I found a great site for creating custom QR codes. 

I had a project a few years back where I had to generate QR codes, so I wrote my own engine.  Then I used the .net framework to impose images on top of QR codes using GDI+.  The qrhacker.com site does a great job of putting the elements I did a while back into an easy to use site.  

The issue I had with the program we wrote, is that depending on the QR code generation the logo or icon you placed over the image would cause the QR to not render.   What I like is how they let you know when you may have caused the QR quality to be out of range.    I have just a generic version that generates a QR code based on size quality at tilde32.com/qr.aspx.   

QR codes have come  along way in the past two years.   Part of the reason I created my own generator is that I could validate the quality and also have control when needing to batch the QR generation.  Here is the previous post on some discussions on QR codes  – http://jimiz.net/blog/2010/12/qr-code-generator-2d-barcode/

While starting to  write an android application I had to re-install the Android SDK on my new system.  When I did this and tried to execute the Emulator I go the following error:

"invalid command-line parameter: Files.

Hint: use '@foo' to launch a virtual device named 'foo'. please use -help for more information"

After some google searches and some testing I finally found a fix.  The issue it appears is the referenced path that Android is using.  Since I have an x64 system, the location that the default android install is : C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk

One of the posts and install documents I read was to add that directory to your “Path” in windows.  I made that change and still had the same issue.  After some more digging I found that the issue is related to the spaces in the folder path.   To solve this issue I added the “SFN” directory location into the PATH variables.

Short File name is sometimes called 8.3 file name.   Because it envokes a limit on the filename and extension length (wikipedia)

Since x64 machines place files that are 32bit into a different Program files directory the install location is : C:\Program Files (x86)\android\android-sdk

SO THE FIX IS:

Add the location sfn name into the path.  My 8.3 file location for the sdk is:

C:\PROGRA~2\android\android-sdk

This will remove the spaces from the path.  To add a folder location in your path on windows 7 you need to:

• go to control panel
• 
• System | Edit the System Environment Variables
• Click the Environment Variables button
• 
• Scroll Down under “system Variables” until you find path
• 
• Place a “;” before you add the path to the sdk folder (C:\PROGRA~2\android\android-sdk)
• 

I’m in the middle of writing a Windows Phone 7 application.  It is part experiment and part project that I’ve wanted to do for a while.   In doing the development I have found a few difficult things in developing for WP7.

The application I’m writing requires the use of the network adaptor and also some mapping.  So far the available information for the network adapter is very sparse.   The other interesting component is also that fact that you can’t launch a Map (bing map) task very easily.  You would think this would be a built in feature.

There is a work around that Kevin Marshall has posted (http://blogs.claritycon.com/kevinmarshall/2010/12/07/wp7-tip-pseudo-map-launcher/)

The main idea is that you call out a bing search and utilize the map call:

var task = new WebBrowserTask();
task.URL = “maps:1%20N%20Franklin%2060606″;

or

//task.URL = “maps:37.788153%2C-122.440162″;

task.Show();

I love to use a good pen.  I recently lost my good Cross pen that I always have carried.   In the spirit of being frugal I decided to see what I could find on a budget.  I came across a quick post on lifehacker discussing a Mont Blanc Pen for $15 bucks.   Being a person who likes a good pen, I decided to give this little project a try.

The steps are pretty easy.

1. Get a G2 pen (pro or regular)  I did both.

2. Purchase Mont Blanc refills – I got 15158

3. Trim the plastic end of the refill – I used a utility knife

4. Re-assemble and enjoy.

I chose the G2 pro for the more executive look, but realized I like the clear regular G2 becuase you can see the Mont Blanc and it reminds me that I am using a nice writing utensil.

Lifehacker article: http://lifehacker.com/186819/convert-a-3-pen-into-a-200-pen

Read the entire how-to at indistructuables : http://www.instructables.com/id/Save-%24200-in-2-minutes-and-have-the-worlds-best-wr/#step1

I get all types of security questions from home users.  How do I secure my wireless so people can’t use it?  How can I make sure people can’t steal files on my computer?  How can I keep the kids from going to sites they are not suppose to be on?

For the last one, how to secure and block sites I recommend OpenDNS.  Not only does open dns allow you to speed up your surfing (more on that later). It also allows you to monitor, maintain, and block sites that are used from your network.

To utilize OpenDNS you need to set your router’s dns service to use OpenDNS. This is a fairly simple task if you know how to admin your home router. In most cases your router is a (netgear, linksys, or dlink device). OpenDNS has instructions for most versions. Once you add their Primary (208.67.222.222) and Secondary (208.67.220.220) ip address to your router you are almost done.

You then create an account at openDNS and setup your rules. I choose the moderate setting and then modified it to block adult content and removed Proxy / anonymous sites (since I use wifi-vpn.com)

customized Settings

With a simple DNS change on your router you can now block all types of sites and specific urls. Example, if you wanted to block some specific port site or other url (www.xxxsomething.com) you would add this to the open dns block list. One of my colleagues at work has blocked facebook when his kids did not meet the grades or rules.

