Boyzoid's Blog & Stuff

If you are reading this and you attended my session at CFunited, I have great news: I fixed the issues with my code! If you did not attend my session, read on anyway. Here is what the problem was:

After I had done one final round of testing, I wanted to clean up the database so all the data I just entered would not be seen. Rather than going through and manually deleting the records, I decided I was gonna be smart and just replace my local database files with the ones stored in my Subversion repository. What I had neglected to remember was that I had not committed a recent copy of the database back to the repo, so I overwrote my database files with a very old version of the database - one that was not 'in synch' with the ORM code I was using.

This explains the issues I had anytime I tried to save something, but what about the Model Glue issues? Well, when I looked at my controller.cfc file for the Model Glue version of the application, it was just about empty. So this got me thinking, maybe when I pulled over the database files from the repo, that I included controller.cfc as well - which also had not been committed recently. I was able to revert back to a previous version of that file and everything now works, in all versions of the application.

I have attached a zip file if my slide deck, as well as the sample code so you guys can see that it really does work - you can get it here.

Now, what did I learn? Well, a couple things:

1. After you have verified that the code for your presentation works, don't make ANY changes...at all.
2. If you are going to go through the trouble of setting up a Subversion repository for your demo code, use it and use it correctly. i.e. - commit early and often!

I would like to thank everyone who attended my session (the room was pretty full) and I apologize again for all the issues. A lot of those in attendance have come up to me since and said that they enjoyed presentation and learned a lot even with the technical difficulties. I really hope that is true, and they were not just being nice to the stupid guy who borked most of his code.

If you are still at CFunited on Saturday, I am giving the presentation again at 2:330 PM. Stop by, if for no other reason to see if the carnage will continue.

Over the last month or so, I sat down to try and write this article several times. Each time, I was so over come with emotion that I simply could not finish it. After the influx of email, Facebook and Twitter messages I have received recently, I decided I need to get this done.

When I was younger, my father once told me, "If you surround yourself with good people, you will never have anything to fear." I do not think I ever really understood what he meant by that until recently.

The last few months have been some of the most difficult and trying times I have ever experienced. I am not sure how I would have fared without the support of my family, friends and the Adobe developer community. After the death of my father, my family was astounded at the level of support offered to us by people they had never met. More than one of you brought tears to our eyes with your kind words on my father's online obituary. The donations made by so many have also helped alleviate some stresses as well.

The kind words and offers of assistance given the recent news from Alagad have been even more overwhelming. Words are not enough to describe the gratitude I, and my family, feel for everyone who has extended a hand.

I used to think that the saying 'you are judged by the company you keep' was unfair. After the last few months, and seeing how incredible the people I have surrounded myself with truly are, I have started to hope I will be judged by the company I keep, because you guys are an amazing bunch, and I am both honored and humbled to be in your company.

Even though I feel it does not seem adequate, Thank You, everyone. The Adobe developer community rules!

As I mentioned a short while ago, my father was diagnosed with cancer back around Christmas. It is sad to say that this past Wednesday, my father passed away. Thankfully, his whole family was able to be with him when he passed.

I was asked to give a eulogy, and I wanted to share that with you.

My father was known by many names: Eugene, Butch, Uncle Gene, Yash, Dad, Be-pa - and quite a few I cannot mention because we are in church. But, regardless of what you called him, he holds a special place in all of our hearts. And, though he may be gone from us, there will always be a part of him in each and every one of us.

He had a unique way of lighting up a room when he entered and, whether he meant it or not, he would have everyone laughing when he left. Some people say he marched to the beat of a different drum. Honestly, I am not sure he even knew what instrument he was hearing, but he marched on.

My father was not a complex man, what you saw is what you got. He rarely pulled any punches and you always knew where you stood with him. He was one of the most quick witted people I have ever known and at times, surprisingly innocent.

It would be difficult to sum up a person in just a few words. But, I can sum up my dad in just 6 words. 6 words that give you a peak into who my dad really was and what he was really like. 6 words that show his wit and his innocence. Those 6 words are, "In My neighbors yard" and "Welcome back".

To those who may not get the reference, those words are the 'punchlines' to two of my favorite 'dad' stories. I am sure we all have our favorites.

The first story was from a long time ago when we were very young. Our neighbors, the Clarks, had a dog who did not like too many people. One day my dad went to go pet the dog and the dog bit him.

