tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033162220066394722024-03-19T00:42:30.790-05:00Hello world!The subtle art and exact science of programming.Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-47921127822892389202016-03-23T14:03:00.004-05:002022-04-11T12:23:46.646-05:00Reporting useful weather observations on social mediaIn the mid-south severe weather is a major topic of discussion in the spring. The seasonal warming causes atmospheric instability leading to high winds, heavy rainfall, hail, and tornadoes. No one can disagree that in order to be prepared you must be informed.
There are so many ways to stay informed about severe weather. You could watch the local news stations, or get some "insider Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-79921954049767085462015-11-23T11:30:00.000-06:002015-11-23T11:41:54.559-06:00Several years ago Google kicked me outSeveral years ago Google kicked me out of one of their programs.
Many of you know that I used to design web sites and web applications "on the side". I did many of them at or below cost with the agreement that I would include advertisements and a Google search bar on the site so I could offer a discount to the site owner and I could recoup the discount through the ad revenue over time. &Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-90011745281337931022015-08-12T11:50:00.001-05:002015-08-12T11:50:16.315-05:00Web design tip: It's a title, not an afterthoughtMany people rely on their browser's "favorites" or "bookmarks" to keep track of web pages they visit often. Google Chrome even offers a feature that allows you to synchronize favorite sites between all of your computers and devices. This works on PC, Mac, iOS, Andriod, and Linux: basically any device on which you can install Chrome or Chromium.
But a bookmark is only helpful ifJoshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-22165574549137705172015-03-20T10:45:00.003-05:002015-03-20T10:49:19.800-05:00App Review: IFTTTA few years ago I discovered probably the most useful web application on the Internet. Yes, I know that's a pretty bold statement. However once you've seen what it can do, I think you'll agree.
IFTTT stands for "If This Then That", which is a reference to a conditional statement in programming. Now don't get all glazey-eyed on me, this isn't an application just for programmers Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-70974750223768522442013-07-13T16:18:00.000-05:002014-06-02T16:24:37.607-05:00The Baofeng UV-5R+After hearing several people talk about these new, extremely affordable, Chinese ham radios, I had to get one for myself. Several of the people I know bought one of the Wouxun radios. These look nice, but I decided to try the latest model from Baofeng (pronounced "bow-fang"... I think). I purchased the UV-5R+ from Amazon for under $50. Since we have an Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-45907154274540913932013-06-06T21:11:00.003-05:002013-06-06T21:11:52.129-05:00App Review: ChallongeWell, I haven't been the best about posting app reviews like I started, but I found an app today that I just have to share: Challonge.
This week I'm leading a chess camp at my son's school. We've covered basics, opening move strategies, various techniques, and today we started a championship tournament - which led me to this awesome find...
I really needed to create a bracket, but have Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-76221206759654705382013-03-25T16:16:00.000-05:002014-06-02T16:18:38.268-05:00Piece, part and scrounge...This story will likely make several of you Elmers cringe... you've been warned.
My HF radio is an Icom 720a, the old kind that requires a mic with a pre-amp. For the duration of the time it took me to complete Worked All States, I was using an IC-HM12 microphone - those familiar with that microphone will know that it does not have a pre-amp. This made for several awkward Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-6284726558568380762011-12-23T12:58:00.001-06:002013-06-06T21:12:49.630-05:00Personal Log: I'ma gonna kill that-a wash-a!!Ok, so this is really more for me than anyone. Our washing machine is on the fritz, and being the house-handyman... it's my problem. And since I'm cheap and stubborn, I'm intent on fixing it myself.
The victim: Estate (Whirlpool) washing machine, circa 2003
The crime: Upon entering the spin or agitation cycles, the tub won't move and it makes a horrible noise.
So, as I read Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-871955136067567482011-11-27T08:39:00.001-06:002011-11-27T22:45:51.933-06:00App Review: WishlistrIt's time again for another app review. Last time, I reviewed Sobees (a social network aggregator that makes life easier for eSocial butterflies). This time I thought that with the Christmas season upon us, it would be appropriate to review Wishlistr (www.wishlistr.com).
Wishlistr's website describes it fairly well:
Wishlistr is an easy to use web-based application that will help you Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-3225979414148073682011-10-14T20:01:00.000-05:002011-10-16T20:02:45.063-05:00The start of a series / Sobees app reviewAfter having a couple of people ask me for my favorite web-app that does _______, I've decided to review several of my overall favorite web apps right here. These apps will range from unique utilities to sites that may only interest a certain demographic - but in each site I think there is a lot to learn: design, application layout, typography, etc. Starting right here I'll review one app atJoshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-74436673394826776482010-04-19T12:49:00.000-05:002010-04-19T12:49:04.932-05:00No more frames!If you have been following the development of the HTML5 standard at all, then you're probably ahead of me on this one. This is my first week that I'm not teaching in a while, so I'm getting caught up with a little "light reading" (pr: reading web standards and specifications).
After a rather assertive student argued with me the merits of using frames in web pages a couple of weeks ago, I Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-29776703795507803702009-09-03T10:13:00.000-05:002009-09-03T10:13:52.271-05:00National Weather Service changes forecasting XML dataSometime between 4:30 pm yesterday and 8:00 am this morning (central time), the National Weather Service changed the format of their XML feed for forecast data. I don't yet know all of the details, but I know that the "time-layout" element no longer has a "period-name" attribute. If I can find any more information, I'll follow up on this post.
