You are being paid a lot of money, you have the authority to make the laws that decide the daily activities and well-being of the entire country... and working together is a challenge? This story talks about Obama and the Republicans getting together and talking about how the other is to blame for the nation's issues. It's really stupid that these powerful people can't find a common ground. They are, after all, humans. Don't we all have a baseline in common?
You'd think terrorism would pull us together. Instead, Obama and his party think it is okay to give terrorists a civilian trial, where the accused is allowed access to a lawyer. What does that mean? Basically, it means he can invoke his right to remain silent and not tell the USA anything about other terrorists. It's insane.
I'm sitting in Mount Vernon @ the Lynch Ford dealership, waiting for an oil change on the truck.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Videos as Documentation and Other Information
This link talks about using videos to explain to users how to do things. It is not a new concept - many online Help systems use videos - and I think it has its place.
My one major concern is knowing your audience. I would not want a video of a couple of the procedures I routinely do at work. I like the paper. I jot notes on it, like the password when it changes. Another place is where I unzip a file and keep track of how many files were unzipped because the procedure will add more files. Then I do the math to make sure that the number of files in my new .zip file is equal to the new files I created, plus the previous number of files. Numbers and I do not really get along because my brain - I admit this - does not work that way. I am better at manipulating words and bending them to my will than I am at math. That's the way my brain is.
Work has been extremely busy. There is a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it. I did not spend more than a few brief moments working on my number one priority today because my perception was that the 'little' changes I wanted to make would not take long. They took longer and were more involved than what I could have guessed. An example was a programmer talking me through a trainer's question and explaining why his question really didn't make sense and why my initial answer to him was totally wrong. There were other things I have decided I need to do to make my help system more user-friendly and that took some of my day.
Tomorrow, being Friday and all, I'm hoping for a clean slate of nothing but working on a new end-user document (EUD) that can be included on our next cut of the software. I know the cut is coming. The subject of the EUD is new functionality and I'd like to get, at the very least, a draft included on the cut. It is just going to take time to do it.
Megan checked out 4 CDs from the NL Library. One of them was the soundtrack to the Wizard of Oz. Turns out, whoever had it last put in the wrong CD - it was a CD of Christmas songs! I called the library and told whomever I talked to about it so that they wouldn't think it was Megan.
We are playing a song at Mass called "Sing of the Lord's Goodness." Here's an awful version of it (not me on drums!)
If you listen carefully, the rhythm is similar to Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." There used to be a video here but it was removed from youtube.com.
From our Development Manager:
Something that caught my eye in one of my daily industry e-letters, thought it might give you a chuckle to start your day:
* Stop oppressing lazy people, says job center
A British recruitment agent has been barred from posting an ad for a "reliable and hard-working" domestic cleaner, on the grounds that the listing discriminates against lazy and unreliable people. A job center official said that they refused to post the listing for fear of being sued by an unreliable but angry applicant. Telegraph (London) (1/26)
http://www.smartbrief.com/index.jsp
My one major concern is knowing your audience. I would not want a video of a couple of the procedures I routinely do at work. I like the paper. I jot notes on it, like the password when it changes. Another place is where I unzip a file and keep track of how many files were unzipped because the procedure will add more files. Then I do the math to make sure that the number of files in my new .zip file is equal to the new files I created, plus the previous number of files. Numbers and I do not really get along because my brain - I admit this - does not work that way. I am better at manipulating words and bending them to my will than I am at math. That's the way my brain is.
Work has been extremely busy. There is a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it. I did not spend more than a few brief moments working on my number one priority today because my perception was that the 'little' changes I wanted to make would not take long. They took longer and were more involved than what I could have guessed. An example was a programmer talking me through a trainer's question and explaining why his question really didn't make sense and why my initial answer to him was totally wrong. There were other things I have decided I need to do to make my help system more user-friendly and that took some of my day.
Tomorrow, being Friday and all, I'm hoping for a clean slate of nothing but working on a new end-user document (EUD) that can be included on our next cut of the software. I know the cut is coming. The subject of the EUD is new functionality and I'd like to get, at the very least, a draft included on the cut. It is just going to take time to do it.
Megan checked out 4 CDs from the NL Library. One of them was the soundtrack to the Wizard of Oz. Turns out, whoever had it last put in the wrong CD - it was a CD of Christmas songs! I called the library and told whomever I talked to about it so that they wouldn't think it was Megan.
We are playing a song at Mass called "Sing of the Lord's Goodness." Here's an awful version of it (not me on drums!)
If you listen carefully, the rhythm is similar to Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." There used to be a video here but it was removed from youtube.com.
From our Development Manager:
Something that caught my eye in one of my daily industry e-letters, thought it might give you a chuckle to start your day:
* Stop oppressing lazy people, says job center
A British recruitment agent has been barred from posting an ad for a "reliable and hard-working" domestic cleaner, on the grounds that the listing discriminates against lazy and unreliable people. A job center official said that they refused to post the listing for fear of being sued by an unreliable but angry applicant. Telegraph (London) (1/26)
http://www.smartbrief.com/index.jsp
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Another Tour I won't See
Megadeth is going on tour. It is the 20th anniversary of "Rust in Peace" so they are going to perform it in its entirety. They have Testament and Exodus opening for them. The tour will kick off on March 1 in Spokane, WA, and will run through the end of the month. The dates are as follows, with tickets going on sale this Friday, January 29.
