Misc

Leet Google

Paul Menefee — Fri, 22 Apr 2005 13:27:00 GMT

Who knew. Ok probably everyone but me; but there is a leet version of Google a href="http://www.google.com/intl/xx-hacker/" target="_blank">^. Everything but the query results are in "leet".

Longhorn running Linux

Paul Menefee — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 17:14:00 GMT

Steve Ballmer announced that Longhorn will be able to run Linux virtually. As I read this I couldn't help but think about Greek myth of Daedalus who flew too near the sun. The wax in his wings melted and he fell to his death.

"We've worked very closely with Sun. Yes, the Sun that we never worked closely with before," ~ Ballmer

Although I have too agree it is sweet and very tempting, it is dangerous ground. Of course there is always the adage "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.". Just be very careful Ballmer.

Don't get too comfortable

Paul Menefee — Sat, 15 Jan 2005 18:32:00 GMT

I'm sure all of us are hard working, very dedicated employees who sometimes throw ourselves too deeply into our work. We get the in-the-zone and we are off on the trail of the solution to the problem. Stepping away from the screen when your in hot pursuit can be very difficult. But then there are times when it didn't work. No matter how hard you tried the odds were stacked against you. You pleaded to the project manager but conditions were set that weren't in anyone's control and you or your team need some real pixie dust to make it happen. It's a rush; pulling the rabbit out of the hat at the last minute, but this time it doesn't happen. You or your team have lost.

So, after time, we tend to dodge those hits. We say we are “choosing our battles”; in reality we aren't as motivated to take a chance as we once were. Herein lies the tar pit of a career. Taking this route will only make you a mediocre programmer. I say this because I've been around this cycle. I've watched those around me do the same. I've been at the same company now for almost 5 years and am still pretty much the new kid on the block. (There isn't much of a turn around here obviously) But I've been here long enough to regret some decisions I've made; whether I wrote something or should have written it. I've gotten ambitions about projects that were “canned” for one reason or another. And probably one of the most frustrating lessons has been to understand that nearly everyone outside of the development team couldn't care less about “the process”. They just want it to work. There is no “coolness” factor in milking that last tenth of a second out of the method or the fact that no one has broke the build in over a month. It does make it tempting to just sit quietly with your cup of coffee in your hand and be pleased with what you've accomplished. You know it's cool and a nice accomplishment - but don't do it!

It's a balance of discipline to keep the client happy, making them feel like they are part of the process but keep them out of the system. Usually this turns in to a “Wizard of Oz“ affect jargon speaking and high level talk to keep them at bay, but don't go there either. That's a whole other post for another time. Right now my advice is leave conversations with the client to the team manager and project leader.

In summary - Don't get too comfortable in your cube or office doing your little routine. Get out there. If you've just taken a hit or feel beat up I want to encourage you to stand up dust yourself off and jump back in.

C# ASCII Art Library

Paul Menefee — Tue, 11 Jan 2005 14:48:00 GMT

What a great way to kill some time.... C# image 2 Ascii - Thanks Daniel! You can get the source here.

SQL Sever 2000 SP4 - bug list

Paul Menefee — Tue, 11 Jan 2005 14:14:00 GMT

In case you were curious if the SP4 would or did fix that subtle bug that had been bothering you at the most inopportune times here is the definitive list of bugs fixed by SP4.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;888799

Eleven Points of Quality Engineering

Paul Menefee — Fri, 24 Dec 2004 02:04:00 GMT

Here are some files I made for our team here. They aren't in their permanent format but are pretty darn close. The first one I adapted (moderately plagiarized) Howard van Rooijen so kodos to the Conchago team and Howard. The second page is a simple diagram showing the implementation of a Continuous Build System. Feel free to use them or make comments, suggestions etc.

Heads up Everyone, MSN is on the loose

Paul Menefee — Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:14:00 GMT

As expected and promised Microsoft has stepped into the search engine arena (finally). http://beta.search.msn.com/ But you gotta love the internet when competitors can sponsor each other :) http://www.clickz.com/experts/search/opt/article.php/3435171 (note the “Sponsored by..” just under the headline)

Like I had time to kill to do this...

Paul Menefee — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 20:53:00 GMT

I'm back in the saddle. Time to revive the post engine.....

Which File Extension are You?

and thank God it's finally over

pmenefee — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 01:17:00 GMT

I'm just now feeling cheery enough to feel like writting or doing much of anything. I'll make it short and brief.

Camp Lajune was great but then my wife thought she lost her wallet. So I called the MPs to report the incident, then ... after a few hours... she found it. Then the evening of the 4th after the fireworks and fun on the way back to the cabin the car lost it's air conditioning. “No problem” I thought, “I'll just drive back at night, it'd be best for the family anyway.”. I had some things I needed to wash before we hit the road and nothing was open on the base to wash cloths except one laundry mat. Three hours later for two loads I was able to finally pack the car and hit the road. It was now 11pm and the kids weren't happy. No AC and no beds. But I assured them that when they woke up we'd be home.

Around 6:30 the next morning we pulled into a rest area. There the car died. The AC compressor had locked up and we were stranded. No AAA (someone kick me) so I had to call the Highway Patrol at the time I thought for a jump. I'm not a machanic and didn't know how serious all this was. They weren't able to revive the beast so I called a tow truck. It was a good 30+ miles to the nearest town; then to a transmission place, I'd of course never heard of, to work on my car. After a night's stay in the hotel we were back on the road by 3pm.

About 45 miles down the road at exit 435 just east of Knoxville TN I pulled off to let the kids eat something. And then it died again. Wouldn't turn over, nothing. I called the machanic back who had just worked on the car. Of course I was a bit hot but he walked me through dignosing the problem. This time it was the altenator. I've never had car trouble. But this is something can and will happen to the best of them and I knew this I could fix. And I did. So at this gas station while the kids played at a near by McDonalds I replaced the altenator on the car. It wasn't that bad but very frustrating.

So now after the trip I'm a bit wiser ( I hope ) and perhaps a tad more patient. I know that it's not where you go or what you do while on vacation it's how you spend you time with those your with. The kids hardly felt the aggrivation except they wanted to be home in their beds and that they missed thier cat. I also know I'm getting AAA and not leaving home without a toolbox just in case someone else needs my help.

And so my vacation begins....

pmenefee — Wed, 30 Jun 2004 12:57:00 GMT

Well today marks the first day of my vacation. It's been awhile since I've done this, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I'm taking the family and heading to the beach; Camp Lagune, NC to be exact. We have rented a cabin just off the beach, no internet or phone. I've told myself repeatedly that I will enjoy this, and I need to enjoy this. ~ we'll see...