marcM Blog

Django Notes

2011-07-29T06:33:00.000-07:00

A few tips, tricks, gotcha's, and other findings from working with Django for Python.

Complex Queries

Complex queries are run in Django as "raw" queries. The following information will get you well on your way with complex queries including queries on databases other than the default in a multi-database setup.

Multiple databases require Django 1.2+
When performing raw queries, the table and column names are the actual names define in the database, not the names modeled in Django.
Raw query must include the primary key
Use db_manager('mydb') to specify other than the default database.
Ex: Author.objects.db_manager('mydb').raw('SELECT id, name FROM library_authors WHERE ....')
Use cursor for even more complex queries. These can be handled by a class to simplify accessing.
Use 2 %'s (%%) when using % in a raw query.
Ex: "LIKE %foo" ~~> "LIKE %%foo"

References

https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/topics/db/multi-db/#using-raw-cursors-with-multiple-databases
https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/1.3/topics/db/sql/
http://osdir.com/ml/django-users/2010-01/msg01419.html
http://www.djangobook.com/en/2.0/chapter10/
https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/topics/db/queries/#escaping-percent-signs-and-underscores-in-like-statements

Note the warning about passing parameters to raw,
https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/topics/db/sql/#passing-parameters-into-raw

Modeling Existing Tables

When modeling existing tables by default, Django gives each model an "id" field. This can cause an unknown column error if your table does not have an id field. Resolve this by declaring another column as the primary_key.

see:
https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/topics/db/models/#automatic-primary-key-fields

Passing Data to a Template

Use safe to bypass Django's automagic HTML special character escaping.
Reference: https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/1.2/topics/templates/#automatic-html-escaping
{{ myVar|safe }}

Troubleshooting

Caught OperationalError while rendering: (1054, "Unknown column 'myTable.id' in 'field list'")

https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/topics/db/models/#automatic-primary-key-fields
must assign a column as primary key so Django does not try to use default 'id'

Cool Quick Linux Tools

2011-05-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

These cool tools are awesome for tweeking your Linux workflow. Admin multiple machines at the same time, add GUI dialogs to your bash scripts, and more.

In Short: shFlags, xvkbd, xclip, Zenity, cssh, tree

Zenity Date Select Dialog

Let's start with the one utility, shFlags, that would be useful in any shell script. shFlags (Shell Flags) is a terrific library that simplifies handling of command-line flags, parameters, and arguments passed to your script. It aims to be a portable cross shell/OS alternative to getopt. In the tests I've done, shFlags rocks.

xvkbd is the X Virtual Keyboard and, as it sounds, is a virtual keyboard for the X window system. It can be useful for kiosk installations, however you can use its command-line functionality to send commands to X windows from within a script. The script can fill data in a window, nice.

xclip provides a command line interface to the X11 clipboard. Hugh? Without touching the mouse, you can copy data that can be later pasted in X. A script could process some data and put the result in the clipboard for the user. xclip's functionality does not end there, but I will leave that for you to discover.

Zenity, the key to providing GTK dialog boxes for shell scripts. Confirm decisions, get input, show progress all in a nifty GTK dialog called from within the shell script. The short examples on the website obviate how cool Zenity is.

ClusterSSH, available in most Linux repositories or downloadable from Sourceforge, allows you to ssh into and issue commands to multiple machines at the same time. Now making quick modifications on multiple clients is a breeze.

Tree. This seemingly simple command line tool is amazing for displaying your directory structure in a tree format. Visualize and analyze your directory and file structure quickly and easily.

Linux Timezone QuickTip

2011-03-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

Recently, after moving to a different timezone, I noticed that my automated backup scripts were failing. Why? They were running based on the old timezone (during a disallowed time).

To update to the new timezone, specify the correct timezone in the directory path below:

cd /etc

sudo ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/US/[yourzone] localtime

Issue the date command to see the new date/time/zone.

Logic:
/etc/localtime is a symbolic link to the correct timezone data as stored in /usr/share/zoneinfo. Directories are also available for other countries within the zoneinfo directory.

Google Tools (I Didn't Know I Was Missing)

2011-03-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

My Google search results recently returned a couple of Google tools that I hadn't seen listed yet. I occasionally browse the more | even more page in my Google account to see what's new. Here are two tools I haven't seen listed there yet (one very useful, one just for fun).

Google Financial Comparison
Find and compare rates on mortgages, credit cards, CDs, checking and savings accounts.

Includes a nice overview, side-by-side comparison, and more. And in typical Google style, all without being bombarded with obnoxious advertising like many other bank/financial rating sites.
Google Hotpot
Rate and review places you know, see recommendations from friends and find new places within your profile based on the ratings and reviews you submit.

I Need Big Expensive Software! (Not Really)

2011-03-09T13:18:00.000-08:00

A recent issue of Database Trends and Applications magazine quoted a Forrester Research study that found 80% of database installations only use 20% of the features provided. My estimation is that this statistic also applies to other software, especially some of the most "popular" used and required on home, school, and office PCs. And this is a large aspect of why open source software should be used, encouraged, and by no means discriminated against in the public arena.

Let's avoid any anti-Windows or anti-Microsoft propaganda or personal preference. Anyone who knows me, already knows my personal preference for Ubuntu Linux anyhow. I'm going to focus briefly on the MS Office suite of applications, because as we know it is the dominant software in this arena.

