Microsoft Share Point

Share point is one of the Microsoft Web Server products. It is a web-based collaboration, document management, and process management product that allow us to build an enterprise portal. It aims at following:

a). To improve team productivity by allowing staff to collaborate efficiently.

b). To provide the staff with the information they need.

c). To provides us with the framework to create websites that not only provide access to documents and shared workspaces but also allow other web-based applications such as wikis and blogs to be created.

d). It also allows elaborate workflows to be created, allowing business processes to be monitored and actioned.

Share point refers to two products:

a). Windows SharePoint Services (WSS)

It is a free add-on for Windows server which provide following features:

1. Wiki
2. Workflows
3. Blog
4. Document management with version control
5. Team sites
6. RSS support etc.

b). Microsoft SharePoint Server

It is a product purchased separately from WSS and adds following features to the basic features discussed above:

1. Improved Document Management
2. Project Management
3. Enterprise Search

Share point is suited for medium-sized companies or large enterprises.

Lock, Save and Unlock Methods in Capture professional

The Lock, Unlock, and Save methods of a RepObject are used to make changes to the RepObject.To change a RepObject you must lock it, make the change, save it, and then unlock it. If you try to lock a RepObject already locked by another user, you will receive an error. The following code renames a RepObject:

Dim oBatch as RepObject
If oBatch.Lock then
oBatch.Name = “newname”
oBatch.Save
oBatch.Unlock
EndIf

The Lock, Save and Unlock methods each return a boolean value indicating success or failure. Locking a RepObject locks all the children of that RepObject. Saving a RepObject saves all of the children of that RepObject. Each call to the Lock method must eventually be matched with a call to the Unlock method by the same user before a RepObject is fully unlocked. The RepObject manages an internal lock count that is incremented by the Lock method and decremented by the Unlock method. The RepObject is deemed no longer locked when this lock count reaches zero. For example, if an application calls the Lock method twice on a given RepObject, it must eventually call Unlock twice on the same RepObject

DLL names for various Capture repositories

Below are the repository types and their corresponding dll file names

Local Repository ....................... RILLocal.dll
Shared repository ....................... RILShared.dll
CE Repository ....................... RILCE.dll
Shared CE Repository ....................... RILSharedCE.dll
Image Services Repository ....................... RILBES34.dll
Offline IS Repository ....................... RILOfflineIS.dll
Shared CS Repository ...................... RILSharedCE.dll
Shared Offline IS Respository ...................... RILSharedOLIS.dll

Using IBM MQ from a windows form based .NET application

In order to connect to IBM MQ from a windows form .NET application install the following two softwares:
1). IBM WebSphere MQ client + Fix Pack 6.0.2
2). IBM Message Service Client for .NET (Available for download from http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=171&uid=swg24011756)

Internet Connection is being shown but not openeing any site - Ubuntu 9.X

Open FirexFox in Ubuntu and type about:config
Find the entry network.dns.disableIPv6.
Double click this entry would change its value to 'true'
Rebooot pc and internet would work.

Please visit the below link for more information
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessTroubleShootingGuide

Use Ubuntu with Windows Vista 32 Bit - How to solve booting problem

Problem: Installed Ubuntu 9.X on a USB from a pc having Windows Vista (SP2-32bit) installed. After installation of Ubuntu tried to boot Windows by selecting HDD from Bootup menu. It failed and prompted following :
------------------------
GRUB LOADING
Error:no such disk
Grub Rescue>
------------------------
Connected the USB which I used to install UBUNTU and it displayed boot up menu from GRUB. This menu showed options related to Ubuntu and one option for Windows Vista. When selected Windows Vista option it booted up normally.

Solution : This was happening because the Windows Boot Loader was changed to GRUB Loader in BIOS. I followed below steps to change Boot Loader from GRUB to WINDOWS.
1). Started Pc with the WINDOWS VISTA media.
2). Selected 'Repair mode'.
3). Select Command prompt and run command bootrec/fixmbr to fix the master boot record.
Visit following links for more information
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392 and
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial147.html

The repository database is already associated with the CE server.

