Author Archives: Dan

Get a zero-installation SQL database for learning or dabbling

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Dan

Database Management Systems typically require big installations and configuration to get running. I’ve always found this to be a major threshold for working with databases, especially if you only want to test some simple queries or if you are learning … Continue reading →

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Method for normalizing a relation to BCNF based on functional dependencies

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Dan

In the previous post I showed the method I use to determine the candidate keys and highest normal form of a relation. Now let’s break these large relations into smaller ones to make sure we achieve Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF)! … Continue reading →

Posted in Tutorials | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Method for determining candidate keys and highest normal form of a relation based on functional dependencies

Posted on October 19, 2013 by Dan

For my advanced database systems course I needed to learn how to take a given relation and functional dependencies, tell the highest normal form and then normalize it up to BCNF. It’s actually not that hard, but there are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Tutorials | Tagged , , , , | 64 Comments

Preventing RSI could be as easy as switching mouse hand

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Dan

I started using computers when I was about 17. By the time I was 20 I had a full time job servicing computers at an organization. At this time I began having uncomfortable, sometimes painful, feelings in my right wrist … Continue reading →

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How to send Exe files with GMail

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Dan

As a software developer I often need to send exe-files by mail. Typically I send beta versions or bug fixes of my programs for people to try out and report back to me. But a lot of people use GMail … Continue reading →

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Software piracy from a small developer’s point of view

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Dan

As a hobby shareware developer I am a “victim” of software piracy. At least according to the traditional view by large software corporations and anti-piracy organization. But is this really true? Is software piracy always bad? Let’s take Adobe Photoshop … Continue reading →

Posted in Opinion & Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Why Google isn’t my default search engine anymore

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Dan

When I began using the Internet, web search technology was still in its infancy. The first search engine I can remember using was WebCrawler, mostly probably because they has a cool logo. Then I switched to Wired Magazine’s HotBot for … Continue reading →

Posted in Opinion & Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Boost your computer with a RAM disk

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Dan

Computers today are shipped with massive amounts of memory. Even a low-end computer has 4 gigs of RAM, and it’s not uncommon to get 6 or 8 GB. But 4GB is more than enough for your typical Windows 7/8 installation. … Continue reading →

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Try a new PDF reader and you’ll never go back to Adobe Reader!

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Dan

PDF has become the de facto standard for publishing electronic documents. Adobe created the file format and their Reader software enjoys a near-monopoly on reading PDF documents. But did you know that PDF is an open file format, allowing anyone … Continue reading →

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Getting right click menus to work in 64-bit Windows Explorer

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Dan

Shells extensions are components that extend the functionality of Windows. The most common type is contextual menus that appear when you right click on items in Windows Explorer. For example, an archive utility can add itself to the menu to … Continue reading →

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