How to Lock Windows XP from Command Line

Start > Run type cmd

C:\> rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation

Free and Easy Way to Merge PDF Documents

Recently when downloading a free, multi-part pdf copy of The Foxfire Book on Scribd it reminded me that there was a way in cygwin to merge those multiple copies into a single pdf, enter pdftk. It is extremely simple to merge with a single command.

Visio Shape Protection - How Can I Resize a Shape?

If you have worked with Visio long and especially on Visio diagrams generated by other business analysts you might have encountered the following dialog when attempting to Ungroup or perform some shape changes.


The solution is easy once you have done it...aren't they all? Select the object and select the following menu item Window > Show ShapeSheet. In the dialog that appears look in the Protection section for the LockGroup attribute, change it to 0 and the object should be editable now.

Visual Studio 2008 Extensions for SharePoint

If you have been struggling with some of the shortcomings of using the 64-bit Orca hack to to us the previous version of extensions your prayers have been answered. Microsoft has released the next version of the extensions to run on the 64-bit platform.

New Features in VSeWSS 1.3

* The extensions now install on x64 bit OS. Visual Studio 2008 and SharePoint must be already installed.
* Command Line Build option for TFS and MSBuild integration
* Separate WSP Package and Retract commands. You can now build the WSP without deploying it
* SPSolGen to Support Exporting from Content Management Publishing Sites
* New Item Template for RootFiles Deployment
* Automatically Remove conflicting existing features on development SharePoint server
* WSP View New Feature Dialog Improvements: scope, receiver checkbox, element checkbox
* WSP View can now be used to merge features and it blocks site features being merged into web features
* Allow adding separate binary files such as Workflow assemblies
* Some refactoring allowing for Web Part renaming and removing lines from feature.xml Item Removed
* Allow selection of GAC or BIN deployment for Web Part Project not including CAS generation
* Increase visibility of hidden features that VSeWSS creates
* Add fast update deploy for DLL only or file only changes to solutions
* Numerous Bug Fixes and improvements to error messages

source: Announcing Public CTP Release of VSeWSS 1.3

A few recommendations to assist with the installation:
1. Uninstall the 1.2 Extensions before performing the installation.
2. Do not click on the .msi. Open a command prompt using the now famous "Right click, Run As Administrator" and execute the following command "msiexec /i [downloaded 1.3 package]"

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

...and wait....and wait.

Finally a Google Talk for Linux that has not only text messaging but voice chat as well. Thank you James for the quick post about which IM client to use. Thank you to the team who built the IM for making our life on Linux just a tad bit more enjoyable.

Increase Readability In Firefox on Ubuntu

If you are familiar with ClearType in XP you know what a difference it can make. For the most part we have been satisfied with the look and readability of fonts in Ubuntu Intrepid however the default Firefox fonts were rough. This simple fix went a long way in increasing readability and strain on my eyes.


Go to Edit > Preferences > Content > Advanced [Under Fonts & Colors section]. Change to the following settings for the Serif:, Sans-serif:, and Monospace: settings.

source: firefox to look good, configure fonts

Firefox Plugins

If you ever wondered how to see the detailed information about plugins in Firefox and how to uninstall them, this is your day.

To find which ones are installed type "about:plugins" as the URL in Firefox.

If you'd like to uninstall just perform the following steps:
1. In Firefox type the URL "about:config"
2. Double click the line "plugin.expose_full_path" so the full path to the plugin will be shown
3. In Firefox type the URL "about:plugins"
4. Remove the file next to the plugin title