A review and video here
There's also a fancier model here - another video - this video shows the software a little.
Someone's losing a lot of money... I mean the company.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Woot : USB Missile Launcher
Woot : USB Missile Launcher
A review and video here
There's also a fancier model here - another video - this video shows the software a little.
Someone's losing a lot of money... I mean the company.
A review and video here
There's also a fancier model here - another video - this video shows the software a little.
Someone's losing a lot of money... I mean the company.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Grand Illusions - Optical Illusions - Dragon Illusion
Grand Illusions - Optical Illusions - Dragon Illusion
Very cool illusion of eyes (and head) that follow you.
Very cool illusion of eyes (and head) that follow you.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Vote Yes for Trees!
Vote Yes for Trees!: "One trick for figuring out whether you're looking at a tree or a bird is to try climbing it"
Did you know?
The word "tree" comes from the Mayan word meaning "to sauté and serve with a side of rice or hushpuppies."
Did you know?
The word "tree" comes from the Mayan word meaning "to sauté and serve with a side of rice or hushpuppies."
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Ex 5-piece Knife Set with Unique Holder : Kitchen & Dining
No affiliation to Overstock... or your ex's.
Overstock.com: The Ex 5-piece Knife Set with Unique Holder : Kitchen & Dining
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Mozy Online Backup: Free. Automatic. Secure.
Mozy Online Backup: Free. Automatic. Secure.
2GB of Free automated backup of data to online.
I'm just checking it out now. If it's particularly good or bad, I'll update this entry.
2GB of Free automated backup of data to online.
I'm just checking it out now. If it's particularly good or bad, I'll update this entry.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Source code searching
Looking for Java source code? Know the problem has been solved before?
Check out http://www.allthecode.com/
Check out http://www.allthecode.com/
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
GiftParrot.com
Want one source to put your wish-lists for people to view, shop from and mark things off your list (w/o you seeing it... unless you cheat)?
Check out GiftParrot.com!
It let's you build multiple lists, add things to the list (name and description) and then will give you a URL to send to people to view the list.
They can mark things off your list (so others won't see it, but you won't see it changed in your editing).
Check out GiftParrot.com!
It let's you build multiple lists, add things to the list (name and description) and then will give you a URL to send to people to view the list.
They can mark things off your list (so others won't see it, but you won't see it changed in your editing).
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Google Web Toolkit (GWT) using VistaFei w/ RPC, etc.
I started looking into GWT and after many revelations about what it does and doesn't do, I fell in love. :)
I went thru several tutorials and projects on my own to learn a bunch of stuff and thanks to the many forums and such for helping.
I wound up checking out VistaFei and it's been a great help.
I checked out Googlipse which was cool too, but w/o the GUI editing I wasn't convinced I needed it.
Also this tutorial by Robert Hanson was VERY helpful to get started.
To download VistaFei, you have to register w/ the forum and then go to this post (or this post for mac). It only shows the links if you're logged into the forum.
You'll need some things (see this post) like Java5 and the GWT of course.
So I went thru the tutorials and such from the forum. Very cool and played around with it on my own.
A few things that were helpful to learn...
- the GWT page on IsSerializable doesn't mention that a Serializable class needs an empty/default constructor
- GWT seems to only allow/support JUnit testing for the 'client' package
- VistaFei regenerates all the generated code so back up your changes
- RPC callbacks need a way to communicate their results back to the entry point class
These last 2 points are my focus here...
Generated code
When VistaFei generates the code, it overwrites the existing code which makes sense. However, if you've made changes to that code, you'll need to back it up somewhere. Currently, I put all my code at the bottom (and fully qualify the references so that I don't have to change any imports) and back it up to a file named <file name>_code.txt. I intend to write a script to find those files and put the code w/in the last curly-bracket in the appropriate file (or you can and send it to me unless someone has a better option???).
Similarly, the RPC server implementation classes are overwriten w/ the default (relatively) empty methods. I wrote 2 .bat files that back these files up and restores them... when I remember to do it. :)
Using the VistaFei properties area, I added code to the onClick event and such. I tried to keep it simple like 'handleAddEvent();' so that it doesn't ever need to change. Then I add that method at the bottom.
RPC Callbacks
When it uses RPC, I usually call a class like ControllerRPC w/ static methods to handle the RPC. I pass in the caller ('this') for any callback processing. The ControllerRPC gets the appropriate ServiceManager class that VistaFei generated and runs the request method. I create the callback w/ the success and failure methods.