My wife does things with MS Office at work that would make most people's head spin. She needs and uses the power, APIs, and scripting that it provides. She justifies the $X for her corporate license for Access, Word, Excel, etc. At home, she uses a word processor, rarely, for basic documents and a spreadsheet for rosters with name, address, etc. There is no justifying the expense of MS Office for home. She will occasionally use the old copy of Office97 from our college days, but our primary productivity software is OpenOffice.org. For me, running a Linux desktop, it's always OpenOffice or other open software.

If a corporation decides to buy a corporate license for MS Office or other proprietary productivity software, that's fine by me. When a government spends tax money on licenses for employees who don't use/need the added functionality, it's misuse of resources.

When a public school requires students to use MS Office to read an assignment downloaded from the Internet or as the only format for submitted assignments, there is a problem and an unfair bias toward students who can afford home computers and more over the MS Office software. This irks me. Of course OpenOffice can read/write to MS Office formats, so those "in the know" are OK (most of the time) but the majority of educators do not know this and if they do it is not taught or explained to students.

Teach students fundamentals, not memorized specifics, so that they can rapidly adapt and learn a variety of tools. I have seen countless times educators and students alike turn aside from alternative software options because it's "not the same," "too different," "too hard." The fundamental differences in MS Office and OpenOffice are negligible, and in my opinion, no more difficult to grasp than when MS Office dropped the menu bar and got all decorated with ribbons and bows. Users adapted to the changes due to necessity. It is no more difficult to adapt to another office suite.

The principle of cost vs features vs needed features vs compatibility, should be looked at in all organizations from small to large corporations, schools, governments, churches, and non-profits.

My point in all this is use the software you need for the job your performing and don't force others into your boat when another (potentially free) option will work equally well.

Mounting USB Storage Devices

2011-03-02T22:04:00.000-08:00

Today I noticed that my USB storage device (thumb drive, usb drive, memory stick; call it what you will) was not mounting when plugged into the PC. Note: I'm currently running Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat.

The solution that fixed this was

sudo apt-get install usbmount

It's also good to note that lsusb will list usb devices detected on your system. Here you'll likely see reference to the usb drive although it isn't being mounted.

And for fun, gconf-editor lets you tweek all manner of settings, one of which is the Nautilus applications setting for auto mounting storage devices.

Note:
usbmount has been known to contain a bug that causes the device to mount as root instead of the logged in user, meaning you cannot modify the data. If this is the case usbmount may not be the correct fix for you. You can also try using Disk Utility to unmount/mount the device and see if that works.
System | Administration | Disk Utility

Removing Partition, Grub, & Fixing MBR

2010-06-24T09:21:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately had to remove Linux from a dual boot machine today due to compatibility issues (shame on you hardware manufacturers). I wanted to reassign the Linux partition space back into the Windows partition. No problem, right? Maybe if you do this type of thing regularly and already have the tools at hand. This is the first time I have actually had to remove Linux, a sad day for sure, but a new set of tools for the future. Following is a brief walkthrough. (note: this was complicated by being a Eee PC meaning no CDs, USB memory devices only.)

In Brief:

Parted Magic Live USB

remove Linux partition
wipe MBR from terminal
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda bs=446 count=1

Windows/Dos Bootable USB

xfdisk /MBR

Details of My Steps:

Use Parted Magic to remove the Linux partition and reassign space to Windows.

http://partedmagic.com/download.html (see 'partedMagic' from USB section)
install toUSB instructions http://partedmagic.com/documentation/130-creating-the-liveusb.html

This will make GRUB cranky (Grub error 22: partition deleted). Wipe the MBR with the exception of the partition table (hence 446 below).

while still in Parted Magic launch a terminal and enter the command
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda bs=446 count=1
as per http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-hardware-18/how-to-remove-grub-using-partedmagic-789555/#post3866148

Now the machine just won't boot, so we need a boot disk to fix the MBR.

using the following instructions, create a basic windows boot USB (this was the quickest and easiest method I saw)
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=630799
Ultimate Boot CD contains the xfdisk tool needed to fix the MBR. You can probably find xfdisk elsewhere, but since I already had UBCD... copy the xfdisk directory from UBCD to your new USB boot disk.

Boot the PC using the new boot USB

at the command prompt change to the xfdisk directory
issue the command xfdisk.exe /MBR

Remove the boot USB, reboot and all should be well.

Alternatively:

You should also be able to do roughly the same using the Windows Recovery Console to issue a fixmbr, fixboot, fdisk /MBR, fixboot c:, or bootcfg /rebuild. In my case I did the above steps while waiting for files to copy to USB so I could access the recovery console. Instructions for getting a USB bootable recovery console can be found at http://www.msfn.org/board/USB-Boot-Recovery-Console-t111986.html although I never completed the steps and cannot confirm their functionality.

Deceptively "open source"

2010-01-14T05:51:00.000-08:00

Reviewing some software today and saw a link for SupportPRO SupportDesk. Their site leads with the following statement

"SupportPRO SupportDesk is an open source web based Helpdesk system with integrated knowledge base application."

Looking around all I see are links for pricing, demo, order, free trial. No links for download, source, OSI, etc.

There's a live help link, lets ask. During a short discussion I am bluntly informed that open source does not mean free and that the script is not free. Evidently after purchasing the the script they deliver it unencrypted, aka the source is openly readable and modifiable hence their claim to open source.

To me this is deceptive, and their script is sold source editable, not open source in the terms many of us consider. At that, I'm on to evaluate some true open source software.

Bulk Image Resizing

2009-11-18T08:36:00.002-08:00

Looking for a native tool for bulk manipulation of images on Linux.

