How we got started !!

The project was barely underway when I was assigned a lead role on the SharePoint project team. Microsoft had sent some folks over to show us what SharePoint Server 2007 could do and they created a basic 'proof of concept' to give us something concrete to look at after the demo. From there, we were on our own. I began reading as much as I could on the Internet about WSS 3.0, MOSS 2007, and SharePoint Designer 2007. I watched webcast after webcast. One thing to point out here is that I am actually a database application programmer and and not a web developer, so all the concepts were brand new !! No problem !! I am a fast learner and was looking to get into something new. OK ... It was time to get started. After coming up with a basic design for our development farm topology, we decided to take a crack at installing MOSS 2007. The development farm topology consisted of three servers; one to fill the web and application roles and two for the SQL database back-end. The initial install was somewhat bumpy. Five members of the project team hovered over the servers throughout the installation process, each looking at one another for answers. During the time period that we were blazing our way through new territory, we were also in the process of scheduling a week long training session for the Microsoft Implementing and Administering Course. One of the primary reasons for attempting the install before training was so the training material would not be completely foreign. To be continued ...