Date: 2009-03-23 19:28 Subject: Notes from the Nephew Security: Public Location: Starbase 11 Mood: très amusé Tags: nephew

My nephew (who is two) was upset that his favorite television program* was not playing, so I attempted to calm him by saying that we had blocks to play with and could use our imaginations.

His response was a curt "No! That's my imagination! You can't use it!"

*One about a yellow invertebrate who does not bear naming here.

Date: 2009-03-19 13:04 Subject: Ochsner Says No Security: Public Location: Cibola Tags: job hunt

Sigh.

Date: 2009-03-19 10:32 Subject: Labor and Leisure Security: Public Location: East of the Sun, West of the Moon Tags: cocoa, dungeons and dragons, job hunt

As it's been some time since my last post, so there's going to be a lot of text. You can skip ahead to the parts that interest you, I don't mind.

The big company in Bentonville never called back. I found out later that they never intended to, either. Apparently they had already decided to lay people off but still went through with the interviews that they had scheduled. I don't understand it, but that's what they did. It feels a bit like thinking you're going on a date with a girl and ending up in the background while she hangs out with her friends. Not that that's ever happened to me. Cough, cough, nonchalant whistle.

I do have some work, thanks to a good friend of mine. It's just some small-scale contract stuff, but it was nice to be able to dig into something I wasn't intimately familiar with and add something new to it. We're in the tail end of that right now.

I recently had an interview with Ochsner in New Orleans, LA. They're looking to fill a contract spot for a tester. I don't know if anything will come of that as yet, but someone is supposed to get back in touch with me this week.

Next week I have a phone interview with Professional Datasolutions, Inc., a company that makes software for convenience stores. Since they're in Austin and I'm in Central Louisiana, we've arranged to do an interview over the phone and move on to an in-person interview if I seem acceptable. Time to bone up on C#.

In other news, I finally have access to broadband at home. This makes me unreasonably happy; I'm not limited to an hour a day at the coffee shop anymore.*

My Cocoa die roller works, for certain values of works. At the moment, I need to set up value transformers to make sure that I'm only extracting numeric data from the NSTextFields in the UI. Right now I can type in letters and crash it; that's not the behavior I want from this app. That's on hold while I do C# for the next interview.

Pfunked has started up a D&D 4e campaign that I'm currently playing in. It's fun, but we've mostly focused on the combat during sessions instead of balancing that out with roleplaying. Due to the limitations inherent in having a bunch of players with real lives scattered over three states, we don't have a lot of time for RP during our sessions, so much of that is shifted onto Obsidian Portal or direct interaction with the DM. This may actually be a good thing; now I have time to think about what I'm trying to do with the character rather than handle everything I haven't prepared for off the cuff. That's a topic that deserves its own post, though.

*Incidentally, if you're ever in Jena, LA between 7-9 AM M-F, 3-8 PM M-F, or 10 AM - 8 PM S, there's a nice little place called Jena Java with free WiFi and a selection of beverages that could use your custom. Get a strawberry blended cream and tell 'em I sent you.

Date: 2009-01-12 19:13 Subject: Latest News Security: Public Location: Outer Heaven Mood: disappointment Tags: job hunt, programming

As expected, somebody (Wal-Mart, specifically) has finally gotten around to making hiring decisions now that the new year is upon us. This doesn't help me, though, since they've decided to hire someone else. Apart from a number of new contacts with recruiters, this is the only bit of employment-related news since, oh, early December.

On the coding front, I'm still trying to write a controller object for my Objective-C die roller app. I'm looking at Apple sample code and other people's projects to get a better idea of what I need to do. I expect I'll have test cases written for the controller by the end of the week. I've also downloaded a Scheme package, so I'll start playing around with that soon, too, although I don't think I'll do anything major in that language for a while.

How are you?

