Problems completing things

Posted by on June 1, 2011 No comments

I admit it! I have problems finishing things (this post was started 2 months ago!).  It seems as soon as I get my head ready to work on a project, I get motivated to do something totally different. Unfortunately this tends to mean that a number of projects I’ve wanted to complete over the last 10-15 years, have never been finished.

In the last 5 years there have been:

MCSE/MCSA – since leaving school I’ve said I wanted to get this qualification, which is self paced. I learnt when doing a year of University via correspondence, sitting down and applying myself was hard. This project will take 6 months to complete the first level, then a couple of months to upgrade it.  What’s my biggest hurdle in accomplishing this? Time and concentration/dedication.

Christmas Lights – ever since seeing the video of Christmas Lights done to music a few years ago, I’ve wanted to do my own version. I’ve got a plan, it’s just execution, and again time. From start to finish, this is a few months worth of work.

Animated Short – back in 2006, I was on a site which was planning on producing a short animated film. The scope of thee first film was huge, so I put forth a short story, which got a few people working together, however due to problems with the Webmaster, the site disappeared, just after I had backed up all my data, since then it’s been during dormant except for the opening credit I’ve worked on.. This is a project which will take several months to complete, time and learning is required to complete this now.

Album – since I started writing in about 1995, granted the throughput hasn’t been that much, but I’ve always wanted to record a complete album.  I’ve tried working with others on the internet to collaborate on an album (see RPM Challenge) which didn’t come about, and even when I try to do the challenge by myself, I didn’t get past 2-3 songs being written (and only 1 being recorded).  Again, this comes down to quiet time at home, which I don’t seem to get much of.

Coding a CMS – I think it was 2005, I designed a website with a registration system which submitted the details via email.  Since then, it’s turned in to a database driven CMS/event registration system.  Last year, it was made more modular, however the registration still requires a lot of manual coding each year to update information.  Each year I say I’m going to update it and never seem to fully get around to it.  This year I will so the management can potentially be passed on to others, plus I can release the code so others can use this.  I keep having more and more ideas about how to implement this, which will mean this will always be a work in progress.  Why don’t I use an ‘out of the box’ CMS?  Well, I haven’t had one that will allow the registration we require along with a newsletter mailer!

Coding a Social Network – A couple of months ago I had an idea to create a Social Network (I won’t give anything away as yet as it’s still on the backburner), I’m thinking once the CMS is sorted, this can be extended from that.

Of course I have other goals, such as health (lose weight) and house goals (de-clutter).  And dreams that go with them, such as a trip over to the States and other locations around the world/Australia.

How does one start?

Thinking back, it always seems to come back to music.  Each time I got to do something, I pretty much pack up my studio.  Within a week, I’m unpacking microphones and guitars again.  So maybe keeping them out to record on the side is a good thing.

Considering that the site which the CMS was initially designed for is going to be going live for this year shortly, that should be my first priority.  Next would be study/music.  Lights will be working in 2012, it’s going to take a full year of work to get that sorted.

So, CMS, here I come..

(Yes, this is just a ramble I needed to put on paper)

My Stories and Memories

Posted by on October 5, 2010 No comments

I’ve created a new section on my site which I’ll post different stories and memories of my life.  Not necessarily the stuff which happened yesterday or the day before, but those that happened years ago.  The first one I’ve typed up are my memories of the Sydney 2000 Olympic & Paralympics Games.

I was a Volunteer during the Olympics and Paralympics, which was a very rewarding experience and at the time I would have to say were the best 4 weeks of my life.  This was before I met my Wife.

I’ve got to sort through all the pictures I’ve got of those weeks and put them in a gallery on this site.  Unfortunately just before the games started I dropped my brand new 2.0 Megapixel camera and it was in for repair during the Olympics.  I got it back for the Paralympics, so there will be more of my photos from that time.

E-Reader my dilemma – What’s the deal ASUS?

Posted by on October 4, 2010 No comments

I’ve been wanting to get an e-reader pretty much since they came out.  Initially, I thought the price point of these devices were just too much.  Then there were rumours of colour e-ink, then double page readers.

