FAFDS Work Journal
Xythos project
- I worked most of the day toward the dev. meeting but as it turned out I did not say what I should have said.
- What I did say amounted to the fact that I can upload a file to the Xythos server context and that I can then stream that file to the Xythos WFS.
- I should have noted the ridiculous problems I have been having w/ the Xythos LDAP server connection or the lack thereof.
- I talked about the possibilty of using JMS but that won't be needed.
FAFDS Work Journal
Project Xythos/FileUpload/HttpClient
- I was able to upload a file on the Windows Xythos using: getRealPath().
- Used most of the day in getting the Log4j init servlet to log to: /var/log/<log4j>.log
- Using the HttpClient App client I was able to upload a file and get a non-NULL VirtualServer object as was displayed in the logs.
FAFDS work journal
Xythos/FileUpload/HttpClient project
- I successfully uploaded a Xythos system file on the Windoze box. I had to use the ServletContext and the getRealPath() method. A stop-gap solution.
- I added some of the Xythos code from createfile.jsp and WFSApiServlet.java to the Linux box NB project uploadwar-2.07 Servlet (FileUploadServlet.java).
- I spent some time on Log4j on the Linux side. So far unsuccessful but I suspect I will svn co the Log4jServlet project and either study or run the servlet to initiate the logging on my machine.
FAFDS Daily Work Journal
Project: Xythos/FileUpload/HttpClient
- I installed log4j successfully on the windows Xythos system server. And, I was able to discover some issues w/ my WFSApiServlet. But it remains to be a problem as to why I am getting: File Not Found exceptions for the CreateFileData class object created as input to FileSystem.createFile().
- I searched for the servlet displayed for me by BT but all I found was the PD UploadServlet (again).
- In studying the PD servlet I'm convinced the root of my problems with capturing a disk file inside the servlet because of URL encoding issues.
- I received quite a bit of info back from GS @ Xythos but I have not had the time to investigate his attachments.
- Another disturbing issue is I am not able to run my Xythos code on my Linux box as the xydev (oracle) instance has been down all day today.
FAFDS
Xythos/FileUpload/HttpClient
- RK left today for 2-weeks vacation. The project is due when he comes back.
- Succeeded in creating a method: createDataFile() in the Servlet and the corresponding code in the createfile.jsp.
- And, now I am able to upload a file to th e Xythos System form a FileInputStream(String).
- The createDataFile method is now broken because of attempts to unhardwire the Servlet method createDataFile().
- I sent emails to both EL and GS (Xythos) in an attempt to rectify my WL/LDAP/XythosAdmin issues.
Karl this weekend
The 4gb install
- Karl got his 4gig of mem installed for the weekend and he was really impressed.
- I have to admit that I am impressed too w/ the performance of the machine.
- It was so cute to see Karl impatient to receive the mem sticks and then to watch his face as he played WoW and talked about how the frames-per-second were much better than before.
- Now I have Karl an offer-on-the-table: if he obtains and reads a book by this weekend then we will go online to NewEgg and by the best video card we can afford.
- Karl had his friend over for a while before they went to the movies. Karl's friend is named Cody and Cody brought his old 256M video card but it does not fit according to Karl.
FAFDS
Xythos/FileUpload/HttpClient
- xythosadmin page throws LDAP exception (cannot find LDAP server)
- Added 6 more metadata get methods to entryinfo.jsp.
- Joined xythos forum to look for help on Custom Events Listeners and other Xythos API classes.
- Cliff queried me about my progress today. I alluded to the fact that I am in about the same boat as BO: I need to study the API doco more but I also feel that I have a solution as a direct consequence of the Xythos API. I mentioned the Custom Events Listeners and the xythosadmin import feature that is programmatically available as a so-called migration to upload a file from the disk filesystem to the xythos system.
- I visted shortly w/ BT today and I discovered as much in 5 minutes as I had found on my own for the past few days. The main method for writing a file to the Xythos systems is: FileSystem.createFile(). BT stated that he would help me tomorrow w/ the LDAP server not found exception.
FAFDS
Xythos/FileUpload/HttpClient project
- I converted the HTTPClient command-line FileUpload java main() to a Swing app which needs to be made Thread safe.
- I spent a lot of time ensuring my remote access to the Windoze and Linux boxes. And, I ensure access to the software and data needed for the Xythos project.
- I read all of the xythos API about the Xythos FileSystem objects and their related class methods. And, I created a VirtualServer object that was not NULL.
- BM and I at the end-of-the-day discussed at some length the extents of Xythos and where we needed to concentrate our efforts for our individual projects.
- I re-installed Xythos several time before I was able to get it correctly installed (mostly filesystem and path problems).
- I was successful in building and deploying the Xythos Sample Servlet and JSPs to demo various Xythos API functionality (create user etc.).
FAFDS
Xythos/FileUpload project
- Short discussion w/ RK this morning about the Xythos/FileUpload requirements: 1. Src and Dest for uploaded files to be user defined. 2. The Servlet and the HttpClient needs to be Thread Safe. 3. HttpClient should be a Swing app.