Date: 2009-01-02 15:46 Subject: Historical Data Reveals Interesting Pattern Security: Public Location: Trantor Mood: query Tags: email, spam

While I was managing one of my email addresses today, I noticed that during the period from December 5 to December 18, I had no spam in that address. Does anybody know if there were major connectivity problems then or if a major botnet got taken down?

Date: 2008-12-06 18:38 Subject: Notes from an Airport Terminal Security: Public Location: New Abilene Mood: aloft Tags: flight, joy

(This post was composed on December 4, 2008.)

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return."
- Leonardo Da Vinci

I love flying. Air travel is another matter, with its delays and terminals and bouncing from gate to gate, but flying - ah, to be aloft. Who does not thrill when his plane leaves the runway and he watches the earth grow small beneath him is impoverished in spirit.

Flight transposes heaven and earth. Lights hug the ground, a blanket of stars scattered across the darkness. One might be forgiven for believing that the world below is one vast conurbation stretched as far as one can see, an ocean of habitation.

It's lonely, too; just you and the clouds. It's easy to feel that anyone you meet is family. We're all equal up here, governed by stern physics and sound engineering. Who's that over there, flying near us? Hello, other plane!

It ends, of course. It has to. The earth grows larger and larger, and eventually we touch down. Soon it'll be terminals and gates and the crackly PA system, buy there's that other plane again. He's landing, too. Hello, other plane!

Date: 2008-12-03 22:30 Subject: After Action Report Security: Public Location: Vorbarr Sultana Mood: adrift Tags: interview, job hunt, wal-mart

The Wal-Mart interview was today. I think it went well, but you can never be sure until you get an offer or (more rarely) a polite refusal of your services. Fortunately or unfortunately, my flight out today was canceled, so the airline has put me up for the night here in the sprawling conurbation of northwest Arkansas, so I at least got some okay Internet access out of the deal. And I don't have to fly home in my interview clothes, which would have mattered if I hadn't changed in the airport bathroom.

I almost despair of hearing a technical question that isn't directly about something on my resume. Will someone please ask me to write an SQL query or a function to translate a number of months to a number of years and months? Anybody? I know that the behavioral interview is important to see if the team can work with a candidate, but everybody I know in the industry codes, at least occasionally. Shouldn't that be a criterion for hiring?

In any case, they're interviewing two more people, so I have no idea whether or not I'll get the job. The Wal-Mart internal recruiter who's working with me has said they'll let me know about the middle of next week. We'll see.

If this doesn't work out, I could always get back with that recruiter who contacted me about that job for a high profile client in either Pine Bluff or Little Rock. I wonder what company that could be. . . .

Date: 2008-11-26 19:35 Subject: Learning Objective-C Security: Public Location: Lost Woods Mood: programmtic Tags: language, objective-c, programming

Lately I've been feeling the need to add a new language to my resume. I'd played with Ruby, though I never got past the trivial program phase (FizzBuzz, if you're wondering). I've been using a Mac for a while, so I decided recently to actually start learning the platform language, Objective-C, and maybe play with Cocoa or UI stuff alongside.

Objective-C, if you've never encountered it, is a set of object-oriented extensions to C, much as C++ started. NeXT, Inc. used it as the language of choice for their machines¹, and after Apple acquired NeXT, Objective-C persisted as one of the languages used for Mac OS X.² Even now many class names in Cocoa are prefixed with NS, like NSObject.

I decided to start simple and do a port of a brief C++ die roller that I'd banged together over to Objective-C. This meant firing up Xcode, Apple's free IDE for the Mac environment. I wanted to set up Subversion repositories, because I've become anal about keeping old versions of my work around and Subversion is baked right into the Mac. Additionally, Xcode offers Subversion (and CVS and Perforce) support in the IDE. Sort of. Xcode allows you to connect to preexisting repositories, add files, update, commit, etc., but your repositories themselves have to be created outside the IDE. The official Apple documentation didn't quite get me up and running, but after some hours on dialup, numerous web searches (made more tricky by the fact that I wasn't using Apache), and a whole lot of time on the command line, I finally got Xcode to do checkouts and commits from a repository on my machine. My experience with Subversion integration in Xcode was not pleasant.

