Recent Posts

326

Living Room / Re: I have a very hard announcement to make

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on November 04, 2010, 03:27 PM »

Hi April,

I am also one who discovered this thread via the newsletter (Thanks Mouser.)

I would like to parrot Nick's sentiments above and only add that while many have testified of the "sunshine" you have brought to DC I must admit that I have always seen much pain in your words and it tore my heart... and still does.  I am glad that I was able to bring a smile (or at least a smirk  ) to your face when I completed the "reparations."  Thank you for your help in my experience with Delphi and your pretty avatars.  My favorite was the "butterfly," but the copy you sent me was lost when a previous laptop died and the data backups proved to be corrupt, but I can still see it clear and crisp in my mind and I still wish it was your present avatar because it always made me smile and that's no lie.

Dear One, I am only 52 and have over 70+ major failures since I was 15 (no exaggeration) that caused my parents, wife, children, family and friends much pain, but what else could I do, but try again!  I did and am now enjoying the happiest years of my existence.  Not only that, but I am now regularly guiding young and old people in seeing what life is all about!  The greatest thrill of my life is watching people who thought they were down,  look up and beam with the realization of their intrinsic value and realized potential!

I agree with you and others that it is time to take a step back when it isn't "fun" anymore, but at least go celebrate that you are free from the prison bars.  I'm serious.  Go out and enjoy some pizza and beverage with family and friends to celebrate your NEW BEGINNING!  This will help put it all in perspective and give you a boost to do what ya gotta do, but enjoy it!
 

You are not ignorant, stupid, dull, etc.  I realize I am contradicting you in your evaluation of your coding, etc., but I can not agree with all your evaluation.  Your years of self-taught computer training are not and were not wasted (remember the "butterfly").  You are very technically astute with a creative flair.  You possess "tools" to make your life happy and my greatest wish is for you to find the place where every morning is another opportunity to find happiness.  You need lots of happiness!

You know who I am and what I am about and I can assure you I am not being frivolous with your present pain.  If my life had been all rosy and peaches, then I would keep silent, but I have never enjoyed the silver spoon.  It is because I have faced multiple tragedies of my own doing and those foisted upon me that gives me the credentials to command your attention, if not now, then at some point in the near future.  If I can be of any assistance, just PM and know I care.

Here is wishing you a brand new day... trust me, it's there!
Calvin

327

Living Room / Re: OK - lets get to know each other... who are you, what do you do, where from?

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on October 19, 2010, 08:02 PM »

...
Welcome! Maybe you can give us some 'Backup' tips? 

-CleverCat (October 10, 2010, 03:15 AM)

Clever! 

328

Living Room / Re: Hidden Taxes... ever considered these?

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on October 19, 2010, 01:42 PM »

Sounds very typical of most places now a days.  I get most of my 'forms' online.  Most have fields setup so I can complete the form, print, and save a backup in my electronic file system - IMO, much easier to deal with.

oppression?  Little harsh.   I see it as advancement of technologies...

-Veign (October 19, 2010, 12:48 PM)

Hmmmm... would it be fair to say, "advancement of technologies" = shifting costs = hidden taxation?

Wikipedia says, "Oppression is the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner."  While I agree in spirit the term "oppression" applied in these circumstances of only requiring additional pennies per instance from tax payers could be viewed as a "little harsh," I have always been sensitive to the amoebic advance of Gerrymandering governments in the last six millennium.  The problem is by the time "oppression" is recognized it is generally too late to do anything substantive to combat its advance.

329

Living Room / Re: Hidden Taxes... ever considered these?

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on October 19, 2010, 01:11 PM »

it occurred to me I was subsidizing the government...

-CodeTRUCKER (October 19, 2010, 12:12 PM)

I'm not sure I've ever seen the word 'subsidizing' applied to a government function before. Can a government function be subsidized?  Isn't the entire government subsidized?

