It’s finally been revealed. The title to one of the most highly anticipated books has been set. News from across the pond is that J.K. Rowling has released the title to the seventh and final Harry Potter book.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”

So there we have it… the rumors can be fueled with what this means for the teenage wonderboy.

Will he perish? Will he defeat Voldemort? What will become of Ron and Hermione? With the giants return? What of Dumbledore? What (or who) is the seventh horcrux? What about Aunt Petunia and the rest of Clan Dursley? Will Nevelle Longbottom become a hero? And who will become the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the final book, provided Hogwarts remains open?

I have my suspicions of his fate, but I’ll find out like the rest of you.

For more information:

• http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,1977216,00.html
• http://www.startribune.com/484/story/890556.html
• http://online.wsj.com/google_login.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB116671195966956731.html%3Fmod%3Dgooglenews_wsj
• http://news.google.com/news?q=Harry+Potter+and+the+Deathly+Hallows&hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=sol&sa=X&oi=news&ct=title

Go to the following directory on the machine hosting IIS. Navigate to the following directory.

C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727 (or other .NET folder)

Execute the following command:

aspnet_regiis -i

Now your .NET applications should execute through IIS, provided you have IIS configured correctly.

To all of my readers, I want to wish you each a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May you have safe travels and good tidings.

Today, I faced a seemingly simple task in QuickTest Pro. I have been toying with creating my own XMLDom object in VBScript to generate custom data report of my test results. After creating the proof of concept I needed, I started implementing my code into my existing script.

My script is broken into 5 actions, each of which perform a certain task. My validation action loops through a data table with hundreds of rows. The way my XMLDom obj is written though, I have to set my variables to a new XMLDom object. Combine this with the fact that variables in QTP Actions are limited in scope to the action they are declared - this posed an issue.

Here’s our initial sample code:

Dim objXMLDoc

Set objXMLDoc = CreateObject(”Microsoft.XMLDOM”)
objXMLDoc.async = False

‘ Write out the new file
objXMLDoc.save(”c:\P1_” & Year(Now) & Month(Now) & Day(Now) & “_” & Hour(Now) & Minute(Now) & “.xml”)

‘ Destroy the objects
set objXMLDoc = Nothing

The simple thought of using a global variable came to mind. That’s when I realized that there are no global variables. So, as the post heading gave away, we started investigating Environment Variables with success.

Here’s our new code:

Environment(”objXMLDoc”) = CreateObject(”Microsoft.XMLDOM”)

Environment(”objXMLDoc”).async = False

‘ Write out the new file
Environment(”objXMLDoc”).save(”c:\P1_” & Year(Now) & Month(Now) & Day(Now) & “_” & Hour(Now) & Minute(Now) & “.xml”)

‘ Destroy the objects
Environment(”objXMLDoc”) = Nothing

What we’ve done is create a makeshift “global” variable that all actions within my script can use. A couple of notes to make though, everywhere that you reference your environment variable must use the Environment(”MyVar”) notation. Also, you cannot use the SET keyword either, otherwise it will result in an error.

Now, we’ve created a variable that can be used across multiple actions and is in scope throughout the course of this test. As always, be sure to clean up your trash afterwards.

Good Luck and Happy coding!

I have been meaning to sit down for the past day or so to give my thoughts on the three new Burger King developed XBOX games. Then I stumbled upon the Wired article that pretty much sums up all of my thoughts. So, instead of echoing their opinions, I figured I’d just throw them a link (as if they needed it) and let you read their article as if it was my own.

Check it out: Wired’s Review of the Burger King games.

And, surprisingly enough, I have to agree — the creepy Sneak King game is actually the most fun to play. I certainly hope that doesn’t say anything about my moral character. :-/

Ninjas — God love ‘em, they are locked in an eternal battle against the formidable Pirates. Tired of being outdone by the ubiquitous Talk Like A Pirate Day (Sept 19th — Talk Like A Pirate.com), the Ninja Council gathered to spawn the mystical Day of the Ninja.

Yes, December 5th is the annual day when ninjas silently flick the big ol’ ninja finger of doom at Pirates worldwide. The Day of the Ninja strives to unite all modern ninjas in a continued front against the age old Pirates. The Day of the Ninja definitely trumps Talk Like A Pirate day with style and finesse (Really, what could be cooler than having a swarm of ninjas dropping their clouds of invisibility to run around tormenting the populace?), but Talk Like A Pirate day is much more crowd friendly - a definite PR plus.

Don your ninja head gear, become one with your inner nature, and grab your kitana — It’s time for the Day of the Ninja!

I just read this article regarding US corporations having to now record and archive every IM and email generated by their employees for potential use during discovery periods of litigation. Maybe I misinterpreted what I read. From the article:

U.S. companies will need to keep track of all the e-mails, instant messages and other electronic documents generated by their employees thanks to new federal rules that go into effect Friday, legal experts say.

The rules, approved by the Supreme Court in April, require companies and other entities involved in federal litigation to produce “electronically stored information” as part of the discovery process, when evidence is shared by both sides before a trial.

The change makes it more important for companies to know what electronic information they have and where. Under the new rules, an information technology employee who routinely copies over a backup computer tape could be committing the equivalent of “virtual shredding,” said Alvin F. Lindsay, a partner at Hogan & Hartson LLP and expert on technology and litigation.

I can understand why this is important and everything. I know that these situations are generally covered in the terms of use agreements signed by new hires. I just think that many people don’t actually realize what this truly means. Personal emails - archived. Personal IM’s - archived. Granted, you should always limit your personal use of business networks, but just be aware, the wires have ears… and they are not quick to forget.
Read the article here: My Way News