The last week at FSI went at break neck speed. Coordinating between the UK and Eugene branches, we finally started down the road of implementing the new version of Microsoft Visual SourceSafe (2005) to run over HTTP.

The current system has the UK branch employees VPN into the Eugene network and then transfer files over the LAN. This is definitely a secure method of transferring data, but hardly the most efficient. HTTP would allow users to connect anywhere without the hassle of VPN and its slower connection speed. Also, HTTP access with VSS 2005 allows employees to utilize the Internet plug-in built into Visual Studio 2005. That means that the software developers don’t have to use the separate VSS application to upload data to the server. While VSS 2005 works well enough, we will see how much the use of HTTP is preferred over VPN since I was unable to test the upload rate with a network connection external to the network. If the rate aren’t noticable then the company may require a dedicated cable internet connection for the server running VSS 2005.

All of this remains to be seen, but the documentation goes on. Since this project went right to the wire, I still have documents to write that update the managers on the status of all of the projects that I started this summer. I’d say two main projects were completed and two more are almost finished. All in all, productivity was high and I learned a great deal about managing servers in a small business environment.

All of last week, I was researching solutions for our software developers’ source code and working with legacy DB software. At FSI, we run an internal CRM program called Onyx, as I mentioned earlier. This software has been running on a SQL Server 6.5 and a pretty clunky box. For fear that the software won’t work with a newer version of MS SQL, we have made a new box and installed SQL 6.5 with Windows NT 4.0. Since the server is on an NT platform, I have to be at the server to do any work, no Remote Desktoping. So, I placed the backup .DAT file on the new server and attempted to restore it using SQL 6.5’s internal restore option. This is where the work started.

Since NT is terrible with partitioning drives, the C Drive only had 2 GB of partitioned space and rest was unpartitioned and unformattable using any sort of internal OS utility. Unlike Windows Server 2000 and higher, there is no Computer Management utility in NT. This meant having to get Server Magic, an old program originally made by Power Quest and now owned by Symantec. Server Magic is just like Partion Magic (R) for the server. So, after freeing up the 18GB and formatting it as another drive, I could finally begin working with the database backup in SQL Enterprise Manager without any space issues. While waiting for Server Magic, I entered all of the logins to the database that needed to moved from the old database and server.

Along with research and Windows NT work, we received a big shipment of 19′ Dell LCD monitors. This meant that I became generic IT guy again and had to setup monitors and move old CRTs to anywhere that would fit them. Every department (Sales, Support & Development) got a few new monitors and some people even kept their old CRTs to do a dual-monitor setup. In the mean time, there are boxes and CRTs sitting around waiting for a truck to take them to the computer recycle shop.

World Cup Finals:

Allez Allez Allez! Golllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!

In the sixth minute it’s a PK and Zizou chips it off the crossbar to make it 1-0 France. Some will say that the PK was unwarranted, but Italy tapped the streaking Frenchman and back of the leg. There was a little acting, but the foul was made.

15′ - A free kick on the right side from 20 yds and it takes a great header by Thurman to clear for a corner.

19′ - A corner won by Italy, a high bending pass from Pirlo, Matterazzi heads it past Barthez. 1-1

Halftime - After the equalizer there were a few more opportunities for Italy. In about the 30′ an Italian corner kick almost put les Azurri up 2-1. The header over the crossbar was eerily similar to the 19′ goal by Matterazzi.

On a side note, a UI buddy (U of Iowa and User Interface) was found out as an Italian supporter. Hopefully persistent blogging during the match will be the deciding factor in the match.

55′ - Les Bleus are attacking at will. Henry took on three defenders at one point and passed across the goal, but no one was there to help. Ribery has also been excellent, streaking down the sides and making things happen. On the flipside, Italy is playing fantasic defense, as usual.

73′ - The Italians have had a few counter-attacks but les Bleus continue attacking and controlling possession. Cannavaro has been brilliant on defense, clearing balls and taking on Henry or Ribery in 1 v 1 matchups.

75′ - Zidane sends a wonderful, bending free-kick across the box. The ball was untouched, but France does well to put strikers near the ball.

77′ - That was a scare for France. Italy won a free-kick at about 25 yds and Pirlo bends the ball over the wall, sending the ball to the lower-left corner. It’s just wide, but Barthez was there anyways.

