Misc .NET

TimeSnapper 3.2: What are you afraid of?

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:07:05 GMT

We've just put out TimeSnapper 3.2 to help analyse your online life.

TimeSnapper has always helped you understand (and replay) the time you spend with local applications, but we've never performed deep analysis of the time within any particular program.

But because browsers are worlds unto themselves, we now give them special attention and give you more details (via reports) about what sites are capturing your attention.

Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome are watched carefully, so you can get a clearer picture of where all your time really went. (Sorry Opera and Safari, it's sad trombone time for you.)

As usual, a whole bunch of improvements made it out along with the main new feature. Check the release notes for details.

Oh and we've reduced the price again. Instead of the usual $39.95, we've dragged it down to $24.95. This is a happier price I think.

TimeSnapper_{down to $24.95!}

People responded very positively to our other price drops, and this is perhaps a more sustainable price. We're not getting rich off it, I promise you, but we are getting enough sales to keep our interest piqued, and ensure that we keep improving the software.

What are you afraid of?

Something I'd like to know more about... what can we do to make TimeSnapper less terrifying?

A certain proportion of people, when they hear about TimeSnapper, or they see it in action, have this strange response, along the lines of:

"I'd rather not know how much time I'm wasting."

My analysis of this attitude goes something like this:

You feel you are wasting a lot of time.
You are not happy about how much time you're wasting.
You believe you're completely powerless to change.

If that's true, then having more information will indeed only make you less happy. The tired old addage, "Ignorance is bliss" applies.

I strongly disagree with this sentiment, but I don't know the right way to persuade these people that information is a powerful motivator.

We could give one free psychiatric consultation with every copy purchased... but that might cost a bit much.

Otherwise I think we're doomed to give up on a certain slice of humanity: the very people most likely to benefit from our software.

What are your thoughts? Would you "rather not know how much time you're wasting"? And if so, what could someone say to help you?

Babbage and Boole!

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:07:40 GMT

I'm looking for a talented graphic designer to help build the t-shirt design of my dreams, based on the 'damn you George Boole' motif.

Or not.

On a separate, thought thematically linked topic... How awesome is this paper, written in 1826, where Charles Babbage creates a notation for describing the state of one of his engines. Essentially he derives and explains the first machine language.

It's pretty much lisp without the brackets, of course. No, it's maybe more like musical score, or guitar tablature even.

Downloadable Slide-decks: "Build your own Tiny Software Company"/"F# eye for the C# guy"

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:12:01 GMT

Here's a fistful of powerpoint slides from the talks I gave at tech-ed australia.

'Better than a license to print money' -- Build your own tiny software company
"F# eye for the C# guy" (pptx) (Currently the world's only F# slide deck containing puppies.)
"F# eye for the C# guy" (ppt) (Word 97/2003 edition, OpenOffice compliant)

The talks were a blast to deliver. I only wish there was more time to talk about stuff I love.

Regarding the Hanselman showdown I ought to fill you in on the conclusion of that little chapter.

Somehow, early on the first night of the conference, there was a public arm wrestle conducted on a stage in front of a boisterous crowd. Not kidding. True.

Of course, I don't need to tell you who won that little bout. It will suffice to say that I no longer mangle or insult Scott's good name in public forums.

Simple Trouble Shooting Application Now Fixes Everything

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:07:20 GMT

I've re-packaged last week's trouble-shooting checklist as an online application.

It's javascript based, web 2.0 friendly, has gradients (but no rounded corners, so it's not fully W2C*).

a simple checklist for trouble-shooting regular problems

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:06:07 GMT

With Joe Cooney's help, we've constructed a simple checklist for trouble-shooting regular problems.

Have you got any further items you regularly find yourself checking off?