Now... the *closest* they come to me is (gulp) Indianapolis, IN. I think that is pathetic!
3/1 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory
3/2 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
3/3 - Medford, OR - Medford Armory
3/6 - Calgary, AB - Big Four (Testament with Special Guests)
3/7 - Edmonton, AB - Shaw Conference Centre (Testament with Special Guests)
3/8 - Saskatoon, SK - Prairieland Exhibition Hall
3/11 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theater
3/12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Palace Theater
3/13 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
3/15 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
3/16 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
3/18 - Scranton, PA - Scranton Cultural Center
3/19 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa
3/21 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
3/22 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
3/23 - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall
3/25 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
3/26 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s Amphitheater
3/27 - Lubbock, TX - The Pavilion
3/28 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
3/30 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater
3/31 - Hollywood, CA - Hollywood Palladium (Testament with Special Guests)
Now... the *closest* they come to me is (gulp) Indianapolis, IN. I think that is pathetic!
3/1 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory
3/2 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
3/3 - Medford, OR - Medford Armory
3/6 - Calgary, AB - Big Four (Testament with Special Guests)
3/7 - Edmonton, AB - Shaw Conference Centre (Testament with Special Guests)
3/8 - Saskatoon, SK - Prairieland Exhibition Hall
3/11 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theater
3/12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Palace Theater
3/13 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
3/15 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
3/16 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
3/18 - Scranton, PA - Scranton Cultural Center
3/19 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa
3/21 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
3/22 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
3/23 - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall
3/25 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
3/26 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s Amphitheater
3/27 - Lubbock, TX - The Pavilion
3/28 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
3/30 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater
3/31 - Hollywood, CA - Hollywood Palladium (Testament with Special Guests)
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Post #500 Had to be about Metallica...
My original goal was to conclude 2009 with my 500th post to this blog. That didn't happen. So today, I reach that milestone. The purpose of this blog has been to maintain a journal of things I am interested in. I have one follower and that's okay with me. I hope that someday more will care about what I write about.
In the meantime, http://www.metallica.com/page.asp?id=600038 is the new Metallica DVD that I am definitely considering for purchase. I have some Best Buy gift cards and I can think of no better way of spending them than on this DVD. After all, I gave up seeing them on tour over a year ago because I didn't want to go by myself. I should have. I regret it. Now, Metallica is touring Europe and South America. My guess is that the likelihood of them returning to eastern Iowa in 2010 is not very high. In fact, their current tour dates on their website take them into June 2010. I am thinking that they will finish their tour in July 2010 and then take the rest of the year off before starting to work on their next release in early 2011 with a planned release in early 2012. I don't really know if that's what they are going to do or not - I have no insight.
In the meantime, http://www.metallica.com/page.asp?id=600038 is the new Metallica DVD that I am definitely considering for purchase. I have some Best Buy gift cards and I can think of no better way of spending them than on this DVD. After all, I gave up seeing them on tour over a year ago because I didn't want to go by myself. I should have. I regret it. Now, Metallica is touring Europe and South America. My guess is that the likelihood of them returning to eastern Iowa in 2010 is not very high. In fact, their current tour dates on their website take them into June 2010. I am thinking that they will finish their tour in July 2010 and then take the rest of the year off before starting to work on their next release in early 2011 with a planned release in early 2012. I don't really know if that's what they are going to do or not - I have no insight.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Movies I want to see
I want to see the following movies that will be released in 2010:
Blind Dating
Bounty Hunter
Last Song
Shrek Forever After
Toy Story 3
Blind Dating
Bounty Hunter
Last Song
Shrek Forever After
Toy Story 3
Damn Dog
This is true.
My dog D.D. (my dad named her Damn Dog) was put to sleep 15 years ago. She was a white toy poodle. My brother and I found her one day shortly before my sophomore year of high school, tied her up, and gave her cold hot dogs. She stayed around for the next 9 years.
She slept about 20 hours a day. She had her food prepared for her. She could eat whenever she wanted 24/7/365. Her meals were provided at no cost to her. She visited the doctor, once a year for her checkup, and again during the year if any medical needs arose. For this she paid nothing, and nothing was required of her.
She always sat in the front seat of the car. If she whined, she was given what she wanted, no questions asked. She lived in a nice neighborhood in a house that was much larger than she needed, but she was not required to do any upkeep. If she made a mess, someone else cleaned it up. She liked the living room in which no one was allowed to walk.
She was not punished for her bad choices. She had her choice of luxurious places to sleep. She received these accommodations absolutely free. She was living like a queen, and had absolutely no expenses whatsoever. Others who went out and earned a living every day picked up all of her costs.
I was just thinking about all this, and suddenly it hit me like a brick in the head. Holy Sh*t, my dog was a DEMOCRAT!
My dog D.D. (my dad named her Damn Dog) was put to sleep 15 years ago. She was a white toy poodle. My brother and I found her one day shortly before my sophomore year of high school, tied her up, and gave her cold hot dogs. She stayed around for the next 9 years.