Scenario : We were using shared content engine server 4.5 through Capture Professional 5.2 and were able to perform all the required operations. The database we were using is SQL Server 2005. Due to some migration activity we were needed to drop and recreate the existing object stores. After it happened we were not able to open and connect to the CE repositories and were getting following error:



Solution : When we configure a Shared CE repository for the first time it creates few tables for house keeping purpose. These tables are only used by Capture internally. Among these table , there is one table named 'DBInfo'. It has following structure :

RowID PropertyName PropertyValue
1 UsageType Repository
2 RepositoryType Shared CE Repository
3 RepositoryConnection {GUID Value}
4 CapProVersion {Capture Pro Version}

Follow the below steps:
a). In this table update the GUID Value to the new GUID Value of object store.
b). Delete the DSN pointing to the sql database for your CE Shared repository.
c). Delete the capture repository using Capture Manager.
d). Create DSN accessing the same SQL Database.
e). Configure the same CE Shared repository again.

Now open Capture Professional. you should be able to see your repository.

How big (Size) a batch can be in Capture Professional?

Answer :
There are limits to the batch size when using File Import in Capture Professional. These limits are not configurable.Here are the Maximum limits:
* Pages per Document - 1000
* Pages per Batch - 5000
Recommendations
* Limit the size of a batch to less than 50 pages of similar documents, when possible, to ensure the batch is manageable for both the operator and the system.
* If the batch is assembled as a single document, and is running into the 1000 page limit, consider breaking the batch into several documents. This both makes the batch more manageable and increases the page limit up to the batch limit of 5000.

Capture Manager does not show any object store.

Environment : FileNet Enterprise Manager 4.5, FileNet Capture Professional 5.2 and WSE 3.0
OS: Windows XP SP3
Problem : Open Capture Manager and then select repository type 'Shared Content Engine. When click 'Add' button nothing happens.It does not show CE credentials dialog and hence does not display any CE object store. But Able to see CE object stores through Enterprise Manager.

Solution: This happens if 'Compatibility URL' is not specified while installing Enterprise Manager. Provide URL at the time of installation and change it if required by editing the CompatibilityURL registry entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\FILENET\ECM\CONTENT ENGINE\CLIENT

How does Panagon IDM Desktop communicates with FileNet Image server.

Answer : IDM desktop uses a NCH (port) to locate the object from doc services and uses a COR (port) 32769/tcp to transfer them.

Filenet capture has encountered an error see the event log meessage

Problem : FileNet Capture crashed on opening after configuring it for the first time. Created new SQL Server 2005 databases and configured DSN for them. In Capture Manager while configuring the Capture repository, Specify this DSN. Once the repository is set, start Capture Professional and it display following error :

"Filenet capture has encountered an error see the event log meessage."

Solution : The databases were created with the default collation and were creating the problem. So the databases were recreated using appropriate collation. Visit the link below for more information on collation :
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa174903(SQL.80).aspx

Retrieve to cache failed

Problem : User gets 'Retrieve to cache failed' error while trying to retrieve document from IS using IDM Desktop.
Solution : This error indicates that the document retrieval failed from MSAR to Page Cache.
1. Your Alternative IS Page Cache is not configured/spelled correctly.
2. Your Alternative IS Page Cache machine is not up and running.
3. Could be Network issue (Ping Cache machine to see if it is alive)
4. If you don't need the Alternative IS Page Cache at all, reset it to default (use the primary default one)
To access this Alternate IS Page Cache, follow this instruction path:
IDM Configure --> Additional Preferences... -> -> Alternative IS Page Cache --> Then either add the 3 part name or click Restore Default.
Note:
3 part name format: ::
e.g: page_cache2:Spot:FileNET

Description of different Capture Index Field Lists

FileNet Image Services (IS)
- Menu: An index field of type "Menu", is a property that has a list of values associated with it. When a Capture Index field is of type Menu and is associated with a DocClass, the user must select a value from the list provided, in order to populate the field. From the Capture native application, the field will have a drop-down list of values that will be available for the user to select. Only one value is allowed to be selected and the user cannot enter a value that is not on the list.
[Auto-Indexing is supported, if the configured value is a member of the Menu list. If the Auto-Indexing value is not a member of the Menu list, it will be ignored by Capture and the Menu field will be left blank.]

