Graeme Parker

Pretty Faces

graemeparker — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:06:37 +0000

Pretty Faces

I’ve used OcpSoft for my website mainly for search engine optimisation (SEO). When I generate my XML site map, it references “/about” rather than the specific JSP page. This means I can change my filenames without fear of broken links.

And it looks nice too. You might even go so far as to say it was erm pretty!

http://ocpsoft.com/prettyfaces/

Interface

graemeparker — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:08:26 +0000

An interface is blueprint/agreement with the rest of the world for how any object that implements it can communicate with the object it defines. Hope that makes sense. They contain the definition/format, but contain no business logic (see abstract classes). The interface can exist without any business logic even being built. Any class that implements the interface must also implement all methods declared.

Add Beer

graemeparker — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:51:13 +0000

List graeme = new ArrayList();

for (Beer beer : pub.getBeers()) {
graeme.add(beer);
}

Stored Procedures

graemeparker — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:49:24 +0000

I recently got asked do you know what a stored procedure is. Erm, it’s a SQL query that’s instantly executed and is therefore faster than adhoc queries. Yes, but why is it faster… Ooo, errr, most likely cached, coz someone once told me it was… not a very good answer at all.

Turns out they are fast for a number of reasons, the best one I found was validation. Other benefits include reduced network traffic and can help against SQL injection.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/208976/are-stored-procedures-faster-for-simple-queries

Rooted HTC Magic

graemeparker — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:54:40 +0000

OK, I finally got round to rooting my HTC Magic to Android 1.6.It took a while to find the correct steps, until I found “theunlockr” video .

A rough guide is :

1. Installed Android SDK

2. Installed Android Eclipse plug-in (for app development)

3. Installed Linda File Manager

4. Root your device - http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/29/how-to-root-the-htc-magic-in-one-click/ – based on your version of the magic version 32/34 or something.

5. Rebook into reboot/update menu, home+back.and clear your device data.

6. Get a new ROM from http://www.cyanogenmod.com/

7. Copying the update.zip on the sdcard reboot/update menu, home+back.

8. Power that baby up…

If I pass my PRINCE2 exams I plan to treat myself to the new Google Nexus One.

Resolutions:

graemeparker — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:16:48 +0000

a) Lose 1st in weight

b) Stop being drawn into arguments

c) Become PRINCE2 qualified

When to say goodbye

graemeparker — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:13:18 +0000

Goodbye can come at anytime, but sometimes you just know.

It’s sad to say goodbye, but somestimes you just know.

Not for good or bad, but a feeling deep within,

but sometimes you just know it’s time to go,

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

Last days of humanity…

graemeparker — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:12:26 +0000

Standing in line at the local coop, getting a few bits for lunch, my thoughts wonder. A young lady stands behind me talking in the usual Aldershot tone. It’s difficult to ignore the conversation as hard as I try. A middle aged woman pops her head out from behind the second aisle. “Sorry, there’s a little bit of a queue”, I said, pointing behind me. “YEAH, I know!” she replied, firmly standing ground. “Alright!”… I reply as nothing else comes to mind.

So if I don’t smile at you, don’t say good morning or ignoring your every existence by looking at my feet, then think of the lady of the coop that drained my last twinkle of humanity…

Why does the book “The Catcher in the Rye” comes to mind.

Spotty Man

graemeparker — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:58:54 +0000

Well, well, well, what have we here! Spotify has been making some ground in the Internet music streaming market for a little while now. A thoroughly well thought out business plan and an excellent product to boot. Premium subscription fee of £10 per month is not exactly cheap, but if you think that the cost of an album is around £15, you should be saving in the long run. Make sure you have a flat rate data tariff or you could get stung.

As a non-registered Spotify PC user, registration was a breeze, a little too easy maybe? Once I’d downloaded the application from the Android market I was done. If you have Spotify running on your computer and you also press play on your phone, the track will be instantly paused on your computer. This is to stop you using the same account in more than one location at the same time and to you Mr Spotty Man I say, furry muff! The only downside so far is that if you drop from the 3G network to 2G, Spotify really doesn’t like it and stops until you are back on 3G again.

If you have an Android phone, I say do it, do it now! And if you have an iPhone, I say get back to your marketing. No really someone needs your thought leadership somewhere…

http://www.spotify.com/en/mobile/overview/

https://www.spotify.com/blog/archives/2009/05/28/spotify-mobile-demo-at-google-android-io/

Thirty minutes is all I ask…

graemeparker — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:55:55 +0000

My perfect morning would be waking naturally to the warmth of the sun, steaming through the window into a corner of the room. A tiger like raw with a simultaneous stretch of the arms and legs under the crisp white sheets, the smell of freshly made coffee rising from the kitchen.

Turning sideways to my feet, toes spread individually apart on the wooden floor. I rise slowly to the bathroom adjacent to the bedroom. The sun follows me wherever I go. Splashing icy water, I catch my reflection, a smile smugly crosses my face as I realise the day is my own.

I shower with my mind wondering from this, to that, with no real place to be. No purpose, no meaning, just bright images and sounds rattling around my brain. Towelled dry, in the fluffiest and whitest of clouds, I reach for a fresh pair of jeans, ever so slightly tighter than normal, but I notice. A white t-shirt slips over my head as I inhale a breath of lightly flowered fabric softener. No thought for a jumper today, today is perfect…