Recently in geekery Category

Garbled nonsense I wrote on my way home, of a horribly language geeky issue.

• Python really doesn't do circular imports.
  
  • There is only runtime no seperate load or compile-time.
  • Really like the (load ...) function in R5RS.
• PLT Scheme has units which are so much better. No one seems to have done the same for python.
• Most references say just don't do it (http://effbot.org/zone/import-confusion.htm for instance.)
  • Easier said than done.
  • Python in a Nutshell suggests wrapping names in a function that you call to initialize the module.
  • Lame.
• I just spent all of my Caltrain ride home mapping out the module, function, and class dependecies in a hastily constructed 1000 line program that I fear having to rewrite from scratch.
• Why can't modules be nice happy load time modules and not evil run time bitches.

Ok this may be completely old news, but while doing some research on getting a new tether, er, cell phone I came across this little goodie:

GM862 Cellular Quad Band Module with Python Interpreter

Description: Welcome to the wonderful world of M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication with the GM862 Quad Band Python Cellular Module by Telit. This tiny module will allow you to connect your embedded device anywhere in the world where cell phones are used. This version (GM862-QUAD-PYT) is compatible with the various 850/900/1800/1900MHz frequencies of cellular networks across the globe.

This is the recently released Python programmable GM862 module from Telit. Now you can harness all the power of the GM862 without the need for an external microcontroller. Simple Python programs can be loaded onto the GM862 controlling the GPIOs and issuing global cellular commands. Pin compatible module with upgraded internal memory for user programs.

Now to channel Zippy: "I can now MANIPULATE the RADIO WAVES with LIST COMPREHENSIONS."

Also the Spark Fun Electronics makes me wish that I had much more time and money to mess around with hardware.

Out of context qotd

Girls [...prefer...] Scheme over C++ by a ratio of 4:1.

-- Matthias Felleisen

Now what happens when you run the BSOD screensaver and your box BSODs?

This story is great because:

• It's funny.
• It involves Penn and Teller.
• It involves two of the most influential (IMO) contributors to Unix (Dennis Ritchie and Rob Pike).

Enjoy.

Yesterday I wrote my first VBA Excel macro.

Today I'm trying to connect multiple databases with ODBC to generate an Excel report. Now I think I need a shower.

I am totally using Google free wireless innurnet in Mountain View. RIGHT NOW.

Soon all of our problems will be able to be solved with Math.

Theory of Love

Here is an easy way to find a name for your software project.

1. Think of the general name/idea for what it is you're doing. For example: blog.

2. Craft a regexp and use it to grep /usr/share/dict/words.

    grep "b.*l.*o.*g" /usr/share/dict/words
    backlog
    backlog's
    backlogged
    backlogging
    backlogs
    bacteriological
    bacteriologist
    ...
   

3. Pick one.

Sometimes the name/idea makes a poor regexp (w.*e.*b.*l.*o.*g). In this case just screw around with it until it works. I use this to prevent having a million py* or cl-* projects lying around which are probably duplicately named with another project.