My mom took him to the hospital and the nurse asked him what happened and my dad said, "I got bit by my neighbor's dog". The nurse then asked, "Where did he bite you?" My father replied, "In my neighbor's yard"

The other story took place quite a few years later. My father and my brother, Gene, had gone to Madison Square Garden to see a sporting event. As was often the case when we went to Madison Square Garden, they took the train. After the game, Gene and my dad got on a train to come home and it was really crowded they had to stand up. A group of kids near them got up from their seats and walked away. My dad and Gene took their spot. A few minutes later, the kids returned.  Expecting to get their seats back, one of the kids said, "We're back". My dad looked up at them and replied, "Welcome back"

Besides his family, there is little that my father loved more than the New York Yankees, the New York Giants, Villanova basketball and golf. In the last few years he was able to see Villanova make it to the Final Four, the Yankees win the World Series, the Giants win the Super Bowl, and he played golf, not only in Scotland, but at The Old Course at St Andrews - the birthplace of golf.

138 days. Its been 138 days since my dad was first diagnosed with cancer.  In my mind, its been 138 days since we lost him to cancer. In my mind, cancer stole his soul long before it took his life.

My wife, Jessica, has a saying that she uses with our children after vacations, trips to their grandparents' house or even just special days. Many times over the last few days thinking of this saying has helped ease the pain of losing my dad, and it is truly fitting when thinking of how Dad lived his life:

Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened.

Words cannot express how much I am going to miss him.

What? You do not know who Brian Davis is?  It's OK, neither did I until yesterday.

Brian Davis is a professional golfer on the PGA Tour. The reason I had not heard of him until yesterday is that he has not really played well enough to make it high up on the leaderboard. That all changed yesterday.

Trailing Jim Furyk by 1 stroke, Davis made a birdie putt on the final hole of the tournament to force a sudden death playoff. Now, you may be thinking, 'big deal , that has happened before'...be patient, I am getting to the good part.

His approach shot to the green on the first playoff hole landed left of the green and settled on some twigs and reeds. When Davis started his back swing on is next shot, he thought he saw a reed move. (pssst...here is the good part) He immediately called over a rules official to explain what had happened. Davis had though he violated Rule 13.4 which refers to moving a loose impedement during a takeaway, and called himself on it.

Apparently no one else had seen it, and it took looking at the swing in slow motion replay to determine that he had indeed moved the reed.  He incurred a 2 stroke penalty and conceded the hole, and tournament, to Jim Furyk.  Had Davis won the tournament, he would have taken home $1,026,000 - his second place finish earned him $615,000.

Davis called himself on a penalty no one else saw knowing it would cost him over $400,00. That is the kind of character I want my kids to have.

And that is why I love the game of golf. There are not too many other sports where a player would call himself on a penalty with so much on the line.

Like most developers I know, I tend to listen to music while I work. Typically, I just open iTunes and have it randomly play music from my library. 

This morning, iTunes went on a run of pulling up some great songs from bands that were huge in the 80's. Since I grew up in the 80's music from this period tends to mean more to me.  I started thinking about all the great bands from the 80's whose lead singers had such distinct voices you know instantly who it is when you hear even just a few syllables.

Here is a list of some of my favorites who fit into this category:

• Dennis DeYoung - Styx
  
• Lou Graham - Foreigner
  
• Steve Perry - Journey
  
• Joe Elliot - Def Leppard
• Jon Anderson - Yes (yea, I know, they were huge in the 70's too)
  
• Jimi Jameson - Survivor

What are some of your favorites?

So, its mid March...you know what that means, right?

No, not St. Patrick's Day. Nope...not Pi day either...its time for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament! And, with the tournament, comes the 'brackets'. I have set-up a group on ESPN.com for CF developers, check it out here. I'd like to see if we can get more than 5 people (last year's total).

If you do not know anything about college basketball, fear not, it has been my experience that you need more luck than knowledge to win these things, so give it a try. It will only take about 10 minutes to complete the whole process. You can even do more than one entry.

Oh, and if you do not take part, you are a communist.

After 3 years, I figured it was time to update my blog design.

What you see here is the result of that decision. I am happy. I like it. I hope you do, too.