Enter two fantastic solutions:

Nautilus Image Converter
http://www.bitron.ch/software/nautilus-image-converter.php
(package: nautilus-image-converter)
Phatch Nautilus
http://photobatch.stani.be/
(package: phatch-nautilus)

Both are tools that integrate directly into Nautilus and allow you to modify the existing image or save a modified copy.

Nautilus Image Conver provides quick context menu options to resize or rotate and image or group of images.

Phatch likes to work always on a directory of images and provides more advanced editing functions in addition to resizing, such as rounding corners, adding a background shadow, and watermarking.

Both are fantastic tools!

Windows, Mac, and other non-Linux users don't feel left out. Phatch is actually cross-platform! Still there's something for you too, keep reading the backstory.

While previewing Adobe Air, I tried the Shrink-o-Matic application. I found that I really liked it and the interface was great for clients who like to update their own websites, but don't understand (or want to) how to edit their images to an appropriate size.

After a few simple configurations (setting desired image size and output location), the application is as simple as dragging, dropping, then opening and using your newly resized images. It's worth looking up and trying out if your not a Linux user. (drop me a line and i can send you a step-by-step guide to setting it up.)

My PCs are not the latest and greatest, they are actually more like well aged wine, and they do their jobs very well (with Ubuntu). Running Adobe Air is a bit cumbersome so I wanted a native application that would run fast. That led me to find the great Linux applications listed above, which provide such a vast array of features that I no longer need Shrink-o-Matic (which is still a nice tool) and I can dump Adobe and Air (which makes me happy).

As a side note, I'm also a little biased against Adobe as from experience I fell their sales tactics are deceptive and they misuse/abuse open source and free software. That's not to say all of their end products are bad though.

The Windows7 Experience

2009-11-13T08:35:00.000-08:00

Some observation from a recent (brief) encounter with Windows 7

why does a "restart required" message show up under the win explorer icon in the taskbar? oh yeah, to trick us so we think an app is still running when we restart :D
given two windows partially overlapping. was it planned that tool tips for the lower window would appear under the other window? (Gnome's window management works so productively for me that everything else just seems icky. Way to go Gnome team!)
window and scroll wheel focus are a real annoyance to me. They just slow me down too much to have to click every window I want to use. (again Gnome gives me max productivity)

After getting used to the feel of Win7 and copping with the inconveniences, I do see some major improvements in the OS. Here's the way I figure.

XP added new features/utilities and later quick-added some for security issues
These were not bad ideas but lacked in user-interface/interaction
(they were annoying)
Vista fixed many of those so they were not (as) annoying and added other new features/utilities
again not bad ideas but lacking in user-interface/interaction
(again they were annoying)
Repeat the same for Windows 7.

The cycle makes some sense in that after enough complaints and feedback it's easy to see a better solution to something. Would be nice though if they received enough feedback from beta testing to clean up the annoyances before resleasing (aka a Windows that stayed out of the way and let me do what I need to do... quickly)

Although I think some of the features and UI changes may actually increase the learning curve for noobs, it is actually not that bad an OS to use.

A few UI things I do like

Automatically rotating wallpapers
(Linux users see Gnome Wallpaper Tray applet)
Handling of taskbar icons/applications (for the most part)

Ability to show taskbar icons only or icons with labels
(although the menu to change this setting seems miss-worded)
popup previews of application windows
application specific options on right-click
application window coming to front when hovering over preview
curved and colored highligh behind running application icons.

color varies by app
makes feel more organic

show desktop in bottom right that frames all windows and displays desktop
Auto versioning / previous versions of files
(sounds good although i never played with it)

And one item that I have yet to decide if I like or dislike (i'm mixed between, perception, functinality, and reality)

multiple tabs in IE (and other tabbed apps) show as multiple windows in taskbar preview. Useful? Confusing? Annoying? Beneficial? I'm still in the air.

clicking preview brings up IE and that tab gets focus (I like that)
it seems missleading since they are tabs in the same window, especially with IE as it still like to open WAY to many new windows for my liking.
although functionally, it seems a productivity booster

It was interesting to see some of the new features and improvements, but it come nowhere near swaying me from Ubuntu Linux and Gnome desktop. Linux is still simply the fastest, most efficient, and enjoyable way for me to work.

Recycling Junk Mail

2009-10-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

While flipping through the junk mail recently as it headed to the trash can, I noticed that the daily credit card junk mail is going green. Or eco-friendly, or eco-conscious, or whatever. At least that is the impression they would like to give, by adding a small "recycle please", "recyclable", or "please recycle" logo on the back of the envelopes.

Recycling pickup is not free where I live. So these companies, who want my money and to charge huge interest rates for credit also want me to pay to recycle the junk they send me so they can appear more eco-friendly? How about they wasting huge amounts paper and other resources each year to send me these things. Do I really need all the legal details about a credit card I don't want? Try sending me that stack of paper when I express interest in your product, or provide it electronically.

Point is, they are wasteful. Don't make me pay or feel guilty for your waste so that you can improve your eco-image.

Pugs

2009-09-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

Pugs...

Pug Head Tilt - watch more funny videos

Testing in Safari on Linux

2009-08-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Had the need to test Apple's Safari browser on a website or three. Issue: I'm a Linux (Ubuntu) user. Of course Linux is awesome and super good, but the big Apple doesn't make a version of Safari for Linux.

