FileMaker must die!
Argh! Argh, argh, argh….. argh!
Sure, it's a dandy little database system for people who know nothing about databases, but therein lies the rub. So many companies seem to build up a workflow and a complete company engine around this system and it simply isn't suited for the task. Even when you take out the fact that its owned by Apple now and they're no doubt making it as proprietary as possible, the basic functionality of the entire system is limp and lacking.
The first problem with FileMaker lies in its most alluring feature, which is the aforementioned ease of use. But, easy isn't always good, especially in this sense, due to the fact you get people setting up systems who don't really understand the underpinnings of a database or how it relates together. These drop and drag systems may be fine for a quick record keeping system, but once that system grows to several thousand records (quite a normal thing to have happen) any flaws in the design become incredibly apparent, as seen with the system that I've been working on, which is something that I believe is completely devoid of indexes or any other functions that would alleviate the lengthy searches that we have to go through.
In all fairness, the folks at FileMaker have seen the inherent flaws in their non-relational system and the next release of the software will be a completely relational, full-fledged database system. That's great, but it also scares the willies out of me, since it will be a 1.0 release of the kind of system that most other large database systems are on release 4.1 or greater.
I can sum it all up by a former downstairs neighbor of mine who, when I mentioned FileMaker, immediately said, "Oh, I love FileMaker! It's so easy to do anything in it quickly." It's guy like him that create messes for guys like me, since databases are not quick and easy to set up. If they are, then honestly, they aren't a real database; they're just a glorified flat, text file that someone started calling a database one day. It is very hard to compile and aggregate data in a meaningful way. This is why true database administrators get paid whopping sums of money to do what they do.
If you want a truly powerful database, then you need to get something like a big boy such as Oracle, Sybase, or MS SQL Server. Of course, there are a lot of alternatives like MySQL www.mysql.com that are not only free, but extremely powerful. You mix that in with the web-based admin tool called PHPMyAdmin www.phpmyadmin.net and you've got yourself something that's relatively easy to manage, yet at the same time, wickedly powerful.
We need to get rid of FileMaker. We need to get rid of it now. Hell, I'd even prefer Microsoft Access over FileMaker and that says a lot since I think that that program is really a Handicapped Access of SQL Server, which is a true database, despite being Microsoft.
25 05 2004 0 comments
The Train from Rijeka to Zagreb
Ask any Croatian what's the best way to get somewhere and they'll always tell you that it’s the bus. The Croats do not like their train system and they take it a little as they can.
Now, I'm not sure what the exact reason is, but I think it may have to do more with historical relevance than anything else. You see, the train was a big modernism symbol of the Communist and Socialist regimes. The bus and the independent companies that run the bus lines are a symbol of Capitalism and what is perceived to by the current ideals of modernism. So, I think that has something to do with the reluctance to use the trains.
There isn't any price difference really. The buses and trains are about the same cost on comparable routes, but the train is a bit more laid-back and you also get a bathroom, so I was wondering why on earth you wouldn't take the train. Well, as it turns out, there is a very good reason and that is reliability.
We took the Rijeka to Zagreb line, since we had a pass that we wanted to use some of (go visit Balkan Flexipass to read more about that damned pass.) The ride was fine for the most part. I luckily caught at the start of it that we were on a smoking car. The only non-smoking car was at the very end of the car, which we thankfully boarded.
For the majority of the ride, it was a lovely trip. The train wound through the hills and then the mountains of the Croatian hinterland. Towns were scarce along the route, although we occasionally would stop in ones that had a few people in them. As we went through the mountains, we were confronted with a massive, snowy landscape. I'm sure it was extremely cold outside, but thankfully we never had to experience the true temperature as we watched the pillowed snow banks drift at a leisurely pace. And this was in April! I can only imagine what it must be like in the middle of the winter.
