Blogger Jobs: Blogger Wanted - InsideBlogging

Blogger Jobs: Blogger Wanted - InsideBlogging

"Company: InsideBlogging
Location: Any
Send resumes to: info@insideblogging.com
Job tip courtesy of: InsideBlogging

Description

InsideBlogging is seeking a for-pay blogger to produce IT and tech-related content for clients. The Blogger will be expected to produce several "news" style pieces (see: Engadget for an example of length, tone, etc) per day.

Requirements

At least 3 months experience blogging
IT or Technology experience and a strong interest in both
Strong familiarity with feed readers
Ability to source industry news, prioritize it and create succinct posts for the sites being launched
Excellent, proven communications skills"

Interesting job... I wish I was a better writer.

But considering the political flack I'd get when I notified my senior management that I was taking this on as a second/part time job it's probably better I'm not a writer at heart. :|

(Yeah, I'd have to tell them. Being in the industry I'm in, I've seen to many people try to hide things causing themselves even more trouble in the end. It's just not worth it. Nor would I feel right about it, doing it behind their backs...
And of course there's the IP contract I signed... sigh. The fun of working at one of the Final Four.)

My "Read These" Folder #1

I have a folder on my Desktop called "Read These" where I drag URL's for articles or posts that I want to print and read in detail. About once a week I print them all and then clean out the folder.

Well I though I might want to get at these articles some time in the future, and of course at that time I won't be able to printed copy.

Now as part of my Print/Delete cycle, I'll also post them all to my blog. Figure it's more efficient and easy to find than a whole bunch of "read this" posts.

My "Read These" Folder Contents #1 (12/6/2004)

Software Factories: Assembling Applications with Patterns, Models, Frameworks, and Tools

Visual Development with Mono, GTK# and Glade, Part I

Visual Studio Columns Deploying Windows Forms Applications with ClickOnce

The Code Project - Printing Architecture - Printing

Deploying Windows Forms Applications with ClickOnce

Visual C# Home Wonders of Windows Forms Custom Data Binding

SQL Server Developer Center Tracing Data Access

The Code Project - Business Objects for CodeSmith - C# Programming

The Code Project - Plugin Manager - C# Programming

Plug-in Manager

Creating a Flexible Dynamic Plugin Architecture under .NET

Visual Studio .NET in the Real World Code Generators with .NET

The Code Project - Application Event Handler for WinForms - VB.NET

Data Access and Storage Developer Center New DataSet Features in ADO.NET 2.0

TheServerSide.NET - New Security Features in .NET 2.0

TheServerSide.NET - New Security Features in .NET 2.0

"The new security components in .NET 2.0 can help you greatly reduce the amount of code you need to write in order to make your applications secure. Security is difficult to get right, and it is a good strategy to leverage the code provided by Microsoft and other security vendors. To that end, .NET 2.0 provides numerous additional types that encapsulate functionality already provided in the base Windows OS., as well a new functionality only available in .NET 2.0. The improvements affect public key cryptography, Windows security, remoting, ASP.NET and Code Access Security. Even if you plan to stick with .NET 1.1 for a while and implement your own security classes, you might want to take inspiration from.NET 2.0 beta..."

Note to self: Read this.

Download details: Developer Support OLE File Property Sample (DSOFILE) (DSOFile.DLL 2.0)

Download details: Developer Support OLE File Property Sample (DSOFILE)

"Microsoft Developer Support OLE File Property Reader 2.0 Sample (KB 224351)
Code sample download of a COM component which can be used from scripting languages to read the OLE document properties of Microsoft Office files using the OLE IPropertyStorage interface.

Quick Info
File Name:DsoFileSetup_KB224351_x86.exe
Download Size:224 KB
Date Published:12/6/2004
Version:2.0

Overview
The Microsoft Developer Support OLE File Property Reader 2.0 Sample demonstrates how to use the OLE IPropertyStrorage interface to read and write the document properties of OLE files, such as the properties of native Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Publisher, and Microsoft Visio files, independent of the application that created the file. The sample includes a binary COM component and the component source code, which developers working in managed code (VB.NET or C#) or scripting languages (VBScript, JScript, ASP) can use to better enhance their ability to index, search, organize or edit the properties of OLE files from custom projects."

I've used older versions of this DLL on a number of projects. It's nice to see MS continuing to support and improve it.

Nvu - The Complete Web Authoring System for Linux, Mac and Windows (1.0 Beta Released)

Nvu - The Complete Web Authoring System

"Finally! A complete Web Authoring System for Linux Desktop users as well as Microsoft Windows users to rival programs like FrontPage and Dreamweaver.

