Add an item count to the SharePoint 2010 refinement panel

In the SharePoint 2010 search results page there is a new webpart called the refinement panel.

This webpart displays facets, or refinements to the SharePoint 2010 search results based on categories that you can configure.

One common request in SharePoint 2007 was to add faceted search results with a count of items that belong to each facet.
Since faceted search results were not included in MOSS 2007 a common solution was to use a set of webparts available from CodePlex. http://facetedsearch.codeplex.com/

In SharePoint 2010 the faceted search is available right on the search results page.
However, one thing that is not visible, without some additional steps, is the count of items in each facet.

The goal:

The first step is to edit the Faceted Search webpart, then add a line to the Filter Category Definition XML in the Refinement Panel webpart.

A tutorial of what the Filter Category Definition XML can do and how to extend the categories.

Add  ShowCounts="Count" to each category you wish to include the count of results for.

In this example I added the ShowCounts=”Count” to the Category where the Title=”Site”.

The inclusion of counts is determined by the XSL of the Refinement Panel webpart.
The XSL parameter $ShowCounts looks for the value of ShowCounts=”Count” in the category XML.

Since the Refinement Panel webpart is rendered using XSL you have many opportunities for design and customization to meet your branding needs.

Newly Minted MCTS Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Configuration

I just passed three of the beta SharePoint 2010 certification exams!

I am waiting for notification on the fourth exam I sat.

Fresh from the MCP logo builder

Microsoft Certification Exams Completed Successfully

Exam ID
Description
Date Completed

576
PRO: Designing and Developing Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Applications
Jun 09, 2010

667
TS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Configuring
Jun 05, 2010

668
PRO: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Administrator
Jun 05, 2010

 

Anybody need any SharePoint 2010 help?

 

Good luck to everyone that has and will take the certification exams.

They are challenging for sure!

Preparation materials published for Exam 70-668: PRO: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Administrator

The study guide has been published for

Exam 70-668: PRO: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Administrator

 

Skills Being MeasuredThis exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below.The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.

Designing a SharePoint 2010 Farm Topology (27 percent)

• Design physical architecture.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: translating information architecture to physical architecture, determining capacity for a SharePoint farm (storage, number of users, bandwidth utilization, intranet/extranet, hardware), and scaling Web farm and services infrastructure
• Design SharePoint integration with network infrastructure.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: planning for internal and external farm communications, establishing network perimeter configuration, networking, Active Directory, DNS, SQL storage, IIS, and analyzing infrastructure services
• Design logical taxonomy.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: planning sites and site collections, planning for collaboration sites, planning My Site sites, planning for zones, planning for Service Applications, Web applications, content databases, sites and sub-sites vs. libraries, libraries vs. folders vs. document sets, security boundaries, site hierarchy, and content deployment path methodology
• Plan for sandbox solutions.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: content isolation, feature deployments, and trusted solutions
• Plan for farm deployment.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: sequential deployment, planning standalone deployment (Microsoft SQL Server Express), planning single-server farm (SQL Server), planning multi-server deployment in an N-Tier Farm, and designing a SharePoint virtual environment
• Plan for availability.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: designing SQL Server failover clustering strategy, types of availability (high-performance, acceptable downtime, Recovery Point Objective, Recovery Time Objective ), types of mirroring, high availability, high protection, whole farm as a failover cluster, and designing the Web Front-End NLB strategy

Planning SharePoint 2010 Deployment (26 percent)

