Dev::Blog

Purchased: The Rails BetaBook. Now I just have to find an online store that sells time.

(Via Simon Willison’s Blogmarks.)

I’m giving MySQL Tips a quick skim, and I’ve already found a few forehead slappers, such as…

#28: Loading Data into Tables from Text Files - I knew about load data infile, but I didn’t know you could specify the fields by listing them in parentheses at the end of the command. That’ll speed up a few jobs on at least one system I work on.

Tip #31: Getting XML and HTML output. ‘Nuff said.

Tips #33-35: There are spatial extensions in MySql? Interesting…

Probably all of these could have been found through a good dose of RTFM, but hey, we can’t read everything, can we?

Yessir, I shure do want to build my business around these guys! Now, if only I had a choice in ISPs that provide static IP to homes…

The compatibility warning isn’t even the target of my rant, actually. I got here from an email notification that my latest statement is available online. There was a link on the email, so of course I clicked on it, because I always click on URLs in official-looking emails (alright, I view the raw source first), and it takes me to a page that redirects me to another page. Now, in a time when I get 5 or 6 phishing attempts a day, clicking on a URL that redirects me to a “more secure page” doesn’t inspire me with confidence. Guys, every think of, oh, I dunno, including the actual URL in the 1st place? When you’re taking me to a site that’s optimized for Netscape 4.5, I’m probably not going to be too impressed with your use of a redirect for “improved security.” I’ve been on this service for over a month now, and I’m only sure of one thing: Bell just doesn’t get it.

OK, alternate explanation: I’m just ranting because still peeved at having to use dialup this morning because the DSL was down. Does anyone else find it annoying when Bell ends every call with “Thank you for choosing Bell”? Damned monopoly.