Sunday, October 22, 2023

Decision Making: Make One

 Decision making "is simply the process of making a CHOICE".

Sounds easy right? But as you may have already experienced, the WHAT, WHICH, WHY, HOW, [or even WHERE, WHEN] of the CHOICE may as well be decision-making processes in themselves.

So, you will tend to agree with me when I say that decision making is a SERIES of making choices.

Wait, wouldn't that be a cyclical loop? Probably and depending on the situation, that is the state where we sometimes are unable to make a decision.

Top results from a quick search will tell you that there are 7 Steps of Decision Making and there are 12 Strategies you can use. Many more in the search results will lead you into details of how to employ the tested ways and means of how to go about the decision-making process.

In the 7 Steps of Decision Making, evaluation of the decision can entirely be a decision-making process: decide whether the action taken is the best alternative for the decision. Each of the steps can easily become complex.

I offer a SIMPLE METHOD:

Step 1: State the decision in a question

The question should be:

  1. answerable by YES or NO
  2. stated in the positive form by which the answer YES will favor the decision
Step 2: Decide between YES and NO.

IF the answer is NO, then you're DONE with the process. No need to do anything. 
IF the answer is YES, you can continue to the next step.

If you are unable to answer or if you do not believe that you can answer the question, revise the question and refer back to Step 1.

Step 3: Ask: "Will you able to do anything favoring this decision?" and back to Step 2.

Proceed to next step if you already answered yes to this question.

Step 4: Just DO

If you reached this part of the process, congratulations! You made a decision and you should be ready to do something about it.

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Watching videos faster? YES you can!

 

It's been a while that I have been trying to learn how to watch videos faster. I was told about reading faster and I think I can read faster that I used to.

When I started adjusting the speed of videos that I watch, I was cautioned that I may not be able to enjoy watching normal-speed ones. My reasoning? I'd like to keep my brain busy and keep it awake while keeping the momentum of being interested. Further, I can control the depth and versions of imaginations, at which at times, takes away from the video itself. In short, I'd like to absorb the content faster. The only way is to be faster.

Curious? Take a look at readings and opinions about watching faster by starting here: https://www.google.com/search?q=watching+faster

Don't you think you should?

Even faster though is to try the following:

1. Open a video (or on Youtube) you want and play it at normal speed as you used to.

2. After 2 minutes, adjust it to 1.25x and try to keep up with understanding the content. 

3. After 3 or 5 minutes or when you are comfortable, adjust to faster speeds

The rule is: only adjust to faster speed when you are able to comprehend/understand the content. Start with your normal speed and adjust incrementally while still comprehending the content. This, like all skills, takes practice.

Good luck!

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Session 1: Basics

 What is Infrastructure as  Code?


Prepare Workspace

  1. Install
    1. Terraform: (https://learn.hashicorp.com/tutorials/terraform/install-cli?in=terraform/azure-get-started)
    2. Azure CLI: open PowerShell as administrator
      $ Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://aka.ms/installazurecliwindows -OutFile .\AzureCLI.msi; Start-Process msiexec.exe -Wait -ArgumentList '/I AzureCLI.msi /quiet'; rm .\AzureCLI.msi
    3. Visual Studio Code
      1. Terraform by HashiCorp
      2. Azure Terraform by Microsoft
      3. Azure Cloudshell (Powershell)
      4. Azure CLI tools
  2. Activate Azure Account
Create or open a project folder. Open the folder in VSCode. Create a file named main.tf.
Open a powershell terminal and issue:
$ az login
Paste the following to the main.tf file:
provider "azurerm" {
  features {}
}

resource "azurerm_resource_group" "aingelrg1" {
  name     = "Session1"
  location = "southeastasia"
}

On the terminal, follow through each of the commands
$ terraform init
Initialize terraform and check dependencies

$ terraform plan
Simulate what needs to happen in Azure

$ terraform apply
Execute the instruction in Azure. You need to type "yes" to confirm the execution.

$ terraform show

$ terraform destroy
Delete from Azure

You can checkout some samples at the following Git Repos:
https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform-provider-azurerm/tree/main/examples
https://github.com/aingelc12ell/jaira-terraform-azure/



Wednesday, March 31, 2021

The Programmer

CCTO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuaQ1QhJOkc

 It’s time to get serious about improving your programming skills. Let’s do it!

