Our little red Mini made it to 100,000 miles! It took just 7 years to get there. I'm hoping I can make it to 200,000, though that may be wishful thinking.
Incidently, I have put in a formal name change request to change the car from Mini to "The Rocket." So far I have been denied.
--Ben
The process of choosing among the different designs was fairly involved. The team members created personas, or typical user profiles, and looked at how each design would serve the needs of the personas. (Throughout the rest of the development of the Pet Market application, the team referred back to the personas in order to make decisions about the UI or functionality of the program.) After carefully comparing each UI design against the personas, the team decided on a winning design.
Look at that, someone else is using the Personas design tool. Cool.
Read this book to learn more about Personas
I took a walking/thinking break today at work. Yikes it was hot out. (No wonder, I just checked and the Real Feel is 104!)
--Ben
We had a fun time babysitting this evening. My keys were a big hit to play with, but as usual my sidekick took the cake. Simply playing the preview music from the for sale ring tones was all it took.
Gosh he's cute!
--Ben
http://www.gustavus.edu/+max/concrete-abstractions.html
This book was just announced as another free Scheme text book. I've never read it, but the author's introduction and table of contents description make it seam very promising.
I like how the author makes a point of saying that CS theory and practice can be combined together to make you a better programmer.
He also devotes the last chapter of the book as one that transitions readers from Scheme to Java. Oh well, no book is perfect ;-).
Now go and learn scheme and computer science.
--Ben
What do you do if someone comes to the door and asks to clean your gutters for $50.00?
If you are Shira, you say no thanks and close the door.
If you are Ben, you say yes, and give the guy a glass of water and $60.00.
This time, I answered the door.
--Ben
This article is making the rounds. It suggests that what we sometimes need in the software development world isn't just more tools, but an actual shift in the way we think about programming. He suggests two shifts for the web development world, and they are both good suggestions.
If I were to suggest an idea, it might be that we focus on languages and frameworks which hide the webness of web programming. The end result being that we get back to the boring days of functions and variables and stop worrying about HTTP requests, responses, cookies, etc.
And that's exactly what a framework like SISCweb do. For example, it lets you write code like this:
(Sorry, this is only going to be interesting if you know a bit of scheme...)
(define (get-billing-info)
(render (use-form 'billing-info-form)
(lambda (shipping-same-as-billing? billing-data)
(if shipping-same-as-billing?
(checkout billing-data billing-data)
(get-shipping-info billing-info)))
(lambda (_ _)
(get-billing-info))))
This code defines a function which collects billing information. It says to render the billing-info-form (whatever that is) and provides two functions to invoke when the form is filled in. One function is invoked if the form is submitted properly, the other function is invoked if the form fails to validate for some reason.
In the first function, I check a variable to see if the shipping and billing address is the same. If so, call the checkout function (and pass the billing-info as both billing-info and shipping-info, afterall, they are the same, right?). Otherwise, call the get-shipping-info function. If validation fails, then we loop around and try again.
What I like about this example is that it shows that one can write a web application with the same directness that you would write any other kind of application.
So, lets say you don't have an Xbox lying around to make movies. What are you to do?
Well, here's another option. And all you need are some still photos.
Some things I found impressive about this site:
I wasn't actually able to ever successfullly create a moview -- but I did check this one out here (Sorry, only works in IE, argh). Pretty impressive that they did all this with just still images.
...when you have a will, power of attorney, etc. We got that all taken care of today. Hopefully we won't need the documents for many years.
We used a lawyer from the firm Tobin, O'Connor & Ewing. They were very nice and made the whole process as painless as possible.
We highly recommend them!
--Ben
This lady was driving (not stopped, but moving) next to us, with her hands and attention on her blackberry.
Makes the old putting on makeup trick look tame in comparison.
--Ben
Tonight, Shira became the proud owner of a white gold + diamond bracelet. She appears to be happy with my selection.
Time to go back to Jared's to re-stock.
--Ben
Had dinner tonight at The Asia. Or as the rest of the world calls it, Cafe Asia.
