<!--  UPLOAD AS FILES
Determines if media should be uploaded as files or as database blobs.
Default: false
-->

<setting name="Media.UploadAsFiles" value="false" />

<!--  MEDIA - USE ITEM PATHS FOR URLS
This setting controls if item paths are used for constructing media URLs.
If false, short ids will be used.
Default value: true
-->

<setting name="Media.UseItemPaths" value="true" />

Each time, it would import only a few files and it would stop. I tried killing all processes, lower the CPU and Memory usage but that didn’t make any difference.

According to the friendly and helpful Sitecore Customer Service Rep, Upload folder is managed by Sitecore.Resources.Media.UploadWatcher. Each time a file is added to the upload folder, UploadWatcher creates similar structure in media library. It is not a separate task or webservice, just simple uploading job started by “Created” event on filesystem.

The reason for this issue is that Sitecore uses System.IO.FileSystemWatcher object for file uploading (Sitecore use it to watch changes); when a lot of files are added at once, the FileSystemWatcher’s internalBuffer fills up and starts skipping files.

Checkout this article http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.io.filesystemwatcher.aspx

As a result of my Ticket, they created a workaround which is available at http://sdn.sitecore.net/scrapbook/sitecore%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20upload%20files%20from%20upload%20folder.aspx. You would need a Sitecore developer account to login.

As a workaround you need to use Sitecore.Support.322918.dll file. The workaround increases the InternalBuffer to avoid the unexpected skipping of files.

1. Add the string <add type=”Sitecore.Support.UploadWatcher,Sitecore.Support.322918″ name=”SitecoreUploadWatcher”/> before each occurrence of the string <add type=”Sitecore.Resources.Media.UploadWatcher, Sitecore.Kernel” name=”SitecoreUploadWatcher”/>

(see <system.webServer>/<modules> section and <system.web>/<httpModules> section)

2. Comment out all such lines: <add type=”Sitecore.Resources.Media.UploadWatcher, Sitecore.Kernel” name=”SitecoreUploadWatcher”/>

3. Put the Sitecore.Support.322918.dll file into the /bin folder of your web site

4. In the web.config file, add the following string under the <settings> section

<setting name=”FileSystemWatcherBufferSize” value=”4096000″/>

Such value seems to be enough for 5000 files, but you can increase it further to be sure that even files with very long names are uploaded.

For example:

If the full file path contains 100 symbols, it takes 200 bytes, 32000 files will take 6400000 bytes (6250 kb), so the setting value should be:

<setting name=”FileSystemWatcherBufferSize” value=”6400000 “/>

As always, please backup before making any significant changes.

P.S.: UploadWatcher calls MediaManager.Creator.FileCreated(filePath); – you can try to fire the same method with path to the missing folder as parameter. There is another methos for FolderCreated as well.

Hope this helps. Credit goes to Sitecore and its Customer Service Reps.

Places largely appeals to a younger crowd. Since it can only be used by those with a Facebook app on their smart phones, it eliminates many traditional consumers.

However, for companies attempting to reach the elusive younger crowd, those who spend little time listening to the radio, reading mailers or newspapers, or clipping coupons, these location based applications may become a gold mine.

If the customer is willing to allow a business to view their location, nearby businesses can instantly offer coupons or deal, grabbing the consumer at the point of making a purchase decision.

Businesses could also make offers to friends of those who check in, encouraging them to join their friends at a particular location and make a purchase.

Facebook has already announced its intention to allow restaurants and other retail locations to “claim” their locations. This would allow them to direct targeted advertising to frequent customers.

Need some ideas for some virtual offers you can make on location Facebook Places? John Jantsch at http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2010/09/07/5-ways-for-small-businesses-to-get-in-the-location-game/ has some ideas for using rewards programs, group buying, coupons via Goodle places, mobile coupon networks, or social location games to bring customers into your door.

With only a fraction of Facebook’s users even tuned into Places, you certainly don’t want to make it your primary source for advertising. But with a growing number of younger consumers “checking in,” you don’t want to ignore it, either.