- Before lunch the HttpClient was running as a Java command-line app. I uploaded 3 files (hard-wired) to the FileUploadServlet.java.
- RK re-iterated the requirements before he left and emphasized that I need to be clear before Monday when he goes on vacation.
- Afterwards: before the end-of-the-day I had a Swing Client uploading one file at-at-time.
- Tomorrow I suspect I will have enough time to read the Xythos API and compare to what is found in the xythosUtil.java. I should be able to have most of what I need for Monday by Friday evening.
FAFDS
Xythos/FileUpload project (FileUploadProcessServlet.java)
- Today I downloaded and installed the Xythos webserver for Windows. As a consequence I was able to look at the tutorials and API doco.
- I completed the FileUploadProcessServlet.java and debugged upto the call to: FileUploadUtil.uploadFile().
- I submitted a short email to RK w/ the same bullets as are included here.
FAFDS
week 5 Xythos/Apache Commons FileUpload project
- The FileUploadProcess.java pom file contains dependencies for JBoss AOP and other packages including the FDS/Xythos libraries or jars.
- I spent a lot of the day trying to get a handle on Xythos doco, diagnostics or logging but there is nothing to be found.
- I received an email from the Xythos folks with a link to a download for their doco.
- I created a new Servlet: FileUploadProcessServlet.java. Now, I have jar resolution issues in the newly created NB project. I need to create a new pom dependency to resolve the NoClassDefFound exceptions.
Karl's email
Waiting for the UPS guy
- Karl was very cute today.
- This morning early he called me and told me about seeing the UPS truck drive by but he was not able to tell if the truck knew where to go.
- We exchanged email in a volly most of the day peppered with descriptions of UPS tracking numbers and URLs in an attempt to track down the elusive package from Newegg.com.
- In the end (tonight) I reassured karl in my last email that the package is on its way and in no way should the package arrive any later than Thur.
FAFDS
start week #5
- Back in Austin this morning @ FAFDS.
- I copied the NB project from the mem stick to the Linux box.
- I opened the FileUploadProj NB proj but it had too many problems.
- I deleted the project and created a new FileUploadProj using the source on the mem stick.
- The new NB project was debuggable and I was successful in uploading a file using the little HTML/JSP client combo I invented for this proof-of-concept purpose.
- I IM'd RK about my plans to build a Servlet that is somewhat more robust and independent of the Xythos library code as I found in the original PD source code example.
- RK at the end-of-the-day lightly discussed these issues w/ me and wants to discuss again on Thur. I should have the FileUpload Servlet ready at that time and I will begin the integration w/ the Xythos library code at that time.
- I need to come up w/ a suitable name for the Servlet.
Weekend with Karl
And a great report card
- This past Fri. I arrived home on the weekend to hear a great announcement: Karl's year-end report card and cumulative grades all exceeded a 90 average or better! Woo-Hoo!
- Karl and I talked quite a bit until it was later than I would have liked but I think Karl and I enjoy each other's company.
- I am hoping that I am making some headway into Karl's thinking about the next 2 years he is facing before he graduates from Mag. West.
- Karl has been a real trooper and he has so far really helped out with the chores around the house: mowing, watering, etc.
- Karl and I talked some about Dean and as I suspect Karl does not understand why Dean would consume so much illicit drugs that it killed him. On this note Karl and I discussed the choices Dean made and the choices that people make in general that led to their demise.
- I have to add one more item: it was a great Father's Day!. Reason: I had Karl and Helen with me and the both of them conspired to get me a new phone! Now I can put a useful contact on my resume!
FAFDS
End week#4
- Today is the end of week #4.
- RK appears to be gone on vacation or some extended period of time. RK and i have emailed and IM each other frequently.
- I struggled with the code snippets from: PD (UploadServlet.war) and (FileUploadUtil.java) until today.
- I have the (dot).war running but when I run the client I'm not sure if it is doing what it should. In any case no files are copied or moved.
- I implemented RK's suggestion and I included a fileUpload.jsp in the (dot).war just to insure it is running.
- At the end-of-the-day I decided to download the Apache commons HttpClient and the HttpFileUpload tarballs and install them on the Linux box.
- I created a project in NB with example client code from the HttpClient wiki and it was able to scrape the Yahoo website.
- I plan on 16 Monday to implement a FileUpload example if I am able to work out something here at home over the weekend.
- I have apparently locked out my VPN client account so remote access is still not possible this weekend.
Software development world antics
Why do I.T. and software development departments suck?
- I am now at the end of my 4th week of a new gig.
- And, this gig is a carbon copy of the previous gig.
- SoS: dev. manager that willfully stays out-of-the-way while aggresively hostile job protection ploys are executed one after the next.
- Most software depts. have nothing to do with good software engineering. These departments only exist to serve and protect the jobs of the long tenured employees.
- The good-ol'-boy-system is alive and well.
- If you come into a company as a new-hire or as a contractor your first job is to go around the company for as many days as possible shaking hands and talking to folks that may or may not have any bearing on your job duties.
