°H, A Human-Centric Temperature Scale

Here’s a somewhat silly idea that has been bouncing around in my head for a few years. It’s a new temperature scale. Not aware of anyone else having this idea, but it must have been thought of before, no? Perhaps with a different name.

Why would such a thing be needed? Well, a little backstory…

Professional Software Development - New Ebook!

Whew!  Just finished the first part of a new ebook on software engineering that I've been writing in my spare time.  It shares its title with this post.  I'm feeling relieved but also a bit frustrated at the state of tools and incompatibilities among e-readers. 

Early Warning Signs You're About to be Laid-Off

If you've been around for a while, the time will eventually come when a company you work for is in unfortunate shape and will need to "downsize."  Having witnessed this at a client of mine this week, I've noticed a pattern and a few warning signs you may find useful…

Loading a Video on iOS w/o iTunes

Hard to believe this was as hard as it was. Just needed to move a video to my iPad for family viewing... should be simple, no? Only problem is that the last computer we have here with iTunes on it died several months back. Zero desire to get Windows or iTunes running again, unfortunately.

Remembering the Fourth Amendment on this Fourth of July

Our focus today is on US Government surveillance. What does the Constitution have to say on the subject?

Amendment IV.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Clearly, the US Government (with world-wide assistance) is overstepping its bounds in regards to electronic surveillance. 

What are your thoughts?  Do the ends justify the means?  I'd like to ask in advance that you please refrain from complaining about local PD looking for weed.  ;)

You may also enjoy my previous post on a proper Independence Day.

Enforcing Strong Passwords in Django Admin

After googling the subject for hours and getting nowhere I decided to turn to the #django channel on freenode. If you'd like to enforce a minimum password strength in the Django Admin app you're in the right place.

"Sticky" blocks in Pure Javascript

I needed a "sticky div" on a website I've been working on. In other words a block that sticks to the top of the window when the page is scrolled down, so that it will remain visible at all times. Unfortunately, all the examples I found required jQuery.  Scouring the 'net I found nothing in pure javascript...

Well, Actually ...

Being a little too smart for their own good, geeks often find themselves correcting others in a pedantic manner.  Unfortunately and unwittingly, we build walls between ourselves and others when we focus on unimportant details in this way.  Over the years, through trial and error I've learned to avoid this more often than not, but it is something I need to work at and keep mindful about.