Tag: SharePoint

Content Types with PowerPoint template (.pot) stop working

I experienced an issue with a content type linked to a PowerPoint template (.pot). When I tried to create a new document based on the content type, PowerPoint did not start, but instead I got the following error message: “The document could not be created. The required application may not be installed properly, or the template for this document library cannot be opened.”

After some research, I found an article that pointed to Microsoft Security Update KB951944 as the culprit for this error. And indeed, after removing it, my issue was fixed. At least for the moment, because removing a security update is probably not a good idea.

I guess the problems started after installing Office 2007 Service Pack 2, so I am afraid we will be seeing this issue a lot in the near future on customer portals. I’ll update this post if I find a “decent” solution.

Balsamiq Mockups review

balsamiqWhen you are talking to a customer about the setup of their new SharePoint site or portal, very often they have trouble visualising the structure and look and feel of the interface they will get. Of course, it is rather easy cranking up a virtual machine and prototyping in SharePoint directly, but then you risk that they will focus on the colours and fonts instead of the functionality they will get (you know, the marketing guy saying: “that’s not the blue of our house style!”).

During the SharePoint Best Practices Conference last february, I attended a workshop by Ruven Gotz, and he talked about Balsamiq Mockups as a tool to help you run requirements workshops. I tried it out today, and it really is a great application that any Information Worker consultant should have in his/her toolset.

What I like about it:

  • it is an Adobe Air application, so cross platform (I am testing on my Mac, but will use it on a pc)
  • very simple and intuitive
  • it produces “style independent” mockups, so nobody will complain about colours or fonts, but focus on the functionalities

If you want to know more:

Reasons enough to give it a try. And if this would not be enough, read some more about the company behind this product. In an era of profit, shareholders value, unlimited growth, they got their priorities right.

Post-session material

For those who followed my SharePoint introduction session on the Microsoft SMB Roadshow, here are some links that will help you evaluate Microsoft Office SharePoint Server or Windows SharePoint Services:

  • the Microsoft “Fabulous 40” templates
  • a comparison of the different versions of SharePoint
  • a trial download of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server
  • a planning guide for your first SharePoint site

Versioning and Content Approval

A lot of SharePoint users are confused about when to use Content Approval and Major/Minor versions. And indeed, some functionality seems to overlap, especially the fact that you can hide draft/pending items from users with read access to the list/library.

Some considerations:

  • Think about your user: the more advanced the options you activate, the more complicated it will be to have something published in the library. And what happens if it is complicated? Yes, the file ends up on the C: drive or in the e-mail.
  • Content approval can be interesting in lists, as you do not have Major/Minor versions in lists, only in document libraries.
  • If you are using Content Approval and you need to approve an item, you need manage list permissions. The Approve items is for Major/Minor versions, and has nothing to do with content approval!

Quotes from SharePoint Best Practices

It is an amazing experience to attend the SharePoint Best Practices Conference in San Diego. MVP speakers, a beautiful location, and very interesting content.

It’s impossible to summarize what I learned until now in a blog post, but these quotes will give you an idea of what’s happening:

  • SharePoint is not about building software, it’s about building services.
  • The most difficult thing about SharePoint is the people thing.
  • Information that is hard to find, is hardly ever used.
  • Vista is Microsoft’s gift to Apple.

To avoid that some people lose their MVP status, I will not tell anybody who made the last statement.  🙂