Comments - Richard's Projects

RE: The machines and monsters of Marshalls Mills

RichardG — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

This was the official response from The Culture Company:

I am sorry to say that we didn't select your proposal on this occasion against tough competition.
The panel actually really liked your concept but our main concern was that it was very under-costed for the technical requirements in order to achieve the really strong impact it set out to achieve (no details given on the strength of the projection etc).
This was based on the professional opinion of two of the panel members who are very experienced in projection/new media installation in the public realm.
There was also concerns that the model was not sufficiently tested to guarantee it would work consistently in the public domain.
However your proposal did make it through to the final round and if we had been in a position to have had bigger budgets available for the commissioning process we would have seriously considered its further development.

I could have made it work, but I understand why they were looking for people with more experience in this field. You can find out more about the submissions that were successful here:

Secrets and Light exhibition

RE: Renaming lots of images quickly

RichardG — Tue, 15 May 2007 02:07:36 GMT

Typical! I've found an easier and less geeky way to do this.

I've just discovered a really good batch image renaming feature in Adobe Bridge. So, this probably isn't the best use of Powershell. However it's still a really useful thing to know, and it will definitely be something I start using more.

RE: A quicker way to email

David J — Wed, 23 May 2007 23:07:43 GMT

Wow, thats great you're the man

RE: Interactive ghost house

David J — Fri, 25 May 2007 23:51:24 GMT

Tut tut Chuffed not chuft :)

RE: Renaming lots of images quickly

Dad — Sun, 27 May 2007 18:06:25 GMT

Would you recommend Adobe Bridge to me to use or could I use your little programme?

RE: The roller coaster

Dad — Sun, 27 May 2007 18:09:13 GMT

Very impressive. Mum's chuckling away!

RE: Interactive ghost house

RichardG — Mon, 28 May 2007 00:26:25 GMT

I meant chuft! It's in my new dictionary (that I've added stuff to). It has a more precise meaning than the more pedestrian and obvious chuffed. So there!

RE: Renaming lots of images quickly

RichardG — Mon, 28 May 2007 00:31:26 GMT

Dad, we're probably all better off using Bridge for this one. Unless you've not got it, or are trying to rename a non-image file. Sometimes it's good to discover geeky stuff though.

RE: Automating ASP.NET building with NAnt

David J — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 23:09:22 GMT

I've just finished co-writing some Selenium scripts in C# and the next step is using Nant / Cruise Control so I'll let you know how it goes :)

RE: Richard's weather

Ian S — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:19:45 GMT

I like this. There's probably a little app here. Let people put their own photos in and put it on their own sites. A bit like those houses where the little man or woman would pop their head out. Although if you made one of those with a miniature version of you and scrambledheads, I'd buy it.

RE: Richard's weather

RichardG — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:11:40 GMT

Ian, I might try and sell it to you later. It's written as an ASP.NET control and would be easy to plug into any site. Shouldn't be too hard to re-write it in PHP either so it'd work on your site.

I was in London yesterday while the great flood was happening up North. I checked my blog to find that I was experiencing heavy rain in Leeds. I really struggled to get back here on the train, but I did okay.

RE: Automating ASP.NET building with NAnt

RichardG — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:21:03 GMT

Selenium sounds incredibly useful. Shame we didn't know about it when we did the Pensions Credit Calculator all those moons ago.

I'll have to try and get some Selenium tests working to test the log in and comment leaving parts of this blog.

RE: Our sculpture on Google Earth

David J — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:59:41 GMT

Voted for :)

RE: Our sculpture on Google Earth

RichardG — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:15:52 GMT

Thanks Dave. I've got four five-star ratings now. That's got to be a good way towards getting on Google Earth.

RE: University final year project – Evolving Pursuit and Evasion Strategies in Realistic Worlds

RichardG — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:52:02 GMT

I also used this project report as an excuse to try out testing PDFs for accessibility.

It took me several hours to make this PDF accessible. This was mainly because there are quite a few tables in it. I've only been able to test it using the Adobe tools, so if anyone using a screen reader wants to try and let me know how they did, that'd be great.

RE: The machines and monsters of Marshalls Mills

RichardG — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:32:44 GMT

Next time I will:

Charge more
Research projectors more
Do a trial run

RE: The book every programmer should read

David J — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 11:21:46 GMT

Excellent stuff, I must give it a read. I've been looking for something similair Language agnostic.

RE: The book every programmer should read

RichardG — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 13:47:36 GMT

Dave, this book was written for you.

RE: Origami business

RichardG — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 01:12:03 GMT

Several people suggested it would be good to be able to share pictures, locations and stories of their made origami.

I thought this was a brilliant idea. To give the idea a go and still keep it simple I've created a Flickr group for it. Please add your pictures and geo-tag them if you feel so inclined.

RE: OpenCoffee

Craig — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:02:59 GMT

Some of the fellas who went to the Open Coffee (the Nexus guys) brought back one of those origami business to the office. It's a cracking idea. Could it be the next Moo card?

