Krichie – That SharePoint Guy

August 30, 2010

My Digital Music Collection

Filed under: Uncategorized — Keith Richie @ 8:06 pm

I was discussing with someone yesterday who had a like minded wide range of musical likes.  And that got me curious as to exactly how varied my digital music collection was.  After searching for a bit on how to export my media library with Windows Media Player 12, I found this sample source at the code project: Export Windows Media Player Music Metadata to XML File.

With a little filtering in Excel, to get distinct Artists and Albums, here ya go.

My Digital Music Collection as of 08-30-2010

Artist

Album

[500] Days Of Summer – Music From The Motion Picture

[500] Days Of Summer – Music From The Motion Picture

2002

Land of Forever

4 Strings

Believe

4 Strings

Mainline

4 Strings

Turn It Around

A Flock of Seagulls

Listen

A Flock of Seagulls

Telecommunications

A Flock of Seagulls

The Best of A Flock of Seagulls [Music Club]

AC/DC

Back in Black

Adaleen and Roman Grant

A Juniper Creek Christmas

Adaleen Grant

A Juniper Creek Christmas

Adaleen Grant, Jodean Marquart and Cara Lynn Walker

A Juniper Creek Christmas

Adam & The Ants/Adam Ant

Antics in the Forbidden Zone

a-ha

Hunting High and Low

a-ha

Minor Earth Major Sky

a-ha

Scoundrel Days

a-ha

Stay on These Roads

Akira Yamaoka

Silent Hill 3 (Original Game Soundtracks)

Akira Yamaoka

Silent Hill 4 – The Room (Original Game Soundtracks)

Alabama

For The Record

Alan Jackson

When Somebody Loves You

Aldo Nova

The Best of Aldo Nova

Andrea Parker

Kiss My Arp

Andy Williams

Moon River: The Very Best Of Andy Williams

Annie Lennox

Little Bird [Single]

Aqua

Aquarium

Armin van Buuren

10 Years Disc 1

Armin van Buuren

10 Years Disc 2

Armin van Buuren

Burned With Desire

Art Garfunkel

Across America

Asia

Best Of

Barbra Streisand

Back to Broadway

Barry Manilow

Ultimate Manilow [Arista]

Bassic

Artificiality

Bassic

Audiology

Bassic

Audiology IV

Bassic

Audiology ll

Bassic

Audiology lll

Bassic

Audiology V

Bassic

The Best of Bassic, Volume 2

BENTFRAME

BENTFRAME MISC

Berlin

The Best of Berlin 1979-1988

Billie Myers

Growing, Pains

Billy Gilman

One Voice

Black Eyed Peas

Monkey Business

Blaine Larsen

Off to Join the World

Blondie

Parallel Lines

Blondie

The Best of Blondie

BlueTonicWorld

BlueTonicWorld – Misc

BlueTonicWorld

Enter the Light

BlueTonicWorld

The Bluest Tonic Album

BlueTonicWorld

The Deepest Blue Album

BlueTonicWorld

The Rainbow Machine

Bob Carlisle

Butterfly Kisses

Bob Carlisle

Stories from the Heart

Bond

Born

Bonrud

Bonrud

Book of Love

Book of Love

Book of Love

Candy Carol

Book of Love

Lovebubble

Book of Love

Lullaby

Brian McKnight

From There to Here: 1989-2002

Brilanders

Misc

Bruce Hornsby

Here Come the Noise Makers Disc 1

Bruce Hornsby

Here Come the Noise Makers Disc 2

Bryan Ferry

Bête Noire

Buckner & Garcia

Pac-Man Fever

Bud Light

Real Men of Genius

Bud Light

Real Men of Genius – Volume 2

Bud Light

Real Men Of Genius – Volume 3 Disc 3

Cara Lynn Walker and Jodean Marquart

A Juniper Creek Christmas

Carbon Based Lifeforms

Hydroponic Garden

Carbon Based Lifeforms

Interloper

Carbon Based Lifeforms

World Of Sleepers

Carpenters

Yesterday Once More

Charlotte Church

Dream a Dream

Chegwidden and Gallagher

Weave

Chris Cagle

Play It Loud

Chris de Burgh

Lady in Red: The Very Best of Chris de Burgh

Christopher Cross

Christopher Cross

Christopher Cross

Greatest Hits Live

Christopher Franke

Celestine Prophecy

Christopher Franke

Klemania

Christopher Franke

Pacific Coast Highway

Christopher Franke

The London Concert

Chromeo

Don’t Turn The Lights On

Clannad

The Best Of

Coldplay

Parachutes

Curve

Doppelgänger

Cyndi Lauper

Twelve Deadly Cyns… And Then Some

Dan Zanes & Friends

Catch That Train!

