Musical hardware

Interesting Radiohead song cover on computer and other devices.

Text mode ZX Spectrum mini demo

Some folks I know spent long summer days on recovering a ZX Spectrum program hidden as a bonus track of OK Computer 2017 OKNOTOK Radiohead Album. It was recorded on compact cassette, so probably it was ready to run on original Speccy with good cassette reader.

It's kind of bleeping text mode demo that reminds me fiddling with such things in past.

So, I've tried to make mini with similar look and feel, but with nowadays technology like HTML and Javascript stack.

https://cdn.rawgit.com/uones/oknotok-jsdemo/master/index.html

Initial part need key press to continue. Closing window will end show. Enjoy! ;)

Statistical testing

On the tidal wave of Big Data there are more and more people trying to get the clue behind that buzzword. Here is one slide that describes situation:

The picture is coming from nice Baron Schwartz's blog about databases, distributed systems performance and monitoring, and something beyond that.

New Java themed TV series parodies

Three Java themed TV series parodies trailers! I can see it how it goes further ...

http://2014.javazone.no/

It looks that I will be Writing Bad fan. But "welcome to Oracle" sounds so familiar ...

Somewhat ridiculous ways to calculate PI number

I've found description of experiment to calculate PI number as a result of physical Monte Carlo simulation by shooting shotgun pellets over quarter of circle marked inside square. At least it is great visual explanation how to calculate PI.

I remember that I saw other technique using pins tossed over parallel lines. I've searched that and found something much more ridiculous: Calculating Pi by Throwing Frozen Hot Dogs

I don't dare for searching any more of that today...

Real life stories behind bug reports

I've found some gem, while browsing through Android reported issues:

My Nexus 10 was on silent mode this yesterday at church. I was using the YouVersion Bible app, taking notes. All of a sudden my Nexus 10 let off a shreaking siren type noise that couldn't be silenced. My church (of about 1500 people) all heard it, it stopped the pastor mid-sentence - as I ran out of the auditorium. Has anyone else experienced something like this? I don't think I can ever trust it to be quiet - in a quiet place again.

source: Aaron.Ky report at https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=42447

It shows also why some environments have distance to newest technology. 

What does it mean to "be Agile" today?

Are you using Agile approach in your organisation?
You can often hear:
"Yes, and we are going do make SCRUM certification".
What does it mean in practice?
Read more about other shades of Agile methodologies, effects of PR and buzzword leverage for Agile movement:
http://pragdave.me/blog/2014/03/04/time-to-kill-agile/

Dropping domain - use blogspot.com instead of worona.eu

I've dropped custom domain, so all old links pointing to:
http://itprolife.worona.eu/
should be changed to:
http://itprolife.blogspot.com/

Hackathon idea - export Endomondo user data

I've used Endomondo sport tracker for some time. I'm still using it. But sometimes I like to switch to other tracking software, to get other features. Last time I've decided to make some comparisons with other software, and to dig data with other tools. I've heard that Endomondo (non pro) is not too nice about data export policy.

So, there was no big surprise - no export all data option. I've checked option of exporting single workout - but if you have hundreds of those - it is no option. I'm a hostage that could go out with a very short chain attached.

So I've started to looking for solutions. Because of large user-base there are some links found:

1. exportmondo Android app (cost about 2$)

Probably one of the easiest options to go. Not tested.

Btw. It is very nice gesture from Endomondo to make niche for other business opportunities. 

2. Dump Database hidden feature 
http://forums.androidcentral.com/health-fitness/218459-exporting-data-endomondo.html

Very nice Android option. You can use special copydb/endomondo credentials to have SqlLite3 database copied into root folder of card. 
If previously you had your data on device and Endomondo asked for logging ti is good for you, in other case...
If you use copydb user id you have empty database. 
If you use your own credentials, your data gets synchronized. Then to use copydb logon you have to be logged out. 
Unfortunatelly that way was secured by wiping out local database. There is a way to get it work - application could have more hidden features like dumping database.   

I've tested that - and got only empty database.