Since I have the calling class, I can call whatever method I need to on it (generally something I write since most of the members/methods of the caller are private since it's the entry point class: generated, gui).
So the entry point (MyApp.java) gets the onClick event for the 'Add' button and calls handleAdd(). That method calls ControllerRPC.addItem(sName, this) which gets the AddItemServiceManager.INSTANCE and calls requestAddItem(sName, callback) where the callback is defined w/ the 'accept' and 'failed' methods. Something like this (forgive the formatting)...
The parameters need to be final if you're going to manipulate them. The above method is the way it's done in the VistaFei RPC tutorial but I cdn't tell it from the website. I had to download the source which is on that same page.
Dig around the VistaFei forum and the GWT doco - in particular the Developer's Guide. Also, the blog, forum, developer's groups, etc. are helpful of course.
BTW, I'm using db4o for my backend, server side database and it rocks.... HARD!
I hope some of the above is useful to someone. Please leave comments/questions either way.
Also, if anyone has better solutions for protecting your custom code in the generated classes, let me know.
I went thru several tutorials and projects on my own to learn a bunch of stuff and thanks to the many forums and such for helping.
I wound up checking out VistaFei and it's been a great help.
I checked out Googlipse which was cool too, but w/o the GUI editing I wasn't convinced I needed it.
Also this tutorial by Robert Hanson was VERY helpful to get started.
To download VistaFei, you have to register w/ the forum and then go to this post (or this post for mac). It only shows the links if you're logged into the forum.
You'll need some things (see this post) like Java5 and the GWT of course.
So I went thru the tutorials and such from the forum. Very cool and played around with it on my own.
A few things that were helpful to learn...
- the GWT page on IsSerializable doesn't mention that a Serializable class needs an empty/default constructor
- GWT seems to only allow/support JUnit testing for the 'client' package
- VistaFei regenerates all the generated code so back up your changes
- RPC callbacks need a way to communicate their results back to the entry point class
These last 2 points are my focus here...
Generated code
When VistaFei generates the code, it overwrites the existing code which makes sense. However, if you've made changes to that code, you'll need to back it up somewhere. Currently, I put all my code at the bottom (and fully qualify the references so that I don't have to change any imports) and back it up to a file named <file name>_code.txt. I intend to write a script to find those files and put the code w/in the last curly-bracket in the appropriate file (or you can and send it to me unless someone has a better option???).
Similarly, the RPC server implementation classes are overwriten w/ the default (relatively) empty methods. I wrote 2 .bat files that back these files up and restores them... when I remember to do it. :)
Using the VistaFei properties area, I added code to the onClick event and such. I tried to keep it simple like 'handleAddEvent();' so that it doesn't ever need to change. Then I add that method at the bottom.
RPC Callbacks
When it uses RPC, I usually call a class like ControllerRPC w/ static methods to handle the RPC. I pass in the caller ('this') for any callback processing. The ControllerRPC gets the appropriate ServiceManager class that VistaFei generated and runs the request method. I create the callback w/ the success and failure methods.
Since I have the calling class, I can call whatever method I need to on it (generally something I write since most of the members/methods of the caller are private since it's the entry point class: generated, gui).
So the entry point (MyApp.java) gets the onClick event for the 'Add' button and calls handleAdd(). That method calls ControllerRPC.addItem(sName, this) which gets the AddItemServiceManager.INSTANCE and calls requestAddItem(sName, callback) where the callback is defined w/ the 'accept' and 'failed' methods. Something like this (forgive the formatting)...
public static void addItem(final String sName, final MyApp theApp)
{
AddItemServiceManager asm = AddItemServiceManager .INSTANCE;
asm .requestaddItem(sName, new AddItemIResponse() {
public void accept(Object result) {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
System.out.println("accept");
theApp.setItemAdded((AddedItem)result);
}
public void failed(Throwable caught) {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
System.out.println("failed: " + caught.getMessage());
}
});
}
The parameters need to be final if you're going to manipulate them. The above method is the way it's done in the VistaFei RPC tutorial but I cdn't tell it from the website. I had to download the source which is on that same page.
Dig around the VistaFei forum and the GWT doco - in particular the Developer's Guide. Also, the blog, forum, developer's groups, etc. are helpful of course.
BTW, I'm using db4o for my backend, server side database and it rocks.... HARD!
I hope some of the above is useful to someone. Please leave comments/questions either way.
