Macs, Java, software development, IT related books and things I do for a living.
Archive for June, 2006
Goofing around with Google
Jun 23rd
Just cruising the internet a bit while watching some soccer (TOG vs FRA). Not much up here. Busy setting up a brand new truly awesome blog somewhere else. 
I came accross this little piece of work. I have lifehacker in my news reader, because every so often something funny/sweet/really handy comes along.
Lifehacker informs us of a book available for free. Free as in free beer. Take a peek at http://www.55fun.com/ for the PDF version. You can just download it. And it’s not truly amazing, but it’s very welcome as a substitute to a very dull soccer match.
I know this is not my regular kind of blog entry, but hey. It’s weekend. 
Updated 29-June: You are looking at my new blog hosted at http://blog.leenarts.net
Naked Conversations
Jun 20th
Not the most recent book, but I had this one lying around for a few months now and finaly I had some time last week to read it.
You blog?
You read this.
This book was recommended to me and it was definatly worth the read. Very insightfully written and full of examples on how the mechanisms of bloggin work according to Robert Scoble and Shel Israel.
Basicly it’s a crash course into company blogging. The reasons to do it are explained, the effects of blogging compared to traditional media and marketing. And the do’s and don’ts of corporate blogging.
I could elaborate on how much I liked this book, it comes down to the fact that this is one of the few books I’d absolutely recommend if you have anything to do with blogging.
For more details on the book, do a google search or check a site like Amazon.
I’m actually thinking of doing an in-company presentation based on this book. Just to evangalize blogging a bit. The do’s and don’ts are set forth in this books are true indeed.
Plagiarism is a bad thing
Jun 19th
Today, something strange happened.
Yesterday an anonymous person has entered a comment on my blog stating that Wiebe was actively commiting plagiarism, on his own, now offline blog.
This situation made me having to make a very difficult discision. I believe in the power of changing and influencing your own world by acting. On the other hand, selling someone out is just plain lame. The option I chose was by seeking advice from the community. I posted the evidence submitted on my blog and asked what to do. In hindsight probably a rather shortsighted action on my part. I should have given Wiebe a chance to correct his ways.
Anyway, things seemed to get a life on its own. And before I knew it there was a lot of harsh criticism. But most of it was actually correct and justified. Wiebe now has taken offline his blog and it seems he posted this as an apology:
Dear visitors,
I was surprised to see all your reactions on the stories I had posted on my blog. And yes it is correct that I posted some articles I copied from others sites. The reason is not to rip and take the credit for the stories, but to share the expertise. So I sincerely apologize to the autors of the articles, it won’t happen again. The articles are deleted from the blog.
It might not have been the best choice, but it was made with only the best intentions. The thing that dissappoints me about you so called collegues is the remarks about me as a professional. Everyone makes mistakes, but to make this about my qualities is a sad thing to do. I’ve been wrong and I didn’t have the right to use the articles this way. Just as well as you don’t have the right to attack my qualities, or me as a person
So again I would like to say sorry.
To the critics I would like to say:
think twice about the way you open your mouth, there are real people behind the screen!
Personally I think Wiebe should have thought about the people behind the screens before commiting the plagiarism. Also I think that the community effect should suffice and everybody should get off of Wiebe’s back. And death threats are never correct.
To me this whole issue is now resolved. I can imagine that when I ever meet Wiebe in real life again he will not be all warm en friendly to me. But, considering the situation, I only did what I thought was best. And I hope that more people act upon plagiarism in a way like I did. But maybe give the person commiting the plagiarism a chance before inadvertently rowling up a lynch mob.
J-Spring 2006: Well, they’re improving everytime…
Jun 18th
Last week I went to the J-Spring. I must say that the NL-JUG runs a tight ship when it comes o conferences. Which is a good thing. I’ve seen that girl with the 5 minute sign like a million times. Overall the entire conference was a solid excercize. Only complaint that I have is the length of the sessions. Most sessions lasted only 45 minutes. Now that’s very little time for a technical presentation. One of the noticable effect was the feeling that a lot of speakers were rushing they’re talk.
For an impression on the sessions themselves, check my colleague Peter’s blog entry/article.
Oh no! They’re at it again…
Jun 12th
Now I must admit I have not ran the second beta myself. I hate beta OS-es. They’re always a big pain in the hiny.
But today I came accross this blog entry. I mean, just look at it. To me this is proof that OSX is infact better then Vista. Haha! Not to mention that eventhough Vista is a visual improvement, it’s still ugly.
Funny to see that first a lot of people were saying: “Ohw, all that visual stuff on a mac, who needs it. It only slows us down.”
And now it’s all: “Oooh, aaaah, looky here how nice Vista is going to look.”
Come on ppl, get a life. Not to mention that it will take about half a decade before Vista is in common use.
Call me a Mac fanboy if you want. But just look at these comparisons. Are you still able to say that Vista is the next big step in OS design…
The complete guide to Digital Type
Jun 12th
Well, I’ve picked up a new book this weekend.
The Complete Guide to Digital Type : Creative Use of Typography in the Digital Arts
Now what should a developer like me do with something like this? A book about typesetting, fonts, serifs, strokes, heights, em, en, ascenders descenders x-lines terminals, counters, stems, legs, ears, arms. loops, links, and then some more…
Ehm, well. This books just looks pretty. And by looking pretty it suckered me into buying it. Because for me as a technical person all this stuff is not really the most important subject. Or is it?
Anyway, this book is a really nice introduction to the intricacies of typesetting and font usage. After the introduction it goes on about how to properly use font effects and eventually how to create font effects. Lots of stuff for the PhotoShop and Illustrator people out there. Lots of pretty pictures too.
Although I wont use all the information in this book, it does provide me with a solid background on fonts and typesetting. So hopefully I wont make the mistake of choosing form over function when it comes to creating slideware.
I think this book is a definate must read for people who want to use fonts and typesetting properly. It also helps with making sense of all the terms used when fonts are being discussed. And even if you just want to read this book casually, it is so nicely designed. It’s just a joy to open up this book and be surprised by the layout of the pages. Just thumbing through this book should provide you with neat ideas about new ways to typeset/layout your own documents.
The ultimate standoff resolution tool…
Jun 8th
Ever had the situation where you are unable to resolve a standoff. I certainly did.
Usually a little game of rock, paper scissors should resolve such issues.
Recently in the US a legal precedence has been set.
Rock, paper, scissors is now a tool seen suitable for standoff resolution by the US’s legal system.
I’ll be sure to remember that when I’m in one of those situations again. Please take a look overhere for a rundown of the international rules of proper rock, paper, scissors conduct.
Here’s a copy of what seems like the official court order.
One more thing, credit to Eric Sink’s Weblog.
Running SubVersion svnserve on Mac OS X
Jun 8th
In my previous entry I posted how to get SubVersion on a Mac.
One of the things people start asking after knowing how to run the client, is how to run a server. Most people know that svnserve is a good option and get a repository going with that. Check the free online book I mentioned in my previous post to get a feel for how to set up a repository using svnadmin.
But now you want that pesky svnserve to launch on startup. Best candidate to handle that for you on a mac is launchd.
But it is a bit of an involving procedure to go though. Anyway, this is the link that got me going.
Do read the entry at the link completely. Doing so will save you lots of headaches.
Someone asked for SubVersion on a Mac…
Jun 4th
It seems someone going by the name Wilfred Nas was wondering how to install SubVersion on a Mac.
Well then, lets solve that “problem” shall we.
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