She slept about 20 hours a day. She had her food prepared for her. She could eat whenever she wanted 24/7/365. Her meals were provided at no cost to her. She visited the doctor, once a year for her checkup, and again during the year if any medical needs arose. For this she paid nothing, and nothing was required of her.
She always sat in the front seat of the car. If she whined, she was given what she wanted, no questions asked. She lived in a nice neighborhood in a house that was much larger than she needed, but she was not required to do any upkeep. If she made a mess, someone else cleaned it up. She liked the living room in which no one was allowed to walk.
She was not punished for her bad choices. She had her choice of luxurious places to sleep. She received these accommodations absolutely free. She was living like a queen, and had absolutely no expenses whatsoever. Others who went out and earned a living every day picked up all of her costs.
I was just thinking about all this, and suddenly it hit me like a brick in the head. Holy Sh*t, my dog was a DEMOCRAT!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
My thought on the Terrorist in Detroit
I am tired. I am sick and tired of dumb people. I don't understand why someone wants to hurt innocent people on a plane. I don't get why he thought he'd be a hero for blowing up a plane. I think he's stupid.
Monday, January 4, 2010
WWE in Iowa!
Tonight was a very exciting night for both the WWE and TNA.
On WWE, Brett "The Hit Man" Hart made his return to Monday Night Raw. In November 1997, amid speculation that Hart was leaving for then-Monday night rival WCW, there was a screwjob ending to Hart's match against Shawn Michaels. Per the Internet, there had been legitimate 'heat' or hard feelings between the two leading up to the match. In the end, Hart lost his title and it was his last appearance in the WWE. So, tonight, Hart strutted to the WWE ring and called out Shawn Michaels. Hart told Michaels that he wanted to bury the hatchet and be friends and have closure to what happened 12 years ago. At the end of that segment, Hart and Michaels shook hands and then hugged in the middle of the ring. There was no sideways kick from Michaels and there was no backstabbing. While that was entertaining, *another* Kofi Kingston / Randy Orton match and *another* Big Show/ Jericho v. DX? Seriously? A rival company is going after you and you give the viewers matches that have been done so many times before? Serious? Foolish. I give WWE a C- and that's only because they did manage to not screw up the HBK / Hart reconciliation.
Over on TNA, Hulk Hogan made his long-awaited debut on the show, which went head-to-head with WWE. He came to the ring and announced that he was going to change the business. His former NWO cronies, from the WCW days, came to the ring and Hogan stuck to his role of being a face, or good guy. He told his cronies that this was a different time and that he was going to help make TNA the best company in the business. At the end, the WCW cronies (Hall, Nash, and Syxx) attacked Mick Foley immediately before the show went off the air. The last shot of the camera was weak, a close-up of Hogan acting as if he didn't know what to do about his former NWO-mates. Prior to that was an excellent AJ Styles / Kurt Angle matchup with a lot of mutual respect. A guy dressed in all black came out and attacked Styles and Angle fought him off and threw him out of the ring. Previous to that, Sting was shown in the rafters observing the action in the ring. I give TNA tonight a B+. The Styles / Angle match has been done before but it was actually entertaining, moreso than anything on WWE. I don't know where they are going with Hogan's persona but it does have my interest. I will tune in next week.
On WWE, Brett "The Hit Man" Hart made his return to Monday Night Raw. In November 1997, amid speculation that Hart was leaving for then-Monday night rival WCW, there was a screwjob ending to Hart's match against Shawn Michaels. Per the Internet, there had been legitimate 'heat' or hard feelings between the two leading up to the match. In the end, Hart lost his title and it was his last appearance in the WWE. So, tonight, Hart strutted to the WWE ring and called out Shawn Michaels. Hart told Michaels that he wanted to bury the hatchet and be friends and have closure to what happened 12 years ago. At the end of that segment, Hart and Michaels shook hands and then hugged in the middle of the ring. There was no sideways kick from Michaels and there was no backstabbing. While that was entertaining, *another* Kofi Kingston / Randy Orton match and *another* Big Show/ Jericho v. DX? Seriously? A rival company is going after you and you give the viewers matches that have been done so many times before? Serious? Foolish. I give WWE a C- and that's only because they did manage to not screw up the HBK / Hart reconciliation.
Over on TNA, Hulk Hogan made his long-awaited debut on the show, which went head-to-head with WWE. He came to the ring and announced that he was going to change the business. His former NWO cronies, from the WCW days, came to the ring and Hogan stuck to his role of being a face, or good guy. He told his cronies that this was a different time and that he was going to help make TNA the best company in the business. At the end, the WCW cronies (Hall, Nash, and Syxx) attacked Mick Foley immediately before the show went off the air. The last shot of the camera was weak, a close-up of Hogan acting as if he didn't know what to do about his former NWO-mates. Prior to that was an excellent AJ Styles / Kurt Angle matchup with a lot of mutual respect. A guy dressed in all black came out and attacked Styles and Angle fought him off and threw him out of the ring. Previous to that, Sting
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Bigwig & A Single Thought
It's 8:21. Alex has basketball practice from 10-11 @ the NL Rec Center. How to prep? Listen to Bigwig and lose myself...
