Versioning for S3
I just got this notice in my email:
We are pleased to announce the availability of the Versioning feature for beta use across all of our Amazon S3 Regions. Versioning allows you to preserve, retrieve, and restore every version of every object in an Amazon S3 bucket. Once you enable Versioning for a bucket, Amazon S3 preserves existing objects any time you perform a PUT, POST, COPY, or DELETE operation on them. By default, GET requests will retrieve the most recently written version. Older versions of an overwritten or deleted object can be retrieved by specifying a version in the request.
Amazon S3 provides customers with a highly durable storage infrastructure. Versioning offers an additional level of protection by providing a means of recovery when customers accidentally overwrite or delete objects. This allows you to easily recover from unintended user actions and application failures. You can also use Versioning for data retention and archiving.
This is some slick stuff. I'm amazed... I just wish I had more time to play with it. For now, Amazon continues to impress.
Price Tracking
Price tracking can be confusing online. Retailers like Amazon and Newegg (two that I buy from frequently) seem to sometimes change their prices daily. One expects prices to drop over time but this doesn't always happen. I was surprised to find that prices for Solid-State Hard Drives have actually been rising recently (although the real deals appear to have been back in October/November). Thankfully there are some tools that can help. One of them is the Camelizer -- a Firefox plugin. Alternatively, you can access the same data at the website camelcamelcamel.com (for Amazon) and camelegg (for Newegg). The same group also tracks prices at BackCountry, Best Buy, OverStock.com, and Zzounds,
Here's an example of one of the SSD's that I'm interested in:
In this digital age it's nice to have something that keeps some history around. It's easy to get information these days but it's always easy to change information (which is why I'm also a big fan of the WayBackMachine -- check out the original Google page!) We don't keep coupons, flyers, or catalogs anymore, we just remember the website.
Anyone experience this sort of problem?
Office Setup
I seem to remember talking about this already but I've further upgraded my man-cave to new levels of geekiness. I know have two 26" screens that I've wall mounted just above my desk (keeps them in the same position regardless of all the clutter on my desk.)
Currently I'm running OS X on my right screen and Windows 7 on the left. I use Synergy to share mouse/keyboard commands so it feels like one continuous background. I'm mostly using OS X still but the new machine has 6GB of RAM which gives a lot of breathing space if the Mac gets bogged down.
What I'd like to do is switch out my aging Logitech system with two simple monitor speakers -- I still haven't decided what make/model to get but they have good stuff for pretty cheap. I'll plan on mounting these on a small shelf along with all the hard drives and accessories that I have. If that all works, I could simply get rid of the desk and bring the leather chair from downstairs. Should be a nice setup.
I have visions of punching a hole behind the monitors and making an in-wall rack that I can use to store my rather large 4U case. The wall there backs into the garage rafters and there's quite a bit of room. Ventilation and cooling would be an issue but I'm sure I can come up with something that works well.
What's your work/play area set up like? I'll post any pictures I receive...
Ice and Keeping Warm
We've been having some icy weather of late. The frosts have been beautiful -- much heavier than usual. Some of these last few days have just been gorgeous. Cold, crisp, but wonderfully clear!
Most of the plants are holding up well. With the exception of the new maple sapling and the new rhodedendron which our new puppy Jack 2.0 has decided to eat. I think they're goners.
In order to keep Jack warm, I made a dog house. The design is pretty simple, should be big enough for him even when he's full-grown and as a plus, it's insulated. It's not the prettiest thing inside but my woodworking skills are pretty rudimentary. I did get a new DeWalt Jigsaw (which works great). I was amazed by just how much this thing weighed... It's heavy enough that I really need a hand-cart to move it around. I suppose that's good -- the boys and the dog won't be able to move it around. The walls are about 2 inches thick -- outer hardi-plank, 1" foam insulation, and 1/2" plywood sheathing inside. I was able to use a lot of scraps that I had. I think the total cost was under $100.
I made it to match the house so at least it fits in nicely with the yard. The roof is done pretty poorly. I actually have enough to put on a second layer of shingles (which would probably help keep it dry) but I got lazy and decided to wait and see what Jack does to this before moving on.
Google Public DNS
Google today announced that they're providing a high-performance public DNS server. This sounds like a great idea from a performance perspective ... I've not had too many complaints with my DNS servers provided by Comcast but I've definitely had some issues at my work with slow/non-responsive DNS servers.