- And, God-forbid that you get something accomplished the first week. Shame on your but if you do actually get some or part of some project completed before the first Friday has gone-by!
- The long-tenued employees will plot and scheme and throw all types of tasks, questions and situations at you in hopes that you will slip up and look incompetent enough to warrant your removal from the premises.
- Why does the Software Engineering/Software Development industry suck-so-much?
FAFDS
End of Week #4
- Tomorrow is the end of week #4 and payday #2.
- RK has not surfaced for a couple of days now including IM.
- I have sent RK several IMs about the UploadServlet/FileUploadUtil project but no response.
- I have mostly bent BM's ear and PD's ear somewhat in an effort to get my job done.
- The day's accomplishment was mainly the pom.xml and a nifty Maven plugin -> assembly:assembly.
- This plugin allowed me to build an executable (dot).jar file.
- The only problem w/ the previous bullet is I'm not sure the Servlet and the Client are operating as they should. The weight of the problem seems to be toward the Servlet not getting what it expects from the client.
- But, by tomorrow I suspect it is possible that I will not need to worry about the project.
- It is becoming painfully obvious that not all is well.
- The old adage goes something like this: the fastest way to lose your job is simply do some work.
- This weekend is Father's Day and I may decide not to worry about anything.
Punkin and Mom
Austin and Magnolia
- I got a reply email from Punkin and Mumzy today.
- It was good to hear from them both: Punkin was very animated and appears to be in good spirits and Punking told me all about how he had switched the sprinklers right @ 0700 (cute), Mumzy's reply was to-the-point and somewhat lackluster.
- I worry about them both but I do not know what to do for them other than try to hang on to my job here in Austin.
- As a mediating move I took a look at RV'ing here in Austin and used Casita RVs and the prospect of joining the AARP and the perks that go along w/ old-age.
- It appears that if I get an AARP membership and buy a used 13' Casita for around $6 to $7K I could live in Austin for around $200+ bucks a month.
- This would help things considerably but w/ Dean's burial hanging over our heads I suppose I must continue living at the Barrington @ the gouging rate of $600.00/month.
FAFDS
Week #4 FileUploadUtil.java
- I downloaded the PDF free version of a Maven book.
- I was able to churn through the first 2 examples.
- I then tried my hand at creating a pom.xml using the archetype:create plugin.
- The exercise seemed to work until I attempted to open the project in NB whereupon NB complained about malformed XML.
- I had inserted the dependencies for the uploadServet jars which is what led to the issue in the previous bullet.
- After talking to BM I removed the dependencies essentially reverting the pom.xml to its' original status but NB continued to complain. BM then suggested that I use the Maven archetype plugin wizard as he demonstrated for me in NB.
- I plan to continue w/ the suggestion from BM (previous bullet) tomorrow.
FAFDS
Xythos/fileupload project
- Today RK listened to what I had gotten done on the Xythos/FileUpload project.
- Basically, I have the uploadservlet deployed and running under WL
- And, I have the Xythos server also deployed on WL.
- Now, I am trying to get the so-called fileupload client working. I will try to use an Ant build.xml tomorrow just for the client.
- RK also talked to me about the VPN and I explained to him that I don't yet have remote access but I should have that by this weekend. I explained to RK that for the time being I will be sticking around Austin because I don't have a lot of independence yet with the Systems dept. software.
FAFDS
week #4
- One week after burying Dean and I'm back in Austin.
- RK wanted a report in the dev. meeting today. I was ready for the meeting but it did not Round Robin to me. I was waiting for a queue but nothing came.
- Now RK wants to talk in the morning. This does not look good.
- I essentially got everything done on his very vague email including a workable copy of uploadservlet.java running on WL.
- It remains to be seen what the outcome is tomorrow.
FAFDS
End of week 3
- This is the end of week #3 @ FAFDS and it appears all-is-not-well.
- Week #2 was a bust because of having to bury Dean.
- Now, that I am back from a family disaster I find that I must be wasting my time @ FAFDS.
- The end of the first week @ FAFDS saw my hasty exit from the Insmap project notwithstanding the fact that I was able to glean the appropriate XML from CruiseControl such that I was able to build the Insmap project locally. I accomplished the Insmap project build on my 5th day (Fri.) @ FAFDS.
- It appears I must have stepped upon the wrong egotistical toes as usual.
- None-the-less I still have something to do but the something-to-do is surprisingly devoid of any need for knowledge of the underlying business model. I am basically designing something using the blackbox model.
- Our current financial situation with the burial of Dean last Saturday will force me to stay @ FAFDS until I can find something better. It is very demoralizing to have to listen to suggestions and innuendo that I planned my Son's death but I now no longer expect anything less than similar statements from Corporate America.
A New Day
Life starts anew with Karl and his Mom
- Today starts a new day with a new Lease-on-Life.
- Karl and I busied ourselves with a complete yard-work done in 2 hours!
- I will attempt to re-lace Dean's Brad Bailey so I can give the glove to Little Allen.
- I feel much better today. And, Mom must be doing OK too because she was laughing a little this morning at Karl and now she has gone shopping w/ Melissa.