Friday, January 1, 2010
Catching up a Titch
If life had gone the way I wanted, I would have seen Metallica play this setlist in Las Vegas on 12/5/2009 for my 40th birthday. Unfortunately, the show sold out and I did not have a ticket. It worked out okay because I was in the hospital on 12/4.
This is what I would have seen:
Metallica is playing in Europe with Anthrax, Slayer, and Megadeth - the Big Four on the same stage for the first time ever. If that tour makes it to the USA and comes *anywhere* close to me, I'm there!
Total Running Time: 2:09:22
This is what I would have seen:
- That Was Just Your Life
- The End of the Line
- Ride The Lightning
- The Memory Remains
- Fade to Black
- Broken, Beat & Scarred
- Cyanide
- Sad But True
- One
- All Nightmare Long
- Kirk Solo #1
- The Day That Never Comes
- Master Of Puppets
- Fight Fire With Fire
- Kirk Solo #2
- Nothing Else Matters
- Enter Sandman
- Encore Jam
- Die Die My Darling
- Whiplash
- Seek and Destroy
Metallica is playing in Europe with Anthrax, Slayer, and Megadeth - the Big Four on the same stage for the first time ever. If that tour makes it to the USA and comes *anywhere* close to me, I'm there!
Total Running Time: 2:09:22
Health Care Redux & Cleaning out my Inbox...
More Health Care Stuff...
I thought Laren's post below was very insightful...
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+phanson=quintrex.com@lists.techwr-l.com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+phanson=quintrex.com@lists.techwr-l.com] On Behalf Of Lauren
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 2:23 PM
To: techwr-l@lists.techwr-l.com
Subject: Re: Bad Salary Omens
On 12/28/2009 8:56 AM, Pro TechWriter wrote:
> Good GRIEF. There are admin. assistant jobs that pay more than this. What
> are they thinking?
>
They're thinking that writing is an easy job and anyone can do it.
Also, those jobs are offering double the minimum wage for many states.
http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm
Here's a funny. Currently unemployed Californians are now eligible for 99 weeks of nemployment. Unemployment insurance (UI) pays a maximum of $450 per week and a $25 stimulus payment from the federal government for $475 per week. This amounts to ~$11.88 per hour for a forty-hour work week, but the CA-EDD requires that people accept jobs that pay $11.25 or more per hour at forty hours per week. So the jobs you discussed pay more than UI. Now, would you rather have a job that does not pay well or stay home and look for a better job while earning just under the same amount as working? If the low paying job is offered to an unemployed person in California receiving UI benefits, then that person *must* accept the job.
http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/New_Federal_Unemployment_Insurance_Extensions.htm
http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Federal-State_Extended_Duration_Benefits.htm
http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/$25_Stimulus_Payments.htm
Oh right, CA EDD twitters, http://twitter.com/CA_EDD.
Lauren
A great TWing link
http://www.ivanwalsh.com/2009/11/technical-writing-news-nov-27th/#more-3810
A great business article link:
http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/bregman/2009/11/how-to-talk-about-what-you-mos.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+harvardbusiness+%28HarvardBusiness.org%29
The Myth of Single Sourcing Documentation
I thought Laren's post below was very insightful...
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+phanson=quintrex.com@lists.techwr-l.com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+phanson=quintrex.com@lists.techwr-l.com] On Behalf Of Lauren
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 2:23 PM
To: techwr-l@lists.techwr-l.com
Subject: Re: Bad Salary Omens
On 12/28/2009 8:56 AM, Pro TechWriter wrote:
> Good GRIEF. There are admin. assistant jobs that pay more than this. What
> are they thinking?
>
They're thinking that writing is an easy job and anyone can do it.
Also, those jobs are offering double the minimum wage for many states.
http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm
Here's a funny. Currently unemployed Californians are now eligible for 99 weeks of nemployment. Unemployment insurance (UI) pays a maximum of $450 per week and a $25 stimulus payment from the federal government for $475 per week. This amounts to ~$11.88 per hour for a forty-hour work week, but the CA-EDD requires that people accept jobs that pay $11.25 or more per hour at forty hours per week. So the jobs you discussed pay more than UI. Now, would you rather have a job that does not pay well or stay home and look for a better job while earning just under the same amount as working? If the low paying job is offered to an unemployed person in California receiving UI benefits, then that person *must* accept the job.
http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/New_Federal_Unemployment_Insurance_Extensions.htm
http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Federal-State_Extended_Duration_Benefits.htm
http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/$25_Stimulus_Payments.htm
Oh right, CA EDD twitters, http://twitter.com/CA_EDD.
Lauren
A great TWing link
http://www.ivanwalsh.com/2009/11/technical-writing-news-nov-27th/#more-3810
A great business article link:
http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/bregman/2009/11/how-to-talk-about-what-you-mos.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+harvardbusiness+%28HarvardBusiness.org%29
The Myth of Single Sourcing Documentation
FAR Saves the Day!
I thought, "What a way to end the year!"
Came into work yesterday, the last day of 2009. I downed a couple of Pepsis, opened Dreamweaver, created a new file, wrote some content, closed the DW file. Opened up RoboHelp HTML 7. File ==> Import File ==> [selected the file] and completed the process of importing the .HTM into my large-ish project. Set up the Table of Contents (TOC) entry for the new file. I like browse sequences so I went into Tools ==> Browse Sequence Editor, click "Auto-create using TOC", RH does its magic, click Ok, and Wham! RH bombs out.
