I'm primarily a web-based interface programmer, I haven't done non-web-based applications for my main gig for a while, though in the before web age I did dial-up applications (in ansi!). They, however, didn't need multi-threading for updating the GUI while doing the work in a separate thread. This is one thing that has always daunted me with Windows applications, perhaps VB and c++ programmers just like dealing with all the threading issues for fun. Finally I found this:

The BackgroundWorker Component allows a form to run an operation asynchronously. This is very useful when we deal with such kind of operations as database transactions, image downloads etc. In this case our user interface can hang (or not appear until loading will be finished). In this article I will show (step-by-step) how you can use the BackgroundWorker Component in .NET 2 applications to execute time-consuming operations. The examples are written using C#.

[ Using the BackgroundWorker Component in .NET 2 applications ]

Perhaps I was supposed to know that was there all along, of course since much of what I do in .net happens so quickly that multi-threading is useless, and the interface is all sent via HTML, etc., I've just never run across having to do this right, until today. Doing a DB import of 25K+ records from access into a local SQL server requires more time than the GUI updating would like, and this was the easy-peasey-lemon-squeezey way of doing that, let me tell you. Just drag this tool onto the playing field, and then double-click a few auto-stubbed event handlers, plus toggle the property "WorkerSupportsProgress", wire up what I want to get done with a call to notify the progress bar, wire in the progress bar updater, and voilà! it's almost like I know what I'm doing...

Anytime you have 7 hours to spare, that is.

Of course I didn't use the Anytime Upgrade but a free copy of Vista Ultimate that Microsoft gave attendees of the HEROES Happen {Here} conference (or however they typed it...).

And after those 7 hours? Had to reinstall audio drivers, reinstall Stardock Central, and download sob jobby to reset my Live OneCare because it couldn't identify me or turn on the firewall.

And for what? I'm not even sure what the difference between business and ultimate is. There is Bit Locker, though I doubt I'll use that, and there is Dream Scene, which amazingly doesn't seem to affect the performance of my laptop, but I'm sure it will get old quickly. There is increased media capabilities, but I don't have a TV Tuner card, so really what does that do for me?

InfraRecorder is a free CD/DVD burning solution for Microsoft Windows. It offers a wide range of powerful features; all through an easy to use application interface and Windows Explorer integration.

[ InfraRecorder ]

They forgot to mention their sense of humor:

Burn baby, burn!

Note: ISO in question? Ubuntu 7.10 Desktop, hopefully running on a few PCs throughout the house soon...

Ever wonder how they went from Mario Bros. to Super Mario Bros.?

And that's (also) why they're not called the Super Luigi Bros

[ Dueling Analogs :: Without the Super, He's Just a Man ]

Makes sense to me. Though technically when the name change happened Luigi looked exactly like Mario but wore different colors...

And this is the view...

And why does everything in the commercial have crappy canned olives on it?

Considered the crossroads of the Far East, Malaysia assimilated cultures and cuisines from China, India, Thailand and the Middle East. Peanut Satay, Malaysia's signature dish, delicately blends exotic spices, coconut milk, tamarind and fruit and crunchy peanuts into a robust sauce for Hokkien noodles.

[ Amazon.com: Ka-Me Noodle Box, Peanut Satay ]

Not sure how authentic these are, but I do love Hokkien noodles and peanuts, so as far as I'm concerned it's authentically yummy!

In Rockville I had the fastest connection Comcast would sell me, and in Bethesda I now have the fastest connection Verizon (FiOS) will sell me. I am going to say that Fiber allows for more speed than Cable, though this is clearly not scientific in any way...

Results provided by ZD Net Australia.

This How-To provides step-by-step instructions for creating a Universal Wireless Repeater appliance: a device that you can place anywhere and it will wirelessly repeat the strongest signal, onto another wireless network (with or without security). This functionality is also known as Wireless Client Bridge, or Range Expander. Unlike WDS, once you have this appliance setup, it will work with any open network.

[ Universal Wireless Repeater - DD-WRT Wiki ]

Since the FiOS router they give you does the WiFi for you, I can flash my old Linksys and turn it into a repeater to help get the signal upstairs to my wife's PC. Just have to figure out where I packed it first...

Update: the Linksys that I had would only allow for the "micro" version that can't be a repeater. However, I was able to set it up as a Wireless Bridge which allows it to replace the WiFi dongle that Yaty had been using. Since you can boost the signal of the Linksys, it can much more easily reach the FiOS router and she reports that the speed is much improved. Once again, thank you Linux.

After helping to persuade the House of Representatives to pass a bill to protect our national parks from mining pollution we're asking the Senate to do the same. But the mining industry is mounting a powerful lobbying effort. You can help protect the Grand Canyon and other national parks from toxic mining waste by signing our petition.

[ Home - Environment America ]

Must remember to read this in depth later...