Click to enlarge. I received this from a friend of mine (also in IT), but I can't attribute it to its source. Suffice to say, I didn't create it.
Thursday, August 14
What do you do?
This is why I usually don't talk about what I do in casual conversation.
Click to enlarge. I received this from a friend of mine (also in IT), but I can't attribute it to its source. Suffice to say, I didn't create it.
Click to enlarge. I received this from a friend of mine (also in IT), but I can't attribute it to its source. Suffice to say, I didn't create it.
Using Databases
As you advance your career, you learn things. Some of these are insignificant, and some are monumental, should-be-carved-in-stone-for-all-to-see important. Here is one of my 'programming truths'. It's mine, remember, not everyone will agree.
Databases are for storing data. Period.
They are not for writing code, they are not for manipulating data. There are big boxes in which you can put your data. I'll allow them to index that data, but not much else.
A few years ago, I realized once and for all the stored procedures were evil. They were a pain to maintain, and generally unnecessary. And a year ago, I swore off the crutch that is 'identity' columns or 'auto-increment' columns for creating primary keys. Yes, these things are terribly convenient... but they can cause serious havoc later on if you are migrating to a different database engine, or (more likely) combining two databases into a single instance.
And since I just discovered a bug in MSSQL 2005 which relates to Identity columns, I've found another reason to despise these datatypes. (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/952111)
So. Take my advice, I know of which I speak, and use databases for storage, put your data manipulation code where it belongs, in your data access layer. You will thank yourself for that decision in the future. I promise.
Databases are for storing data. Period.
They are not for writing code, they are not for manipulating data. There are big boxes in which you can put your data. I'll allow them to index that data, but not much else.
A few years ago, I realized once and for all the stored procedures were evil. They were a pain to maintain, and generally unnecessary. And a year ago, I swore off the crutch that is 'identity' columns or 'auto-increment' columns for creating primary keys. Yes, these things are terribly convenient... but they can cause serious havoc later on if you are migrating to a different database engine, or (more likely) combining two databases into a single instance.
And since I just discovered a bug in MSSQL 2005 which relates to Identity columns, I've found another reason to despise these datatypes. (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/952111)
So. Take my advice, I know of which I speak, and use databases for storage, put your data manipulation code where it belongs, in your data access layer. You will thank yourself for that decision in the future. I promise.
Categories:
IT,
Programming
Wednesday, August 13
Green Camping and Scouting
We are about to kick off our 2008-2009 Scouting Program Year, and as Cubmaster of Pack 112, I have a very important goal for our camping trips this year: Green Camping.
Many of the boys in our pack have already earned the BSA Leave No Trace award. This patch shows that the boy is aware of the need to keep our frontcountry (parks, campgrounds) and backcountry (trails, rivers) natural areas free from trash and harm. This award is fantastic, and one of my goals is to see every boy in Pack 112 earn it this year.
When we go camping as a pack, we traditionally server Saturday night dinner as a Pack function. The Pack purchases food and supplies, and we all eat together. When we are done, the boys and leaders ensure that all our trash is picked up, and put where it belongs.
However, we are generating too much trash. We use disposable plates, utensils, and cups, and we throw it all away at the end of the meal. While simple for us and the boys, it's a horrible practice.
What I would like to see is for every Scout, and Scout family, to provide their own, reusable, eating utensils, cups, plates and bowls. I don't want to put a financial burden on families, but I think that this is very achievable, and will greatly reduce the amount of trash we produce while camping.
Since the Pack purchases plates, utensils, etc. this will also serve as a cost saving measure for us.
I'm going to present this at the next Pack Committee Meeting, and we'll see how it goes.
Many of the boys in our pack have already earned the BSA Leave No Trace award. This patch shows that the boy is aware of the need to keep our frontcountry (parks, campgrounds) and backcountry (trails, rivers) natural areas free from trash and harm. This award is fantastic, and one of my goals is to see every boy in Pack 112 earn it this year.
When we go camping as a pack, we traditionally server Saturday night dinner as a Pack function. The Pack purchases food and supplies, and we all eat together. When we are done, the boys and leaders ensure that all our trash is picked up, and put where it belongs.
However, we are generating too much trash. We use disposable plates, utensils, and cups, and we throw it all away at the end of the meal. While simple for us and the boys, it's a horrible practice.
What I would like to see is for every Scout, and Scout family, to provide their own, reusable, eating utensils, cups, plates and bowls. I don't want to put a financial burden on families, but I think that this is very achievable, and will greatly reduce the amount of trash we produce while camping.
