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Learning and such

Rob

Whoo-hoo! First off, work sent me to Chicago to learn how to code for iOS (iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc). Training was awesome. The small problem with it though was it was the day after my final exam for my business class. The business class is now over and I scored an A in that class. Just 4 more classes left! I’m on vacation for the next week and a half and I’m going to take a break from studying. Maybe I will code up some iPhone apps… Continue reading Learning and such

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It has been a while

Rob

I haven’t posted in a while! Let’s see… Our house side was replaced in February. The roof was replaced in May. I small plumbing problem cropped up and I fixed that. That’s about it for the house… Olessia graduated with her MBA (from BW) in May. Her mom came to see the commencement. She stayed for 3 weeks and we took her to several concerts and to New York. Computer news: My main XP box suffered a hard drive failure. I replaced the drives with 2 1tb drives and installed Windows 7 Pro. This setup has been working out great. … Continue reading It has been a while

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DD-WRT and OpenVPN – Working finally!

Rob

Finally!  I started fiddling with OpenVPN two years ago and put it aside until last week. Real quick, OpenVPN is an open source virtual private network (VPN) solution.  It uses SSL technology to encrypt a tunnel from one internet location to another internet location.  DD-WRT is an alternative firmware available for a bunch of routers.  With DD-WRT, the router runs a watered down flavor of Linux.  Apps meant for full size Linux have been ported to run on the router, like OpenVPN. I gave up on OpenVPN two years ago because I wasn’t a routing expert.  I’m still not a … Continue reading DD-WRT and OpenVPN – Working finally!

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TDD Integer to Text Kata

Rob

I had an interesting application requirement: Take an integer (or long) and convert it into a text representation of a number. For example, the method accepts the number 1 and returns “One” and so on. The goal is to convert any positive integer (including zero) into its text representation. In C#, as of this writing, an int maxes out at 2,147,483,647. Test Driven Development (TDD) applies very nicely to this problem. The solution to this problem may not be obvious at first glance (and in some cases, a bit overwhelming). Might I recommend a “divide and conquer” approach and we … Continue reading TDD Integer to Text Kata

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Cops and Cameras Don’t Mix

Rob

I enjoy photography. I’m not good at it, but the hobby is fun. I’ve been reading some rather disturbing stories of citizens being arrested for photographing or video recording the police. Apparently, wiretapping laws are being used to arrest and hold citizens. Of course, if the footage is favorable, then no arrests. But if the footage shows cops in a bad light, then arrest is what you get. Making matters worse, is these charges are being upheld in court! Interestingly, anyone can photograph or video record anyone else when out in public.  If you go out in public, you automatically … Continue reading Cops and Cameras Don’t Mix

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Sorry Melt, 3 Strikes and You’re Out!

Rob

We’ve been recommended to to Melt and the food there is good. We’ve been to Melt in Lakewood twice and both times, the food is good, but it comes at a price. So tonight we tried Melt’s new location in Cleveland Heights (east side). First, our issues with Melt on the west side (Lakewood): You have to plan in advance when you go to Melt. Expect a wait of at least 1.5 hours (on top of our 30 min travel time to get there). Now, Melt on the west side only has about 10 tables so they are going to … Continue reading Sorry Melt, 3 Strikes and You’re Out!

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New York City

Rob

For Olessia’s birthday, I took her to New York city.  We had a great time.  Traveling by Amtrak is always fun.  We went and saw: NBC Studios MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) featuring Tim Burton and Pablo Picasso Almost made it into Central Park Brighton Beach Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge Eat pizza at the very first pizzeria in the USA Visited Times Square Hung out for the Easter Day celebration on 5th Ave Pictures have been posted… Continue reading New York City

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I’m a U. Akron student again!

Rob

Akron kicked me out about this time last year. I had taken some classes at Tri-C, like Russian, which has never been offered at U. Akron while I’ve been a student there. I also took my calculus classes there (calc 1 to get a refresh, then calc 2). Because of this, Akron thought, “I left the college and wasn’t interested in a degree.” Either that, or they were jealous I took classes at another school and didn’t get their permission. No biggie. I figure U. Akron was going to reset my degree requirements and with that possibility, I figured out … Continue reading I’m a U. Akron student again!

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IT Party

Rob

I asked Olessia, “when was the last time I took you to a company holiday party?” “Never” “Doh!” When I worked at Keithley, they always charged us $25 or so, per person (including the employee!) to go to their holiday party.  They almost always had their party on the same day Olessia’s company would have their’s (and their’s were free).  National City would have a small department party (30 people or so) which was fun.  This is my first year at Progressive and this was a holiday party just for their IT folks.  They rented out the Rock and Roll … Continue reading IT Party