Ramblings

Fractal Terrain Generation

2009-09-01T15:49:36Z

I've been working on a wargaming library/framework off and on for over a year; along the way I've encountered a number of interesting problems to solve. This blog entry details one of them, fractal terrain generation.

Quick thought on programming and distractions

2009-08-31T19:49:12Z

“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.” – Buddha Too often it’s easy to spend hours days weeks far too long reading blogs and wilfing doing research. Looking for that perfect tool. Looking for a wonderful library. Looking for a new technique. Looking, looking, looking. Almost like Hans Guck-in-die-Luft, not paying [...]

Using jnp as a JBoss heartbeat

2009-08-25T19:00:57Z

jnp is a JBoss protocol which exposes jndi. It is, by default, bound to port 1099. I’d been using that port as a heartbeat, but “cheating” — I would open a socket and then close it immediately. However, this caused problems. jnp is chatty. And it got upset at my not letting it say ‘hi’ [...]

z-index and events

2009-07-30T17:41:52Z

Today’s lesson has to do with z-index and events. I’d had a png with transparant portions that I wanted to use as a mask, so that information from underneath would not show. However, buttons, links, and hovers were not working — the top level element was taking the events and eating them. [...]

JBoss port confusion

2009-07-29T14:16:30Z

Sometimes, JBoss reports that it is unable to bind to a port, saying it is already in use. However, this is not always the case.

SSL Joys

2009-05-14T16:02:07Z

The nice thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from. Andrew S. Tanenbaum I’ve been working with a Apache proxy to force SSL and https. Well, I haven’t had any control over the certificates. And they can come in so many versions, especially given that Microsoft wants to do things [...]

After long silence

2009-04-10T17:27:38Z

The hiatus has been due to me having been really sick with a weird neurological disorder. I didn’t do any coding at all for over 2 months. I’m starting to feel better, but I still have my good days and bad. So, there will be updates. Hopefully before not too much longer.

New Ruby Blog

2009-02-13T18:43:48Z

I’ve started a new ruby blog. Whereas this one tends to longer posts (and not just ruby), the other is intended for short, tight pieces which focus on a single idea. In general they will be in the format of “mini sagas“. I’m shooting for daily updates on it. Ruby Blender

Javascript with CSS Sprites Animation

2009-02-11T20:06:25Z

One of the issues with gif animations is being able to stop and start them at will. This post examines a method of using javascript to control CSS Background Sprites for Animation.

Chibi gets an upgrade

2009-02-06T20:05:16Z

I’m going to have to send my “big” laptop off for servicing, so I upgraded chibi, or as my daughter calls it, “Baby yaptop”. I upgraded the ram to 2gb — it was only $27 with tax. I had held off on this because I didn’t want to “void the warranty”. I found out today [...]