Buying an Android Tablet

01. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: General · Tags: , ,

If you want to get an Android tablet, you should look out for the following:

Capacitive touchscreen – this is a must, or you will hate using it. Don’t even look at it if it says resistive touchscreen. Seriously.

Android version 3.0 (also known as Honeycomb) or Android 4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich or ICS), as previous versions will not run apps designed for tablets. Again, pretty essential. Prefer version 4.0 if possible.

Android Market (or Google Play as it’s now called) – this lets you install apps easily. Some of the tablets don’t support it, which makes it a pain to load apps on them. Another essential.

RAM – preferably 1GB, although 512MB would be acceptable if everything else looks OK. Anything with less than 512MB is not worth getting, no matter how good it looks.

Storage – 8GB or 16GB most likely. Can go up to 32GB, but that’s beyond my budget too! Recommend that you make sure it has a storage slot and not worry too much about this.

MicroSD slot – a lot of tablets will have this, typically worth it if you want to put your music on the tablet. Internal storage size is less important if you get one of these slots, as the cards are usually under £20, and you can get one if you need one.

Size. Usually either 7″ or 10″. Take your pick. I would recommend the bigger screen, unless you have a particular reason for getting something smaller. Worth going into a shop with them in and having a play to see which you like best.

HDMI - used to connect to your TV or some new monitors. You would probably need a cable, as it’s different from the normal HDMI cables. Again, you have to decide if you want to connect to the TV.

BTW, if you want a 7″ tablet one of the best on the market (if not the best) is the HTC Flyer @ £218.12

Entitlement – No Need to Justify Yourself?

10. March 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: General · Tags: , , , ,

Entitlement - Taking up two parking spacesI have increasingly noticed a trend on social networking sites, where people post up links to various other sites and expect that they can commandeer the attention of their supposed friends or followers. In one recent particular case, the link in question was to a 30 minute video.

Now there’s nothing wrong with posting links to 30 minute videos, or even longer if you can find them. The problem occurs when someone then asks why they should spend 1/2 an hour of their time watching this video. Some people become quite indignant when asked to justify why you should spend your time in a manner proscribed by them. Instead of posting up a link to a video with no explanation as to why it’s worth watching, try connecting with people and telling them why they should care.

To do other than the above is begging the question of relevance. If you really can’t think of the reason that someone should be following the link, then I would question why you want to do it in the first place. If it’s because everyone else is doing it, I would question the value of it immediately. The wisdom of crowds can very easily turn into the folly of crowds.

The bottom line is that you do need to justify why you expect someone to take time out of their day, and the bigger the chunk, the more justification that is required. For instance, if you link to a 3 minute video, you may want to tell them it’s funny, and that would be sufficient. For something longer, it might be wise to let people know what to expect. 

If you are thinking that this post is aimed at you, then you are almost certainly correct. The question is, what are you going to do about it?

Picture is from http://www.justinbuzzard.net/2012/01/30/dont-confuse-entitlement-with-salvation/ 

Update to Ultimate Google Analytics WordPress Plugin

21. September 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Software · Tags: , , , ,

I really like the Ultimate Google Analytics plugin for WordPress. It does exactly as I need it to do in terms of ensuring that the Analytics code is embedded in each page. Unfortunately it hasn’t been updated since 2008, and the code is a little out of date.

I have taken the liberty of updating some of the code, and have posted it here for you to share. This adds in the most recent GA javascript, allowing it to load asynchronously and hence speed the page load time. I am keen to make further changes, but I have contacted the author of the original code to see if he is willing to pass the maintenance burden onto myself.

The code is compatible with any version of WordPress from 1.5 to 3.2.1 and probably beyond. That said, please leave a comment if you do have any problems with it.

Download: ultimate_ga_1.6.1.zip

Just do it (again)

02. September 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Software · Tags: , , , , ,

Plan to throw one away, you will anyway

It is a well known axiom in computer science that the first system or prototype you develop will need to be discarded. There are a number of factors that can contribute to this. Firstly, the understanding you gain on what the system needs to do from actually building the system quite frequently means that it would make more sense to completely redo the project or code.

Secondly there could be some improvements that you could make after seeing the system in operation, ranging from performance optimisation to additional features that would be useful.

There are doubtless many other reasons that could be brought up. However, I’d like to point out a couple of points on this.

It is not always a bad thing to have to start again. Sometimes this is exactly what is needed, although it is far from the axiomic truth that is is purported to be.

System designers and project managers rarely take this into account when planning and designing new systems. This can lead to project overruns, in terms of budget, time and lead to low quality deliverables.

Agile solutions are proposed as an answer to this, but I remain unconvinced. I definitely see these techniques as being better than the traditional waterfall methodology for a large proportion of projects, but I am convinced that there needs to be a fundamental change in the way we develop and manage large software products.