We highly recommend it for all your Asian food needs.
Tonigh we went wild and had fried rice and fried bananas!
Rating: ambiance: 8/10, food: 9/10, wife-making-happy-ability: 10/10.
My favorite? Probably:
7. It is easier to write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.
Or, maybe:
17. If a listener nods his head when you're explaining your program, wake him up.
What's your favorite? Have any to add?
When we bought our Chevy Cavalier the dealer gave us a wallet key. Which is just what it sounds like, a key that fits in your wallet.
I've been carrying it with me for years now, and whenever I get into the worst possible situation (like locking my keys in my car with the car running), I pull it out and calmly solve the problem.
Like I did this morning, when I realized I had locked my keys in the glove compartment last night while out with the wife (she was driving).
There is a life lesson here. Something about being prepared and thinking ahead. Or maybe something about ounces of prevention and pounds of cure.
--Ben
Well, to complement our new TV we got new accessories. Including:
(1) DVD player. It's compact and has a remote. At $25 dollars it's not exactly the deluxe model. But, it seems to play DVDs so I'm happy.
(2) VCR. 4 heads. HiFi stero sound. Yeah, this baby kicks butt!
Total cost of accessories: $0.00, thanks to Elana and my parents for footing the bill.
And thanks to our friends' movie library, we have a DVD all ready to test it out.
--Ben
We got a little light rain today, and I got to watch the water bead up (see yesterday's post about waxing my car). I'd say my 98 Cavalier could easily pass for a 99 now.
It was with dignity that I parked between a Porsche and Mercedes SUV.
--Ben
Now this is clever -- make movies using an Xbox game as your studio, set and actors.
It may be the most unlikely form of indie filmmaking yet -- and one of the most weirdly democratic. "It's like 'The Blair Witch Project' all over again, except you don't even need a camera," says Julie Kanarowski, a product manager with Electronic Arts, the nation's largest video-game publisher. ''You don't even need actors.''
Had another fun day of getting our cars looking pretty. My Cavalier now shines more than... well, more than ever. Amazing what a coat of wax will do!
And regardless of what the pictures suggest, the girls really did pitch in and help lots!
--Ben
On our way from Rochester to DC. Can you guess which reading material belongs to which reader?
--Ben
So, what does one do on a Saturday night in Rochester? Well, in the Simon family there's really only one thing to do.
Grab your brother and grandparents and head out to the casino. Who cares if it's an hour and 45 minute drive away.
So, here I sit at 11:45pm, outside Casino Niagra. My brother and Shira hard at work at the blackjack tables, and my grandparents working the nickel poker machines.
I love family activities.
--Ben
We were just shopping at Target and I came across the Firefly - a cellphone designed for children. Not for teens or pre-teens but for children (5, 6 year olds?).
This of course is brilliant. First, it's an untapped market. Second, it taps into the worst fear every parent has (I'm a bad parent if I don't equip my child with every anti-kidnapping device). Third, as my mom pointed out, you get kids hooked on cell phones really young.
Now why didn't I think of that?
--Ben
Well, we are on the plane as I type this. Two hours late and totally exhausted. But, so far it's only a slightly bumpy ride.
--Ben
So our plane is 2 hours late. But at least Air Tran is trying - at least they provided snacks and drinks.
I think this may be a case where spending an extra buck or two goes a long way.
--Ben
http://www.paulgraham.com/opensource.html
If you are a geek and don't read Paul, shame on you. Heck, even if you aren't a geek you should be reading him.
He's great at saying clever things which cause plenty of contraversey.
--Ben
Who knew that putting a sensor at each parking spot in the BWI garage would make parking so much more enjoyable?
You know exactly how many free spots each floor has, as well as if a row is full.
No more driving aimlessly around.
Finally, putting technology to a good use.
--Ben
My buddy Christian just wrote up a blog entry about his mobile office [1]. And I added my two cents about my mobile office in his comments section. But I didn't mention one of my most important pieces of technology: the 3x5" notepad.
