March 2004 Entries
If you've used this Adobe Acrobat quick-load tip, then you might run into the same problem I did: I recently went found a form online that I needed to update and print. But, when the form openned, I couldn't update it. I tried double clicking on a field, and it told me, The 'Updater' plug-in has been removed. Please re-install Acrobat to continue viewing the current file. I imagine that since the form is editable, and the updater plug-in isn't available to update Acrobat, this is probably the reason...
I recently found out that my office did a code review for a tool that may be maintained by my organization. Now, the tool has an odd choice of technology implementations, so I'm not sure who decided on everything. But, essentially, there's a .NET web application that uses Flash for some reporting UI components which talk to Java web services. And, the .NET app also talks directly to the same database that the Java web services talk to for additional admin functionality. (I hope I explained that clearly)...
Bill McCarthy has a good idea for trying to get VB6 developers up-to-speed. He suggests a gradual process - kind of like the Patch. The approach is similar to unmanaged VC++ and sounds pretty good. A VB6 app would be brought into the unmanaged VB6+ environment and have their project converted with some minor changes (i.e. terminology and keywords). Beyond this, they would be compliant as an unmanaged VB6+ Level 1 application. Various steps would exist to get projects closer and closer to becoming...
Please bring your seat backs and tray tables to their upright and locked positions... It's time to get down and dirty. So, don't blame me if you get offended by anything within the following post. I'm letting it all hang out and I'm not stopping for the weak at heart. So, send the kids to bed, folks - it's time to bring the pain... Kathleen Dollard submitted a guest opinion in the April issue of Visual Studio Magazine. Anyone who's ready my posts (1, 2, 3, 4) knows where I stand on this issue, but...
One thing that I'd like to see on GeeksWithBlogs.net is a standard code color formatter. I'm not talking about a full-blown colorizer - although that would be nice. I just referring to a simple section in the main CSS file that took care of the <code>and <pre> sections similar to how Code Project takes care of theirs. It would also be nice to have icons on the toolbar to help support that, but again, that's just a luxury that probably isn't worth that much time. Personally, I added CSS...
What's up with the freakin “Enjoy Every Sandwich” comments? I guess I like the idea of consolidating comments for people, but as a blog owner, I find it kind of annoying. Having comments emailed to me is very useful - as I'm sure you know, if you have your own blog. Emailed comments provide you an easy way to respond accordingly. But, not only are the EES comments not emailed, to find out what they say, I have to go to another site and search for the comment manually. I just find this...
I saw an interesting tidbit this morning. First, it looks as though most IT workers are in the south. I'm assuming Texas makes up the bulk of this. Second (and third), database administration looks like it's a strongly declining field - ~2% in field (smallest), ~7% of unemployed (largest). I guess, now that I think about it, there aren't too many where I work. From what I've seen, programmers or system admins seem to do most DBA work on a part-time basis. Don't get me wrong, I think a good DBA is...
It's nice to see that VB is going back to its old name. I think the reason for this is because of Microsoft's move away from VB6. I think they wanted to point out that there was a difference between VB6 and the initial .NET release. But, now that Microsoft's made an OO name for VB, they want to bring back some of their old school developers. This is pretty obvious in some of the directions Microsoft's taking VB in. VB has a long road ahead of itself. We'll see where it leads to, cause right now,...
It seems like you can't turn around without hearing another reference to outsourcing, or worse yet, offshore outsourcing. I understand everyone's concerns, but I'm getting sick of looking through my favorite IT magazines and websites and having to sort through this stuff. Anyway, to the point... Just like we've had mottos for previous years, I'm guessing that 2004 will be the year of [offshore] outsourcing. Just a guess, though. We'll see how close I am...
I just posted a collection template article which has C# and VB code that can be used to create custom collections. It's really easy to use - copy, paste, search & replace x2, and you have yourself a custom collection. I will probably be posting a VB version later. And, I might go ahead and add a few helpful methods, if I get a chance. Let me know if you have any useful things you like in your collections. I pretty much only added the basic functionality. The only reason for the template is to...
So, I'm about to create my data access layer... *flashback sequence begins* ...and I reach for my Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture book. *flips the cabinet door open to see an empty space where the book used to be* Damn...I left it at home. Well, what am I to do? Let me just move over a couple of books and grab my Core J2EE Patterns book (admittedly, still in my to-read stack). I figured this was as good of a time as any to get to know the DAO pattern and how it compares to the TDG...
Good news on the patent front - Eolas' plug-in patent has been invalidated. This is only the first step, unfortunately, so we still don't know where this will go. At least this is a step in the right direction. Eolas has 60 days to reply. We'll have to wait and see what happens
Well, I've been out of the loop for a while and I've got a stack of posts to get out, but I'll have to save that for another day - I've got some work to do. On a lighter topic, I was able to update my visited states list. I still want something that can map out all of the highways/interstates I've travelled. I think that would be awesome. For now, however, I will have to live with this...