People Picker Control - SharePoint 2010 ( Customizing Search Results)

For customizing search results in people picker configured for Windows Authentication in Classic Mode or claims mode check below link
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg602075(v=office.14).aspx


To customize search results in people picker configured in different authentication mode, you need to define custom claims provider:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg602068(v=office.14).aspx#about

WSS_Logging DB SharePoint 2010 ( Usage Reporting)

SharePoint 2013 is out  but i still get the queries regarding the usage reporting capability of SP 2010.

Some pointers below.

• The data displayed by SharePoint Web Analytics is pulled from "WSS_Logging" database. It aggregates all of the raw logging data accumulated in the text files under the 14 hive and imports it into logging database. 

• Web Analytics Service Retention Policy 

          To persist the usage data in WSS_Logging for longer time you can change the retention policy
           by  changing the settings in central administration

          Central Administration - > Application Management - > Manage Servcie Application
          - >Select Web Analytics Service ->Click "Properties" in ribbon ->Change Data Retention
          Period up  to 25 months.

• The data import from Logs files to Database is performed by Timer Job " Microsoft SharePoint Foundation Usage Data Import"

         You can set the frequency of timer job depending on load on your server.

• More Information on Logging DB can be found at : 

          http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh769360(v=office.14)

Implementing SharePoint DR (SQL Server Log Shipping Method)

Great article on SharePoint DR implementation using SQL Server Log Shipping.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd890507(office.12).aspx

TagCloud Webpart not available SharePoint 2010

Do you feel like breaking your head is less painful than looking for Tagcloud webpart ?.

Well than don't worry your head is probably safe is you haven't yet given  up searching :-)


Just Activate the PortalLayouts feature

stsadm -o activateFeature -name "PortalLayouts" -url "http:///sites/" -force

Usage Data Retention in SharePoint Database - SharePoint 2013

Check the current retention policy using :
Get-SPUsageDefinition

By default it's 14 days.

To change the retention use the following script:

Set-SPUsageDefinition -Identity "Page Requests" -DaysRetained 31

Complete definition of this command can be found at :

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff607542.aspx

Farm Solution vs Sandbox vs App SharePoint 2013

Interesting Article:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/13373.sharepoint-2013-what-to-do-farm-solution-vs-sandbox-vs-app.aspx

SharePoint 2010 WSP BackUp

Simple script but very helpful considering the fact that it's easy to mess up and than end up trying to find  old WSP in your source control tool. (If your team has been updating the source control :-)).


Always take WSP backup from SharePoint Farm before you deploy revised one.


$farm = Get-SPFarm
$file = $farm.Solutions.Item("{WSPNAME}.wsp").SolutionFile
$file.SaveAs("C:\Backup\{WSPNAME}.wsp")



-Rags

Claim Based Security explained in real simple way

Check this article if you are trying to understand claims based security
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff359108.aspx

Office Web Apps and SharePoint Services(Excel, Word, Powerpoint Services)

I always get queries from peers and clients on difference between SharePoint 2010 and Office Web Apps. They are completely different component. Office Products have tight integration with SharePoint using the Office Web Apps feature installed in SharePoint.

Note : You can run Office Webs Apps using Office Web Apps server even if you do not have SharePoint in your organization.

Useful Links:

Office Web Apps:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj219456.aspx


Office Web App Server Planning:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj219435.aspx

Office Web Apps Deployment :
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/office/ee815687.aspx

Office Web Apps platform comparison
http://technet.microsoft.com/library/ff925944(office.14).aspx

Excel Services vs Excel Web App
http://blogs.technet.com/b/tothesharepoint/archive/2010/07/21/excel-services-and-excel-web-apps-common-different-features.aspx

Licensing
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/buy/microsoft-office-volume-licensing-suites-comparison-office-FX101825637.aspx