Kevin's University Adventures

Automatically generate function header comments in netbeans

2012-02-08T04:38:00.001Z

Oh Netbeens how we love you, today's tip comes from a question asked in IRC that was.

" Excuse me my good sir but is there a way to generate the phpdoc function headers? I'm using Netbeens 7"

Well yes little Tim there is, this code complete tool works in all the supported languages Java, PHP, C++,C ,and of course plenty of others, it's so so ridiculously simple to use.

Lets use this simple code snipit for an example:

     public String getDOB(String[] args){

        return DOB;

    }

There you go I told you that was simple (the code will do absolutely smeg all by the way) go ahead and place the code in the a Netbeens code window, now just above the functions type "/**" that's one forward slash and two asterix, now are you ready ? yes ? sure ? good then press enter.

/**
 * 
 * @param args
 * @return 
 */
    public String getDOB(String[] args){

        return DOB;

    }

Shazam did you see that it generated the comment header for you with the @param and @return, well isn't that nice! Well now you have no excuse but not to use it, that is unless you are like me and don't do it dew to shear bone idleness.

Graceful Degradation and Progressive Enhancement.

2012-02-04T06:04:00.003Z

A presentation on graceful degradation and progressive enhancement.

Accompanying slide notes.

Slide 1: The start of the web:

In the early 1990’s the web was first linked to hypertext, a lot of other systems such as Usenet and electronic mail systems were already in use they were mostly text based systems and only requiring in small-scale design such as headings and paragraphs, layouts fonts and alike was usually out of the end users control so no design work had to be completed.

Slide 2: The first browsers:
Tim Berners-Lee develops a method of deploying information via hypertext and using a layout standard called html.
The first browsers WorldWideWeb and Mosaic, where designed to basically the same standards, mostly displaying linked text layouts were completed using stiles.
As it was mostly just text and pictures the websites of this time looked almost the same in most browsers.
In summary (Berners-Lee, 1999)
.

Side 3: The Next Generation a run for features:
Multiple browsers were developed at this point the most prominent of being Internet Explorer and Netscape navigator, however there were other such as the AOL browser.
In this generation of browsers there was a features race in a hope that developers would develop just for the venders’ specific browser.
However this tactic of essentially attempting to monopolise the browser markets with proprietary systems leads to the first major issues with cross browser compatibility.

Slide 3.1: Web Design Examples:
The internet had become “mainstream” and web design had become a legitimate method of individuals and organisations communicating with users and the world at large.

Slide 4: Graceful degradation:
The issues of cross browser compatibility, presented a challenge for the developers from this generation.
As the usability of websites across the various systems became more apparent the developers started to implement engineering design solutions one of which is Fault-tolerance or graceful degradation.

Slide 5 Graceful degradation definitions
Fault-tolerance or graceful degradation is a method of designing a system so that the systems faults don’t fully break the system.
They are still used for in some systems as:
•    Faster deployment and les design work is required
•    To patch an existing or deployed system.
•    Old systems as they may provide workarounds.

Slide 6 graceful degradation methods:
The main way of implementing graceful degradation is to pick specific browsers to develop for. This is usually the one that is in most common usage among the target audience of the web applications.
•    Providing an alternative system for the end users to use.
•    Locking out unsupported or untested browsers.

Slide 7: an example of graceful degradation:
JavaScript is usually the first browser issue use that developers come across. For example.

(Heilmann, 2009 )
The issue with “print this page” there is no way of linking to the print button in most html4 and lower. So JavaScript is used.
Slide 8: solution with graceful degradation:
However JavaScript isn’t supported in all browsers and can be turned off, the method of of graceful degradation used in this instance is the use of the sematic “no script” tag.

(Heilmann, 2009 )
This is considered degrading gracefully we explain to the user that something is wrong and how to work around the issue. (Heilmann, 2009 )

Slide 9: The benefits of graceful degradation:

Using graceful degradation and developers can build web applications in a what that don’t effect the user experience in a when that it doesn’t break the fucsoality of the web applications.
•    A standard user experience.
•    Add more features.
•    Used privately to patch a diploid system.

Slide 10: Progressive enhancement definitions:
Unlike graceful degradation we don’t add in the functionality then remove it, instead we start with a base line that will work no matter what browser is used then add additional functionality if the web browser can support it.
•    Separate HTML CSS and JavaScript
•    Sematic tags.