3. PHP script that fetches data from Endomondo web site
https://www.bytopia.dk/blog/2012/11/30/download-all-workouts-from-endomondo/
not tested


4. some Python script to fetch data https://github.com/yannickcarer/endomondo-export
not tested

5. GreaseMonkey script to fetch data
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/128743 

Because I'm playing a lot with browsers and GreaseMonkey engine I've gave it a chance.
First run and success! It is fun to see how much time it cold take for poor user to export all those files manually. Probably it could be recorded as a new kind of workout activity.

After operation I've above hundred of gpx files. I'm going to merge it into larger database.

And I have to rethink future use of Endomondo if I had to fight more for my data. 

2017 Update
6. tapiriik.com
Open source project that synchronises data between various tracking services accounts like Endomondo or Runkeeper.
There is a full list of services I found in the project:

• BeginnerTriathlete
• Dropbox
• Endomondo
• GarminConnect
• Motivato
• NikePlus
• Pulsstory
• RideWithGPS
• RunKeeper
• Smashrun
• SportTracks
• Strava
• TrainAsONE
• TrainerRoad
• TrainingPeaks
• VeloHero

99 $items on the $container ...

Do you know the song that goes like:

99 little bugs in the code
99 little bugs in the code
Take one down, patch it around
~
117 little bugs in the code
...

That was about some funny facts we are experiencing some days.

Now something more didactic:
http://www.99-bottles-of-beer.net/

Old games are too difficult - Increase of Casual Gaming effect or something else

Maybe target demography is more Casual Game oriented, or something. Further studies results could bring interesting results:

Source: http://www.p4rgaming.com/majority-of-gamers-today-cant-finish-level-1-in-super-mario-bros/

"I feel that Nintendo games today are much easier which is why the Wii U might be failing. Back then, games were much more difficult and therefore gamers really enjoyed them so they continued to buy Nintendo games and systems. Do you feel the same way?

Satoru Iwata (president): I actually agree with your assessment.... It may come as a shock to some of you that most gamers today can not finish the original Super Mario Brothers game on the Famicom. We have conducted this test over the past few years to see how difficult we should make our games and have found that the number of people unable to finish the first level is steadily increasing.

This year, around 90 percent of the test participants were unable to complete the first level of Super Mario Brothers. We did not assist them in any way except by providing the exact same instruction manual we used back then. ..."

Most scary option is going towards world like in movie:

Idiocracy (2006) 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/

Fat Bookers ...

JAVAPOCALYPSE - its good it is only fiction... , but a fun one

Posted by JavaZone Norway

Copied from http://oferia.pl/zlecenie/item499594-program-w-javie and translated:

 "I ask to write a program or game in Java. Program / ​​game must contain at least 15 classes and show all the stigmata of object-oriented programming..."

HNY 2013

weeks

3

6

days

0

3

hours

1

3

minutes

4

6

seconds

2

6

Life after life of Google Wave

It is a little sad, but Google ends development of Wave product as "Wave has not seen the user adoption we would have liked".

I liked the whole "Wave" idea presented at Google I/O conference. It was new an powerful tool, covering the features of multiple existing services like instant messengers, chats, forums with threads and more. On the other side, people were scared of initial learning curve, even understanding at the start what is this service for. Compare other successful service Twitter that wins with simple question "what’s happening now" and message box for simple text message. It seams that simplicity of use and ascetic features win in that case.

Wave has unique features like live collaborative editing that I like the most. This is perfect tool for quickly writing documents by collaborating team. Google Wave is open source project ,so I hope such features would be incorporated into on-line editing suites, in a way that makes collaboration almost effortless. It should also take its place on some forum based sites.

If you miss that service, look for Google Wave offspring or make your own service- the code is publicly available.

Software development platforms wars as a movie theme

Summer break make me think about funny side of life.

Check this parody "Java 4 Ever" movie trailer, set in reality of dominance and war between development platforms .



Relax and consider that development platform is only a one of choices for a bigger purpose.

Funny work story - Slippery slope

Although story has a software engineering context, the situation described there seems common for almost all kind of workplaces.
btw. I like the style of www.dadhacker.com posts.

