On August 6 Microsoft released their MSDN Forums Client to Codeplex in the form of a Community Technology Preview (CTP), which,  unless you have the Windows Live SDK installed it just does not work.  Dont fret, I have a solution for you.  Three solutions in fact!  (harder, hard, and easy)

 1. (Harder) If you have vs.net 2008 installed:

    a. Download the head of the trunk build from codeplex: http://www.codeplex.com/msdnforumsclient/SourceControl/ListDownloadableCommits.aspx

     b. Download the Live ID Client 1.0 SDK and install it

http://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=347

Note :As an alternative to installing it, you can use Universal Extractor to break the MSI apart and just grab the files you need

      c.  Update/set the reference in the source you downloaded to the file:  Microsoft.WindowsLive.Id.Client.dll

      d.  In that same project, right click the project and "Add Existing Item" and choose: msidcrl40.dll

      e. Right click the "msidcrl40.dll" file in your project, properties.  Set it to "Copy Always" (aka be sure it is copied into the bin folder as  you build).

      f. Build and then run.  

2. (Hard) Download and mash the files yourself

     a. Download the release available from codeplex

http://www.codeplex.com/msdnforumsclient/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=16079

      b.  Install (or expand via Universal Extractor)

      c. Copy the same two dll's to the executable folder:

msidcrl40.dll
Microsoft.WindowsLive.Id.Client.dll

       d.  Execute  ForumsClient.exe

 3. (Easy) Grab my pre-mashed files

    a.  download this file

http://tools.mscorlib.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=aYBl6zZnPi4%3d

    b. unpack the zip

    c. Execute  ForumsClient.exe

You should be prompted for your Passport credentials.  Be sure to first change "Brand" dropdown (and be patient for it to load).  From there you can see the available Forum names, add, etc..

1 Comment

• fornetti said Sunday, August 31, 2008 2:04:24 AM

  I do not believe this