Adams Taiwan

If you have problems installing the photosynth software then try this link: http://photosynth.net/silverlight/photosynth.aspx?cid=6AACD70C-D27A-4BE6-9FE4-26D314C0C741 This one uses Silverlight.

• I raced down the Taichung airport runway on my motor-scooter at blazing speed of 50km/h. Glad I had a wind to push me.  All I need is the sunglasses and I would be saying move over T.C.
• I actually saw a taxi, taxi down the airport runway.
• I saw a new camera that waited for everyone to smile before taking a picture.

I have written a very simple utility which I will call “Kitchen Sync”… or “KitSync” for short. It’s main purpose is to take a snapshot of a folder’s contents. This includes subfolders and files. All the details are stored in a single SQL CE DB file, which I can then move to another system for further processing. I can add another folder and it’s contents to the DB file. Once this is done, I can use LINQ queries to extract data such as: a list of all the empty folders, or files that are in one folder that are not in another. Sometimes I make a DVD of files for a friend and a snapshot like this is a handy way to remind myself exactly which files I had given him.

I wrote  the following queries in C#:

//select all parent folders

var q1 = (from f in this.data.ItemSet
          where f.ParentSet.Id == setId
          where f.ParentFolder.Name.Length > 0
          select f.ParentFolder).Distinct();   

//select all folders except those with subfolders or files

var q2 = (from f1 in this.data.ItemSet
          where f1.ParentSet.Id == setId
          where f1.Type == "D"
          select f1).Except(q1);               

//order the list by Path\filename
var q3 = from f in q2
         orderby f.Path, f.Name
         select f;       

this.dataGridView1.DataSource = q3;

This is called query composition. No query is actually performed until the last statement where I set the datasource = q3. I first did it this way to break a complex problem down into more bite sized steps…. however, for my work folder which has 5024 subfolders and 2124 files, it took 24 minutes to find and list 927 empty folders. (Side note: this does not yet figure out subfolder trees that have no files in them).

After reading a doc on LINQ I thought I would try a different query, here it is:

var q = from f in this.data.ItemSet
                        where f.ParentSet.Id == setId
                        && f.Type=="D"
                        && !f.SubItem.Any()
                        orderby f.Path, f.Name
                        select f;

this.dataGridView1.DataSource = q;

This query does the same thing as the first set but in 31 seconds.

Here are some of the ways that I use my pocket pc.  I still like the bigger screen compared to the cell phones I see these days.

1. I start my mornings by reading the Bible and I got 5 on my Pocket PC. 3 are English and 2 Chinese. There are so many cause I am not settled on which program reader I really like most. I take my pocket pc with me most places I go, so there are other times I read my Bible too.
2. I use to use the built in Notes and Todo list programs, but now I use my own that I wrote with .net.
3. I still use the built in Calendar for remembering dates and the Contacts program for phone #s.
4. When taking long trips we use the map navigation software and GPS.  I got 2 full maps of Taiwan on it. It has taken me down some wrong roads, but has also got me unlost.
5. It has some basic media capabilities. Sometimes I show new acquaintances pictures of my family. Sometimes I listen to music on the way to and from work.  Most of the time I listen to my favorite Bible teaching which is available on mp3.  It can also record audio at the press of a button.  It can do video too, but I do not have much memory for that.
6. It has a pretty cool calculator (Excel), that lets me type in a list of numbers, add some formulas and get instance answers. The list is still in there so I can go back and change any of the numbers and it will auto recalculate (for those who have not seen this, check it out)
7. It has a programmable IR Remote Control which I could use to change channels on the T.V., control the DVD and even our A/C… but I do not bother with it.
8. Last of all I have some mini programs that I have written.  Each of these program use to use Xml files for storage, but they got too big and slow. Now I use SQL CE, smaller and faster:
1. A note taking program that syncs with my P.C.
2. A program for studying Chinese. I got roughly 2000 characters and 4000 words typed in it that I review often.
3. A priority todo list type of program to help me keep my priorities (more on that in another blog)
4. A vocabulary program much like my Chinese program, but this one is for my daughter to teach her to read new words and track her spelling progress.
9. I also use my PPC to transfer files between work and home.
10. Finally, if I am walking thru the house at night in the dark, it doubles as light to show me the way.  (That must be because of the Bibles I have in it :)