Requirements management story

The development of simple specific project management system was set in motion. There were couple of meetings and email "conversations" about requirements and use cases scenarios. There was one administration like system role valid for period of time when system "project" was running. I asked client few times about replacing user of that role in case of illness days off etc.

It is not important now .....

The answers were: it is not important part of story, we can wait for finishing project business if there is enough time or substitute someone in place using the same system user, and finally there is only one administrative user for single "system project". The message was clear: it is not important, keep going, we can handle situation. The application was simple so it was looking like cutting the corners on unused features.

... but I cannot accept that ...

The story was finished till final acceptance tests. One of the users from client side playing such system "administrative role", get few days off. The other administrative user asks now for guidance because "there was something in manual about replacing users of other role in system projects". After reviewing quick "user doable" solutions he had serious objectives about completeness of the system. So either detailed "walk through" procedure will be enough or new feature have to be added to application functionality as a part of service agreement.

The role of Final user adoption

It's story about little detail but it shows common scenario that very often takes place during software development.
During requirements gathering the project team was planning common usage and sanely limited set of functionalities.
Every user thinks in a different way. Some will understand used functionality set, other will need detailed procedures for every specific situation.
Final user adoption is important thing. That is one of the reasons why so many classic waterfall project models fail. There are also stories about complete systems, agreed on paper but unused or misused by users that just didn't like it.

Spring cleaning time - making room for new activities

The Spring is very worky time for me. I'm not talking about casual house cleaning (I used to do it fast), but mainly about my work context. It's time to finish started projects and make room for new ones and for incoming summer activities. Weather in May is really nice in my place - so I devote some time to biking and long walks. I really didn't want to start another tasks, like writing blog posts about something abstract enough (I still have "blog vs privacy" issues). So please forgive me for long break without posts.

I'm thinking also about blog character- it's now mixed personal/technical blog. I like reading entertaining personal blogs, but that is not a point. It seems people like more specialized thematic blogs, so maybe I should go that way. I don't want to fight for readership with every possible mean, but more viewers means more potential interesting contacts for me.

Yes, I'm talking about you dear reader. So if you are interested in my subjects, or have an project/business idea write me itprolife@gmail.com.

I'm inviting commenters too.

Good practices for backups on DVD

DVDs are good and cheap media for middle term backups of old files, or periodical snapshots that fit into 4.37 GiB space. Best example of mine is storing old photos.

Choose you disc

Choose good quality discs from known brand/manufacturer relying on reliability statistics

Choose DVD+R over DVD-R - +R uses better writing method and has better error correction, check this article for long explanation. Do not use rewritable discs that use erasable data layer, that could be more easily damaged.

Burning speed - the lower the best - higher speed means potentially more errors to correct during writing and reading. Most hardcore safe backup setting will be x1 , but 4x or 8x should be quite safe when today DVD writers give you x16 writing speed.

Handling

DVDs are fragile to physical damages, specially vulnerable to scratches. So discs should be handled with care, without touching recorded surface. Discs surface should be clean to avoid scratching by hard dust particles. Blank discs should be perfect clean before writing, as any speck on surface will block laser beam.

Do not place adhesive labels and use special CD/DVD markers for labeling. The best place for tiny label is not recordable small middle ring. Why is that? Label side of CD or DVD is separated only by thin layer, that chemicals could easy get through and damage data layer with recorded pits.

Recorder DVDs should be stored in dark and dry place. Here is nice list of DVD handling recommendations on a NIST page.

Additional backup safety measures

Redundancy increases probability of data retrieval. For critical data it makes sense to make more copies. Other copy could be placed off-site, for better protection in fire and flood proof place.

Another option would be additional error correction data created by ECC software like dvdisaster. The best option is to write additional ECC data scattered on the same disc with data. It's a trade-off of disc capacity for additional data safety.

Every media has limited life span even stored in best conditions. Some manufacturers give even 30 years (or even 100 years!) for DVD discs, but I'm not such optimistic. Stored archives should be periodically checked for errors (dvdisaster has that functionality), and then moved to new media. It makes also sense in case of technology change and migration. Today next popular optical format is Blu-Ray Disc, but its still young.