Please add more!

check the event log
google it
reboot
run iisreset
empty the recycle bin
hit ctrl+break
kill the aspnet worker process
clear temporary internet files
touch the config file
degauss the monitor
remove everything from the startup folder
"get latest" and rebuild
login as admin
run ipconfig /renew
check if capslock is on.
run a virus scan
download the latest CTP
disable and then re-enable the network interface
restart services (some/most/all)
change your password
unplug your router, and leave it unplugged for 10 seconds before plugging it back in
clear your cookies
add current site to your trusted zone
disable javascript
try to ping the server
press 'clean solution' from the context menu in the solution explorer
repair the installation
run large magnets over all hard drives
check the network cable
defrag the hard drive
try it in a different browser
run a spyware scan
minimize all windows and check for a modal dialog
ensure configuration is correct
see what has changed recently
run process monitor
run chkdsk /v
revert all checkins from anyone named 'Gazza'
run the windows update service
remove and then recreate all Bluetooth partnerships
do a hardware reset on your mobile device
decompile + monkey punch + duck slap + donkey whack
what would jesus do?
look for suitable workarounds
re-calibrate your Geiger counter
check for packet storms
best to rule out toxicological contamination early on
describe the problem in terms even a child can understand
apply duct tape
increase the timeout duration
increase the maximum threadpool size
write to your local minister or government representative
try using the Microsoft Online Crash Analysis to submit your crash dump bucket-id
disable the customer experience improvement program
eat liver of sacred monkey
import the decryption certificate to the local client certificate store
ensure sql server is setup for mixed mode authentication
bypass proxy server for local addresses
check the hosts file and the routing tables
use filemon to locate any other log files being accessed
check the bios
update the device drivers for all peripherals
attach a debugger, get a memory dump, look at it in a hex reader and post it to a forum
cleanse all user inputs
put a try catch around it
replace the batteries in your wireless mouse and keyboard
recompile all dll's
uninstall the old version, re- install the new version, apply hot fixes patches and upgrades
remove the case from your computer, and aim a fan at it
check that you haven't been blacklisted
run diagnostic checks on surge protection units
add an index
remove an index
recalculate indexes
ensure ftp uses passive mode
recalculate statistics
reboot in safe mode
check kerberos delegation
review query plan
if 'automatically detect settings' is checked/unchecked, then uncheck/check it
kill rogue processes in task manager
run memtest.exe
boot from your emergency repair disks
follow standard knoppix data recovery procedures
tweak-UI
uninstall adobe pdf reader
insert "Debug.WriteLine("up to line 53");" where appropriate
set tracelevel to verbose
flush buffers
% truss -t \!all -t open a.out
use cdb or windbg. add in SOS for clr issues.
field test any lightning protection devices
use a temperature gauge on all hardware components, and compare against safe operating limits from manufacturer
run it inside a VM
check the DPI.
search the knowledge base
enable javascript debugging
turn off friendly http error messages in IE
set the current culture to en-US
attach a multi-meter
roll back to your most recent backup
check for GC pressure
empty the MSI cache
temporarily allow popups
look in your spam folder
recompile. wait. recompile.
turn off windows firewall
run caspol and give everything full trust
put yourself in the shoes of the program itself. if you were the program, what would you do?
ask hanselman
try wireshark. failing that, try fiddler. what does tracert show?
check the blueprints and read over the uml.
implement the retry pattern.
rtfm
delete the bios
attach anti-static wrist strap on every appendage
sit inside a faraday cage
insert "alert('here');" where appropriate
overwrite every byte in memory the standard five times as pre-scribed by nsa guidelines
reinstall the operating system from the original media provided by the supplier
add a lock statement
blame Irwin the intern
blame the guy who left last week
blame the ESL guy
blame DNS
add a sleep statement
apply a fudge factor.
run a spell checker over your code
light some candles. sacrifice chicken.
set all DWORD's to 0 in the registry. Then delete the registry
drop all databases.
unregister and re-register all dlls
reboot 3 times
drink own urine
run prime95 overnight
recompile the kernel
do the packets hop subdomains, and if so does NAS require a NAS forwarding service -- how about VLAN?
track down the original programmers who wrote the system, apply percussive trauma therapy.
uninstall java
underclock it
ignore it
post a request for comment on theDailyWTF
ask for correlating evidence that the problem even exists
sharpen your wooden stakes before proceeding any further
melt silver crucifixes onto tips of all bullets
fill your water bottle with holy water
call tech support
check when daylight savings begins
simmer ground rhino horn on a bed of whale pancreas
plan and enact your fire evacuation plan
bathe in holy water
increase dosage on all medications. check for interactions.
bury heart of an ox at midnight under crossroads on fullmoon
clean up your desk
check that pump's suction pipe is elevated above bottom of pond. (Float the inlet 18 to 24 inches below the water surface)
wear shoes with six inch cork soles
wear raincoat, goggles, breathing apparatus
climb into an anti static bag
always use a condom
check pressure reading on gauges number 1 and 2
run it through an oscilloscope
check your immunization schedule is up to date
check for seismic/tectonic activity, solar flares, tsunami, meteor showers.
go and get a coffee. come back and look at it with a fresh set of eyes.