David Arkenstone

WoW BC

David Bowie

Best of Bowie

David Bowie

Changesbowie

David Bowie

Labyrinth

David Bowie

Scary Monsters

David Bowie

Singles Collection, Vol. 2 [EMI]

David Sanborn

Pearls

Dead or Alive

Rip It Up

Deep Brasil – Various Artists

Deep Brasil

Deep Forest

Boheme

Deep Forest

Comparsa

Deep Forest

Deep Forest

Deep Forest

Made In Japan

Deep Forest

Pacifique

Def Leppard

Adrenalize

Def Leppard

Hysteria

Def Leppard

Pyromania

Delerium

Chimera Disc 1

Delerium

Euphoric EP

Delerium

Karma [UK Enhanced] Disc 1

Delerium

Nuages du Monde

Delerium

Poem [Limited Edition Bonus CD] Disc 1

Delerium

Poem [Limited Edition Bonus CD] Disc 2

Delerium

Remixed: The Definitive Collection (Digital Version)

Delerium

Semantic Spaces

Delhi 2 Dublin

Delhi 2 Dublin

Delhi 2 Dublin

Planet Electric

Depeche Mode

A Broken Frame

Depeche Mode

Black Celebration

Depeche Mode

Construction Time Again

Depeche Mode

Everything Counts and Live Tracks

Depeche Mode

Exciter [Rhino US CD/DVD] Disc 1

Depeche Mode

Exciter [Rhino US CD/DVD] Disc 2

Depeche Mode

Get the Balance Right [#1]

Depeche Mode

Love in Itself [#1]

Depeche Mode

Music for the Masses [Bonus Tracks]

Depeche Mode

People Are People

Depeche Mode

Playing the Angel

Depeche Mode

Some Great Reward [Rhino US CD/DVD] Disc 1

Depeche Mode

Songs of Faith and Devotion

Depeche Mode

Sounds Of The Universe

Depeche Mode

Speak & Spell

Depeche Mode

Stripped [From Singles Box #3]

Depeche Mode

The Best of Depeche Mode, Vol. 1

Depeche Mode

Ultra (Remastered)

Depeche Mode

Violator

Devo

Freedom of Choice

Devo

The Greatest Misses

Diana Krall

Christmas Songs

Diana Krall

From This Moment On [Best Buy Exclusive]

Diana Krall

Love Scenes

Diana Krall

Quiet Nights

Diana Krall

The Girl in the Other Room

Diana Krall

The Look of Love

Diana Krall/Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

Christmas Songs

Dr. Demento

Demento

Dr. Demento

Demonto

Duran Duran

Greatest

Duran Duran

Misc

Duran Duran

Rio

Duran Duran

Seven and the Ragged Tiger

Edgar Froese

Macula Transfer

Elton John

The Greatest Hits 1970-2002

Enigma

A Posteriori

Enigma

Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi

Enigma

MCMXC A.D.

Enigma

The Cross of Changes

Enigma

The Screen Behind the Mirror

Enigma

Voyageur

Enya

A Day Without Rain

Enya

Amarantine

Enya

Oiche Chiun (Silent Night) [US Maxi-Single]

Enya

Paint the Sky with Stars: The Best of Enya

Enya

The Memory of Trees

Eric Clapton

Change The World

Eric Clapton

Reptile

Eric Johnson

Ah Via Musicom

Eric Johnson

Tones

Eric Serra

The Fifth Element [Virgin]

Essencia

Tenthu

Etta James

Her Best – The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection

Everything But The Girl

Adapt Or Die: 10 Years Of Remixes (Alternate Version)

Fall Out Boy

Infinity On High

Fantasy

Dreams of Another World

Fantasy

Evolutions

Fantasy

Fantasies of ’99

Fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy Vibes

Fantasy

Liquid Light

Fantasy

Zion

Foreigner

4 [Expanded]