Solution: PlayOnLinux

Looks like it is popular for gaming, but it also has more practical use, it sets up and configures to let me run Safari through Wine. BTW, it also supports Google Chrome (yeah!).

Download it for your distro here.
http://www.playonlinux.com/en/download.html

Many to choose from with instructions or simply use the available .deb file. Install and launch PlayOnLinux (it appeared in my Games menu). Click the Install option, select Internet, choose Safari, click Apply, then walk through the screens and your all set. Once installed it will show up in your wine menu and desktop if you chose the desktop option (i had to manually make the desktop launcher executable).

Note while installing Safari: When asked about "Install Bonjour for Windows" and "Apple updates" uncheck both of these, you do not want them as they will cause problems.

Model Railroad

2009-08-27T05:47:00.001-07:00

Beginnings of a model railroad in the basement. Additional videos over the next week, catch them on YouTube.

Screenshot? Shutter at the Thought

2009-08-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Formerly known as GScrot, Shutter is a fantastic screenshot tool for Linux.
In their own words,

Shutter is a feature-rich screenshot program. You can take a screenshot of a specific area, window, your whole screen, or even of a website - apply different effects to it, draw on it to highlight points, and then upload to an image hosting site, all within one window. Shutter is free, open-source, and licensed under GPL v3.

For what it's worth, Shutter comes highly recommended by me. I am currently using it for all my screen capture needs.

Downloads are available for multiple distributions, of course, including Ubuntu. A quick deb install and your all set.

Reorganizing & Merging PDF Files

2009-08-25T13:14:00.002-07:00

Needed to merge and then reorder the pages several pdf files today. I don't have and prefer not to use Adobe tools when I can avoid them. A quick google turned up a couple of options.

Ghostscript from the command line to merge them
(would have needed the pages in order first)
PDF-Shuffler GUI

A quick overview on Ghostscript can be found on linux.com.

Since my pages were not necessarily in order, I decided to give PDF-Shuffler a whirl. To give fair credit, I learded of PDF-Shuffler from bigbrovar.

PDF-Shuffler is a small python app packaged in a .deb file for the Debian flavors of Linux, including Ubuntu. Download, install deb, launch app from office menu, drag pdf onto application window. Once the pdf loads you can drag and drop pages to move them around, delete and rotate pages, or drag to add another pdf. When finished export the new pdf.

It's quick, easy, and worked without the slightest problem on my 12-15 files and merged them all into one 10 meg pdf.

California Coaster Train

2009-08-19T08:30:00.002-07:00

Saw the Coaster in SanDiego; fantastic in real life, great on video, and cool surfliner in small scale. Check it.

Linux - Immutable Files

2009-08-18T12:15:00.001-07:00

Here is a cool tip on how you can make files on your system immutable. By immutable, I mean even root can't delete the files if he choose to.

Architeuthis

2008-12-29T16:22:00.000-08:00

How cool is this news from National Geographic?

In Antarctica's Ross Sea, a fishing boat has caught what is likely the world's biggest known colossal squid (yes, that's the species' name), New Zealand officials announced today.
Heavier than even giant squid, colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) have eyes as wide as dinner plates and sharp hooks on some of their suckers. The new specimen weighs in at an estimated 990 pounds (450 kilograms).

I'm not a zoologist by any means but it's facinating to see the creatures with which we share the world. I always hate to hear that the creature was caught in nets and/or died, however these huge sea creatures are simply wonderous.

Another story from National Geographic about the Giant Squid is available here. This one was apparently alive while it was being filmed. A gallery of photos is available.

Wikipedia has a good article on Architeuthis the giant squid.

Besides all this, one of my favorite bands of all time, Tourniquet, has a song titled Architeuthis in which they reference the giant sea creature. So I must go listen to that song again, as if Tourniquet isn't already playing in the background (which they are).

2007-05-15T17:37:00.001-07:00

"Some people are born great, others are thrown into greatness."

I might add a couple of additional statements to say that, some people could be great, however they haven't been given opportunity while others have fortitude for greatness, they simply lack desire to attain.

Cell Scam

2007-05-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why just to check voice mail on your cellphone takes so long? It's not just because the cell phone companies enjoy putting in all of the boring verbiage. "You have N new messages", "to get messages press...", "voice call received at...", "to listen to this message press...", "to delete this message press..."

No, it's because for every second they can slow the call down, they are making money. This really aggravates me, because it should taking only a few seconds longer than the length of the message, to get the message. Instead it takes a minimum of two minutes.

Not that I don't have plenty of minutes in my cell plan, but i don't have time to waste just getting the message. We all have better things to do, and the phone companies should streamline these services instead of milking them for every cent they can.

Never!

2007-05-06T03:44:00.000-07:00

As a web developer, never, never, never resize a persons browser!

Let me yell this in hopes of getting it through your thick heads.
NEVER RESIZE A PERSONS BROWSER!

I don't care what your manager/boss/ceo says, it's rude and makes myself and others furious!

Obama the President

2007-05-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

If recent trends and the power of the internet can be taken as any indication, Barack Obama, may very well me our next president.

I don't claim to know much or anything of politics, and as a matter of fact, I typically disagree with alot of what goes on in our political system. One thing is certain though, up to this point, there are only two names that I can think of when considering the next presidential election and only one of those has gotten my attention. That one is Obama.

Why my attention and why do I think he may have everyone else's attention too?

Well, just look at recent trends. People, voters, are less interested in the perfectly primed and politically correct candidate. They want someone that they feel they know, that they can relate too, and that seems like one of them.