secretGeek at Tech-Ed: "How to build your own Tiny Software Company"

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:23:55 GMT

(latest details)

Turns out I'm talking at tech-ed Australia on Wednesday -- that's the first day -- straight after the keynote.

09:45 AM CT200 Build your own Micro-ISV: Better than a license to print money : Location: Developer studio.

The location, "Developer Studio" is in the main exhibition hall.

So, as soon as the keynote finishes, head over to the main exhibition hall and get a good seat in the developer studio. You've got that?

Once you arrive, we'll try and make lots of noise to attract more people into the Developer Studio.

We want to have the biggest, most energetic, most boisterous chalk-talk that tech ed has ever had.

We can do that right? We want to put Scott Hanselady to shame and we'll do whatever it takes.

Come on sunshine. Take out your mobile phone right now and set a reminder, at 9:40 AM, Wednesday 3rd September, just as your strolling out of the keynote, "head to the developer studio in the main exhibition hall."

Magical secrets of building your own software empire shall be unleashed...

Bambrick versus Hanselman: Bring it!

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:11:19 GMT

So it turns out our old friend and nemesis Scott Hanselman is going to be talking at Tech Ed Australia (and New Zealand too). He's got something like 57 slots.

Other lecturers are terrified that their talk will coincide with Scott. For my part, I say BRING IT ON, HANSEL-GIRL!

If one of your presentations is simultaneous with mine... that's great. Let's make it a little challenge, hey 'Snot Hanselman'.

Who can draw the biggest bestest most evangelical crowd? Wiener-face Hanselgirl with his pansy rah-rah-'mvc-is-oh-so-great' shill tactics, or straight shooting, school of hard knocks Bambrick, with his tough lessons and hard won truths?

I giggle at your puny intellect, Hanselfool. I will crush you with my superior powerpoint skillzies. You are going to rue the day you set foot on my continent, H-Dog.

And if it turns out that you are not competing with my lecture, then I trust you will be man enough to attend, and to witness how things are done, Down Under Style? Or are you too much of the big girl's blouse? I think so. Of course you are.

(footnote for the humour impaired.... i'm a big fan of Scott Hanselman, a hanselfan infact, and i owe him a big thanks, because the fact he interviewed me on his podcast is the direct reason i've ended up speaking at tech ed -- plus he's given me various pieces of encouragement in this topic over the last few years. Can't wait to meet the guy in person. (Will he sign my boobs? Let's hope so) All up, he's truly the bestest guy in the whole world)

Which is not to say that I won't trash talk him in public every chance I get.

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Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:08:23 GMT

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Finding things with Virtual Earth

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:51:40 GMT

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Firoz's Blog " Posting ASP.NET form to another page.

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:39:17 GMT

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ASP.NET.4GuysFromRolla.com: Enter and the Button Click Event

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:35:18 GMT

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nathanblevins : currently messing w/ starting a Web Routing / Dynamic Data / Cloud Storage application. So much ground to cover here, lol.

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:24:20 GMT

nathanblevins : currently messing w/ starting a Web Routing / Dynamic Data / Cloud Storage application. So much ground to cover here, lol. Read More......(read more)

People posting about Agility...

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:22:43 GMT

There's nothing more gratifying than seeing someone else say something about a product you build...