May 19th this year Borders Australia released the Kobo.  Finally at a price point I could accept ($199 at the time).  My Father went out and bought the ‘no frills’ e-reader, well no frills compared to the Kindle, and he absolutely loves it.  He’s read a number of books on it and it’s done quite a few kilometres on bus rides and even holidays.  At the time I didn’t have the extra money to spare, so I decided to wait a month or so.  In that month, there was a technology showcase called Computex.  ASUS introduced 3 new devices (granted there was also a new phone, gaming laptop, all in one monitor etc, but I’m keeping this post about what I’m looking at).  2 new tablet computers and an ebook device (to call it a reader I think is understating it).

asus_eee_pad_ep121_12_inch

Slightly off topic of this post, their tablets are quite impressive and I am looking to purchase the 12 inch one (pictured above).  This device will be replacing my beloved ASUS eeePC 900.  I will be giving that netbook to my soon to be 4 year old, who is showing a natural ability with computers.  The screen being 3 inches bigger (than the 900), touch interface (which will make it easier for me to use on the bus), and is DUAL CORE and Windows 7, not Android like their smaller 10 inch model announced the same day.  The dual core processor is quite a big thing for me when it comes to my working on websites.  Running XAMPP and a web browsers, PLUS firewall brings the 900 to an almost grinding halt.  I think the new ASUS EP121 with docking station will suit me to a tee.  (And yes I buy other ASUS hardware, I’m writing this post on an older ASUS laptop, and I’ve got desktops with ASUS Motherboard’s in them).

Now their e-reader e-notebook, was the stand out for me.  Firstly, let’s look at the spec’s (we know of) it’s offering:

  • 2450 dpi touch screen (ok it’s sensitive + has a pen interface.. nice!)
  • 0.1 second page turns (because it’s not e-ink)
  • 64 levels of grey (that’s 4-8 times more than other devices!)
  • 2MP camera (for taking photos of notes etc.. not sure if it’s B&W or colour.. have only see the images on the device)
  • 8″ screen (again, most other devices are 6″)
  • 1024 x 768 screen resolution
  • SD card slot
  • 10 hours battery (from memory)

asus_eee_tablet

Now, with the spec’s above, it stands out above a lot of e-readers, if not all! (even with the initial $199-299 ($USD?) launch).  Some people might argue that the 10 hour battery (compared to the greater than 2-3 week of an e-ink device) is a disadvantage, however taking in to account that you are looking at an LCD vs e-ink device WHICH CAN TAKE NOTES, I believe puts it in a different category compared to the other e-ink devices.

How would I use this device?  Firstly, it’s going to be my e-reader.  I don’t mind that it’s 10 hours of use between charges.  I will read on the way to work, lunch, the trip home and of an evening.  Charging at home and/or at work.  I plan on studying for my MCSE and this will allow me to annote my text etc.  I would also use it as a Songwriters note pad.  I’ve been moving away from my note book in preference for writing at the computer.  This would allow me to make my transition to the digital domain.  The ability to the compose on it (all be it on a notepad, but I can have a template) and even use it for live performances with chord progression / lyrics on screen!

At the time of the announcement, ASUS were saying it was going to be available GLOBALLY come September.  Since May, I’ve been searching every few days for more information on this device.  In August, PC World reported (after talking directly with Asustek product engineers) that it was going to be released in October with reviewers getting a preview in mid September.  The name possible changed from Eee Tablet to Eee Note (which IMHO I think is a much better name, even Eee Notebook).  Their spiel seems to aim the market at students who want to go to class, record the lecture (with built in microphone), take notes, then take a photo of the whiteboard so they don’t have to write all those notes down.

It has been torture for me to walk past Borders and not walk in to buy one of the Kobo Readers (and at the time of posting this, they have just announced an upgraded version of the Kobo).

Great, so come the end of September I don’t see any reviews of this products so I decide to call up ASUS Australia to ask them, querying the fact that it was a GLOBAL release.  The representative indicated that it’s not on the list of products to be released, and ASUS Australia might not even release it.  Available Globally? that doesn’t sound right to me.

I got My Wife, who had had some luck that day, to give ASUS a call for me.  She spoke with someone who sounded like they were wanting to help more.  They were going to send a few emails to find out if anything was happening.  The email which she got back the next day was that “These is no release date for this product in Australia as yet. I have been advised that it might be next year.”  Whilst she was talking on the phone, the sales person indicated that a “Global” release for ASUS Australia was 3 months after the “Global”?????

Has the world (or at least ASUS) forgotten about the definition of Global: involving the entire earth; not limited or provincial in scope.

Even Apple at least give release dates for provinces close to announcements… and then sell then.  Mind you, they also don’t leave 4-5 months (or in the case of their Tablet PC’s 7-10 months) between announcement and the device being released.