Like C++ , the Objective-C world puts class interfaces in header files (.h) and the code that actually does the work, whether it's part of a class or not, in implementation files (.m). (You could do everything in one big C program if you liked, but that's not the point of this exercise.) The class interface is identified by the @interface directive, and the implementation of that interface is identified by the @implementation directive. Simple, no?

Additionally, a good bit of the syntax surrounding classes is different from the C-style languages I've used before. Methods are divided into class methods and instance methods, which are prefixed with a plus or a minus in the implementation and interface files. So far I've not done a class method, as I doubt the class needs anything to do beyond what NSObject provides in an app this simple. Method names also have a unique (read: not C-like) way of handling multiple arguments; the arguments are scattered through the method name. A method declaration like

- (int)rollDiceType:(int)dieType numDice:(int)numberOfDice mod:(int)modifier;

indicates a method named rollDiceType:numDice:mod: that takes the arguments dieType, numberOfDice, and modifier. This is a bit different from what I'm used to in the C++/Java world, where the syntax for member functions runs closer to C-style function syntax. I haven't actually done a method call yet, but the documentation shows a messaging syntax that includes square brackets, another departure from C-style. It only takes a little getting used to; the syntax is functionally equivalent, for the most part.

I'm hoping to get into something meatier once I start trying to use Interface Builder to make the UI for the die roller. If that doesn't introduce me to more of the Cocoa library, I'm sure my next project will. I'll look into posting the code for this little project somehow, though it may only interest my Mac-or-Darwin-using friends.

Has anybody out there had the chance to bang around in the software development environment on Mac OS or Darwin? I'd be interested in comparing notes.

¹Including the first web server and the machine that Doom was written on.

²There's a lot more to that story, and you can find it at Wikipedia, if you like the dry version. A bit of digging can unearth more entertaining accounts of Steve Jobs' career.

Date: 2008-11-20 18:58 Subject: News of the Week Security: Public Mood: irked Tags: christmas, job hunt

A few things have coalesced since my last post.

Wal-Mart has scheduled an on-site interview for the third. Apparently my phone voice was enough to snooker them into paying for airfare. We'll see how that goes.

My phone interview with Structure, alas, did not go nearly so well. They were looking for a support guy, and somebody else was more enthusiastic about that part of the job.

I was contacted by a recruiter looking to fill a fair exalted test position out in Austin. No word on the insurance company job out that way.

There's very nebulous application support job somewhere in Louisiana that I'm thinking about. Not sure about that one.

Also, is anyone else going nuts over the fact that we seem to have skipped Thanksgiving this year? I swear the Christmas decorations went up November 1st. Can I please have a few weeks of Turkey and pilgrims before the massive retail orgy that I can't participate in anyhow?

More as things develop.

Date: 2008-11-12 23:08 Subject: Austin Aftermath Security: Public Mood: frustrated yet pleased Tags: interview, job hunt

I schlepped out to Austin on Monday, which is a long drive, but not the longest I've ever taken. Tuesday, I went out even further, to Johnson City, for the actual interview. They did this weird panel thing where all of their interviewers got together with all of the candidates and had us (the candidates) each answer the same questions. Then there was a computer-driven skills test that was a lot like the first grade version of the GRE, and each candidate then got some private time with the interviewers. No tech questions, just personality all the way.

I didn't get the job. According to my recruiter, I was the third name on the list, and they hired two people. I am somewhat mollified by the fact that I had to beat out at least two older, more experienced guys to get that high up, but I still don't have a job.

As it happens, the job wasn't everything I tried to get away from at Entergy - it was what I was trying to go toward, a place where testing and development are in independent organizations. Sigh.