Foreigner

Agent Provocateur

Foreigner

Head Games

Gary Allan

Misc

Gary Portnoy

Keeper

George Harrison

Cloud Nine

George Strait

The Very Best of Strait, Vol. 2: 1988-1993

Gibson & Antonopoulos

Santorini Splendor

Godley & Creme

History Mix Volume 1

Govinda

O Earthly Gods

Green Day

Misc

Gregg Karukas

Nightshift

Habib Koite & Bamada

Muso Ko

Hampton The Hampster

The Official Hampster Dance Song

Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus

Best of Both Worlds Concert Disc 1

Heart

Dreamboat Annie

Holler

Holler

Hoobastank

The Reason

Huey Lewis And The News

Greatest Hits: Huey Lewis And The News

Human League

Greatest Hits

I Awake

The Core

Isao Tomita

Snowflakes Are Dancing

J. Geils Band

Love Stinks

Jack Johnson

To The Sea

Jack Johnson And Friends

Curious George: Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies

James Horner

Avatar Music From The Motion Picture Music Composed And Conducted By James Horner [+digital booklet]

Jason Mraz

Levi’s Pioneer Sessions 2010 Revival Recordings

Jason Mraz

We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.

Joe Jackson

Steppin’ Out: The Very Best Of Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson

Summer in the City: Live in New York

Joe Satriani

Engines of Creation

Joe Satriani

Is There Love in Space?

Johannes Schmoelling

Wuivend Riet

John Barry

Somewhere in Time

John Carpenter

Escape From New York

John Carpenter & Alan Howarth

Halloween III: Complete Original Motion Picture Score (Digital Only,Re-mastered,Bonus Tracks)

John Mayer

Battle Studies

John Mayer

Continuum

John Mayer

Heavier Things

John Mayer

Room for Squares

John Mayer Trio

Try! John Mayer Trio Live in Concert

John Williams

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: The Collector’s Edition Soundtrack

John Williams

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

John Williams

Superman Soundtrack

Jon & Vangelis

Page of Life [Germany Bonus Tracks]

Journey

Greatest Hits

Journey

Raised on Radio

Journey

The Essential Journey

Julian Lennon

Valotte

Kasey McKall

Kasey McKall

Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman, Vangelis

Mythodea – Music For The Nasa Mission: 2001 Mars Odyssey

Keith Richie

 

Keith Richie

Gandahar (Light Years)

Keith Richie

Keith Richie – misc

Keith Richie

La famille du solénoïde

Keith Richie

Missing You Between Lucid Dreams – Single

Keith Richie

Réalité de Destination

Keith Richie

Sidetracks, Vol. 1

Keith Richie

Sidetracks, Vol. 2

Keith Richie

Sidetracks, Vol. 3: The Heikkinen Exclusive

Keith Richie

Sidetracks, Vol. 4: Eye of the Innocent

Keith Richie

The Maestoso Interstellar Suite

Kenny Chesney

When the Sun Goes Down

Kenny Loggins

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: The Greatest Hits

King Diamond

"Them"

King Diamond

Abigail

King Diamond

Abigail II: The Revenge

King Diamond

Black Rose: 20 Years Ago-A Night of Rehearsals

King Diamond

Conspiracy

King Diamond

Dangerous Meeting

King Diamond

House of God

King Diamond

The Graveyard

King Diamond

The Spider’s Lullabye

King Diamond

Voodoo

Kiss

Killers

Kiss

Music from "The Elder"

Kitaro

Mandala

Klaus Schulze

Klaus Schulze

Kraftwerk

Computer World [Japan Bonus Track]

Kraftwerk

Electric Cafe

Kraftwerk

Minimum-Maximum Disc 1

Kraftwerk

Minimum-Maximum Disc 2

Kris Kross

Totally Krossed Out

K’S Choice

Paradise In Me

Led Zeppelin

In Through the Out Door

Lee Ann Womack

There’s More Where That Came From

Lee Holdridge, Arr. Dan Redfield

Love Came For Me – Love Theme from "Splash"

Lenny Kravitz

Greatest Hits [Explicit]

Lipps Inc.

Funkyworld: The Best of Lipps, Inc.