-mwb1100 (October 19, 2010, 12:46 PM)

I probably should have said, "...it occurred to me I was subsidizing the government beyond the usual taxes...?"

Anyway, the usual mode for this kind of thing is to charge a fee for whatever transaction you're performing (presumably the cost of the forms necessary would be covered by part of the fee).  That's been happening since the dawn of governments. <emphasis mine>

Agreed, but my point is those fees have not been reduced, but the cost of forms, etc. are now covered by the tax-payers too. 

What would irritate me more about your situation wouldn't have been the cost of the paper and ink, but the fact that I would have wasted my time and energy dealing with the office and not been able to do what I went there to do.

Alas, due to the "mechanizing" of understaffed government office personnel that don't care any more plus labrythian "Press number 4 for..." phone mazes, I have given up trying to get clarity on what is required when I arrive.  I just do a modicum of online research and take my best shot.  Having to drive back home to get Item "X" is just part of doing business.  Ever see "Colossus The Forbin Project?"

330

Living Room / Hidden Taxes... ever considered these?

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on October 19, 2010, 12:12 PM »

This morning we went on an errand to a local government office.  When we arrived we were instructed that the office we were visiting did not provide the necessary forms.  When asked what we were supposed to do we were told we would have to print them off the Internet.

In consideration of this it occurred to me I was subsidizing the government via...

• The use of my computer.
• The use of my paper.
• The use of my printer and ink.
• ... Well, you get the idea....

Given that we had already been taxed on all of these items and more associated with this singular transaction, it was clear something was amiss.  Imagine any non-governmental business trying to pull these shenanigans!

I'm not sure WHAT we can do about any of these types of oppression.  I have always suspected some things were amiss, but at least our eyes are wide open now.

331

Living Room / Re: I am looking for a Vocational Test... any suggestions?

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on October 18, 2010, 04:13 PM »

...
Ask the colleges and high schools in the local area.  They often use these to help undecided students try to find a career path they may wish to follow.

-steeladept (October 18, 2010, 04:09 PM)

 

332

Living Room / Re: I am looking for a Vocational Test... any suggestions?

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on October 18, 2010, 12:48 PM »

Hi Sword,

Oops!  I thought I had replied before, but apparently I was wrong.  I think I edited my original post to clarify this is for my son, but I forgot to post a reply of gratitude for your assistance.  Please allow me to do that now. 

Actually, I have broadened my scope to include other sons and daughters.  In my mind's eye I see a website(s) that is an online evaluation tool that would not only provide my children an introduction to a vast array of possible vocations, but would further offer questionnaires which would identify where their unique interests coincides with vocational paths.

I feel confident I could create what I need, at least a pencil and paper version, but I did not want to reinvent the wheel if I did not have to do it.

333

Living Room / Re: Make an original joke or riddle

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on October 16, 2010, 08:29 PM »

Where are you if where you were is where you are and where you'll be?

Spoiler

Infinity

334

Living Room / Make an original joke or riddle

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on October 16, 2010, 08:21 PM »

Ever made up a joke or riddle?  I just did, but rather than just have my own party, I thought I'd let everybody play.

There's lots of bright folks around here, so I thought it would be fun to see how creative and funny people could be.

The rules are...

• It must be completely original.  No re-writing somebody else's joke/riddle, please.
• Fly solo or you can collaborate with a friend(s).
• Put the answer in a "Spoiler."
• Spoiler

  Have fun!
  
  

PS - Feel free to create as many as you like.

335

Living Room / Most important aspect of Info Keeping

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on October 15, 2010, 06:00 PM »

One can use up the better part of a week reviewing all the threads available on DonationCoder, but I have found it odd there is a lack of focus on the importance of INSTANT RETRIEVAL. 

<rant>
Perhaps it's just me and everyone else knows this natively, but retrieval has to be the kingpin of any record keeping of every sort, yet far too often I find myself scratching my head wondering where is the emphasis on this fundamental ability?   