Slide 11: Progressive enhancement method:
Using the same example we can design the print this feature in a progressive enhancement method.

Please print this page for your records.

(Heilmann, 2009 )
This will work in all browses as it’s just a paragraph.
Slide 11: Adding additional functionality:
For the rest of the functionality we use unobtrusive JavaScript to add a print button only when the browser supports it:

.. Please print this page for your records.

(Heilmann, 2009 )
So we have added the function then enhanced its functionality. The script should also be in an external file shown inline for presentation.
Slide 12: Advantages of using progressive enhancement:
Using the progressive enhancement methodology, websites and web applications are:
•    By their nature more accessible.
•    Improved SEO as bête readability using semantics.
•    Maintenance
o    Readable code
o    Separate HTML CSS and JavaScript
Bibliography
Berners-Lee, T., 1999. Weaving the Web. In: The original design and ultimate destiny of the World Wide Web, by its inventor. s.l.:Orion business, now Texere.
Heilmann, C., 2009 . Graceful degradation versus progressive enhancement. [Online]
Available at: http://dev.opera.com/articles/view/graceful-degradation-progressive-enhancement/
[Accessed 28 December 2011].

Java Tips and Hints: Comparing Strings in Java with examples.

2012-02-01T15:36:00.001Z

This might seem like an ever so obvious thing to most users of the good old Java, however it comes up in IRC and the /r/java subreddit all the time. so this brief post is to help them all out and me so I don't have to keep typing it.

OK so you should be reasonably familiar with the "if" statement well here is a program that uses it:

import java.util.Scanner;

public class Variables {
        public static void main(String args[]) {
                Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
                System.out.println("What is your name? ");
                String name = input.next();

                if(name == "bob")
                {
                    System.out.println("Your name is awesome, " + name);
                }
                else
                {
                    System.out.println("Your name sucks, " + name);
                }
        }
}

Well there you go that program is syntactically correct it will compile and run, so we did it? well nope, There is a logical error in that code take a second to go compile it. no matter how you type bob it will not tell you that bob is an awesome name this is because we are comparing for a reference.

Instead of using "==" we need to be comparing for value equality, So we do that like this:

import java.util.Scanner;
public class Variables {
        public static void main(String args[]) {
                Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
                System.out.println("What is your name? ");
                String name = input.next();

                if (name.equals("t"))
                {
                    System.out.println("Your name is awesome, " + name);
                }
                else
                {
                    System.out.println("Your name sucks, " + name);
                }
        }
}

Go ahead and check out the "if" statement now on line 18 you see that is how we compare Strings we are comparing the value equality in that string.

OK so now we have that we might find we have another issue you need to type "bob" because if you type "Bob" with a capital letters in it then will return "Your name sucks" and we might not want that.

In that case we can use this ".equalsIgnoreCase" instead of just ".equals" that way we can Ignore the Case of the string.

OK then so now we have them what about more, well there are a lot so why don't you look in the Java documentation and leave a comments with the things you find.

Mark Morton is now a toon.

2012-01-28T11:23:00.001Z

Developing The SU:C:

2011-12-30T02:20:00.001Z

So for my final project the big project that must be completed of i just wasted three years of my life project. I'm bringing out all the guns and developing something big.

The Student Utility Card (SU:C) is a e-learning solution that brings function and utility to an otherwise useless tool , by fully harnessing the power of the cloud and learning applications the SU:C aids in learning, it is calendar system allowing timetable updates to be automatically sent to groups of students and individual students, the card is update by a server/API system.

An instillation of the System

Implemented in the latest JavaFX standards it can run anywhere on any device deployed on USB enabled ID cards allowing access to utilities that students would not be able to easily access otherwise.

So they were giving out free Dr. Peppers.

2011-06-10T07:37:00.000+01:00

Well ...what a week.

2011-05-20T10:52:00.001+01:00

For this blog post I’m going to take a different tacked, Instead of just posting useless things I found around the internet, I’m going to tell you what I’m doing. (yay me)

#1 Learning Blender

This is hard... really hard. I have been working with code for some years now and learning the XNA game studio for C# was a piece of cake but, I have come to the realisation that all 3D animators and asset creators are bat shit insane.
That aside I have finally created the concepts and will be posting them in the coming weeks.

