This week I have played around quite a bit with the latest version of ThinApp from VMware (version 4.0.4). The goal have been to make a ThinApp package of Microsoft Office 2007.

ThinApp is a wonderful application!

1. Obtain a copy of %SystemRoot%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\System.dll from a non Windows 7 machine that has .NET 3.5 SP1 installed.

2. Create a folder in the Windows 7 machine where the vSphere client is installed and copy the file from step 1 into this folder. For example, create the folder under the vSphere client launcher installation directory (+%ProgramFiles%\VMware\Infrastructure\Virtual Infrastructure Client\Launcher\Lib+).

3. In the vSphere client launcher directory, open the VpxClient.exe.config file in a text editor and add a <runtime> element and a <developmentMode>element as shown below. Save the file.

<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-8″?>
<configuration>
…
<runtime>
<developmentMode developerInstallation=”true”/>
</runtime>
</configuration>

3. Create a batch file (e.g. *VpxClient.cmd*) in a suitable location. In this file add a command to set the DEVPATH environment variable to the folder where you copied the System.dll assembly in step 2 and a second command to launch the vSphere client. Save the file. For example,

SET DEVPATH=%ProgramFiles%\VMware\Infrastructure\Virtual Infrastructure Client\Launcher\Lib
“%ProgramFiles%\VMware\Infrastructure\Virtual Infrastructure Client\Launcher\VpxClient.exe”

4. (Optional) Replace the shortcut on the start menu to point to the batch file created in the previous step. Change the shortcut properties to run minimized so that the command window is not shown.

You can now use the VpxClient.cmd (or the shortcut) to launch the vSphere client in Windows 7.

Note that this workaround bypasses the normal .NET Framework loading mechanism so that assembly versions in the DEVPATH folder are no longer checked. Handle with care.

Fernando

Via Fernandos post at VMware Communities: vsphere client on Windows 7 rc.

via Access Hidden Regional Themes in Windows 7.

Free ISO Creator can create ISO image from folders or data CD/DVD. With Free ISO Creator, you can easily create ISO image from any files and folders (with the subfolders), or backup data CD/DVD to your hard disk and directly create ISO files.

Download: http://www.minidvdsoft.com/isocreator/

Introducing Xobni for Outlook from Azzam Sheikh on Vimeo.

Download Xobni at http://www.xobni.com/

Yesterday I installed Postbox on both my Mac and Windows client.
I have to say that my first impression is a good one. Ok, to be honest. My mail.app does the trick of indexing my mail pretty well. I just open up a new spotlight search window to find the mail that I’m looking for.

Postbox however does a good job of sorting the searches for me. For example I can easily find all the attachments sent from one of my contact. And the tabbed interface makes me feel right at home.

But I think that the real benefit for this new mail application is on the Windows platform. It’s a great alternative to Outlook, with or without Xobni.

But keep in mind that Postbox is still in Beta. I’ve personally found a couple of buggy things. One example is that the Archive and Delete buttons doesn’t really work when you are in the inbox. I simply move the messages to the archive folder manually for now.

Try it out for yourself. Download Postbox for Mac and Windows.

The whole idea is that Fences groups your icons on your desktop. I’ve tried it and I can only give it A+.

In a very few easy steps you can set the password blank or change it for any account….

Given you remember the name of your account!

The Virtual Desktop Manager in Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP is a pretty good choice. I have to admit that I didn’t think that Microsoft would deliver such a useful feature. And for free.. But I’m thankful for it!

Download: Virtual Desktop Manager