Why keep any data if you can't get it back easily?   Why use a software to collect data and then have to wait or not even find it (TopicScape, are you listening)?  How come every note taking, note keeping, web snippet gathering, mind mapping, etc. software out there does not present/contain a simple and powerful search capability for all text data it contains?  Every developer of this type of app should make the primary feature of their product INSTANT RETRIEVAL then build additional capability of their software while not breaking this primary function.

"INSTANT RETRIEVAL"

That's it short and sweet.
</rant>

Disclaimer: IMHO.

336

Living Room / I am looking for a Vocational Test... any suggestions?

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 27, 2010, 08:48 PM »

Hello Folks,

A search for "online vocational tests" produced millions of results.  I'm hoping some of you could help me pare that down a bit.  The child (my son) is a 15 year-old boy that needs to reduce his potential career options.  

I will be doing due diligence by reading as many reviews as I can, but anyone that has direct positive experience would be invaluable in suggesting a path to follow.

TIA

337

Living Room / Re: Looking for Refrigerator Magnets that work

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 27, 2010, 04:54 PM »

...
The kind of magnets that are dangerous are very far from being refrigerator magnets.

-Renegade (September 27, 2010, 04:45 PM)

...unless you want to move the "refrigerator!" 

338

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Pledge: "VeggieWorld" - Children's Game

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 27, 2010, 03:21 PM »

Hiya SJ!, glad you could drop by... 

Makes for a bit of a stilted reality
...

-Stoic Joker (September 23, 2010, 03:10 PM)

"Stilted reality?"  Nah, I don't think so and here is why (maybe this is just semantics?).  I see reality in life as someone is living.  They eat, drink, sleep, etc.  Given this, is "murder" a reality?  Not in my book.  I see "murder" as an aberration of the reality of living.  They no longer , eat, drink, sleep, etc.  I hold that reality is the authentic; therefore, any aberration of the authentic is not reality.  It is a counterfeit.  Consider these scenarios...

• The FBI Counterfeit Division trains their agents differently than what most people would expect.  During the entire duration of training they are never shown any counterfeit notes, only the real legal tender.  Why?  If one becomes very intimate with a reality, the aberration jumps out like a sore thumb.  The agents do not recognize a counterfeit "Benjamin" because they have studied all the bogus bills.  They recognize them because the counterfeit notes display an aberration from the true reality of what the bill is supposed to look like.
• Music is another example.  If a 300-piece symphony orchestra plays a piece, each correct note is the reality, but every sour note is an aberration to that reality, and one does not require a Masters in Music to identify the mistake.  The"clinkers" are noticed, not because we have been trained to recognize all the possible mistakes (even if that were possible), but because it is an aberration of our authentic expectation.
• Lastly, I have raised my children by focusing on what is good, for instance, relationships.  I taught my daughters the positive characteristics of what a beau should possess (the reality).  Disagreeable traits (the counterfeit) are then automatically recognized as being aberrant to the standard.  Like I said, it may be just semantics, but has worked in my world. 

It is only in a world laden with greedy litigates which has caused (trained) our society to enumerate the negative.

So, how does this relate to "VeggieWorld?"  The reality of VeggieWorld is to train children(?) to recognize beneficial or at least, neutral relationships between vegetables.  It is not my place to teach them good or bad habits of living.  That is the parent's responsibility.  I need to make sure I do not teach any aberrations.  There is no need to teach children aberrations in the botanical reality of "VeggieWorld" since it will be automatic.  The message of "I don't like you" will come across, especially if (1) the directions specify no response indicates antagonism or (2) the Onion moves away from the Pea when the pea is dropped beside the onion.  I see no need to express the negative except in passivity and within the parameters you expressed below. 

...and one must remember to view the comments in a childs context...not an adults (keeps stuff way simpler).

Good advice.  I am glad I have some small children to help me out with this.

Remember Bugs Bunny as a child? ...Notice what Ya missed when watching it years later? Hm... Was anybody shocked/offended/damaged for life? ...Nope.