#2 Setting up r/fireworks

I have been a long time Adobe Fireworks advocate, a web prototyping vector and bitmap tool. I’m so nice I have set up a sub reddit to work on my skills and help others.

So you can have some Fireworks tutorials in the coming weeks, how nice am I?

Here is a link if you are interested.

#3 Arguing with the passport office.

So it looks like I’m not going to France next week, due to some inept moron at the passport office. So i don’t get to go to my own brothers wedding.

My summer project (Syndicate)

2011-05-06T20:00:00.002+01:00

Its not going to be a full game but will be a technical demo. a RPG shooter stile game in a Dystopian world full of things to shoot up.

If any of you want to work with me on this it will be in c# so drop me an email.

Lies from the lying conservative party, no2av yes2pr dot org.

2011-05-03T12:17:00.003+01:00

What’s going on here then, well I guess I better give you all a little background.

There is a referendum vote on May 5th for the alternative vote and voting reform. The alternative vote is the same voting system as in Australia and is an improvement on the FPTP (first past the post) voting system. There is also PR proportional representation, which is a better, my preferred voting system, but is not in this referendum.

Now traditionally the Liberal Democrats are in support of voting reform and the conservatives are in favourer of FPTP because the conservatives although a dominant political party usually get a low amount of votes and a lot of seats this is because of how the FPTP system works.

Now imagine my surprise when I found this web site www.no2av-yes2pr.org no2av (no to alternative vote) (yes to proportional representation) ok you would think someone who would support AV in this referendum as the alternate vote is a lot closer to proportional representation then the archaic first past the post system.

Now it looks a little fishy so I did a quick Whois (Domain name look up) on the site, and the surprise with what I found Mr Piotr Brzezinski . The same Mr Piotr Brzezinski from the big society, the conservative party organisation!

http://thebigsociety.co.uk/author/piotr_brzezinski/

The conservatives supporting PR! I think not. Under PR the Conservative Party would become the smallest political party (of the big 3), seeing that Mr Brzezinski is a member of the conservative party you would think that he would have been booted out of the Conservative Party for openly supporting PR.

Well the rest is speculation, but my best guess is that Mr Brzezinski and the Conservative Party are lying to the public in an attempt to get votes away from the AV campaign.

What an utter ass hole, So fuck you Mr Brzezinski .

The storey of the first Digital images.

2011-04-19T19:06:00.002+01:00

The storey of the first Digital images.

As most of you will know I’m a student, well I guess you will as the name of this blog is Kevin's University Adventures. As a part of my next year’s thesis project I’m considering images and compression.

During my whole day of research! I stumbled upon this little gem, it’s a picture of a cute baby well it’s a digital rendering of the first Digital image taken, its actually a photo of the first digital image in a Jpeg format as the original was a 176 x 176 grid and each bit was a pixel, just black or white. On a computer that was operated with switches in 1957. I really don't think they would have a format name for it.

But however it has hunting eyes don’t you think.

I just got a tweet from space.... freaking awesome!!!

2011-04-17T15:26:00.001+01:00

So the other day, I tweeted Clayton C. Anderson one of the astronauts on the International Space Station (I.S.S), and he replied. That's right from space. A freaking tweet from space, freaking awesome!!!!

I just got a tweet from space

1964 Modem Reaches Out And Touches The Internet

2011-04-17T15:09:00.000+01:00

Background: This modem was given to him in 1989 by the widow of a retired IBM engineer.

Computer history org has a Model B dated 1965, 1967 Model C written up in a magazine. Interestingly, incorrectly identified as being only 110 baud.)

An interview with Rich from Follow You Home.

2011-04-13T18:20:00.003+01:00

I have just had the pleasure of ~~holding hostage~~ interviewing Rich from a local band called Follow You Home. There an interesting mix of pop rock that I happen to enjoy. Rich use to be in a band that went by the name of Three Storeys High, I used to enjoy them back when I was in Sixth Form College sitting in the Gherkin, a local student pub. Well Follow You Home is Rich's latest music venture so enjoy the word candy.

What's the origin of your name follow you home?

I am afraid there is no long and meaningful answer to that, I guess one of the hardest parts about starting a band is coming up with a name that is both catchy and has not been used yet. I think our name came from a Green Day lyric or something like that.

Who makes up the band and what do they do?