1. Remind yourself how much you have to learn

The first step in learning something is recognizing that you don’t know it. That sounds obvious, but experienced programmers remember how long it took to overcome this personal assumption.

2. Stop trying to prove yourself right

Novice software developers (and too many experienced ones) look at their code to admire its wonderfulness. They write tests to prove that their code works instead of trying to make it fail. Truly great programmers actively look for where they’re wrong—because they know that eventually, users will find the defects they missed.

3. “The code works” isn’t where you stop; it’s where you start

Great programmers know that the first iteration is just the first iteration. It works— congratulations!—but you aren’t done. Now, make it better.

Part of that process is defining what “better” means. Is it valuable to make it faster? Easier to document? More reusable? More reliable? The answer varies with each application, but the process doesn’t.

4. Write it three times

First, you write the software to prove to yourself (or a client) that the solution is possible.

The second time, you make it work.

The third time, you make it work right.

5. Read code. Read lots of code

When you read others’ code, you see how someone else solved a programming problem. But don’t treat it as literature; think of it as a lesson and a challenge. To get better, ask yourself:

6. Write code, and not just as assignments

Working on personal programming projects has many advantages. For one, it gives you a way to learn tools and technologies that aren’t available at your current job, but which make you more marketable for the next one. Whether you contribute to an open source project or take on pro-bono work for a local community organization, you’ll gain tech skills and self-confidence. (Plus, your personal projects demonstrate to would-be employers that you’re a self-starter who never stops learning.)

7. Work one-on-one with other developers any way you can

When you contribute to an open source project, pay attention to the feedback you get from users and from other developers. What commonalities do you see in their criticism?

You might be lucky enough to find a personal mentor whom you can trust to guide you in everything from coding techniques to career decisions. Don’t waste these opportunities.


Friday, December 15, 2017

Value...

"To be self-reflective is to explore the various external influences affecting consciousness.." 

What do people value?
How is the value of one person measured?
How is your value perceived by others: those whom you value specially?

In perspective, "value" is subjective. It is defined by whoever sees it. The phrase: "The beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" illustrates the value -- which in this case is beauty.

To a person, our value can only be seen by the benefits we can show, offer, and promise. Personally, I had been subconsciously testing people how I am valued. Many of which really, can only be seen when the "benefits" are packaged to their "standard" -- their way of appreciation.

Each individual seeks some form of value to others -- hence the conscious self-reflection and aim for self-improvement. We try to please them by saying the kind words; showing grace and compassion; etc.; whenever we are prompted. We put ourselves out of our own comfort to understand, console, and, make our way for them -- sympathy and empathy.

However, such value can be short lived. Whatever shown can be forgotten, ignored, and can be seen negatively to the extreme. Any mistakes done along the way may outweigh whatever kindness, sympathy, understanding, and anything provided -- volunteered or grant to a request.

In love, the default is that you value the person -- that what love is. In loving the person, you see what is good and try to help out to overcome anything bad. Clearly, you both want to be valued -- both to see the value in each other: the promise of togetherness, understanding, and support. Initially, when in love, the value can be overrated. As time goes by, the value of each other, for each other, should increase in order to sustain love. If love is just the relationship, the value is put together in just one side of the value of the relationship. Love goes beyond the relationship and should endure so to make the relationship, the feeling, the view of value in each other.

To love is to give and aim to improve the value of each other. This can be achieved by knowing each other and consciously aim and work to improve each other -- compensate the failure of one, and uplift the success of the other. 

Clearly, to value a person is to have a reason and purpose with the person. Time is the least valuable resource to a person with purpose. He can spare time to achieve a better perspective -- the achievement and the realization of the value of the goal. Take for instance a patient hunter for his price catch.

How should I value you? Understand my reason, and focus on the value of its purpose. Forget the means and ways, put the goal ahead of any trials.

See the value.

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Mistakes do not stop me


I am very sure I'll be committing mistakes, it will not stop me.

Mistakes are consequences of doing, they should not prevent anyone to move further. If you acknowledge a mistake before it happens, you will have the presence of mind to avoid it. If not, it's an accident.

No matter, a mistake, as a result of an action, should also not be taken lightly. Be responsible by acknowledging it, internalize by knowing why and how it happened, and learn from it. Any repairs or actions related to it should be proactive moves such that you are committing to strive at least to avoid another in the future.

