Hi Luc, It's nothing exciting, just a few XML files for extending the TouchSmart environment with your own apps. It's in the Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\. . .\SmartCenter 2.0 folder and the folder is called UpdateAppSettings. It seems like HP either wants to open up the environment but aren't quite ready or they're pretending to but won't actually commit to it. It's pretty half-baked at this point. For instance, there is a utility so you can "Register" your application but there is no "Unregister" option. I did find that once I opened one of the files from within VS 2008, I was able to see the rest of the files the next time I went into the File OpenFile Dialog. I'm still curious about how they might have done that. Searching for a solution, I saw one item where they talked about adding a Class Id extention, .{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}, to the folder name but that didn't seem to work on one of my other Vista machines so I don't think that's it: http://computerperformance.co.uk/vista/vista_registry_secret.htm Will

Hi, I've got a new HP machine and they've hidden some of their stuff in some sort of secret folder that I can only access when I have the full name of one of the files inside it and then only through the Explorer's Advanced search with the "include non-indexed, hidden,and system files" checked. I've been through all the usual folder options and applied a hack of the registry SHOWALL key. Has anybody seen anything like this and know how to list out the full folder? Thanks, Will

I'm not sure what type results from the DataBinder statement? Evidently it's not a String or Decimal. But, I see what you mean now that I found "Standard Numeric Format Strings" item in the MSDN doc. I circumvented the issue by using the Fixed format instead. Some time when I'm not under the gun I'll have to follow up and figure this one out. Thanks.

Thanks! That's doing it for me. I ignored the "F" because description in the MSDN doc is pretty vague (fixed) . . . until you follow the chain to the "Standard Numeric Format Strings". I just didn't go far enough the first time. I also see there that the "D" only works with integral types as the other poster suggested. I'm not sure what type results from the DataBinder statement? Evidently it's not a String or Decimal. Thanks again.

Hi, I've been trying to format some fields as Decimal numbers but not as currency. The other numeric formats work great (currency, scientific notation, etc.) and the "D" works fine with Dates. The "D" will not work for me on a numeric field though. I've tried both embedding in the DataBinder statement: <%# DataBinder.Eval(Container, "DataItem.AmountPaid", "{0:D2}") %> and as a DataFormatString: DataFormatString="{0:D2}" I've also tried the ItemDataBound event. No luck. Any suggestions? Will

You've probably already looked into these but . . . what the heck! Something missing perhaps? Is the expected version of the Framework installed? Do you use Crystal Reports or some other third party software? Config file? If you haven't already, you might want to use the build option that pulls all of the accessed assenblies into the local Bin folder. And no, I can't remember what or where to specify it off the top of my head. Sorry. Good luck! Will

If each of these 12 people is using their own copy on their own desk/lap top, you can look at MSDE (old name) / SQL Server Express (new name) which is a three connection max version of MS SQL Server and totally free. It's a lot more mainstream and you can pick up the 120 day trial copy of SQL Server and have the Server Manager for development as well.

You put your connection string in your configuration file and you encrypt it. You of course have to decrypt it to use it. Take a look at Microsoft's Enterprise Library in their "Patterns and Practices" stuff. The Enterprise Library includes "Application Blocks" for Encryption, Configuration, Database Access, Logging, Exceptions, and more I think. It's huge but there's a lot of good stuff in there if you choose to use it. Also, there's a property (sorry I don't remember the name) on the Connection objects that directs it not to store sensitive info. This is only the password in Oracle's ODP.Net but I think SQL Server's Connection is supposed to drop the Id as well. I don't know about OLEDB. Good luck.

Hi, I'm a C# type that just landed a VB.Net assignment and I'm having trouble getting a handle on Sub Main in VB.Net. The folks at the new place don't use Main while all the examples in documentation seem to. Evidently it's optional and not very VB6. Where does control get passed to if there isn't one? Also, every example that I've seen places Main() in a Module, not a Class. Is that important or does it just default it to Public? Thanks in advance.

I have a grid control that takes an IList, ITypedList or IBindingList object as a DataSource. I'm currently using a System.Data.DataTable and the performance is pretty dismal. I've isolated the bottle neck as being the build of the DataTable. My question is, which of the various data collections is the lightest weight and most efficient? Thanks. -- modified at 14:10 Thursday 8th December, 2005

To all my critics . . . ;P

dnh wrote: "dnh is undefined." And, when you choose to not define yourself, you are choosing to not limit yourself.

