Lesson Learned:
Don't try to use VisualStudio.NET / .NET Framework 1.0 for compilation (of ASP.NET) and then try to deploy on .NET Framework 1.1. Assemblies don't seem to load properly with this approach. Specifically, I am trying to deploy a web application that uses the Microsoft Application Block for Exception Management.
I am trying to auto-magically rotate pictures for my photo galleries. I elected to use the exif 'orientation' field. However, it seems my camera doesn't populate this value. Googling, I found a Pentax 330 that does populate this. It has the same firmware (v1.10) as my camera. However, a couple exif fields differ:
Make: Asahi Optical Co.,Ltd
Model: PENTAX Optio 330
vs mine:
Make: PENTAX Corporation
Model: PENTAX Optio 330GS
Grrr, this exif difference appears to be one of the few differences between these two very similar Pentax models. The Pentax 330 uses exif version 0210 where as my Pentax 330GS uses exif version 0220 but populates less exif fields.
I found separate firm updates on the Pentax website for the 330 and the 330GS. I decided not to try flashing my camera with the 330 Ashanti firmware, since it might not have the desired effort rendering my camera useless.
Any ideas for other approaches to auto rotate JPEGs in a loss-less manner would be appreciated.
I have been running out of space on my web hosting account. Jeremy kindly offered to help and I am going to host my pictures off his server. (Thanks Jeremy!!!) I am setting up permanent redirects via the RedirectMatch apache directive. If you have any of my photos or photo galleries linked directly you need to update your links. (You will notice my pictures will be physically hosted on the 22off.com website.) Also, expect motor home pictures from the Michigan to California adventure in the near future.
Merry Christmas!
Why should I not run my tank below 3/4th 1/4th full?
1. I am vaporizing gasoline which escapes when I open my gas cap during fill up. Being thrifty, I want to burn gasoline and not vaporize it which reduces MPG.
2. I will suck up contaminates present at the bottom of my gas tank, resulting in reduced gasoline filter and engine life.
3. I will cause more water to build up in the tank (due to condensation) which further contaminates my gasoline supply.
4. I will put additional strain on my fuel pump since the gas supply in the tank is used as its lubricant and coolant.
5. I get upset when I run out of gas.
Its amazing what you learn working for an oil company!
I was in Baton Rouge Louisiana this past week for work. Tom and I thought about driving over to Mobile Alabama to watch the GMAC bowl. Unfortunately, we had too much work to do. However, we did get to watch Miami take care of Louisville on ESPN2. Miami has the longest winning streak in Division 1 college football. Go Redskins!
Google keeps getting more useful:
Parcel tracking IDs, patents and other specialized numbers can be entered into Google's search box for quick access to information about them. For example, typing "fedex" followed by a space and a FedEx tracking number will return the latest information on your package.
To see delays and weather conditions at a particular airport, type the airport's three letter code followed by the word "airport." For example, San Francisco International Airport updates can be found by searching for "sfo airport."
I just read a scary article pertaining to the collection, aggregation and marketing of voter registration data over at Wired. For more information on voter registration data read this article too.
"Aristotle International used a website to sell the lists, which contain details about registered voters from nearly every state. The data includes birth dates, home addresses, phone numbers, race, income levels, ethnic backgrounds and, in some cases, religious affiliations... Aristotle boasts more than 157 million voter records and sells them online for $25 per 1,000 names, or $80 per 1,000 names for highly prized New Hampshire voters."
You have the choice to become a registered voter or the right to privacy. This probably isn't a big deal since most people have savings cards for their favorite local supermarket. Behind the scenes, an IT system is analyzing every purchase you make. However, the savings out weigh most shoppers privacy concerns. It gets more and more scary as we continue our steps in this direction.
Note to self, always fill out online and paper forms with dummy information. The one exception being tax returns and we can only hope that the IRS improves the security of our tax information. Otherwise, I might be writing in a few years that you can buy tax returns for $25 per 1,000 names.
I just purchased my first Apple product, an iPod. I purchased the 2002, 10Gb (dockless) model since I am cheap. I am very impressed with its compact engineering and sleekness. It was bundled with Music Match which contained a plug-in for mp3 synchronization between windows PC and iPod. Music Match is a bloated behemoth with a clumsy UI. Jacob Nielson could spend the next decade working out the UI issues. The only thing I learned installing Music Match was the limits of my patience and I couldn't get it to download mp3s to my iPod. I remembered that Bryce told me iTunes was ported and released for the windows platform. I uninstalled Music Match, downloaded iTunes, and installed it. iTunes is a breeze to use and I am currently synchronizing my mp3s. I can't wait for the transfer to complete and it won't be long since I am utilizing one of the firewire ports I recently installed.
Is it possible to make the iPod appear as a removable drive in the windows file explorer? Then, I could just drag and drop files. It would be similar to my digital camera which doen't require any drivers, just plug it in and the drive is automatically mapped. This is true plug-and-play functionality in my book: simply, it just works!
We all know Miami is going to roll over BG!
Marathon Brand is the presenting sponsor of the 2003 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Football Championship Game to air live tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN 2 from Bowling Green.
The game matches the Miami RedHawks (11-1), champions of the MAC East Division and currently ranked No.13 in the BCS poll, and the nationally-ranked Bowling Green Falcons (10-2), champions of the West. Ben Roethlisberger, a former Findlay High School standout and current Heisman Trophy candidate will guide the RedHawks as quarterback.
The game will be introduced as "The MAC Football Championship Game presented by Marathon, an American Company Serving America." While you watch, be on the lookout for Marathon brand field signage and message board announcements. This will be the first time in league history that the MAC football championship game has partnered with a presenting sponsor.
"We worked closely with ESPN to explore this opportunity with the Mid-American Conference," said Mary Ellen Peters, Sr. Vice President of Marketing for MAP. "Our company has a strong presence in the Midwest, the heart of the MAC geography. We're looking forward to a great game."
I am contemplating getting a digital camcorder, specifically the Sony DCR-TRV22 MiniDV Handycam. I want a camcorder with an ADC (analog-to-digital converter) so I can convert old VHS videos to DVD. The digital camcorder will receive VHS video via S-Video, it will convert the analog video into a digital DV format in real-time and passes the feed through to my computer via Firewire (which incorporates both the audio and video signals). I can then apply filters to tweak the video and audio quality, organize the video clips, and burn to DVD. (Visit Tom's Hardware Guide for more information.)