Nvu (pronounced N-view, for a "new view") makes managing a web site a snap. Now anyone can create web pages and manage a website with no technical expertise or knowledge of HTML.

New Announcement Dec 02, 2004:
The pre-release version of Nvu 1.0 Beta is now available for download. If you would like to give it a try you can download it from here. Nvu, like all software projects, is a continual evolving and growing project with new features, functionality and fixes. Expect this to continue as we move through the beta process which may take several months. Thanks for your support and enjoy using Nvu!"

Another OSS package for me to track... I don't use FP too much, and when I do it's to modify WSS sites, so I don't uninstalling it soon. But it might be interesting to turn my son loose with something like this to see what he can do. Given the price of the software (freeware)...

IMHO having a free alternate to a MS package is a good thing. They seem to push MS to provide even better products/value for the dollar.

(via ActiveWin - FrontPage Gets Open Source Foe)

WINAMP 5.07 (Critical Security Bug Fixed)

WINAMP.COM | Player | Version History

If you're still using WinAmp 5.06 or less, you'll want to download 5.07 asap... Even if you don't use it, but still have it installed, you'll want this fix.

5.07 fixes, what I understand to be, a serious security hole.

The Code Project - Using Cache in Your WinForms Applications - C# Programming

The Code Project - Using Cache in Your WinForms Applications - C# Programming

"I am working on a WinForms application where I need to cache some information for a period of time. There are a number of ways to accomplish this. For instance, one can use the Caching Application Block from Microsoft. However, I came across a Microsoft Knowledge Base Article that covers a problem with the Caching Application Block. Inconsistencies can occur when multiple threads attempt to update the same cache item in a short time. As a workaround, the article suggests using another caching mechanism such as the ASP.NET cache.

This got me thinking. Is it possible to use the Microsoft ASP.NET cache in a WinForms application? So, I wrote a sample app to see if it is possible.
..."

An interesting idea...

Sysinternals Freeware - Process Explorer - 8.6 Released

Sysinternals Freeware Process Explorer

"What's new in Version 8.60:
Multi-row tabs on process properties dialog
Image signing verification on process image properties dialog
Mini-CPU usage graph on toolbar
Command-line option for specifying Process Explorer priority
Manual refresh (F5) forces recheck of job and .NET process status
Single-clicking on tray icon minimizes and restores main window"

The very cool Process Explorer from Sysinternals has rev'ed to 8.6

This is a must have utility for any Windows developer (and its price ...

Also don't forget about their other cool utilities, like AutoRuns, etc.

(via Bink.nu - Sysinternals releases new Process Explorer)

OT: Interesting Saint Paul Police Web Site

This Week's Prostitution Photos -- Saint Paul Police

I love the internet and its information sharing power. It seems the St. Paul Police has a weekly photo roundup of picked up hookers and johns.

FYI, This is not for the weak of heart. Talk about a picture of humanity... :|

(via The Smoking Gun - The Harlot Letters)

MSN IM 7.0 Beta Available

Try the NEW MSN Messenger Beta


MSN IM 7.0 beta is now generally available.

It seems pretty cool. The winks and nudge features don't float my boat, but the interintegratedgrated history is pretty cool. If you have History turned on, when the IM window opens for a contact you see the last view messages you sent/received from them. No matter how long ago it was... And there is a link to view all the past history.

Also the "Send message to WebWatch" could be neat. Another reason to get a SPOT watch? (sigh, but it seems there is no MSN Direct coverage in my area... Glad I checked :)

MS might have found one way to make free IM clients pay... "Mini-payments" ($1-$1.50,etc) for extra stuff. You can easily buy new themes, emotes, backgrounds via the new IM.

It has a new "handwrite" method for entering an IM message. Without a tablet it's a pain to write a message, but what is cool it that it's a very simple way to draw and send a simple picture. And older MSN IM client's CAN see it...

This new IM client is supposed to be hooked into MSN's new blog service, http://spaces.msn.com too (but I don't see where or how, 'cause of course I created a test space there, http://spaces.msn.com/members/coolthingoftheday... ).

Unicode Path Fun...

In my industry/field (EDD) we run into many "fun" issues. This week's issue is long paths. Files get copied quite often during EDD processing. No one wants to touch original files, so drive imaging is used all the time. So that's a copy...

Then in many cases the files get staged somewhere. Not wanting to touch where a file is located on the image, the original path is appended to the staged location.