Tried the same process multiple times. Same answer. Insanity began to creep in, so I decided to try something else.
I left RoboHelp closed. I thought, "Hey, I have FAR on this PC and it has a TOC editor." I opened FAR, went to open the .hhc file. I noticed there was a ~*.hhc file in the directory. I deleted it, since it was a temp file, and opened the .hhc in FAR. FAR did not bomb. I viewed the .hcc file in Notepad. It looked okay.
Encouraged by this chain of events, I closed the .hhc file in Notepad and returned to RoboHelp. I re-opened the project in RH HTML 7. I returned to the scene of the crimeBrowse Sequence Editor ==> Auto-create using TOC ==> [RH did its magic] ==> Ok.
Fixed! RH didn't bomb!
What I learned is that if you are having issues with browse sequences in RH HTML 7, make sure there isn't a ~*.hhc file in the directory. That could be causing your issue. I do know that if I wouldn't have tried to open the .hhc file directly in FAR, I never would have discovered the ~*.hhc file and I would have cursed, even though that'd be okay because I'm giving up cursing in 2010 and I still had over 12 hours to "foul and filth, filth and foul, filth", to quote Bill Cosby.
I also reached a milestone of sorts. I have long used span class = programname for all of my HTML text that I wanted to be bold. If it was a menu option, a program name, a navigation path, a field name, file names, anything I wanted to be bold, I used span class = programname. I decided that if I ever wanted to really *really* use the power of CSS and styling, I should have a separate span class for each thing I would want to be bold. I created a bunch of new styles. Right now, they are defined identically. I have a span class for menu options, for a program name, navigation path, field names, file names; all these things that I would have blindly used span class = programname for, now have a specific span class tag.
This shows all the references to programname in my files. As you can see, I am just under 30,000 changes left.
This screenshot shows the Top Ten files that have the most changes:
I am using regular expressions to make my life easier, but it is still a lot of work. The end result is that I will have better CSS and better HTML in my work files.
My personal goal is to be done with this project by Friday, January 29, 2010. I do not want it to drag out much past that because the next release of our software should be finalized prior to the end of February and I know there are going to be a lot of time-consuming projects between now and then.
Updated on 3/6/2010: Nope, did not make my 1/29/10 self-imposed deadline. This has taken a lower priority number and has settled in the back of my mind...
Came into work yesterday, the last day of 2009. I downed a couple of Pepsis, opened Dreamweaver, created a new file, wrote some content, closed the DW file. Opened up RoboHelp HTML 7. File ==> Import File ==> [selected the file] and completed the process of importing the .HTM into my large-ish project. Set up the Table of Contents (TOC) entry for the new file. I like browse sequences so I went into Tools ==> Browse Sequence Editor, click "Auto-create using TOC", RH does its magic, click Ok, and Wham! RH bombs out.
Tried the same process multiple times. Same answer. Insanity began to creep in, so I decided to try something else.
I left RoboHelp closed. I thought, "Hey, I have FAR on this PC and it has a TOC editor." I opened FAR, went to open the .hhc file. I noticed there was a ~*.hhc file in the directory. I deleted it, since it was a temp file, and opened the .hhc in FAR. FAR did not bomb. I viewed the .hcc file in Notepad. It looked okay.
Encouraged by this chain of events, I closed the .hhc file in Notepad and returned to RoboHelp. I re-opened the project in RH HTML 7. I returned to the scene of the crime
Fixed! RH didn't bomb!
What I learned is that if you are having issues with browse sequences in RH HTML 7, make sure there isn't a ~*.hhc file in the directory. That could be causing your issue. I do know that if I wouldn't have tried to open the .hhc file directly in FAR, I never would have discovered the ~*.hhc file and I would have cursed, even though that'd be okay because I'm giving up cursing in 2010 and I still had over 12 hours to "foul and filth, filth and foul, filth", to quote Bill Cosby.
I also reached a milestone of sorts. I have long used span class = programname for all of my HTML text that I wanted to be bold. If it was a menu option, a program name, a navigation path, a field name, file names, anything I wanted to be bold, I used span class = programname. I decided that if I ever wanted to really *really* use the power of CSS and styling, I should have a separate span class for each thing I would want to be bold. I created a bunch of new styles. Right now, they are defined identically. I have a span class for menu options, for a program name, navigation path, field names, file names; all these things that I would have blindly used span class = programname for, now have a specific span class tag.
This shows all the references to programname in my files. As you can see, I am just under 30,000 changes left.
This screenshot shows the Top Ten files that have the most changes:
I am using regular expressions to make my life easier, but it is still a lot of work. The end result is that I will have better CSS and better HTML in my work files.
My personal goal is to be done with this project by Friday, January 29, 2010. I do not want it to drag out much past that because the next release of our software should be finalized prior to the end of February and I know there are going to be a lot of time-consuming projects between now and then.
Updated on 3/6/2010: Nope, did not make my 1/29/10 self-imposed deadline. This has taken a lower priority number and has settled in the back of my mind...