Liquid Mind

Relax: A Liquid Mind Experience

Lit

A Place In The Sun [Explicit]

Louis Armstrong

Ken Burns Jazz

Luciana Souza

Duos II

Ludwig van Beethoven

The Best of Beethoven Disc 1

Madness

The Business Disc 2

Maire Brennan

Perfect Time

Mannheim Steamroller

A Fresh Aire Christmas

Mannheim Steamroller

Christmas

Mannheim Steamroller

Christmas Extraordinaire

Mannheim Steamroller

Christmas in the Aire

Mannheim Steamroller Meets Mouse

Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse

Mark Akin

Alien Car Chase

Mars Lasar

The Eleventh Hour

Material Issue

International Pop Overthrow

Mercyful Fate

Melissa

Meridian Dream

How About Now

Metallica

Master of Puppets

Michael Bublé

It’s Time

Michelle Tumes

Center Of My Universe

Michelle Tumes

Dream

Michelle Tumes

Listen

Nickelback

Silver Side Up

Nusound

Erotic Moods, Vol. 3: Romantica

Oceanlab

Oceanlab misc

Oceanlab

Satellite

Otis Redding

The Very Best of Otis Redding, Vol. 1

Outcast

double plaidinum

Ozric Tentacles

Arborescence

Ozric Tentacles

Erpland

Ozric Tentacles

Jurassic Shift

Ozric Tentacles

Spirals in Hyperspace

Ozric Tentacles

The Floor’s Too Far Away

Ozric Tentacles

The Hidden Step

Ozric Tentacles

The Yumyum Tree

Ozric Tentacles

Waterfall Cities

Pat Boone

In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy

Peaches And Herb

At Their Best

Pet Shop Boys

live wires

Peter Gabriel

So

Peter Gabriel

Solid Gold Collection

Pink Floyd

A Momentary Lapse of Reason

Pink Floyd

The Division Bell

Pink Floyd

The Wall (Live)

Prince & The Revolution

Purple Rain

Quadrophonia

Cozmic Jam

Queen

 

Queen

Greatest Hits [We Will Rock You Edition]

Queen

Greatest Hits, Vols. 1 & 2 Disc 1

Queen

News Of The World

Queensryche

Empire

Queensryche

Operation: Mindcrime

Raphael

Angels of the Deep

Ray Charles

The Best Of Ray Charles: The Atlantic Years

reflekt feat delline bass

viata in club feb 2oo5

Reflekt ft Delline Bass

Solo TEMAZOS!! Vol.3 (2004-2005)

Rita Coolidge

Delta Lady / The Anthology

Rob Zombie

20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

Robert Miles

Dreamland

Roxy Music

Street Life: 20 Greatest Hits

Rush

Chronicles

Rush

Moving Pictures

Sade

Lovers Live

Sade

The Best Of Sade

Sarah Brightman

Time to Say Goodbye

Shapeshifters

Shapeshifters

Sick Puppies

Dressed Up As Life

Simple Minds

Themes 15-CD Collector’s Box

Sir Mix-A-Lot

Swass

Sleepthief

The Dawnseeker

Sounds from the Ground

Terra Firma

Soundtrack

Cars [Original Soundtrack]

Soundtrack

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Soundtrack

Happy Feet [Original Soundtrack]

Soundtrack

Once

Soundtrack

Rain Man

Soundtrack

Superman II

Soundtrack

Team America: World Police

Soundtrack

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Squirrel Nut Zippers

Perennial Favorites

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble

The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble Disc 1

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble

The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble Disc 2

Strontium 90

Police Academy

Stryper

Soldiers Under Command

Stryper

The Yellow and Black Attack!

Stryper

To Hell with the Devil

Styx

Greatest Hits

Suede

Suede

Symphony of Science

Symphony of Science

Tangerine Dream

220 Volt Live

Tangerine Dream

Alpha Centauri [Remastered]

Tangerine Dream

Atem [Remastered]

Tangerine Dream

Booster II

Tangerine Dream

Cyclone

Tangerine Dream

Electronic Meditation [Remastered]

Tangerine Dream

Encore

Tangerine Dream

Exit

Tangerine Dream

Extracts from Poland

Tangerine Dream

Firestarter

Tangerine Dream

Force Majeure

Tangerine Dream

Goblins Club

Tangerine Dream

Great Wall of China

Tangerine Dream

Hyperborea

Tangerine Dream

I-Box 1970-1990

Tangerine Dream

I-Box 1970-1990 Disc 1

Tangerine Dream

I-Box 1970-1990 Disc 2

Tangerine Dream

I-Box 1970-1990 Disc 3

Tangerine Dream

I-Box 1970-1990 Disc 4

Tangerine Dream

I-Box 1970-1990 Disc 5

Tangerine Dream

Le Parc

Tangerine Dream

Legend [Original Score]