RE: OpenCoffee

RichardG — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:00:36 GMT

Thanks Craig. It could be the next Moo Card I guess, although if everyone had one, I'd need to think of something else to do so I'd stand out.

Has anyone sucessfully followed the instructions yet? I think I may need to revist them, as the current feedback is that they're a bit hard. I'm thinking of putting together a little 'how to' video.

RE: My new blog

RichardG — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:04:33 GMT

Creating this blogging software has been a great way of improving my ASP.NET skills.

It uses ASP.NET 2.0, is programmed in C#. It has a SQL server 2000 backend and makes full use of stored procedures (although I've heard that ORM might be the future).

I didn't really appreciate how complex a piece of blogging software could be. Now I've been using it for a while I have a feature request as long as my arm.

If I was to do this again I'd probably not reinvent the wheel and I'd use something like dasBlog or Subtext. These are both open source ASP.NET blogging engines that I've heard good things about.

RE: Perfect validation?

timmyc — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:54:25 GMT

It's good Richard. I'm impressed with the way you've incorporated both client- and server-side validation.

RE: The diary of a freelancer: Moving on

Ian S — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:46:48 GMT

I think that if I didn't have a mortgage and kids this might very well be what I would have done. I think you're right to do it now, before you get responsibilities. The thing you'll miss most is the safety of a massive organisation, which insulates you from your mistakes, and which you know will always pay you, and offer you a ridiculously good pension. You'll also miss the comfortable familiarity and the routine - but almost all of the good technical people in the web team have left now - and that can be no coincidence. What I'd do is sign up with loads of agencies, and get yourself known out there. CWJOBS is a good place to look. As your ex-boss I'm happy to give you references, by the way. PS - I'm open to any freelance jobs where you might want a bit of extra resource..

RE: The diary of a freelancer: Moving on

David J — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:10:04 GMT

Good luck Matey, not that you'll need it

RE: The diary of a freelancer: Moving on

Rob Kirton — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:29:10 GMT

Richard I'm sure you'll do well It is almost exactly 10 years since I made the same move (1st week Nov '97) and haven't regretted a day of it. Quiting a safe job without anything to go to was a bit scary as I had a mortgage, wife and three kids to support. Something will always turn up. Some jobs will be crud, some will be great and that is half of the fun of it :0) The trick is to plan as much as you can and go with the flow when you have to. I'd planned to take this summer off after my last contract at the DWP and ended up starting the next day on another after it just landed in my lap, without even looking for work. I'm now having to take time out to convalesce after recent surgery. As long as you're willing to walk without a safetey net, it will be fine. We both know that is the case. You've made the first step by quiting the DWP and that is as hard a step as any you are about to make all the best - Rob

RE: Flash Flickr viewer

RichardG — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 15:25:07 GMT

I've extended this so that it will take you to see the photo on Flickr when you click it.

RE: Perfect validation?

Bh — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:53:36 GMT

From where can we download these controls ?

RE: You can debug in Safari

David J — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:24:07 GMT

I could have sworn this was a menu option on my Mac???

RE: You can debug in Safari

David J — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:27:39 GMT

It is, in Windows / Mac just go to preferences... Advanced... Bottom of the options pane is a tick box "Show Develop menu in menu bar" :)

RE: You can debug in Safari

RichardG — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:24:48 GMT

Wow, you're right. Apple need to update their developer site as that's where I found out how to do it.

RE: Web professional survey

David J — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:41:33 GMT

Done :) how the devil are you anyway?

RE: Web professional survey

RichardG — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:42:53 GMT

I'm mighty fine, thanks. Good to see you at the wedding, and good to see you've not lost your style.

RE: Choosing a font

David J — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:32:29 GMT

Love it Rich, I'm just about to send it around work :)

RE: Choosing a font

RichardG — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:31:16 GMT

Cool. Thanks Dave!

RE: ActionScript 3 timeout problems when working with XML

Gary — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:40:25 GMT

Instead of doing what you do in the second loop, you could just use the for each construct instead: for each (var director:XML in filmCollectionXML..director) { ... } When you use a for each it only evaluates the xpath expression once.

RE: Origami business

RichardG — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:07:36 GMT

There are now video instructions.

RE: Developing for the iPhone - what you need to know

DJ Risks — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:09:19 GMT

Thanks for this, it as really helped. I too am a web developer and I'm interested in making a web application on the i-phone. It seems like I have to get a MAC first though!

RE: 15,000 people have downloaded Font Picker

David J — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:26:23 GMT

:) nice

RE: 15,000 people have downloaded Font Picker

David J — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:27:03 GMT

Although surely "Richards Beard" had more views?

RE: 15,000 people have downloaded Font Picker

RichardG — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:42:18 GMT

Richard's beard was a very successful project, and got about 50,000 views in a week. This project has had more long term appeal.

RE: Developing for the iPhone - what you need to know

RichardG — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:31:14 GMT

Some friends of mine are running an iPhone Development Course in Leeds. If you're interested, check it out.