The train then parted from the mountains and drifted through the valleys that lead into the Zagorje area of Zagreb. As we neared Zagreb, the scenery wasn't as pretty. There was a bit more garbage and remnants of a Socialist Republic in the form of construction methods and general layout. Then, about 20 minutes out of Zagreb the train simply stopped. And stopped it stayed. We waited there for about an hour or so as they tried to do something with the electrics of the train. Finally, some other kind of train engine came down, locked up with the back of the train and gave us a shove, which it appeared was all we needed to get going again. Don't quite understand how that all worked, but in the end, we started rolling again and the booster engine disconnected from us.
We rolled in Zagreb and after out five hour turned six hour trip was over, we headed for our hotel. Got some nice pictures of the ride though.
22 05 2004 2 comments
Simply Disgusted
Just the other day, there was a report on the news about how US troops fired upon a wedding party in Iraq. I figured I would pass by it and forget it, as it seems most people do these days, since it is a bad situation over there that Bush has created. But, I actually did have a reaction and it was one of complete and utter disgust.
This "war" in that country has simply blown my mind. I just can't fathom why the US is there and what they think they were doing. This, in conjunction with how most every other situation has been handled by the administration in this country, leads me to believe that Bush really is calling the shots. Someone of little intelligence and little thought as to the cause of actions could only carry out these fumbling, blind-sighted stumbles through events and situation. Naturally, this would point to Bush as the head of it all.
I keep thinking back to Gore and how he "lost" the 2000 election and I wonder how things would be different. I seriously doubt that we would be in Iraq and I believe the situation in Afghanistan would have some form of resolution to it. In fact, I think that the whole 9/11 debacle wouldn't have happened, since I agree with Michael Moore in that it is retaliation for a business deal gone sour in Afghanistan which the Bush family were perpetrating. The combined with the definite fact that Gore would have carried out Clinton's plan to hunt down Bin Laden would have continued and they would have either caught him, or at the very least, kept him on the run so that he could not orchestrate the plans that he did.
It's just sad and depressing in the end of it though. The only thing I can say though, is to all of the people who voted for Nader, thinking it didn't make any difference, you were a bunch of idiots who have caused a lot of suffering due to your political nonchalance. Don't make the same mistake twice. Vote for Kerry this time around to get that fool out of the White House.
21 05 2004 0 comments
Fenton's Creamery
It is such incredibly tasty ice cream, you won't believe how big your stomach can suddenly become. Luckily, as one sees others getting served sundaes, splits, and scoops, of ominous portions, you realize that you might want to be careful in ordering your next heart attack.
I think the best part of this place on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland is that they make all their own ice cream and they do it honestly. There aren't any fillers, or chemicals or other junk that shouldn't be in ice cream, in the desserts that they serve. When you each the strawberry ice cream, you realize that the flavor comes from huge chunks of strawberries. The same goes for any of their flavors. There's no screwing around. They give you want you want and it is good.
The funniest thing about all of it is in a place that can be so health-conscious and overzealous when it comes to counting calories, a place like Fenton's manages to stay in business. Because, I gotta tell you, nothing is low-cal in there and don't try and find something that may be, since it simply doesn't exist. Yet, there are still anorexic soccer moms in there, finishing off the last drippings of a sundae that their kids didn't eat. Why would they do this and be cast to the treadmills afterwards? Simple. It's damned good ice cream.
Don't know if I have a particular favorite since everything there has always been good, but the traditional sundaes are always a good bet. Also, anything with berries in it is tasty. Lastly, if you happen to like mint, get the peppermint milkshake or ice cream. Either one will knock your socks off.
19 05 2004 0 comments
The Casual Carpool
I was recanting memories of the Casual Carpool with a fellow employee the other day. I don't use it anymore, since I live in the City now, but for anyone who lives in the San Francisco East Bay, it's one of the best and definitely cheapest ways to get into the SF.