I will hopefully get round to posting my thoughts on how this can be achieved in the near future.

I would appreciate any comments on this subject.

ASUS Transformer TF101 with docking station

31. August 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Play · Tags: , , ,

Just bought the ASUS Transformer TF101 with the docking station, and I’m pretty impressed. The unit came with Android 3.1, but very quickly got an update to version 3.2. The device can be used as a slate device, like the iPad, but with the addition of the keyboard dock (which also extends the battery life considerably) it becomes an Android netbook.

There is a raft of bundled software, including Polaris Office, which is capable of replacing Microsoft Office for reading and making edits to Office files. Power users will be disappointed perhaps, but for me the functionality is great. You also have access to all the Android apps on the market, as well as any you download from third parties.

I think that this is the first Android tablet that compares favourably with the Apple iPad(2). Having used it I don’t think I would ever change to an iPad (I’ve tried out the iPad and I like it too, but this just blows it away!)

Absolutely brilliant! Click the picture below to buy one from Amazon.co.uk.

 

What’s going to be different this time?

30. August 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Life Hacks · Tags: , ,

We all know the speed at which New Year’s Resolutions become forgotten, or how promises are rapidly broken and how good intentions crumble under weight of everyday life. In order to make sure when we make our next set of vows, promises and commitments that we don’t fall into the same old trap, we need to look at the reasons behind the failures, and make changes that will make it easier on ourselves.

This could take the form of putting things on an easily accessible calendar, sticking a reminder on your computer or fridge, or simply ensuring that you build it into your daily routine. If you don’t change the things you do that aren’t working, then you will get the same results you did before.

So, before you attempt a change that you’ve tried and failed to do in the past, ask yourself the question.

What’s going to be different this time?

Get all tables with a particular column name [SQL Server]

17. July 2011 · 1 comment · Categories: SQL Server · Tags: , , , ,

The following SQL is useful in picking the names of all tables in a database that have a column with a particular name. Note that this uses system objects that may be subject to change in future releases.

SELECT t.name AS table_name,
SCHEMA_NAME(schema_id) AS schema_name,
c.name AS column_name
FROM sys.tables AS t
INNER JOIN sys.columns c ON t.OBJECT_ID = c.OBJECT_ID
WHERE c.name LIKE '%column_name%'
ORDER BY schema_name, table_name

This returns the name of the table, schema (e.g. dbo), and the column name. The like clause will return columns with names containing the phrase, in case there are any prefixes or postfixes on the column name.

See Also:

sp_msforeachtable – search on google or other search engine
sp_msforeachdb – search on google or other search engine

How to drop a table only if it already exists [SQL Server]

15. July 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: SQL Server · Tags: , , , ,

This is the best way I have found of dropping a table if (and only if) it already exists.

IF OBJECT_ID('dbo.[TABLE_NAME]','U') IS NOT NULL
DROP TABLE dbo.[TABLE_NAME]
GO

the advantage that this method has over numerous other methods is that it will work in tempdb, with temporary tables. i.e you can use ‘tempdb..#temp’

How to annoy your fellow commuters (Part 2)

14. July 2011 · 1 comment · Categories: General · Tags: , , , ,

As it’s about time for part 2, and I’ve learned much in the past few years, having gained the experience of commuting to a different place, I thought I would share another powerful tip with you. This tip is even more powerful than the last time, so be very wary of when you use it.

Stand opposite the person you wish to annoy (you won’t be getting a seat, and there are too many annoying people for you not to be standing across from one, so this is a given).

Look in the direction of the person, but focus on a point behind their head so you are looking straight through them.

Refuse to make eye contact with the person, instead maintaining your gaze until the person stops being annoying, turns away or moves (or if you get tired or bored instead).

You will be astounded by how this affects people. the effects can be quite devastating. At the very least, people will be uncomfortable with it, and will seek to avoid your gaze.

For a double helping from today’s tip jar, combine the above with Pavlovian training, to entice your fellow commuters to be nice. To do this, simply wait until the person stops the annoying behaviour, then simply stop staring through them, make eye contact and smile. It will be more effective if you can repeat the training, either over multiple sessions, or multiple times in the same journey.

Leave your tips below in the comments.

QuickTodo Android App now Available on Android Market

17. December 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Software · Tags: , ,

Download QuickTodo

Those of you who have an Android phone may want to check out my QuickTodo app, now available on the Android Market.

Either scan the image on the right with the barcode scanner, or if you’re reading this on your phone, simply touch the image to download.

Here is the application description:

QuickTodo is the easy way to manage your tasks.

Use due dates, priorities and repeating tasks to organise and keep on top of everything.

With drag and drop, you can quickly reorder your lists.

Features:

  • Repeating Tasks
  • Priorities
  • Multiple Lists
  • Drag and Drop
  • Notifications
  • Search
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