Sample XML feed
SchemaJoshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-40027546879870328262009-08-10T09:49:00.000-05:002009-08-10T10:31:52.410-05:00Need references?I've been working on an app at work that will update "slides" that we show on these huge LCD screens at each of the entrances to the building - things like the weather forecast, current tech news (since we're an IT training center), and where each class is located in the building.It can be used either interactively or as a Scheduled Task (with the needed parameters passed as arguments in the Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-48686361005119600042008-07-13T10:26:00.000-05:002009-08-26T10:40:29.829-05:00Adding URL's to email messages
I recently received a question from a co-worker about inserting URL's into emails. Although this isn't a normal topic of this site, I thought others might find it useful as well.Josh,
I have a quick question. I am interested in how you made this a link.
I have copied and pasted the info but never been able turn it into a link.
Can you help me?file://P:/Information%20Technology%Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-66013666384665308232008-05-27T10:23:00.005-05:002009-08-26T10:26:20.349-05:00The first date... ever.
I've been working on the third version of Vend-Trak for the past couple of weeks. We're going to incorporate Google Maps with directions, Google Charts (faster than the Java charts we've been using) and some other neat features. But really the biggest changes are all "behind the scenes".Currently the application is written in ASP Classic (3.0) and is supported by a Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-16463250456989173722007-07-18T10:22:00.000-05:002009-08-26T10:23:55.963-05:00How to: Create "Web 2.0" graphics
Unless you've been under a rock for the past few months, you know that the "Web 2.0" look is becoming a very popular design on web sites. Web 2.0 isn't really the second version of the World Wide Web; this is a term that has been used to describe everything from AJAX-enabled web sites to the glossy, glass-like design that we'll be looking at in this article. This type of design can Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-63281344898960274122007-07-08T10:21:00.000-05:002009-08-26T10:22:32.611-05:00I hear the train a comin'...
Over this past weekend, the family and I traveled to St. Louis, as we do about once every other month to visit Christina's family. Normally we'll drive the 7 hours from Little Rock to St. Louis, we've flown a couple of times, but this time we decided to try something different. The idea was actually inspired by my 4-year-old step-son who, as most toddlers do, has an infatuation with Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-15304646168086699562007-03-14T09:52:00.001-05:002009-08-26T10:42:42.741-05:00Ajax made simple
Any article about Ajax should probably start by explaining that it's not a new programming language. Rather, it's a methodology that enables a greater level of user interactivity in web-based applications. Ajax is based on two languages that have been around for quite a while: JavaScript and eXtensible Markup Language (XML). The "A" in Ajax stands for asynchronous, which literally means, "not atJoshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-9633233995313222312007-03-07T09:42:00.001-06:002009-08-26T10:21:24.986-05:00PowerPoint tip for giving a presentation on a tight schedule
If you have a tight schedule and a lengthy presentation or class to give, you can add a little something to the master slide of your presentation to make sure you stay on time. Using the steps outlined below, you will be able to add a small notice (for yourself) to let you know when you need wrap up the current topic and move on to the next slide.Open the master slide of your presentation and Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-30192758695864319942006-09-18T09:35:00.000-05:002009-08-26T10:20:44.417-05:00Senator Kennedy Makes a Stand for Net Neutrality (op/ed)
This short post is meant to publicize a video posted by Senator Ted Kennedy on youtube.com. Senator Kennedy is one of the first politicians to voice his opinion in favor of Net Neutrality.Click here to watch the video.Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-28266888905513304532006-08-25T09:30:00.002-05:002009-08-26T09:34:33.592-05:00Clorox won't make the web any better... but AJAX will!
In 1995 Netscape hired Brendan Eich to take charge of a development project in which they were creating a new programming language to add interactivity to web pages. This language was called LiveScript by the developers because of its ability to change itself and web page content. Later, when the language was released to the public, it was announced as JavaScript. As it turns Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-55279075961796496792006-08-08T09:28:00.002-05:002009-08-26T09:30:01.190-05:00If my math is right, Bill Gates owes me $1.78 million!
A few years ago an email started it's way around the Internet that was, supposedly, from Microsoft. In this email, it stated that Microsoft had placed a tracing mechanism in the body of the message and that Microsoft was going to pay $1 for each person that received the email because of you. The idea was that you might send it to four people ($4), and those four might send Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-8624992149830914392006-07-28T09:26:00.002-05:002009-08-26T09:38:22.153-05:00Microsoft officially decides to use the Internet (op/ed)
Ray Ozzie, Microsoft's Chief Software Architect (the position formerly held by Internet mogul Bill Gates), announced yesterday to a conference of investors and share-holders that Microsoft will be officially changing it's primary focus from PC-based applications to those that are more more net-centric. The difference, of course, is that PC-based applications are installed on (and run from) Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-34477211619285364862006-06-13T09:25:00.001-05:002009-08-26T09:38:32.709-05:00Is the Net Neutrality Bill dying?
I was digging for stories for our next podcast, when I saw a headline that caught my eye. "Don't bet on 'net neutrality,' senator says." (link) If you haven't already been familiarized with this, here is a brief synopsis...The backbone of the Internet consists of the worlds largest telco's: AT&T, Southwestern Bell, and the like. They, as most people on the Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103316222006639472.post-8312215220831819122006-05-05T09:24:00.004-05:002009-08-26T09:38:43.151-05:00To mod, or not to mod... (Op/ed)
About two months ago Bethesda Softworks, a PC gaming company, released the latest in a series of games entitled Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Oblivion is a first-person role playing game where the characters that you have to select from are of a sci-fi or "fantasy" nature.Now, whenever a new game is developed, whether it is for the PC, MAC, Xbox or whatever, the Entertainment Software Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153479152926051939noreply@blogger.com0