Basically, there are spots around he East Bay, which have been designated pickup spots due to their proximity to freeways that lead into the City. The particular spot I waited at was at Monte Vista & Oakland Avenue near Piedmont. People in the area will go to these spots and stand in a line. Drivers would then come by and pick up two people in order to get three people into their car. This enabled them to not only use the carpool lane on the freeway, but also not have to pay the toll for the bridge. This process saved the drivers around 30-45 minutes of commute time, as well as the $2 for the toll. The passengers didn't have to pay anything and also got into the City faster than just about any other way.
People were always shocked when I'd tell them about the system, since they assumed that there were flaws in it, or that you might get kidnapped, killed, or whatever else people think can happen from total strangers. In reality, it was pretty much a completely trouble-free system that works without any problems. In its 20+ years of existence, there has never been a problem with people using it. I believe this in part to the safeguards that are inherently part of the system. For one, you almost always get into a car with one other person, thus making it hard for do anything to the two of you as you can both overpower them. Secondly, suspicious people always look, well, suspicious and there are a lot of witnesses to watch who gets into what car. Lastly, you don't ever have to get into a car you don't want to get into and some people decide to exercise this option, but even though I've gotten into cars they've skipped, I've never had any problems so to speak.
Now, I have had a couple of odd encounters. The first was this woman that picked up myself and another guy. She was on her cellphone, which is something of a no-no in the carpooling land. For the entire 25-minute trip I had to listen to her break up with her boyfriend, over the cellphone who was on the East Coast. It had to be one of the more annoying spots in time I've ever experienced. The second odd experience was getting into the car of another woman who had a little post-it note on her window asking that people not wear cologne of perfume in her car. Not a big deal I thought. But, it ended up that she started talking on her cellphone as well as being a terrible driver. She was just rude, but we still got there is one piece.
That is one thing though, in that you have to get used to how other people drive. A former boss of mine had one story that actually sounded scary, but let me preface this by saying he had some mental problems and I suspect that this may have been totally fabricated as he was being weirder than normal when he told me about this. Basically, he got into the car of some guy with another guy. The guy was an erratic driver and when they got into SF, the guy wouldn't let them out of the car and started to go back on to the freeway. Much of the story doesn't add up and I think it was embellished to a large degree, since I've never heard about this problem from anyone else who has done the carpool and many have done it for years.
If you use the carpool, there are Four Basic Casual Carpool Rules:
1. No talking unless the driver initiates it. This may seem unjust, but people have a lot of different viewpoints on things and for such a short ride, there's no reason to make things uncomfortable, or even dangerous to one another.
2. No radio, except for National Public Radio (NPR.) This is done, since it is one of the least offensive radio programs out there and other morning shows can be jarring to people. And music, let's not even talk about peoples' different musical tastes. This rule does get broken often and you have to deal with listen to some real bonehead stuff on occasion from drivers who don't know or don't care about The Rules.
3. The drop off spot is in or around the Transbay Bus Terminal in San Francisco. You don't ask to go further and you don't complain about being dropped off there. Sometimes drivers will say where they're going and ask if you want a further ride at which point you're free to accept if you want or take the option of the TBT.
4. No cellphones… period. They're rude and you're rude if you use them. I think it's okay if it rings, just so long as you don't answer it, since there may be the case of a catastrophe you didn't know about, such as the time I was taking the Carpool on September 11, 2001 when a friend called me to let me know what happen.
And that's about it. It's a good system and it will most likely continue to be a good system as long as people continue to drive to work in the City, which I assume will continue for a good long time. Also, one other bonus is being able to test ride many, many different cars. Being that I caught the carpool near one of the wealthiest areas in the East Bay, I found out how nice BMW's, Mercedes, and Porches could be. Wouldn't mind a Beamer of my own someday to be honest.
Happy transit!
15 05 2004 0 comments
Baby Dachshund Puppies
I have never liked the Dachshund. I always thought that they were looking at me funny, trying to figure out some way to break free of their owner and bite me. You know the glance those little wiener dogs give you with their big, buggy eyes. It's that sideways, "Hah, I see you. I will bite you when I can. Be thankful that my brethren and I are on leashes, or you... you my friend would be a dead man." Naturally, I think my fear stems from one of these elongated canines giving me a nasty bite on my finger that I still have a scar from to this day. But, as time has worn on, I've grown to like the silly animals a bit more. Partly in fact that Jenya's father is completely in love with the breed and partly from the fact that I've finally realized that I'm 127 times larger than those growling kielbasa.