Further, mistakes makes us human. Do not aim for it, try to avoid it, and just keep moving forward. There is no justice for mistakes than the lessons it offers after if it happens or not.

Endure through mistakes and no mistakes will be greater than the success you will soon harvest.

Persist and never cease to strive and be better.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Measuring the performance of a software developer

Sometime last year, I was asked to evaluate and identify the best programmer from a number of graduating IT students. The projects have been preselected by the faculty members. The criteria for the selection is not specifically defined. They trusted me, being in software development for sometime, that I will be able to gauge who will be awarded of the contested award given to graduates of the Information Technology bachelor's degree.

To provide me with some insights on how to go about the evaluation, I had to ask some of the faculty members who identified me to be the "judge". One of them presented that the best programmer should be the one who used a well-known development framework in their projects. Another argues that someone who developed their own framework is the better programmer -- having "invented" his own framework.

Another faculty favors the programmer who had developed the most number and more complex system features will determine the best programmer. Another expounds to include the scope of the system -- the system solves a wide variety of problems.

All the projects started at about the same time. Each project are developed by about two to five individuals. From each team, one stands out to be the project leader -- most often, the developer-lead of the team. The cohesiveness of the development efforts vary from each team with the complexity of the individualism among the members. Some instances, from among the team, only one is doing the programming, while the rest will do something else - financial support, documentation, etc.

The determination of the best programmer ignores the collective effort of the team. Be it that the system is developed by one person or by the whole team, the selection dictates the completeness of the presented system. Technical expertise as a baseline criteria was also not considered.

I pity those good developers, idealistic, all-knowing, but are unable to produce a near-complete product by the due date.

In my selection, I had to consider, the development journey of the system by the developers concerned. The best programmer should be someone who delivered the finished product by applying the lessons learned in their earlier years. Having the best project, having used or developed their own framework, are factors in the selection. The measure of performance is the extent of effectively applying what was learned.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

A new web-interest

Web system development is one that I consider to be the major industry I belong.

This means that I need to be able to setup, configure, and mostly develop systems that work on a browser from a web server. Open source is a major consideration in pursuing this "passion" and implementation. Everything should be achievable and done by my own hands and mind to be able to mention that I can support it.

WebRTC had been around for a while and only now that I grasp some interest in pursuing its features and benefits that it promises to provide.

WebRTC allows peer-to-peer connection for audio, video, files, and/or simple data.

It's high time to get a taste of how dirty and messy to achieve an implementation.

Monday, January 16, 2017

Device Fingerprinting Challenge

A client requested to provide information about the visitors on a website I am working.

The client's request includes the following:

  • Add MAC address
  • Computer/device name
  • Local IP address
MAC address (machine access control address) is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface. Network interface could be physical or wireless. MAC address is also known as the physical address to a network device. (more info)

The computer/device name is the name of the device identified usually during installation.

Local IP address is the IP address defined for the network interface either statically or through a DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol) server within a local area network (LAN).

Taking the "possibility" challenge, it lead me to many other information. The challenge involves the use of the browser and its relative technologies. The website is developed in PHP and Javascript. Imperatively, getting the above information can be done with PHP and Javascript.

Initial searches on Google lead me to answers leading to "not possible" outcome. However, it also lead me to a number of tools for future projects like: ClientJSBrowserSpy, DetecDevice, and a number of almost similar leading information.

Further in search for a solution, 3rd-party software are also considered including extension, plugins, and client-installed scripts.

With any breakthrough, it'll be posted here.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Failures, Mistakes, Errors.... Moving On

All my life, I have crossed so many mistakes, errors, and failures -- in one word: failures.

Most of these failures, I have observed, are unlikely to happen early on. Best intentions get the best of me, that these failures will not likely to happen. It is like going for a walk, a simple walk from one point to another, and out of nowhere, you are robbed or even worse.

Failure is evident when we don't have a plan, not all of us are like Indiana Jones whose adventure is mostly of luck. Failure is also while we're doing it -- say cooking, you wanted to put some salt so to blend the taste, but the lid of the shaker is loose letting all the contents out as you turn it over. Failure is also at the consequence -- the wrong spice/ingredients mixed up.

