Installing Ms SQL Server 2005 Express SP3

As you may know, SQL Server Express edition is free for personal use or being included as part of your distribution. But, if your requirement is simple, then you can try out this express edition.

There are a few features that are separated into a few packages.

The latest version of the installation packages are in SP3. If you are installing the non SP3 version, the system will prompt you that there is a newer version that is available, or known issues are there.

So, the easiest way is to install the SP3 version directly.

SQL Server 2005 Express SP3 with Advanced Features included:
Database, Reporting Services, Client Management Tool.

SQL Server 2005 Express SP3 Toolkit included:
BI Development Tool and Client Management Tool. The only difference in this package is the BI Development tool. If you need to create SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services) package, or reports on using the SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services), you need this tool.

C# tips: Multi-threading with BackgroundWorker Component

Now I found a simpler way of doing multi-threading programming in C#: using the Backgroundworker component.

For it to work properly, you must make sure that "any" interaction with UI (controls on your Windows form) must be done at the "ProgressChanged" event handler of your BackgroundWorker component.

The following is a summary of the things you need to do for using the backgroundworker component:

(1) Add the backgroundworker component to your form
(2) Set the "WorkerReportsProgress" property of the backgroundworker to True
(3) Set the "WorkerSupportsCancellation" property of the backgroundworker to True
(4) Create the event handler of the backgroundworker for "DoWork", "ProgressChanged" and "RunWorkerCompleted"
(5) Put in the statements or procedures to be executed by the backgroundworker inside the event handler of "DoWork". This should be the starting point of the thread-processing. This event will be fired when you execute the statement such as

backgroundWorker1.RunWorkerAsync();

The sample codes can be found here
Reference in MSDN

Visual C# 2008 Express and Ms SQL Server 2005 Express

I have been playing around with Visual C# 2008 Express, ASP.NET and Ms SQL Server 2005 Express edition for a few months lately ... just for the sake of gaining back some interests and good memories of programming ... :)

Basically, for those who likes programming can download the .NET Framework 3.5 free and you can also download the IDE (Integrated Development Environment) such as Visual C# 2008 Express and Visual Studio 2008 Express for web development free too. Another interesting thing is you can even download and install Ms SQL Server 2005 express edition free too! But, after you install the Ms SQL 2005 express edition, you need to also download the SQL Server Management Studio client for the UI-based creation of database and stored procedures.

However, when you get real with product development then you can buy the necessary licenses for proper support and additional things you need.

For further information, try this :)

Construction Contract Claims, Changes & Dispute Resolution (Paperback), by Paul Levin

Product Details

Paperback: 255 pages
Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers; 2 Sub edition (June 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0784402760
ISBN-13: 978-0784402764
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,319,885 in Books

Comment: This book has many good examples which can also be used in IT projects.

The Key Categories of CSFs

In my opinion, having a competent project manager to manage your project is not enough to guarantee a successful project outcome. The reason is that, if certain Critical Success Factors are there to support the project manager, even if the project manager is not experienced or competent enough, there is still very high possibility for the project to be successful.

I like the idea of the 4 M's which was talked about in the Chapter 8, in the book titled "Construction Management" that was written by Daniel W. Halpin and Ronald W. Woodhead. The 4 M's are:

1. Money
2. Machines
3. Manpower
4. Material

By leveraging on that, based on my observation and experience in managing a few troubled IT projects, I have identified the following Five Key Aspects of the Critical Project Success Factors (CPSF) that can be based on:

1. Manifest
2. Money
3. Methods, Machine, Tools & Technology
4. Management, Man Power & Stakeholders
5. Time

The CPSFs have to be addressed accordingly during those key project phases:-

1. Project Start-up
2. Project Initiation
3. Project Planning
4. Project Execution
5. Project Hand-over
6. Project Closure

Some of the CPSFs are beyond project manager's control, but have to be addressed through good working relationship with respective stakeholders.

Critical Project Success Factors (CPSF)

Now I am doing some researches and studies on the projects that I have completed and some projects that I am running. The purpose of the research is to come out with a list of Critical Project Success Factors (CPSF) and how to address this Critical Project Success Factors in order to gain higher chance of project success later.

I will share these CPSF when I have fanalized them. Hopefully by June this year :)

Business Contracts Kit for Dummies (With CD-ROM) (Paperback)

Product Details

Price: $19.79 at amazon.com

• Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; Pap/Cdr edition (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764552368
• ISBN-13: 978-0764552366
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: based on 1 review.