How do I create the aspnetdb database?

After installing the Microsoft .NET framework 2.0, launch a command window and run:

C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regsql.exe

error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified

"An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)"

I received this error because the SQL Server Browser service wasn't running. The advantages of having this running is that users connecting remotely don't have to specify a port and security is improved.

Launch the Windows Services manager (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services)

Locate the "SQL Server Browser" service

Right click the service and select "Enable"

error: 28 - Server doesn't support requested protocol

After trying to setup SQL Server 2005 Express, I kept getting the following error when I tried to connect from a web application:

"An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 28 - Server doesn't support requested protocol)"

Network protocols are disabled in SQL Server 2005 Express by default so we need to enable TCP/IP:

Launch the SQL Server Configuration Manager

Expand the "SQL Server 2005 Network Configuration" node

Left click the "Protocols for SQLEXPRESS" node to view the supported protocols

Right click the "TCP/IP" protocol and select "Enable"

SharePod

"SharePod 3 is a lightweight music management program for your iPod. You can copy music and videos between your iPod and computers usually without having to install anything on the computer."

This is a great application if you're on a computer with iTunes that hasn't been configured to use your iPod. It can be stored and run directly from your iPod which is why you don't need to install it.

iTunes Music converter

Apple recommend that music files for your iPod should be stored as AAC format (view article). After reading this, I converted all my mp3s which significantly reduced them in size. I thought I'd provide instructions so others can rearrange their music library in the same way.

Store all your old music files (mp3s, WMAs etc) in the same folder (e.g. C:\Music)

Launch iTunes and remove all of the songs - hold CTRL and A, right click and choose 'Delete' (if you are asked to remove files, choose 'Keep Files' - this prevents the actual files from going to the recycle bin)

Add a folder to the library - File > Add Folder to Library, then select the folder from the first step

Set the import encoder - Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Importing, then choose the AAC Encoder

Convert all the mp3s into AAC format - hold CTRL + A, right click and choose Convert Selection to AAC

Remove all of the songs again

Add another folder to the library but this time, choose the music library folder used by iTunes

If you find that some or all of your existing songs in iTunes are the wrong format, it might be easier to convert these as well. Move them into a different location (cut and paste) and follow the above steps. Once complete, you can delete the contents of the folder from the first step.

If you have questions, let me know.

iTunes album artwork not found

When adding music to iTunes, it will try and find the album artwork and download it automatically. If no picture can be found, the default image will be displayed. I like all my albums to have the correct cover so I use online resources to download them myself. The main 2 websites I use are allcdcovers.com and seekacover.com. Simply search for an artist/album and select a suitable result. Save the picture in a memorable folder (My Pictures is probably best) and go back into iTunes. Highlight all of the tracks under the album (left click the first track, hold down the shift key and left click the last track). Right click one of these tracks and choose 'Get Info' - this opens the menu for editing track information. Because multilpe songs were highlighted, any changes made at this point will affect all of the tracks. Near the bottom right, there is a section for the album artwork. Double click the white sqaure and locate the saved image. Make sure you apply changes by clicking 'OK' and the album artwork will be updated.

iTunes vs Windows Media Player

Yesterday, I got my first iPod - the new nano. It is a thing of beauty! I've already got a big collection of mp3s so I was worried that iTunes would throw a wobbly. Instead, it was able to convert all my files to AAC format - reducing them in size whilst maintaining quality meaning I can store more music on my iPod. During this conversion, iTunes created new files and the naming convention was spot on. It automatically saves each track in an album folder which sits in an artist folder. It even downloaded the majority of the album artworks - the only job left for me was filling in the gaps. I love the fact that when I change the artist/album/track name in iTunes, the file/folder is updated.



When I plugged my iPod in for the first time, I decided to manually update it. After a while, I realised that this was too time consuming so it now syncs automatically. My original decision was made after hearing stories of iTunes deleting all the music from iPods. I think this only happens when iTunes itself contains no music; therefore the mirroring process will clear everything from the iPod - something I don't have to worry about because my iTunes always has the files. Now that my iPod is nearly full (I think I have about 300mb remaining), I will go back to manual updates. I guess I'll have to start being more selective by ignoring entire albums or individual songs that I don't or rarely listen to.

I still own a Creative Zen Micro mp3 player but I can't see myself using it anymore. Before iTunes, Windows Media Player filled the void for ripping, managing and playing music. I never thought I'd say this but now I can't see myself using this anymore either. iTunes is not only an alternative; it's the replacement. My favourite feature is the cover flow where you can scroll through all of the album covers - something that is also on my iPod :D. To summarise, all of those who are afraid to use Apple products (like I was) have nothing to fear - I guarantee they won't look back!

Alienware, I salute you!

Alienware have kindly agreed for my blog to be part of their affiliate scheme. For those of you who are interested in Alienware products, I highly recommend them. I bought an Area-51 m9750 laptop last year and still stand by my decision. Yes, they're a bit more expensive but the performace is amazing.



In a previous post, I talked about how I upgraded the laptop's network card. This was made easy because the staff at Alienware were very helpful and provided me with a step-by-step guide - I was worried that I'd have to send it away.

CSS columns

Here is a perfect solution to the 3 column layout in CSS. The left and right columns are floated left and right respectively. The middle column has left and right borders relative to the left and right column widths (either in pixels or a percentage). It is important to code them in the right order: left, right then middle. My example uses inline styles but these could be moved into a CSS file. Underneath the middle column is a cleaner DIV. This prevents any subsequent content from being affected by previous float attributes - treat it as a format resetter.

<div style="text-align: center;">
 
    <div style="margin: auto; text-align: left; width: 75%">
 
        <div style="background-color: red; margin: 0; padding: 5px;">Top</div>
 
        <div style="background-color: orange; float: left; margin: 0; padding: 5px; width: 100px;">Left</div>
 
        <div style="background-color: yellow; float: right; margin: 0; padding: 5px; width: 100px;">Right</div>
 
        <div style="background-color: green; margin: 0 100px; padding: 5px;">Middle</div>
 
        <div style="clear: both;"></div>
 
        <div style="background-color: blue; margin: 0; padding: 5px;">Bottom</div>
 
    </div>
 
</div>