Joomla 2.5 has just been released, and it finally supports databases other than MySQL! You can now use Microsoft SQL Server (including the express versions) with Joomla. Many web developers will probably be using MS SQL Server Express for developing sites on their local machine.

The following steps show you how to setup and install Joomla 2.5 with MSSQL.

Install the PHP Drivers for SQL Server

The Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server driver is needed to connect to SQL Server with PHP. These drivers also provide support for PDO. When you run the setup program, a good place to install the DLLs are in the ext folder in the PHP installation (i.e. C:\Program Files\PHP\ext).

Modify php.ini to Use MSSQL

The PHP configuration file needs to be modified to use the new MSSQL DLL. Add the following code at the end of the .ini file:

[PHP_MSSQL]
extension=php_sqlsrv_53_ts_vc9.dll
extension=php_pdo_sqlsrv_53_ts_vc9.dll

The first line is all you need, unless you use PDO which the second line adds support for.

Install Joomla 2.5

Copy Joomla to a folder where you web site will host it and setup IIS to point to it. You still need to manually create a database with SQL Server Management Studio.

Once this is done, run the Joomla installation program. Follow the normal installation routine until you reach the Database Configuration page. When you select the Database Type, you will have the option of Sqlsrv for MSSQL on your server, or Sqlazure for SQL Azure for cloud-based Joomla (see image below).

After these are setup correctly, the rest of the Joomla installation proceeds normally.

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When I installed AutoCAD 2012, it changed the file type of .scr to AutoCAD Script. This made it difficult to write screen savers because I wasn’t able to run them anymore after they were compiled.

Restoring the file association isn’t very difficult. One solution is to run assoc .scr=scrfile in the command shell. If this doesn’t work, open Windows Explorer and follow these steps:

1. Open the Tools menu and select Folder Options.
2. Select the File Types tab.
3. Press the New button.
4. Enter scr in the File Extension text box.
5. Press the Advanced button.
6. Select Screen Saver in the Associated File Type.
7. Press OK and allow the change to a new file type.

Now when you run an .scr file, it displays the screen saver.

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The City of Richmond recently opened the first scramble intersection in the province. A scramble intersection will allow pedestrians to cross the road in any direction, including diagonally. The $600,000 crossing can be found at No. 1 Road and Moncton Street. I go to Steveston frequently and never really understand what this intersection was until it was pointed out to me.

There is just one button to press to stop all traffic to cross the road in any direction.

There are more plans for scramble intersections in B.C. They are definitely a great idea since it makes crossing roads considerably safer for pedestrians.

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Upgrades to a new operating system almost always causes compatibility problems with older applications that you were using. One way to get around this is to install the previous operating system in a virtual machine so that you can continue using the old apps on any system that can run the VM.

One of the best kept secrets is that Windows 7 comes with a free Window XP virtual machine. It’s not available on the installation DVD. You need to download three components from Microsoft to install it:

1. Windows XP Mode
2. Windows Virtual PC
3. Windows XP Mode Update

You can find these files on the Download Windows XP Mode page and the total download size for all of this is around 483 MB.

Once installed, you have a licensed version of Windows XP that can run all of your old applications. Keep in mind that you should also install a virus scanner (i.e. Microsoft Security Essentials) even if your Windows 7 system is already running one, but a firewall isn’t necessary if Windows 7 has one installed.

After installing XP mode, run Windows Update to install the latest patches for optimal security (this will take about 2-3 hours). Something to consider is backing up your virtual machine after you set it up. This is in case something goes wrong in the future with Windows XP and you have to reinstall it. If its backed up, you can just copy the VM files and your back to where you saved it.

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In spite of the great gains claimed by Apple with Mac OS X, Windows still has an overwhelming lead in desktop operating system market share, according to NETMARKETSHARE. The most used OS is Windows XP at 48%, which is higher than Windows 7 and Vista combined. OS X has a total market share of 5.5% and Linux is at 1.2%. Both OS X and Linux had very little gains on the desktop.

Windows XP is, however, decreasing in usage. It had a 57.6% market share in January 2011. Users are gradually migrating to Windows 7 and eventually Windows 8 when it is released. Windows 8 will be the dominant OS in about 2 years.

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