Tangerine Dream

Lily on the Beach

Tangerine Dream

Logos: Live at the Dominion

Tangerine Dream

Miracle Mile

Tangerine Dream

Optical Race

Tangerine Dream

Phaedra

Tangerine Dream

Quinoa

Tangerine Dream

Ricochet

Tangerine Dream

Rubycon

Tangerine Dream

Sorcerer

Tangerine Dream

Stratosfear

Tangerine Dream

Tangents: 1973-1983 Disc 1

Tangerine Dream

Tangents: 1973-1983 Disc 2

Tangerine Dream

Tangents: 1973-1983 Disc 3

Tangerine Dream

Tangents: 1973-1983 Disc 4

Tangerine Dream

Tangents: 1973-1983 Disc 5

Tangerine Dream

Tangram

Tangerine Dream

The Dream Mixes One [2 CD] Disc 1

Tangerine Dream

The London Eye Concert

Tangerine Dream

Thief

Tangerine Dream

Turn of the Tides

Tangerine Dream

Tyger

Tangerine Dream

Tyranny of Beauty

Tangerine Dream

Underwater Sunlight

Tangerine Dream

White Eagle

Tangerine Dream

Zeit [Remastered]

Tangerine Dream

Zoning

Tears for Fears

Shout: The Very Best of Tears for Fears

The Bangles

Super Hits

The Beach Boys

Misc

The Beach Boys

Still Cruisin’

The Bee Gees

Best Of Bee Gees, Vol. 1

The Bee Gees

Best Of Bee Gees, Vol. 2

The Bee Gees

Greatest Disc 1

The Cars

Complete Greatest Hits

The Charlie Daniels Band

Super Hits

The Dream Academy

The Dream Academy

The Egyptian Lover

King of Ecstasy (His Greatest Hits Album)

The Frames

The Cost

The Go-Go’s

Return to the Valley of the Go-Go’s

The Police

Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings Disc 1

The Police

Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings Disc 2

The Police

Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings Disc 3

The Police

Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings Disc 4

The Smiths

The Sound Of The Smiths [Deluxe Edition]

The Swell Season

Levi’s Pioneer Sessions 2010 Revival Recordings

The Swell Season

Strict Joy

The Swell Season

The Swell Season

Thomas Dolby

The Best of Thomas Dolby: Retrospectacle

Thompson Twins

Into the Gap

Toad The Wet Sprocket

Playlist: The Very Best Of Toad The Wet Sprocket

Tomo Vedvik

Slowdiver

Toto/Brian Eno

Dune

Trace Adkins

Greatest Hits Collection, Vol. 1

Tracy Lawrence

Find Out Who Your Friends Are (Single)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Christmas Eve And Other Stories

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The Lost Christmas Eve

Trevor Jones/David Bowie

Labyrinth [1986]