There is one thing that I found which is amazingly cute though and that is a Dachshund puppy. They are the funniest little things, because they're so small and funny looking as they hop around and try to get used to their ungainly length. This one guy in my neighborhood has one, which I see him walking on a regular basis. Definitely gives you an, "Ah..." moment when you look at the little scrapper. Makes me want to get one if I ever have a living situation that would work for a dog.
13 05 2004 0 comments
Opatija
Nestled in the top of the Kvarner Gulf of Croatia is the small town of Opatija. As the history goes, it was founded as a resort town and has been that ever since it's creation. But, it's not a tacky resort like a lot of places that you see in the US. It's a place that has been founded with old-world buildings that have a class and charm that has long been forgotten in newer buildings. The architecture for the most part is what they call Hapsburg Era in style. Whatever the case, the hotels are very nice there. And that's probably one of the strangest things about it, in that it's mostly a town of hotels. But, like I said before, this isn't a terrible thing, since they are very nice looking buildings, which lend the town its style.
All of the hotels fight for a view of the sea, which comes up to the doorstep on most of them. It is a magnificent, stretching expanse of watching that caresses a promenade that skirts along the shore for many, many miles.
As to what there is to do in Opatija, the selection is decently limited. I would classify the place as being somewhere that you would go to just relax. There is a nice public garden and many shops that line the main street, but overall it is designed for relaxation and they handle it well. Of course, with that in mind, most people want to relax when the weather is nice. That being the case, if you're there in the off season (late September through mid-May) you're bound to be rather isolated. Not a bad thing if that's what you're seeking and the weather is agreeable. Just make sure that you don't go in April, as that is true rainy season for the area.
Nearby is Volosko, which we mistakenly got off the bus in. But, it ended up being fortunate, since it is a lovely, quaint town that embodies all the charm that small European towns have. Naturally, most of the excitement has drifted next door to Opatija, but if you're looking for a simpler town that embodies that older feel of Croatia, then Volsko is probably a place you'd want to visit.
Off to the West are Pula and Rovinj. Both of which are a jumping off point from Opatija and even more so, to Rijeka. From the pictures you can find around, such as www.rovinj.hr I'm sure that you'll agree it's a lovely spot.
12 05 2004 0 comments
The Tendency to Depress in IT
Working in Information Technology can be anything but relaxed. It's a fast-paced, ever changing world when it comes to computers and to keep up with it all, you have to stay on top of it all. Of course, this is one of the reasons that people in this profession get paid as much as they do. Sometimes they may seem like miracle workers, but it's all a very calculated system that takes years to perfect.
As one journeys deeper into the land of computers, what you gain in technical knowledge is nothing compared to what you gain in mental fortitude to keep it all running. If you're lucky, you get into a company that is willing to spend something on their technology. If you're not, then you try and make due with balls of yarn that a couple of hamsters are powering, which everyone keeps insisting is a server.
It's an overwhelming area and as I have a younger employee who is just setting out into it, he's experiencing a lot of the things that I remember going through. Mainly it's just how to deal with the overall frustration of it all and the fact that it is not a job where you get congratulations once you've completed a massive project. Usually, you just have to listen to everyone else complain about how this is different and how that doesn't work the way it did and so on, and so on. Not something to do for the weak of heart.
As you go on, you learn that you are doing it for yourself. This in turn gives you the confidence to make the decisions that you have to make, because of the pride you can take in doing a job well. Of course, this is probably one of the first big turning points in the field, because you are either able to remain level-headed about it to the point of enjoying your work and being able to block out the complainers, or you get far too conceited about your work and stop listening to people altogether. Obviously, the latter is not the way to go as it will get you fired in a hurry.
