SharePoint Error Message: "Do you want to view only the webpage content that was delivered securely?"

When accessing a site over a secured (https://) domain but which may contain content displaying from an unsecured domain (http://) you will see the below warning.  While this is may be helpful while navigating certain sites it can be a real pain when trying to work in a program like SharePoint or CRM.  Especially frustrating is the fact that everytime the screen reloads this message will appear.

Adding all your hosted domains to your trusted sites in IE will be helpful but this specific error requires additional steps.

      

The above example shows a SharePoint site hosted using the Microsoft BPOS offering.  The page contain two seperate webparts that display content from other sites.  Here are your steps at stopping this message from appearing:

1) In IE select "Tools", "Internet Options"

2) Select "Security"

3) Determine how this site is being accessed.  In this example we are accessing a Microsoft BPOS site over the internet.

4) Select "Custom Level"

5) Under "Display mixed content" select "Enable"

This should take care of it.

Leveraging SharePoint with Google Chrome

The use of SharePoint to leverage business efficiency and to automate business process is rapidly expanding.  This software has been designed to run most effectively with Internet Explorer and with Microsoft operating systems.  But at PerSyst Consulting we have clients who utilize every imaginable and sometime complex IT environments.  Giving those clients the ability to leverage SharePoint within their preferred IT environment is increasingly getting easier.

With the ability to operate SharePoint from within FireFox and Safari in both the PC and Mac environments the last gaping hole to be filled was Google’s hugely popular Chrome.  But true to Google’s commitment of encouraging developers to build apps around its browser IEtab is now available.

This application extension opens an Internet Explorer window within Chrome and gives you most of the speed and functionality you would experience running the full IE on your machine. Keep an eye on Google’s apps as they are rapidly releasing solutions targeted directly at improving business effectiveness.

SharePoint view dropdown is missing!

Recently a client called with an emergency.  The view dropdown was missing from one of their document libraries. This was especially important since the explorer view was needed to manage a large series of data and there was a deadline.  In all honesty this development made me think a little but anytime you find yourself trying to think through questions like this it is a good habit to check the blogs first.  As it turns out the people over at Sharepointology already had written a solution.

In order to not steal their ideas, I will point you over to their article for the specific walk through.  They did a nice job of explaining.

One point I would like to make for those of you using the explorer view to manage your SharePoint data don’t forget you can access the files directly through My Network.  

Leveraging SharePoint for the FireFox and Mac User

SharePoint has become a mainstay in businesses seeking streamlined and efficient sharing of information amongst employees and vendors.  However, the dramatic growth in the use of this technology has created a desire to use its functionality with browsers other than Internet Explorer.

We are now commonly deploying communication processes for businesses who would prefer to use FireFox on their PC’s or are using Mac’s as their platform of choice.  While it is commonly believed that SharePoint is not a real option in these environments we have had very good results with some simple adjustments in the approach.

For PC users wishing to utilize FireFox a simple Add-In gives very good functionality through the running of IE within the FireFox Browser.  In this instance the ActiveX controls are being run through the embedded IE instance but the full functionality of FireFox is maintained.  Furthermore, the user has control over which sites are viewed through IE.

 For the Mac user they too can capture most functionality through the use of an Add-In.  It should be noted that even without the add-in Mac OS X users do have most functionality available to them.

 So if your business wants to remain on your existing platforms or make a change you can still capitalize on the leverage SharePoint provides.