Question: In VS.Net 2003, how do you get to a simple SQL prototyping window or the Query Designer without doing so in the context of a specific table or as part of the definition of a component. Here's what I've tried in order to answer the question myself: I've been using Query Analyzer from my SQL Server 200 install. I thought, "Hey, VS.Net has that built in. Why not use that?" 1. Wouldn't "Tools" be the logical place for something like that? Evidnetly not. 2. So, I have "Query" checked off in my Toolbars selections and I can see it but it's greyed out. 3. I go to the Server Explorer and fool around in there for a bit, right clicking everything in sight. The SQL (and most other buttons) on the Query tool bar remain inaccessible. 4. I go to Help. Why isn't there a "What's This?" like in the Office products. Now I'm in the locally installed MSDN off the CDs. I finally find "Help [Visual Studio.Net]", click it and (drum roll) "Empty Index Entry". 5. I connect to the Internet and go to MSDN Online. After a few minutes I'm at the MSDN Library and Visual Studio.Net. 6. I select "Visual Database Tools". Basically, at list of links with a one sentence explination. 7. I try "Database Queries and Visual Database Tools". Another list, no info. 8. Ok, "Query and View Designer". How to use it, what the components are. NO CLUE AS TO HOW TO GET THERE. And that's not even what I really want to know. WTF?! And on and on and on. I wasted 1/2 and hour searching. I'm anrgy, frustrated, and lost my whole train of concentration. And all I want to do is use one of the very simplest features. 9. Finally, I went back and after fooling around a while, I found that AT THE TABLE LEVEL there is a "Retrieve Data From Table". But before you have a chance to filter, it retrieves EVERY COLUMN of EVERY ROW. That's rediculous. Thanks for any non-crude suggestions, Will

If you pay enough to attract a good person, he/she will do the work of three unmotivated mediocre ones. I don't know when you were getting $5.25 but that's less than minimum wage (USD) here now. That's what diswashers get and they don't have to carry a beeper. I get between $45/hr and $65/hr (USD) depending on which of the two local markets I'm in. So, when do I start you cheap bastard? :-D

This doesn't refer directly to regional slang but if you want to see what sorts of creative and obscene things people are currently doing to extend the language, try www.urbandictionary.com. And, my current favoite for "cupid's toothpaste" is splooge which can be used either as a verb or a noun. Oh yeah, I have a very old (now) British book called "Backpacking in North America" in which the author recalled causing quite a scandal here in the States by leaving the milk man a note: Knock me up. I will pay you. (BTW: For those who don't know, in the US "Knocked up" means pregnant.) Will

Hi Jan, Maybe there's just more competition here. When you're providing a comodity that can be gotten in many places, the only thing you can offer to differentiate your business is superior service. Again, I have no personal experience in Europe but what I am hearing, including from you now, is that where the two cultures seem to be different is: in the US the customer expects to be served (hence the word service) and at least in Copenhagan the customer is supposed to be thankful for whatever the merchant decides to give them. When we go into a "hair dresser" we are asked, "What do you want?" Some women bring a photo or a picture from a magazine. Also, the salons usually have a lot of photos hung on the walls. The hair dresser doesn't do ONE style and everyone gets the same style. As far as the cost of an oil change, you're right. A mechanic gets around $50 an hour (well, shops charge that for labor anyway. Hopefully the mechanic gets the majority of that.). But, changing the oil takes about 10 minutes. I do my own oil changes at home in less than 20 minutes (another difference: we don't mind getting our hands dirty) and shops that specialize in that type of simple service (and it is oh so simple) can easily turn it around in far less time than that. I think we are more used to getting what we want and getting it easily and inexpensively. That might account for a somewhat more optimistic perspective. Will

Unfortunately, it's human nature to denegrate and ridicule those we envy and/or fear. Cowboy George (Bush) doesn't help things by talking/acting more like a schoolyard bully than a statesman. (Dear God! When he said that Sadam had be in a "Hidey-Hole" it made me cringe.) But even if it weren't for him, the rest of the world would be still running us down just for being as big and successful as we are. Wait 10 years, it'll be China that everyone is crapping on. Will

Walken is "The Man"! He's got my vote (if Dean doesn't run again). Of course anyone insanely egotistical and power hungry enough to want it, shouldn't be allowed to have it. Anyone seen that web animation site where he's in a diner and goes outside to have sex with a reindeer? Will

Ok, I've been using Query Analyzer from my SQL Server 200 install. I thought, "Hey, VS.Net has that built in. Why not use that?" 1. Wouldn't "Tools" be the logical place for something like that? 2. So, I have "Query" checked off in my Toolbars selections and I can see it but it's greyed out. 3. I go to the Server Explorer and fool around in there for a bit, right clicking everything in sight. The SQL (and most other buttons) on the Query tool bar remain inaccessible. 4. I go to Help. Why isn't there a "What's This?" like in the Office products. Now I'm in the locally installed MSDN off the CDs. I finally find "Help [Visual Studio.Net]", click it and (drum roll) "Empty Index Entry". 5. I connect to the Internet and go to MSDN Online. After a few minutes I'm at the MSDN Library and Visual Studio.Net. 6. I select "Visual Database Tools". Basically, at list of links with a one sentence explination. 7. I try "Database Queries and Visual Database Tools". Another list, no info. 8. Ok, "Query and View Designer". How to use it, what the components are. NO CLUE AS TO HOW TO GET THERE. And that's not even what I really want to know. WTF?! And on and on and on. I wasted 1/2 and hour searching. I'm anrgy, frustrated, and lost my whole train of concentration. And all I want to do is use one of the very simplest features. 9. Finally, I went back and after fooling around a while, I found that AT THE TABLE LEVEL there is a "Retrieve Data From Table". But before you have a chance to filter, it retrieves EVERY COLUMN of EVERY ROW. That's rediculous.

Your comment manages to be simultaneously pretentiously pseudo-intellectual and yet simplistically naïve. It’s ridiculous. Consider yourself ridiculed. ;P