Coincidence, fate, destiny, or other words that they are called, I am blaming them. However, as I grew up and hurdled more and more of these failures, I had come face to face, in many instances, their nature. It is like facing a transparent glass that is so transparent, you cannot see the glare. You will not know that it exists until you bumped onto it. It is not like you are traveling in darkness, in fact, the light encourages you to walk or head on faster than you intend, you do it step by step.

The shimmering light, or simply a lamp or fire on a stick, is much needed in our travels through the dark -- to the most unlikely nature of life. We need confidence, encouragement, motivation, satisfaction, and all the nice words in the world of words, to keep moving. These words I refer to as light. Like the brightest natural light on earth -- the sun -- brings forth a lot of these words into concrete application. I'd like to jog when there is sunlight, but I hate the heat that it accords me -- the early sunrise or the late sunset is the better time to do it.

Going back to failures as transparent glasses ahead of our path, I had observed, that with the right angle of light -- seeing through or bouncing from the back -- provides a clearer view and begs caution as we approach it.

We need a change in perspective.

Perspective is how we see one thing from one location while trying to be on another. Normally, if you are looking at the same aspect and from another point of view -- perspective -- you will see differently. So, to change or influence someone, you have to change yourself -- change your own perspective.

With so many failures, I neglected to count them, I had tried many changes in perspective -- many of which made sense initially -- like out of a book or an author. But just like trading in the ForEx market, not all strategies will work over time, you have to adjust. Continually changing and proving one from the other, could already be a failure in itself -- none accomplished.

Perspective, or a change of it, should be done way before we head on, and not only at the moment of failure. Planning -- anticipating that failures will or may happen -- is now a requirement.

Planning is the best weapon in playing chess, after knowing the game of course. Before you do your next move, your mind will go through drills, situations, consequences, alternatives, and counter-attacks. The more moves you can muster in mind, that will likely happen in the future, will provide you with the better advantage.

Quick reaction -- efficient decision in an instant -- can be an output of effective planning. With the anticipated move, and the right conditions, you adjust your plan with the scenarios ahead of you.

If we stop, I have convinced myself, through the failures -- failure of planning, failure at scenario, failure on effect -- we will remain as a FAILURE. BUT, if we keep moving forward, planning ahead, deciding fast enough -- we may not avoid failure, but at least, by then, we should have accomplished something.

The failures are there to remind us that we are human. That we should learn by them, avoid them, plan for and against them. They will surely come, by fate or by other means. But by then, you are stronger, and you will know how to deal with them to better yourself.

Let's keep moving forward.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

X and Y of Software Development

Software Development is one of the many things that never stay put. It gets to evolve and continue. Once it stops, it is the end of its life.

As software develops over time, there are distinct two directions that is tracing its progress:

  • X - this is the horizontal aspect of development. This is characterized by the number of features, functions, scope and reach of the output. As you add more to the growing number of functions and features, the X axis is drawn further from the origin. The further it goes denotes a number of modules or usage it contains.
  • Y - this is the vertical aspect of development. This is characterized by the quality, performance, speed, usability, friendliness, and security of the system. This aspect is also gearing to the non-visible part of the system. These developments may sometimes delay the deployment or may break the system all together.
A good balance of the X and Y axis is desired in any development. Any system that has many features but would require a great deal of power to operate is the same with a very secure system that is very hard to use.

At some point, prioritizing one axis over the other is inevitable specially for system developed by less than 3 people. Some features are held off in favor of performance or security. Some usability issues are sacrificed at some point for speed considerations. 

Many of the chances that I have gone through as a developer, is to take the Y axis more priority than the X's. That is, make sure that the system performs better than having to add more features. More features, at many instances, would mean more work for Ys. Say you need to upgrade to a new version of the programming language -- this is a Y -- this would mean that development for the Xs had to be postponed until all areas of the system, in Y, are checked.

Stress and penetration tests are very rarely done during development, not until there is some prototype or feature to specifically test. Imagine a huge system, after so many years of development, it may have covered all business operations and had them automated/integrated into the system, that may have not been tested for security? Chances are, this huge system may just be like trash after proving that it can easily break.

As you improve both axis, you may need to trace back to many of the basic functions for upgrade. At some point, many have to be re-written from a blank file. This is a hold off to the X axis, but making sure that the Y is stretched up to a quality you can be assured of.