The new generation of tech and web-savvy voters, including myself, are thinking outside the box. We aren't interested in the same rigid, proper, to-good-for-you, suited, wrinkle-faced, constipated, old politicians. Just think of Arnold and Jesse, democrate or republican, they are different, outside-the-box, and down to earth relatable.

Obama is much the same. Although opposer's would try to hinder his campaign with pictures of him shirtless on a beach, it only promotes him as human, and still alive.

While news commentators may ridicule him for eating fried fish on camera, at a big democratic fishfry, it won't hurt him. I hope that video spreads all over the place. It shows he is real and one of us, willing to join in with the things we do and have interest in. Come on, you would have eaten it too.

Then, one more quick point. He is obviously someone well informed concerning the tech world, or he has good, intellectual people around him. This report from Slashdot, also really impressed me. We need someone who understands technological significance and who can understand and is willing to stand up for important issues such as net neutrality.
"I am a strong believer in the importance of copyright, especially in a digital age. But there is no reason that this particular class of content needs the protection. We have incentive enough to debate. The networks have incentive enough to broadcast those debates. Rather than restricting the product of those debates, we should instead make sure that our democracy and citizens have the chance to benefit from them in all the ways that technology makes possible."
And that is why, even though I don't know anything about Obama's position on traditional political issues, he has my vote. We're looking for someone real, relatable, and outside the box. And that is why Obama keeps getting my attention and likely the attention of many others.

Net Neutrality

2007-04-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

A good (and entertaining) non-technical description and reminder about net neutrality.

New Career Path

2007-04-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

Last week I was offered a position as "E-business Implementation and Marketing Specialist". This position is a great opportunity to try something new and exciting, and I am looking forward to launching into this new role in mid-April.

Ohio Linux Fest

2007-03-15T19:49:00.001-07:00

Ohio Linux Fest, has a PledgeBank entry! Show your support for Linux by going to PledgeBank and pledging to register and attend. The pledge has an ambitious goal (at least for PledgeBank) of 1000 pledges. Let's push OLF to the top of the PledgeBank and Digg list!

Recorded and Canned

2007-03-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

Recorded studio music can never live up to a live show. It is to controlled, to perfected, and planned out track by track. Live shows are organic, subject to the unexpected, and imperfect. Like fresh fruit, when you put it in the can it looses some of its essence, and becomes something different from its true form.

Music doesn't always have to be perfectly orchestrated and coordinated just because it is on a CD. The life is what sells. Don't focus on the perfect pre-recorded guitar loop for this track, and the drum loop for the next track, and the exact vocals with perfectly consistent inflection. That is boring, stale, and stagnant.

Play your music, record the album. Show that their can be life in the recording.

Star Wars Insight

2007-02-25T16:24:00.000-08:00

Ever wondered if Star Wars was prophetic? Did Lucas have insight into a future the rest of us had not forseen? Did he know that the world would start caring about their health and eating healthier including more organic and natural foods?

If not, then why else would he have named a character Leia Organa Solo?

Hmmm....

Win GA Flakes Out

2007-02-20T18:04:00.000-08:00

Here's an unconfirmed tip I read somewhere that may be useful in those cases where your legitimate copy of Windows XP gets confused and says your Genuine Advantage validation is bad and won't let you update the OS.

Again, this is unconfirmed...

to get updates with a version of windows XP or Home that for some reason thinks it is invalid, Try this little trick, when you go on updates and check for windows genuine validation, it will tell you that your windows is not genuine, what u do is ...... >click on tools in internet explorer >click on manage add-ons > find the windows genuine advantage and click on it then on the bottom check the disable bottom > click on when it tells you that you have disabled it > now refresh windows update you should be able to get the updates at this point I hope i was helpful I am a pc tech, and I do this on all the pc's I repair.

Oh, btw, the full title would be "When Windows XP Genuine Advantage Flakes Out", but i like the abreviated version. :)

Weekend Fun

2007-02-19T18:55:00.001-08:00

Well, I spent much of this weekend tinkering around with the PSP, seeing what was new and happening on the homebrew scene. And the results were very good! I'm now running my PSP with custom firware version 3.10 OE-A' and the POPstation plug-in, so I can buy and play games again, and still try out the cool homebrew stuff that is available.

Your Butt, Somewhere Else

2007-02-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

It always gets to me when i see people discard their cigarette butts anywhere and everywhere. Whether car window, sidewalk, parking lot, flower bed, or lawn, it gets me. I've seen perfectly beautiful areas tainted by butts. It's ridiculous, they are such a small and simple things to dispose properly, perhaps they are so small that noone thinks they have an impact? The world and many of the people in it may disagree.

That said, here's my official statement on smoking:

It's not my place or position to tell you to smoke or not to smoke. Smoke till you combust if you want, but don't take our world out with you. Don't stick your butt where it doesn't belong.

Smarter Home

2007-02-05T05:53:00.000-08:00

Here are a few products for making your home smarter. From automated and web-based controls to electronic notifications and more.

Eaton Home Heartbeat Home Awareness System
iControl Home Monitoring System
Z-Wave Wireless Lighting System

Dead Like Me

2007-02-01T16:28:00.000-08:00

If you've never seen it, you should start catching up! I recently came across this series on a commercial/ad somewhere (tv, online, etc) and decided to check it out. It seems it started as a series on Showtime that is now syndicated on the SciFi channel.