<off topic>
Sorry, I can't just give you that, not because you are "wrong," but because we don't really know.  No empirical data exists to substantiate your claim.  SJ, I'd love to pursue this offline!  Contact me.  This relates to the "fence." [private joke]
</off topic>

How about keeping the negative & positive on topic/related to the nature/why the incompatibility. One needs more water and the other says "Eek! I'll drown..." ...And if both need much water "Yeah! Lets go swimming!" Now the "epithets" become part of the training.

This is worth the price of admission alone!  Excellent observation.  

339

Living Room / Re: Looking for Refrigerator Magnets that work

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 26, 2010, 10:41 PM »

Best I have found here:  http://www.supermagnetman.net/index.php?cPath=25

Super strong (the ones that look like push-pins). Also, the ones that have little hooks on them. Really excellent and not expensive. I have been dealing with this site for a while now and they are reliable.

Jim

-J-Mac (September 26, 2010, 09:50 PM)

Thanks, Jim.  I will give them a shot.  I'm sure I will have the same success you have.

<Edit> I just realized these have the advantage of "tipping" them onto an edge which is far superior (and easier) to try to "pull" them straight off.  Great design!  Thanks again.

340

Living Room / Re: When you knock at my door...

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 26, 2010, 03:33 AM »

Tell her it's just another "cool" fad the companies use to make the bill higher each month.

-CodeTRUCKER (September 26, 2010, 12:15 AM)

Oh, I don't have to tell her that. She's a smart girl, and frugal like her mom. I raised her well. 

-app103 (September 26, 2010, 02:08 AM)

I actually was going to comment on your daughter's business I.Q., but did not want to embarrass her or you, but since you brought it up...

I think your daughter's recognition of this snake oil is very astute!

341

Living Room / Re: Looking for Refrigerator Magnets that work

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 26, 2010, 12:22 AM »

Yes!  I had forgotten about those "old" speakers, but I thought anything in the last twenty years used some other kind of fancy "quasi-electro-magnet"  Do they still use real magnets in speakers nowadays?

...
I don't know. I haven't had any busted speakers large enough to be worth taking apart to find out, in about 25 years Emphasis added.

-app103 (September 26, 2010, 12:21 AM)

-CodeTRUCKER (September 26, 2010, 12:18 AM)

Your Honor, the prosecution rests.  

342

Living Room / Re: Looking for Refrigerator Magnets that work

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 26, 2010, 12:18 AM »

If all else fails, rip open a broken/unusable hard drive and use the magnets within. Those are everlasting strong.

-Shades (September 25, 2010, 10:32 PM)

There's a creative alternative!

-CodeTRUCKER (September 25, 2010, 11:53 PM)

And speaker magnets are one of my old favorites. An old pair of large speakers that don't work any more will give you 2 of them. Be sure to pull them out before you toss the speakers in the trash.

-app103 (September 26, 2010, 12:10 AM)

Yes!  I had forgotten about those "old" speakers, but I thought anything in the last twenty years used some other kind of fancy "quasi-electro-magnet"  Do they still use real magnets in speakers nowadays?

343

Living Room / Re: When you knock at my door...

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 26, 2010, 12:15 AM »

I have not experienced these, myself, but I asked my daughter if she has and she said has a few friends with them.

And she says, more than anything else, they are confusing to the caller, who is expecting to hear the normal "phone is ringing" sound and instead is hit with this music. It makes one wonder if something is wrong. Why isn't it ringing like it is supposed to do? 

-app103 (September 26, 2010, 12:06 AM)

Tell her it's just another "cool" fad the companies use to make the bill higher each month. 

344

Living Room / Re: Looking for Refrigerator Magnets that work

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 25, 2010, 11:53 PM »

If all else fails, rip open a broken/unusable hard drive and use the magnets within. Those are everlasting strong.

-Shades (September 25, 2010, 10:32 PM)

There's a creative alternative!

