The Techie With A Tractor

Databases

2012-03-06T14:32:00.000+00:00

So, I;ve just found a lovely way to store geographical polygons within a database - however its an addon for PostgreSQL - and microsoft dont seem to have a similar implementation - grrrr

A link to this great addon called PostGIS:

http://postgis.refractions.net/docs/ch04.html
http://postgis.refractions.net/

STOP CENSORSHIP - ANTI SOPA and ANTI PIPA

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000+00:00

The taps are dry....

2012-01-17T11:29:00.000+00:00

Oh joy, just received an email from the accomodation office saying that welsh water have cut the warter supply to PJM because while doing their works, they broke something - yay:

Dear Residents,

Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we need to urgently inform you that the workmen working on the main Penglais Hill have had to turn the water supply off with immediate effect to repair the problem. Please ensure your taps are turned off so it does not flood the area once the water is turned back on.

Sincere apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.

Many thanks,

Trains, again, sigh

2012-01-16T14:32:00.000+00:00

Need I say much more? The trains failed again last night. Some selfish person deicded to throw themself infront of a train at Bilbrook - meaning that the line was shut down.

Spent 2 hours at Wolverhamption waiting for information. Finally a bus arrived (a small 32 seater) that went straight to Shrewsbury where onward travel was waiting.

Oh wait, it wasn't. Another one and a half hour wait there in the freezing cold, arguing with station staff for a taxi, hotel or refreshments - none of which would be given because there was a bus coming, just no idea when or how many free seats it would have.

So after that cold hour and a half there, a bus arrived, and guess what, it was a 52 seater that did all stops from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury, and was now going to Aberystwyth via Newtown and Caersws - so at least that avoided the wavey roads between Machynlleth and Borth.

Normal time of arrival at Aber = 23.24
Actual time of arrival at Aber = 02.54

Joy :(

< R A N T >

2012-01-13T16:11:00.001+00:00

Just failed my HGV Test - all because of some stupid BMW driver thinking he owns the road.

Scenario:

Yeading lane at Whiteheart Roundabout, next to the petrol station. I come up to the junction, wanting to turn left. However, as you can see in the google StreetView image below, there is this little funny lane that appears. In a truck, you cannot take the whole of that little lane when turning left, otherwise you hit the curb (fail), therefore you can only cover part of it.

View Larger Map

This therefore means that the lane is still partially open for people exiting the petrol station. The BMW decided that he would attempt to use it to turn right IN FRONT OF ME. He was even partially on the curb. Obviously a big truck that looks like this with loads of 'L' plates all over it means that he is always right and can do anything, not: oh, I better be careful, there is a learner in there.

So I nearly take out this nice near-new black BMW because of his idiotic driving. The only reason I missed him is because the examiner shouted "STOP!" = game over :(

So that's ~£400 pounds down the drain because of a black BMW in my blind spot.

Note that if you own one, and I happen to have a golf club / cricket bat etc. in my hand, it may suffer a a consequence - you have been warned.

< / R A N T >

Round 3, you say?

2012-01-13T10:16:00.000+00:00

I guess the only mature (aka immature) thing I can say at this point is:

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

First email to say that I have passed online tests. Hey, why not paste it in here since its such an achievement for me:

Dear Kristian,

Congratulations, you have successfully passed the online tests. You have therefore progressed to the next stage in the process which is a telephone interview.

Your telephone interview will consist of both CV and competency based questions and will explore your interest in the BT Technology Graduate Programme.

We will be in contact in the next 14 days to arrange your telephone interview.

Proof - yay is the one other word that comes to mind.

Well, its nearly time to go for my HGV / LGV / Truck driving exam - lets hope it goes well

What is the world coming to?

2012-01-12T21:43:00.000+00:00

So, many of you have probably heard about the "urinating on the dead" video that has sprung up over the past few days (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-16538159 ).

Well, another has suddenly come to light on youtube:

CAUTION THE FOLLOWING LINK CONTAINS A VIDEO THAT MANY WILL FIND DISTURBING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp2cmWMOJqk

So here are my two pennies on this:

Anyone considering starting a war, maybe it should be against these guys. Although not all US service personal are like this (I know some really nice ones - AFN guys in Wiesbaden) there do seem to be some really dumb ones too.
First urinating on the dead, now beating a poor sheep with a baseball bat.
Lets just home that this video and the others are fake trying to get people to turn against those who we trust to keep us safe.

