@JKevinParker

Perhaps the easiest way to create a standard site template for your organization's SharePoint 2010 solution is to build a site in the browser, get it just right, and save it as a template.

To save your configured site as a template, go to Site Settings and choose "Save site as template" under "Site Actions":

"Save site as template" in SharePoint 2010

This works great for a root site in a site collection. But when I try to do this for a subsite I created, I do not see "Save site as template":

"Save site as template" is missing

This is where it helps to know how SharePoint's URLs work and how to hack it a bit. Back on the Site Settings page for the Site Collection, I went to "Save site as template." Then I copied the portion of the URL after the site name:

/_layouts/savetmpl.aspx

Then I pasted it after the site name of my subsite like so:

http://mySPServer/managedPath/SiteCollection/Site/_layouts/savetmpl.aspx

And now I can save the subsite as a template:

Save as Template form

After you save the site template, you should get a confirmation with a link to the solution gallery:

Confirmation

You should now be able to save the WSP file from the solution gallery to import into Visual Studio if you want to customize it further. Or, you could upload the solution to other site collections to add this new site template.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Apple OS X Server Upgrade Update

In my last post, I ranted about Apple canceling my order for Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server without telling me, and how they said it could be another 6 weeks before I got my upgrade if it came at all. It did come almost immediately. It must have shipped shortly after my call to Apple.

Now, I have installed Snow Leopard Server only to find out that my Xserve model cannot be upgraded to Mountain Lion. I don't know why, since it has a quad-core Xeon processor. It looks like it could have been upgraded to Lion Server, but that no longer is available from the app store. So now I am stuck with Snow Leopard Server.

I am seriously considering blowing this away and going with FreeBSD.

At least now I can download a decent browser like Firefox.

Not cool, Apple.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Rant: Apple OS X Server Upgrade Woes

[Update: I got my discs faster than I thought.]

<rant>I love Apple products. I am not a zealot like some, as I am a Microsoft SharePoint Architect and I often have projects going on Linux or BSD Unix as well. But since MacBook Pros started shipping with dual core Intel processors, I have really enjoyed the powerful, elegant, and almost hassle-free computing environment. My Windows 7 VM runs faster on my Mac inside Parallels than I have ever seen it run on a PC.

Apple Xserve

A few years back, I purchased an Apple Xserve 1U server for hosting client websites and web applications. I am since out of that business, but in the years I had this beast running in my colo, it was rock solid and worry-free. It's a bummer they don't make Xserves anymore.

After it sat in storage for more than a year, I had a new need for my Xserve. So I reinstalled OS X. I only had OS X 10.5.x (Leopard Server), but wanted to upgrade to Mountain Lion Server. The problem is that both Lion and Mountain Lion are only available through the Mac App Store. And the Mac App Store is only available on OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard). Therefore, I would have to obtain a copy of Snow Leopard Server to upgrade it to Mountain Lion.

You cannot simply buy Snow Leopard Server in the Apple Store. Prices for legit copies on Ebay are ridiculous. But I was glad to find a forum post that said to call 1-800-MY-APPLE and order it over the phone for $19.99 plus shipping. Yay!

So I ordered the install media. They said it would take 6 weeks. Grrrr. But what choice did I have? So it has been 6 weeks. No media. I logged in to the Apple Store site to find out that my order had been canceled 2 days after I placed it. Why!?!

I called the Apple Store again. Evidently the demand has been so high and the supply so low that they could not fulfill the order, and they simply canceled it without telling me. Not cool, Apple. The sales guy was able to place the order again, and promised next-business-day shipping at no extra charge. The problem: The lead time is still 4-6 weeks. IF they can fulfill it this time.

So here I am: waiting again for an outdated operating system so I can install the latest operating system. I am not a happy camper. Really not cool, Apple. You should have provided a realistic upgrade path.</rant>