Trifonic

Emergence

Trifonic

Remergence – EP

U2

The Unforgettable Fire

U2

War

Unknown

Rock ‘n’ Roll High School

Van Halen

1984

Van Halen

5150

Van Halen

Diver Down

Van Halen

Fair Warning

Van Halen

Van Halen II

Van Halen

Women and Children First

Vangelis

Antarctica

Vangelis

Chariots Of Fire

Vangelis

China

Vangelis

Heaven and Hell

Vangelis

Oceanic

Vangelis

Opera Sauvage

Vangelis

Portrait

Vangelis

The City

Vangelis

Vangelis Blade Runner – Trilogy

Vangelis

Voices

Various

Ghostly Classics

Various Artists

A Juniper Creek Christmas

Various Artists

All Time Greatest Movie Songs [UK] Disc 2

Various Artists

Ambient Amazon

Various Artists

Billboard Family Christmas Classics

Various Artists

Billboard Top Hits: 1983

Various Artists

Billboard Top Hits: 1986

Various Artists

Disco Box Disc 3

Various Artists

Everything 80′s

Various Artists

Hip Hop Essentials, Vol. 1

Various Artists

Irish Celebration: Smiling Eyes

Various Artists

Millennium: 80′s New Wave Party

Various Artists

New Millennium Blues Party

Various Artists

Sedated in the Eighties

Various Artists

Sedated in the Eighties, Vol. 2

Various Artists

Sedated in the Eighties, Vol. 3

Various Artists

Sedated in the Eighties, Vol. 4

Various Artists

Sedated in the Eighties, Vol. 5

Various Artists

Super Hits Of The ’70s Vol. 1

Various Artists

Super Hits Of The ’70s Vol. 2

Various Artists

Super Hits Of The ’70s Vol. 3

Various Artists

Super Hits Of The ’70s Vol. 4

Various Artists

Superstarz Cheerleaders

Various Artists

Terminator Soundtrack

Various Artists

The Gentle Maiden

Various Artists

The Wedding Singer

Various Artists

Totally Hits 2005

Various Artists

Yes Man

Verschiedene Interpreten

Welcome to the club

Vince Guaraldi

A Charlie Brown Christmas [Starbucks Exclusive]

W.A.S.P.

The Best Of The Best [Explicit]

Waylon Jennings

Super Hits [1996]

February 17, 2010

Determining the Configuration Database in a SharePoint 2007 Farm

Filed under: 1 — Keith Richie @ 12:14 am

For whatever reason you may have, you may find the need to identify the Configuration Database in your server farm programmatically.  The problem is that it is not directly exposed for consumption via the object model.  What I mean by this, is that there is no single identifiable property that tells you that the database your enumerating is in fact the Configuration Database.

In V2, it was a simple matter of using the SPConfigDatabase object within the Microsoft.SharePoint.Administration namespace, but with V3, this was marked obsolete, with no reference to  what you can use in V3.  Another issue is that the new object type for the configuration database (SPConfigurationDatabase) is not exposed publicly in the object model.

I’ve seen a few posts that drive you to towards deriving it using crazy nested reflection by first starting with the ProcessIdentity object of the farms TimerService, but I recommend a clearer and simpler approach as follows

// Code Begins
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using Microsoft.SharePoint;
using Microsoft.SharePoint.Administration;

namespace SPTest
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {

            // Get the Database Service class within the farm
            SPDatabaseService dbService = SPFarm.Local.Services.GetValue();

            // Enumerate the service instances
            foreach(SPDatabaseServiceInstance instance in dbService.Instances)
            {
                // enumerate the databases within this service instance
                foreach (SPDatabase database in instance.Databases)
                {
                    Console.WriteLine("Database Server: {0} :: Database Name: {1}",database.Server.Name, database.Name);

                    object oDB = database.GetType();

                    Console.WriteLine("Object Type: {0}", oDB.ToString());

                    // If the objects type is "Microsoft.SharePoint.Administration.SPConfigurationDatabase, you've found the Config DB.
                    if (oDB.ToString().CompareTo("Microsoft.SharePoint.Administration.SPConfigurationDatabase") == 0)
                        Console.WriteLine("You found the config database oDB.ToString(): {0} ",oDB.ToString());
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
// Code Ends
 

HTH!

– Keith

January 23, 2010

Help me welcome Paul Stork to the ShareSquared team!

Filed under: 1 — Keith Richie @ 1:17 am

s2logo[1] Please help me welcome Paul Stork to the ShareSquared Team!!!

During my tenure with Barracuda, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Paul a few times, and it’s exciting to be working with him again :) .

You can read his announcement at http://sharepoint.mindsharpblogs.com/PaulS/default.aspx

Welcome Aboard Paul!

– Keith

January 9, 2010

2010 – The Year I make Contact

Filed under: 1 — Keith Richie @ 12:22 am

It’s another new year again

I told myself I was going to watch 2010: The Year We Make Contact on New Years Eve weekend, but I didn’t.  If you haven’t seen it, it’s movie based on Arthur C. Clare’s second part of his 4 part Odyssey series beginning with 2001: A Space Odyssey. (I’ve read all four parts of the series, and they’re definitely worth the read btw).  The reason I bring this up, is that I always love  watching movies that predict where we’ll be at a given point in time.  They always seem to predict we’ll be further along than where we actually wind up.  The same goes for me over the past few years and where I predicted I would be at this point in my life.

What I’m about to say, is not to attract people to a perceived pity party, because that’s definitely not what this post is all about.  I’m just giving some background on what’s happened and what I plan to do about it :) ; to set things in motion for myself; to reflect on where I’ve been;where I plan to go, and to predict where I’ll be in the future.