Then the files get copied again and again and again during the different phases. Since each phase (handled by different companies, people, processes, OS's, applications, etc) wants to maintain the "original" paths, these paths are appended to any new path.

For example;

C:\test.txt <- Original C:\test.txt <- Drive Image

\\Server\Share\Client\Custodian\Machine\C_Drive\ test.txt <-Process 1

\\Server2\Share\ClientX\Client\Custodian\Machine\C_Drive\ test.txt <-Process 2

\\Server3\Share\Stuff to do\Outsourceclient\Client X\Client\Custodian\Machine\C_Drive\ test.txt <-Process 3

\\AnotherServer\Share\WorkForClientY\OutputFromUtility\Stuff to do\Outsourceclient\Client X\Client\Custodian\Machine\C_Drive\ test.txt <-Process 4

and so on, and so on...

Which means that at the end there's a good chance that some of the data will be in paths longer than MAX_PATH (260 ANSI characters). Actually not just a good chance as it does happen. I've seen some scary path lengths.

This means each system, solution, process, etc must determine a way to handle these. Right now the solution I am involved with handles these manually (i.e. with human intervention). We've been working on our process stack to automate long path handling and now we're at the last item. Which is where my fun begins today.

Today I am playing with the Unicode FindFirstFileW, FindNextFileWand CopyFileEX API's, building proof of concept apps to play with the API's, sample cases, etc. Luckily we already use the ANSI version of these API's so the conversion to the Unicode version shouldn't be too bad. Have to make sure my null trimming handles wide characters, etc, etc.

Building the sample case was kind of fun. I needed a deep path to play with...

Using the latest version of robocopy (XP010) I created a deep path (60 levels deep for now). Of course Windows Exploder (err, I mean Explorer) can't navigate past MAX_PATH nor can any of the standard command line utilities. So on my Windows box, I have to use the GNU/Unix/SFU utilities to transverse/move/delete these long paths... I find that ironic.

Well back to coding... :)

ActiveWin.com - New Netscape embraces Firefox, IE

ActiveWin.com - New Netscape embraces Firefox, IE

"As of 8 a.m. PST Tuesday, Netscape fans were test-driving a prototype Netscape browser that runs on two different browsing engines: the Mozilla Foundation's Gecko engine, which powers up the Mozilla, Firefox and older Netscape browsers, and Microsoft's Internet Explorer engine, which many consider the de facto Web standard. The prototype's release follows earlier reports that the AOL unit planned a comeback for the Netscape browser and portal, as well as indications that the new browser would include some surprises under the hood. "

I was reading about this yesterday... What a great idea. I know other browsers/utilities have done this in a limited way, but seeing it in a mainstream browser is pretty cool. Once this is released I'll have to check it out.
It would be nice if you could save the engine that should be used for a given URL. So everytime you go to *.Hotmail.com the IE engine is used, etc.

Does this mean we're finally getting to the point where the HTML rendering engine is really seperate from the front end/browser? Let's hope so.

Anyway, talk about embrace and extend...

TestDriven.Net 1.0

TestDriven.Net

TestDriven.Net 1.0 has been released.

I saw a couple posts about this, but until I saw this post from James, I didn't realize that TestDriven.Net used to be called NUnitAddin.

But it seems to be much more than just a NUnit front end now...

It seems to be pretty cool.

(via .Avery Blog - TestDriven.NET 1.0 Released)

Hector Protector Button/Screen Saver

Hector Protector Button/Screen Saver

"This Hector Protector^TM button has been created by the NetSafe Programme of New Zealand to help keep children safe online. The function of this button is to give a child the ability to quickly cover the screen of the computer with a screensaver of Hector Protector^TM when they encounter material that frightens or upsets them. With a click of the button, the problem is covered over by Hector until a trusted adult can come and deal with the situation. Hector also gives children very positive feedback for using the button and talking with an adult about the problem."


I saw this yesterday and I'm not sure what to think about it... but it strikes me as weird.

I just can't see my son using this. He's about to turn 11, so maybe he's outgrown it? I mean, I can see him accidentally getting an adult web page, tilting his head to the side and saying, "Gross!" and closing it. I just don't see him pushing the "Hector" button and running to get Dad (though maybe... err... never mind...).

I don't know... maybe it makes sense. I'll might have to give it a try to see if he'll use it.

Maybe I can define "material that frightens or upsets them" as the IE Program Install dialog so he stops install so much crap on my system... Oh wait, it's me that gets upset. Damn I need a Remote Hector button.

:|