FileNet Content Services (CS)
- Controlled Vocabulary list (CVL): A CVL is like an IS Menu. The user will be able to select from a list of values, in order to populate an index field.
[Auto-Indexing is supported, if the configured value is a member of the list. If the Auto-Indexing value is not a member of the CVL, it will be ignored by Capture and the CVL field will be left blank.]

- Existing Value List (EVL): An EVL is a list of previously entered values of that particular Index Field. EVLs differ from CVLs and Menus, because a user can enter a new value that is not a member of the list. The value must, however, meet the index field conditions (e.g. for Numeric Types, numbers must be entered).
[Auto-Indexing is supported and the value configured does not need to be a member of the EVL]

- Multiple Value Lists (MVL): An index field that is of type MVL, can have multiple lines/values associated with it. For instance, an MVL property named "address" can have the following entry:
IBM Corporation
1 New Orchard Road
Armonk, New York 10504-1722
United States
914-499-1900

With MVLs, a CVL and an EVL can be associated with it. If associated with a CVL, only the values from the CVL can be used to populate the lines of the MVL field.
[Auto-Indexing is supported, however, only the first line will be populated. Other subsequent lines would have to be entered manually. In addition, if a CVL is associated with the MVL, the auto-index value must match one of the values of the CVL; otherwise, it will be ignored, and the MVL field will be left blank.]


FileNet P8 Content Engine (CE)
- Choice List: A Choice List is similar to an IS Menu and a CS CVL. The user will be able to select from a list of values, in order to populate an index field.
[Auto-Indexing is supported, if the configured value is a member of the list. If the Auto-Indexing value is not a member of the Choice List, it will be ignored by Capture and the field will be left blank.]

- Multi-Value field: A Multi-Value field is similar to a CS MVL. Multiple lines of data can be entered in an index field (e.g. just like an address, mentioned above). Similar to a CS MVL field, a Choice List can be associated with a Multi-Value field. In these Multi-Value configurations, the user can only enter data that is part of the Choice List.
[Auto-Indexing is supported in Capture 5.1 and 5.2, however, only the first line will be populated. Other subsequent lines would have to be entered manually. In addition, if a Choice List is associated with the Multi-Value List, the auto-index value must then match one of the values from the list; otherwise, it will be ignored, and the Multi-Value field will be left blank. In Capture 5.0, the Auto-Indexing feature is not available with Multi-Value fields]

Please Note :
Menu Validation-- The Capture client application has an option/feature to associate a CE or IS single value field, with a list. The list is created by a Capture station and is saved as part of the Settings Collection. When a Menu Validation is utilized, the user sees a similar drop-down list (like a CVL or a Choice List), however, this list is not determined by the server but by the Capture Administrator. The list is created when configuring the Index control of a Settings Collection.

Using IBM FileNet Capture 5.1, when calling the "Store" method on the Scan component, it returns a -2147417848 error code.

Scenario :
From out-of-the-box Capture 5.1, a batch was created successfully and able to scan images without any problems. However, from the custom Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 code, a batch was also created successfully but when storing the batch by calling Scan.Store(oBatch) to the Scan component, the error below would occur:

err.Description = Method 'Store' of object '_DScan' failed
err.Number = -2147417848

Solution
The error is caused by the custom code not knowing which scanner to select.
The recommendation on different methods of assigning a scanner to the Scan component are as follows:

* Configure the Scan component on the setting to contain a default scanner so when a batch is created, it defaults to an associated scanner configured with the Scan component.

* Call the "Scan.SelectScanner" and allow the user using the custom code to select a scanner.

* Prior to calling Scan.Store(oBatch), assign a scanner to the Scan component via "Scan1.Associate("")

How big (Size) a batch can be in Capture Professional?

