My Security.Config files for .NET are missing

I went to modify the security rules for a server the other day and I could not find the security config file (usually found here: %WinDir%\Microsoft.Net\Framework\vx.y.zzzz\config). I did some research and found out that sometimes the security.config file is not created when you install .NET and the framework uses default security policies built into the framework. I found that you can get the framework to emit the default security policies into the security.config file by running the following command:

caspol -all -reset

Check back in the %WinDir%\Microsoft.Net\Framework\vx.y.zzzz\config folder and you'll see the security.config file. Now you can modify it all you want.

Source: http://blogs.msdn.com/shawnfa/archive/2006/02/09/527688.aspx

Pixel Guess

Have you ever played the pixel guess game? I play it all the time. I'm trying to figure out how big something is on a computer screen and you have to start arbitrarily guessing its size. My brother told me about tool that he uses to help alleviate this issue. It's called Pixel ruler. It shows a ruler with pixel increments on your computer screen that you can use to measure screen objects. It doesn't have a lot of options but you can flip it horizontally or vertically. It is a very handy tool.






http://www.mioplanet.com/products/pixelruler/index.htm

Screenshot App

I've been using this tool for quite sometime but I went to put it on a new computer and couldn't remember its name. So I'm putting it here to remind me. The application is called Gadwin PrintScreen. It replaces the functionality of the Print Screen button with a whole lot better functionality. You can configure to capture a rectangular area (my favorite option), capture the current window or full screen. It has oodles of settings to customize it. This is a very handy tool.

http://www.gadwin.com/printscreen/

Sharepoint Unexpected Error Page

Have you ever been programming in SharePoint and get the most wondrous and detailed error page:

An unexpected error has occurred.

I swear that I used to get that error everyday. Then I would have to try to debug what was causing the error. About a year ago I had found a way to turn this page off and get the actual error page with all the exception information (i.e. Error message, stack trace, source, etc.). Unfortunately I didn't blog about it and had to go looking for the solution again when I moved to a new server that didn't have the solution in place. For my notes and yours if you need it, here's the solution:

1. Open to the web.config file from the virtual directory containing your SharePoint application.


2. Change the line <SafeMode MaxControls="50" CallStack="false" /> in the element to: <SafeMode MaxControls="50" CallStack="true" />


3. Save and close the web.config file.

You must also ensure that the <customErrors > element is configured properly in the web.config file. Disable the <customErrors> element by setting the mode attribute to "Off":

<customErrors mode="Off" />


Originally found on the page: http://www.devx.com/dotnet/Article/17518/1954?pf=true

Nice accordion Widget

I found a very nice accordion widget. Check it out:

http://aariadne.com/accordion/

Instant: The polaroid of Ajax

I found a javascript library that takes your image and replaces it with "polaroid" like images. It seems pretty cool. Check it out:

http://ajaxian.com/archives/instant-the-polaroid-of-ajax

Professional Video Gaming

I totally missed my calling in life: http://www.thecgs.com/

If I had known that there was going to be a professional video gaming league when I was choosing my career, I definitely would have made a few different choices. Their site says that the total salary payroll will be $5 million. I'm soooooo jealous!!

TrueCrypt is Truly Cool

Security is a pretty big thing now a days. Everywhere you look there is personal information getting stolen and abused. A friend of mine mentioned to me several months ago about a security software he's been using for some time. I wasn't really interested at the time because I really didn't see the need for it. Recently I noticed that I'm having a lot of personal information sitting on my work computer that I'd rather not have my employer or coworkers getting access to. So I emailed my friend and he was kind enough to tell me again the name of the software. The software is called TrueCrypt.

This software is pretty darn cool. I was up and running in less than five minutes. I was a little daunted at first in getting started but they include a very good tutorial (PDF) on how to install (installation is optional) and start using TrueCrypt.

TrueCrypt let's you create an encrypted volume that then can be mounted as a drive. It has oodles of options for encryption types, hash methods, etc... When a volume is mounted, the encryption is seamless and done on the fly. When a volume is unmounted, the data is encrypted and unreadable. To mount a volume, a strong password is required.

One cool feature is that you can put TrueCrypt's software files on a USB flash drive and then put the encrypted volume on the same USB flash drive. This allows you to carry your information with you in an encrypted format and be able to access it whenever you need it (you will need admin privileges on the computer that you try to run TrueCrypt on).

Another nice feature is that they have both Windows and Linux versions of their software and their encrypted volumes are compatible with either version. The Windows version allows you to setup 'Hot Keys' that will mount the drive and unmount the drive quickly. Unfortunately the Linux version is command line only, which isn't terrible but makes it less usable for those wanting the 'Hot Keys' functionality.

I definitely recommend this tool.

http://www.truecrypt.org

Button Creator

I found a website that lets you create web 2.0ish image buttons. It seems to create very nice looking buttons.

http://www.mycoolbutton.com/

Design Ideas for that "New Look" on your website

A previous coworker pointed me to a design website that has free website designs that you can use to create a template for your website. Some of their designs are aren't great but they have quite a few good designs. The site is http://opendesigns.org/.

My coworker's original post was http://ckcmoss.com/blogs/ckcmoss/archive/2007/05/02/looking-for-a-new-design-for-your-website.aspx.