Also, if anyone has better solutions for protecting your custom code in the generated classes, let me know.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Blingo! - win stuff searching on Google
This site searches w/ google and gives out prizes at times. If you sign up w/ the link below, then whatever you win, I will too. :)
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Free audio books
www.audiobooksforfree.com
www.freeclassicaudiobooks.com/
I've downloaded a couple, but haven't listened to them yet.
www.freeclassicaudiobooks.com/
I've downloaded a couple, but haven't listened to them yet.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
FREE Senseo Coffeemaker
Fill out the questionaire and you might be eligible. I was and it only took a couple days to get the email saying so. You don't even pay shipping. I'll update this post if anything negative happens before I get it.
Click here
(I'm not an affiliate, I found this on singleservecoffee.com)
You don't have to put any personal info in until you've
been approved (it took like 2 days). And I didn't have to
pay for shipping or anything.
Click here
(I'm not an affiliate, I found this on singleservecoffee.com)
You don't have to put any personal info in until you've
been approved (it took like 2 days). And I didn't have to
pay for shipping or anything.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Open Command Prompt from Windows Explorer
Windows XP sometimes (I can't figure out when and when not) had a right-click menu item to open a command prompt at the folder selected. However, sometimes it doesn't??? Here's one way to help...
If you need to open a (DOS) comman prompt from Windows Explorer, put the file (link below) in the zip file in your 'Send To' folder. Usually that's somewhere like:
C:\Documents and Settings\your-username\SendTo
Zip file
If you need to open a (DOS) comman prompt from Windows Explorer, put the file (link below) in the zip file in your 'Send To' folder. Usually that's somewhere like:
C:\Documents and Settings\your-username\SendTo
Zip file
Add Outlook/vCalendar Entries to Google Calendar
I use Thunderbird for email which means I'm left w/o a decent calendar option. I looked into adding vCalendar (.vcs) file entries to Google Calendar w/o success. So I wrote some html and Perl to do it for me.
There's a few steps back and forth btwn your server and Google to get authorization and such. The Perl (source below) takes care of that. It takes the input from the html including your Google id/pw and the vCalendar text and hits Google calendar for you. If it's successful, it then redirects you to the calendar.
You'll have to update the html w/ the right url for wherever you put the Perl (gcal.pl) and you might have to update gcal.pl w/ your Perl location (first line).
Source code
Known uglies:
Helpful Links:
http://code.google.com/apis/gdata/calendar.html#add_event
http://curl.haxx.se/mail/lib-2005-07/0101.html
http://relationalspace.org/gcaladd.html
http://www.stonehenge.com/merlyn/WebTechniques/col63.html
There's a few steps back and forth btwn your server and Google to get authorization and such. The Perl (source below) takes care of that. It takes the input from the html including your Google id/pw and the vCalendar text and hits Google calendar for you. If it's successful, it then redirects you to the calendar.
You'll have to update the html w/ the right url for wherever you put the Perl (gcal.pl) and you might have to update gcal.pl w/ your Perl location (first line).
Source code
Known uglies:
- Date/Time handling: it's limited and ugly. If you help it, please post here.
- Attendees: I didn't see a way in the Google API to add them.
Helpful Links:
http://code.google.com/apis/gdata/calendar.html#add_event
http://curl.haxx.se/mail/lib-2005-07/0101.html
http://relationalspace.org/gcaladd.html
http://www.stonehenge.com/merlyn/WebTechniques/col63.html
Saturday, August 05, 2006
"Stadium Seating Funeral"
or "That's Why You Never Give a Gun to a Dog"
Ok, so I had this dream last night...
I was going to a funeral. I wasn't sure if I knew the guy, but there was only like 6 people in there so I felt sorry for him and thought I'd go in. Plus, the funeral parlor had stadium seating and I was drawn in my by the novelty of that. Would it really be that much better?
The seating was like those giant carpetted stairs at some sight-seeing theaters or highschool library media rooms. In other words, it was a classy joint.
After a couple of young girls, looking like they fulfilled a dare, viewed the body, I decided to go up. There was music playing. I can't remember what it was, maybe something by "Chicago." The body was casually dressed and looked a big like John Travolta.
Another novelty this funeral home had was they somehow wired the bodies up to move. Not a lot of movement, but an occasional position change somewhat synced to the music. Not exactly Bigmouth Billy Bass, but some movement.
To me, it was creepy, but sometimes new things are a turnoff at first. Think: leg warmers and calculator watches - now we can't live without them!
Another bonus to this parlor was one wall was lined with shelves of liquor for sale. Their thought was, most people have a gathering after the event so why not make it easier on them. A one-stop shop, if you will.