To speed up development, one thing to keep in mind is, how much effort you put into the Ys, will lead you to a further stretch on the Xs. That is, with enough thought and consideration on the performance, quality, and security of the system, the easier you can expand the functionality and usage of the system.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Backup your copyrighted DVDs

I usually get this request from upstairs about backing up encrypted or copyrighted DVDs. I know I have done it many times but it fails to remind just how to do it every time.

Tools

  1. So I always have this Daemon Tools Lite that allows me to mount .iso file as virtual CD/DVD drives.
  2. I always have the codecs from CCP-Project to use the classic media player instead of the new one
  3. I also have Infrarecorder  to do copying and writing tasks
  4. For those copyrighted and encrypted DVDs, i have DVD Decrypter
  5. For some instances I also have imgBurn. This however may conflict with DVD Decrypter or Infrarecorder if not installed properly
Steps:
  1. Firstly, make sure that the DVD is worthy -- meaning readable and functional, void of physical damage that may ruin the show. You cannot copy if you can't play it.
  2. Copy the DVD to an .iso using InfraRecorder. The read speed may have to be tweaked to use below the maximum.
  3. Try mounting the .iso file using DaemonTools and make sure that it plays just like the original. If problems exist, it's time to call on the other tools.
  4. From the mounted .iso or virtual drive, right click and see "Decrypt using DVDDecrypter". Just follow the next steps, find a nice target location and proceed to extract the content. If it is a DVD video disc, it will copy just the .vob files.
  5. Write the .vob files to a DVD using imgBurn. You might want to save DVDs by writing them to another .iso file
  6. If all is well with the decryption, iso and playing the mounted iso, you're ready to burn to a physical DVD or to another media.
Feel free to post on the comments if you need assistance.


Wednesday, July 22, 2015

To my audience from way back

Hi!
I am not sure if you can still remember me. I was one of the speakers in one of the Lorma-hosted seminar sometime ago and had promised to send you "something" for asking a question during the Q&A portion. You may remember me with the bitcoin idea. I had been thinking about what I could really send to you as a token of my appreciation.

I apologize for the great delay. 

As you may have known recently, a bitcoin database had been hacked. This is now the challenge of the security of bitcoin and how it is digitally saved within networks. But, like some of the techos say, if a bank is robbed, you can discount saving to a bank a bad idea. But then again, let that be challenged even further.

It's like wildfire now about privacy and intrusion -- with the Hacking Team hacked, leaking information about how dubious and challenging making worthy of the systems we are building -- we have to become experts in our own field and be guided by the principles of security.

Here, I am sharing you a goldmine of security ebooks. I suggest you download what you can and keep it somewhere you can refer to sometime later. Some are already outdated but the knowledge and awareness they bring are priceless. 

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7jWflk4TmF3WEhqQVFmMHN3Q2s&usp=sharing

I hope these resources will be of help to you or the future generations under your ward.

Best wishes,

Friday, July 11, 2014

My Stress

Oh, Stress! 
You come every time 
So fresh! 
You swiftly become mine 
 
Each day you remind me 
The sweetness that glory can be 
By the end of the day 
You hinder the rest, 
I wanna be 

Let me love you 
Please work for me 
Though I hate you 
Please don't ruin me. 

You give these many gifts 
Silver hair, Wrinkles Worries and enemies 
In as much, as is my faith 
You come preparing me 

Be the best among my friends 
 Go on, I won't let your way 
By how much you love me 
You come and stay everyday 

Challenging me each and every way 
 You are the scorching sunlight 
Without you, I feel no might 
But if you lay not much I can do 
and thank you very much

