Bill Rouck of Syntap Software

Zune 30 Upgraded to 100GB

Bill — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:08:26 +0000

My Microsoft Zune 30 has been running out of room lately and I have resorted to deleting songs from it in order to keep space open for podcast updates for my long commute.

I investigated a few options… buying a new iPod with new car accessories, or streaming Google Music to my car stereo using [...]

Review of Practical Packet Analysis: Using Wireshark to Solve Real-World Network Problems, authored by Chris Sanders

Bill — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:21:35 +0000

Author Chris Sanders, a security consultant and researcher, delivers an outstanding plain-language book that serves two purposes: teaching the reader about network architecture, and applying that knowledge for real-world network analysis using the open-source tool Wireshark.

I first encountered Wireshark when my job produced a need to analyze offline capture data from a vehicular data [...]

Review of the Motorola Droid Bionic on Verizon 4G LTE

Bill — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:46:28 +0000

I had an opportunity to review the Droid Bionic, my second LTE phone on Verizon. The HTC Thunderbolt had its ups and downs that have largely been cleared up by updates, we’ll see how well Motorola’s introduction to LTE fares. I have used the Bionic as my primary phone for a little over three weeks [...]

New OFX File Creator Tool – SunsetOFX

Bill — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:14:45 +0000

This post is mainly for those using python scripts and other methods to supply the sunset edition of Microsoft Money with stock quotes from Yahoo.

Lately the quotes coming down from Yahoo have contained odd numbers for prices, and invalid dates in the quotes. This prevents a valid OFX file from being created.

Inspired [...]

Review of Programming Microsoft ASP.NET 4 by Dino Esposito; Microsoft Press

Bill — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:10:27 +0000

Programming Microsoft ASP.NET 4 is an advanced book that gives a complete overview of the ASP.NET 4 architecture. If you are an administrator of a business-critical Web application (or plan to be one) using the Microsoft suite of server and Web services tools, this book will provide a good and complete understanding of system internals [...]

The HTC Thunderbolt, 4G/LTE Android Smartphone on Verizon Wireless

Bill — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:26:22 +0000

After a long wait, Verizon’s 4G/LTE network is up and running in a few metropolitan locations (luckily mine), and a phone has finally been released that utilizes the faster data network. The Thunderbolt, manufactured by HTC, was released for sale in March 2011 as Verizon’s first 4G phone. I had an opportunity to use and [...]

Review of SQL Pocket Guide (3rd edition), authored by by Jonathan Gennick

Bill — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:13:03 +0000

SQL Pocket Guide is a very sensible deskside reference for developers and database administrators. If you are experienced in Structured Query Language (SQL) and can use occasional refreshers on commands and syntax, this is the perfect helper book for you.

Reading the SQL Pocket Guide from front to back is a little bit like reading [...]

Review of Head First Python, authored by Paul Barry

Bill — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 03:37:35 +0000

Many language tutorial books are hard to read from cover to cover and maintain interest and attention... I didn't have that problem with Head First Python and was able to read the whole book easily. Anyone needing an intro to Python should consider this book.

Thoughts of Knight Kiplinger’s Feb 2011 Column

Bill — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 05:07:58 +0000

This post responds to Knight Kiplinger’s piece titled “401(k)s for Everyone” found in the February 2011 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and online here.

Knight Kiplinger discusses making the 401(k) mandatory in order to give a firm nudge to employees into saving something for retirement. The ends are noble… it is clear [...]

Upcoming Reviews

Bill — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 03:11:32 +0000

I have just joined the O’Reilly Blogger Review Program and will be posting reviews here. First up is an introductory book on Python.

You’ll also see reviews here of whatever devices I get to check out as a member of the Verizon Wireless Customer Council, a small user focus group of about thirty VZW customers [...]