Always developing
I have released another version of my Informix database refresh script called refreshdb after discovering a serious flaw, the below describes what’s changed:
Fixed daft “feature” that enabled triggers, indexes and constraints after each chunk of data was loaded. Now enables after all chunks loaded. Seriously improves the speed of the script!
Various small updates to supporting files and added contact details.
You can get the latest version of refreshdb from the refreshdb software page.
Oops, I’ve found a little bug whereby one more process was run than requested. Not a big bug, but annoying, so I’ve fixed it.
Also, I seem to have let the -a option creep back in for the split of the unload file, now banished!
You can get version 1.5 of refreshdb from this page.
Fog Creek Software have just officially released version 2.0 of their excellent CityDesk Content Management System.
This site is now using v2.0 (and has been for a while now), the changes they’ve made have greatly improved the usability of the software, especially in the scripting ability.
If you’re looking for a simple but powerful CMS that will satisfy Web Professionals and Web Newbies alike, you owe it to yourself to have a look at CityDesk.
Now that v2.0 has been released, I’ll be updating my CityDesk Templates section very soon, to take advantage of the extra functionality now available.
A new version of refreshdb has been released!
This version has a few small bug fixes and updates to comments, as well a major change in the position of the process flow for splitting the unload files ready for load into the target database tables.
The split of the unload file now happens as soon as the data has been unloaded from the source table. This enables the refreshdb script to be used to load data into more than one database at the same time, as long as the -u option is used to suppress any further unloads. For normal operation you will not see any real difference in how refreshdb works.
Hope you find this change and the little fixes useful.
Please scoot over to the refreshdb page for more information about refreshdb and to download it.
Guess what OS I’m now using?!
As the title suggests, I’m now a Mac addict, lured by the promise of UNIX on the desktop. And so far, I really am addicted.
Read on for my first impressions…
Guess what OS I’m now using?!
As the title suggests, I’m now a Mac addict, lured by the promise of UNIX on the desktop. And so far, I really am addicted.
It’s been a couple of months now, and all is going very well. I’ve got a dual processor Power Mac G4 bought directly from Apple. Since buying it I’ve loaded it up with another 1.5Gb of RAM and another 120Gb hard drive. I bought the ram and drive from scan, they are a lot cheaper than Apple, and the kit arrived next day, I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending scan, they’ve always delivered the goods quickly and cheaply.
For my business it’s important to be able to read and write Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files perfectly, so I took advantage of the reduced price for MS Office v.X when buying a new Mac. As expected, the apps work perfectly, in fact I’d say they are better than their Office XP counterparts, there are many little touches that make them quicker and easier to use. Obviously these are helped by the fantastic Mac OS X interface.
Unfortunately CityDesk doesn’t run on Mac OS X, and not wanting to give it up, or rely on my PC (I want to re-task it), I’ve found another method for running it. Virtual PC (originally by Connectix now MS) has come to my rescue, and proven to be a great asset. To prove it, here’s a picture:
![[Image] Picture of Virtual PC on Mac OS X](https://ianmjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2003/05/macosxagogo.png)
Click the thumb nail image to see a large (1920×1200 = 1Mb) version.
I’ll keep you informed as to my progress with Mac OS X, good and bad.
I’ve added a proper CityDesk Templates section, currently only holding my very simple template that I used to use for this site.
I’ve cleaned up the Simple News template, it’s got some simple instructions on how to use it built in as articles, just open it up and hit preview to see the instructions.
I’ve now added the ability to subscribe to my Mailing List, which is a very low volume announcement list.
I’ll announce important items of news, new software releases and any major articles I may write.
If you subscribe to the list I guarantee that I will never give or sell your email address to any other party, even if the offers they want to pass onto you are bound to be of very high interest to you!
refreshdb v1.3 is available here.
WARNING: Regardless of the version, this software should always be regarded as Beta quality, I can not, and will not, take any responsibility for any damage that using this software may cause. I regard it as software that gets the job done, it’s not pretty, and not a true reflection of my skills, but it did the job for me!
Having said that, go download it, read the source, and if you like it have a go at creating a test or development copy of your favourite Informix IDS 7.x/9.x database!
If you can’t understand the source please don’t use it.
Well, if you’ve been here before you know this already … things have changed a little around here!
I’ve re-designed this website, utilizing more of the features introduced with CityDesk SP1 and my own knowledge gained from creating the old version and my other site, www.imij.co.uk. The old site wasn’t very smart, didn’t use templates to the extent they can be used now, variables are better used now too.
Hope you like the new design, please feel free to get in touch to let me know whether you do or not.
Sorry, it’s been rather a long time since my last update, usual excuse that you see on all sites of this nature, “a bit busy with life”!
So, what’s been happening then? Well, we (that’s me and the misses) are in the process of buying a brand new house, so new it isn’t even built yet! At the time of witting it’s at “Foundations Stage”, which it’s been at for about a month and a half now. Supposedly we’ll be moving in August/September, the builders won’t narrow it down any further. I’m guessing that it’ll be September rather than August!
Buying a new house is of course only half of the problem, we have to sell our current flat too. So, we’ve got some decorators in at the moment to decorate the place, it needs a touch up in nearly all the rooms, just to bring it up to date. Should have done it a long time ago, might not be looking for a new place if we had, but we concentrated on the building side first (knocking two flats together) and never got around to properly decorating most of the flat after that.
Hopefully I won’t leave it so long until I update again, but I’m not promising anything!