Ponder .NET

Rob Caron has posted a few things that you need to know when you install TFS Beta 3 (Refresh)..  First - you get the download from under the VS 2005 Pre-release folder structure.  It makes perfect sense but isn't altogether obvious as the rest of the download is under the RTM folders.

Second, if you use a developer or related version of SQL, remember to use the Surface Area Configuration tool to enable remote connections.  If you download SQL Standard or greater you'll be able to support remote connections without additional configuration.

Finally, if you're going to do an 'update' from Beta 3 to the Refresh, make sure to read:
http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/teamsystem/b3rmigrate.aspx

If you downloaded the VSTS trial on CDs, be careful of the installation process.  Here is my experience.  I don't have an answer yet but will let you know when I do...

The CD ISOs were posted before the DVD when I went to download, so I ended up getting the CDs.  I then unpacked them into per-CD directories (which was probably my downfall) and shared them on the network so that I could install on my client machine without burning CDs.

After successfully installing the prerequesites and spending some time on the VS portion, I got a 'file not found' error.  The offending file was "_15777_RTL_x86_enu_VSD_Common.cab" which happens to be on the second CD.  I imagine the problem was that the system couldn't offer a "please insert the next CD" message from a network directory install.  My only option was to allow the installation to roll back which happened gracefully

Now comes the problem...  Subsequent attempts to install have resulted in an empty license key instead of the default trial key.  My guess is this is how they keep users from re-installing the trial after the 180-day evaluation ends.  I know I'll be able to work around this but for now, I can't install the VSTS trial on my primary notebook!

Now off to the to look for a solution!

Follow-up...  I tried to use the same installation directory on a different machine and got the same blank key.  So...  I blew away the installation directory and re-extracted all three CDs into one place and did the installation from there.  This time everything worked.  Note that when you combine the three CDs into one there are files that get overwritten.  They don't seem to have made any difference in my installation.  Better solution - use the DVD image!

If you missed it, the archives for today's TFS chat will in the transcript archive:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/chats/transcripts/default.aspx

Here are a few of the interesting tidbits I walked away with:

• The version control plug-in for VB6, VS2003, ... will be released shortly after TFS is released.
• The license for anyone accessing TFS is "person based".  That is, if you're in a company and you will interact with TFS (excluding simply viewing reports and accessing WSS), you'll need a license.  It sounds like people outside of your company can be covered by a separate 'connector' license.  The details should be clearer once we get ahold of a forthcoming VSTS Licensing whitepaper.
• SQL Server is licensed for use with TFS.  You don't need additional licenses to use it with TFS but as such it can only be used for TFS.
• A Continuous Integration sample (including an MSI to install it and source code) will be available at some point to help you out with getting CI with Team Build.
• VS Deployment projects (i.e., *.vdproj) is not available out of the box as part of Team Build/MSBuild.  You can do so by calling devenv.exe (i.e., VS command line) as part of your build.
• To undo changes for another user in TFVC from a command line as an admin: run "tf undo /workspace:hisworkspace;hisusername $/ /r" to undo all of his changes, including locks.
• TFS Beta 3 Refresh has been pushed to MSDN but is still making its way through the system.
• If you install Team Suite trial edition, the best approach to move to a non-trial wiull be uninstall/reinstall.
• Howard van Rooijen's company (Conchango) is working on releasing a Scrum process template for VSTS.
• Sharepoint is only supported on/with your TFS.  Some people want to use existing WSS servers.  Microsoft is investigating a whitepaper to document how it could be done but it is still unsupported.

As of 10 minutes ago (noon CDT on Thursday), on my MSDN account I've logged in and have started downloading VS 2005 Team Suite.  The Professional, Standard and Express editions are also released.  SQL 2005 developer edition is also ready for download.

I don't see the individual Team editions and the Team Suite is a 180-day trial version.  I expect this has to do with the MSDN Univeral switch over that is in process.  I expect that we'll all see different sets of VSTS editions for download based on which upgrade path we chose.  (If you're not familiar with the switch over of MSDN licensing, READ THIS NOW!  I've heard both the end of this month and November 7th as the deadlines for subscription conversions, but I can't easliy find the facts to back that up.  In any case, if you haven't looked at the changes you should do so now!

As an aside, I can see the Team Foundation Server beta 3 online, but not the Beta 3 Refresh.  If you're downloading TFS to work with the released versions of Team Foundation Server, wait for the TFS Beta 3 Refresh!

Have fun!

Long time no blog...  We've had several DFW-area community things pass by and I haven't said a word...

Last night, Carl Franklin and Richard Campbell brought .NET Rocks to our user group.  Although the turn-out was a little low (100+), the presentation was great and the food was not pizza!  Thanks to the DNR team for visiting Dallas!

The big Lauch Event in Dallas will be on November 30th.  It is a full day event and will have great content and complimentary versions of VS 2005 and SQL 2005.  If you can't afford to take a Wednesday off work, the local user groups (DDNUG, Dallas C# SIG, FWDNUG and NDDNUG) will be providing their own spin on the presentations during their meetings in early December and January.

Finally, Cory Smith is coordinating another geek gathering in Grapevine on November 7th.  I'll probably be out of town, but it will be fun and if bu some chance I'm still in town, I'll be there!  Hope you are too!