As you may know, I work on a CMS product called Agility, and CMS wire has recently been picking up on our monthly iterative updates to the hosted system.

Check it out: http://www.cmswire.com/cms/web-cms/agility-cms-shoots-for-enhanced-productivity-003470.php

More later - joel

Javascript IntelliSense FAQ (includes details about css references in User Controls, too).

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:20:17 GMT

One of the biggest pain points that I find with Visual Studio 2008 is its inconsistency with IntelliSense (arguably, and ironically, its best feature).

In pages and master pages we can get IntelliSense with (properly) referenced javascript and css files. We do NOT get this in User Controls.

Here is an FAQ from Jeff King that outlines some of this, and he hints at the notion of dealing with the issue of IntelliSense in User Controls.

http://blogs.msdn.com/webdevtools/archive/2008/11/18/jscript-intellisense-faq.aspx

More later - joel.

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Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:08:23 GMT

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Agrupar dados no GridView com apenas 2 linhas de c?digo, ? poss?vel ...

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:10:13 GMT

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ASP.NET MVC HtmlHelper methods and CSS class

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:07:25 GMT

ASP.NET MVC Read More......(read more)

shawnserson : @karlseguin Hey buddy ever had issues with deadlocks in SQL using asp.net (webservices)

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:19:18 GMT

shawnserson : @ karlseguin Hey buddy ever had issues with deadlocks in SQL using asp.net (webservices) Read More......(read more)

p2p.wrox.com Forums - Focus or Scrolling

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:17:23 GMT

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Autumn of Agile Iteration 1 Part B Primer Notes - Steve Bohlen

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:16:13 GMT

Couple of nice resources/webcasts Read More......(read more)

Laid off? Need a new technology? Free Microsoft Training and Education

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:14:00 GMT

Are you a developer who's been laid off? Have you been faced with checking the job boards to find your skills are nearly obsolete and there's nothing available? If you have the ability to program in an old technology, you can learn a new one. It may seem daunting at first, because you don't have the money to invest in new tools and training classes, but I assure you, you can learn ASP.NET and find a vast amount of free help without spending a dime.

About a year ago I purchased the newest version of a non-Microsoft product that I had purchased about 5 years earlier. Back when, there was a Tutorial installed on the menu. But not so today. In fact, not only was there not a tutorial, but to get any type of tutorials, you were directed to a pay site, where you had to pay a monthly membership to gain access to any type of training. This seems counterproductive to me! Why would anyone buy a product they can't learn to use without dishing out thousands more dollars?

I love Microsoft. Say what you may about them, they make it easy for you to learn. What other software company offers fully-functional, non-expiring development software free? If you're into asp.net development, none of this is news to you, so move along. This is for those who are checking out Microsoft technologies. And with the recent rush of lay-offs, which have affected many of my developer friends using older development technologies, I can imagine many are now looking to update their experience by learning a new technology. Don't lose hope, Microsoft makes it easy to learn, use, and develop for free. So are you jobless and in need of learning a new technology, something that constantly shows up on the job lists? I'd recommend Microsoft's ASP.NET. Go to any job board and you'll see there is never a limit in the number of available jobs.

For free development software, check out Visual Web Developer Express Edition. I used this for an entire work-at-home 4-month contract with a client. At the time, I didn't have the money to invest in Visual Studio. But I found there was no limit to what I needed to do for this project. The client was aware I was using it, and there was absolutely no problem. You'll want to download both the framework and the express edition.

"But," you say, "I'm laid off right now, I can't afford to pay for a website host or database!" No worries, you can develop a website locally and create a local database as well. All still free. If you're picking a new technology, use asp.net. You won't be sorry.

"What about training?" you ask. Perhaps you're not the best at being self-motivated to hit the books. No worries again.

Get Started here then check out all these free step-by-step videos to Learn ASP.NET.

"But I need to get started right away!" you say. Check out these free, full-blown web site Starter Kits. Also, check out Dynamic Data to quickly get your admin pages up and going. With a little more effort, you can get your site off to a quick start.