We have Kayley on Vocals, Nick on the Axe, Mikey on the other Axe, Tom on the tin cans and myself (Rich) on the bass.

What genre of music do you consider your work to be?

We are trying to put our own stamp on our songs, just trying to mould a distinctive sound, I would call what we play "Power-pop / Rock". The melodies and pretty much classic pop melodies, but we try to have a powerful backdrop of music cutting through.

Who are your major influences?

I like to think we have a really wide range of influences. Everything from the 50's, old pop songs, Rock and Metal.
I guess some of our favourite bands are: Foo fighters, brand new, Jimmy eat world, green day, system of a down, and of course old school pop punk bands!

Who writes your songs?

Our songs are really shaped by the whole band, me and Nick normally have an idea for a melody / lyric but it doesn't really come to life until we all get together and throw our ideas into the mix.

What influences your song making?

It's hard to say what influences our song writing. Most of the time, it just happens. I am a strong believer that if it doesn't click straight away it isn't worth keeping so most of our songs are written and arranged within a few hours.

So you first performance is coming up are you all nervous?

We had a little taste of the stage last week in Derby, supporting our friends in The Hush. I think this helped to take the edge off this first home-town show. But I think nearer the time there will be nerves. Its good though, keeps you on your toes and keeps the passion there.

What's your ultimate direction for your band?

Ultimately, we are just happy to be making music. We want to play shows, travel and as long as people want to listen we will keep doing it!

How do you feel about music piracy?

Personally, as an unsigned band for us music piracy is not a bad thing. We just want to be heard by as many people as possible! I can see how it is a problem for the big boys though!

Any last words……….

I just want to thank you for taking the time out to check us out, and we want to ask anyone thats reading to please help unsigned bands and check us out!

Well some interesting mouth words, from Rich there and not once did he beg for his life so I let him go, he has a gig coming up after all. Anyway remember to check them out the website is followyouhome.com or annoy them on Facebook and twitter.

Now enjoy.

Once Upon A Lie (Exclusive Preview) by Follow You Home

The doll that teaches girls to breastfeed

2011-04-12T11:18:00.000+01:00

So I'm not that bothered but apparently it is causing a ruck. I personally don't think it is any worse than them Bratz doles or any other toys marketed at girls. (Prams, baby poop).

But I'm not a girl or to the best of my knowledge ever have been, I used to play with "war toys" (Action Man, Warhammer) growing up and I'm not exuberantly violent.

So is it teaching girls that there only purpose is to become a mother? or is it just children playing grown-ups?

Alternative Vote System : What it is & why you need to vote on May 5th f...

2011-04-05T06:41:00.000+01:00

It's voting time, one month from today so remember to vote.

The Best Video of all time!!1

2011-04-01T00:09:00.001+01:00

Did anyone see the money he was using to test his wallet? I've never seen any money like that before, this video must be from the future, I'll try to enhance the wording on the money itself in order in an attempt to garner clues about our future.

Hay every body April fools!

Toys i had growing up in the 90's

2011-03-25T10:39:00.001Z

This is a reminiscing post about toys i had growing up in the 90's hope you enjoys some of my fondest memories. Dam you thought thieves!

The Super Soaker 200:

That’s right guys not the Super Soaker 50 nonsense I had the 200, id powen them 50’s fan boys by the thousand.

Pogs:

Ok so noon relay new the rules at my school but Pogs looked cool so everyone had them.

Magic the Gathering:

While the mainstream was all up in Pikachus ass, my friends and I were dealing another kind of card. fine you got me i still play, BUT ITS FUN!

The Beano:

I was never in to the superhero comic book; my comic of choice was the beano. Call me old fashioned if you like but screw you I’m English don’t you know.

Super Nintendo:

Oh yes gaming on the SNES was brilliant I had mine with the scope, although it looked cool there was only one game, that sucked.

Tamagotchi:

Why I had one I don’t know it died in less than 10 minutes and then I took it apart like all the other electronics in the house. Perhaps by the late 90’s I had become a sinik, I was in high school after all.

Action-Man :

Probably the most homosexual toy ever made, well apart from Pokémon homosexual edition. But it was more the fact I had strip them off and made them simulate sex rather than the toy is actually a gay. But yes I played the shit out of action man.

Well that is it boys and girls but don’t forget to comment and tell me about the toys you liked growing up.

What life might be like in the year 2000.