After one episode, I was hooked. Although some will likely not find the humor in this show, others will see it. This show is clever and witty and humorous, while at the same time being synical, moody, sometimes dark and twisted. From the episodes I've seen, the show is also thought provoking, encouraging thought about life, circumstance, death, and what comes after.

Oh yeah, you might be wondering what it's about, well here's a high-level. Somewhat angry girl dies oddly and becomes one of several grim reapers. Both she and family left behind have difficulty copping with new situation. Want more? Watch the show on SciFi, currently Tuesdays at 7 and 8 US Eastern time!

You've got to check it out for yourself to really appreciate the cleverness of this show. Give it a try, and enjoy. I told you you would. :)

Note: Having originated on Showtime, there is adult language (f..) at least twice in each episode. The SciFi tv version has been edited (i'm pretty sure), but if you watch the series on DVD it is unedited.

Personal Blog - Part 2

2006-11-28T18:49:00.000-08:00

In continuing my search for a new home for my personal blog, i still have not found exactly what i'm looking for. Perhaps if i could pinpoint what it is that i'm looking for, it would make the task easier.

I did see that Google/Blogger has a new version in beta. I will likely look into it further, however walking through their brief overview, it still seems like the same Blogger which i am trying to get away from.

I want something with a web2.0 look and feel, that can be customized to some degree, while maintaining it's dignity as a whole and unified site (my and all other blogs) unlike myspace. At the same time, it must be easy to use and fast and easy to create and manage the customizations. It would be nice if their were social aspects like linkedin or vox, without the heavy advertising or locked in themes of vox.

Anyhow, the search continues...

Personal Blog - Part 1

2006-10-29T18:45:00.001-08:00

I looked into using VOX, and although I am not currently planning to use VOX for my personal blog, I am continuing to look for an alternative. Ideally, I would like tagging support and the ability to customize it somewhat to add links to external web2.0 sites but I want a cohesive and organized site (i refuse to become a member of the waste that is myspace).

I could always host my own personal blog and use an open source CMS, however i was hoping to include my personal blog as part of a community, instead of isolating it to myself.

but on the other side, by joining my personal blog to a community of bloggers on an existing site, i do not want to feel that my posts are no longer mine. By that i mean, if i decide to move elsewhere, i want to be able to export my posts in a standard xml format that i can take with me. i don't want to feel locked into a particular server forever, much like i do with my blogger account now, that just makes me hesitant to keep toiling away to add content.

How to Start a Startup

2006-07-31T22:49:00.000-07:00

Here's what seems to be a pretty good discussion of how to start a startup (although I haven't read it completely yet). By the sites name, i'm guessing that it was written by Paul Graham, so to him goes the credit.

To Technical

2006-07-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

While watching the recently released movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka in his vast wisdom had some valuable advice to offer.

He becomes somewhat annoyed with the children, who keep reminding him how much more they know than any of the others. When they begin to tell him a technical reason that something cannot be done or that it's not scientifically possible, his response is simple yet profound. He simply tells them to stop mumbling, that he can't understand a word they are saying.

After seeing this a couple of times, a revelation comes to me. He's making an important point. Don't question. Don't hesitate. Don't let the illogical hold you back. Follow your heart. Find a way to make it happen. Even if you have to import Oompa Loompas from Oompa Loompa Land, make your dream a reality, whether in a chocolate factory or elsewhere.

High View

2006-07-15T06:18:00.001-07:00

It's an amazing scenescape, almost unbelievable, and in my mind simply incredible. Flying at thirty thousand feet, looking down from above the clouds, a vast landscape of valleys and mountains is laid out. It was something I had never before experienced, the higher clouds casting shadows on the landscape, possibly even raining on the lower cloudscapes. Intensely bright sunlight overhead creating a rainbow through the top layer down the landscape. Even an airplanes shadow cast on the landscape moving through the rainbow. And in all of this, there was of course no true land, no physical earth to be seen, only the clouds and sun and rain and wind to create this view that words fail to describe.

Moving Overseas

2006-05-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

Check expatfocus.com and transitionsabroad.com to help with the decision.

Investment Infomation

2006-05-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

www.dividendachievers.com lists stocks that have raised their dividends at least ten years in a row.

RealtyTrac.com is a foreclosure and pre-foreclosure website that might be useful in finding off-price real estate.

Your Butt, Somewhere Else

2006-04-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

It's not my place or position to tell you to smoke or not to smoke. Smoke till you combust if you want, but don't take our world out with you. Don't stick your butt where it doesn't belong.

Windows Media Player Version Error

2006-02-10T21:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I ran some of the security updates from Microsoft's update service. I also saw that there was a new version of Windows Media Player, so I decided, "hey, why not, i'll go ahead and install it while i'm here." What a waist of 45 minutes of my life.

The install seemed successful, so I started WMP. I was prompted through some wizard pages, make MWP the default player, etc, blah, blah, and then it finally tried to start the application. Immediately I received an error stating "wmplayer.exe has a version number of 10.0.0.3646 where 9.0.0.2980". I'm then offered the option to redownload/install the application; being on a broadband connection I say ok.

After download, installing, and going through the wizard once again, I'm presented with the same error. Not willing to try again, I googled and found the following good solution amongst a variety of more difficult solutions that may or may not have worked (i didn't want to try them).

Goto Start>> Run
Type "c:\windows\inf\unregmp2.exe /UpdateWMP"
Then simply restart WMP.

This was not my solution, so thanks goto Chris Lanier [MVP].

