The Wandering Minstrel

Before I retired, I wrote a solar ephemeris widget for the sidebar in our family blog. Earlier this year, I copied that code into the sidebar of “The Wandering Minstrel.” All was well until daylight savings time ended and then the ephemeris here was an hour off. I checked the other site and the ephemeris there was correct - it appeared that the same identical code worked there and not here. I removed the widget from here and vowed that I would fix it - someday.

I started digging into the problem a few days ago. After a lot of double checking and head scratching, I consulted the date() object and related time/date functions to see if there was some hidden property. I wrote some diagnostic code and discovered that the default date_default_timezone_set(timezone) was set to America/Los_Angeles here and America/Phoenix on the other site. Both Arizona and Los Angeles are on Mountain Standard Time (GMT -7) during daylight savings time. Arizona never goes to DST so that explained the one-hour error after LA went on standard time (GMT -8).

I fixed the problem (for both sites) by explicitly setting the PHP timezone object date_default_timezone_set(timezone) to America/Phoenix. The ephemeris widget is near the bottom of the left sidebar. Note that as winter solstice is tomorrow the daylight value is less than ten hours (sunup to sundown).

The explanation for this is at Harvard.edu

Readers of this weblog will know that I post a lot of pictures. I have always made an effort to include something visual in addition to the other content.

When I upload an image file to my WordPress publishing platform, I have to manually add the HTML tags to customize image placement and size. Since I try to post something daily, I found that I was typing in the exact same few tags over and over. Today, I added a couple of new tag objects to the JavaScript file that contains the code for tag buttons in the WordPress new post editor.

The composite screenshot image above and to the right shows a few tag buttons on top and the two code objects I added. The ‘img view’ button was there from my previous modification to the script and today I added ‘width 500′ and ‘width 320′ buttons. Now, when I press the new buttons the code pops into the editor with one click. The width 500 button outputs width='500' and the width 320 button outputs width='320' class='right'. The class='right' tag positions 320-pixel images to the right of the text.

I happened to come across this Garmin GPS video at Gulf Coast Avionics. This is a high-end integrated avionics package with a multi-functional display for general aviation aircraft. This system is reminiscent of some of the military avionics packages that I worked on at the aerospace mill about fifteen years ago.

This system virtually replaces everything in your avionics COM/NAV stack. You can have one installed in your aircraft for only $18K.

Here’s a blurb from the Gulf Coast website:

The New Garmin GTN 750 from Gulf Coast Avionics is the pilots choice for affordable, feature rich, and quality GPS/NAV/COMM multifunction display systems. The GTN 750 has huge 6 inch tall touchscreen display that allows for large, easy access menu options, quick and effortless navigation, and high detailed graphics. With features such as terrain mapping, graphical flight planning, in depth geo-referenced charting, air traffic display, satellite weather and tons more this system is perfect for any aircraft.

Browsing through the guns magazines, I notice little square smart phone scan codes in ads and in some articles. Being the nerd that I am, I finally got curious enough to find out what this technology is all about, although I have no use for anything like this other than perhaps putting it on a business card for contact information.

I generated the QR code at the right from one of many free on-line sources. The code contains the URL for this site. Scanning it with your smart phone should open our blog on your device.

Wikipedia has an interesting page devoted to QR codes (excerpt):

A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR readers, smartphones, and, to a less common extent, computers with webcams. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, URL, or other data.

Common in Japan, where it was created by Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. The QR code was designed to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.

Finally, here’s the obligatory trademark reference. There is a lot more information about QR Codes at the Denso link.

QR Code^® is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED

Last evening, I ordered a RACK’EM full door rack that holds up to 16 handguns on the door of the safe. I ordered it from Cheaper Than Dirt.

Fully adjustable Pistol Hooks(TM) attach to a wire grid, customizing the interior of any safe door and allowing easy access to your pistol. Pistol Hooks hold revolvers and semi-autos, from the smallest pocket pistols to the largest framed revolvers. The Maximizer allows air to circulate around your pistols to keep them dry, and a hydrophobic plastic coating protects their finishes. Fits all standard size safes and fastens securely to the top ledge of the safe door with screws. Constructed of solid steel and includes all hardware. Select from full-door or half-door racks. Full Door, Holds 16 Pistols, 48×16.75×2.25″.

I will post pix and a write-up when it gets installed here.

By the way, how do you like my new barcode watermark?

The software that I use for animations on this site is a Flash® animation tool called SwishMax4. I subscribe to their technical blog and just this week they added a jigsaw puzzle component. Of course, being the penultimate nerd, I had to try it out regardless of being of no actual use other than entertainment. The button controls are self-explanatory.

Almost exactly one year after we first met at the same site, The Better Half and I drove up to Fort MacArthur where DrJim of Every Blade of Grass was setting up for the ARRL Field Day event. We had an enjoyable, albeit brief, visit where we discussed work, retirement, the dogs and several other topics. DrJim and I share the same political leanings as well as many of the same interests.

Clickable image: Cap’n Bob/Minstrel (left) and DrJim (courtesy The Better Half)

We finished most of our California business and will be heading home tomorrow. We have a couple of milestones to make on the new house this coming week; our spa will soon be delivered (we hope) and after it’s on the patio, the rest of the screened enclosure can be completed. That will be just about it until we get our last planned improvement; a custom entertainment center installed in the great room.