BitNami WordPress Stack
I've just installed the BitNami WordPress Stack on my laptop and it was so easy, and so cool! After the install, I had a fully functioning WordPress up and running locally - complete with Apache, MySql, and PHP. After installation, I exported all of the data from cleverswine.net and imported it locally - again, super easy. As a result, I have a copy of my web site running locally that I can play around with. Sure, I could have installed Linux and set up everything that way, but I've had a hell of a time getting Linux to work on my laptop (I tried bleeding edge Ubuntu, Fedora, and Mint). Anyway, I happen to be very pleased with Vista.
Testing a Plugin
Testing a Flickr plugin that I just installed...
This is a waterfall in Oregon called Bridal Veil. Yep.
Network Attached Storage
I just bought a Netgear RND2175 ReadyNAS Duo 750 GB Desktop Network Attached Storage from Amazon.com. I've been looking at these for a while, and finally decided on this one. The device holds 2 750gb drives which are mirrored for constant data redundancy. In addition, it runs an embedded version of Linux and can do pretty much anything a Linux computer can do. There's an active user and developer community for help with every aspect of the system, including extending it and customizing it. Very exciting stuff!
Thinking About Another Redesign
I've been pretty happy with the current state of cleverswine.net, but I think it's time for a redesign. I would like to de-emphasize the blogging portion of the site and instead create something more like a portal. I use quite a few web sites that provide activity feeds (Facebook, Delicious, Amazon, Netflix, Last.fm, and Flickr to name a few). Since I rarely blog anything of interest, I'm thinking that the main content on cleverswine.net should be a summary of my online activity (a la FriendFeed). That way, it's constantly being updated and it gives more insight into me than my shallow blog entries. To take it even further, I'd like to be able to annotate my activity (I may be able to utilize FriendFeed for that). I still want to have a traditional blog, it just wouldn't be the main focus.
Some other things I'd like to incorporate:
*An image gallery, rather than just linking to Flickr.
*A better "Project" page, where I can more easily showcase code and projects.
*A better "Music" page, where I can post songs with annotations.
*Be able to tag different elements on the site (not just blogs) and have a nice tag cloud.
So many ideas... None of this will happen in the near future, as I have enough on plate at the moment, but I will be doing some research on the matter. I'd like to stick with WordPress, and I think that will work out.
apt-get install wife
This comic is especially funny since I'm about to get married.
http://www.lessaid.net/fun/apt-get-wife.png
Note: apt-get is a Linux (Debian) command to install software, therefore "apt-get install wife" says to add wife to the system.
What I Do
For those who know what I do for a living, but don't actually know what I do, I submit this link to an article called What Is Programming? If you would like to know what my levels of enthusiasm are, check here.
These are things that I am not: web designer, tech support, network engineer, and a bunch of other things that I can't think of right off hand. I've not eaten today because I've been inspired and wired.
Funny Jokes
Ripped from http://www.devtopics.com/best-programming-jokes/
Q. How did the programmer die in the shower?
A. He read the shampoo bottle instructions: Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
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Programming is like sex:
One mistake and you have to support it for the rest of your life.
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All programmers are playwrights, and all computers are lousy actors.
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A computer science student is studying under a tree and another pulls up on a flashy new bike. The first student asks, "Where'd you get that?"
The student on the bike replies, "While I was studying outside, a beautiful girl pulled up on her bike. She took off all her clothes and said, 'You can have anything you want'."
The first student responds, "Good choice! Her clothes probably wouldn't have fit you."
Job Changes
After 8 fruitful years with Portland General Electric, I've decided to give independent software consulting a try. My first gig is at Avenue A | Razorfish. As I really enjoy writing software, this feels like a natural course. I foresee interesting challenges, fun projects, and a chance to co-mingle with the many great minds of Portland. Off I go!
Software As a Mullet
While considering the fun of programming today, I came up with a new mantra: “Software development should be like a mullet - business in the front, party in the back.”
Today's biggest buzzword in the industry is “software as a service”. I propose that we toss that idea, and instead standardize on “software as a mullet”. The new approach will focus on having fun during the software lifecycle, while producing business approved results. This will be followed by books such as:
Mullet Oriented Architecture (MOA)
Mullets in the Enterprise
Mullet-oriented Design: A Practical Approach
Google App Engine
Hmmm, the Google App Engine is all over the "blogosphere" today. I first read about Google's new service yesterday, so I promptly signed up to be a beta tester. Today, I was invited to join 10,0000 other programmers to give the App Engine a trial run.
The App Engine is being greeted with mixed feelings by the developer community. Personally, after reading the documentation and API, I can't think of a good reason to use it. It has some benefits over other application hosting options, but it sacrifices flexibility in return.
Search Google for plenty of buzz.
