Ask Steve for Computer Help

Perl loop through days code

2009-05-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

Here is some code for looping through days
http://datetime.perl.org/index.cgi?FAQSampleCalculations
http://datetime.perl.org/index.cgi?FAQBasicUsage

#!/bin/env perl
use DateTime;
my $start_dt = DateTime->new(year => 2009, month => 4, day => 27);
my $end_dt = DateTime->new(year => 2009, month => 5, day => 18);

my $weeks = 0;
for (my $dt = $start_dt->clone();
$dt <= $end_dt;
$dt->add(days => 1) ) {
print $dt->date('')."\n";
$weeks++;
}

How to backgrounds a job in lunix run-parts

2009-05-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

/tmp/subtest1.sh > outputfile 2>&1 &

What is a good program to create diagrams and charts?

2007-06-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of choices out there but specifically for the Mac there is a great program that anyone that has to make charts shouldn't be with out. It's OmniGraffle, a programmer buddy of mine Bill Woody at Yahoo recommended it to me and I really recommend it.

http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnigraffle/

Thanks for supporting Laurie

Are Macs compatable with windows?

2007-05-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

The really short answer is yes, but really yes for the most part please let me explain. Simple answer is now you can run window on the new intel based macs. This can be done either using bootcamp or parrallel among a variety of other ways these days. So you mac is running windows
either as a program on your mac or you boot into windows. (Windows is a operating system and Mac OSX is an operating system[runs your computer]) But in all reality macs run virtually every program that run in windows or have an equivalent. You usually only run into a problem if your running a lot of specialized software for things like electrical engineering or to run special hardware.

Good luck, PS I love Macs but the are more expensive than a normal machine.

What is an abbreviation for command line ?

2006-10-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

cli - command line interface or command line interpreter, the later is
more accurate
cl - command line

How do I get UTC time in seconds in oracle sql

2006-10-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Timestamps can be confusing and difficult to work with in oracle. It
took me a little time to figure out but the following SQL will give
you

SELECT (CAST(SYS_EXTRACT_UTC(systimestamp) AS DATE) -
TO_DATE('19700101', 'YYYYMMDD')) * 86400 seconds , current_timestamp
FROM dual

the UTC time in seconds from the epoch, as a floating point number.

60 * 60 * 24 for 60 seconds * 60 minutes * 24 hours = 86400

.NET Micro Framework

2006-09-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

Doing a small series on Microsoft Embedded and found a short announcement saying that microsoft will be releasing .NET Micro Framework. This looks like it will for developing on much more embedded boards, more embedded than a cell phone or pocket pc. Not sure if it will be supporting generic programming of a supported array of microprocessors on only a select few specific development platforms.

Reference
Windows for Devices
Official Microsoft site

Update Differences Between Windows Mobile and Windows CE

2006-09-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

What is the difference between Windows CE and Windows Mobile-based Smartphone and Pocket PC software?

Windows CE is a customizable, embedded operating system for a variety of small-footprint devices. OEMs can use Windows CE to design platforms and customize applications to maximize the user experience for devices such as handhelds, thin clients, logic controllers, and advanced consumer electronics.

Windows Mobile is a complete software platform built on Windows CE. Unlike Windows CE, the Windows Mobile Smartphone and Pocket PC operating systems are specifically designed for devices that require a specialized hardware configuration. The software includes standardized interfaces and applications that ensure compatibility across hardware designs.

Reference

What is the .Net Compact Framework?

2006-09-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

The Microsoft® .NET Compact Framework is a smart-device development framework that brings the world of managed code and XML Web services to devices. The Compact Framework is ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif rich subset of the .NET Framework, thus providing the same benefits as the .NET Framework; but it is designed specifically for resource-constrained devices, such as PDAs and smart mobile phones.

Reference

Resources:http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

.Net Compact Framework
Getting Started
Mobile Software Factory

Windows Mobile and Windows CE what is the difference?

2006-09-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

Windows Mobile and Windows CE what is the difference?

Basically "Windows Mobile is based on Windows CE and .NET Compact Framework"

This means that Window Mobile is a packaged version of windows CE with the .Net Compact Framework that also includes additional features not found in either Windows Mobile or Windows CE.

Some of the api's I believe only found in Windows Mobile
Direct3D Mobile
DirectDraw
DirectShow
ActiveSync
QueryPolicy
ExitWindowsEx
DrawFocusRectColor

Some Managed API's

Topic
Telephony
Outlook Mobile
Messaging

What is a domain name?

2006-09-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

Basically a domain name is a address, like a street address used to locate your house.

A domain is used to identify a ip address (eg 127.0.0.1) usually one on the internet.

It's domain is like a label, like when you say go to bob's house you mean go to 505 river road, new york, ny 10001.

