4
Oct

Coldfusion Web Server-Client to throttle down or pace processing (pseudo-cron)

Posted by: nick
in Coldfusion, Web Development

Today I wrote a small piece of code that I have wanted to use for some time now. I would rather have had found and ripped this code off of someone else online using a Google search, but either I wasn’t entering in the right phrases or no one has made their code easy enough to find.

Enough with the suspense already. I needed to run a bunch of SQL updates, but I didn’t want to tie up the system, so I was looking to, for lack of a better description, “pace” the batch processing. When looking at it, its admittedly simple, but I had a mental block trying to do this exclusively in coldfusion. This solution is a mix of CF and plain old web server plus web client.

Sure, I could have used cron, but this was a small job, and not worth the hassle for me. I’m sure someone has done similar before, but for those who are endlessly searching for this, like I had been, here you go. Also, I imagine many will have alternative methods or suggestions on improving this, please share with us and comment.

<cfparam name="start" default="1"> <!--- start with 1 --->
<cfparam name="next" default="0"> <!--- start with next as zero --->
<cfparam name="wait" default="60"> <!--- change the duration of the page refresh --->
<cfset start = next + 1> <!--- the counter --->
<cfif start eq 3> Done. <cfabort></cfif> <!--- puts an end to the refreshing --->
<html>
<head>
<title>Batch process</title>
<!--- this will use the parameters above and/or from the URL you enter to change the refreshing
in this case, I named the file "pace-batch-process.cfm" --->
<cfoutput>
<meta HTTP-EQUIV="refresh" content="#wait#;URL=http://www.yourdomain.com/pace-batch-process.cfm?next=#start#&wait=#wait#">
</cfoutput>
</head>
<body>
<cfif start eq 1>
Run the first thing
</cfif>
<cfelseif start eq 2>
Do the second thing
<cfelseif start eq 3>
Run the third thing
<cfelse>
Do nothing
</cfif>
</body>
</html>

Again, I imagine many will have suggestions on this, both positive and negative, please share and comment.

1 comment
5
Sep

new iPods, where does it leave the iPhone?

Posted by: nick
in Blackberry, Gadgets, Organization, Reviews, hardware, iPhone

Apple announced the iPod Touch, aka the iPhone, without the phone built-in.  It has comes with more memory and is thinner than the iPhone. But, what does this do to the iPod/iPhone market?

The iPod Touch is now an option for those who don’t need a phone, or can’t get out of a contract, but would like to use it as a wifi PDA + music player. Many people still carry a phone and an organizer. Some due to the “corporate standard” or they may need to use of custom application, built on one of these platforms.

The move to smartphones, like the iPhone, Blackberry, Treo and new devices still in the works is imminent. But there are limitations on the disk size on the phones. Even with news SD cards, they don’t match the 160GB size of the newest iPod, the Classic. For those users who carry their entire digital library with them, Apple kept an iPod close to the original form, but as usual thinner.

I haven’t held the new iPod Nano yet, so I’ll hold judgement on how it fits in a workout routine, now that its bigger and there’s no much to an iPod Shuffle, unless the Nano has become to big for running and gets replaced by the Shuffle.

I’m looking forward to some first hand use with these devices.

no comment
14
Aug

First native iPhone game released

Posted by: nick
in Gadgets, MacOSX, Software, hardware, iPhone

MacRumors reports that the first native iPhone game has been released for the iPhone. Its a puzzle game called Lights Off.

First the good news:
It’s an exciting anouncement because the developers created it without much help from Apple. Apple has not provided developers with an SDK (software development kit). This means anyone who wants to make a third party program, has to more work to do to get a game or other program to work with the iPhone interface, etc.

Now the bad news:
I haven’t played or downloaded it myself because it takes hacking the iPhone and installing some extra pieces of software to get it to work. On top of that there is a risk that the iPhone could be permanently damaged by doing this. Here’s their disclaimer text “Disclaimer: Lights Off is provided on an “as is” basis, without warranty of any kind. If your iPhone breaks, don’t cry on our shoulders.”

But this is still exciting news because it indicates that additional software for iPhones, (other than web-based via Safari) is on the horizon.

Prediction:
I expect Apple will do one of two things in the next month or so, release an iPhone patch that makes the game not run, or give in to developers and release an official SDK.

no comment
8
Aug

Sync the Blackberry Pearl (8100) with Mac OS X (part 2)

Posted by: nick
in Blackberry, Communication, Gadgets, MacOSX, Organization, Reviews, Software, hardware

Link to Part 1
One of the best features of the pearl, besides the “pearl (trackball) itself, is that it accepts the MicroSD card. I suggest getting a 2GB card and a full sized SD adapter, in case you want to use it with an external card reader. The only drawback to using it with a card reader is that you’ll have to power down the Blackberry and pop out the battery in order to get to it.

Once you have a multimedia card installed, you can then sync iTunes playlists between the Pearl and your machine. Open up the Missing Sync for Blackberry software. You’ll notice the fourth item down in the window is labelled “Music” Click on it and the row highlights. Then click on the “Settings…” Sync iTunes Music

Another window will drop down and if you’ve set up playlists of music in iTunes, you’ll see them listed there. Simply check those you want copied to the Pearl. Sync iTunes Playlists I left the default items listed below the playlists as is. You can change how much free space you leave on the media card and how often you want to sync tunes. You may want to turn of syncing music everytime, for sake of speed, if you sync frequently and only want to keep contacts, calendars up to date.

Missed Part 1? Click here

no comment
5
Aug

network security for your iphone

Posted by: nick
in Communication, Gadgets, Reviews, Software, hardware, iPhone, security

Since the iPhone is so good at trying to find and connect to available WiFi hotspots, it is no wonder that security companies are working hard to come up with solutions to improve on security.

The iPhone’s browser supports SSL websites, but often websites don’t offer SSL on all the pages they should be protecting, or maybe your accessing corporate intranets, etc. that also aren’t as secure as they should be.

I came across a security package from GoTrusted.com. They already make security products for the PC’s and now are offering a 7-day free trial to use their security system on the iPhone platform.

iPhone InvisibleShield Sales - 5% off all ShieldZone product on ifrogz.com

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