• Plan service applications.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: formulating a Business Connectivity Services (BCS) strategy, planning a Microsoft Excel Services strategy, implementing a BI solution, planning service application server roles, and planning a Web server forms strategy (Plan InfoPath Forms Services)
• Plan a SharePoint component strategy.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: Web parts, Web applications, Microsoft .NET, Microsoft Silverlight, SharePoint features and solutions, workflow, site templates, site definitions, multilingual deployment, master pages and layout files, and e-mail integration
• Plan an upgrade strategy.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: supporting hardware upgrades (for example, 32 to 64 bit), OS upgrade, in-place upgrade, MOSS upgrade, and SQL Server upgrade
• Design a migration strategy.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: database migration, custom features, read-only and detached databases, designing a test and QA implementation plan (for example, development to production), migrating content databases, moving content between farms, moving content to and from the farm, moving content within the farm, and rollback
• Design security architecture.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: planning security for WebApp site collection, designing SharePoint users and groups administration, taxonomy of SharePoint security groups, managed accounts, site security (permission levels , list permissions, site permissions, personal permissions, default and custom security groups), and planning for Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
• Plan and deploy authentication methods.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: planning for integration of multiple authentication sources/types, planning for NTLM authentication, planning for Kerberos authentication, planning for Forms-Based Authentication (FBA), planning for Claims Authentication (Identity and Access Management), planning for Secure Store Service

Defining a SharePoint 2010 Operations Strategy and Business Continuity (25 percent)

• Design a maintenance strategy.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: preparing test plans for patching and maintenance, SharePoint Maintenance Manager, rebuilding SQL indexes, search maintenance
• Recommend provisioning strategies.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: managing self-service components (My Sites, service architecture administration), delegating site administration, limiting site templates and page layouts, assigning quotas, defining policy for Web application
• Establish an enterprise monitoring plan.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: developing monitoring points for performance and availability, utilizing performance monitoring, analyzing search reports, Web analytics, diagnostic logging, usage logging, analyzing health and usage data (SharePoint Health Analyzer), and validating farm topology against performance requirements
• Plan SharePoint backup and restore.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: developing and testing recovery strategy and implementation plan, server recovery, site recovery, granular backup and recovery strategy, exporting a site or list, recovering data from an unattached content database, and backup and restore of the following: farm, farm configuration, site collection, Web applications, Secure Store Service, snapshots, content database, configuration database, custom features, solutions, code, service, site, list, document library, performance site collection, and recycle bin

Planning for Search and Business Solutions (22 percent)

• Define search requirements.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: types of data, types of distribution (Internet, extranet), segregation of data, index file location, index size, federation requirements, content sources, search scopes, search taxonomy, server name mappings, promoting or demoting exclusions, synonyms and compound search processing, and defining facets for search
• Plan search topology.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: indexing strategy, index partition, query component, property database, crawler component, separate crawler servers, and administration component
• Plan an enterprise search strategy.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: designing information access and enterprise search strategy, planning for metadata and search, people search, search reporting, and planning enterprise search technology
• Plan enterprise content management.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: records management, BPM (record deployment), document management, metadata planning, information management policies, implement data taxonomy structure, Web Content Management (WCM), and Information Rights Management (IRM)
• Plan for social computing and collaboration.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: user profile service, user profiles, organization profiles, audiences, My Sites, social tags, and planning enterprise wikis, blogs, and personalization sites
• Plan for a business intelligence strategy.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: PerformancePoint service (dashboards and scorecards), Excel Services Service, Visio Graphics Service, SQL Reporting Services, chart Web parts, and report center

Preparation materials published for Exam 70-667: TS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Configuring

The study guide has been published for

Exam 70-667: TS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Configuring

 

Skills Being MeasuredThis exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below.The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.

Installing and Configuring a SharePoint Environment (25 percent)

• Deploy new installations and upgrades.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: running Visual Upgrade, performing an in-place upgrade, performing a database attach upgrade, analyzing a PreUpgradeCheck report, installing language packs, and scripting installations; analyzing ULS logs, installation error logs, and event logs to identify installation problems; and repairing installation errors
• Configure SharePoint farms.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring inter-server communications, server roles, high availability, InfoPath Forms Services (IPFS), Alternate Access Mappings (AAM), external sites, host headers, and applying and managing patches

• Configure service applications.

  • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring service applications such as Business Connectivity Services (BCS), Access Services, Visio Services, Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007, user profiles, Microsoft Office Excel services, Managed Metadata Services (MMS), and IPFS
• Configure indexing and search.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring FAST Search for SharePoint, crawl schedules, iFilters, crawl rules, content sources, scopes, managed properties, content types, search components, index partitioning, and federated search locations

Managing a SharePoint Environment (26 percent)

• Manage operational settings.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring logging, quotas, monitoring levels, health reports, security, and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) integration
• Manage accounts and user roles.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: managing user accounts, group accounts, managed accounts, computer accounts, and service accounts; and delegating site collection administration
• Manage authentication providers.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: managing NTLM, Kerberos, claims-based, and forms-based authentication; and configuring Secure Store Service (SSS) and Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS).

