ASP.Net Adapters to modify control display

I came across a requirement on a project I am working on recently where they
wanted a Dropdownlist control to show "option groups" so that the items are
categorised i.e. produce something like this output when the data is bound
to the control.

<select>
<option value="" class="none" selected="selected">Any</option>
<optgroup label="County Clare">
<option value="" class="none">Ardnacrusha</option>
<option value="" class="none">Killaloe</option>
<option value="" class="none">Tulla</option>
<option value="" class="none">West Clare</option>
</optgroup>
<optgroup label="County Kerry">
<option value="" class="none">Ballybunion</option>
<option value="" class="none">Causeway</option>
<option value="" class="none">Kenmare</option>
<option value="" class="none">Listowel</option>
<option value="" class="none">Tralee</option>
</optgroup>
<optgroup label="County Tipperary">
<option value="" class="none">Birdhill</option>
<option value="" class="none">Nenagh</option>
<option value="" class="none">Newport</option>
<option value="" class="none">Thurles</option>
</optgroup>
<optgroup label="Limerick City">
<option value="" class="none">Annacotty</option>
<option value="" class="none">Aspen Gardens</option>
<option value="" class="none">Athlunkard Street</option>
<option value="" class="none">Ballinacurra</option>
</optgroup>
</select>

The main problem is that ASP.Net 2.0 does not support these option groups.

Data Adapters to the rescue. You can modify how a control is rendered (even
down to individual browsers (IE Vs Mozilla etc.) by applying a custom
attribute to the control. These attributes are then picked up in the adapter
code and modify the control's output to include the optgroup elements

If anyone wants the full code please let me know...

Diagnosing distributed transation problems MSTDC

There is a tool called DTCPing

Windows 2000 Resource Kit Tool: Rpccfg.exe

There is also a Microsoft IIS Diagnostics full of useful utilities which are surprisingly feature rich.

Feature Packs for SQL Server 2005

If you are dealing with SQL 2005 and backward compatibility with SQL 2000 here is where to download the tools

The Feature Pack is a collection of standalone install packages that provide additional value for SQL Server 2005. It includes:

* Latest versions of redistributable components for SQL Server 2005
* Latest versions of add-on providers for SQL Server 2005
* Latest versions of backward compatibility components for SQL Server 2005

Feature Pack for SQL Server 2005

Google needs to read the ‘Hailstorm’ history books

This ActiveWin.com article makes a very valid point.

Google has just released a Google Apps targeted at small businesses with simple needs for Word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Hailstorm was a Microsoft code name for the single sign-on passport technology that would allow businesses to sign in to passport and then be authenticated for their business applications.

Although quite a good idea on paper it never took off because businesses would not trust Microsoft with their customers data and did not like the idea of a 3rd party involved. It ended up being a miserable failure and only remnants of hailstorm exist in the new Windows Live services.

Although Microsoft Office could well do with more online collaboration features I don't think Microsoft's cash cow that is Office is under much treat from this new google release.