**UPDATE** - Apparently some of the people in the urination video have been identified as actual US service personnel - oh deary me :(

Assignments Galore

2012-01-11T17:13:00.002+00:00

hmmm, so, you get an assignment, and the lecture says the following in the doc:

Estimated effort: As a guide, it is expected that you spend in the order of 2 hours on this task. This includes time to read the articles, think about the issues and write a report.

Have I missed something here folks? The articles are like 20 page docs (or one of them is at least), and it seems to have somehow taken me an hour to read it (including some understanding time).

hmmmm, either the lecturer has mistimed this bit, or erm, I dont know.............
Well, anyway, the doc is nearly written and ready for submission using the (silly) blackboard system.

More Qualifications

2012-01-09T19:02:00.000+00:00

WOO HOO XD

Yupp, thats right, I just passed my RSCM Silver Bishops Award exam in St. John's Church Boxmore. Thank you to the wonderful and talented Stuart for playing for me, and obiviously the two examiners for passing me.

As for how good a pass it was, I'm just going to have to wait for the results in the post.

Meenwhile, I now get a nice shiny medal to wear while singing. YAY

"So, how was it driving that beast?"

2012-01-05T23:35:00.000+00:00

Thats the question I've had from a few people. The answer:

"Not that bad."

My instructor Simon seems to think there is hope in me. Just gotta remember the basics of driving that one forgets after driving a car for several years:

**MIRROR SIGNAL MANEUVER**

Otherwise, it seems that that the hard bits I'm getting right, the easy bits wrong. Well, thats not supposed to be right, is it?

Oh well, I'm not going to complain. Another lesson tomorrow and then more next week.

Test on Friday - eek :S

Truck drivin'

2012-01-04T23:07:00.000+00:00

Arrrrr, I'm gonna be a truck driver......

Thats what I'd be saying if I were, however since I'm a computer scientist, I'm not going to say that. But I am doing my category C licence - first lesson tomorrow at 6am.

Review to come after the lesson.

Another Airport Security encounter

2012-01-04T19:04:00.000+00:00

Why oh why do you, dear airport security people, not like moi? Whats not to like about me:
I'm not in the suspicios looking category - just look like any other student in smart casual with a Starbucks cookie in a bag.
I've nothing in my bag that I shouldn't.
I gave them everything off my person (even offered my jeans since they were almost around my heels after taking off my belt).

But no, you didn't like me today - apparently something to do with my shoe (not both, just one). Can't think what that can be, unless there was trace leftover firework on it?

Oh well, you had your fun today..... now to fly

Assessments :(

2012-01-01T10:05:00.000+00:00

So, I'm up after a reasonable New Years party, alive, and not hungover (me not being a big drinker).

but why am I up at such an early hour on New Years Day? - because I have an online assessment to do.

Soneone at an undisclosed company decided that its a good idea to give people assessments to do over the party period.

Down to work then :(

Welcome to the last year 2012 - give us your worst

2012-01-01T03:12:00.000+00:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!
from a very not snowy Germany

Peace xx

New Years Plans

2011-12-31T16:00:00.000+00:00

So, according to Kev, sounds like a warm up at home, with some food in the agricultural shed and older friends, followed by a youth party in Schonborn with loads of fireworks and alcohol.

Me not being much of a alcoholic, I shall be looking forward to the German tradition of fireworks galore in the streets just after midnight.

Anyway, before any of that, I'm off to Limburg Cathedral to sing with the choir there at the end of year service. You know me, can't turn down a good sing....

Stay safe everyone and enjoy

Merry whatchamacallit

2011-12-25T07:30:00.000+00:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!!!!!!

Now that I have unwrapped my new ASUS 3D monitor (I'll talk about it later), its time to go to the Christmas morning service at church and have yet another good ol' sing. Just shattered after the last sing and only 6 hours sleep...

More Carols? Yes Sir!