Pre 2007

Working for Microsoft was an absolute pleasure, and my decision to move to SharePoint vs. Exchange/Outlook was probably the most important decision I ever made in my professional career.   I absolutely loved working with this product.  It gave me the opportunity to to slowly move back into a development “Like” position which was something I truly missed.  So many great things were going on such as:

  • My oldest daughter had recently graduated High School, and was attending College. 
  • My Wife at the time, and I had recently adopted a second child. 
  • I began to realize the impact that some of the technical contributions I made to the community was quite larger than I had anticipated
  • I finally got back to writing/composing music and publishing a few CD’s
  • Ideas for blog posts; helping the community; and inspiration was plentiful.

There were great things happening, and I think 2005/2006 were probably the best years of my life up to that time.

Mind you, there were certainly things I was NOT happy for such as

  • Working literally an average of 70 hours a week most times
  • Life’s own dramatic interruptions
  • Trying to launch a new Church

2007

My desire to get back into full time development was really making me consider what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and eventually I made the decision to leave Microsoft, and then a flood of life impacting things occurred.

  • My oldest daughter decided to Join the Army.  Something I’m VERY PROUD OF, but was truly a scary time;
  • My marriage technically ended, and I began the process of going through a divorce
  • My oldest daughter was deployed to IRAQ
  • What I thought was going to be an amazing career move for me, turned out not to be quite so; I could see myself drifting further and further away from SharePoint.
  • People I thought were “True” friends, basically showed their true colors.  When you confide in someone and they immediately turn around and disclose things to others, is the absolute worst thing you can do, and when you do it to me, well….. Don’t bother speaking to me again buddy :) .
  • People I “Knew” were “True” friends, also confirmed their true colors.  They proved themselves to be true friends; and my list of friends grew smaller, but also closer and more tight.
  • My desires and aspirations and love of life were at an all time low.
  • Most people didn’t have encouraging things to say; and I was constantly brought down rather than being encouraged.

Where 2005/2006 were the best years of my life, 2007 was probably the worst.

This was NOT where I predicted myself to be.

2008

2008 wasn’t entirely horrible; but it was certainly a close runner up to 2007.

  • My mothers health began to deteriorate
  • I was doing literally NO SharePoint work.
  • I was living in a home I did not want to be at nor even wanted, but due to the economy, couldn’t do a thing about.
  • Other pathetic things I don’t even care to mention :)
  • My divorce was finalized
  • I did however begin to make some new close friendships, but learned to keep my guard up even higher.

So again I’m not saying these things to attract people to a perceived pity party.  I’m just simply putting them out there to lead up to something later.

2009

Finally, things started turning around.  I had plenty of time to do plenty of thinking in the previous years and did the following things

  • Took time to inspect and choose a job I felt I could really excel at.
  • Moved out of my house for a brief period.  Initially to sell it; but primarily to just start anew.
  • Moved “back” to my house :) .
  • Started investing back into “Me, something I had not had the opportunity to do for a very, very long time.
  • Refurnished a majority of my home, to make it more “me”.
  • Buried a closet full of hatchets.
  • Made lots of new friends who believe in “Joy” and “Humor” like myself and that sometimes you just can’t take some things in life so darn seriously!.

Things were getting better, and I began to make predictions about the future again.

2010

Well now 2010 is upon us.  Although I’m not completely where I wanted to be at this stage in my life, I have a new found hope and belief in the future.

Moving forward I plan to get back to what I once was

  • A Joyful; Helpful; Community Oriented and driven SharePoint expert.
  • Get back into my music once again
  • Continue to be the best father to two great children I can possibly be.

Things were not great in the past, but it’s time to put those things aside and move on!  I want this year to be “The year that I make Contact” once again, and let you know  I’m still here and quite alive!

- Keith

October 27, 2009

SharePoint BI and PowerPivot

Filed under: 1 — Keith Richie @ 11:57 pm

The 2009 SharePoint Conference was a total blast.  For those who were not able to attend, Microsoft also announced PowerPivot.  With PowerPivot, IT Managers can empower business users to create and share Excel 2010 workbook applications through SharePoint 2010.

Rob Collie, one of the founding engineers behind PowerPivot has started a blog here and has announced the "Great Football Project” as a non-demoware PowerPivot solution, from start to finish where he’ll be taking a hardcore BI project from his past and re-implement it using PowerPivot.

