The personal and professional website of Daniel Lemire.
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One of the greatest tragedies of new technology is the ever growing problem of legacy technology. Software, hardware, middleware, operating systems… you name it. Especially as it relates to computer technology.
Unfortunately, the continual push to better/newer technology is that the old technology slowly slips into oblivion. Take Apple computer for instance… OS X is a fantastic advancement beyond OS 9. But, what if I’m happy with OS 9? What about an iPod, can you still use that generation 1 iPod with your fancy new Apple MacBook Pro? NO CAN DO!
This week, the challenge is Windows Server 2003. It’s old hat now. The new technology is Server 2008 R2. W2K3 is so old now that it will enter extended support by Microsoft on July 17, 2010. That lack of support by Microsoft also means that any new hardware that comes out after that date will not likely be supported by any vendor.
But forget about support in a few months. There are problems with driver support even now. Broadcom, a network technology vendor for many companies in the server hardware business, is now only providing a packaged driver setup for their hardware. It seems, even their technology has outgrown Windows Server 2003.
Don’t get me wrong, the problem I referring to here can be dealt with. Though it’s not simple, easy or fun, the problem can be solved. That said, it serves my point well. You can keep it alive for a while longer, but the returns are ever diminishing because of vanishing vendor support. It gets progressively more difficult to do simple tasks.
I believe that this is one reason that businesses have so much angst over technology. Vendors have taught them well that if they commit to a given technology, that there is no guarantee how long that technology will be around to depend on.
I’ll give you another great example of technology rot: Television. Have you been to the electronics store lately? Did you see even one CRT television anywhere in the store? Not likely. Everything is flat. Everything is HD. If you’re at all like me, you probably have 10+ year old television that your still making work because, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. It’s not your fault that the TV stations don’t broadcast in the format the TV came out of the box with. It’s not your fault that someone came along and decided that they were too good for a square size program.
Eventually, we all give into the new technology, not necessarily because it’s better, but sometimes mostly because the old version was made obsolete by something newer or fancier, but not necessarily better.
I see it from the vendor side too. I develop software. I know what it means to release a new version that fixes everything about the old version that you just hated or tweaks that one little thing that didn’t quite work right. As a provider of anything, you strive to make your product better every time you release it. As you improve your product, your' expertise moves to the new product and away from the old because that is where you now spend all your time.
So, what’s the answer to the problem? I do know that some companies are better at it than others (this takes the Windows vs Apple argument to a whole new level). My goal is to design everything I build to work with new features as much as possible while preserving what’s old. I don’t always succeed, but at least I’ve thought about it and worked hard to keep things working for everyone for as long as possible.
It never fails. Buy a new gadget and discover to your dismay that the practical implementation of the software that comes with said new toy, is not as good as the marketing people would have you believe.
In this case, we’re talking about the Logitech G940 H.O.T.A.S. joystick system. (HOTAS is Hands on Throttle and Stick, and in this case also includes rudder pedals).
So, I open up my new christmas present and discover that it works, but only partially. When trying to us the setup with a few older games, the rudder pedals didn’t work, instead, the Trim control for the rudder axis was being used instead. To make a potentially very long blog post short, here is the solution to that problem, at least in the case of Search and Rescue 4 and Vietnam MedEvac, and without having tested, bets are this will make Battlefield 1942 and several other games work as intended as well. The great irony is, that this can only be done by NOT using the provide Logitech device drivers for the G940, you have to use the generic HID game device drivers in order for this to work, because the Logitech drivers split the controllers into 3 separate devices, and that just makes this problem even worse.
After flipping through the Microsoft HID/joystick specs, and I found a way to reorder the inputs so that Vietnam MedEvac will work!
This is a registry hack, so, beware of the possible consequences. Never the less, windows allows you to override what control is assigned to a given input when used with DirectInput.
Steps for Windows 7 x64 (I haven't tried on XP, and I probably won't.
1.) Assign the generic HID/USB gameport device drivers to the G940. This makes it such that the G940 shows up as one device.
2.) open regedit.
3.) Search for G940
4.) you'll eventually come to the hive for HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-####-####\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaProperties\PrivateProperties\Joystick\OEM\VID_046D&PDI_C287\
5.) Add a new key -> Axes
6.) Add new keys 0 through 6 (the key name is only a number 0,1,2,3,4,5,6)
7.) Add a binary value "Attributes" for each of the keys 0 thru 6
8.) Assign the value 01 81 00 00 01 00 30 00 the the attribute for 0
9.) Assign the value 01 81 00 00 01 00 31 00 the the attribute for 1
10.) Assign the value 01 81 00 00 01 00 32 00 the the attribute for 2
11.) Assign the value 01 81 00 00 01 00 33 00 the the attribute for 3
12.) Assign the value 01 81 00 00 01 00 34 00 the the attribute for 4
13.) Assign the value 01 81 00 00 01 00 35 00 the the attribute for 5
14.) Assign the value 01 81 00 00 01 00 36 00 the the attribute for 6
Now, this just keeps things as they are. So to swap the Z rotation axis, and the Z axis, we just need to swap the attribute assignment.