Lasik - Post-Op

2006-01-17T21:46:00.000-08:00

It's been ten days since the procedure and my vision is better than 20/20. Yesterday (day 9) my eyes were very much back to normal, and I had to remind myself to use the artificial tears. My eyes didn't seem dry at all. And it didn't hurt that I'd had a good nights sleep without goggles.

I will offer a word of caution, scented shaving creams and/or lotions are not your friend during these first weeks after the procedure. Whatever fragrance or chemical was in my shaving gel caused my eye to water and burn very uncomfortably although it never came in direct contact. Several face washings and a shower to try and wash the fragrances off of my face and my eye finally stopped burning. It was sensitive to perfumes and other fragrances in the air for a couple days after that.

All this said, I highly recommend laser eye surgery. It simply magnificent not to have to watch out for and clean and do all of the other things you do for glasses and to not have them slowing down life. But find a reliable and trustworthy facility and doctor with plenty of good references! These are your eyes and worth every penny, don't skimp on them.

2006-01-17T21:36:00.000-08:00

And so the day of the procedure came. Obviously, any procedure that involves the eyes should make anyone a bit nervous, excited, and curious about the technology. The numbing drops are in and within minutes the doctor is using a marker to draw small dots on the eye (as a point of reference).

Then comes the laser. As an assistant standing to the side announces the steps, the doctor uses a small device to hold the eye open and in position. As you watch a small light flashing overhead, it suddenly disappears as a flap is cut in the eye. Seconds later vision reappears and right on queue with the assistants remark a clicking sound is heard as another light flashes overhead; the laser performing its task. Finally, a cool sensation washes over the eye and the procedure is complete.

Repeat the same for the other eye and in less than five minutes all is done and your headed out of the operating room. By description and time, this is the simplest part of the entire process.

Following the procedure comes a long nap, likely until the next morning. Sleep may not be quite so easy due to the goggles one must wear to prevent involuntarily rubbing the eyes while sleeping (for the duration of one week no less, but again these are our eyes so we'll do exactly as instructed). Medicated drops three times daily for the first week and artificial tears at least four times daily for four weeks and that's it. Initially there may be some periodic dryness that's easily resolved with the artificial tears any needed number of times daily.

I wouldn't say that any part of the procedure was difficult or painful. Sleeping wearing goggles is only a slight hassle and the drops are easy to remember (your eyes will typically remind you). Still it's the coolest thing that there's no pain involved.

Lasik - Pre-Op Decisions

2006-01-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

Media and print adds make it sound quite simple, and in many aspects it is, however the patient is not without some decision in the process (at least in my case). There are multiple different laser types with different characteristics that make them applicable to certain eye types and conditions. The particular location I visited had three laser options.

As I said before the primary considerations are required prescription, thickness of the cornea, and size of the pupil. The lasers can be divided basically by age of technology and diameter, the oldest technology having a smaller maximum diameter. The newest having the largest maximum diameter and a variety of other benefits.

In my particular case, the size of my pupil was slightly larger than the middle size laser. At such, I was given two options, the middle or largest size laser. The smaller laser, the older of technologies, simply would not cover the area needed to provide full correction.

Option one, the middle sized laser, and allow the doctor to do a blending effect where the laser didn't cover. This option would still provide 20/20 or nearly 20/20 vision. The drawback to the blending method is that some lighting conditions may be more likely to cause glare or a halo effect.

Option two, was to use the largest of laser sizes. This also happens to be the newest of technologies, referred to as wavefront. In addition to being large enough to cover the full area of the pupil, if I understood correctly, this method also has the ability perform the surgery based upon the topographical data from optical scans. According to the physicians this provides the most accurate vision correction since it accounts for the unique contours and shape of the eye. With this method, 20/20 vision is all but guaranteed and the chances of glare and halo are almost eliminated.

This particular facility also offered a guarantee on their work such that any future vision corrects would be performed free and with an equivalent laser by whatever the current standard is.

Based on the information and the test results, and because these are my eyes and I am, of course, not willing to accept anything less than the best, I chose the laser using wavefront technology.

As a note, I would recommend if your employer has a flexible spending plan to use that. The tax savings allowed me to get the wavefront for what it would have cost for the mid-sized laser without the plan.

Lasik - Qualification Exam

2006-01-17T21:14:00.000-08:00

It's about time. After years with glasses I reached the end of my patience. After talking to several people, I decided to take the step and visit a local vision center for one of their 'free comprehensive eye exams'.

Comprehensive was an appropriate term, as the various steps of the exam lasted the better part of two hours. That was ok however, as these are my eyes were talking about, so things should be done with exactness. The tests are painless and range from simple vision test (reading the letters on a chart) to electronic tests measuring pupil size and eye's topography. The end result is that the tests provide a determination as to whether or not the individual characteristics of the eye are applicable for the lasik procedure. Key factors are required prescription, thickness of the cornea, and size of the pupil.

Of course once the tests are complete and if ones eyes qualify for lasik then comes the discussion of price and setting a date. At this they were also very efficient and before you can blink your signed up to have the procedure done, the only choice is which laser to use.

Death at the Door

2006-01-17T20:53:00.000-08:00

"Aroused from sleep I slowly opened my eyes as I lay still in bed. Standing in the corner of the room just to the right of the door, and just visible in the light shining in from the hall stood a dark foreboding figure. His face was skeletal, but darker and blurred.

