Auri's Space

New ASP.NET Pro Article: Starting Your Own Business, Part 2: The Legal Stuff

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:11:49 GMT

Ever wanted to start your own business, but weren't sure of the steps? Well, my latest Consultant's Corner article in ASP.NET PRO Magazine covers just that!

If you're a subscriber, then it was in the August issue. Later this month you can read it online at www.aspnetpro.com.

Here's the direct link to the article: http://aspnetpro.com/features/2008/08/asp200808ar_f/asp200808ar_f.asp

Enjoy!

-Auri

In Memorium: George Carlin

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:40:51 GMT

A great comedian and a true inspiration, George Carlin passed away Sunday, June 22, 2008. George, keep 'em laughin' up there.

Seen my Consultants Corner articles in ASP.net PRO? Check 'em out...

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:19:15 GMT

I write a monthly column for ASP.net PRO magazine about the business side of software development. The column is called Consultant's Corner.

The latest article is about growing your business from one to two or more people.

Check out some previous columns:

May 2008: Microsoft's Partner Solutions
April 2008: Back to Basics - What Every Development Shop Needs
March 2008: Got Issues? Issue Management Systems

Coming Soon: Incorporating Your Business, and the legal issues you must address.

Having trouble with Microsoft Text Driver? Here's a solution!

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:53:23 GMT

I ported the OpenCSV project (opencsv.sourceforge.net) to the .NET Framework. This version is read-only, although if you want a writer, let me know. Unlike OpenCSV, OpenCSV# returns a datatable, so you can simply pass in a CSV filename and it will be parsed and returned in a form that's bindable!

You can download the DLL and the source at: http://aurigroup.com/downloads/OpenCSVSharp.zip

So why not use the Microsoft Text Driver? Well, Microsoft's Text Driver doesn't work on Microsoft's 64-bit operating systems! Necessity is the mother of all invention, and therefore I'm releasing my port of OpenCSV for all .NET users to enjoy :)

Also unlike OpenCSV, OpenCSV# support setting whether the first row of data is the column headers, and automatically populates the column names so you don't have to work with index values and potentially wrong data.

Technical details:

* Written in C# instead of Java.
* Written for .NET Framework 2.0 and above.
* Made the ParseLine() function public so you can just pass a string and parse it, in case you don't want to parse an entire file. I haven't tested the ParseLine direct call, fyi.

Enjoy!

Auri Rahimzadeh
President, The Auri Group, LLC (TAG, www.aurigroup.com)
Contributor, ASP.NET Pro Magazine, Consultants Corner (yep, I do that column)
Author, Hacking the PSP, Geek My Ride
Technical Editor, Building Web Sites Bible 3rd Edition, Beginning Access 2007 VBA

Talking about Yours truly, at the office prior to heading to Zoobilation

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:35:49 GMT

Well, I went to Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo Friday night. You had a choice: Wear a tux or dress for the Outback. I chose the latter.

For those of you who haven't heard of Zoobilation, it's an evening with about 100 restaurants sampling their wares, with the high-dollar entry tickets going to charity. It's a great cause, and it's great food. Steaks, seafood, breathtaking deserts, and bars constructed entirely of ice. The new koalas were apparently out, but they brought them back in prior to the arrival of most of the guests.

The photos are in my photo gallery...

Yours truly, at the office prior to heading to Zoobilation

My Sony Rolly Blog is now live and updating!

Fri, 30 May 2008 12:56:23 GMT

My unofficial Sony Rolly Fan site - MyRolly.net - Is now online for you to enjoy!

Sony Rolly blog, forum, support, tutorials and more! Enjoy it today!

http://myrolly.net/discuss/blogs

Indy 500 Parade: Segways Marshaling the Pipers

Sun, 25 May 2008 01:41:58 GMT

All of us Segway Marshals had to make sure the pipers (bagpipe players) were not disturbed by the crowd...

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Indy 500 Parade: Segways Marshaling the Pipers

Video: Indy 500 Parade: Segways Marshaling the Pipers

Indy 500 Parade: Junior ROTC

Sun, 25 May 2008 01:41:13 GMT

Junior ROTC performing some cool moves

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Indy 500 Parade: Junior ROTC

Video: Indy 500 Parade: Junior ROTC

Indy 500 Parade: End of the route

Sun, 25 May 2008 01:40:00 GMT

They're on horseback, and I'm on a Segway

This video was taken at the end of the parade route, after we had finished marshaling the bagpipe players (pipers) on our Segways...

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Indy 500 Parade: End of the route

Video: Indy 500 Parade: End of the route

Indy 500 Festival Parade: The Belles

Sun, 25 May 2008 01:38:39 GMT

Man, they had to be HOT in those get-ups...