So ASUS Australia (and yes I hope other Aussies find this post and comment on it to share their feelings with ASUS Australia) please consider your consumers in Australia and release this at the same time your parent company is releasing it “Globally”.  The Sales Representative I spoke to indicated that they were trying to work out if there was a market in Australia.  I’ve been telling a number of people about this devices and just at my work there are more than 3 sales!  I personally believe that there is a market for this device.  I would hate to see it released 3 months later than the rest of the world and there be consumers in Australia who either purchase a different e-reader (which I’m getting closer to every day as the release get’s pushed back further and further), or look to overseas to purchase this device (like the “Fanboys” would) so we can get it when it’s released.  I just hope it doesn’t get to this and then ASUS not getting the pick up they hoped for.  (For the record, when Borders started selling the Kobo, they couldn’t keep up with supplies!)

And yes.. all of this sight unseen I’m that confident about the device!

So in other words, ASUS, please keep your Australia supports up to date with your Global release dates, or this might be one customer you will miss out on.

Few updates, lots of things happening

Posted by on September 1, 2010 No comments

5 Months between updates!  Well, it’s been an interesting few months.

Personal Life

I’ve mentioned before my son has eczema and food allergies.  In February (I had started to type up a post but never got around to it) on my Wife’s Birthday, my Son had an anaphylaxis reaction to something.  Whilst he didn’t have the reaction to later in the day (2pm), we think it might have been caused by some cashew nuts which we had at the movies earlier in the day.  Even after changing clothes, washing our hands thoroughly and brushing our teeth / using mouth wash, which we thought would be enough, he had a reaction which led to him being administered with an Epipen.

The experience was an eye opener to my wife, our families and me.  Having to watch everything my son touches when we are out to making sure food doesn’t include nuts (and the other number of foods which my Son is allergic to).  A couple of things have caught me off guard.  One instance was a Carrot cake at work.  Only realising when getting to the edge that there was a walnut sitting on top of the cake, whether there were any nuts in the cake I’m not sure, but as soon as I saw it I quickly washed my hands / mouth and desk.

Since then, we finally got in to seeing a doctor which a number of people who in passing in shopping malls etc have suggested we visit, Dr George Samra in Kogarah.  To give you an idea, it took 6 months to get the initial appointment.  His initial consultation led to taking beef and dairy foods out of his diet and us getting two blood tests done (Note: getting a 3 year old to get a blood sample took 7 people in total in the room).  One test was for airborne allergens, the other for food allergens.  The food allergens test done by Australian Biologics Testing Services.  The 210 test tests how the blood reacts to 210 different foods.  A number of the foods at the top of the list (which indicates that his body works the most of process them), were his main diet.  Being Oats, Cow’s/Sheep/Goat Milk, Soy/Rice, wheat, potato & yeast. Cows milk ruling out ALL dairy.  As a milk substitute, we are using Elecare.  The only cheese which he is OK to consume is Buffalo.  As for a replacement to bread, we have found corn cakes/tortillas.  Even with those, we are limited because some brands/products include sesame seeds or other foods which he is allergic to.

After we changed his diet to cater for everything which was indicated by the 210 test, he skin did start to change.  The redness started to disappear and open ‘wounds’ on his face started to get thinner as it they were sitting on the surface as opposed to under it.  That’s the only way I can think of describing it.  It appears that the diet change is working.

Having gone to the RPA Allergy clinic for 2 years and having seen very little result, to see such a change over the course of a month was quite breathtaking.

We went back to the Allergy clinic for a routine check up and to ask them about the 210 test and as to why they don’t use it for diagnostics their response was quite amazing.  Now the consultant whom we spoke to (think title was Dr.) indicated that in the past, 10 years ago was mentioned, the clinic had sent blood samples to see if this test was worth it.  Giving blind tests, in some instances 2 lots from the same person, the test didn’t give the same result for each, there was a variation.  Initially when I saw the results of the test I wondered as to its accuracy, ie most of his diet were listed at the top of the list, mind you that might account for his skin.  All that I know is that once we removed all the food which his body reacted highly to in the test and started him on the ‘safe’ foods, his skin changed.  Ironically, the Allergy clinics dietician’s response was ‘Well the diet change seems to be working for him”.

What to do?  Well we are going back to Dr Samra and we are goin to go by his guidance, even though the allergy clinic classes him as a ‘fringe doctor’ with his methods.  All I know is that it’s working for us.  And if his track record is anything to go by, it’s cleared up a number of other children as well.

More recently, in the last week my Son was in hospital due to a chest infection.  He was on Ventolin, oxygen (his blood oxygen level was down) and a number of antibiotics to get rid of the infection.  Subsequently his skin improved almost to the point his face was clear!  In the week since, unfortunately it’s partly returned to the way he was before his hospital visit.

WWW Stuff

Prior to my last post, I had spent some time creating a new website for a client, Yarnandkisses, a yarn store specialising in Malabrigo yarn.