Answer:
There are limits to the batch size when using File Import in Capture Professional. These limits are not configurable.Here are the Maximum limits:
* Pages per Document - 1000
* Pages per Batch - 5000
Recommendations
* Limit the size of a batch to less than 50 pages of similar documents, when possible, to ensure the batch is manageable for both the operator and the system.
* If the batch is assembled as a single document, and is running into the 1000 page limit, consider breaking the batch into several documents. This both makes the batch more manageable and increases the page limit up to the batch limit of 5000.

What is Kofax VRS?

VRS reduces the time involved in manual document preparation and enhances the quality of scanned images. Capturing high-quality images is critical to the rest of the document management process because image quality significantly impacts the success of data extraction, recognition, and retrieval.

Perfect Images
Scanning is only half the battle. The most important part about capturing images is your ability to find, retrieve, and use them later. The superior quality of VirtualReScan® (VRS)-created images means documents are easier to index and easier to read.
Reduced Document Preparation with Content-based Rotation
No need to turn all your documents to the same orientation before scanning. VRS will automatically analyze the content of each scanned document and correct the orientation of the image on the fly. Even when scanning in duplex mode! Feed a document in all possible orientations, whether it’s upside down or reversed, skewed or rotated 90 degrees right or left, VRS turns it right.
Easy to Use
Scanning is simple and easy with VRS. No special knowledge of scanning, special filters, or image enhancement is required. Operators just press the scan button and VRS does the rest.
Capture Color On Demand
Scan mixed batches of black & white and color documents. VRS automatically detects the documents that should be black & white from those that should stay in color. Easily capture spot color as well.
Network-friendly Images
Noisy backgrounds and shaded areas are suppressed, resulting in ultra-compact image files ideal for display and rapid retrieval over your network.
Intelligent Blank Page Detection
VRS is able to determine if the back side of a page contains real information, or if it is simply bleed through from the front of the page. If VRS determines that the back side is bleed through, then it deletes the image. If VRS detects real content, the image is saved.

Advanced Clarity
Even the toughest documents – blueprints, wrinkled paper, security paper – are no match for VRS 4.1 Professional. The new Advanced Clarity feature in VRS 4.1 Professional offers an additional image quality option to process documents with complicated, textured backgrounds.
Background Smoothing
Based on a simple setting, VRS automatically analyzes images while scanning and outputs an image with a solidified background color. This improves viewing clarity and reduces file size, making it more practical to save color documents that are part of the business process.
Improved Recognition
Since VRS automatically straightens and cleans each scanned image, the accuracy of your optical character recognition and handwriting recognition software increases dramatically.
Scan at Rated Speed
Allows scanners to operate at their full rated speed without interruptions. All VRS features work at rated scanner speed, regardless of scan mode (black & white, grayscale, or color), or your scan application’s interface (KOFAX, ISIS,TWAIN).
Easy to Use Interface
One of the problems with document scanning is related to the differences between scanner user interfaces. In a mixed scanner environment, VRS provides a single, unified and easy to use interface minimizing operator training and confusion.
Automatic Cropping and Deskew for All Scanners
VRS offers automatic cropping and deskew for all scanners including white background scanners. In the past, this required a black background scanner or special black background kit. Now, VRS includes automatic background cropping and deskew available on all VRS certified scanners.
Eliminate Hole Punch Markings
Fills holes with surrounding page color on documents with content, improving their appearance and removing distractions for the reader. Ignores holes on pages lacking content, enhancing performance of automatic blank page deletion feature.

What are Telnet and SSH?

"Telnet" and "SSH" are types of terminal session (also called "terminal emulation") programs that allow users to conduct interactive sessions with computers elsewhere on the Internet by providing a character-based (i.e., non-graphical) connection. Examples of telnet/ssh programs are TeraTerm (for Windows) and BetterTelnet (for Macintosh).

PuTTY is a free implementation of Telnet and SSH for Win32 and Unix platforms, along with an xterm terminal emulator.

