Chris Birmele's Blog : Team Foundation Server

Want to migrate source code from Subversion, StarTeam or CVS to TFS?

ChrisBirmele — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:23:00 GMT

TimelyMigration offers a migration tool to move your Subversion, StarTeam and CVS repositories to Microsoft Team Foundation Server - check it out here. Our folks in Redmond have only good things to say about them - so try them out!

TFS Powertool - October 2008 Release downloadable!

ChrisBirmele — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:45:00 GMT

If you monitor Brian Harry's blog you already know we have released a new TFS Powertool. I am not going to repeat Brian's elaborate post, but pick a couple of things I really like:

1) IM capabilities in TFS - no more excuses for not communicating with your peers - instantly and in many different ways!

2) Shell extensions allowing you to do basic version control functions using the file explorer

The installation is a breeze (but make sure you do a CUSTOM install, then reboot if you want the Windows shell extensions). Once done you will see a new Team Members node in each TeamProject and you can see whether or not they are online, you can interact with them in various ways and you can see what they are working on! Very nice!

The second feature is something I was waiting for a long time. Previously a TFS workspace was a normal windows folder containing project files. I couldn't see if the files in these folders were actually under source control, I had no visibility of their check-out status - unless I viewed the files using Team Explorer or Visual Studio. Now I can simply open up Windows explorer and look at the project folder and do all basic source control functions right there:

You can download the new TFS Powertool - October 2008 Release here.

Team Foundation Server Admin Tool released!

ChrisBirmele — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:35:00 GMT

If you are responsible for managing a Team Foundation Server check out the Team Foundation Server Administration Tool. It'll make your life with TFS even easier :-)

Upgrade from TFS Trial Edition to Full Version?

ChrisBirmele — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:08:00 GMT

I get asked this question a lot - usually when TFS stopped working because the trial license expired..... If you are in this situation don't panic and don't call me - the answer is right here.

New MSSCCI Provider for TFS 2008 released!

ChrisBirmele — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:53:00 GMT

If you are using one of the technologies listed below and want to use TFS 2008, you may want to check out our new MSSCCI provider we just released. You can download it here.

Visual Studio .NET 2003

Visual C++ 6 SP6

Visual Visual Basic 6 SP6

Visual FoxPro 9 SP1

Microsoft Access 2003 SP2

SQL Server Management Studio

Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect 6.1

Sybase PowerBuilder 10.5

Toad for SQL Server 2.0

TFS 2008 Powertools released!

ChrisBirmele — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:44:00 GMT

The VSTS2008TFSPT (short for Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server Power Tools) have been released.... It's a mouthful but there are some interesting features, check it out here.

Upgrading to TFS 2008? Need a migration tool?

ChrisBirmele — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:38:00 GMT

If you plan upgrading from TFS 2005 to TFS 2008 you may want to have a look at this migration tool. Make sure you understand the limitations of the tool.

Team Foundation Server - Operations Guidance Released!

ChrisBirmele — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 01:37:00 GMT

Planning the installation and operation of a Team Foundation Server can be daunting at times, there are so many things to consider. Microsoft just released the Team Foundation Operations Guidance to address this issue. Check it out here: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb663036(VS.80).aspx

What's new in Team Foundation Server 2008?

ChrisBirmele — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:28:00 GMT

For a definitive list of feature in Team Foundation Server 2008 (i.e. Orcas) check out Brian Harry's blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/bharry/archive/2007/08/08/final-tfs-2008-feature-list.aspx

Hosted Team Foundation Server?

ChrisBirmele — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 04:51:00 GMT

Do you want to use Team Foundation Server but don't want to bother with the maintenance? Do you want to evaluate Team Foundation Server? Check out Readify's hosted Team Foundation Server offering: www.tfsnow.com

Project Server 2007 integration for TFS available now!

ChrisBirmele — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 01:53:00 GMT

If you are developing an integration of Project Server 2007 to Team Foundation Server (TFS) - stop wasting any more time and money. We have done the work for you!

Here is where you can get it: http://www.codeplex.com/pstfsconnector

TFS Best Practices

ChrisBirmele — Fri, 25 May 2007 02:30:00 GMT

Are you looking for Team Foundation Server (TFS) Best Practices? Have a look at this whitepaper here: http://www.codeplex.com/TFSGuide

No it's not mine, but it's superb!