In the last month, I’ve rewritten a fair bit of code on another website I maintain for an annual Swing dance event, the Sydney Lindy Exchange (SLX).  What started as a basic site with a registration form (which was emailed) has developed in to a basic CMS / event management site along with a basic newsletter module.

Whilst the code I’ve written for SLX isn’t in a state to be released to the public, I’ve spent the last couple of months considering writing my own CMS (truth be told, it’s really been years).  The decision has and is a rollercoaster ride for me whilst a question whether to write my own CMS or start writing plug-ins/modules for others, but I’ve started to write down ideas, notes, workflows and start to code it.  Now, whilst my knowledge of PHP/MySQL is only basic (it’s expanding every day), that’s all a CMS really needs to be, basic (but with the functionality!).  The main goal will be to make it small & modular, with a number of modules available when I make it public.  I’m going to be posting my progress here.

Music

Unfortunately at the moment, my music is on hold.  I haven’t touched my guitar or piano in about 2 months or more.  I played around with a few songs in the months before, but nothing completed.

Outlook (not the application)

I plan on getting the CMS mostly started, myself started up on my MCSE/MCSA (finally) and then getting back in to it.  It sounds strange, but putting it down for the moment has actually taken some stress off me.  I know when I pick it up again I will be refreshed and I’ll come out all guns/guitars blazing.  Oh and blogging more!

Aprils Fool’s

Posted by on April 1, 2010 1 comment

This blog post is NOT an April Fool’s joke, because it’s not a joke PLUS it’s being posted after midday. This post IS however about an April Fool’s joke I pulled this morning on a work colleague.

Analysing it later, I realised even thought it was put together relatively quickly (in the space of about 15 minutes), how well it was executed. There were a couple of ideas being thrown around between a few people, but all came to the conclusion that he would see straight through them. My idea was what was ultimately used.

The ‘Fool’ is a huge George Michael fan. He flew over to England to see his ‘final’ concert, and recently saw his Sydney concert. Why not tell him he had passed away… thinking more, in the past George has been in the new over drug use, so make that the reason (ie. seems viable). So we were deciding who could walk up and tell him. I know I couldn’t, and neither anyone else here could have done it with a straight face. A throwaway line by someone said ‘unless you could make it a newspaper article’. Instantly I thought of mocking up a news website and replacing the headline with ‘George Michael Dead at 46′ (after quickly looking up Wikipedia to check his age).

I quickly jumped on to news.com.au, took a screen shot from my favourite imaging application, The GIMP, and got to work.  I found a picture of George which could be used as an obituary photo, pasted it over the current ‘breaking’ news photo, added the text over the image as the site would look,  matched fonts, wrote up quick lead in to the article updated the newest news scroll to include the news and matched all the colour.  I was initially going to get someone to send it to him as though someone had taken a screen shot.

Thinking that someone sending a screen show might have been just a little too obvious, I decided to create a quick website.  I used the image as a background and made the page title the same as the actual site.  I opened it up on his computer (as he was away from his desk at the time) and then overtyped the URL to be http://www.news.com.au (subsequently it’s a site which he visits frequently).  Locked his computer and then hoped he got back before Midday… which he did.

George Michael is Dead April Fools

As he unlocked his computer, he had Internet Explorer opened like the picture above and his jaw dropped “Oh NOOOOOOO, Oh NOOOOOO” everyone sitting around him were in on the joke and were trying to hide their laughter “I can’t believe it, George Michael is dead”… he reads the lead in I wrote out to everyone in absolute disbelief and saying he was just talking to someone about him.  He then proceeds to call this person, she doesn’t believe him “No but it’s on the front page of news.com.au as breaking news, its real”.  He finished that conversation and then started walking around the office, telling everyone as he went.

He eventually got around to another colleague who has access to news.com.au.  She opened the site and couldn’t see it.  The office manager who was in on the joke after he heard about it (after checking with us), quickly covered and said ‘Oh that must be the old one’… subsequently a few seconds later he was told it was an April Fools… who also told him who set it up.  Initially I didn’t want to take responsibility for it, but seeing the reaction I wanted to take ALL responsibility for it.  When he got back to his desk, all he wanted to know was how I did it.

The ‘Fool’ asked the manager to call up the person he had called to tell her it was an April Fools.  As it turns out, she had called an additional 3-5 people and sent upwards of 10 text messages telling people of the ‘news’.  It’s truly amazing how fast ‘news’ can travel!

Now, what did I learn from this?

  1. Choose a subject that is close to the Fools heart
  2. Make it believable (granted I could have made mine even more believable, however in the short time it worked)
  3. Don’t make it too unbelievable
  4. Don’t laugh too loud when you see their reaction

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