07.19.05
Posted in Programming at by chenty
I found this article (http://www.adaptivepath.com/publications/essays/archives/000385.php) from Adaptive Path today, and it talks about “Ajax”. “Ajax” is a new approach to web applications. During several years web development experience, all my applications have a aweful behavior: HTTP requests and responses are bouncing back and forth between client (browser) and server, and users have to wait during that time. I came across Google Maps this month, and noticed that it has a very good interactive map, but it is not using Flash. I was wondering how that possible, then I came to several articles about Ajax.
Ajax is not a new technology, but employing several mature techology to create a new APPROACH. It creates a new layer between client and server. The client will interact with this new layer, and this new layer will handle HTTP requests and responses when it is necessary. This will allow users can still use the webpages even during requests/response period.
I still have to look into this new technology more before I have more to say, but I really feel excited about this.
P.S. Google has so many goodies to look at. I found a new tool called “Google Zeitgeist” from SEO Conference in Toronto. Just take a look at by yourself, and you will see how cool it is. =)
Permalink
07.14.05
Posted in Programming at by chenty
There are so many times I tried to export .csv file from Excel, but I can only use comma (”,”). However, this is not flexible because a lot of time we have comma in field content. I usually use third-party tools or SQL Server DTS to do the job. Fortunately, I found a solution on the Internet today:
http://webxadmin.free.fr/article/excel-export-to-text-file-with-chosen-delimi-127.php
The procedure is simple:
When you use “File -> Save As” in Excel, it will use comma as delimiter. However, you can change this in Windows settings.
1. Go to “Control Panel -> Regional Options”
2. Go to “Numbers” Tag
3. Type whatever you want to use as delimiter (e.g. “;”) in “List Separator”.
Now you are ready to go. Open a .xls file and try to save as .csv file. Open the file with notepad, surprise?
Permalink
07.13.05
Posted in Programming at by chenty
I was working on web service these days and I didn’t feel to write anything about it since I believe that I only know common stuff right now, so my blog will not help anyone on web service at this point. If I find some interesting and useful tips, I will post in the future. Anyway, web service is not something I want to talk about today.
I read an article from a Chinese website last week that compares 3 different kinds of p2p TV broadcasting software. I downloaded two of them:
http://www.cciptv.com/
http://www.ppstream.com/
The quality of video streaming is amazing, compared to regular client-server mode. I am able to watching 300kbps+ quality video streaming from mainland China (in general, I couldn’t watch 56kbps video from a server in China before). Interestingly, on ppstream website, they claimed that they have a mission of the team that they will broadcast 2008 Olympic Games online. This software shows great protential. However, there are some problems I observed:
1. Currently, the online users is around 10-50 peers for each channel. I believe the quality and performance will be better if more peers available. This is similar to Bittorrent download. However, if more and more people using the software, it might create congestion. I have done a test at work place, while all computers at my work start using the software, Internet is totally congested, and not only the video but other Internet traffic such as email and web browsing are not working. I even have to reset routers a couple of times to make everything work again. I think this is a problem with p2p in general due to its aggressive behavior.
2. Copyrights. I am not sure if it is legal to broadcast TV channel from third party in North America, which I really doubt. Even worse, with a server application, you can actually broadcast other media content such as movies or musics. This allows a person can make his own TV or radio station, but he will definitely not pay the royalty. This issue might cause a lot of problems.
Nonetheless, I still think this is a great product. To tackle the first issue, I think internet bandwidth will increase fast in the next couple of years, so it will eventually handle the bandwidth. Some people say P2P application waste bandwidth and not efficient, which I don’t agree with. I don’t see P2P acquires more bandwidth, because every sender will receive only 1 copy of content it needs. It might be more efficient if we use “broadcasting”. However, lacks of standards really lead broadcasting nowhere. Moreover, Internet TV might be highly customized and personalized in the future. So everyone may watch totally different contents. So “Broadcasting” might not work for personalized TV. At that time, P2P will be superior.
For the second problem, I think industry has to look at P2P streaming positively and work with software manufacture. For example, Microsoft has put a lot of effort into “digital licensing” in its media player. So far as I know, if content is encrypted, no player except Media Player can play it. I think “licensing” is a must for all these p2p streaming software. This software is not only developed by third-party but also have drawn attention from big broadcasting companies, such as BBC. I was reading that BBC is developing its own P2P streaming software to broadcast its channels.
Moreover, if we get enough users, I am sure it is feasible to build the p2p streaming software in hardware. In a short future, it will not replace traditional TV, but it is prefect for receiving overseas channels which is not available in your area. For example, there are 10% Chinese in Toronto, but very few choices for local Chinese TV stations. With p2p streaming software, I now can watch more than 10 channels from China, Taiwan and Hongkong, and I can also listen to dozens of local radio stations in China as well.
Permalink
07.01.05
Posted in Life at by chenty
Time goes fast! I have been in Canada exactly 5 years and half! However, everything happened when I just came to Canada is still fresh in my memory. This 5 year has taught me so much. I still remeber how naive and ideal when I just came here, but now I have grown up a lot after seeing the beauty, the ugly, the corruption of human and our modern society. Suffering and joy have been mixed together and brewed a new me. This unique life path has made me a strong but caring person. I learned how to find happiness: not by being rich or being surrounded by beautiful women (especially the latter part =D ), but by learning how to give. Being generous, not just financially but also emtionally. Love giving, and giving love.
As I said earlier, I feel funny to think about how ideal I was 5 years ago, but I am still ideal now, but in a different way. People always asked me if I believe in God or any religion. I would say, it does not matter. No matter whether believing in God or not, no matter what religion a person has, loving and caring people around you are always right thing to do. Our modern society is being sick because everyone only thinks about “rights” but not “right”. “Rights” are self-centered and narrow-minded, and it’s also being misused by super power to brain wash public. This is definitely not what I am after. =P
Anyway, I doubt anyone will follow me well here. So I will stop. In summary, all I was trying to say is: enjoy your life and Happy Canada Day. ^^
Permalink
