In process of reluctantly moving over to Windows 7, found a problem with my spreadsheets. Didn't want to change operating systems, but faulty power adapter connection forced me to get a new computer, that was about 18 months ago. Thus far the 64 bit Windows 7 computer been a good dust collector, as little installs on it, and it is otherwise slower than a wet weekend. What's with the spinning cursor, just execute the command already, instead of unnecessarily animating stuff: supposed to be a general purpose personal computing device not video game. Software developers seem to have lost the plot about what a personal computer is, and difference with a micro-computer and the importance of stable infrastructure. Not to put too fine a point on it but a virus is an annoying irritating piece of software which interrupts the users use of their computer: eg. Microsoft updates are a virus. All computer seems to have done for past 18 months is download updates: switch on to move software licenses, cannot do anything because updates need installing, runs out of battery power needs recharging, go do something else. Get more spare time, repeat same process, during which process seems to have got infected or otherwise messed up. Internet explorer dead, camera not functioning, and cannot install software for. Seems like may have to wipe clean and re-install from scratch. And there's all this rubbish about XP being defunct: its working perfect. Any way write more about operating systems and personal computers later.
Since I don't have 64 bit office, not even current for that matter (why would it need to be, I customize my own stuff), it seems that the Microsoft DAO 3.6 object library gets placed elsewhere. Normally it would be:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\DAO\dao360.dll
On 64 bits using 32 bit software its likely to be:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\microsoft shared\DAO\dao360.dll
So to use my technical library will need to manually change the reference in the vba editor under tools references.
When first started with computers I avoided Microsoft products and stuck with Borland (Turbo Pascal, Turbo C, Quattro Pro, Paradox). I cannot go back down that path, but considering the free software options which are available on both Windows and Linux platforms. Start with them on Windows get used to them, and then move over to Linux. Zorin OS may be something worth looking at. There are a lot of problems to move over to Linux, from major applications (AutoCAD, Multiframe) to small utilities (xyplorer, beyond compare). But back in the early 1990's most high end graphical engineering software required a unix workstation: and likely a specific workstation like a Sun sparc. The problem being drivers for graphics, mice, and printers. At DOS every software developer needed to write drivers for their own application, and similarly with unix/Sun OS locked to specific or limited range of hardware. MS Windows eliminated part of the problem, if the computer could run Windows then chances are could run specialist software.
The problem we have now though is not about supplying to meet needs, but changing stuff to acquire future income. Need and demand been satisfied, so what can be done to generate income tomorrow. I know, lets knock all the bridges down, along with the power stations and water filtration and pumping stations. Got a new fangled super material and I reckon it would be unsafe, a major national security risk, to keep all these things made out off that rubbishy concrete stuff. Whilst we're at it lets rip up those copper wires and optical fibre rubbish: you know the ones that connect the internet. And those tarmac, asphalt and concrete pavements they're ugly so lets get rid off them to: I'm sure we can think of something to replace them with, might but half defective and inferior. Wheels yeah, lets re-invent them, triangular ones they'd look good: wouldn't work, but who cares its change, and shouldn't resist change. There is just so much garbage on the internet about upgrading, and resistance to change. You do not destroy the heritage, the infrastructure the foundations on which everything is built.
Windows 8 apparently would be faster than Windows 7, and possibly fix the speed issue I have, but its likely more incompatible with the software I want to run. All I needed was new hardware. Software is expensive and bought progressively over the years: but having got, its not so easy to put aside and replace progressively.
On the other hand I did have a personal policy that engineering stuff I'm supposed to be able to do with pencil and paper, we should develop software in-house for and not depend on commercial software. So CAD or graphical editor is really only obstacle to moving to different operating system: most anything else just requires a compiler or spreadsheet.
However, there is no point to changing operating systems or application software if it is automatically updating on a regular basis. Once installed I expect the software to remain unchanged unless I find a problem with it. As for the internet and security, it is not necessary to be connected to the internet all the time, or have every device connected to the Internet.
We still operate DOS boxes because some software no longer available, or if new Windows version is available there is no benefit which would justify the expense, and otherwise doesn't function at Windows command prompt. I don't believe that kind of updating should have occurred, after all MS DOS ran from a 720 kbytye 3.5" floppy disk, so it should have been possible to fully accommodate in the 1 o 2 Gbyte bloat of the current Windows operating systems. From memory Sun OS had a full MS DOS installation which opened in a separate process window.
So it shouldn't be a problem to have an operating system which spawns different operating environments in isolated containers visually indicated by windows. I think exists already and its called Unix.
A journal on everything technological and everything to do with structure: from building structures, to organisation structures, politics, education, and business. If it has structure I will essay it, if it ought to have structure I will essay it. If it don't have structure and it is chaos, I essay that too!
Monday, April 14, 2014
Monday, April 07, 2014
Wind Loading Surface Roughness Length versus Terrain Category
AS1170.2 commentary contains a design chart which identifies various terrains and gives the surface roughness length (z0). From this chart it is apparent that most rural properties are not TC3 but also they are not TC2. By the use of z0 an intermediate terrain category can be calculated and more economical designs are possible.
The spreadsheet can be downloaded here: surfaceRoughnessLength.xls
Revisions:
[07/04/2014] Original
[23/04/2016] Changed download links to MiScion Pty Ltd Web Store
Wind Loading Risk Assessment
It also attempts to map the calculated mean return period to the nearest building code of Australia (BCA) importance level, and return the associated mean return period for such. This part is limited to non-cyclonic regions: A and B.