Deploying and Managing Applications (24 percent)

• Manage Web Applications.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: managing databases, Web Application settings, security, and policies.
• Manage site collections.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: managing site collection policies, features, caching, and auditing; configuring site collection security; configuring multi-tenancy; and configuring site collection quotas and locks.
• Deploy and manage SharePoint solutions.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: deploying and managing SharePoint solution packages, managing sandbox solutions, and managing user solutions

Maintaining a SharePoint Environment (25 percent)

• Backup and restore a SharePoint environment.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring backup settings; backing up and restoring content, search, and service application databases; detaching and attaching databases; and exporting lists and sites
• Monitor and analyze a SharePoint environment.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: generating health, administrative, and Web analytics reports; interpreting usage and trace logs; identifying and resolving health and performance issues
• Optimize the performance of a SharePoint environment.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring resource throttling (large list management, object model override); configuring remote Binary Large Objects (BLOB) storage and BLOB and object caching; and optimizing services

Preparation Tools and ResourcesTo help you prepare for this exam, Microsoft Learning recommends that you have hands-on experience with the product and that you use the following training resources. These training resources do not necessarily cover all of the topics listed in the "Skills Measured" tab.

Classroom Training

• 10174A: TS ITPro: Configuring and Managing Microsoft SharePoint 2010 (5 Days)

Microsoft E-Learning There is no Microsoft E-Learning training currently available.

Microsoft Press Books There are no Microsoft Press books currently available.

Practice Tests There are no practice tests currently available.

Have Questions? For advice about training and certification, connect with peers:

• Visit the training and certification forum

For questions about a specific certification, chat with a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP):

• Visit our MCP newsgroups

To find out about recommended blogs, Web sites, and upcoming Live Meetings on popular topics, visit our community site:

• Visit the Microsoft Learning community

Congratulations to the winners of the Office 2010 t-shirts given away at the Chicago SharePoint User Group

Thanks for attending the Chicago SharePoint User Group launch event for SharePoint 2010 and Office 2010.

While it was a rough start to the keynote, it was great to put faces to names once again at a local user group.

If you are interested in future events that the user groups put together take a look at the Chicago SharePoint User Group events page.

SharePoint 2010 Launch Party hosted by the Chicago SharePoint Users Group May 12th

If you are interested in attending an event with some of the most recognized SharePoint talent in attendance then you may want to look into the
SharePoint 2010 launch party hosted by the Chicago SharePoint User Group

Chicago Loop Office click to attend
Downers Grove Office click to attend

Refreshments will be served and are sponsored by

Magenic Technologies, Inc.

Customized. Optimized. Guaranteed.

 

Wednesday, May 12

Networking

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

SharePoint 2010 Launch

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Microsoft Corporation 200 East Randolph Drive Suite 200, MPR3 Chicago, Illinois View Map

Microsoft Corporation 3025 Highland Parkway Suite 300 Downers Grove, Illinois View Map

“First Look: Microsoft Office 2010” eBook for free download

Announced today is the availability of an eBook that provides a look at what is coming for end users from Office 2010.

Lots of screen shots and clear and concise explanations of the new features.
This book is geared toward the end user that is familiar with the Office suite and wished to learn more about the new tools coming out.

Free e-book: “First Look: Microsoft Office 2010”

Part I
Envision the Possibilities
Office 2010 ushers in a new era in productivity software by making the reliable tools
you’ve come to expect from Microsoft easier to use and more powerful than ever. In this
part of the book, you’ll get the big picture view of how Office 2010 improves the way you
work every day.

