Don’t hardcode that build option

I have been using the ExternalTestRunner 2010 Build activity I wrote. I realised that at least one of the parameters I need to set, the ProjectCollection used to publish the test results, was hard coded in my sample. It was set in the form http://myserver:8080/tfs/MyCollection This is not that sensible, as this value is available using the build API as BuildDetail.BuildServer.TeamProjectCollection.Uri.ToString() It makes no sense to hard code the name of the server if the build system already knows it....

August 26, 2010 · 1 min · Richard Fennell

Detailed posted on using Access Services and Event Receivers

Access MVP Ben Clothier has posted an article and video on Going beyond Web Macros: Using Event Receivers & .NET with Access Services. This takes some of the techniques I was proposing for .NET/Access integration and added to them using Ben’s extensive experience in the Access space. Well worth a look if you want to make Access a RAD front end to legacy systems.

August 25, 2010 · 1 min · Richard Fennell

"Program too big to fit in memory" when installing a TFS 2010 Test Controller

Just spent a while battling a problem whilst install the TFS 2010 Test Controller. When I launched the install setup program off the .ISO I could select the Test Controller installer, but then a command prompt flashed up and exited with no obvious error. If I went into the TestControllers directory on the mounted .ISO and ran the setup from a command prompt I saw the error “program too big to fit in memory”....

August 23, 2010 · 1 min · Richard Fennell

Great iPlayer Media Center Plugin

I am very impressed with the iPlayer Media Center Plugin I found on the Australian Media Center Community, I like most people found it installed fine but that it failed to add itself to the start menu. However this was easily fixed using Media Center Studio once I got my head around the Media Center Studio’s user interface. The basic process is: Load Media Center Studio Go onto the Start Menu tab At the bottom of the screen look for the entry points section (needs expanding usually) In here you should find the iPlayer application (has a red’ish pay button logo) Drag it onto whichever part of the start menu you want, but be aware there are some limitation as to where it can go, Extensions worked fine for me Save the changes Restart Media Center Once this is done you should be able to view WMV based iPlayer content from within Media Center....

August 18, 2010 · 1 min · Richard Fennell

Running MSDeploy to a remote box from inside a TFS 2010 Build (Part 2)

Another follow up post, this time to the one on MSDeploy. As I said in that post a better way to trigger the MSDeploy PowerShell script would be as part of the build workflow, as opposed to a post build action in the MSBuild phase. Doing it this way means if the build failed testing, after MSBuild complete, you can still choose not to run MSDeploy. I have implemented this using an InvokeProcess call in my build workflow, which I have placed just before Gated checking logic at the end of the process template....

August 13, 2010 · 1 min · Richard Fennell