Monday, December 28, 2009
Whirlwind
I have not sat @ this PC for a long time. It is really amazing. As it is, I am on my way upstairs. Karen and I rented "The Hangover" since the kids are in Balltown. Maybe tomorrow night...
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Little Johnny Joke
It is near the Christmas break of the school year. The students have turned in all their work and there is really nothing more to do. All the children are restless and the teacher decides to have an early dismissal.
Teacher: "Whoever answers the questions I ask, first and correctly can leave early today."
Little Johnny says to himself "Good, I want to get outta here. I'm smart and will answer the question."
Teacher: "Who said 'Four Score and Seven Years Ago'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Susie says, "Abraham Lincoln."
Teacher: "That's right Susie, you can go home."
Johnny is mad that Susie answered the question first.
Teacher: "Who said 'I Have a Dream'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Mary says, "Martin Luther King."
Teacher: "That's right Mary, you can go."
Johnny is even madder than before.
Teacher: "Who said 'Ask not, what your country can do for you'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Nancy says, "John F. Kennedy."
Teacher: "That's right Nancy, you may also leave."
Johnny is boiling mad that he has not been able to answer to any of the questions.
When the teacher turns her back Johnny says, "I wish these bitches would keep their mouths shut!"
The teacher turns around: "NOW WHO SAID THAT?"
Johnny: "TIGER WOODS. CAN I GO NOW?"
Teacher: "Whoever answers the questions I ask, first and correctly can leave early today."
Little Johnny says to himself "Good, I want to get outta here. I'm smart and will answer the question."
Teacher: "Who said 'Four Score and Seven Years Ago'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Susie says, "Abraham Lincoln."
Teacher: "That's right Susie, you can go home."
Johnny is mad that Susie answered the question first.
Teacher: "Who said 'I Have a Dream'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Mary says, "Martin Luther King."
Teacher: "That's right Mary, you can go."
Johnny is even madder than before.
Teacher: "Who said 'Ask not, what your country can do for you'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Nancy says, "John F. Kennedy."
Teacher: "That's right Nancy, you may also leave."
Johnny is boiling mad that he has not been able to answer to any of the questions.
When the teacher turns her back Johnny says, "I wish these bitches would keep their mouths shut!"
The teacher turns around: "NOW WHO SAID THAT?"
Johnny: "TIGER WOODS. CAN I GO NOW?"
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Another Day
I have the feeling this week will fly by. We have something going each night - basketball for Alex Monday and Tuesday - and then whamo! It's Christmas Eve on Thursday, followed by heading north to Balltown on Christmas Day. We'll come back on Sunday, leaving the kids in Balltown for a couple of days.
Tired & WW & SOS
Karen and I did a marathon Christmas shopping trip last night. I think I overdid it because I went to bed @ 11 and was going to get up @ 6 to work on the PC, but I slept until 9. I didn't want to get up even then.
Megan got a call to go to Fun City in Burlington with a friend of hers so she's already gone for the day.
Karen is singing and I am playing drums @ 5:15 Mass tonight.
I think Alex and I are going to the NL Rec Center later today. It really sucks that the NLRC doesn't have their pool table anymore. Apparently, there were too many discipline issues so they got rid of it.
My friend Matt sent me this:
|
Last night I was at a buddies and he was listening to a CD. I liked the band. It was a really different sound crossing multiple genres. The band was “Wicked Wisdom.” Have you ever heard of this band? If not, I recommend giving them a listen.
|
I had written back to Matt that I did not know this band. Just now, I checked my CD list. I have a self-titled CD by this band from 2006. Funny.
My brother in the Twin Cities went to see this band:
Editor's Note: It's unclear to me who "my friend Matt" refers to in the above text.
Megan got a call to go to Fun City in Burlington with a friend of hers so she's already gone for the day.
Karen is singing and I am playing drums @ 5:15 Mass tonight.
I think Alex and I are going to the NL Rec Center later today. It really sucks that the NLRC doesn't have their pool table anymore. Apparently, there were too many discipline issues so they got rid of it.
My friend Matt sent me this:
|
Last night I was at a buddies and he was listening to a CD. I liked the band. It was a really different sound crossing multiple genres. The band was “Wicked Wisdom.” Have you ever heard of this band? If not, I recommend giving them a listen.
|
I had written back to Matt that I did not know this band. Just now, I checked my CD list. I have a self-titled CD by this band from 2006. Funny.
My brother in the Twin Cities went to see this band:
Editor's Note: It's unclear to me who "my friend Matt" refers to in the above text.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Master of Puppets.... Really?
Megan and I were in the den earlier today. The den is in a state of chaos. When I've been in the den the last two weeks, I've either been working or checking important stuff like Facebook. The CDs I've been listening to have been accumulating in a stack.
Somehow, the case for Metallica's "Master of Puppets" ended up on the kids' PC's desk.
"Master of Puppets? Really?" she asks.
So I start singing (from memory)
End of passion play
Crumbling away
I'm your source of self-destruction
Pain monopoly
Brink of misery
Life is getting nearer
Taste me you will see
More is all you need
Dedicated to
How I'm killing you
Come crawling faster
Obey your master
Your life burns faster
Obey your master! Master!