However, I suppose this is just one more thing that can go wrong. Now there's one BIG target to attack and if someone happens to poison the cache, we're all in a world of hurt.
I do plan on updating my home router though to start using this. I'll post a follow-up with my review.
From: Official Google Blog: Introducing Google Public DNS.
Update: They're definitely taking security very seriously. Some more info can be found here that's quite helpful.
Types of People
Found this in some notes from a while back (I believe it was at a series of classes at Faith):
VRP - Very Resourceful People
These people IGNITE Spiritual Passion (Mentors)
VIP - Very Important People
These people SHARE Spiritual Passion (Peers)
VTP - Very Trainable People
These people CATCH Spiritual Passion (Proteges)
VNP - Very Nice People
These people ENJOY Spiritual Passion
VDP - Very Draining People
These people SAP Spiritual Passion
(If someone knows the source I'll post it -- I can't remember)
C++ from Python
I was impressed today to see how easy it was to call a C++ DLL from Python. I got the following information from another site:
1. Create a file called dlltest.cpp and write a function that sums two numbers and returns the result:
//dlltest.cpp #define DLLEXPORT extern "C" __declspec(dllexport) DLLEXPORT int sum(int a, int b) { return a + b; }The extern "C" construct tells the compiler that the function is a C function. It also removes the decorations from the functions names in the DLL.
__declspec(dllexport) adds the export directive to the object file so you do not need to use a .def file.
2. Include the header of the function in dlltest.h://dlltest.h int sum(int, int);3. Create a new Dinamic-Link Library project and include the two files, compile, and create the DLL.
4. You can now use Dependency Walker to see the list of the exported functions. You should see here the sum function.
5. Move the DLL in the Python folder or use>>> import sys >>> sys.path.append(r"C:\path\of\dll")to include the DLL folder in the list of Python folders.
6. Use the ctypes module to access the DLL:
>>> from ctypes import * >>>mydll = cdll.dlltest >>> mydllNote: ctype module is already included from Python 2.5. If you are using an older version you can download ctypes here.
7. Now call the function:>>> sum = mydll.sum >>> sum <_FuncPtr object at 0x0097DBE8> >>> sum(5, 3) 8
Reposted from here... (Thanks!)
I need to get into Python more -- I've used Ruby a bit but have tended to ignore Python simply because I've not seen it is needed. Evidently, I need more side projects.
Non-Conventional Advertising
To get in and out of town I must traverse about 2 miles of very built-up, very trafficky, retail- and service-dotted roadway. I was surprised to see over the last few years how often stores are using real, live humans as "flaggers" holding signs for their businesses or for special offers. Sure it's less creepy than dead people holding up signs, but my gut-instinct was that it would cost too much to pay someone and that the impact on sales would be minimal. Apparently my gut is wrong. According to this article I learned three things I'm surprised by:
- This is a competitive position
- People are fine with $7.50/hr for this work
- It can have a dramatic effect on sales
Don't get me wrong, money is money and I know that people will do all sorts of things. I just think it would be miserable work. Time would pass slowly as you stand in the cold with maybe a slight drizzle coming down. Cars beeping, bikes almost hitting you. Bleh... I'd much prefer the McDonald's job. On the bright side it takes no skill, you can probably listen to music and daydream.
On the other hand, I'm surprised that this really helps business. I can see how it may make some people aware of businesses that are squirreled away in strip malls. I guess I'm not part of the demographic who even uses strip-mall businesses for much of anything so perhaps I'm no more inclined to visit them whether they're having a special or not.
I don't know what my blog readers think, but I'm surprised. Any opinions? Any experience being influenced by or being a flagger?
Thanks to the Business Opportunities Weblog for the link...
Updates
So I've been sloppy again and not updating the site.
Without further ado:
1) Safari Online was a little bit of a disappointment. I like the selection, the price is reasonable, the searchable formats are wonderful, the ability to cut and paste example code is stellar. So why disappointing? I don't use it. My reading is usually in the evening. I want to be able to sit back in the easy chair and read. My laptop is fairly comfortable but staring at a bright back-lit screen is most certainly not. It's just so much more comfortable to pick up a good old tree-based book and read that. Some of the advantages are still there. If I find something in my book, I can easily cut and paste it from Safari Online but now I'm basically just using Safari as a quick digital copy for all the books that I already have. Bleh... Not worth it. What would make it worth it? If the Kindle-gods worked with O'Reilly to make the entire Safari Online site browseable using your Kindle. I would buy it. I would pay extra. I would make a weekly pilgrimage to the Amazon headquarters. It would be great. But they don't. Furthermore, from what I've heard, on the software side, Kindle doesn't do tables, mono-space fonts, and some other things that really are almost required in order to read a technical programming/development related book.