"But what do I do if I have questions? I can't afford Microsoft support." Check out these great ASP.NET forums. I recently had a tough problem, and a Microsoft employee stuck it out with me for several days until the problem was resolved. Didn't cost me anything.

Need more training? Check out Microsoft's cutting edge event training on the latest breaking technologies from Microsoft Events. Just create a free account, and you're on your way to learn, whether you're an IT Tech, developer or business professional, or more. You can sign up for Live Webcasts, or past On-Demand Webcasts. Software to view these webcasts is downloadable free as well.

Are you more of a designer, less of a developer? Check out Silverlight and the Getting Started and Learn pages. Ask questions and learn more in the free Silverlight forums.

I don't work for Microsoft, but I wouldn't pick any other technology to learn and use. I feel your pain and hurt as you go through this trying, emotional time. The thought of having a family to support and feeling you're letting them down. Don't get discouraged. You can do this. It won't happen in five minutes, but it will happen. Just each day, learn a little more. And as you learn, keep notes of what new things you've learned and then you can look back and say, "Well, I'm this much farther than I was yesterday."

You might be in your 40's, 50's or even 60's and think, can I learn a new technology? Yes, you can! With diligence and self-motivation you can do anything! Are there companies out there who would hire someone your age? Yes, there are. Of course, there are some companies who want the fresh out of college age kids who are willing to work 80 hours a week for peanuts, but you don't want to work there anyway. You may have to take a cut in pay from what you were earning before the layoff, but look at it this way, you'll get paid to learn! Plus, you don't have to be stuck in a permanent, low-paying job. Hire on with a recruiting agency and just take a six-month contract. They'll ask if you would consider hiring permanent after the six months. Of course you would! You may love it there. But you're not forced to, and you don't have to. It gives you a chance to check them out and them a chance to check you out, and after six months you can stay or leave. But if you choose to leave, you'll be a step closer to getting paid more because now you have six months more experience under your belt.

What about that job interview when they want several years of experience in this technology? Create a sample web application of your own design. If you have a laptop, take your laptop with you on the job interview, I always do. Then show them what you've done in your source code and on the screen. This is easy to do with Visual Web Developer Express Edition. Just walk through your code and point out what you've done. They'll see your talent and skill.

Admit that you don't know everything but show them what you do know. Most companies are not looking for know-it-alls. They want someone diligent, who is self-taught and who is teachable. With the combination of your previous experience and your ability to learn new technologies on your own, they should be impressed. If not, then it's not meant to be, and there's something better out there for you. Just keep learning.

Create your own development company. Then try to get jobs you can do for your church, or a friend, or your neighborhood association. Then, even if you didn't get paid for those jobs, you can show your potential new boss that you have actually worked on a full-blown, fully-functioning web application. (Just be sure to let these freebies know that once you get a job, you can't upgrade and maintain the site for free (unless you want to), and that this is something you are doing for free now in hopes of landing a job.)

You may be discouraged right now, but NEVER let it show in your job interviews. Plan and prepare what you are going to show and tell them! Don't wait for them to ask you questions, because they may ask about something you don't know, and then you'll be too flustered to talk about what you do know. Instead, ask if you can show them on your lap top (or a print-out of your source code and screenshots, if you don't have a lap top), what you have done. Then in advance, prepare, step-by-step the demo you are going to show them and what you are going to say. Practice on a spouse or a friend. That makes it easier for the interviewer to learn what you know anyway, so they'll love it. Don't let them know you're worried and discouraged and lost and forlorn and all the negative emotions you're feeling right now. Instead, put on your positive attitude and positive face. Say a prayer and go out and get that job!

Don't give up. God is there for you and you can do this!

1st Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

May your dreams be in ASP.NET!

Nannette

jMVC.NET Demos

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:58:22 GMT

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TimeSnapper hits the local press... and more on Iceland

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:39:52 GMT

Thanks to an eagle-eyed journalist, there was a great write up about TimeSnapper published this week in Brisbane's main inner-city newspaper "City News".

It was really exciting to be involved in this. The photo shoot was good fun, and luckily for me we were playing a "wear your suit to work" prank that day so I look flasher than I normally do.

