Apr 200817

.NET Micro Framework

Just got a book in the mail from Amazon: Embedded Programming with the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework.  It was only about $6 from the "Used and New" section of alternate sellers. An upcoming project at work is currently planned for Compact Framework, but, if my limited understanding is right, hardware needed for the Micro Framework is cheaper.  So as long as it will perform as needed, this might be the way to go. Has anyone done any development with the .NET Micro Framework... [More]
Categories: Development | Books | Work | Technology | Software Projects | Professional

Feb 200822

A Christmas Shopping Story

So Charlize and I were out Christmas shopping for Kelly a couple months ago.  We went to Barnes and Noble to see if there were any good books for Mommy.  We entered the store on the second floor through the kids section, so I grabbed a book for Charlie to read while I was shopping. While walking through the store, we got lots of looks.  I guess people have never seen a (then) 15 month old reading in her stroller.  What do they expect her to do in a bookstore?  Just sit... [More]
Categories: Personal | Books | Blogosphere | Family | Proud Dad

Sep 200730

Sunday Afternoon Reading

Work has been killing me lately (the last several months), but things are starting to calm down and I think I only worked about 45-50 hours last week.  I spent yesterday with the family at the zoo.  Charlie has been to the zoo more times in her 12 months of life than I had been in the 31 years before she was born.  She likes any animal that is moving, and she absolutely loves the carousel.  Kelly's sister has a zoo pass and the three of them (Kelly, Charlie and Aunt Katie) h... [More]
Categories: Development | Personal | Books | Technology | Professional

Feb 200609

Do You Like Catfish?

If you think back, you may remember that I blogged about a being a technical reviewer for an upcoming O'Reilly book.  Well the book has just been published, and I got a copy in the mail today.  In the O'Reilly tradition, it has an animal on the front cover -- a catfish. If anyone buys a copy, I'd be happy to sign it for you. You know, now that I'm famous... and published...  sort of...  in that "I didn't really write anything -- I just read the book" sort of way. Update: A... [More]
Categories: Personal | Books | Professional

Jan 200602

Reading List

It's not really a New Year's resolution, but I've decided to try to read more.  Here is a list of books that Auren Hoffman -- a friend, and former boss -- has read in 2005.  He has highlighted his highest recommendations in orange.  Unfortunately for me, I am color blind and can't seem to see the color difference on my latpop screen.  So I picked through the HTML, found the most recommended ones, and have listed them here. The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Tha... [More]
Categories: Personal | Books | Professional

Jul 200515

Head First Design Patterns (Part II)

I bought Head First Design Patterns ("Part I" here) today.  There are lots of exercises in the book, and they apparently (according to the Introduction) are a very important part of the learning process.  My dilemma, though, is that I don't know if I should write in the book, or keep notes separately.  I normally don't like writing in books, but I don't know why. BTW, I decided to post about "Head First" as much as possible because it makes casey "giggle". Update: I just saw thi... [More]
Categories: Books | Professional

Jul 200508

Head First Design Patterns

Has anyone bought and read Head First Design Patterns (or as Gerry calls it, "The Hot Blonde Patterns Book")?  I've been slacking off on learning more about patterns, and have recently rekindled my interest.  I have Refactoring to Patterns at home, and have started to read that one, but a few people have mentioned this one to me as well. The problem is, though, that I have focus problems when ... Ooh!  Look at that bird!  Oh, sorry.  I have a hard time reading.&nbs... [More]
Categories: Development | Books | Technology | Professional

Jul 200507

I Am A Tech Reviewer

Well, it looks like I am officially a tech reviewer now.  About a month ago, I mentioned that I had met a Sr. Editor from O'Reilly while in Orlando.  Well, last week he e-mailed me to ask if I was interested in reviewing a new VB book that they're putting together. Of course, I said yes, so he sent me the book (actually, just a few chapters of it so far), and I read it.  I finished reading it a few days ago, but wanted to review one chapter again, so I just sent it back to him to... [More]
Categories: Personal | Books | Technology | Professional

Jun 200508

TechEd Day 3

Tech·Ed is pretty cool.  Something unexpected happened tonight at dinner.  Gerry and I were at some restaurant at the hotel (we are both staying at the Westgate Lakes Resort). We walked in and were second in line to put our name on the list.  Then a man walked in behind us.  He was still wearing his Tech·Ed name badge so we all made a little small talk.  Turns out that he was alone, so Gerry invited him to join us.  It was about a 10 minute wait for the table so we... [More]
Categories: Books | TechEd | Professional

May 200512

I Finally Broke Down

So I finally bought a Design Patterns book, Refactoring to Patterns, by Joshua Kerievsky.  I haven't cracked it open yet, but it was recommended by a few people, including The Agile Developer and Gerry.  This will be my first official foray into Design Patterns -- hopefully I can keep my interest up long enough to learn something from this book.  :) Also, a few of us are going to see Star Wars, Episode III, Revenge of the Sith next Thursday night (the night it opens).  That ... [More]
Categories: Development | Personal | Books | Fun | Technology | Professional