Master of puppets
Pulling your strings
blah blah blah
blah blah blah
Blinded by me you can't see a thing
Just call my name because I'll hear you scream
Master
Master
Just call my name
Because I'll hear you scream
Needlework the way
Never you betray
life of death becoming clearer
pain monopoly ritual misery
chop your breakfast on a mirror
It was here that Megan said, "What?"
I had previously discussed cocaine with her and how dumb people snorted it up their nose to get high. Instead of rehashing that, I started singing "Creeping Death":
Heed to his every word, live in fear
Megan says, "New song?"
"Yep." Pretty soon after that, we had to go upstairs to do something.
Somehow, the case for Metallica's "Master of Puppets" ended up on the kids' PC's desk.
"Master of Puppets? Really?" she asks.
So I start singing (from memory)
End of passion play
Crumbling away
I'm your source of self-destruction
Pain monopoly
Brink of misery
Life is getting nearer
Taste me you will see
More is all you need
Dedicated to
How I'm killing you
Come crawling faster
Obey your master
Your life burns faster
Obey your master! Master!
Master of puppets
Pulling your strings
blah blah blah
blah blah blah
Blinded by me you can't see a thing
Just call my name because I'll hear you scream
Master
Master
Just call my name
Because I'll hear you scream
Needlework the way
Never you betray
life of death becoming clearer
pain monopoly ritual misery
chop your breakfast on a mirror
It was here that Megan said, "What?"
I had previously discussed cocaine with her and how dumb people snorted it up their nose to get high. Instead of rehashing that, I started singing "Creeping Death":
Heed to his every word, live in fear
Megan says, "New song?"
"Yep." Pretty soon after that, we had to go upstairs to do something.
TNA & WWE: Monday Night War Redux
Years and years ago, Monday Night Raw went toe-to-toe with WCW on Monday nights. You could switch between the two when there was a match that didn't interest you on either of the channels.
Now, for at least tomorrow night, TNA is reigniting this war. Hulk Hogan is making his TNA debut and the best way to go against WWE is to try to snare a larger audience in the same time slot. WWE, for their part, are having their annual "Slammy" show where they self-promote the best wrestler of the year, best match of the year, etc., with a lot of highlights from PPVs and episodes of Monday Night Raw. They have drawn Dennis Miller to be the "guest host" with the idea that those who like Dennis Miller will tune in to watch him.
Me? I'm going to be at Alex's school concert. It was cancelled last week because they didn't have school. Alex normally has drum lessons on Monday nights so he has to bail out of that. I probably won't even see a minute of either the WWE show or TNA. I don't own a DVR (yet!) so that isn't an option.
Now, for at least tomorrow night, TNA is reigniting this war. Hulk Hogan is making his TNA debut and the best way to go against WWE is to try to snare a larger audience in the same time slot. WWE, for their part, are having their annual "Slammy" show where they self-promote the best wrestler of the year, best match of the year, etc., with a lot of highlights from PPVs and episodes of Monday Night Raw. They have drawn Dennis Miller to be the "guest host" with the idea that those who like Dennis Miller will tune in to watch him.
Me? I'm going to be at Alex's school concert. It was cancelled last week because they didn't have school. Alex normally has drum lessons on Monday nights so he has to bail out of that. I probably won't even see a minute of either the WWE show or TNA. I don't own a DVR (yet!) so that isn't an option.
Stupid People
I am tired of stupid people in this world.
Let's say you rent a car. You accidently scrape the driver's door against a concrete pillar. You check out the paint and there is no visible damage. When you return the car, you tell the clerk at the desk. You ask them to come and look at it. They do. They don't see any scrapage. You settle up your bill and move on.
Six months later, you get a registered letter that references a previous letter you never got. There's a $600 bill for the rental car. It seems they had to repaint the car and want you to pay for it.
When you ask the rental company if they put the car out of service after you reported the possible issue, they said no, we rented it to other people. But now, they say, there is a giant scratch on the passenger door and since you reported it, you must have done it.
First of all, the damage reported was for the driver's door so it has nothing to do with the issue.
Second, an employee of the rental company looked at it and said they didn't see any damage.
Third, the car was then rented to other drivers *after you*. There is no proof that someone after you did the damage. It's been six months since you drove the car.
So, you try to bargain with the company. They don't want to turn it into their insurance b/c there's a $250 deductible. Fine. You offer to pay that. Nope. Not good enough. You have an itemized bill so you pick and choose what could have possibly been caused from when you drove it. Nope. You need to pay the whole bill, including the two service charges because the repair place hasn't been paid while it waited for you.
When you ask why the car was not taken out of service, the answer is that they need the car in the fleet. That's not my problem. The car was put back in service, driven for 6 months and then you are expected to pay a bill? No way. So you turn it into your insurance company and pray that your insurance company is smart enough to laugh the car company all the way to the bank.
Here's the worst part. You know you will probably have to rent a car from that company again. That's what really sucks.
Let's say you rent a car. You accidently scrape the driver's door against a concrete pillar. You check out the paint and there is no visible damage. When you return the car, you tell the clerk at the desk. You ask them to come and look at it. They do. They don't see any scrapage. You settle up your bill and move on.
Six months later, you get a registered letter that references a previous letter you never got. There's a $600 bill for the rental car. It seems they had to repaint the car and want you to pay for it.