For example, there are a plethora of privacy regulations governing what can and can’t be exposed about a specific patient. When you’re on social media, you’re about as public as you can be.

In a related challenge, there is also a government regulated, complex approval system for any communication from the insurance industry to the public. Each piece of communication, including social media messages, has to complete the approval process, which can take weeks. Not the typical turnaround time for a status update!

Also, if you are attempting to answer specific questions with a medical professional, you’re taking a qualified nurse or doctor away from their traditional duties, and with many medical facilities understaffed, it may just not seem important enough.

However, there are some good arguments to be made for including social media in a health insurance marketing and information plan.

• Access — many people who are daunted by forms, lines and technical language are completely comfortable logging into Twitter or Facebook. South Carolina is looking at using social media to reach Medicaid and Medicare customers.
• Also, many people will know exactly how to find a company on Facebook, but have trouble remembering your web address. They can get questions answered more quickly through social media.
• Some Companies are Already There – with the popularity of social media, even an industry with obstacles like the health insurance industry’s will find some early adopters. They are out there, with blogs, Q & A columns, and customer service.
• The Customers are using Social Media – Customers comparison shop, seek information, and communicate with others via social media. Health insurance companies seeking to be relevant may need to join in.
• A “Friendlier” Feel. Health insurance companies have the image of being distant and inaccessible, not to mention unresponsive, in many cases. A presence in social media could soften that image.

His argument? Flash “falls short” of what it could be and what is needed on a mobile device.

What would Jobs have said if everyone jumped Apple’s ship when their iPod batteries “fell short” of operating for more than a year? Rather than fix the known problem, they continued to sell iPods with faulty batteries.

They followed the same strategy with faulty power supplies that burned out after a year or two and power cords that ripped and failed. Did Apple quickly fix the problems, apologize for the inconvenience, correct the problem?

Of course not — that’s not Apple’s MO. Customers who stuck it out can buy replace

From a company that engages in that kind of “customer service,” complaints that Flash “falls short” of what it could be ring hypocritical.

Adding to that hypocrisy, Jobs complains that Flash is a “proprietary” and “closed” system. Really, Apple? So you can’t take your own medicine, is that the problem? Apple continues to create a closed, stifling environment for developers and yet criticizes Adobe for the same thing?

While I’m not a fan of Adobe’s encouragement of a probe into Apple’s monopolistic tactics in mobile technology, I am in favor of Apple becoming a team player in the mobile marketplace. Until then, I’m sticking with my open and ever-improving Android phone.

The introduction of HP and other Microsoft based tablets at the CES this month, along with the rumors of the new Apple tablet set to debut later in January represent only the latest in the touch world innovations.

HP has a whole line of touch computers, including a line of sleek desktops, as does Gateway. Printers are adding web access with touch technology, and allowing printing directly from the web.

Additionally, you’re looking at faster cell phones with bigger screens, the netbooks, and the tablet PCs.

What does that mean for the web developer and the web commerce company?

More people will have quicker and more portable access to your websites. They’ll have the opportunity to interact with them in quicker, easier, more intuitive ways, if you’re ready to provide that capability.

For the web business concerned with ecommerce, think instant gratification for your touch customers. Is your ecommerce interface smooth and seamless? Will you be able to capture the customer’s purchase easily?

When developing for touch screens, remember that the input is very similar to mouse clicks, with only a few differences. However, you’ll want to make sure you allow for those differences.

For example, design your onscreen buttons slightly larger than you would for mouse clicks to accommodate fingers. You may also need to think about providing your own status feedback (loading, etc.) since the touch screens don’t provide that information.

While it’s useful to keep in mind that previous versions of the “slate” or “tablet” computer has not taken off with consumers, there’s no doubt that innovation in the mobile computing area is the current game.