Thursday, May 9, 2013

... and the election's almost over

Ugh! the trouble! the hazzle!... If you put the hype in a graph, statistics' normal curve almost does not apply. Pre-election time, it's way too long a time that the hype(equals preparation and campaign) is so intense. So intense that bans for guns and others are so commonly ignored and violated, with so little a number of apprehended and served justice. So intense that media -- paper, tv, radio, and the Internet -- is so undated with issues and concerns over and beyond election. Both incumbent and aspiring politicians have promises and so-called platforms they wish to bring forth to the governed public. So many that when elected, almost the same number wave through death and silence. And then, it gets used again on their next run for the same and so-much-acclaimed incomplete implementation of the plans. This next couple of days will be the height of the hype -- more noise and acts of baboons. And just before the days ends on May 13, the hype curve will dive... The next two days, it just plainly die... A few weeks come and we all forgot about the platforms and promises they uttered during the campaign --- and seemingly the candidate who were "asking" to be elected succumbed to amnesia and on to their personal goals. There are those that try to push for the suspension and even the stoppage of the election. There are those who just kill their opponents so there will be no sense of having the election. There are those who don't trust in the process of the election. There are those who don't trust the means and ways(ballot, paper, pen, ink, machines and people) of the election. There are those who don't even trust the results of the election. Well, here we are, afloat to the tide of how our election proceeds and done. At least, for the life of me, I see some changes: 1) Politicians no longer promise the very impossible. At least, they're now going practical and still seemingly odd promises. 2) Less use of pamphlets that clutter the streets and stickers on walls on every inch. They now hang tarpaulins. 3) People are more aware of whom they vote and the strategy to keeping the money the politician is giving and still vote for those they like ... actually, there are a lot more. BUT, let me end here while others can say more. I really hope the election's over so the elected politicians can really do more. (And so I hope)

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

...and we're moving on

I just have known that Pope Benedict XVI (PBX) just resigned from office. I was briefly shocked, and as I read today's headline: "Tagle Next Pope?", it gave me mixed emotions.

As reported, PBX is one of the very few that actually resigns. The rest, they are resigned until burial. Tsk!

As I briefly scan the pages of the paper, reading through the titles and leads of each article, the commentary of Cito Beltran captivated me. A few lines says:

"You don't have to die in office because the office could die along with you. The most important lesson that Pope Benedict teaches us by resigning as Pope is to know when to quit and to do it gracefully. Just because there has been a tradition of Popes dying or deteriorating is office, does not necessarily mean it's the wisest thing to do."

Cito explains and writes better of the idea, I am a fan.

That paragraph struck me with how we -- the younger generation -- the generation "in-waiting" -- who are trying to make changes in our own ways to improve lives and actually live a life.

Resistance to change is a hot topic for "seasoned" (the term they use when you're too old in a position) individuals -- any changes you want or wish should pass their set of criteria. There's nothing bad about it. In fact, it is a good practice to always seek the wisdom of experienced or experts. What is not good is, even if they understand the benefits, and actually know how it will turn out, they opt to ban or repress it.

It is in my personal nature to seek for improvements in ways possible and within the resources available, no matter how small it may look. But this outlook gives me the opportunity to do improvements of the changes that will happen -- not for personal gain but for the institution I am working with. It should be valued, at least hearing and proving what can happen. If my contributions are not seen as valuable, then, it only goes that I should not value myself as a contributor to my institution -- I must move on... resign...


Monday, October 1, 2012

Bloody Mechanic on BloodyMonday

An uprising is raging elsewhere. Loud shouting on a megaphone or on a supercharged speaker system keep ringing in my ears. Nuisance -- as in "noisy assailants" are just around the corner, deafening every passer-by or chanced riders that go by. I never had appreciated such moves. I am no fan. Protests are protests and will remain as they are unless suggestions or recommendations are voiced out rather than the worse-riddled situation that we are already in. To complain is an eye-opener to a seemingly naive and insensitive one. But, not until a solution is on the table, it will remain a complaint.

I highly regard those that are against the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and brought their case before the court -- rather than ranting about it elsewhere. Lawyers, law-makers (and sometimes law-breakers) shall test by counter-testing the negative impression the law [that they wrote and agreed on] as seen by others. Arousing interest from all areas is good BUT, they have to be informed PROPERLY -- emphasis intended. Properly, we mean, within the bounds of the information that really exists in the provisions. Anything above and beyond that is misjudging the "freedom of speech".

Once again, the definition and implication of the word "freedom" is being challenged.

Hackers have unleashed their nuisances on some of the websites I'm keeping in store at a hosting server. Implicating the bill as part of their reasoning is plainly irresponsible. Making the point that the websites, and the server can be hacked is another thing all together. Anyhow, both sides of the coin has to be played in such a scenario -- to understand and take it a medicine that what they did is to send proof and taunt admins of their capabilities. How about shooting them in the head to make the point that a bullet travels so fast that it can break a skull? -- Anyone dare? (Oh, well... no pun intended. Just making a point).

Oh, mechanic operating on a heart bypass..