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Indy 500 Festival Parade: The Belles

Video: Indy 500 Festival Parade: The Belles

Indy 500 Festival Parade: Fellow Segway Glider

Sat, 24 May 2008 23:48:26 GMT

A fellow Segway glider and marshal approached me while I was marshaling :)

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Indy 500 Festival Parade: Fellow Segway Glider

Video: Indy 500 Festival Parade: Fellow Segway Glider

Indy 500 Parade: Checkered Flag Guy

Sat, 24 May 2008 23:47:33 GMT

The Checkered Flag Guy!

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Indy 500 Parade: Checkered Flag Guy

Video: Indy 500 Parade: Checkered Flag Guy

Indy 500 Festival Parade: Keeping the Pink Panther Float Upright

Sat, 24 May 2008 23:42:50 GMT

It takes a lot of work to keep the floats upright... check this out...

Indy 500 Festival Parade: Keeping the Pink Panther Float Upright

Video: Indy 500 Festival Parade: Keeping the Pink Panther Float Upright

Indy 500 Parade Festival: Underdog!

Sat, 24 May 2008 23:37:15 GMT

A lot of work goes into making the balloons stay afloat!

Indy 500 Parade Festival: Underdog!

Video: Indy 500 Parade Festival: Underdog!

Indy 500 Festival Parade: Japanese dancing

Sat, 24 May 2008 23:23:05 GMT

Another video from the parade... I was a volunteer marshal on a Segway :)

Japanese dancing

Video: Japanese dancing

Indy 500 Festival Parade: Fred Hill Briefcase Drill Team

Sat, 24 May 2008 23:22:07 GMT

Fred Hill Briefcase Drill Team

Video: Fred Hill Briefcase Drill Team

Indy 500 Festival Parade Video: Human American Flag

Sat, 24 May 2008 23:21:27 GMT

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Human American Flag

Video: Human American Flag

Updated video link...

Sat, 24 May 2008 23:19:05 GMT

Ok, I found an "official" video link... here ya go :)

Location for my videos...

Sat, 24 May 2008 22:55:44 GMT

I don't know why the Spaces system doesn't link my profile to my MSN Soapbox Videos... so here's the link!

Rolly dancing to Feist's 1234

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:33:24 GMT

Eat your heart out, Apple... Silly iPod Nano. They should have shown a Rolly for that commercial!

(sorry for the choppy video :))

Photo Album: Las Vegas Retreat, Summer 2008

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:20:29 GMT

Las Vegas Retreat, Summer 2008

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Photo Album: Wall of Memories from Star Trek: The Experience, Las Vegas

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:16:08 GMT

Wall of Memories from Star Trek: The Experience, Las Vegas

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More Photos...

Photo Album: NSA 2008 Conference

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:22:22 GMT

NSA 2008 Conference

TAG Cite booth at the show

The computer setup at our booth

The "demo" area... although there were no demos. Way cool stuff, though.

For catching perps

A portable hightower

Go Colts!

Lots of cool vehicles

Segway knockoffs

Dune buggies!!! YES!

More Photos...

Photo Album: Zoolbilation 2008

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:20:29 GMT

Zoolbilation 2008

Yours truly, at the office prior to heading to Zoobilation

I can't wait to show off my new digs! Aaaaaah!

Yours truly (oi!)

Auri with the Zoobilation girls

Another photo of me with the Zoobilation girls... I look like part of the staff... Apparently I had a very convincing get-up

More of me with the Zoobilation girls

And one last photo of me with the Zoobilation girls

THAT GUY

There were a lot of way cool ice sculptures

The VIP lounge, earlier in the evening

More Photos...

Photo Album: eCWS Mobile Press Conference 30-May-2008

Sat, 31 May 2008 14:59:07 GMT

eCWS Mobile Press Conference 30-May-2008

Fishers Sargeant Steve Pickett working on the eCWS Mobile Preview unit

Trainer David Steward shows off the eCWS Mobile software to some officers

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The eCWS Mobile software is displayed on the big screen

Officers standing by watching the press conference

Brian and Annette from the hard working JTAC project management and training teams

The big event - everyone's getting into the action

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More Photos...

Photo Album: Indy 500 Festival - May 24, 2008

Sat, 24 May 2008 23:16:36 GMT

Indy 500 Festival - May 24, 2008

Getting ready...

One of the decked-out Segways

All the stuff we used to make our Segways look awesome for the parade

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One of the most decked out Segways there...

My Segway... m0dd3d

On our way to the volunteer tent

The volunteer tent

More Photos...