With the indisputable success of the iPhone and iPod touch, technology companies seem to have the attitude that bigger will be better when it comes to portable touch screens. There’s no doubt that bigger will be better for many kinds of websites, especially those that are graphically and textually heavy like print news websites. Magazines and newspapers could benefit from larger tablet computers, as could many other sites.

Regardless of whether or not the tablet/slate computers take off, the touch technology is here to stay, and will only become more popular. Adjust and plan so that your website has a seamless ride into the touch era of computing.

What does this mean for the average business with a web presence? It means that you want to optimize your site – not just for Google and other web crawlers, but also for small screen browsers.

Although there was some talk of needing a “mobile device only” version of every website, this kind of duplication is not necessary.  In fact, a cascading style sheet, or CSS, can be written into your web page, instructing the device as it loads your page, to optimize your site for the phone or PDA that is requesting it. So writing in CSS is the first step to optimizing your page for hand held devices and smart phones.

Use a program like the Openwave Phone Simulator to test your web page and see how it will look on a “generic” cell phone type device. If you know the specific parameters of a particular type of device (say, an Apple iPhone), then you can increase the parameters and get an accurate view.

Then optimize your content. Remember that too much text is too much for a smartphone device, and keep the articles short (no more than 500 words, on average). Many small articles with relevant links are better than one long article.

Make sure that the most important elements in your page will load in the center of the phone’s screen, and are accessible without scrolling.  Make sure your pages load quickly. Cell phones and smart phones have slower internet connections than most broadband providers, and you don’t want a clunky website that gums up the works. The customer will click the “close” box after a few seconds.

Many cell phone users will block the photos on your site from loading, so be sure to have relevant and interesting ALT tags that identify your photos. You want your page to make sense to the viewer who has no photo access.

With a little planning,  you will have a great website that is optimize for both PC and smartphone use.

Know Yourself

Before you begin looking for a firm to design your website, think about the image you want to portray for your business.

What is the first impression you want customers or visitors to have about your company, and what do you want your site to say about you?

Do you want clients to think your company is modern and on the cutting edge? Creative? Dependable? Traditional? You’re website portrays that image in a few micro seconds.

So know what sense you want to portray,  and decide on some of the basic information you want on your site.

Great Connection

You want a web designer who connects with you, who captures the essence of what your business is about. The right designer understands you, and understands the kind of impression you want to make on your clients.

Talk to several designers and look for a couple who seem to “get it,” to grasp completely what your business is about and who you are.

You want to work with someone who takes your ideas and expands on them in ways that are good for your business.

Evaluate Their Work

Once you’ve chosen a few web designers who seem promising, then you should evaluate their portfolio of websites.

Once you know they understand your requirements, you want to be sure they have the technical and design expertise to back their vision up with product. Look through the sites they have completed and see if there are features and designs that you like.

Ask the designers about their ideas for your website. What elements do they suggests? What kinds of graphics? What kind of layout? See which ideas you prefer.

Determine Costs and Timelines

When you think you’ve decided on a firm, then discuss costs and timelines. These are two important items that can make or break a deal.

With Webdatamation, you will get quality web design at a reasonable cost. We’ll work with you on meeting deadlines, and are very responsive to customer concerns.

For web designers who understand your business and understand all the technical aspects of web design, speak to the experts at Webdatamation.

Although android smartphones can be powerful web browsers and business tools, many users like to utilize them for gaming as much as anything else, so free games that collect customer data, promote your brand or give customers access to products for purchase are popular development solutions.

MySpace mobile is another highly popular android app, as is the Weather Channel. But what about non-proprietary kinds of apps, the kinds you can develop to promote your business?

Look at the Free Dictionary, another highly popular download, and consider what other similar services customers might like. Translation dictionaries and phrase translators are extremely useful and popular, for example. Provide G1 customers a quick service they can’t get somewhere else, or they can get better from you.

A version of the horoscope might be a winner, as the Daily Horoscope app is one of the top downloads for android, as is Ringdroid, that gives you the ability to create your own telephone ringtones.

