, a new book published by Apress, is now available for purchase. I've been weighing using either a PHP/Linux solution or a ASP.NET MVC/Mono solution to create a high-performance web site. This should be a popular book.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Ultra-fast ASP.NET
Ultra-fast ASP.NET: Build Ultra-Fast and Ultra-Scalable Websites Using ASP.NET and SQL Server, a new book published by Apress, is now available for purchase. I've been weighing using either a PHP/Linux solution or a ASP.NET MVC/Mono solution to create a high-performance web site. This should be a popular book.
, a new book published by Apress, is now available for purchase. I've been weighing using either a PHP/Linux solution or a ASP.NET MVC/Mono solution to create a high-performance web site. This should be a popular book.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Opening multiple instances of an application on Windows 7
I have been using Windows 7
at work and home for about 3 months now. I know many have been using it longer. There is one feature that I have found useful and you might too. If you hold the key when you click on one of the taskbar icons, it will open a new instance of that application rather than expanding or hiding the existing application.
It beats having to click the Start button and navigating the menu system.
at work and home for about 3 months now. I know many have been using it longer. There is one feature that I have found useful and you might too. If you hold the 
It beats having to click the Start button and navigating the menu system.
Beginning ASP.NET MVC 1.0
Beginning ASP.NET MVC 1.0
has hit the bookshelves already. I bought a copy and have been reading through it. At 539 pages it is a respectable size. I like the fact that it really does approach the topic from a beginner's point-of-view and differently from other books. Code examples in the book are in C#.
Amazon.com provides a copy of the table of contents and a sample chapter for viewing. Check it out.
has hit the bookshelves already. I bought a copy and have been reading through it. At 539 pages it is a respectable size. I like the fact that it really does approach the topic from a beginner's point-of-view and differently from other books. Code examples in the book are in C#.Amazon.com provides a copy of the table of contents and a sample chapter for viewing. Check it out.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Georgia
It has been a while since I last posted here. I left my job in Orlando and moved to Georgia to be closer to family that needed me. Job market in Florida is so dead that only God can bring it to life. Well, it honestly seems that way. I spent four months this year unemployed and one month working for a company that, frankly, was only worth getting a paycheck from. Ever since I moved here, I have only gotten busier. Glad to have a great job working with people I really like and for a good paycheck too. I'm very thankful.
Unlike previous economic downturns over the last 15 years, employers are much more hesitant to commit to a long-term relationship with a prospective employee. They will default to letting a contractor go rather than commit to hiring them on as a full-time employee. My probation period at my current employer ends in about 15 days, I'm pretty sure they will not let me go so they can avoid paying the recruiter their fee, which I've been told is rather big. However, given employers fickle tendency to avoid long-term financial risks, I have been concerned. This only motivates me to work smarter to try to convince everyone that I am an asset worth retaining and not a liability that probably needs to be avoided.
Unlike previous economic downturns over the last 15 years, employers are much more hesitant to commit to a long-term relationship with a prospective employee. They will default to letting a contractor go rather than commit to hiring them on as a full-time employee. My probation period at my current employer ends in about 15 days, I'm pretty sure they will not let me go so they can avoid paying the recruiter their fee, which I've been told is rather big. However, given employers fickle tendency to avoid long-term financial risks, I have been concerned. This only motivates me to work smarter to try to convince everyone that I am an asset worth retaining and not a liability that probably needs to be avoided.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 for $59.99 on Amazon.com
I found Adobe Photoshop Elements 7
for $59.99 on Amazon.com.
The upgrade version of this software is sold on Adobe.com for $119.99. This is a very good bargain for what you would be getting.
I have used this product since version 3 and have never had a need to try anything else. I use it to process all my digital photos and touch-up scans of old family photos that have degraded over time.
If you want to learn more about graphic arts, create art for your web site portfolio, or start your own business and need powerful but affordable photo editing software then this is a very good choice.
for $59.99 on Amazon.com. The upgrade version of this software is sold on Adobe.com for $119.99. This is a very good bargain for what you would be getting.
I have used this product since version 3 and have never had a need to try anything else. I use it to process all my digital photos and touch-up scans of old family photos that have degraded over time.
If you want to learn more about graphic arts, create art for your web site portfolio, or start your own business and need powerful but affordable photo editing software then this is a very good choice.
Friday, July 3, 2009
First week and a half
I have finished about 1.5 weeks at my new job. I have a much better view of what I can expect short-term. The promise of doing ASP.NET and C# development will not come soon. Right now I am essentially creating and maintaining meta data for transforming data feeds from medical labs to hundreds of medical companies and their own data formats. This is requiring me to become an expert at HL7 and NeoTools. It does offer an interesting view of the medical industry and their data. The amount of time and energy wasted on transforming data between incompatible systems and data formats does not inspire faith in the medical industry. It really is all about money. There is a lot of room for improving the process but the change towards standardization and effective security of data and processes still has a long way to go.
Monday, June 22, 2009
New job
I received word this morning that I got the job I interviewed for last Friday. Praise God. It does not pay nearly as much as my last one but it is still respectable and will hopefully transition me over to developing ASP.NET web applications using C#. My first day will be later this week. I'm excited. It will be very nice to get busy earning a paycheck after being unemployed for four months. Anyways, I think it is a great opportunity. Will be working with BI software and eventually ASP.NET and C#.
I am finding that this experience has drawn me closer to God but it has decreased my faith in companies and people in the workplace. It is a kind of game that does not always adhere to the rules because the rules can always be changed to suit those running the show. I am concerned that inflation could actually threaten our national economy as our national debt continues to stay obscenely high. Maybe investing in a precious metals ETF may be a wise investment move. Have not decided yet.
I am finding that this experience has drawn me closer to God but it has decreased my faith in companies and people in the workplace. It is a kind of game that does not always adhere to the rules because the rules can always be changed to suit those running the show. I am concerned that inflation could actually threaten our national economy as our national debt continues to stay obscenely high. Maybe investing in a precious metals ETF may be a wise investment move. Have not decided yet.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Last week's unemployment statistics improvement
Apparently the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased last week but the number on continuing claims dropped sharply. Personally, I hope the economy really is bottoming out and will improve steadily in the near future. I hate collecting unemployment benefits but it is better than nothing. Transitioning to new IT skill sets right now is still very challenging. If you are a Java or .NET guru with 5+ years experience then you will probably have less difficulty landing an interview and possibly an offer.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Student Loan Deferment
I had already worked out with Sallie Mae to get an unemployment deferment on my student loan. Turns out that part of my student loan is managed by Bank of America and I had to apply to them for another deferment on the student loan I have with them. I got that done so I just need to verify over the next week that the paperwork I faxed them has been processed.
When you are living off of unemployment benefits, savings, and what credit you have, you sometimes need to free yourself of as much financial obligations as possible. Since my first payment was supposed to be due the middle of this month, they granted me a 30 day forbearance so that I can get my deferment with them approved. Unfortunately, this deferment does not prevent interest from accruing on the loan principal.
When you are living off of unemployment benefits, savings, and what credit you have, you sometimes need to free yourself of as much financial obligations as possible. Since my first payment was supposed to be due the middle of this month, they granted me a 30 day forbearance so that I can get my deferment with them approved. Unfortunately, this deferment does not prevent interest from accruing on the loan principal.
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