345

General Software Discussion / Re: SuperboyAC's DC blog #2 (Live Search feature in software)

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 25, 2010, 11:51 PM »

PersonalBrain 5  8/10
...

-CodeTRUCKER (September 25, 2010, 02:31 PM)

Nice!  I'm actually really curious about how you use the Brain for practical applications.  I tried it a long time ago, and I thought it was really cool.  But I didn't have a practical application for it.
...
I know this is off topic for this thread, but this thread is so old anyway, I don't think it matters.

-superboyac (September 25, 2010, 09:45 PM)

I'm glad you liked the addition.  Actually, I had to go through the whole thread and search to make sure it wasn't already included.  I was quite surprised when I could not find it!

The reality is I just reinstalled it yesterday (how's that for timing!), but I still had my db from the first time I tried.  I was originally scared away by the price after the trial, but the improvements I've seen in the v.6 beta since then have certainly increased the potential ROI. 

Since I am using it again I decided I would use it for everything.  The many-to-many architecture and the instantaneous location of whatever I am looking for has really eliminated many of the confines of structure.  It truly is as fluid and the human brain, just not as fast.  I have found nothing like it yet! 

Even having said all that, I know you well enough to know you need more.     So here goes...

• Contact List - I include all details in the "Notes" plus any details about the contact.  The beautiful thing here is I do not have to have the focus on the contact.  If I have a project in focus, I only have to hover over the contact's name  and it will show the Notes/Contact Info.  This works for any node.  Hover over any visible node and the details, if any, will be displayed in the window.
• Notes - Create a node, enter any data if it is long, give it a subject and include the rest in the Notes.  Some formatting options are available.
• Calendar - Nothing special, but any node can be made a scheduled item by creating an appointment. 
  
  • Start, Finish and All Day, Date-Time entry (30-min increments in the drop-downs)
  • Reminders are available as [1-9999999] (no kidding) of Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks.
  • Recurrence is available in [1-30] Days, Weeks, Months and Years.  That's right you can set a recurrence date for the year 10,002,009 CE.  You'll want to make sure you will be free for that one!
• ToDo List - Since this is free form, it is very easy and customizable and can be dated via the above bullet.
• Database - Well that is what this is at heart.  Any file can be associated with one or more nodes.  Either by reference or by copying to internal db.
• Reports - These can be created via selecting criteria, but I have never used it (yet), but I might try later tonight.
• I am using PB to work out ideas for a fiction epic akin to "Dune."  (Hey!  I can dream, can't I?)  It is very easy to link characters, plots, subplots, locations and objects in the story.  The free-form ability to link anything to everything related is a breeze and becomes almost transparent to the actual writing.  Lots of fun!"
• Business - I own an OTR truck (see avatar) that two of my sons drive.  I keep records about...
  
  • Items that need to be addressed when they bring it back to the barn.  I hate sending them back out and notice we forgot to fix the ground-fault in the left tail light.
  • I am always experimenting with efficiency so I keep ideas for them to try as situations allow.  I keep records of success/failure of each.  FYI - this has proven quite successful.
  • Records of unusual circumstances at shippers/receivers to cover our back if brought into question later.
  • Instantaneous recall of information when someone calls about anything gives the appearance I've got it all together.
• Lyrics and Poetry Structure - I use PersonalBrain to experiment with lyrics for songs (see below) and poetry in a graphical structure.  FLASH! An idea creeps in, make a quick node and go on.
• Song Writing and Composing - Similar to the above, PB is great at creating/experimenting/testing musical ideas that I can test out in Finale and/or Sibelius.  I am not an expert in either music programs, but the ability to hash out ideas in a graphical structure is symbiotic.
• Doodling - Sometimes I like to just add random thoughts.  This always provokes some item related to my doodle and I can instantly create the link.  The freedom to enter random thoughts is very liberating and really gets the creative juices flowing.

Superboyac, I hope that will give you a start.  It was no trouble to do that for you.  You have given so much to myself and others.  If you have any specific questions, feel free to reply here or PM if you desire.