2011-12-18T21:00:00.000+00:00

Another day, another carol service, this time in my own church back home, the little church of St. James' Bushey. Lovely little place, and I'll try to talk about it some more later on.

Anyway, beautiful evening, another great sing - and this was a big plus:

The "Swinger" wasn't there, therefore meaning that I didnt have to wear a gas mask to sing and breathe.

Oh, and one week to Christmas Day XD

The journey back

2011-12-16T19:40:00.000+00:00

So today I drove back from Aberystwyth for Christmas - the joys of packing the car with almost everything - and as it just has to happen, you've guessed it, SNOW in the Welsh mountains.

So the journey was fun, saw a few cars on their roofs, and another the wrong way around in a ditch. But since I have the SmartMobile in winter mode (winter tyres, 0W40 super-cold oil and snow chains at the ready) the weather was no match for me.

Just home was the problem, minor issue of keys and me having to break into the house........

Anyway, I'm still in time for choir rehearsal at St. James', so off I go

St. Albans Singing (again)

2011-12-14T09:30:00.003+00:00

Well its this time of year, and last night was the infamous Aldenham School Carol Service in the Cathedral and Abbey Church of Saint Alban. interesting catch, the choir was so big, they ran out of candles. So there were 10 tenors and basses at the back who were in darkness. Suppose it was for the best, as the older ones should never be trusted with fire.

Anyway, a very good sing, got to catch up with a few people (students and staff) and well worth the train journey back from Aber just for it.

Now that I'm on the way back to Aber (with mum beside me), I just have to put up with a few more lectures, then a drive back home.

Dissertation?

2011-12-10T14:00:00.000+00:00

Hmmm, soo may assignments from other departments and modules seem to somehow of caused my dissertation to be forgotten for the past week. Thats negative :(

However, I guess there can be a plus side to this: A fresh mind and view after the little break will hopefully improve the project. Lets see that this is the case.

Airport Security

2011-11-17T10:37:00.000+00:00

So, I've just had my first on time train - that’s right, lucky number 16 - guess British rail can actually run a decent service.

WAIT - did I just say that?!?!?!?!?!?

Anyway, this is supposed to be about airport security here at Birmingham International. It’s rather fancy, or at least that’s what I thought.

The first thing to say, and I'm sorry all you Linux fans, its running Windows XP - why, don’t ask me. For airport security to be running windows, and at that XP, is quite risky, so many security flaws that people will find, and I bet (but can’t confirm this) that they have some sort of internet connection, or maybe still have solitaire or minesweeper installed or that "I can’t be bothered" day.

So, I thought I'd explain the process, but since I'm on my Touchbook with limited programs, I can’t create a flow chart. But I may add one in the future, It'ld be quite cool **Is It'ld actually used?**

So, it starts with the bog standard 'show your boarding card to a person because the machine is broken' starting gate. This is followed by the expected snake queue system guided by a biological person saying numbers (I also hate the person who said "Lane 7 Ma'am" to me, she definitely won’t be in my will).

So, when in the queue, there are those normal announcements, "remove belts and high heel shoes." or the "laptops and liquids must be removed from bags". So still no different to a normal airport security. But the next bit is where it gets fancy.

The trays have barcodes on them, which are scanned when they enter the X-Ray machine. Above the entry is a camera, with a live feed to the scanning assistant, so he can see what’s going in the scanner. The exit point has a push bar, which allows the "interesting" or potentially dangerous bags to be pushed into a different shoot, so that the owner can’t get to it and run off and end the world or similar. Otherwise the tray goes down the good shoot, and you get all of your irradiated possessions back (including my belt so that’s the world doesn’t have to see my patterned Topman boxers).

Now onto the computer side of security. As I said, they are running Windows XP (some would argue for, others against - please argue on this in the comments sections). They operator has a touch screen with all the controls for the system - stop and start the belt, good shoot or bad shoot, change scan layers etc. - and plays God with your possessions.

If your tray goes down the bad shoot, the scan data is saved and assigned to the barcode. This allows the bag rummagers to scan the barcode at their "desk" and bring up all the scan data on their touch screen, where they again can go through all the layers.