Wallpaper and background programs are highly popular, as are shopping programs like Compare Everywhere and ShopSavvy.  Both allow you to use your phone as a barcode scanner, searching online and comparing local prices.

Games are the top download for all smartphones, android or Apple, and a version of a popular game or a new, “addictive” game may be just the development project for your business.

Popular downloads besides PacMan include solitaire versions, slide puzzles (easy to incorporate your logo and an addictive style of game), poker in various varieties, snake, puzzles and brain teasers, trivia, tic tac toe and chess.

Providing cool features and moves for your customized android game with win you downloads, revenue and potential customers.

For example, some of the chess games allow players to choose landscape or portrait orientation and to make moves using a trackball, the keyboard or the touchscreen. One game will take note of the piece you have selected and then highlight all possible moves by that piece, allowing the player to strategize. One will allow a reversal of several moves, so the player can go back and correct a mistake or poor move as well.

Innovative ideas will win recognition in this burgeoning market, where there are hundreds of thousands of downloads to G1 smartphones each day. For a platform that only opened in late October of 2008, the android app market is a huge one with lots of potential for any business.

Save yourself a lot of time and trouble giving directions by embedding a Google Maps locator right on your website using Google Maps API.

This tool allows you to use JavaScript to place a Google Map into your site, pinpointing your location with the superior accuracy that internet users have come to expect from Google Maps.

You can add different utilities for manipulating maps that are the same as the tools your customers are used to using on the Google Maps page. You can also utilize the numerous utilities available for manipulating maps, and add content to your maps by using various other services.

The Google Maps API will let you create a robust, customized map environment that is familiar to your customers and unique to your business. You can choose from normal, 2D maps, satellite maps, and hybrid maps showing some photographs and prominent roads.

There are many other features you can add to your map, like street view, street view points of view, geocoding and reverse geocoding (converting physical addresses into geographic coordinates of latitude and longitude), and a local search bar.

If your website is free and open access, then Google Maps API is free for your use.

You can actually earn advertising revenue from using your Google Maps API. The new GoogleBar has advertising beside local business search results. You can earn from this advertising if you have a link from the GoogleBar to an AdSense account. It’s easy to sign up for an AdSense account, as well.

For an overview of the Google Maps API and an introduction to the many features, check out the website at http://code.google.com/apis/maps/.

For instructions on how to utilize many of the features of Google Maps API, including the advertising feature, click here: http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/services.html#Advertising

For businesses that consider their website and their customers who contact them online to be an integral part of their business, using a content management system is only logical. It will allow those businesses to provide a seamless, high quality online experience that open source or low-end solutions simply can’t provide.

For many of our customers, their website is a strategic part of their business. The added security and performance features of a CMS allow these businesses to focus the website and the usability features that make the customer experience truly superior.

By giving developers and content providers a simple to use and intuitive system, a CMS allows the marketing department or the sales department to create website content and design elements of the site. These professionals understand the customers and their needs better than developers or IT departments. With a CMS, the control goes to the people with the ideas, not only to the people with the programming expertise

The easy integration with business applications also provides a great opportunity for businesses to provide a better integration of Customer Relationship Management software and Enterprise Resource Planning software, as well as any analytics tools.

Because you, the company, are in control of the content and the programs and tools that you use on your site, you are able to better tailor your customers’ experience on your website, offer them seamless integration of eCommerce products and Web 2.0 feature, and fully optimize your site for search engines, so current and new customers can find you easily.

With so many advantages for developers and for the end customers, its easy to see why Content Management Systems are increasingly popular.

We think we offer you the best possible CMS with Sitecore. While there are still features they can improve, as we’ve mentioned here before, overall they provide a powerful program that is fully scalable so it can grow with your company. It’s also easy to use and forward thinking, constantly updating the product and forecasting the next trend, then responding to it.

Their “Gold” partner status with Microsoft ensures continuing support for all its best features.

If you haven’t utilized the power of a great CMS to provide your customer with the best possible experience online, I’d suggest giving it a try today.