Fair winds,
Calvin

346

Living Room / Re: Looking for Refrigerator Magnets that work

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 25, 2010, 08:57 PM »

Neodymium magnets are very cool! Got my last set from ebay and they were 1/4 inch cylinders which makes them fairly easy to handle and not too strong to pull away. You can also get push pin magnets which are neodymium magnets attached to plastic pins. Emphasis added.

-cchian (September 25, 2010, 05:42 PM)

I think this is what I am looking for.

347

Living Room / Re: When you knock at my door...

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 25, 2010, 08:51 PM »

Er... what's a ring-back tone?
...

-Darwin (September 25, 2010, 06:47 PM)

Sorry, Darwin.  I've rectified this oversight.

348

Living Room / Re: Looking for Refrigerator Magnets that work

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 25, 2010, 04:05 PM »

You might also want to read their safety warnings page: http://www.magnet4le..._info1.php?page_id=1

-app103 (September 25, 2010, 03:58 PM)

Would you like to join the legal firm I keep on retainer? 

Seriously, it was good form to bring that disclaimer to attention of all.  They are certainly not toys!

349

Living Room / Re: Looking for Refrigerator Magnets that work

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 25, 2010, 03:44 PM »

These would work quite well. Buy them by the pull force you need and be careful not to get yourself one that's too strong that you can't get it off your fridge. 

-app103 (September 25, 2010, 03:41 PM)

Wow, some of those would be strong enough to erase the data in the fridge's ROM!

350

Living Room / When you knock at my door...

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 25, 2010, 03:35 PM »

... I am going to sing a poor quality excerpt from music that is my taste, not yours while you wait for the door to be answered.

Does that sound a little odd to you?  Maybe even rude?

Yo Folks,

<rant> In the words of Popeye, "That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!"  Actually, I'm not ready to blow my stack, but I am annoyed.  

Does anyone have an idea of what I am leading to?  In my own circle of people I have dropped very subtle hints for quite awhile (I'm not completely void of tact), but they have not been recognized.  For those of you that are not in my "circle," can you guess what I am talking about?

If you said "ring-back tones*" for mobile phones, you would be right.  

Why am I so adamantly against them?  For starters, if you are one that uses ring back tones, may I suggest you temporarily use someone else's phone and call you own number.  This will allow you to experience what you are foisting on those that call you.  Most enlightening.

Next, let's examine *what* they are good and are not good for...

• Avoiding dialing the wrong number.  To me this could be the only benefit, but how often do you dial wrong numbers, especially with speed-dial?
• Enjoyment?  Not for the caller because the sound quality is so poor it is unpleasant and sheer torture for any kind of an audiophile.
• Forces people to listen to music of your taste, without any consideration to the caller's.
• Unprofessional.  In any kind of a business context (except selling ring-back tones) they are inappropriate.  Think about the secretary at West Family Dental must think when calling to confirm an appointment.
• Additional unnecessary and constant expense.
• Carries a "Hey, look at me this is what I like!" connotation.
• The owners of the ring-back tones, never get to enjoy(?) their own investments.
• Callers may not call as often so they don't have to endure "Listen[ing] to the music while your party is reached."
• [Fill-in-the-blank]

.
In short, ring-back tones are not worth the price of admission, in my book.  I find them as annoying when I call as you would probably find my singing while you wait at the door for me to answer it.  I can not control what anyone does, but I can offer a viewpoint...  I don't like them.

If anyone has a rebuttal, I would really like to hear it.  Maybe I'm missing something, but given I have quietly considered this subject for over a year, I couldn't have missed much.

</rant>

Thanks for your time.

*  A "ring-back tone" (ala Verizon Wireless, et.al.) is the audio a "caller" hears instead of the usual "ringback tone" that one hears while waiting for the "callee" (is that a word?) to answer the call.  They are similar to "ring tones."  

<edits for explanation>