10.) Assign the value 01 81 00 00 01 00 35 00 the the attribute for 2
10.) Assign the value 01 81 00 00 01 00 32 00 the the attribute for 5
See what we did? Unplug the G940, wait a few seconds and plug it back in.
Go look at the properites in Game devices control panel now and see that Axis Z and Z rotation are swapped.
Similarly you could use this method for any of the axes that you want to change out.
Unfortunately, this only works when you don't use the Logitech drivers. But this also tells me that Logitech could easily fix this problem if they wanted to, all I had to do was take 30 minutes and read the WHDC documentation from Microsoft to move the axis assignments around.
Keep in mind however, that making this change could cause another game program to be mixed up on which axis goes where, but as I said, I have a suspicion that this will also fix the rudder pedals problem that I have with Battlefield 1942 as well.
I'm fascinated by the idea of the CAPTCHA. Not the least of which, is the fact the CAPTCHA is an acronym. Because of the continuing risk/reward systems that all humans operate under, this convention is most probably here to stay.
What's funny to me regarding this 3D addition, is that in order to work around the system one of two things will need to happen.
1.) Spammers hire a person to do the work (and in that case, the CAPTCHA actually does exactly what it is intended to do: ensure a human is using the system.
2.) Computers are programmed to better recognize three dimensional objects from virtually any angle.
Option 2 is what intrigues me. I have to believe that someone is already working on this problem. Allbeit for use in robotics applications. If the spammers and hackers of the world decide to spend their time on option 2, the system will need to evolve again. Only this time we will have added the concept of computers recognizing three dimensional objects in the process. A process that we will need to have at somepoint in the future.
This has got me thinking, what other kinds of difficult computer recognition problems are out there? The best I can come up with at the moment is idiomatic expressions. The other problems I can come up with are already being worked on, or they've been solved (voice recognition and facial expressions recognition).
As a society we need to find ways to put value to the problems that we may hackers work on more valuable. These people spend loads of time working on a problem, so, let's give them a problem that really needs to be solved.
If you spend any time around me, you’ll hear me say this phrase somewhat regularly. As I have now been working in the IT industry for 10 full years, obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Computer Information Systems and a Master’s degree in Information Technology, it becomes more and more clear to me that there are no new ideas, only a new way to implement the same old ones.
For instance, take ERP system such as SAP and PeopleSoft. There is absolutely nothing new about putting your business information into a computer. In fact, the only new about the an ERP system is that is has more information available, in a shorter period of time, and in a way that people can understand. Hmm, that sounds a bit like a chart… more information available, short time, more people can understand…. exactly.
The same goes for the various kinds of computers systems that run today corporations and small business. 30 years ago we talked about virtualization on the mainframe, and now we talk about on mid-range or mini-computers. Still virtualization, still the same old making one computer look like or act like many computers at the same time.
I find that extraordinary. So, really, the big ideas are not new, only new ways to implement the same old ideas that have already been proven successful decades, centuries or millennia ago.
After completing my Master of IT in May of 2008, I’ve now had some time to reflect back on both the experience and it’s implication for my daily work as an IT professional.
Probably the most startling revelation that I take away from the experience is that most IT people are IT because of the technical interest. That IT is any help at all to the BUSINESS, is only coincidental. As IT people, struggling with the bits and bytes, we sometimes loose sight of what all our efforts are for.
If IT people fail to see how IT can help the business, we’re all doomed to failure. We must, as individuals, departments, divisions and companies understand how IT is critical to the business (whatever business that may be) and strive to find how IT can serve and not be served.
The answer is likely to be screen resolution.
Many times when I get the opportunity to sit down with a client and discuss their website, screen resolution is discussed more often than not. Screen resolution is so frequently discussed in meetings that it's time for me to do a write up, so that I can use it as a reference later. I figured that if I'm going to write it up, that I might as well put it on the blog so that perhaps someone else could benefit from it as well.
What is Screen Resolution?
Screen resolution is usually a user controlled setting that controls how may pixels can be represented on a screen at any given time. The most common misconception I see with screen resolution is that it has something to do with the physical size of the monitor. Let me be clear, monitor size has nothing to do with the screen resolution.
Why is Screen Resolution an issue?
Screen Resolution affects how much area a website will fill on a given screen. If you are using a low resolution (e.g. 800 x 600), you will only see about 800 pixels horizontally on your screen. Many websites are built to fit horizontally into an 800 x 600 resolution screen. If you are using a resolution higher than 800 x 600, and the site is built to horizontally fit into an 800 x 600 resolution screen, there will be extra space on either or both sides of the website. In some cases, a site has been constructed to fill the screen regardless of the screen resolution. This is the ultimate goal with any site design, however, not every design can be made to function this way.
For example, obchinc.com, is made to fill the screen regardless of resolution, in contrast, fredlemire.com, is built to fit in the browser window of an 800 x 600 pixel resolution display.