I'm reminded of this because I just bought a new one ($0.89 @ CVS), as I was due. I even bought the "toughbook" version, which has a plastic cover instead of the usual cardboard one.
Why do I consider my notepad so essential? It's light weight, very durable, never runs out of batteries, is kid proof, has instant-on, is compatible with any brand of stylus, never runs out of batteries, can produce hard copy, and can be used for both toilet paper as well as a fire starter in a pinch.
So, while I love my sidekick, I wouldn't dream of giving up my notebook.
[1] http://weblogs.macromedia.com/cantrell/archives/2005/07/my_new_mobile_o.cfm
--Ben
Cryptopunk � A Lisp to JavaScript Compiler in 100 Lines
This really makes you appreciate how related Lisp and JavaScript are. Combined with the Little JavaScripter, and you really appreciate why I'm such a fan of JavaScript (and ActionScript for that matter).
Maybe attack is a bit too strong. This is Brody and Riley, our canine neice and nephew. They've gotten used to us and we've gotten used to them (mostly) so I think everything is worked out between us.
They look quite innocent in this photo, but try entering the house with a pizza in your hands and you'll learn the truth!
We are leaving the game in the top of th 8th. We are currently ahead 2 to 1. I assume we'll have lost by the time we get to the metro.
That shot of Shira and myself isn't just us close together - due to the extreme heat and humidity we were actually sticking together.
--Ben
Sitting on the third base line of the nationals. Looks like it is going to be a great game.
--Ben
We are having yet another heat wave, so we are doing everything we can to keep cool (in this case our seat cool).
--Ben
Well, at least dropping off a prescription for them. I wonder if 20 years from now I'll be laughing at the amount of medicine Shira was on for her migrain, or if I'll still be visiting CVS.
My guess is the latter.
--Ben
Let me get this straight. My cell phone company, the one that I trust for their superior telephonic capabalities, has to send me a post card telling me they have a billing issue?
The exact text: "we were unable to process the automatic payment for your account, and we need help resolving the matter. Please call us as soon as you can at 1-800-263-4388"
I have a novel idea - why don't they call me?
I have to imagine it would be cheaper to text message me than to send a post card. Yikes.
--Ben
A 30 minute run by myself, and dinner with my beautiful wife at noo-noo's. Does it get any better than this?
--Ben
So I'm a couple of chapter's into Michael Moore's "Dude, Where's My Country?"
So far I'm pretty un-impressed. Most of the arguments he makes have been brought up in his movie, Farenheight 911. Also, he has the general pattern of: dig up interesting facts from public sources, discuss how odd they are, and then propose an out-there suggestion to justify them.
So, most of the conclusions he offers to make the facts fit aren't ones I would agree with.
Though, I do give him a bit of credit. He's pretty clear about where the facts stop and his hypothosizing starts. Which means you can disregard his wacky thoughts and still learn something.
--Ben
For sale: two Z24 sport wheels, each with a Yokohama Avid T4 tire.
Markings on the tires as follows: Avid T4 Radial Tubeless M+S, Yokohama P205/55R16 89T.
Naturally, we are selling these on eBay motors. That should be an adventure.
--Ben
Here's what my weeds look like in my backyard, before I covered them in weed killer.
I have a suspicion that these particular weeds aren't killed by this weed killer. They are a sort of super weed. And, every time I spray them with this weed killer they are, in fact, growing stronger.
I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do, as I'm a bit concerned that my back lawn may soon be more weed than grass.
Actually, I do know what I'm going to do: read about the problem and spend money at the hardware store buying supplies and tools. It won't fix the problem, but it'll make me feel like I'm doing something.
--Ben
This one's for you Brady. As promised, here are some more pictures of yourself on the web.
It only slightly blows my mind that Brady is 6, and is quite excited to see his likeness on the web. And specifically asked me to put more pictures up of him.
Had a fun lunch with Danielle and Brady, though we did miss the rest of the gang.
--Ben