up a TFS server once (or maybe twice...a test instance) per customer or full-time employer. While it's not easy, I also wouldn't say it's rocket science either. The instructions are massive but when followed step-by-step, they're effective.

However, if you're set on standing TFS up from scratch, I would definitely leverage a clean VM/VPC Windows 2008 Server instance. Install TFS 2008, SQL 2008, WSS 3.0 and Reporting Services 2008 (I believe they're all available under trial licenses). I don't believe TFS will even install on Vista and/or SQL Express 2008. It will be quite slow but 2GB will support the VM/VPC with 1.5GB dedicated (yes, I struggled through this early last year). You might consider upping your laptop to 4GB with memory so cheap right now...but I understand if you want to do this without further investment.

To further dissuade you from standing up a TFS server from scratch, 8 times out of 10, we leverage a configuration with a separate database server and a separate build server (so 3 servers total with the app server). Thus, in your practice exercise, you won't be able to replicate a true, realistic, common scenario given your current hardware constraints.

Finally, your true value will come from understanding how to customize and leverage TFS: modifying process templates, customizing builds, how different methodologies fit into TFS, how each role can and should leverage TFS, what the individual flavors of VSTS are capable of completing, etc. I've been using VSTS/TFS for 3...no 4 years now and I learn something new with it almost daily. It's crazy vast. IMO, you'll be able to demonstrate a lot more value in the configuration and leverage realm vs. the installation realm.

Just my $0.02. Best of luck!

Regards,
Jeff...

ALM Briefing / SDLC in a Box Event

Thanks to everyone who attended our ALM Briefing / SDLC in a Box event on 2/05 at the Polaris Microsoft offices. We had a great audience with lots of intriguing questions. Our follow-up post is here.

Shameless plug: Cardinal Solutions, my employer and one of the sponsors of this event, is a Microsoft Visual Studio Team System (VSTS) Inner Circle partner. We specialize in:

• Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) Assessments / Catalyst
• Team Foundation Server (TFS) capacity planning, installation and configuration
• Migration of source code
• Process Template customization and advising
• End-user training for all roles
  
• Automated and Continuous Integration (CI) builds with Team Build
  
• Best practice advising and ongoing consulting for process change, methodology implementation and customization of process and tools surrounding TFS and VSTS

Please contact me for all your Team Foundation Server (TFS) and Visual Studio Team System (VSTS) needs.

Team System Interesting Finds

• Compelling TFS Features to Upgrade from 2005 to 2008
• Security Update for Team System Web Access 2008 SP1 Posted
• Streamline Team Projects With Process Templates

Application Lifecycle Management Briefings / SDLC in a Box

I'll be presenting VSTS/TFS 2008 at this two day event Feb. 4-5th.

Speakers:
Alexei Govorine, Quick Solutions
Jeff Hunsaker, Cardinal Solutions
They are the co-founders of the Central Ohio ALM Group

The SDLC in a Box session will be led by two Central Ohio community leads. This 2 day briefing will discuss an application lifecycle project, from initial conception through requirements gathering, design, development, testing, build & review processes. We also cover process concepts, integration with non-Microsoft development and best-of-breed partner solutions & offerings for Visual Studio 2008 Team System.

This two day sesions is targeted for Developers, Architects, Project Managers, DBAs and Business Analysts looking for ALM and researching Team Foundation Server.

Register for this Event! Enter code: 857100

This event will be held at:
Microsoft
8800 Lyra Drive
Suite 400
Columbus, OH 43240 Map IT!

MDC Detroit: Introducing jQuery in ASP.Net

Update (2/7/2009): VsDoc for jQuery v1.3.1 released!

Update (1/23/2009): Thanks to all who attended! The packed house made for some great energy...and I hope some solid learning. I added the link to the samples/demos below (all the way at the bottom).

My colleague Jason Karns and I have the honor of presenting "Introducing jQuery in ASP.Net" at the Detroit MSDN Developer Conference on January 22nd. Come see this exciting inclusion of an open source library with Microsoft Visual Studio! I've included several links below we'll discuss in our talk:

jQuery:

• v1.3 Released 1/14! (...but no official Visual Studio annotated Intellisense file yet ;-(
  
• jQuery Project
• jQuery Visual Studio annotated library
  
• Scott Guthrie “jQuery Intellisense in VS 2008” - Enabling Intellisense for jQuery in Visual Studio2008
• Hotfix to support -vsdoc.js annotated files within Visual Studio

ASP.Net:

• ASP.Net MVC (Beta)
  
• ASP.Net AJAX (built in to ASP.Net 3.5 SP1)
• ASP.Net AJAX Control Toolkit
  
• .Net Framework 3.5 SP1

Related:

• Original presentation at PDC
• Demo code on Steven Walther's blog
  
• Steven Walther on ASP.Net MVC
• Bertrand Le Roy "Tales from the Evil Empire"
• John Resig: "Pro JavaScript Techniques" site, book

CodeMash: 2009

Another amazing CodeMash this year. I'm a third year alum now and it just keeps getting better. I embraced Open Spaces more this year. Along with that and the Microsoft Hands on Labs, there was never a dull moment. Most importantly, I got to hang with all the amazing folks who contribute so much to the community/region...and wow can Dustin Campbell and Carl Franklin *jam* guitar (...the real ones...not Rock Band)!

Huge props to Jim Holmes, Brian Prince, Jeff Blankenburg, Jason Follas, Jason Gilmore, Josh Holmes, tons of people I missed and all the great speakers and sponsors (including my employer, Cardinal Solutions).

Can't wait until next year!