There are many ways to deal with the screen resolution issue. Many technology related sites has elected to build their sites to fill up the screen real estate on a much larger display. This is a problem if you are using a display with lower resolution. If your display is using a lower resolution than the one the site was intended for, you will see horizontal scroll bar appear on the screen, so that you will be able to see the whole site.
This is incredible. Amazing. The conglomeration of social interaction and exploration accessible to anyone. This is web 3.0, the semantic web in the making. Thanks to Tim Fehlmen (DailyCupofTech.com) for posting this one his blog for me to find!
This is a really great article about online crime. Today, identity theft is a major problem, and law enforcement lacks the resources, tools, manpower and time to deal wit identity theft properly. This is just more indication that identity theft or data that is really a matter of time... not if, but when.
Wildly Expensive. Amazingly Functional. The future of keyboard evolution. The Optimius Maximus keyboard has a very appropriate name. It's a work of art, but, just like great art, you pay a high price. This keyboard weighs in a about $1500. What's so different about it that makes it work $1500? Every key on this keyboard is a small OLED screen. You can change the keys display. Say you want to type in chinese. No problem. A new keyboard layout? sure.
Many people have seen and used keyboards on touch screens. You may have even seen the infrared keyboard projector for a palm or handheld device. But this is different. For me, it's all about tactile feedback. I want a button that depresses so that I can tell I have actually activated the key. Software keys just don't offer the kind of touch feedback I need.
Perhaps not now, but someday in the future, I can definitely see more and more new and innovative interface products. Because, the reality is, not everything can be done with voice commands, somethings are just meant for the keyboard.
The truth is, that computing is everywhere, GPS, DVD, digital audio, cell phones, watches. Just about everything has some form of computer chip to assist it's functionality in some way. Intel has these multifunction devices laid out for our future, and so far it looks pretty cool. Only time will tell.
Friends fashioning flying car | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News
Honestly, somebody is going to figure it out. It may take another 20 years, but someone is going to get it right, and when they do, the sky will seem not big anymore.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
I was born in 1981, and based on this "Flashback", so was my destiny as a computer geek. It seems that sometimes even CBS can get in a story that's accurate, to the point and even prophetic... at least in 1981.
From mainframe to pc, from pc to datacenter from datacenter to ...
This extensive article discusses the current evolution of computing power and what new tricks the big players are using to keep up with an every growing demand for computer power, storage, memory access and later the ability of the network to keep everything tied together efficiently. It looks like in another 10 years, the pendulum of computing will swing again, as the phases of the pendulum grow shorter upon each swing.
A little different was a dinner buffet (because the hotel didn't and in my opionion kind of still doesn't have their act together) that included desert. Desert after dinner in mexico was a bit different, but certainly not bad and certainly not longer than usual.
The strange part came when it was time for the film. We arrived at the church about 7:50, fairly normal for a sunday. They already had the music roaring and were planning on starting the film inside the church at 8pm! This was wierd, standing outside the church waiting was a different experience in the day light. Even more so, we were'nt able to do music because the church has already settled with their music and there just wasn't time for us to do anything before they planned to begin the film.
But then it gets loud. really realy loud. Apparently, a neighbor of the church was either nearly deaf, had a bone to pick with the church, or just had a need to be obnoxious. He had had both speakers of his sound system facing out of his front window, toward the church at as high a volume as possible without having the sound be totally distorted. This went on pretty much all night long. It was difficult, for two reasons... 1.) Really frustrating to have someone act in such a belligerent manner and 2.) really hard on the ears. Hard to think... hard to hear and to be honest I really feel a bit dizzy from the whole thing.
Anyway, we finished up the film and headed home and we were back at the hotel by an early 10:00. Now it's time to get ready for another full day of interesting sights, sounds, people and hopefully fun.
P.S. See my previous entry for a link to my Flickr Mexico 2006 photoset.
Go here to view the mexico 2006 photo set, where I'll posting all my images.
I've always been fascinated by the idea of taking a zeppelin ride anywhere. Like a cruise, only in the air instead. Visually more interesting and faster. Take a look at all the evolving ideas that surround the resurgence of Airships.
If you're in the market for a new keyboard, check these out. My personal favorite is the laser projected keyboard. I think we will see more like this in the future. The most difficult thing about this keyboard is that absence of tactile feel when typing, but that's only because weve become so used to tapping a key. Most sci-fi keyboards you see deal with tapping on a window of some kind, so this doesn't really seem to far out there.
The other keyboard that interests me is the frogpad. I actually found myself searching for all the letters of the alphabet on the keyboard. I can see a good application of this keyboard on aircraft. The new model Airbus has a glass cockpit with a joystick instead of a flight yoke to make room for a keyboard. If you used a frogpad, you wouldn't need to do this because you would only need one had to do the typing (this could also work well for a fighter jet also).
Most of the other incarnations of the keyboard we know deal with ergonomic designs for those who are having trouble with a repetetive stress disorder or disability. Here's to hoping it won't come to that for me sometime in the future.
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If you haven't heard about this and you are browsing the web right now, click the link above to get the patch for the recent 0-day .wmf windows vulnerability.