Somehow, as only dreams do, the front of the parlor turned into a checkout counter furthering the liquor sale motif. A slouchily dressed guy was sitting on the counter talking to everyone; I think we were waiting for more people.
He started telling us about a hilarious video he saw online about a guy and a dog. Somehow he was then able to show it to us all (dreams!).
So the video starts and there's a guy trying to load a shotgun with one hand and an old, beat up hound dog taking a dump on a dead horse. The guy loads the shotgun, but it goes off and some of the buckshot sprays up off the ground and grazes the dog.
I can't remember if the poop flies out or goes back up, but he gets off the horse and starts to run. The guy starts to run too. They're both chasing something they want to shoot. I think the guy, still using one arm, shots again and I think he and the dog both somehow get hit with some. It's a bit funny somehow. It's gruesome, but only because even in my dream it should be though nothing really noticeable happens when they are shot. It's more of a feeling.
Anyway, they keep running. Whoever is working the camera for this video is amazing, by the way. The framing is perfect. So then they run off chasing whatever it is and shooting and then a pack of dogs comes into the shot also chasing either the same thing or the guy and dog. Either way, there's one kind of leader dog in the pack and he has a shotgun too.
Since it's hard to run, as a dog, with a shotgun, he tends to shot at the wrong time and in the wrong directions. Other dogs are being taken out left and right. It just seems everyone is getting shot and it's just not working out at all.
One of the people watching the video with me made the sobering comment "That's why you never give a gun to a dog." We all agreed.
Ok, so I had this dream last night...
I was going to a funeral. I wasn't sure if I knew the guy, but there was only like 6 people in there so I felt sorry for him and thought I'd go in. Plus, the funeral parlor had stadium seating and I was drawn in my by the novelty of that. Would it really be that much better?
The seating was like those giant carpetted stairs at some sight-seeing theaters or highschool library media rooms. In other words, it was a classy joint.
After a couple of young girls, looking like they fulfilled a dare, viewed the body, I decided to go up. There was music playing. I can't remember what it was, maybe something by "Chicago." The body was casually dressed and looked a big like John Travolta.
Another novelty this funeral home had was they somehow wired the bodies up to move. Not a lot of movement, but an occasional position change somewhat synced to the music. Not exactly Bigmouth Billy Bass, but some movement.
To me, it was creepy, but sometimes new things are a turnoff at first. Think: leg warmers and calculator watches - now we can't live without them!
Another bonus to this parlor was one wall was lined with shelves of liquor for sale. Their thought was, most people have a gathering after the event so why not make it easier on them. A one-stop shop, if you will.
Somehow, as only dreams do, the front of the parlor turned into a checkout counter furthering the liquor sale motif. A slouchily dressed guy was sitting on the counter talking to everyone; I think we were waiting for more people.
He started telling us about a hilarious video he saw online about a guy and a dog. Somehow he was then able to show it to us all (dreams!).
So the video starts and there's a guy trying to load a shotgun with one hand and an old, beat up hound dog taking a dump on a dead horse. The guy loads the shotgun, but it goes off and some of the buckshot sprays up off the ground and grazes the dog.
I can't remember if the poop flies out or goes back up, but he gets off the horse and starts to run. The guy starts to run too. They're both chasing something they want to shoot. I think the guy, still using one arm, shots again and I think he and the dog both somehow get hit with some. It's a bit funny somehow. It's gruesome, but only because even in my dream it should be though nothing really noticeable happens when they are shot. It's more of a feeling.
Anyway, they keep running. Whoever is working the camera for this video is amazing, by the way. The framing is perfect. So then they run off chasing whatever it is and shooting and then a pack of dogs comes into the shot also chasing either the same thing or the guy and dog. Either way, there's one kind of leader dog in the pack and he has a shotgun too.
Since it's hard to run, as a dog, with a shotgun, he tends to shot at the wrong time and in the wrong directions. Other dogs are being taken out left and right. It just seems everyone is getting shot and it's just not working out at all.
One of the people watching the video with me made the sobering comment "That's why you never give a gun to a dog." We all agreed.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Monday, July 31, 2006
IndieAnimation
New forum for independent animation.
I started a new forum to help others in my same boat of starting out as an independent animator. I have 2 urls for it:
IndieAnim.com and
Christianimation.com
I hope it will be a place to help others in a community type setting.
I started a new forum to help others in my same boat of starting out as an independent animator. I have 2 urls for it:
IndieAnim.com and
Christianimation.com
I hope it will be a place to help others in a community type setting.
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