VSTS 2008 Data-Driven Web Test

During a client demo this afternoon, I mind-blanked on creating a data-driven web test. Sure enough, I stepped out of the client offices and figured it out. Super. But, I think it's counterintuitive enough to outline in a blog post (...trying to make myself feel better ;-). Somewhat in my defense, I was thinking about data-driven unit tests. These, IMO, are easy to implement. Data-driven web tests are a bit more effort and challenging.

Create a web test: Right-mouse on your test project selecting Add >> Web Test. Use the browser recorder to capture your web test scenario. Let's assume you're submitting an age and credit rating to an insurance rate calculator...similar to the screen capture below:

Create a table or CSV file (comma-delimited...just use Excel and save as CSV) with relevant headings for your inputs and expected values:

From Solution Explorer, double-click on your web test. In the main window, right-mouse on your web test selecting Add Data Source... :

Establish a connection to a relational database, CSV or XML file:

For each parameter posted, select Properties and then the drop-down next to the Value property:

For each of the post parameters, select the appropriate / associated data element:

Ok, so that covers our inputs. Now we need to verify the page produces the expected result. Right-mouse on the URL/page request including the form post selecting "Add A Validation Rule..."

Use the best option for your situation. Hopefully you can simply check a Form Field. In our circumstance, we're writing out an ASP.Net label to the form with the calculated results. So, we need to leverage the Find Text option (I tried Required Attribute Value but since labels output as <span id="lblSomething">Output Value</span> I wasn't able to grab the value...because it's an element vs. an attribute). Unfortunately, there's no nice drop-down for connecting to the data source's expected value. You'll need to enter it manually. The format looks like: {{DataSourceName.FileName#csv.FieldName}}. It's easiest just to copy from the input parameters and surround with the double curly brackets. Here's what the dialog looks like:

Finally, we need to instruct the test to execute once for every data record instead of the web test values captured in the recording. Within Visual Studio, select Test >> Edit Test Run Configuration >> Local Test Run:

Select Web Test from the left and select the "One run per data source row" option and click Close (save to the project if prompted):

Now we can execute our data-driven web test! (Make sure to check the Details tab confirming the Validation worked as expected and you're not experiencing a false positive):

Blogger Holiday Charity Challenge: All 2008 Ad Revenue to Charity

Folks typically aren't clicking on Google Ad links when traveling to my blog. That's ok. It's not a revenue experiment. As a result, there's not much (if any) revenue generated on Effective Thoughts. My other blog, generates a bit more...but not much more.

Regardless, I convinced my blog partner to participate in the Blogger Holiday Charity Challenge and donate our entire ad revenue for 2008 to charity. Here's a snippet of the post I wrote for my other blog, The Freestyle Entrepreneur (TFE):

...As an alternative, TFE will donate 100% of its ad revenue for 2008 to the V Foundation for cancer research. Folks aren’t able to focus on business-let alone their lives and families-if they’re fighting cancer. This nasty character affects people of all ages, socioeconomic statuses, and geographies. It’s past time we knock cancer down for the count. The V Foundation is a 4-star rated charity on Charity Navigator and uses very little of its funds for administrative costs.

We challenge all the friends of TFE to donate to their charity of choice and we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

TFS Branching Guidance II

Buck Hodges just announced the release of TFS Branching Guidance II.

TFS Overview to OSU Student Life

On Tuesday of this week, I traveled down to campus with Jeff Blankenburg and delivered a TFS 2008 overview to the fine folks at OSU Student Life. Some follow-ups:

• TFS Branching Guidance
• SCM primers
• Microsoft-related training and seminar schedule(s)
• CONDG, COALMG, ColArc, MOSDUG
• Microsoft Learning
• Microsoft Learning Manager
• Microsoft Events
• CodeMash
• MSDN Developer Conference (Detroit)
• MSDN Academic Alliance
• How are unit tests tied to source assets and work items in TFS? Unit test projects should load up within the same solution file as the library (or web site) they're testing. Test class files should also posses the same Work Item relationships as feature assets (class libraries). Finally, within the build operation, the Team Build wizard automatically detects test metadata files(.vsmdi) enabling one to execute these test lists. Further, one can automatically execute any unit test harness assemblies according to a file mask (e.g. *Test.dll or Test*.dll).

COALMG January: Lap Around VSTS 2010

Update: Cardinal Solutions will be sponsoring this event with food and drinks.

Due to New Years Day and CodeMash, we rescheduled the next COALMG meeting to Tuesday Jan. 6th from 6PM to 8PM. Randy Pagels will be presenting on Visual Studio Team System (VSTS) 2010.

TFS SLG Deep Dive

Thanks for everyone who came out to our State and Local Government (SLG) deep dive on TFS 2008 today. Alexei and I enjoyed the great conversations that ensued. A few follow-ups from the meeting:

• We're following up with the federal folks on SLG customers using Project Server coupled with TFS.
• TFS to TFS Migration Utility
• TFS Project Server 2007 Connector
• Conchango Scrum TFS process template
• eScrum for Microsoft Visual Studio Team System
  
• Team Look
• Team System Web Access (TSWA) Work Item Web Access (WIWA)
• PDC Online Videos highlighting Visual Studio / TFS 2010 (Rosario)
• CodeMash Conference January 7-9 in Sandusky
• MSDN Developer Conference (MDC) January 22 in Detroit
• Gated Check-ins utility for TFS 2008: Buddy Build
• Central Ohio Application Lifecycle Management Group (COALMG)

Looking forward to hosting a full SDLC in a Box on February 4-5 at the Microsoft MPR at Polaris!