While I was updating my blog recently with the latest version I ran into a perplexing error "Root Element is Missing" when trying to hit the blog after the upgrade. The web.config file looked fine, the permissions were set right on all of the folders for both IIS and file permissions. It turns out that when I copied the website up to my host about 3 files came up empty, one of them being the Web.sitemap file. Evidently, when that file is empty and the web.config file is setup for sitemaps it can trigger this error. After getting the proper files up on the host everything was resolved.

Recently had to do this for some framework development and just noting here for future reference:

   1: IWebApplication webApp = (IWebApplication)Component.Site.GetService(

   2: typeof(IWebApplication) );

   3: Configuration config = webApp.OpenWebConfiguration(true);

I ran across an article today discussing testing one’s website for cross-browser compatibility. The article mentioned several useful utilities that follow:

• BrowserShots - This site will take screen shots of your website with various operating system and browser installs. You can even provide detail down to screen size, color depth, java script version, java enabled and flash version. Appears to be a pretty good way to shotgun it and get feedback on your websites looks across a variety of scenarios.
• Virtual Machines – Microsoft has made available 5 different virtual machines that can be freely downloaded containing XP/IE6, XP/IE7, XP/IE8, Vista/IE7 and Vista/IE8. This is Microsoft’s Internet Explorer Application Compatibility VPC Image Pack.
• Expression Web SuperPreview – This handy tool allows you to compare your website side-by-side in different browsers with in-depth analysis of the elements contained in the site. Another handy feature is that you can overlay to the two sites to check for alignment differences. 

Some company resources for future reference.

MyCorporation

LegalZoom

The Company Corporation

BizFilings

So I’ve been using Bing exclusively for a few weeks now and I must say that I am impressed. Here’s my run down:

• The search results are as good, if not better than Google.
• Bing has less intrusive advertising cluttering the screens on most searches than Google does.
• Bing seems to be smarter about the user’s query. It correctly interprets the intent of the search and provides quick information and related searches on many topics.
• The kicker for me though is the infinite scroll that Bing does on image searches. I love me some infinite scroll! Clicking through pages of results is not fun at all. I wish they would do that on regular searches too.
• I’m not really in to frilly lace type features, but the intelligent background images provided on Bing are cool. As you hover over certain areas of the image, information about the image/place/etc… is provided.

I’m a fan, and I think Bing has won me over for my default search engine. The technical queries that I have thrown at it have all gotten me where I need to go. Honestly, I think they have out done Google here. Only time will tell if they can make a dent in Google’s stranglehold of the market though.

In addition to my previous post, I found another free stock photo site that looks promising called Stock Xchng.

OpenWith.org provides detailed information about most file extension and links to free programs that can open and create each type of file.

I recently found this article here. I am reprinting the menu techniques here for my later reference. It has been a while since I’ve done a good deal of new website development, but I think this information could come in handy when I get back to it.

1. MenuMatic

This example takes semantic ordered or unordered list of links and turns it into a dynamic drop down menu system that can be vertically or horizontally oriented.

View Demo Page

2. Animated Menu using jQuery

A technique for animating menu items when a user hovers over them. Source files, including the PSD file, are available to download.

View Demo Page

3. Garagedoor Effect using jQuery

Gaya Kessler presents a wonder JavaScript menu that mimics the real garage door using jQuery.

View Demo Page

4. JGlide Menu

A very unique menu that floats on the page. Users can drag it to a position they desire.

View Demo Page

5. Vertical Sliding jQuery Menu

HVDesigns presents a menu that drops down and reveals more links.

View Demo Page

6. Perspective Tabs

You can have scrolling tabs with animation using this technique.

View Demo Page

7. Vertical Digg-like Menu

Antonio Lupetti presents a Digg-like menu that uses simple JavaScript.

8. LavaLamp

When you hover an item, you’ll see the CSS sliding door technique created using jQuery. An alternate version for MooTols can be here.

9. Fisheye Menu

If you’re a big fan of the Mac dock you will enjoy this menu.

10. Simple JavaScript Accordions

A great technique for integrating accordion-style menus into your site.

View Demo Page

11. Sliding JavaScript Menu Highlight

This sliding hover effect script is an easy technique for highlighting menu items.

12. Fading Menu - Replacing Content

This technique allows you to fade in and fade out menu items.

View Demo Page

13. Simple Multi-level Drop-Down Menu

A simple JavaScript drop down menu tutorial.

14. Using jQuery for Background Image Animations

A technique for creating animated menus using jQuery and CSS background-position properties.

View Demo Page

15. Mootools Redux

A menu using MooTools that expands the link’s font size when you mouse over the item.

View Demo Page

16. HoverAccordion/Sidebar Menu

This is an accordion plugin which can be used as a vertical sidebar menu too.

17. UvumiTools Dropdown Menu

Another JavaScript menu based on MooTools with lots of features.

18. jQuery UI Tabs

Easily separate content using this tab example.

View Demo Page

19. Proto.Menu: Right Click Menu

A customizable right-click menu written on top of the Prototype framework.

20. Accessible Expanding and Collapsing menu

This menu example allows you have two levels of navigation. When you click on main category the subcategory expands.

View Demo Page

I’ve been reading “How Would You Move Mount Fuji: Microsoft’s Cult of the Puzzle” lately and have become interested in puzzle-like interview questions lately. I see some utility in them as an interviewer in that you can examine how someone breaks down a problem space to solve unfamiliar issues. However, personally, I would rather see someone answer more practically questions that require coding in an interview. So for me, these questions are just fun brain-teasers to see if I can come up with the “correct” answer. Sometimes I do, but most of the time I don’t; trying to get better at it.

Nonetheless, here are some sites that have compiled these types of questions:

http://www.sellsbrothers.com/fun/msiview/

http://www.softwareinterview.com/

http://www.4guysfromrolla.com/webtech/012700-1.shtml

http://www.techinterview.org/

If you haven’t heard of GrandCentral, it might not matter because it is now changing names and getting some great upgrades. The service is now called Google Voice (Google bought GrandCentral a few years ago, but just now decided to rebrand it). This service is great for people who don’t already have VOIP service. Google Voice is free, as GrandCentral was, but they’ve added several new features including voicemail transcription (YES!), SMS support, conference calling, GOOG411, SPAM protection and low-priced international calling.

What I have used GrandCentral for in the past is to consolidate all of my various phone numbers into one. They give you a free phone number of your choosing and allow that number to be redistributed to any number of phones and cell phones. If someone calls my GrandCentral number, GrandCentral will recognize who they are, see if they are part of groups that I have pre-defined and distribute the call to any number of phones based upon the group they are in. When I pick up the call, I am given the option of talking to the person, listening in on their voicemail, or just ignoring it. This is a great service and has really helped reduce the amount of SPAM calls that I end up taking.