Instantly I knew this figure's intent was not good. Boldly and without hesitation I shouted, 'be gone in the name of Jesus.' The figure seemed to whence, then shrunk sideward and out the door, not turning it's gaze away from me. In the hall it continued to gaze intently at me and I could feel it trying to search my mind for doubt, fear or any other unholy agreement to his cause. But I stood firm in my statement and offered no re-entrance. At last the figure turned away to the right and proceeded down the hall in a clouded veil of darkness. I noted the time; it was exactly 3:17 am."

That's the story my father recounted. It wasn't until two days passed that news would arrived. A restless gentleman in reasonable health had been evidently unable to sleep and walking the halls both for exercise, as his condition was not critical nor terminal, and tire himself. It was at exactly 3:17 am that this gentlemen had fallen over dead in the hall just two doors down to the right from my fathers.

2006-01-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

Over the holidays I had the opportunity to read a couple pieces of fiction; something I've not had opportunity to do for some time.

A Series of Unfortunate Events
Book 1 - The Bad Beginning
This proved, a very entertaining story. Aside from what you've already heard or seen in the film adaptation, I'll give no information about the storyline itself. I will say that it is well and cleverly written. It even has educational potential as well. Definitions are provided for a good many words; however they are presented in a manner such that the reader almost doesn't realize they're learning. I'm looking forward to reading more in the series. Somewhat dark, albeit wonderful story that it is, it may not be for all readers (it is after all, a series of unfortunate events).

The Spiderwick Chronicles
Book 1 - The Field Guide
I've only had chance to read the first in the series so far, and very much enjoyed the tale of Boggart. Perhaps my only complaint here is that the story is somewhat short. It feels more that the series of five books should have been bundled as a collection of short stories, as 10 dollars for an hours read seems a little steep.

The author has also written at least one other book (for adults). While reading an excerpt online I realized it was definitely not something that I was comfortable reading. This caused me to take another look at the spiderwick series and although I may not be the quickest to pick up on symbolism and other such methods, I didn't notice anything that would cause me not to read the rest when a few hours leisure can be found. Due to the content I read from the adult work, I would suggest parents read of Spiderwick themselves to make judgment prior to handing it over to the kids.

To Technical

2005-07-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

Partitions

2005-07-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

I had used the standard DOS fdisk to partition my harddrive. It's a meager drive at only 80 gig, but serves its purpose, that being, partitioned into many small partitions (most about 5 gig) so that I can install and check out some of the different Linux distributions that are available (I'm still looking for that perfect distro).

I'm guessing that I was tired/rushed/careless (maybe all three) or perhaps the installer decided it could do a better job than myself, but while installing Ubuntu, my partition structure was wiped out. No big loss, this is primarily a test machine anyhow, no serious data loss, but once finished looking at Ubuntu, I did need to recreate the partitions. I'm thinking, no problem, I'll just boot up my trusty Knoppix CD and use QParted (which is related to or the same at QTParted) which in theory would let me resize the existing and create new partitions.

No luck, the drive seemed to be getting locked, saying it was mounted although it wasn't, and other odd things. Keep in mind this is probably due to my not knowing exactly what I was doing (this was my first outing with QParted). I decided to wipe out all of the partitions and completely start from scratch, still having difficulty deleting the partitions with QParted. That's when I came across a project on sourceforge.net called Ultimate Boot CD that is bootable CD loaded with tools for setting up and manipulating your motherboard, processor, disks, partitions, and a variety of other things.

Using one of the tools on this CD, within the F3 option from the main menu (I don't remember the tools name), I was able to erase all of the partition information on the harddrive. Then I rebooted back into Knoppix and was able to recreate my partition structure using QParted. Exactly what my problem was before, I'm still not positive, but the steps/tools above got me back into a happy place again.

Comments More Important Than Code?

2005-04-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

As a firm believer in comments, this post caught my attention. Check it out.

From slashdot.org
Developers: Comments are More Important than Code
Posted by timothy on Tuesday April 26, @10:11PM
from the if-you-disagree-provide-comments dept.
CowboyRobot writes "I was going through some code from 2002, frustrated at the lack of comments, cursing the moron who put this spaghetti together, only to realize later that I was the moron who had written it. An essay titled Comments Are More Important Than Code goes through the arguments that seem obvious only in hindsight - that 'self-documenting' code is good but not enough, that we should be able to write code based on good documentation, not the other way around, and that the thing that separates human-written code from computer-generated code is that our stuff is readable to future programmers. But I go through this argument with my colleagues, who say that using short, descriptive variable names 'should' be enough as long as the code is well-organized. Who's right?"

Pay for Spam

2005-03-27T12:20:00.000-08:00

How often have browsed the web looking for spyware or adware to install? Chances are, not often and not intentionally. Most people, myself included, actually get quite upset to find out that a desirable looking shareware or freeware application comes fully loaded with enough advertising to cripple the application's usefulness. Or you discover that the email address given during website registration was sold to spammers who are more than ready to flood your inbox. I quickly unistall the application and never look back as well as discontinuing my account with any such website.

Now imagine paying these companies to send you spam. Imagine paying for the software that's full of advertising. Well imagine no more. Microsoft Money and H&R Block Taxcut are two software packages that you can spend your hard earned money on and they will do the honor of nagging you with advertising and plugs for there own and other companies.

It started out as small easy to ignore advertising, now it's matured into all out harassment. This years tax software from H&R Block was chocked full. Advertising from ING Direct, Earthlink, and credit report companies filled the box and applications.

Companies better take note. There's enough alternative software available that users don't have to pay for your spam. If I want harassed by advertising, there's plenty of opportunity available elsewhere. I won't tolerate paying to be hassled by advertising.