When you ask the rental company if they put the car out of service after you reported the possible issue, they said no, we rented it to other people. But now, they say, there is a giant scratch on the passenger door and since you reported it, you must have done it.
First of all, the damage reported was for the driver's door so it has nothing to do with the issue.
Second, an employee of the rental company looked at it and said they didn't see any damage.
Third, the car was then rented to other drivers *after you*. There is no proof that someone after you did the damage. It's been six months since you drove the car.
So, you try to bargain with the company. They don't want to turn it into their insurance b/c there's a $250 deductible. Fine. You offer to pay that. Nope. Not good enough. You have an itemized bill so you pick and choose what could have possibly been caused from when you drove it. Nope. You need to pay the whole bill, including the two service charges because the repair place hasn't been paid while it waited for you.
When you ask why the car was not taken out of service, the answer is that they need the car in the fleet. That's not my problem. The car was put back in service, driven for 6 months and then you are expected to pay a bill? No way. So you turn it into your insurance company and pray that your insurance company is smart enough to laugh the car company all the way to the bank.
Here's the worst part. You know you will probably have to rent a car from that company again. That's what really sucks.
Getting Back to Normal .... slowly
We went to 5:15 Mass last night. I wasn't going to play drums, considering I was in the hospital at this time last week, but a friend of ours literally rushed over when she saw me and said that the priest (a sub) had asked if anyone was going to play drums because he likes them. I was supposed to usher but Karen found a sub. I missed the majority of rehearsal and didn't really get a good sound check. I was told after the first song, no one could hear the drums. I turned up the volume and then it was better.
I really enjoy playing drums at church. I don't play drums in any other capacity so it's fun for me. Keith usually is playing bass with me. Last night, he told me he likes playing with me and wants to bring his bass over sometime. That would be a lot of fun, especially if it worked out for my friend Brian Guitar that plays guitar to come over @ the same time.
Today, we are going to get our bedroom and bathroom ready to be painted on Wednesday.
I really enjoy playing drums at church. I don't play drums in any other capacity so it's fun for me. Keith usually is playing bass with me. Last night, he told me he likes playing with me and wants to bring his bass over sometime. That would be a lot of fun, especially if it worked out for my friend Brian Guitar that plays guitar to come over @ the same time.
Today, we are going to get our bedroom and bathroom ready to be painted on Wednesday.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Return to Forever
I'm going to the doctor today. Hopefully, the pneumonia has broken up enough in my lungs and I can return to my "normal" life.
I just got a phone call from Karen that the Iowa City School District voted to not bus Regina kids anymore. This is terrible for me. I will now have to drive
from North Liberty to Regina (20 minutes when the traffic and weather are perfect),
back past North Liberty (20 minutes),
north on I-380 (20 minutes) to work.
My morning commute just tripled.
I just got a phone call from Karen that the Iowa City School District voted to not bus Regina kids anymore. This is terrible for me. I will now have to drive
from North Liberty to Regina (20 minutes when the traffic and weather are perfect),
back past North Liberty (20 minutes),
north on I-380 (20 minutes) to work.
My morning commute just tripled.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Still Not a Ball of Fun Around Here...
I've decided that watching other people work hard is not something I like to do.
With my recent trip to the hospital, I'm supposed to "take it easy" and "rest" which would both be easier if there weren't a blizzard outside and snow to clear. On top of that, my workbench in the garage is a mess of empty pop cans, the furnace room needs a once-over to allow the water softener guy (Robert) access to the water softener tomorrow, there is something wrong with the van, there's the golf cart people in the North to deal with, and, on top of everything else, I have to fill out my insurance renewal forms for work. They are due today. I hate insurance forms. I want a check box that says, "I understand my premium is going up but I want *exactly* what I had last year. Hook me up."
Oh, and on top of all that, as if there weren't enough to add to my life, my mom had a stroke and is in the hospital.
That's all for now.
With my recent trip to the hospital, I'm supposed to "take it easy" and "rest" which would both be easier if there weren't a blizzard outside and snow to clear. On top of that, my workbench in the garage is a mess of empty pop cans, the furnace room needs a once-over to allow the water softener guy (Robert) access to the water softener tomorrow, there is something wrong with the van, there's the golf cart people in the North to deal with, and, on top of everything else, I have to fill out my insurance renewal forms for work. They are due today. I hate insurance forms. I want a check box that says, "I understand my premium is going up but I want *exactly* what I had last year. Hook me up."
Oh, and on top of all that, as if there weren't enough to add to my life, my mom had a stroke and is in the hospital.
That's all for now.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Well, that really sucked...
I was admitted into the hospital on my 40th birthday, 12/4/2009. I stayed until yesterday, when I was released. I was diagnosed with both Influenza B (seasonal flu) *and* pneumonia, the pneumonia diagnosis coming on Friday at a follow-up doctor appt. I am to be off work all of this week, but I may start 1/2 days Wed. b/c I know nothing stops just because you are gone. The world keeps going and there are a lot of things that are going to cross my desk in the not so distant future.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Influenza B
Went to the doctor today. She stuck a thing up my nose to take a culture. Came back positive for influenza B. Fun.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)