Once you have set your rules / filters for OpenDNS you can now monitor what is being done on your network. OpenDNS has great reporting to show you how much traffic you have done and what domains people go to. Here is a sample of what people have gone to on our Family cottage wireless network.

Overall OpenDNS is a great tool for your home or business. It can block unwanted sites and also track usage and sites people should not go to.

If you use google apps and an iPhone or iPad you have probably tried to add other calendars to your in app calendar application.  A very simple way to do this is to use iphoneselect.   Iphone select allows you to select the calendars from a webpage and then configure your iPad or iPhone app to sync with them

Google APPS: https://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/YOURDOMAINNAME/iphoneselect

Change YOURDOMAINName to the appropriate url mine is “jimiz.net”.

Gmail: https://www.google.com/calendar/iphoneselect

You will then see your available calendars to sync with, the same selection you have in the gmail web application.  This great little url can quickly configure your calendar.

I recently configured my cousins google apps account and allowed him to sync the other team members.

So today I updated my iPhone to 4.3.2 and Jailbroke it again.   I always get asked why I jailbreak.  The simple answer is because I like to hack devices.  The more to the point reasons are the cool customizations.  The business reason is simple, MyWi it allows me to make the device a wifi hotspot and always have internet where ever I go.

I used the redSn0w process to jail break.  You can follow this process it is for 4.3.1 but  but can work with 4.3.2 if you download the proper IPSW version.   Lifehacker always has hst up to date version of the files.

My intial attempt failed.   This is because I did not follow the steps for x64 and modify the affinity for redsnow.exe and set to cpu1

I also did not run redsn0w.exe as administrator.  To do that you just need to right click on the exe and select (run as administrator)

These steps are all in the instructions. Have fun and enjoy if you do decide to jail break.  Drop me a note with your experiences.   I

I have not jailbroken my iPad yet.  I do know this version will not do the iPad2

Update:  I got a note from someone asking if I backed up my iPhone prior to jailbreaking.  Yes, I used AptBackup for the jailbroken apps and did a lot of system file copy with ssh.

I’ve been doing some research on QR codes (the funny looking squares you see in magazines and Sunday advertisements). QR codes are “Quick Reference” barcodes that can contain a lot of information. They started to become popular in Japan and have recently been showing up more and more in media and at stores.

There are a few great QR code generators out there but I set out to make one for myself that I would be able to share. I used an opensource qrcode library from twit88.com.

Head over to www.tilde32.com/qr.aspx to use the generator. Create a QRcode for your site, or for a business card, even your wifi info. You can use the permalink to add the QR code to your site or just download and save the image. I have also been working on a GDI app that you can add your logo on top of the QR code (coming soon) Similar to what the BBC did with their logo. I am also adding a Microsoft TAG generator.

QR code for : jimiz.net

Why are QR codes so popular? There are over 50 Million smartphone users in the US. Any smartphone with a camera should have the ability to read a QR code. It is a simple way to transmit data to a end user. QR codes are easy and free to create and can store a lot of data. They are easy to embed into media and marketing materials.

I was reading my daily RSS feeds and came across this headline.

“More than 10% of all PCs worldwide now on Windows 7″. (http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2010/04/22/more-than-10-of-all-pcs-worldwide-now-on-windows-7.aspx)

It stood out and made me interested. That is pretty amazing, since Windows 7 has only been out for a few months. Considering the volume of users that have a PC that is huge number and to get to 10% this quick is just outstanding. I have been lucky enough to use 7 for quite a while at home, but still use XP at the office.

I am continually amazed at how people upgrade and update their home PC’s. Not many of the people I know who are not technical would even be able to tell you how to upgrade their OS. In fact, most of the people I end up helping with their tech problems just purchase a new PC rather than upgrade the OS.

I wonder how many of the sales are tied to a new PC? I would even love to know what the numbers were of people upgrading from XP or Vista?

Here are some great basic money mistakes. If you are in any way questioning these items please email me so I can explain. I am not a financial planner or even a consultant (I work in IT). However, if you don’t understand why these are bad, I am offering to take the time to explain them and answer questions.

Here is the original link from USAToday (http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/basics/2010-04-19-personalfinance19_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me)

1. Raiding your 401(k)
2. Walking out on a mortgage (Please understand the major financial issue behind this)
3. Ignoring the card balance (Dave Ramsey)
4. Debt-wipeout scams (don’t be a sucker)
5. Co-signing a loan (Stay away)
6. Payday loans
7. Reverse mortgages
8. Trying to stiff Uncle Sam (it is not worth it)

These are some pretty simple mistakes to avoid, some are done because people are under stress to pay things or get out of a bad situation. Just please remember how important it is to understand the financial decisions you make