2010/01/28

Myths About Code Comments


Jason Baker gives his take on the biggest misconceptions about code comments: 

1) Comments are free (’When you update the code that the comment references, you usually have to update the comment as well’). 

2) Comments make code more readable (’by far the most pervasive myth that I’ve encountered’). 

3) You should comment every function, method, class, and module (’documenting something that needs no documentation is universally a bad idea’). 

4) Code must always be ’self documenting’ (’would you rather use a one-liner that requires a 3-line comment, or a 10-liner that requires no comments?’).”

2010/01/24

Dispelling HTML Myths – Displaying Vertical Text

How to Display Text Vertically in Any Explorer or Firefox Web Page



This article dispels an old HTML myth. It shows, quite simply, how to display text vertically in a web page and in any browser - Internet Explorer or firefox.



There are many myths about HTML (HyperText Markup Language), the language behind all web pages. The first is that is that HTML is a programming language. It is not. Another myth is that it is not possible to display text vertically. It is. And a final myth is that even if a web page designer can display text vertically in Internet Explorer, they can't do that in Firefox. Guess what. That's right, they can.

Myth Number 1: HTML is a Programming Language

HTML (as its name suggests) is a formatting language and nothing more. It enables the web page designer to display text in different ways by using formatting tags, for example:
Bold

Large Heading

Small Heading



It is even possible for a web site designer to create their own bespoke tags:

Standard formatting and customized formatting
This can be seen in figure 1 at the bottom of this article. However, there is no programming involved. Only formatting.


Myth Number 2: Text Cannot be Displayed Vertically

Having dispelled the myth of HTML being a programming language, it's time to consider formatting the text so that it is displayed vertically. And this particular myth evaporated because of Internet Explorer. Microsoft Internet Explorer has, and has had for quite a long time, its own style property – the writing mode property:


.vertical_text {
writing-mode: tb-rl;
}
The web page creator can then use this, for example as a table heading:
Text 1
Text 2
The result can be seen in figure 2 or in Internet Explorer (but not in Firefox).

Myth Number 3: Text Can be Displayed Vertically in Internet Explorer, But Not Firefox

Having found that it is possible to display text vertically by using an Internet Explorer style property, it will be of no surprise to anyone that this technique will not work with Mozilla Firefox. It will, however, be equally of no surprise to anyone that there is an equivalent style property that works with the Firefox web browser. It is, therefore, just a matter of updating the style definition in either the web page's header or its css (cascading style sheet) file. It's also worth noting that the style's text-align property must be set to "center" for this to work:
.vertical_text {
text-align: center;
-moz-transform: rotate(90deg);
writing-mode: tb-rl;
}
This custom style will work with both Firefox 3.5.1 and Internet Explorer 8.0, and enable the web page designer to produce professional looking tables regardless of what they may have heard.

Read more at Suite101: Dispelling HTML Myths – Displaying Vertical Text: How to Display Text Vertically in Any Explorer or Firefox Web Pagehttp://computerprogramming.suite101.com/article.cfm/dispelling_html_myths_displaying_vertical_text#ixzz0dZR5w34Q

2010/01/14

Popular Myths And Facts About Broadband Internet Connection


There are many small and medium businesses who are struggling for an effective online presence and the main reason behind this is poor or low Internet connection. A lot of the problems can be solved with a good business broadband Internet plan which comes with much faster download speeds, far greater reliability and, most importantly, free 24 hour support when things go wrong.
Yet, there is a limited number of broadband Internet users. This is due to the some popular myths related to broadband Internet connection that create doubts in the minds of prospective consumers. Here are 7 such popular myths and the actual truth behind them:
Myth#1 Broadband Internet connection is not for remote areas.
Fact: This is very wrong as one can use broadband satellite Internet irrespective of their location. Even areas where terrestrial services such as DSL and dial up are not available one can enjoy fast internet with broadband services.
Myth#2 Broadband Internet needs a modem connection.
Fact: Again this is also not true as for using broadband services there is no need of a modem to download or upstream transmission.
Myth#3 Broadband Internet performance is not effected by the quality of your computer.
Fact: For enjoying high speed internet with a broadband connection you need to have a good computer. The speed of broadband services depend significantly on the speed and configuration of your computer. With an underpowered computer user will not be able to view a web page containing Flash or other elements. Plus a broadband connection will only transmit data at a faster rate, but it is your computer through which you will view a web page.
Myth#4: Broadband Internet access is easily affected by bad weather conditions
Fact: This is not at all true. With broadband connection one gets to enjoy uninterrupted Internet access irrespective of the weather conditions. Only under extreme torrential downpour conditions there might be some disturbance in accessing web pages but that too for a short while.
Myth#5: Broadband Internet is difficult to use.
Fact: It is very easy to use a broadband Internet connection. During the time of installation, the installer shows the user how to use it, and then there is always customer care facility which is quite helpful in case of any problem.
Myth#6: Broadband connection needs regular and expensive servicing
Fact: Broadband services does not require regular and expensive servicing. Due to the tough competition going on between leading broadband Internet providers, there are better plans, rates and services to attract and retain customers.
Myth#7: Broadband service is expensive
Fact: There is a fixed monthly charge that one has to pay to the service provider for using the business broadband services. This monthly charge is quite affordable when one looks at the benefits of broadband service. There is no need to pay anything extra.
Well, these myths have unfortunately created doubts in the minds of prospective users of broadband Internet. But now as the facts are clear you can definitely go for a business broadband plan without any second thoughts and take your business to the next level.