Final Time - The score is still 1-1. Both teams look exhausted, but Italy is particularly drained, and out of subsitutes. France has two substitutions left to make. Will Trezegeut come on in overtime? Ribery looks spent, so a switch for another striker would probably be wise. Thirty minutes more, at least.

104′ - Zidane plays it off to Sagnol on the wing and moves into the box. Zizou is unmarked and Sagnal bends a beautiful pass to the top of the box that meets Zidane. Only a great save by Buffon keeps it tied.

110′ - and… Zidane is sent off! He butts his head into Materazzi’s chest after a verbal altercation. The main referee didn’t see it, but a confirmation from a side judge gets Zidane the red card. France is now a man down with 10′ to go. If it goes to PKs, France is at a serious disadvantage.

Full Time - OT - It’s to PKs now. Buffon and Barthez will have to be at their best.

It’s all over! Italy wins 5-3 in PKs. Grosso scores the deciding PK.

Congratulations to Italy, can’t wait until South Africa!

Wimbledon:

I woke up at 6:30 AM (PST) to watch the gentleman’s single championship live. Since Wimbledon is played in England, the finals’ match starts at 6 AM my time. So, it was much to my amazement that I awoke to a Federer 5-0 first set lead. In just forty minutes, Federer was up a set without allowing Nadal a game.

Second set:

7:00 am - Things have definitely turned around as Nadal broke Federer’s serve in the first game. Since then, Nadal has been dictating play and Federer will be lucky to get a break chance on Nadal’s serve. Unless Rog gears it up, I won’t be posting again til the third set.

7:22 am - The second set just got interesting. In the tenth game, Nadal double faults to give Federer two break points. Then, he loops a backhand long to even the set at five all. Federer holds the next game easily.

7:36 am - The second set tie-breaker has come and gone. Nadal had the early break and a 3-2 lead. Federer broke back immediately and ran off to a 6-3 lead. Nadal held his service to make it 6-5, but Federer sealed the set by forcing Nadal to pass him on a decent approach shot. That’s 2-0 sets for Federer and it feels like only a matter of time before Rog has his fourth straight Wimbledon title.

Third set:

8 am - It’s 2-3 and they’re on serve. The fourth game looked promising for Federer to break Nadal’s serve, but Federer blew quite a few opportunities on after having 0-30 lead. Now it’s back to Federer’s serve, and Rog holds easily even after allowing a break point, Nadal’s second of the match.

8:30 am - It just went to a tie-break and Nadal controlled it all the way. With three break points, Nadal wins the set 7-6 (7-3)

Fourth set:

8:48 am - The match seems to be all but over now. Nadal was broken at 1-2 and now its 4-1 Federer. Federer has yet to be broken on his serve, as Nadal only won a set through the third set tie-breaker. And now, Federer is threatening to break again at 4-1.

8:55 am - Federer just broke Nadal’s serve, only to give up his own serve in the very next game. It’s 5-2 Federer and Nadal is serving to stay alive in the match. Sidenote: my dad thinks that Federer is being paid by the advertisers to keep the match going a little longer.

9:02 am - And it’s over. Federer wins Wimbledon for the fourth time in as many years. 6-0 7-6 6-7 6-3 Congrats Rog! All that’s left is to hand out the trophies. Next up, Futbol!!!!!!!!!!!! Zizou! Vive le France! Vive le Quebecois!

I was lucky enough to have two vacation days this week since the Fourth of July fell on a Tuesday. Surprisingly though, it was a productive three-day week. I set up an internal web server for an ER (enhancement request) tracking program. The FogBugz software was quite inexpensive, especially compared to other ER tracking applications. Also, FogBugz’s system requirements matched up very well with FSI’s existing hardware and software. FogBugz requires Windows Server 2003, SQL Server 2000 and IIS, for the Windows like the folks at FSI.  If you prefer open-source, FogBugz works with Apache, PHP and MySQL. So far, no complaints, but time will only tell.

On the client-side, two desktops were formatted and setup as user workstations. Next week will feature a new server hosting Onyx Customer Center, our internal CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software. The old server doesn’t allow for indexing of the database storing Onyx data, so searching on description/note field is nearly impossible. We’ll use a backup of the database to test the indexing component of the Onyx software, as per J.C. (see the periods) Wilson’s recommendation.