Monthly Archives: November 2012

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K2 SmartObjects and Attachments

The K2 ServiceObject for SQL does not support some field types, one of them being varbinay, so to upload attachments you need to use nvarchar(MAX) as your database column type for the K2 ServiceObject to become aware of it.

The reason for this is because K2 serialises attachments as XML strings and there for required the field nvarchar(MAX).

The following fields are not supported by the SQL Service Objects

– TimeStamp
– Image
– SQL_Variant
– Binary
– VarBinary
– Numeric

Another way to easily store documents is to use a SharePoint document library.

Microsoft, Surface, Windows 8

MIcrosoft Surface RT and SkyDrive

So having been using the Surface RT for just over a week now and I am very impressed with it. I had previously tried Windows 8 on my laptop and it just didn’t feel right. It may have been because it was such a huge change that it will take me a while to get used to, but on the Surface it feel much more natural, and actually helps me with using the version now installed on my main laptop.

I even see my ditching the laptop and working solely on the Surface, if I can get my work mail and network connectivity sorted, I may need the Surface Pro for this but I am still seeing if I can hook up my Surface RT to the work network.

One major issue I predict with the Surface RT though is the limited functionality when it is not connected to the internet, more so around the integration with SkyDrive. The “metro” SkyDrive application is only a viewer of your online SkyDrive documents so you have no way of working offline. This is a huge disappointment as I would love to work with document whilst on I’m on flights over the Atlantic, the small form factor of the Surface coupling with Office is perfect for this!

Talking about Office, I am so happy that there is now a tablet device which provide the capability to create content, rather than used consume. The Surface RT I have already has Office 2013 Preview installed and it works really well, fingers crossed they allow SkyDrive Pro to be available that may allow me to work offline!

SkyDrive

SkyDrive Versions (Desktop, Metro and Pro)

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Having used Windows 8 for over a week now I am start to get familiar with how SkyDrive should be used, it actually comes in 3 flavours. There are detailed below:
1. SkyDrive Standard or Desktop Mode
This is likely to be the SkyDrive everybody is familiar with, it installs like any other application and runs in the task bar. It will download your SkyDrive folders to a designated folder on your hard drive and ensure they are kept in sync with your cloud storage.

2. SkyDrive Pro
This version of SkyDrive is geared towards replacing SharePoint workspace to enable companies that have SharePoint installation the ability for employees to sync document libraries to a users pc for offline management.

3. SkyDrive Metro App
Now this is where it gets a little confusing. After installing Windows 8 and noticing that SkyDrive is installed by default, you would assume it was baked into the operating system, however this is not the case.
The SkyDrive Metro App is in fact simply a viewer for your online storage location and does not sync any of the files to your PC for managing offline.

Now the major problem I am facing is the ability to manage my SkyDrive document offline on the Surface RT. I am assuming I am unable to install the SkyDrive Standard/Desktop version of the software to synchronise to a local folder, and without a native 3G connection on the device I am unable to manage documents through the SkyDrive Metro App.

Windows 8

Confirm Delete missing on Windows 8

So after using Windows 8 for a few weeks I have found a few “features” that may frustrate a few people. I will start making a note of some of these and provide configurable workarounds where needed.

The first one up is the confirm delete option when deleting files. I understand why this may be an enhancement but I have had years of conditioning where Windows is trying to look after me by double checking I actually wish to delete a file. Now however if you select delete or simply hit the delete key on the keyboard the file is gone, no warning, no check, nothing.

It turns out the option is very quick to turn back on, and below are the steps you need to follow.

1. Right click your “Recycle Bin” on your desktop
2. Select “Properties”.
3. Tick “Display delete confirmation dialog” option to the bottom on the window.
4. Choose “OK” to close the window.

Order is now restored.

Windows 8

Activate Windows 8 when Receiving “DNS name does not exist” error

After installing a fresh version of Windows 8 Enterprise and adding it to our AD domain, I proceeded to active the copy, however I received the “DNS name does not exist” error when clicking activate.

During the installation process I never entered a product key, however it appeared that one was showing on the activation screen.

To enter your correct product key go to the metro start menu and type “slui 3”, this will open up a window where you are able to enter your actual product key. Once entered you should now be able to activate your copy of Windows 8.

General Chatter

Movember 2013

Last year saw a huge uptake in Movember in our office so this year I thought about taking park. Now I’m probably not the best person to grow a moustache as my facial hair is a little patchy at the best of time, however I thought why not, if enough people take part there could has to be some good come of it!

So here I am, day four and after a slight trim of my cheeks yesterday it’s not looking to bad. I still need to shave everything other than my top lip but didn’t want to do that until there was at least a semi thick coating otherwise it will be like reliving the years of teenage bum fluff.

If I can I will get a picture uploaded to twitter for all to see!