Google App Engine Experiments

07. January 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Me, Programming, Ruby, Web/Tech, Weblogs

It seems to be the done thing these days to learn how to use Google App Engine (and thus Python) within a couple of hours and then hack out a simple web application to prove how easy it is.

So with the missus out of town tonight, I'm staying out of trouble by doing just that. I've run through the getting started tutorial, which is a delight I have to say, especially because it's so darned simple to get going on Mac OS X. Python is already installed and there's a neat app to download from Google which installs the app engine SDK bits and puts a nice GUI front end on it for you to fire up the local test environment and various other handy things, as well as installing the command line tools if you prefer them. Start up TextMate or any other editor of your choice and you're away!

You'll have to take my word for it though, because I'm tired and won't get onto writing my own app tonight.

Footnote: Python seems OK, but so far I prefer Ruby, though they seem to share a lot in common.

Xmas Tree Takedown

05. January 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Current Affairs, Me

It only seems like days ago that I put it up, but now the fake Xmas tree must come down again. I always dread this bit as it wrecks my hands trying to get all the fronds folded together into a streamlined torpedo of bristly green foliage. This year I fought back with heavy duty gloves!

Unfortunately I don't have any gardening gloves, what with not having a garden, so instead I made do with magic potato scrubbing gloves. I can't say I've ever used these for their intended purpose but the idea is that you wear them whilst viciously manhandling potatoes under running water and the dirt and skin just falls off. They're just as rough on the inside so it's touch and go whether it's the potato's skin or your own that sloughs off. Still, they made a fine job of the Xmas tree, whilst exfoliating my hands beautifully.

XmasTreePotatoGloves

World of Goo

01. January 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Games, Me

I've just completed the computer game World of Goo, having been thoroughly absorbed by it for the last week or so. I seldom play computer games, but this one hooked me good and proper. I think it's the engineer in me that always love this sort of game, as it's based on a decent 2D physics model that involves building towers, bridges and lots more out of various pieces, most of them gooey and continually swaying.

The game is also an artistic tour de force: wacky, surrealistic, humorous and stylish. I'd really struggle to pick out a weak point in fact, which is probably why it's won so many awards this past year (on Mac, PC and Wii). Best of all is the demo version contains the whole of the first chapter (out of five) and the whole game only cost me £13 to download.

Download the demo and have a go today!

Happy New Year!

01. January 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Me

This year I plan to do many things, but I shan't state what they are otherwise I may be held to them.

Happy Xmas!

23. December 2008 · Write a comment · Categories: Culture, Current Affairs, Food and Drink, Me

Nearly there, and dare I say I've been quite organised about it this year. Let's hope I haven't forgotten anybody.

Walked on the beach at Sandyland near Skegness today. Apart from the wind it was really quiet mild, especially for Xmas Eve Eve.

Here's a quick example of our home baking (a bit rough and ready to look at but the best mince pies I've had this year) and the tree (artificial because it fits our small space much better – real ones tend to be very broad at the base), to make you feel Xmassy.

MincePiesJamTarts
Bauble

Ouch: Hernia Repaired

28. November 2008 · Write a comment · Categories: Me

Just 48 hours ago I had a bilateral inguinal hernia repair, by way of open surgery (rather than laparoscopic 'keyhole' surgery). Which is to say I was sliced open twice, either side of my lower abdomen, just above the groin. Plastic meshes were inserted to patch up the problem and stop it happening again. This is very routine surgery, but it was still rather traumatic and the recovery has not been a breeze. Still, I made it home within 24 hours and am getting slowly better now, though I'm still very inflexible and pained. I don't know what I'd have done without my wife to help me!

I expect to be off work for another week, and maybe getting back to playing football within a couple of months. We'll see.

If anyone has any specific questions about the routine, I'd be happy to answer them as I found it really useful to have lots of first-hand information before I went into it.
Newer articles »