2010/01/07

Computer Data Recovery


Output data RECOVERY: Dispelling the myths of Data Recovery
A lot of myths surround the concept of computer code recovery. You hear people having it out with their PC’s when they inadvertently deleted remarkable files from their hard drives. Or you see someone post in information recovery forums asking how they should go about reloading information that was irrevocable when their digital computer crashed. So-called output data recovery high-level advisers would reply, “You made back-ups, didn’t you?” And of course, you didn’t, so there goes your final history project down the drain.
The theory is: What’s gone is gone.
All the same in practically cases of computer code recovery, that is not always the case. As lengthy it was not overwritten physically, input data once saved into the system is never completely gone. Whether it was inadvertently deleted, corrupted by a virus, or the disk was formatted, or partitioned then deleted, computer code will stick to the system like gum to a shoe. This is the small fact that the whole concept of computer code recovery is based on.
What really occurs with data waste is that the files are regularly unavailable by usual measures. For instance, your file about, how to make a recovery partition was deleted. This doesn’t mean you’re going to have to do the research all over just to pass that final exam your psycho IT professor will give you on Friday. The file is in any event in the drive only as a signature byte which has been added to the beginning of its file name.
Now, here’s the tricky part. The file will always reside in the drive however once you save some new information, the new computer code will take the space occupied by the signature file. So if you lose any files, be sure that you don’t put in any more input data so you can keep that deleted file intact, and therefore, available for computer code recovery.
So with output data recovery, you just have to remember one thing: Never enter new computer code right after you inadvertently dispose of a file.
Lesson learned? Now, we move on to the next important myth to eliminate.
Installing this one information recovery software won’t hurt, will it?
The answer is definite: NO. Yet data recovery software is the in-thing right now and allowing it to install on your drive might seem like a plausible solution, DON’T install it into your drive. You can nevertheless apply your downloaded version of data recovery software but you will need to run it on a separate, healthy hard drive.
Remember Lesson #1: Never enter new computer code into your drive. A easily understood 1 MB of input data recovery software can diminish the chances of data recovery success in reloading input data into an uncorrupt drive.
Data recovery professionals are advisors in recovering and reloading computer code.
But even high-level advisers scratch their heads at times in the bring before of a really physically busted drive where not even the remotest possibility of computer code recovery is reasonable. And they can’t completely restore data 100%. They’re authorities, not gods.
So what is the best way to conquer data weathering? Answer: Always have back-up files. And one of the best way is to make a backup recovery partition.

2010/01/01

The Most Notable Laptop Pc Myths Explained


n today’s technologically dependant world laptop computers are quite popular and in many cases they are needed for school and work. Many universities now offer wireless Internet in classrooms and power outlets at each table so that students can be connected. At some universities students must log onto the Internet while in class to take exams. It is surprising that such a common and popular item still has so many common myths surrounding it.
In the early 1980s small, portable computers were introduced, but they were nothing like the portable PCs of today. There are countless options for notebook PCs today and countless uses. The newest member of the laptop family, the netbook, has further revolutionized the way we use computers. Netbooks are very small computers that are made to be carried around with you so you can access the Internet at any time. This type of computer is more popular than it ever has been, but some of the persisting myths about them may surprise you.
Myth 1: PC Notebooks are Always Higher Priced Than Desktop PCs
It is simply not true that notebooks are always more expensive than desktop PCs. Sure, there are laptops that are more expensive than desktop PCs, but there are also many that are lower priced or similarly priced. The new netbooks are often priced amazingly low – sometime half the price of a desktop PC. The price of your new computer depends on what you need to use it for. A better graphics card for gaming will raise the price, as will other upgrades.
Myth 2: Battery life is too short to be useful.
Portable computer batteries have improved over the last ten years and they actually last much longer than they used to. Most of today’s PC notebooks actually have a battery life between six and eight hours. They do not have to be charged as frequently as older portable computers did. You still have to recharge them at least once a day, but that is not so difficult.
Myth 3: Desktops just have the most features and options.
Today’s PC notebooks are everything today’s desktops are. PC notebooks that have excellent graphics cards and sound cards are easy to find for gamers and music lovers. For those who need to be connected there are built-in webcams and microphones. PC notebooks also generally come standard with wireless cards so you can connect almost anywhere.
PC notebooks have changed in over the last two decades, just as most technology has. Today’s portable computer actually offer longer battery life, wireless connections, great graphics, large memory capacity, duel-core processors, and many other great options. On top of all of this, many PC notebooks are also reasonably priced.
Andrew Johnson is an expert in computer consumables. If you would like more information about varieties of laptop or are looking for a reputable computer retailer please visit http://www.ebuyer.com