2011-03-17T14:57:00.002Z

In 1910, A French artist / futurist Villemard produced some illustrations depicting what life might be like in the year 2000. So if you were ever having wonders what the Steam-Punk world would have looked like then lets have a look.

The electric train

Automated Construction Site

Auto-Roller Wheels

Robot Barbour Slave (an electric razor perhaps?)

More Robot slaves for Madame


A Chemical Dinner

Scouts cyclists

At the School (looks most accurate of all.)

Cinema - Phono - Telegraph (so its a video phone from 100 years )

Robot Slave Concierge (oh and flying freaking Cars)


A Steam Punk seen of Mad Max. This is 5 yers before The Mark I Tank.

Hearing Journal, like a dicta-phone.

A Curiosity, this was perhaps his way of saying the automobile would kill the horse.

Electric fire place

A automated tailor

An Airship-Boat

A Flower Festival, in flying cars.

Flying Fire-fighter, Flying Fire-fighters,Flying Fire-fighter.

The Avenue de l'Opera (its in France)

A Boat Rescue

Police Airman

An Advanced Helicopter

OK, OK my French sucks, so don't trust my translation. Well I hope you enjoyed this, see you all soon don't forget to comment and I will see you all next week. (via)

Happy Pi Day

2011-03-14T18:40:00.001Z

So its Pi day 3/14/2011 or in England not because our calendar makes more sense 14/3/2011. But on pie day lets learn why it’s not Pi day. math time bitches..

Really International Women's Day, that is what you're gonna go with?

2011-03-08T18:31:00.000Z

Ron Burgundy quote - "I'm gonna punch you in the ovary. That's what I'm gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the baby-maker."

When standing next to his Amazonian Guard Gadaffi looks like the final boss in an all lesbian version of Street Fighter

2011-02-24T14:18:00.001Z

When standing next to his Amazonian Guard Gadaffi looks like the final boss in an all lesbian version of Street Fighter

Watson: Linux Basics

2011-02-22T17:03:00.001Z

Watson: Linux Basics

The story behind the Minecraft Diamonds ad.

2011-02-21T00:03:00.001Z

First of all, [1] here's the ad on YouTube.
When I was at Machinima's place to do the livestream, the guys from CorridorDigital showed me a rough cut of their excellent short movie [2] The Last Minecart. I loved it and thought it was the greatest thing ever, and I couldn't wait for the final version to hit the intertubes! When I got into the office, I checked reddit, and saw that not only was that video online, there was ANOTHER Minecraft short available as well, and it was in the form of a 30 second ad, complete with a twist powerful enough to confuse M. Night Showercurtain, and a huge fat plug including the url to the game at the end.
That was the first time I heard about it. On reddit.
We hadn't seen any emails about it, we hadn't contacted anyone about making an ad, and I certainly wasn't expecting it. It all kinda overwhelmed and stunned me, so I didn't investigate it further, but today I got an email from the agent of the guy acting in it, [3] Mike Kwao, saying that he had really liked doing the short. That caused me to search my inbox for other emails, and it turns out that the guy who made the ad sent me an email in December with a rough cut, but I totally missed it because it was a fairly anonymous email. What's even better, [4] he's made two short movies before! Being a bit of a film nerd, and really loving his style in Diamonds, I'm trying to figure out if there's a legal way for me to watch them. - Notch:

(source)

The Sky Nets plan to take over the world

2011-02-20T23:48:00.000Z

The Sky Nets plan to take over the world

Stage One:
To begin your plan, first Kidnap a Military General. This will cause the world to sit up and take notice, stunned by your arrival. Who is this Evil Genius? Where did they come from? And why do they look so good in a Robotic Exoskeleton?

Stage Two:
Next, Destroy the Internet. This will cause countless hordes of Robot Warriors to flock to you, begging to do your every bidding. My name will become synonymous with Nightmares, as lesser men whisper your name in terror.

Stage Three:
Finally, you will Activate your Thermonuclear Missiles, bringing about the Apocalypse. This will all be done from a Air Fortress. These three deeds will herald the end, and the citizens of this planet will have no choice but to elect you their new overlord.

Trust me, it'll all come together in the end.

thank you Make Your Own Evil Plan

Star Wars Occupation Flow Chart

2011-02-09T22:34:00.000Z

Star Wars Occupation Flow Chart, that's all.