Since the Pack purchases plates, utensils, etc. this will also serve as a cost saving measure for us.
I'm going to present this at the next Pack Committee Meeting, and we'll see how it goes.
Jordan's Wheel of Time Novels Move to Film
Part of me is pretty excited. But then I wake up and realize this could be really horrible. Really.
You try to take those very very dense novels and make them into 120 minutes movies. That make sense. Go. Try.
You try to take those very very dense novels and make them into 120 minutes movies. That make sense. Go. Try.
Categories:
Media
LucasArts Embargoes "Clone Wars" Reviews
Surprise! It seems that Clone Wars might stink. :) I fully expect it too, honestly, but I also expect my kids are going to love it. And therefore, I'll have a good time watching it with them.
Slashdot | LucasArts Embargoes "Clone Wars" Reviews
Slashdot | LucasArts Embargoes "Clone Wars" Reviews
Categories:
Media
Tuesday, August 12
That's How You Get Grey Hair
I just spent two hours replacing the power supply in my work PC after the old one exploded. No kidding, complete with a flash of light and a loud bang. I'm pretty sure it took about a year off my life, right there.
The power supply was simple to replace, but it appears that it damaged the USB controller in my monitor when it went *POP*. Oh well. That's what warranties are for.
In all my years working with computers, I've never seen one fail quite so... spectacularly.
Just for the record, it was a 400w power supply manufactured by Zumax. It's the second such PS that has failed in the past two months, though the first one died over a weekend, so we didn't witness if it was as exciting. All of these power supplies are less than 18 months old, and all (five of them) were installed at the same time to support bigger/better video cards in our workstations. Not a great track record.
The power supply was simple to replace, but it appears that it damaged the USB controller in my monitor when it went *POP*. Oh well. That's what warranties are for.
In all my years working with computers, I've never seen one fail quite so... spectacularly.
Just for the record, it was a 400w power supply manufactured by Zumax. It's the second such PS that has failed in the past two months, though the first one died over a weekend, so we didn't witness if it was as exciting. All of these power supplies are less than 18 months old, and all (five of them) were installed at the same time to support bigger/better video cards in our workstations. Not a great track record.
Categories:
IT
Monday, August 11
Digging Out
Well, due to some communications issues with my phone last week, I was out of touch with just about everyone for about four days. That made for a wonderful pile of NIRTS* projects this morning. Love that.
Monday is almost over... yeah for all of us. Tonight is our annual Sausage Sizzler for the Cub Scout Pack. We all get together, grill something, and take the boys on an easy trail ride through a local park. Weather looks good, and I'm looking forward to it.
*NIRTS : Need it right this second
Monday is almost over... yeah for all of us. Tonight is our annual Sausage Sizzler for the Cub Scout Pack. We all get together, grill something, and take the boys on an easy trail ride through a local park. Weather looks good, and I'm looking forward to it.
*NIRTS : Need it right this second
Sunday, August 10
Scouting Kickoff
I cannot believe that the school year starts in a week. That means that scouting is ramping up, with Recruiting, Cub Scout Roundup, etc. As the newly elected Cubmaster of Pack 112 here in Tallahassee, I'm starting to feel some pressure.
Tonight I worked on the Recruiting flyer we will hand out in schools on Friday, as well as some administrative details for the forty or so boys we already have. It's looking to be a great year, and I can't wait to get started.
If you are interested in getting your son involved in Cub Scouting in Tallahassee, I'll tell you that Pack 112 is probably one of the best around. We've got a great group of boys and parents, and we do a lot of fun stuff during the year. Check us out at http://tallyscouts.com/112.
In addition to my Pack duties, I will be attending Woodbadge this spring. I'm pretty excited about that, even though it means committing to to three day weekends at Wallwood Scout Reservation. I know that I will get a lot out of the experience, both personally and in Scouting.
Tonight I worked on the Recruiting flyer we will hand out in schools on Friday, as well as some administrative details for the forty or so boys we already have. It's looking to be a great year, and I can't wait to get started.
If you are interested in getting your son involved in Cub Scouting in Tallahassee, I'll tell you that Pack 112 is probably one of the best around. We've got a great group of boys and parents, and we do a lot of fun stuff during the year. Check us out at http://tallyscouts.com/112.
In addition to my Pack duties, I will be attending Woodbadge this spring. I'm pretty excited about that, even though it means committing to to three day weekends at Wallwood Scout Reservation. I know that I will get a lot out of the experience, both personally and in Scouting.
Categories:
Scouting
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