Unlock TFS Files Locked by Other Developers

It is a common experience that someone needs to unlock a file, locked in Team Foundation Server by another developer at a moment that the developer who locked the file is not available to unlock it. Same thing happens if the original login used for lock a file is no longer exists. For the both cases one solution would be the use of 'tf undo' command from Visual Studio command prompt. The undo command removes any locks so that other developers can check out the file. It should be noted that you should have enough privileges to execute this command. Command syntax is:

tf undo /Projects/Project1/Controls/FileName.cs"

/WORKSPACE:Dev123;Domain\UserName /s:http://tfs01:8080 /recursive

Here the Workspace and the User are the ones who locked the file. This information can obtain from source control explorer. If you want to find list of files locked by a developer use the 'tf status' command.

One important thing to remember when using 'tf undo' command is, you may have to use server name as "http://…" if you are executing command from a developer box. Otherwise you will get the ‘cannot find server’ error message for server name as well as for IP address though you are in the same domain, etc. By using server name as a URL it will uses web services to invoke the command.

You can read more detail about “Tf Command Line Utility Commands” from MSDN here.

Session Timeout During Execution – SSRS Reports

This is a common issue in reports, if you are working on generating reports with several hundred thousand records and complex joins. The general solution for this problem would be reducing the time that report takes to run by simplifying the report or improving performance of stored procedures if used. But this is not always possible often with our rigid requirements. For these situations following two solutions can be helpful;

• Run the report offline – This can be done by scheduling report to run on free hours like night. Then the users only see this snapshot of the data. But this approach may not be enough flexible, as we cannot directly change parameters for each run.

• Deliver the reports via a subscription – Here user has to come to the browser and subscribe to the report with parameters if needed. Then can leave the page without waiting until the report is generated. Report will be delivered to the person via email or a file share.

To brief the Subscription method, it is a request to deliver a report at a specific time or in response to an event rather than running a report on demand. There are two types of Subscriptions supported by SQL Server Reporting Services.

Standard Subscriptions – Usually created and managed by individual users and they consist of static values that cannot be varied during subscription processing.

Data-Driven Subscriptions – This is a dynamic subscription. Here the presentation, delivery, and parameter values are retrieved at run time from a data source. Data-driven subscriptions are a good choice if you want to vary report output for each recipient.

A subscription consists of several parts, which we should specify. They include the report that should run, report delivery method, the rendering format, conditions for processing the subscription, and parameters used when running the report.

For more information visit official msdn site at following locations,

How to Subscribe to a Report (Report Manager)
How to Schedule a Report Snapshot (Report Manager)

Virtual Reality and Migration to Virtual Space

Abstract: Virtual Reality is an artificial environment created by computers in which people can immerse themselves and get the sense of a real environment. It is a way for humans to visualize, manipulate and interact with computers and extremely complex data. This technology allows a user to interact with a computer simulated environment, which can be real or imagined one. Virtual Reality environments are varying from visual experiences to simulations with sensory information and getting popular in several areas like trainings in health care, treatments for anxiety disorders, learning environments, business and marketing, entertainment and scientific visualization. This paper briefs the application of Virtual Reality in some of above areas, technologies used, problems caused, and the quality of the interaction.

This is the abstract of the literature survey conducted by me as my final year independent study in the University. If anyone interested in this area here is the link for full document.

It should be noted that, this is not based on any research conducted by me, but a literature survey of studying research papers. I have maintained the complete list of referred papers in the document.

Windows 7 & Final day of Windows XP

There is a buzz among the community that Microsoft is going to end its availability of our popular operating system Windows XP, to retailers and major computer makers. The date set for this is 30th June 2008. As it is saying several top PC sellers including Dell, HP and Acer going to quit from selling notebooks and other products offering Windows XP. June 30 is not Microsoft's final deadline for all computer makers as they will sell licenses till Jan. 31, 2009.

Anyhow Windows XP won't disappear so quickly as its high performance and less resource usage compare to Windows Vista. Also some PC sellers have indicated that they are going to offer Windows XP Professional by taking advantage of Windows Vista's downgrade rights. But those PCs will also include Vista installation media allowing later upgrade.

It seems that Microsoft is more focusing on Windows Vista business, while they are working on a new operating system, currently called Windows 7. Like Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 also will be built upon Windows Vista foundation, particularly on subsystems such as graphics, audio, and storage. Windows 7 is expected to be released in 2010.

Here are some images I found claiming Windows 7 will look like this...

Microsoft DreamSpark

I accidently found this place called "Microsoft DreamSpark" from MSDN, where several Microsoft products giving for students at no cost. In their words,
"DreamSpark is simple, it's all about giving students Microsoft professional-level developer and design tools at no charge so you can chase your dreams and create the next big breakthrough in technology - or just get head start on your career"

But currently this is only for students in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium. But they are saying that they are working on adding more countries, so keep checking it.

Here is the Microsoft DreamSpark link for more details.