I think there is another point you reach in the field, wherein you reach a certain age and technology may lose its appeal for you. I've seen this quite a bit in people who reach their thirties and don't feel like learning the new technologies as they think what they've learned is quite good enough. Naturally that isn't the case, as most things get better as they get older in the computer world. Trying to apply a method that worked ten years ago to a long-term plan for the next ten years isn't going to work.
Of course, once you get past all of this and learn to bathe in your inner geek, it can be quite a rewarding job, since you get to play with and purchase things you'd never have gotten to mess with on your own.
08 05 2004 0 comments
Email Honkus
Okay, for all ya other IT Administrators out there, there has cropped up this new pain in your ass, which I've just recently discovered in that you might get this as a failure for a message you send:
"Remote host said: 554 5.7.1 The server sending your mail [1.2.3.4] does not have a reverse DNS entry. Connection Rejected. Please contact your Dial-Up/DSL/Network ISP Provider. Default Reject!"
Now, this most assuredly sucks, since it is a tight constriction on the email server at the other end. Why on earth would someone do this? Simple answer really, in that people want to block spammers. But, the truth of the matter is, it doesn't block spammers. I don't know what two bit IT hack set this one up, but it has me really cheesed off, since there are a few people out there that have actually set up their servers this way and it's causing my users all kinds of heartache.
There is a solution though, which I have in action. That is to get reverse DNS working for my email server. Naturally, it works on the inside network, but now, thanks to some genius I have to have it working outside as well. I've got it in progress both with my domain name registrar who provides it for $6 a year and with my internet provider which just provides it because they have to. Hopefully, between the two of them, I'll have all my bases covered.
04 05 2004 0 comments
The Ferry from Dubrovnik to Rijeka
To get all the way up the Croatian coast from the tip of Dalmatia to the top of the Kvarner Gulf, you can either take the bus or you can take the ferry. Both are going to take a very long time (mainly due to the rather immense length of the coast) and both are going to offer great views of the coasts. But, taking into account that the best view of the coast is in Dalmatia and we saw that by bus already, we decided to take the 22-hour ferry all the way up.
The ferry was actually not bad. I've very glad that we paid for a cabin, since it offered a lot more privacy than having to sleep in seats, which if it were raining too badly wasn't even an option. We went with a second class cabin, which affords you a small window looking out with double bunks and a small sink. Nothing fancy by any means, but very functional. A first class cabin would have been about $50 more, which a third class would have been $15 cheaper and would have been without a window and closer to the massively churning engines. Needless to say, we paid the extra $15 and glad that we did.
Once you've walked around the ship a couple of times, you've pretty much seen it all. There's no swimming pool, game room, or other such amenities, as you would find on a proper cruise ship.
The real enjoyment is from watching the islands slide by you (of which there are around 1,171.) Grabbing a couple chairs on the deck with burning Germans and jabbering Italians will pay you back with a lovely view of islands that hop and skip along the water in a random way, so as not to be presumptuous, yet stay precocious. Two of the most interesting are two of the largest - Hvar and Korcula.
Food was something unimpressive and I'd highly recommend bringing as much as you can to bridge the gap. Most of the dishes are bland and have a pre-made feel to them. They're also not that much of a bargain. Dinner for two without wine is going to be around $35, which for the quality of the food is not terribly impressive. But, the servers appear to speak several languages and can at least guess their way through English if not speak it quite well.
We feel asleep a couple of hours are passing through Split, since nightfall robs you of the lovely view of the islands. But, as some locals told us, the islands after Split are not nearly as impressive as though before. I'm not completely sure if that's just people being elitist or is actually the case, since islands such as Krk are in the north and are supposed to be quite lovely.
At any rate, we pulled into Rijeka very early in the morning. The threat of rain was looming above us, so we weren't sure how it was going to go, but we were committed at that point and set out into a town that seemed to get a real bad rap from travel guides.