I myself will be diving deep into PowerPivot over the next few weeks, and will detail all I can as the weeks progress.

Until then, be sure to visit the following links to get an overview of PowerPivot and Rob Collie

Cheers!

– Keith

July 17, 2009

Whoa! I’m listed in the Zune Marketplace!

Filed under: 1 — Keith Richie @ 3:44 am

Wow, just checked and saw this, I’m now listed in the Zune Marketplace.

http://social.zune.net/artist/Keith-Richie/79d40c00-0600-11db-89ca-0019b92a3933/albums

One thing that isn’t listed is my La famille du solénoïde release, But of course it’s available on iTunes here, as with the rest of my releases.

<sigh> I plan to get back to my music too, I’ve just had a very busy past couple of years, and no time or inspiration for it.

Anyways, just wanted to note the whole listing in the Zune Marketplace real quick, cause it was way too exciting!

- Keith

June 26, 2009

Public update for the Service Pack 2 expiration date issue

Filed under: 1 — Keith Richie @ 11:13 pm

Head up!   The update to the SharePoint Service Pack 2 expiration date issue is now available.

Direct download links:

For more information on the original issue, see the following posting on the SharePoint Team Blog:

Attention: Important Information on Service Pack 2

Cheers!

– Keith

May 28, 2009

What to blog about

Filed under: 1 — Keith Richie @ 6:41 pm

Since I started my new job, I’ve been struggling to find topics to discuss that have not already been discussed before. 

I’m not the kind of guy to just re-hash what someone else has said unless I can add additional value to it.  When I do that, I always start out with “First read what so and so has said about x”.  There are too many of the content thieves out there, and they really provide no real value back to the community.   They’re just going for self gratification in subscribers, etc.  I also don’t like just blasting links as I discover them just to make a blog post, unless they are significant.  Besides, if I come across a cool article these days, I just dump it on twitter.  What I’m saying, is that when I post something, I want to really provide extreme value.

What I’ve realized, is that the things I do want to blog about require too much time to sit down in one setting to post, and thus I never get them done, or take the time to finish them and thus, this blog just gets extremely stale.   Also, I’ve noticed a lot of blog postings recently on very very short samples, about things I figured a lot of people would know.   But I’ve had to take a step back and realize that not all my followers know all the gritty details.

So…From now on, I’m going to blog about just what’s on my mind, what I learned, what I might be able to share.   There may be some overlap in things that were already posted, but I’ve got to stop worrying about “It’s been said before” because I have to realize that my view/insight into the problem/solution may in fact add value not otherwise stated.

- Keith

May 4, 2009

Microsoft Certified Master for SharePoint Server 2007 at ShareSquared

Filed under: 1 — Keith Richie @ 6:26 pm

Maurice and I have been friends for quite awhile. While at Microsoft, he and I collaborated while working through critical SharePoint customer issues, debated on bugs, discussed SharePoint tools, etc.  After both of our departures from Microsoft, we continued to keep in contact sharing ideas and thoughts about the product.   I was excited when I came on board with ShareSquared to not only be working with my friend again, but also to expand my horizons and work with a great bunch of talented folks.

Maurice has just completed the Microsoft Certified Masters training for SharePoint Server 2007 and was awarded the certification along with a small group of elite personnel. Now ShareSquared has a Microsoft Certified Master for SharePoint Server 2007 in our group, and I’m extremely happy for my company and friend.

Maurice did a great write-up on his perspective of the program here, and I encourage you to give it a read if you are considering this for your future.  As well, you can check out Spence Harbar’s write-up here.

Congratulations to the newest Certified Masters for SharePoint Server 2007!

– Keith

February 18, 2009

I’m such a Square, and proud of it!

Filed under: 1 — Keith Richie @ 2:28 am

Today I’m happy to announce that I have joined the great team at ShareSquared The SharePoint Solution Experts, where I’ll be working with long time friend and cohort Maurice Prather as a Senior SharePoint Architect.

The team at ShareSquared is composed of expert SharePoint architects and developers who are seasoned computer science professionals with a thorough understanding of proper software construction, design patterns and best practices.  I’m so proud to be joining this team.

I want to thank ALL my friends for their support over the past couple of months while I sought ought just who I wanted to be when I grew up :) .  My new position will allow me to utilize my previous skills as well as further extend myself into areas I had only dreamed about before.

Here’s to new adventures in 2009!

- Keith

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