RE: This blog now uses Oxite, an ASP.NET MVC blogging engine

Erik Porter — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:40:06 GMT

You're welcome and very cool. Glad to see another blog using Oxite. Lots of exciting stuff coming, but yes the upgrade path here in the early stages will be sort of big. Happy to help if you run into problems when that time comes. :)

RE: ActionScript 3 timeout problems when working with XML

Bijo — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:56:35 GMT

Dear Richard, I went through your article and found it to be very interesting. Now, I'm having a similar problem in loading large xml files. I have a question bank of appr. 10,000 questions. I divided it into various unit xmls of average 1000 nodes. I'm using a custom class to store individual questions, options,the answer and the user answer. But while loading the questions from xml to the variable in the instance of the class, flash hangs saying, 1502 A script has executed for longer than the default timeout period of 15 seconds. Is there a better way to do this? Please help. Thanks, Bijo

RE: ActionScript 3 timeout problems when working with XML

Admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:12:35 GMT

@bijo. If you've followed the advice in this article and you're still having problems, then I think your XML file is probably just too large. If I was you, I would split it into much smaller sections and load them 1 at a time as they're needed.

RE: ActionScript 3 timeout problems when working with XML

gom — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:46:25 GMT

I've solved same problem by using XMLList. Thank you for good posting.

RE: ActionScript 3 timeout problems when working with XML

dave — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:39:46 GMT

Oh man this was a lifesaver. I was using the descendant accessor all over the place and my compiler was choking on a 5500 line xml file. I optimized my loops as suggested and now it not only compiles without timing out but does so in a few seconds. thanks!

RE: New decade's resolutions for 2010

Shvek Singh — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:38:22 GMT

Hey Richard Greetings from South Africa. All the best for the new year, Nice site btw. The font picker utility u created rocks. Thanks again Shvek Singh

RE: Developing for the iPhone - what you need to know

Todd Baxter — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:55:47 GMT

Thanks for the information. I am really interested in the iphones and Ipads touch features. I have an autistic son, and want to develop apps that will help both him and other children with this condition. Going to go with what you shown me and learn objective C and then worry about how I will afford the Mac and Ipad later.. Thanks for the information..

RE: Motion tracking with Flash and ActionScript 3

PO — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:53:08 GMT

GOOD @@ THANKS

RE: Apple are b@st&#ds and Adobe are $k€w%d

David — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:45:00 GMT

:( It's really really annoying, can't help but think they've messed it up. I only hope that they realise and rescind it...

RE: Apple are b@st&#ds and Adobe are $k€w%d

Admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 09:08:59 GMT

The timing stinks of being on purpose. I've just learned that the Adobe Creative Suite 5 launch is on Monday.

RE: Apple are b@st&#ds and Adobe are $k€w%d

Simon — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 09:23:03 GMT

Time to look at Android? .....failing that you can always add your iPhone apps to the growing grey economy, http://www.rockyourphone.com/ and http://cydia.saurik.com/ etc to which Apple's new T&C are likely to have gifted considerably more popularity and life. I think the iPad will change consumer attitudes and jailbreaking will be more common, its no longer difficult or risky - iPhones are bought in good part to make calls with other functionality a bonus, with the iPad expectations will be for a more mainstream desktop-like experience. Apple as gatekeeper to every application install, not to mention digging in with respect to Java & Flash etc, will be more noticable and less tolerable to general masses.

RE: Apple are b@st&#ds and Adobe are $k€w%d

Matt Auckland — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 20:57:07 GMT

It's funny really, after years and years of people bitching about Microsoft and there ruthless business tactics, Apple turns out to be just as bad of not worse. In the quest to make there app store the best there is, they actually risk alienating developers and pushing them to either develop web based iPhone/iPod Touch apps, or worse still move to Android. Tread carefully Apple, because the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Matt

RE: Apple are b@st&#ds and Adobe are $k€w%d

ashok pai — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:03:38 GMT

A big FU to steve jobs and crapple. what a bunch of losers. i'm pretty sure, they'd have already lost a ton of developers, and will move towards a better app store for android, win7 or symbian.

RE: Developing for the iPhone - what you need to know

Alwin Tyanto Ikhsan — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 02:36:57 GMT

Wow, that was a great article. Iam very interested in developing iphone software. but i have some question Is it OK to not joining iphone developing program that will cost me $99? Since iam a college student, i will spend my money wisely. I already learn a lot about C and C++ but i know nothing about Objective C, should i learn that first? thanks a lot

RE: Developing for the iPhone - what you need to know

Admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:33:08 GMT

Alwin, you can try before you buy. You can download the development kit and use their emulator. You won't be able to test it on a real device though. To test on a real device and to put your app in the app store you will need to pay to join the full programme.

RE: Developing for the iPhone - what you need to know

Pranav — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:43:14 GMT

Hey Richard, Nice writeup, thanks for you effort! It was really helpful! I am also a web developer, was looking for a starting point with iPhone apps, and this was a good one! Pranav