The file can be downloaded here: windRiskAssessment2014.xls
Revisions:
[07/04/2014] Original
[23/04/2016] Changed download links to MiScion Pty Ltd Web Store
Wind Loading BCA Importance Levels
Whilst AS1170.2 allows for any mean return period, the BCA has limitations, which are not always suitable, starting with the fact that the BCA is primarily about habitable buildings and anything which is not a habitable building becomes BCA class 10. However the BCA is not suitable for design of any structure classified as class 10. For example a garden shed or carport may be suitable to be designed to BCA volume 2, but a 600m high radio mast is not.
Additionally importance level 2, with mean return period (R) of 500 years is not suitable for all buildings, and then again an importance level of 1 (R=100 years) is not always suitable, therefore helpful to identify alternative importance levels: to show that have importance between 1 and 2. For those who prefer importance levels.
The spreadsheet can be downloaded here. bcaImportanceLevels.xls
Revisions:
[07/04/2014] Original
[23/04/2016] Changed download links to MiScion Pty Ltd Web Store
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Revised Links to downloads
The links to applications and MS Excel workbooks which were stored on the personal web space which came with my Internet access account have now been replaced with links using Dropbox. So the downloads should be available again.
Saturday, March 08, 2014
In search of South Australian Building Industry Web Presence
The following is a list of various suppliers to and in the South Australian building industry. It is not a recommendation, it is just a search for suppliers I am familiar with and an investigation to what web presence they have, whether it is a web site, presence on social networks, or simply a listing in the white pages and or yellow pages telephone directories. Some of these businesses we have done design/engineering work for in the past, or otherwise specify their products, others simply have a presence in the market place which cannot be ignored.
Cold-Formed Steel Sheds:
Cold-Formed Steel Sheds:
- Erecta Shed
- Mark Lattin Steel Constructions
- Alpha Industries
- Delta Sheds {No longer trading}
- Galpruffe {No longer trading}
- Olympic Industries
- Magnus Australia
- Cockaleechie Industries
- Fielders Endurance Structures
- Ranbuild
Cold-Formed Steel
Panel and Block Construction
- Ramset
- Hilti
- Pryda {nail plates}
- MiTek Building Systems {Gangnail, nail plates}
- James Hardie
- Nobles {Cables and Rigging}
Retaining Walls
Water Tanks
Soil Bore Logs
Land Surveying
Building Surveyors &/or Private Certifiers
Drafting and Design Services
Work Shop Detailers
{No web presence found at moment for those I know}
Pergolas, Verandas, other Canopies and Decking
{Mostly Timber}
- Pro-Form Pergolas
- Alfresco Pergolas
- Pergolas of Distinction
- Outdoor Innovations
- Craig Potter Construction {Steel}
- Revolution Roofing (Steel)
Balustrades, and Pool Screens
General Metal Fabricators
Houses and other Residential Construction
Electrical
Golf Nets and other Sports Nets
Consulting Engineers for Infra-Structure Size Projects
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Something gone wrong with personal web space!
It seems my personal web space which comes with my Internet account is no longer accessible. Whilst the html pages won't display it seems the files I made available for down load are still available. I can also access the site and via ftp and upload more files. But otherwise cannot display the html.
Also two ftp applications weren't all that clear and gave the impression that site files existed twice. I thought that was the problem so deleted one copy. That was a bad idea, as seems there was only one copy, and now deleted that. I have put back some of the content, but as the personal brain knowledge base took about an hour to load in the first place, I haven't put that back {Only took 3 minutes to delete}.
Any case I was considering putting the files elsewhere, and use a more general file sharing platform to make the files available. So will update the posts and the links when I have that sorted out.
It also seems preferable to avoid using the personal web space, whilst got the benefit of being able to write html as I please, the hyper-link to the site is longer than if use a platform like blogger or WordPress.
Though have two problems with blogging platforms:
1) Embedding images
2) Linking to files.
Google photos doesn't seem to have the link and embed codes available that Picasa has. There is no way to create folders and upload files on blogging platforms except in limited ways. The limited ways being images to posts. Images for side bars and likes not so easy. So currently removed some links in the side bar showing other web presence.
So will experiment with options to replace web site which was on personal web space. Wasn't really used for anything other than a space I could put files and link to them. The web pages I can probably replicate on WordPress or Blogger.
Also two ftp applications weren't all that clear and gave the impression that site files existed twice. I thought that was the problem so deleted one copy. That was a bad idea, as seems there was only one copy, and now deleted that. I have put back some of the content, but as the personal brain knowledge base took about an hour to load in the first place, I haven't put that back {Only took 3 minutes to delete}.
Any case I was considering putting the files elsewhere, and use a more general file sharing platform to make the files available. So will update the posts and the links when I have that sorted out.
It also seems preferable to avoid using the personal web space, whilst got the benefit of being able to write html as I please, the hyper-link to the site is longer than if use a platform like blogger or WordPress.
Though have two problems with blogging platforms:
1) Embedding images
2) Linking to files.
Google photos doesn't seem to have the link and embed codes available that Picasa has. There is no way to create folders and upload files on blogging platforms except in limited ways. The limited ways being images to posts. Images for side bars and likes not so easy. So currently removed some links in the side bar showing other web presence.
So will experiment with options to replace web site which was on personal web space. Wasn't really used for anything other than a space I could put files and link to them. The web pages I can probably replicate on WordPress or Blogger.
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