Domains are set up in hierarchies

A domain name is a the top level name used to access usually a web site.
For example:
digg.com - digg is sub domain of the top level name .com
www.digg.com - www is the sub domain of the domain digg
steve.www.digg.com - steve is a sub domain of www.

Basically if you want a domain you have to pick one of the top level domains like .com .org .net .au and find a registrar company for that top level domain. Then you can buy a domain that is not registered under that top level domain. You then can control all the subdomains of the domain you purchased. If you buy steve.com, then only you can approve sub domains like morin.steve.com.

Hope that helps ... Remember email me if you have a question

How do I test if a page php is submitted by GET or POST Request

2006-09-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

How do I test if a page php is submitted by GET or POST Request?

This happens to be very easy.

if(isset($_GET)) {
$get = true;
} else {
$get = false;
}

echo $get;

I got this error on my machine a couple days ago. My machine was working fine until i rebooted and i got a black screen and it said something like thi

2006-01-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

I got this error on my machine a couple days ago. My machine was working fine until i rebooted and i got a black screen and it said something like this " hard drive 0 not found , hard drive 1 not found /secondary drive not found" Have you seen this before? Should I format ? What should I do? Any help would be gladly appreciated.

This usually means one of two things,

Your hard drive died
Your mother board died

If your hard drive died it's the cheaper of the two to fix, you buy a new hard drive and then reinstall your operating system(usually windows). If it's your mother board, it's a little bit more expensive and usually difficult for the average user to do, because you have to find one that is compatable(hard part is knowing what to check for) with your existing hardware.

If your not a do it your selfer, I would probably bring it to a local computer shop hoping that they will try to fix it charging you only for the parts they sell you.

If any one quotes you more than $250, I would probably get a new pc from dell which on sale can cost you as low as $400 on sale (check web sites like http://www.edealinfo.com).

Good luck

I BOUGHT A SCANNER, PRINTER, FAX, COPIER ALL IN ONE AND EVERYTIME I HOOK IT UP TO THE

2006-01-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

I BOUGHT A SCANNER, PRINTER, FAX, COPIER ALL IN ONE AND EVERYTIME I HOOK IT UP TO THE COMPUTER THE MONITOR SHUTS OFF WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.

I can't exactly tell everything I need to know from what you are telling me but, it will typically mean one of two things.

Your knocking the monitor cable loose
The multi-function printer is using too much power from the outlet or computer

If the multi-function printer only plugs into the computer with usb, it might be using more power than your computer can provide

If the multi-function printer plugs into the wall try using another outlet.

These are common reasons for this problem, if these don't solve it I would return if for another model I hope this helps
Steve

2005-12-26T11:08:00.000-08:00

One word Maven

Zope vs Mod_Python seems like a light weight framework

2005-11-18T07:37:00.000-08:00

Another post to help Laurie thanks, after evaluating both zope3 and mod_python. Mod Python is the way to go. I don't like heavy weight frameworks and zope is one and like any framework does have a learning curve. Zope takes object oriented framework concept to the next level. But zope seems to provide a lot of support for scalability.

Unless you are going to develop a enterprise solution, I would do your development with mod_python and save your self from another learning curve.

Python True False

2005-10-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

Python, like in C, any non-zero integer value is true; zero is false

What is the end of line character on windows , mac , unix

2005-10-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

Unix ("\n")
Mac OS ("\r")
Windows ("\r\n")

How do I type the end of file character

2005-10-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

The end of file character is different on different operating systems so the end of line aka eof is:
Control-D on Unix
Control-Z on Windows

How to boot a Mac OSX Computer from cd?

2005-10-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

This is easy to do just turn off the computer and immediately hold down the "c" key when the computer is booting up. Alternatively you can hold the option key on the keyboard to get to choose which device to boot from.

Should I get a laptop or desktop?

2005-06-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

My answer off the bat is always desktop, but that only takes into account my personal situation and apparently more people are enamored with laptops.
Dollar for dollar desktops give you much more for your dollar. So it comes down to being practicle, most people don't use laptops on the go, but they are good for people with space limitation and that move alot. Now with mac mini and the new imac the first problems isn't much of one. But the second problem for students that live part of the year at school, sales people and other people that live for periods of time at there "other" home laptops are a god send. Setting up a monitor and all the associated cables on a regular basis drives people including me crazy.

Conclusion
If you not moving on a semi frequent basis or tight on space save the money and get a desktop.

What is the difference between DVD plus and DVD minus

2005-06-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

DVD- and DVD+ also Know as DVD plus and DVD minus are two competing formats like in the old VHS and BetaMax days. Only difference is that they look identical to the user and Many DVD players and Burners support both formats in the same device. So if your in the business of looking for DVD player/burner the easiest this is to spend five to ten extra dollars and buying one that supports both formats.

Footnote current Mac's only use DVD minus...