The laptop in the photo belongs to Joseph Cooney -- he is probably writing a blog article just now, boasting "My laptop was in the paper this week." Damn show pony.

Whether or not this will lead to a massive influx of new TimeSnapper customers, I can only wait and see. It ought to hit the right demographic, with its inner-city distribution: these desk bound labourers are the perfect target for 'the consultant's best friend'. Fingers crossed, of course.

More on Iceland...

I get most of my news about Iceland from a site called Iceland Review. The site used to be all about the latest upcoming art or fashion shows in Iceland -- but is increasingly about the economic disaster. For example, the following statement:

"32.5 percent of participants, ages 18-75, have considered moving away from Iceland because of the current economic crisis"

This week they raised the local interest rate from 12% to 18%. Ouch!

Atli and his family are holding up very well, I think. With his awesome programming skills I think he's already got a few interesting options on the table.

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Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:08:23 GMT

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Is Corporate IT a form of emotional abuse?

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:53:23 GMT

There's a government ad posted all over the insides of many brisbane buses at the moment, that describes some tell-tale signs of an abusive relationship.

I took a dodgy photo of it with my camera-phone, in order to try and get this idea across...

In case you can't read it, here's what it says:

Can you see signs of abusive behaviour in your relationship?
Restricting where she goes...	Monitoring her calls...	Telling her what to wear...	Controlling what she spends...

I think it's very easy to draw a parallel between each of these signs, and the behaviour of a typical Corporate (or Government) IT department.

Can you see signs of abusive behaviour in your relationship to the IT Department?
Abusive Partner	Abusive Corporation
Restricting where she goes...	Internet site filtering
Monitoring her calls...	Email monitoring and phone logging
Telling her what to wear...	Standard Operating Environment, corporate desktop-background, corporate uniform.
Controlling what she spends...	Tiny size limits on mailboxes, highly bureaucratic purchasing process, draconian requisition restrictions and, worst of all, lousy pay.

Java Powered Internet? WTF?

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:02:06 GMT

Java's been nagging me to update it, and I finally relented. When it finished, here's the screen it showed me:

Now what does that remind me of?

What have I seen lately that this somehow conjures? Something in the wording...

"The java powered internet..." now you can "experience" the awesome firepower of... ahhh, Ah, now i remember (thanks Uncov.)

Why didn't they just show this?

Life is Upstream

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:38:53 GMT

(The closing words from a nature documentary about the life-cycle of a Unit of Business-Logic)

(the following is to be read in the voice of David Attenborough)

"And now, the Business-Logic is weary with exhaustion, tired, confused and surely close to death.
"It cannot go on much longer, but at last, the end is in sight, as it has just now reached its final resting place, the database.
"Here, at last -- many tiers from where it started, in the presentation layer of its infancy -- the Business-Logic has entered the sacred grounds in which it shall build its deep burrow, safe from the world, and from which it shall never again be shifted.
"Here, safely sheltered amongst the comforting tangle of stored procedures, the Business-Logic can begin to spawn its own generation of subtle bugs.
"And they, in their turn, shall drift, undetected, downstream, emerging as tiny pupa in the noisy pandemonium of the presentation layer where they too can begin the long journey back home, toward the database far upstream. A journey during which they too shall grow into powerful and sexually mature Business-Logic.
"And so, life begins anew."

TimeSnapper 3.3, and News From Iceland

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:45:42 GMT

In record time, we've produced a new version of TimeSnapper -- we're up to 3.3.

If you're currently trialling TimeSnapper professional, and you install this one over the top, your 30 day trial we be reset, and you'll get a complete new 30 days to explore the program.

If we can keep putting a version out less than 30 days apart, then no one need ever buy it again. Oops ;-)

TimeSnapper_{down to $24.95!}

The previous version included better reporting on websites, and this got a lot of customers excited, which in turn got us pretty excited. So we stayed up late a lot of nights, doing a bunch of things to utilise the web-reporting data.

So now, with the click of one button you can now set any application or website as productive (or non-productive).