Photo Album: JEL Partners in Education Award

Fri, 16 May 2008 02:26:25 GMT

JEL Partners in Education Award

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Photo Album: Siesta Key Florida Wildlife April 2008

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:58:52 GMT

Siesta Key Florida Wildlife April 2008

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Photo Album: Sushi I Made on 29-Mar-2008

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:11:46 GMT

Sushi I Made on 29-Mar-2008

Sushi

Photo Album: Funny

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:09:15 GMT

Funny

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Photo Album: CES 2008 Photos from the Show Floor

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:52:29 GMT

CES 2008 Photos from the Show Floor

Auri with the bomb-sniffing dog...

Transformers! More than meets the eye!

Big push on the Microsoft Home Server front.

Have up to 6 extra displays. No extra video card needed. Just plug them in via USB 2.0. Yes, for real.

Guitar Hero 3... or is it Guitar Hero 300? Inches... The guy on the left is kicking a$$

Yes... Centipede on a big screen. Oh yeah.

The Neonode phone. Stylish, but what is with that weird touch interface?

The Neonode phone again...

Find a photo based on other photos... way cool

More Photos...

Photo Album: Sony CES 2008 Booth

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:20:44 GMT

Sony CES 2008 Booth

Sony PSP Booth

Sony booth

Mylo

Photo Album: PSP Skype Client Photos

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:07:50 GMT

PSP Skype Client Photos

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Photo Album: CEATEC Trade Show Photos

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:00:25 GMT

CEATEC Trade Show Photos

Flexible Loudspeaker Technology

Flexible Loudspeaker Technology 2

Power Mat

Communications Power Mat

Convention Center

Another Convention Center Photo

Photo Album: Makuhari Day 1 - Lunch, Hotel & Starbucks

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 07:10:44 GMT

Makuhari Day 1 - Lunch, Hotel & Starbucks

The tempura for lunch was awesome... and they had Taro Cakes! Oh yeah...

Close-up on the tempura...

They love their baseball here...

This is the view from my hotel room... apparently on sunny days you can see Mt. Fuji! I'll post better photos when the weather gets better...

On the right is Hidei from Starbucks. He was born in INDIANAPOLIS! Sweet! I hope he visits!

Photo Album: Cab ride from Akihabara to Makihura for CEATEC show

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:17:51 GMT

Cab ride from Akihabara to Makihura for CEATEC show

The Taxi driver... He used GPS to find my hotel

Another pic of the taxi driver

Scenery while driving...

More scenery while driving...

Even MORE scenery while driving...

Check out the name of the club... "Trendy Club"

Close up on the name...

Do you get sick if you stay at this hotel?

Neat pyramid-shaped buildings that were hard to snap photos of...

Boy, that fare's expensive! It ended up being about 10500 Yen! (that's just shy of $100)

More Photos...

Photo Album: Japan - More Akihabara (a.k.a. "Akiba")

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:44:40 GMT

Japan - More Akihabara (a.k.a. "Akiba")

Agedashi Dofu (Tofu) - Dinner Day 2 - I get this all the time in the States, so I had to try it in Japan! Pretty good, although I think I've actually had better in the U.S.!

Big Pachinko Joint - 6 Floors - Wow, people play a lot of Pachinko here.

Cool Small Car (back) - Just a need looking small car I saw parked on the street.

Cool Small Car (front)

Ginger at Dinner Day 2 - They give you big things of ginger... it's not just a few slices like in the States. Oh, and it's already out - you don't have to ask for it.

Ginger at Dinner on Day 2 (2)

Green Tea at Dinner Day 2 - This has to have been the GREENEST green tea I have ever drank. Good stuff.

Miso Soup with Seaweed - I had to choose again ... no "regular miso soup" like in the States. This was Seafood Miso Soup. Incredible.

Interactive Sega Card Playing Game - The players just place their cards on this board and move them around to play the game, which is actively displayed on their monitor. Definitely brings that card game genre to the 21st century. How come we don't have these in the U.S.? Oh, and it's from SEGA!

Robotec Sega Mech Warrior - The screen completely surrounds the player. People are somewhat lined up to play in big competitions. The next photo shows how many are in a room...

More Photos...

Photo Album: Japan - Akihabara ("Electric Town")

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 08:05:54 GMT

Japan - Akihabara ("Electric Town")

Hotel Room Control Panel

Hotel Washington at Night

Miso Soup with Whole Crab - Yes, that's a REAL crab.

Small Hotel Room

Small Hotel Room Bathroom

Sushi - Day 1

Sushi Restaurant - Waiting in Line

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Akihabara Main Strip

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