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Codeplex recommendations

To make it somewhat easier to find active and interesting projects at Codeplex, I’ve put together a list of projects which I find useful and from sources I trust (at least so far :).

Solutions

• Community Kit for SharePoint (CKS)
• SmartTools for SharePoint
  Jan Tielens, a highly respected SharePoint MPV, has a package of tools for SharePoint
• SharePoint Tools Basket
  Document rating, Forms designer, Auto complete lookup field and more from Stephane Eyskens
• SharePoint 2007 Features
  A large collection of tools and solutions for SharePoint 2007 and WSS3.
• ChartPart for SharePoint
  ChartPart for SharePoint is a web part for Microsoft SharePoint Services 3.0 or Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 which generates charts from SharePoint lists.
• iLove Sharepoint
  A set of tools and solutions to make SharePoint easier to both use and manage.
• SmartPart for Sharepoint
  Jan Tielens web part solution for running .NET user controls with AJAX support as a Sharepoint web part.
• SharePoint Forums
  A solution for generating a more forum like UI for discussions in SharePoint.
• SharePoint Stramit Document Library browser
  A solution for displaying DocLibs with a tree view look.
• Advanced WebParts
  Project to create web parts for SharePoint with AJAX and/or Silverlight functionality such as a better quick launch navigation, content ticker, slideshow viewer and page rating.
• SharePoint Connected Lookup, SharePoint Filtered Lookup and Query-based Lookup
  Three different projects for easier lookup field control and user friendliness.
• RDA Collaboration Team Projects
  Several tools and solutions for better management, development and access.

Tools

• SharePoint Manager 2007
  The SharePoint Manager 2007 is a SharePoint object model explorer. It enables you to browse every site on the local farm and view every property. It also enables you to change the properties (at your own risk). This is a very powerful tool for developers that like to know what the SharePoint holds of secrets.
• SharePoint Management PowerShell Scripts
  A collection of PowerShell scripts for easier management of SharePoint.
• SUSHI
  One of the best and most popular management tools for Sharepoint. SharePoint SUSHI is a powerful, user-friendly utility enabling you to accomplish common administrative tasks. You can think of SUSHI as a Swiss army knife for SharePoint.
  SUSHI = SharePoint Utility with a Smart, Helpful Interface 

Accellerators

• AJAX Control Toolkit
• SilverLight Toolkit

See also the ordered list of best rated projects at Codeplex.

SharePoint 2007/WSS3 Deployment Downloads

When deploying SharePoint it’s a lot of updates, additions and tools which should be downloaded and installed. To make it a bit more convenient, I’ve put together a list of recommended updates and additions.

All downloads are pointed to x86 platform releases. If the x64 platform is required, follow the links and choose the x64 download on the download page instead.

Supported platforms are any edition of Windows Server 2003 R2 with Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2008. Requires Internet Information Server and ASP.NET installed and configured prior to deployment.

Please note that several security updates and other minor updates may be released and not available through this list. Please visit Microsoft Download sites for more information.

PREREQUISITES

• .NET Framework 3.5 with SP1
  SharePoint requires .NET Framework 3.5 with SP1 as a minimum to use post SP2 features with SharePoint. The framework should be installed immediately after the IIS and ASP.NET are installed on the server.
• SQL Server 2005 Backward Compatibility Pack for SQL Server 2008
  Only required if SQL Server 2008 is used for storage.
• Windows Installer 4.5
  Required version of Windows Installer when installing SQL Server 2008. 

SHAREPOINT CORE COMPONENTS

• Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) 3.0 with SP2
  The SharePoint edition which is free with a Windows Server license including Service Pack 2. English version.
• WSS 3.0 Service Pack 2
  The latest service pack for SharePoint Services 3.0 which is required for quite a few features. The patch is not required if WSS 3.0 is installed with SP2 (the link above). Must be installed even if MOSS is installed with the latest service pack.
• WSS 3.0 Language Packs
  All the language packs available for WSS 3.0, including my native language (Norwegian).
• WSS 3.0 Language Pack Service Pack 2
  The latest service pack for the language packs. Must be installed even if MOSS is installed.
• Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 Trial
  The 30 day trial of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Enterprise Edition, which includes all enterprise features such as forms and Excel services. English version. A pre-installed virtual machine is also available for download at Microsoft’s download center.
• Office Servers Service Pack 2
  The latest service pack for all Office Servers including SharePoint Server. Requires WSS SP2 before installation.
• Office Servers Language Packs
  All the language packs available for all Office Servers, including SharePoint Server.
• Office Servers Language Packs Service Pack 2
  The latest service pack for all language packs for all Office Servers. Requires MOSS SP2 installed prior to installation.

SQL SERVER COMPONENTS

• SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Features 
  The SQL Server Express is a free edition of Microsoft’s SQL server. However, some features are not available with the express edition. Among other things, the advanced features include the SQL Server Reporting Services and a basic Management Studio for database management.
• SQL Server 2008 Express Service Pack 1
  Service Pack 1 to all SQL Server 2008 editions. Recommended.
• SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services Add-in for SharePoint 
  If reporting services is to be used within SharePoint, this component is required.
  NOTE: Reporting Services Sharepoint integration is not compatible with SQL Server Express, and requires a retail edition of SQL Server 2008.
• SQL Server 2008 Feature Pack 
  Optional additions and tools for SQL Server 2008.

DEVELOPMENT & CUSTOMIZATION

• Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007
  SharePoint development and design tool as a free tool from Microsoft. English version.
• Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007 Service Pack 2
  The latest service pack for SharePoint Designer. English version.
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Extensions for WSS 3.0 version 1.2
  Extension and add-in for Visual Studio to develop SharePoint solutions. 
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1
  The latest service pack for Visual Studio 2008. 

DOCUMENTATION

• WSS 3.0 SDK
  Software Development Kit for SharePoint Services.
• MOSS 3.0 SDK
  Software Development Kit for Office SharePoint Server.
• IT-Pro TechNet Community SharePoint Content
  Pre-compiled HTML version (.chm) of all IT-Pro technical SharePoint content on TechNet.

SAMPLES

• WSS 3.0 Application Template: Application Template Core
  The core solution package which is required by all admin site templates.
• WSS 3.0 Sample Site Templates (Fantastic 40)
  Microsoft developed sample sites known as the “Fantastic 40”. May be used as is or as a base for new sites and applications.
• MOSS 2007 Sample Master Pages
  Microsoft developed collection of sample design templates for SharePoint Server.

RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS

• CKS:FBA – Forms Based Authentication Provider
  An open source forms based authentication solutions as a part of the Community Kit for SharePoint (CKS) project. Includes self service components, administration components and the authentication provider for SharePoint.
• CKS:LiveID – Live ID Authentication Provider
  An open source authentication provider for Microsoft’s Live ID authentication service.

RECOMMENDED TOOLS

• Sushi
  A free-prog binary tool for everyday SharePoint maintenance. Published under the MPL agreement.
• SharePoint Manager
  A free-prog binary tool for exploring and managing SharePoint content. A must for SharePoint administrators.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

• Microsoft SharePoint technology home.
• Office SharePoint Server Tech Center at Microsoft TechNet.
• SharePoint technology development community at Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN).
• The official Microsoft SharePoint development team blog.
• The official Microsoft SharePoint discussion forum.
• SharePoint related projects at Codeplex, Microsoft’s open source community web site.

 

N’Joy"!