Thursday, April 7, 2011

Corrupted XML when trying to import data in CRM Online

Scenario: You try to import data into Dynamics CRM Online (2011) and you choose the option to download a XML Template - "Download Template for Import".
An error pops up in Excel saying that the file is corrupt: "The file is corrupt and cannot be opened"


There's no problem with the file itself, but with a security setting in Excel.

The solution is to save the file in a specific location (for example Desktop\crm) and add this location to the Trusted Locations in Excel:
- Excel -> File -> Options -> Trust Center -> Trust Center Settings ... -> Trusted Locations

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Best consumer IP camera for the buck

I've been in the market for a good IP camera for a while now and as it was not very easy to find something good enough for my requirements, I will share my findings with you.
My requirements are the following, and the camera that best matched them in a budget of not more than 150 EUR / 200$ is Foscam FI8918W:

nrrequirementdescriptioncomplianceComments
1must haveto be usable in Surveillance Station (Synology DiskStation) so you can record / motion recordpartialno audio
2must haveto be usable in low light or even better, in no light - with most cameras you can see almost nothing at dawnYESnight vision
3must havehave as much of an wideangle as possible (for indoor use I see a 75-80 degrees angle view optimal so you have almost 100% coverage of the entire room if placed in a corner).partial67
4must haveresolution of 640 x 480 or betterYES15 fps at 640 x 480
5must havestealth - be quiet when panning / tilting and being able to turn off front ledsYES
6nice to havehave WiFi so no data cables are required (just plug it in the air-conditioner wall outlet)YESb/g
7nice to haveuse compression so storage and bandwidth requirements are not high and NOMJPEG only
8nice to havepan & tiltYES
9nice to haveeasy to use web gui - not important if connected to a surveillance station (Synology DiskStation)partialmany clicks to authenticate, no remember password option
10nice to havehave not expensive apps for smartphonesYESfor iOS and Android
11nice to haveto be able to disable WiFi when connected by wireYES
12nice to havebe able to upload motion detected video with sound by FTP so you have a backup if the recording server is not working / not availableNO

Friday, April 1, 2011

Suggested Contacts on iPhone (iOS 4.2, 4.3)

I'm syncing my contacts with an Exchange 2010 Server, and since I have the LinkedIn connector installed, I have 3 contact folders in Outlook:

  • Contacts

  • LinkedIn

  • Suggested Contacts
which translate to 3 contact groups on the iPhone 4 (iOS 4.2 and now 4.3) after setting the Exchange account on it.
When I want to save a number from the Recent Calls list as a contact, the new contact is created in the Suggested Contacts group instead of the Contacts group as expected.

There's no way to choose the group at saving time and also there's none in Settings - a default contact group would have been nice.


I've seen workarounds like disabling the Suggested Contacts from Outlook, but those don't work for me as I make great use of both Suggested Contacts ans LinkedIn contacts in Outlook and on the phone.


The solution is to restore (not upgrade) to the latest version of iOS (at the time of writing that was 4.3), and set it as a new phone (NOT restore from backup).

Take care that this means you have to backup all media (music, photos, videos). You will loose SMSs.