2) Work has been busy. C/C++ has been pretty minimal... I'm getting much more comfortable with memory management issues and have been pleasantly surprised to see that most C++ code that I dig up out there basically looks like mine. I'm still definitely not an expert at decrypting some of the C++ deep magic code that I've seen, but then again, I bet the authors of most of that stuff don't even understand it anymore. C# has been a mixed bag. I've really enjoyed getting into the "new" features of 3.0 and 3.5 which I had been neglecting until recently. A lot of time spent on Stack Overflow has helped get m e up to speed with Linq and some of the other fun new language features. Generators, extension methods, anonymous functions... it's all sorts of fun.
3) I've been able to watch as the value of various investments that I can't easily cash out of has continued to dwindle. Thankfully, much of what I did have invested in long-term investments I was able to move to much less volatile funds but it's still been rough. On the bright side, the end of the world may be near as the Mayan calendar has it set to 2012. Obama would have the rare privilege of being the final President and (also on the bright side) wouldn't have to worry about his legacy as no one would care how big the national budget is at that point. Also, this would save me a lot of frustration with the whole Social Security thing. One can only hope...
4) Wife has been busy with her business. She's continued to embroider like crazy. I've been trying to push her to do more since she's only pregnant with 3 boys under 5 at home. 
She tells me that some day she may expand her business but not now. I think she's in a good situation. On NPR (motto: Unbiased news since 1970 or whenever it was we started getting funded by liberals!) there was an interview with a business owner in the same general "baby products" market. Her remark was that the "economic crisis" we're experiencing will likely drive a baby boom as people's lives and schedules slow down and more time is spent at home. But hopefully the economy picks up soon so they can afford overpriced baby products for their new brood. I got her a new iPhone so that she can become more of a geek. She really isn't nearly geeky enough and it bothers me. I was interested to see that even the Taliban are getting in on the iPhone action (see picture).
Time precludes further updates.
...Will write more later...
Reading
Having been encouraged by others and having wanted to do so for a while, I'm going to attempt a little more intensive reading list than usual. We'll see how far it gets. I've been getting bogged down in technical books that relate or very tangentially relate to work. It's a lot of fun, but it's been difficult to read much else. I'm going to largely put that on hold (unless of course I can read at work when I'm on the clock) and instead focus on a rather largish stack of books that I have currently here at home. This includes:
The Baptism of Disciples Alone by Fred Malone (obviously a book that advocates the traditional Baptist view. I've read about half of this, loaned it to a friend, and never finished it. I liked the reasoning and Biblical support that I'd read so far).
The World is Flat 3.0 by Thomas L. Friedman (just curious...)
The Art of Deception by Kevin D. Mitnick (never finished -- essentially a guide to social engineering. Computer Security is something I deal with in my professional life quite a bit but this book is focused on, as it puts it, "Controlling the human element of security". Should be a neat read)
The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature by C. S. Lewis (had this lying around for a while -- a little off-topic from my normal reading interest so it'll probably be kind of interesting)
Confessions by St. Augustine (have started and read many excerpts -- and listened to most of it on audio-book -- but have never completed it)
The Revolution: A Manifesto by Ron Paul (never finished it!)
Pierced by the Word by John Piper (received as a gift -- looks like a good devotional read. I don't like everything by Piper but he challenges you and that's always good)
Banvard's Folly: Thirteen Tales of People Who Didn't Change the World by Paul Collins (Received I believe for my birthday last year and never completed -- it's a blast -- history of people who were almost famous)
Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks (I think I read this in high school but I figured I'd have another go at it)
The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie (never finished)
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller (recommended by a friend, not recommended by another friend. We'll see on this one...)
The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin (skimmed various sections by I really should just read the whole thing and be done with it)
The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller (Just started on this after stealing--I mean borrowing--from my mother-in-law. I'll return it soon!)
Uncle John's Biggest Ever Bathroom Reader (ok fine -- I probably won't ever finish this book. But depending on the amount of fiber in my diet this year, I may be able to make a dent in this hefty tome)
Update: Added a few new entries -- I'll probably just update this post as I add to my list so this likely will change over time...