Now, hopefully they delete that data - but then being an airport, for "security" reasons, they may store this data indefinitely. They don’t state the data storage terms anywhere and I think asking might be suspicious.

Now I have to admit, that is a cleaver system, however I am worried a bit about the data storage of the scan data and photos taken by the camera. Maybe a sign would be useful. On the other hand, maybe freedom of information would make them give me a copy of my tray scan?

Right, that’s the end of my Black Forest hot chocolate from Costa (it was very nice). Just time to spell check and post, and I still have one and a half hours to wait for boarding, the down side of Aberystwyth and its 1tp2hrs (one trains per two hours) service.

Tie to enjoy some more free Wi-Fi - iPlayer downloading maybe???

Lets recap (M)November so far

2011-11-14T15:39:00.000+00:00

hmmm, lets see

I finally got the server up and running, fully RAIDed (simple disk mirroring), so in theory no more losses due to disk crashes.
The server now automatically backs its self up to my desktop every day
Team Foundation Server and Sharepoint are finally up and running and working (with a few minor glitches, but I can live with those)
I bought 2 1TB Hard Drives from IS @ Aber (I hear they are all gone now for the lovely price of £55)
And I have some sort of a basic GUI working on my phone

The bad part of the last 2 weeks:

TRAINS TRAINS TRAINS

14 15 Trains in 10 days, not one been on time, and a review of these is below:

(after writing the list I realised its 15)

Aber to Brum - canceled
Aber to Wolverhampton - Replacement for train 1, and Delayed
Wolverhampton to Watford, - Replacement and Delayed
Bushey to Euston (fast) - Canceled
Bushey to Euston (slow) - delayed
Euston to Bushey (slow) - delayed
Watford to MK Central - delayed
MK Central to Crewe - delayed
Crewe to aber - Delayed departure, yet somehow arrived at aber 5 mins early!!!!!!
Aber to Brum - delayed and terminated in wolverhampton, redirected to crewe
shrewsbury to crewe - delayed (and packed like sardines)
crewe to watford - only train leaving crewe on time (however last second platform change)delayed arrival at watford
bushey to euston - delayed
esuton to crewe - delayed arrival
crewe to aber - delayed

Thats enough train ranting for one day - now to finish the FinNesse worksheet 1 for CS313, then to do a replacement prac......

...and so it goes on...

2011-11-01T20:35:00.000+00:00

Just as I thought I had all fixed, a bug in server 2008 (yupp I had to downgrade to fix so many problems) prevents me from authenticating on the uni network, unless I logged on locally to the server, disabled and then re-enabled the network card. This was painful, so now I'm trying another windows server version to see if I can finally get my project back on the road.

Meanwhile throughout all this server issues, I've been doing some local testing and work on programming for WP7.5 to improve it all, so hopefully in the next week or two, and can start to build a base GUI????

Otherwise some doucmentation and planning is still in order.

But still, this blummin server needs sorting out before it drives me mad.

At least I now know how MS Team Foundation Server works for version control for my project, and thats useful. Just need that stable server environment to host it all on then I can start - yay....

Its that time of the month again

2011-10-26T09:34:00.000+01:00

Oh dear, now that I am nearing the end of dying (this illness is finally starting to clear up), my server has decided to have its period today :(
Apparently my Windows Server 2008 R2 installation on partition G: has a problem and cant boot. Strange, since it was installed on C: ...... hmmmmmmmm

So its back to the community ( http://superuser.com/questions/350685/windows-server-2008-r2-only-boots-to-recovery-console ) to see if anyone can help. Tried all the standard things, but none of them want to work, grrrr. Well better now than closer to the hand ins for my dissertation.

I was even planning to buy another 4TB for the server to back up everything, but that idea went down the drain when I discovered that because of flooding somewhere in one of these countries where they make HDDs, the prices of them have doubled in the past week - grrrrr

Oh well, now just to wait and see how long its going to take to get my server back online so I can finish installing and configuring all the components I need to do my programming.

Back to reality now.........

Illness

2011-10-23T02:40:00.001+01:00

So, its 2.30 am and I am awake, all because of this silly head cold, including sore throat, coughing and blocked nose. How is my day going to be productive if in awake every 2 hours??? I guess so much for a productive Sunday.....