• Chapter 1: Welcome to Office 2010
• Chapter 2: Express Yourself Effectively and Efficiently
• Chapter 3: Collaborate in the Office and Around the World

Part II
Hit the Ground Running
Each of the applications in Office 2010 offers new ways to communicate your ideas more
visually and effectively, features that enable you to collaborate easier than ever before,
and ways to access your work from anywhere, anytime. Whether you spend your time in
Office 2010 generating content, managing projects, or analyzing financial data, you will
discover
new capabilities that streamline your tasks, add professional impact, and add
flexibility
and creativity along the way.

• Chapter 4: Create and Share Compelling Documents with Word 2010
• Chapter 5: Create Smart Data Insights with Excel 2010
• Chapter 6: Manage Rich Communications with Outlook 2010
• Chapter 7: Produce Dynamic Presentations with PowerPoint 2010
• Chapter 8: Organize, Store, and Share Ideas with OneNote 2010
• Chapter 9: Collaborate Effectively with SharePoint Workspace 2010
• Chapter 10: Create Effective Marketing Materials with Publisher 2010
• Chapter 11: Make Sense of Your Data with Access 2010

Part III
Next Steps with Office 2010
Now that you have explored the new features in each of the core Office 2010 applications,
this part of the book helps you answer the question, “What next?” Because Office 2010 is an
integrated suite of applications, you can use the programs together gracefully to get more
out of the files you create and share. This part also spotlights the security measures you’ll
find in Office 2010 and introduces various ways you can learn more about the programs and
increase
your own proficiency.

• Chapter 12: Putting It All Together
• Chapter 13: Security in Office 2010
• Chapter 14: Training Made Easy

Free e-book: “First Look: Microsoft Office 2010”

SharePoint 2010 Certification LiveMeeting Events in May

May is going to be a busy month for learning SharePoint 2010. Several events are scheduled surrounding certification and preparing professionals to get certified.

Here are some LiveMeeting sessions in May that will assist you in your efforts to get certified.

Certification Preparation session: SharePoint Server 2010 TS and Pro Exams: 70-667 and 70-668 by Telmo Sampaio

• May 13 2010 at 8am PDT session (What time is this in my region?)
• May 13 2010 at 12pm PDT session (What time is this in my region?)

Certification Preparation session: SharePoint Server 2010 Developer: Exam 70-573 by Christopher Harrison

• May 20 2010 at 8am PDT session (What time is this in my region?)
• May 20 2010 at 12:00pm PDT (What time is this in my region?)

Career Specialization for Network Administrators: Skills necessary to become a SharePoint Administrator by Russ Kaufmann

• May 26 2010 at 12:00pm PDT (What time is this in my region?)

 

Live Meetings: Exam Crams for Windows Server, Exchange, SharePoint and more!

-Microsoft Learning Born to Learn Blog

SharePoint the collaboration tool of choice for University of Texas at Austin

For departments, units and project teams wanting to work remotely with colleagues from across campus, SharePoint is becoming the collaboration tool of choice. As of February 2010, there were 9200 active student, faculty, staff, and affiliate SharePoint users on the campus. 112 SharePoint sites have been launched and are in use, creating a total SharePoint database size of 190 Gigabytes (GB).

Read more about the advantages, advice, and the do’s and don’ts that The University of Texas at Austin Information Technology Services (ITS) has published about their implementation.

SharePoint article from the University of Texas at Austin

Demo of adding SharePoint 2010 Project Items to a project in Visual Studio 2010

This demo video includes a walkthrough of creating a visual webpart using Visual Studio 2010.

Deploying the webpart using the Visual Studio 2010 IDE is also included.

Using Visual Studio 2010 you have project templates.
These templates are known as SharePoint Project Items (SPI).

If you are used to using the VSeWSS tools with Visual Studio 2005 – 2008 then you are already used to the idea of creating projects using templates.

The templates that are included in Visual Studio 2010 include:

Application Page
Business Data Connectivity Model
Content Type
Empty Element
Event Receiver
List Definition
List Definition from Content type
List Instance
Module
Sequential Workflow
State Machine Workflow
User Control
Visual Web Part
Web Part
Workflow Association Form
Workflow Initiation Form

 

Demo of adding SharePoint 2010 Project items