Lance May

Binary search tree epiphany...

2008-01-13T00:04:00.001-05:00

Oh, wow! I finally found a real-world representation of one of the worlds stupidest "computer science" scenarios. I've heard of the binary search tree being of the utmost theoretical importance to CIS instructors. Being a developer, and writing code every day, I can honestly say that I have never ran into an instance where I thought "Oh, this is a perfect time to implement a binary search tree!"

Well, at least now I know that the need does exist, it may have some uses, and wouldn't be a complete waste of retention. It all came down to Morse Code in the end. While writing a regular expression replacement snippet for SOS, I stumbled across this wonderful display of binary-tree-search-ism. ;)

learn morse code

Place your pencil where it says START and listen to morse code. Move down and to the right every time you hear a DIT (a dot). Move down and to the left every time you hear a DAH (a dash). Here's an example: You hear DAH DIT DIT which is a dash then dot then dot. You start at START and hear a DAH then move down and left to the T and then you hear a DIT so you move down and RIGHT to the N and then you hear another DIT so you move DOWN and RIGHT again and land on the D You then write down the letter D on your code copy paper and jump back to START waiting for your next letter.

A while, yes...

2008-01-10T22:23:00.000-05:00

Okay, so it's been a while since I've posted here. That's only because I started trying to use my own site for things. Not that that is a bad thing; I just felt it was time to come back to Blogger.

I've been spending a lot of time lately over at my other Blogger home working on a personal project (Snippets on Steroids) with all of my free time. Aside from that, just work alone is enough to put a damper on a solid blogging moment.

Updates...

I've pretty much sworn-off gaming again.
Skinning is not my constant side-work anymore.
Kristin and I are now engaged.
I took a permanent position with iPay Technologies.
Kristin and I moved to Elizabethtown, KY.
Kristin took a position at iPay, as well.

I'm sure there are more, but I wanted to give the overview. That is all that comes to mind at the moment.

MSU/iPay (more headlines)...

2008-01-10T22:11:00.001-05:00

Again!

Payment Processing: Michigan State University Federal Credit

iPay Technologies, a leading online bill pay provider for community financial institutions, was selected by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSU FCU) to provide its 145,000 membership base online bill pay services.

iPay/MSU in the news...

2008-01-10T22:00:00.001-05:00

I was looking over a few things in my LinkedIn account and some random piece of news jumped out at me. Check this little blurb out. ;)

MSU FCU Goes with iPay for Bill Pay - Credit Union Times

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State University Federal Credit Union will be offering its 144,000 members online bill pay services through the iPay Technologies platform.

The $1.4 billion CU had been using an internal system.

“iPay’s sole focus is online bill pay, so being able to access their award-winning graphical user interface expansive functionality and impressive electronic rate will greatly improve our members’ online experience,” says Jeffrey Jackson, vice president of member services at MSU FCU, the nation’s largest university-based credit union.

Headquartered in Elizabethtown, Ky., iPay Technologies provides online bill pay solutions to more than 1,400 community financial institutions nationwide.

We're off to see the Blizzard...

2007-04-03T18:17:00.000-05:00

I guess in starting off my new "official" blog, this bit of news is just as good as any.

In less than a week, I'm flying out to California. I've never been to the west coast, but I hear it's nice. The kicker is that I've never really wanted to go. Now, however, I can't avoid going. Wouldn't want to if I could, really. After all, it's all payed for. It's a mini-getaway. Most importantly, however, it's for an interview with Blizzard Entertainment.

I'd say that really sums it up. For over a decade now, I've admired the work to come from their hands. Of course, I've always thought how great it would be to code or design for them. I just never thought seriously about having that opportunity. Now granted, I'm not going in for a game development position, but a tools developer instead. So I'm sure it will be a lot like the other work that I've done, but c'mon... it's for Blizzard! Who knows, perhaps I can find a way to slip in my designs somewhere and get a prototype going. Oh well... pipe-dreams, you know?

I will obviously be posting about this in the days to come, but for now... I'm done.