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

A peep at Windows 8

Just got a copy of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO from here.

Installed on my VMWare Workstation:
- 120 GB HDD - might use a few more gig later
- 1GB RAM (recommended based on my physical machine capacity)
- bridged network so I can update later

From boot, the teal-green color floods the screen and then the fish... that's something new from MS.. though, I've seen a lot of MS wallpaper and screensaver that feature fishes.

As it loads, white dots appear and goes in circle to mimic a loading sequence.

A few more seconds comes up the seemingly familiar Windows 7 setup screen. Keys are in and just waited until the Personalize teal-blue colored screen comes up.

Type in the computer name, press Next, towards the Settings menu. I'll go for an expressed settings.

Type in the username and towards the Finalizing your settings window.

The five white dots runs through a circle and it prepares to welcome me, about 3 minutes after powering it up. After a couple of minutes waiting, the tiles come up and I'm ready for a spin.

Solid colors are nice, Dragged and dropped to re-arrange the tiles. Went to the store and while I'm not yet connected, there goes the error/advice.

But hey, where and what would I to go back to the menu screen? Oh, there.. I moved the cursor by the top of the page, and as it turned to a hand, I push the button, dragged the page that, by then, it re-sized to a thumbnail. As I move around, move the tile to the bottom, and whew! I came back to the tile menu.

Now, I have to configure my network so I can connect to the Internet. But how? I started clicking some buttons/tiles that may lead me there.. First, my name on the top-right, nope.. none.. Next, the Fish... led me to a more familiar screen: The old Windows 7 desktop without the Start button at the bottom-left. Went through the net-icon on the status bar.

The network device seems not to be recognized, so I decided to restart after a while.  The restart took awhile before the tile-menu.

Checking on the VMWare Tools from the VM Menu, it says it's not available. I have to wait for the VMWare Workstation 8 update for any luck..



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The curve is going through dugged up path

More updates, or desperation, may just be ahead on the horizon for Adobe's Flash Development... and probably the others that goes along with it -- Flex for one. The article published on The Register provides more gleam on this one.

A new developer on Flex, Flash, and Air.. may have to look shop somewhere else or this may turn out to be a good one. About a few weeks ago, I just got the latest Flex SDK (4.5.6), now, rumor says it's no longer marketable... But who knows? This can just be inviting more attention..

Hope's something worthwhile ride comes by.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Mobile development taking some curves

Adobe announced today that they're killing mobile Flash development.

This is received differently by different group of people - developers, reviewers, hackers, and even Jobs enthusiasts. Some believe and titled their articles as if Steve Jobs really killed Flash with his persistent denial of Flash's existence and importance in the horizon -- to put Flash out any near his turf. A few more comments that Flash may not just go away easily and it may take some time to actually "die". In between, some developers feel aweful about their expertise with Actionscript and Flash development -- real investment seemingly going to trashbins. The other side of the fence goes saying AS is basically ECMAScript and that switching to Javascript wouldn't hurt a lot.

Along all the sides of the differing point of views, there's this me. Just started out liking development with Flash Builder 4.5 with the ability to retain and enhance my PHP skills and adjust to AS and Flex. Actually, most of what I've done is just following video tutorials using the provided example projects. Whenever I tried changing the samples with the data I could use for my own application, something just goes awefully wrong.

Great time last week was spent working on a solution on why suddenly I can't start a project other than for Android OS - no iOS, no Blackberry -- I was stucked. Got it miraculously working after OS re-installation, which it really is not a factor in the solution equation. Got it working after forceful update to version 4.5.1.

A few days back, most hours after the whole day's work were spent trying to make the ZendFramework work for the PHP class I've developed from scratch just to come up with the basic structure for a DataService configuration I have tried during the first few days of the toturials. To this day, I really doesn't know to make it work.. Stuck.

Despite the seatback and the not-so-good timely news of Adobe's killing Flash, There's some light in the horizon: "package native apps with Adobe AIR for all major app stores". Build one, deploy to all.. That's pretty good!!!

The other side of the fence of developers, developing not from the native code, would mean performance penalties and sacrifices. These performance penalties may be quite OK with hardware devices overcoming the penalties (e.g.: a 1.2Ghz with a 800Mhz output). Might be OK or awefully bad.

A good time to expand the horizon and pool more options.