Right now you may be asking yourself 'Who is Kevin Boss?' and/or 'What is 'it' that he gets?' I will get back to that in a bit, but let me give you some 'back story'. I have not talked about it on my blog, but shortly after Christmas last year my father was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. He has been getting regular chemo therapy (his last round is this week) and since the diagnosis, we have made several attempts to go visit and each was thwarted by illness or bad weather. This past weekend, we were able to finally get up to NJ to visit.

OK, now back to Kevin Boss and what it is that he gets. Kevin Boss is a tight end for the New York Giants (an American Football team). He played a huge part in the Giants winning Super Bowl XLII (If memory serves me correctly, he had the longest pass play in that game) and since has proven to be one tough guy. He took some hits last year that would have knocked out most people, but he not only got back up, but held on to the ball. He is, in my opinion, probably the best Giants tight end since Mark Bavaro.

So, now you understand that I have somewhat of a 'man crush' on Kevin Boss, what does he get? He gets that the only reason why he can play football for a living is because of his fans. Here is why I think that.

This past Saturday, my mother and my wife took my kids to a local mall to make some pottery (there is a store there that lets you pick stuff out and paint it, then they fire it in a kiln and glaze it). After they were done and were walking around the mall, they saw a sign saying that Kevin Boss was there singing autographs. Being the awesome wife she is, my wife got in line and called me (I was having lunch with my dad not far from the mall). Initially my dad and I were not going to go because we did not think we could make it in time. However, my wife called back shortly to let us know that Kevin would be there longer than scheduled, so we hopped in the car to head over.

When we got to the mall, my dad dropped me off at the door and said he would meet me inside. When I got to the store, it was practically empty, with only a few people inside. I yelled to my wife and instantly I heard my kids getting all excited. When I got to the table I saw that Kevin Boss and the other people there were being entertained by my kids (anyone who has met my kids can probably imagine what I am talking about). My kids got their picture with him and I got an autograph.

While we were waiting for the boys' picture, my wife was told that one of the women that was there was Kevin Boss' wife. My wife went over to her and asked if it was possible for Kevin to maybe wait a few minutes until my dad got there and explained that he was fighting cancer. Kevin's wife spoke with him and he agreed to meet my dad. (Keep in mind that this was now well past the time he was scheduled to leave and that they had already 'cut off' the line) When my dad got there, they brought him up to meet Kevin and Kevin stood up to get a picture with my dad (apparently, my dad was to only one he stood up for when taking pictures). It was the first time in quite a while that we have seen my dad really smile.

Most professional athletes I have seen (especially at these pre-scheduled signing events) would not have made this simple, yet meaningful gesture. In the short time we were there, I noticed that Kevin was always very nice and polite and spent some time talking with his fans. It seemed to me that he enjoyed being there with his fans - it reminded me a lot of how Phil Mickelson interacts with his fan.

I was so impressed that when we got back to my parents house, I sent a message to Kevin on twitter thanking him for taking the time to meet my dad. A short while later, I received a reply back from him, you can read it here. (if the link does not work, there is an image of it below) To me, this shows that Kevin Boss is truly a class act and he 'gets' why he is able to play football for a living - because of his fans.

Kevin, if somehow you actually read this, thank you again, you made a lasting impression on all of us (especially my kids). I meant what I said in my tweet, all professional athletes could learn from you how to interact with their fans. Please don't ever change - on the field or off.

Here are the pics of my kids and my dad with Kevin, as well as his twitter reply to me.

Taking some inspiration from Ray Camden, I decided that I wanted to tweak some of the visual aspects of Eclipse.

See, I have ColdFusion Builder installed as a plug-in, rather than the stand alone version. As a result, I don't get the cool icons or splash screen, but I wanted to change that. I was able to find where Eclipse keeps the 'splash screen' image and I created my own - here is how you can too.

1. Shut down Eclipse or CF Builder.
   
2. Save the image below to your computer.
   
   (Isn't that just an awesome picture? Ray and I literally spent minutes on it)
   
3. Search your Eclipse or CF Builder directory for a file named 'splash.bmp'.
4. Rename this file to something like 'splash_old.bmp'.
5. Copy the image you saved in step 2 to the directory where 'splash.bmp' was found.
6. Start Eclipse or CF Builder.
7. Enjoy!

I should note that I did find a configuration file that could be edited to tell Eclipse what file to use, but rather than totally messing up my set up, I figured it would be easier to just rename the files.