Dan’s Web Spot

I kept getting a Windows Update notice that SQL Server Express SP3 was ready for installation. Every time I ran the install process, it would fail. There are a lot of posts out there regarding this issue, but I did manage to find one that worked for me, and wanted to share it.

Other failed installations or problems with programs that you are unable to uninstall can be fixed by using Microsoft's Installer Cleanup Utility. This will purge the entries and files for programs that you can not uninstall automatically because some files are missing or corrupt. An installation that does not fully complete can create such issues as well. Just make sure that you are careful in selecting what to clean up because the changes are irreversible without using System Restore or the like!

I have posted a solution that includes this info and that worked for me on the TechArena website here. But consider yourself forewarned: My solution involved cleaning up only the SQL Server Express Installer files, NOT the actual installation itself (MSSMLBIZ).

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As mentioned in my last post, Elijah's 2009 Baseball Schedule, I have just added Eli's baseball games and practices to the Calendar page.

Now upcoming games and practices will appear in the rightmost sidebar under Today's Events and Upcoming Events.

While viewing the Calendar page, hovering your mouse over an event will pop up a description of it. For some of these, such as baseball games, I have linked the event to the full schedule, so clicking on it will take you to a PDF version of the Dover Elks 2009 games and practice schedule.

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Yes, it's that time of year again, and baseball has begun! Elijah is on the Cal Ripken Minor League, playing for the Dover Elks.

I've put together a game and practice schedule in PDF format that you may download here. The field locations are links that you can click on to get directions to each field, in case you're not familiar with them. If I have time, I will populate the Calendar page with these events as well.

You can view the schedule, standings, or game results online at eteamz.com.

His first game is versus Blier Flooring this Saturday, April 25th at 3:00 PM at Sullivan Field in Dover.

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There are some new features on Dan's Web Spot that I hope you like. I have been testing them and I think they're ready for prime time...

• ShoutBox: This is sort of a live chat/message board that all visitors can see. You can find it in the sidebar to the right. There are many options that can be configured, but right now, to reduce spam, I have enabled the Captcha feature. This basically requires you to answer a simple math equation once during your visit in order to be able to enter comments in the ShoutBox.
• Private Chat Room: This is a basic chat room but has the additional feature of retaining the comments (not sure how many right now). This is technically referred to as a "Chatroll" (from the term "blogroll"). Usage of the chat room requires registration with Dan's Web Spot and you must be logged-in to access the tool. Using this Chatroll, registered users can leave messages for other registered users to view and comment on.

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I found a link recently to an article about using your cell phone with your laptop (or desktop PC in a pinch) to get on the Internet. Maybe you're traveling and you can't find a Wi-Fi hotspot nearby, or you don't want to pay extra for Wi-Fi access somewhere, or maybe you can't afford to drop the money on a new wireless broadband card and services fees for your laptop.

If this sounds like you, then check out this article: How-To Roundup: Modem Tethering. Scroll to the bottom to select your phone type and download the appropriate software for free. (Note that you need to have a data plan with your cell service provider.)

The instructions worked out great for me and my Motorola V3m phone...

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