Get total Number of pages of a PDF file using Python

from glob import glob as __g
import re
pattern = re.compile(r"/Count\s+(\d+)")


def count():
""" Takes one argument: the path where you want to search the files. Returns a dictionary with the file name and number of pages for each file. """
vPDFfiles = __g( "C:\\1\\" + '*.pdf' )
vMsg = {}
for vPDFfile in vPDFfiles:
vPages = 0
print "File Name is " + str(vPDFfile)
print ""
content = open( vPDFfile, 'rb', 1 ).read()
for match in pattern.finditer(content):
vPages = int(match.group(1))
vMsg[vPDFfile] = vPages
return vMsg

if __name__ == "__main__":
TotalPages=count()
print "Total Pages = " + str(TotalPages)

Convert PDF to TIFF - Using Ghost Script

Requirement : To convert any PDF to TIFF.
Solution: In an enterprise during the day to day activities, back operations and other teams come across requirements to convert a file from one format to another. Converting TIFF to PDF and vice versa is one of the example.

TIFF to PDF
If you are a non technical staff you may contact the software provider team in your organization and get access to the tool which does TIFF to PDF conversion. But if you are a technical person (programmer) then you can leverage iText library and write an application to achieve this. As iText is free so its easy to save yourself from licensing costs and other licensing related obligations.

PDF to TIFF
There are various scenarios where you might need to convert file from PDF to TIFF format. For example you may get some document from lender or broker in PDF format containing some sensitive information. Suppose as a part  of your process requirement you need to save only TIFF files containing no sensitive information so you have to go through two step process:

1). Convert PDF to TIFF

2). Remove the sensitive information

Here we are going to discuss the tool 'GhostScript' which helps in achieving first step. Installation of GhostScript :

Step 1: Download GhostScript by visiting the below link

http://mirror.cs.wisc.edu/pub/mirrors/ghost/GPL/gs863/gs863w32.exe

Step 2: You can install this anywhere on your computer. For tutorial purpose I am using C:\Program Files\gs

The main file we are interested in is gswin32c which can be found in C:\Program Files\gs\gs8.63\bin folder. You can use this executable to perform the conversion either by running it at command prompt or inserting the following command in a batch (.bat) file and then executing it.

command 1 : cd C:\PROGRA~1\gs\gs8.63\bin
command 2: gswin32c -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=tiffg4 -r300x300 -sOutputFile=%2 %1
Here is the explanation each switch/option we have used in the above example :

sDEVICE = Type of Tiff
-r300x300 = DPI settings

-dNOPAUSE 

Disables the prompt and pause at the end of each page. Normally one should use this (along with -dBATCH) when producing output on a printer or to a file; it also may be desirable for applications where another program is "driving" Ghostscript.  

-dBATCH

Causes Ghostscript to exit after processing all files named on the command line, rather than going into an interactive loop reading PostScript commands. Equivalent to putting -c quit at the end of the command line.

For more information visit http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/cvs/Use.htm#Output_device http://www.ghostscript.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostscript

How to retrieve IS Document Class Index fields summary?

Question : How to retrieve the Index names and their types of an IS document class.
Answer : Following code can do it for you.

Dim oClassDesc As IDMObjects.ClassDescription
Dim oLib As IDMObjects.Library
Dim oPropDesc As IDMObjects.PropertyDescription
Dim oPropDescs As IDMObjects.PropertyDescriptions

Set oLib = CreateObject("idmObjects.Library")
oLib.SystemType = idmSysTypeIS
oLib.Name = sISServerName
oLib.Logon "username", "password", "", idmLogonOptNoUI
Set oClassDesc = oLib.GetObject(idmObjTypeClassDesc, sDocClassName, idmObjTypeDocument)
'lstSource is a list control
Set oPropDescs = oClassDesc.PropertyDescriptions
If Not oPropDescs Is Nothing Then
For Each oPropDesc In oPropDescs
If InStr(1, oPropDesc.Name, "F_") = 0 Then
lstSource.AddItem oPropDesc.Name + " - " + FormatDataType(oPropDesc.TypeID) + " - " + Str(oPropDesc.GetState(idmPropRequired)) + " - " + Str(oPropDesc.Size) + " - IsKey " + Str(oPropDesc.GetState(idmPropKey))

End If

Next
End If

oLib.Logoff
Set oPropDesc = Nothing
Set oPropDescs = Nothing
Set oClassDesc = Nothing
Set oLib = Nothing