This is a huge win from a usability perspective, and it lets you generate far more accurate productivity figures with no extra effort.

The playback screen, where you watch a re-run of your computing life, now has proper zooming in and out. This is a must have, particularly if you use multiple monitors.

The web reporting is integrated into the application more deeply, and there are numerous other requests from people that we catered for.

All up this release makes TimeSnapper easier to use and far more compelling all round.

News From Iceland

People have been asking me how my Icelandic partner Atli is going at the moment, with the current financial crisis which is hitting Iceland hardest of all.

Here's some photos he sent, looking out his office window last week:

But he reassures me with a lot of hard work, a bit of good luck and plenty of sales from TimeSnapper, this just might be his next home:

So I think that now is an appropriate time to buy ;-)

Growing Up Geek (A Hanselmeme)

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:17:36 GMT

Scott Hanselman posted up a picture of himself as a young Hanseldork and then tagged myself and others in hope that we'd perform the same kind of self-humiliation.

That's what Scott looked like ---->

I'd like to think that I wasn't so geeky as all that. Kids that looked like Hanselman? I used to beat them up and steal their code.

Perhaps, now that i think of it, i was a little bit nerdy.

Is it nerdy for an 8 year old kid to spend lunchtime playing chess against the librarian? Is it nerdy to read and write elvish runes?

Perhaps my big brother Jeb had a touch of the nerd. He taught me binary, boolean logic, and he taught me to program in Basic on the beloved Amstrad CPC 6128.

I asked him the other day whether the CPC6128 booted straight into Basic, or there was an intermediate OS. Here was his response:

The programming commands available right from ON comprised "Amstrad BASIC".
The disk-related commands such as SAVE, CAT etc comprised "AMSDOS".
 
We had to put a special disk in and type |CPM [i.e bar + CPM] to get the CPM operating
system.  That's what we used for formatting or disk-to-disk copying.  Some
games ran on CPM so were launched by putting that game's disk in and
executing |CPM.  Most games and programs were executed with RUN
"<nameofgame>"...
 
Ahhhh, takes me back.
 
(In contrast, the Apple IIes at CBC [i.e. at school] always defaulted to booting from
whatever 5.25" floppy was in drive A - with B spare for a data disk.  In
those puppies you had to hold a switch on the back on startup for them to
go into command-line AppleBASIC.)

To fulfill the requirements of this meme, i ought to include a picture of what I looked like as a child. Here it is:

Not too dorky. Of course now that I'm grown up I look far more suave:

Smoking is cool, right?

To spread this viral meme I'd like to tag Justice Gray, JoCo Loco, Joel Pobar, the BronJohn collective and, for his sins against F#, Paul Stovell.

How about you? Grow up dorky? What's your story?

Is that all you've got!?

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:49:55 GMT

What's the capital of
the United States?
(drum roll)
About twenty cents. #

Just tell me now, world. Are we serious about this catastrophic global depression or not?

Is this just another of your doomsday fads? Because frankly, some of us are a little tired of your melodrama.

Last month it was that peak oil business. Before that it was global warming and carbon trading. Then it was the obesity epidemic.

You promised that the SARS coronavirus would turn into a pandemic that killed us all, if bird flu didn't get to us first.

http://
IsTheEncomyDownForEveryoneOrJustForMe
dot com. #

And you wasted a lot of our money and effort worrying about this supposed terrorism wave that you promised would crush Western society into long-deserved oblivion.

Your flippancy on these negative promises has been remarkable and frankly my patience is wearing thin.

I'm not going to drag up all the wasted years of worrying about the cold war, and the certain death from global geo-thermo-nuclear warfare with which you haunted my childhood years. But I will say this:

Global meltdown is
going to finally
give us all the
one thing money
can't buy.
Poverty. #

The best you've got for me is something about poor liquidity in the market place!? Seriously!?

Fuck you, Earth. You've got to do better than this.

Give me total fucking annihilation from blood-lusting aliens with nuclear guns in their finger-tips, or just shut up and let me write my code.

Sincerely,
lb.