29 Oct 2006

Fog Gone!

So the other night I rode my bike down the A64 to my friend's house, and it was v. dark, and lo - my visor foggeth up and I could not see a bleedin' thing.

So I thought that was the end of my winter bike fun. However, turns out that my X-Lite X601 helmet features a Pinlock-compatible system. Basically this means you can buy an 'insert' which looks just like a cheap bit of perspex which fits inside the visor, and is held in place by two pins. So I did - those fine (but morose) chaps at Hein Gericke York had one in stock for 18 quid. Had a big ride around the Dales today and NO FOG AT ALL. Heaven knows I tried - deep breaths into the helmet - the visor surrounding the insert fogged up a treat, but the insert remained clear as day.

Amazing stuff, I order you to buy one immediately.

Now all I need is a new seat for my CBR, my bum is killing me now ;)

25 Oct 2006

Some Product Reviews

Thought I'd take a second to give some mad props to various software products I've been using recently.

First off, thanks to Innovasys for their nifty DocumentX and HelpStudio2 applications. These have allowed me to write professional-quality .NET 2.0 documentation for NetBuild CMS. DocumentX automagically collates all the XML comments that I've put in my code via VisualStudio and includes them with full Class and Member reference documentation. HelpStudio2 then integrates with my DocumentX project and allows me to write nice looking HTML help and tutorials. It has good built-in tools for screenshots - I especially like the User Interface Mapping tool which quickly lets me add bullets to screenshots for easy reference in my help text. Then I can create the documentation in plain HTML, CHM and PDF. Saved loads of time. I also got good phone support when I had a problem.

The other product I have been impressed with is XHEO Licensing 2.1 which has very quickly allowed me to add flexible licensing options to the NetBuild Suite products. You just need to point the License Manager at your .NET project and it does its stuff. Recompile your Assembly and it's ready to rock. Then you can issue licenses with a range of 'limits' like "Only allow to run from the following Domain Name(s)". Hats off to these guys.

Right, back to the NetBuild CMS v8.5 code face.....

12 Oct 2006

Gnews

Here's the news, news shrews.

Bike

I bought a 1999 Honda CBR600F FX in Black n' Silver n' Yeller. And it's pretty good. Scary fast. Makes a hell of a lot of clattery noises but apparently that's normal. Always starts first time. Wish it had a clock though, I never know what time it is!

House Move

I done moved to Tadcaster near York. It's RUBBISH. Be moving again soon!

Wharfedale 21" CRT Television CTV2185RF

Was Crap, took it back.

Wharfedale Freeview Receiver DV832B

Was Good, kept it!

X-Arcade Trackball

Good at what it does - but expensive and was totally bored of it after one evening! So I told her to sling her hook and spent the next night playing Marble Madness on this instead, coolio!

Mohhh
If I helped you out today, you can buy me a beer below. Cheers!