Other prospects at this moment:
-Wal-Mart has yet to call back.
-CenturyTel has yet to call back.
-I've been contacted about an Oracle Forms job in Jackson.
-I've been contacted about a sysadmin job in Lafayette.
-The recruiter who was working on PEC for me has turned up a tester position in Austin.

Date: 2008-11-08 15:47 Subject: Interview Security: Public Tags: interview, job hunt

The interview with Pedernales Electric is Tuesday. I'll head out to Austin on Monday, interview on Tuesday, and return on Wednesday.

The job is pretty much what I was doing at Entergy, at least if the job description is to be believed. Everything I tried to get away from.

More news on Tuesday.

Date: 2008-10-31 20:06 Subject: Phone Screens Security: Public Mood: content, wistful Tags: interview, job hunt, microsoft, wal-mart

The news from this week:

The Wal-Mart screen was yesterday. Several of their tech guys talked to me about my previous experience. Well, they listened as I talked, at least; there weren't many questions from their side of the fence. I'm not sure how it went, but they seemed reasonably pleased with my previous database experience and less pleased with my answers to their questions about web services. C'est la vie.

The CenturyTel screen was this afternoon. One of their tech guys talked through my past experience. I think it went fairly well, since it was mostly about the database work that I'd done, and we had time for me to ask some questions about their setup. Of course, like all tech screens, this means nothing to me; they'll get back to me if they think I'm worth their time.

For the future, I've got another call on Monday, a call on either Wednesday or Thursday (as yet unscheduled), and an actual interview out near Austin on the 11th. (Guess what I'll be doing for Veterans' Day.) Additionally, the Microsoft contract jobs haven't gone totally off the radar; I got some feedback from the recruiters who were talking to me about those. They've submitted my resume, but that's as far as things have gone.

All this activity has snapped me out of the mild depression that afflicted me after the Microsoft hiring freeze killed my attempt at an interview with the Word team. I'm not thrilled that it's all database work, but I've been trying for an application development job with no success for the last few months. My old database professor seems to have been right, at least in my case.

Incidentally, Donald Knuth has apparently had to end one of the proudest traditions in computer science due to check fraud. This is as sad as it is worrying.

Date: 2008-10-29 20:28 Subject: What a Week it’s Been Security: Public Mood: wondering Tags: job hunt

Looks like things are picking up steam. The MS contract position appears to have disappeared totally, but I've got phone interviews with CenturyTel and Wal-Mart, as well as an on-site interview with Pedernales Electric. More information when I know something definite.

Date: 2008-10-24 20:27 Subject: Recent Developments Security: Public Mood: bemused, in multiple senses Music: none Tags: job hunt

I've had some calls over the last few days. (Names have been concealed. You know who you are, and I appreciate your efforts on my behalf.)

I talked to a friend of mine who sent my resume over to some folks in Wal-Mart. That one doesn't look like it'll pan out, but, hey, he tried, and I appreciate that.

Another friend sent my resume to a guy he knows at SAIC. Haven't had anything back yet, but we'll see what develops.

I've had a call from a recruiter looking to fill a direct hire position at a co-op in Texas. (That's in ERCOT, for my power industry friends.) I haven't heard what the interview date will be, or if I'm even being considered. It's an SQL job, nothing I haven't done before.

I've had another call from a recruiter looking to fill a direct hire spot at CenturyTel. Also an SQL job; I'm trying to get in touch with people I knew who work or used to work there to learn more about the company than the website and the promotional material can tell me.

The other call I'll mention was from a recruiter looking for someone for a contract spot with Microsoft. It's pretty much the job I almost interviewed for, though not for that group. The pay I've been quoted is a bit low, but we'll see if I can negotiate that a bit higher. As it happens, I was also brought on at Entergy as a contractor during a hiring freeze. I'll let you do the math yourselves.

Date: 2008-10-11 22:50 Subject: Ouch Security: Public Mood: incensed Music: none Tags: job hunt, microsoft

Guess which corporation just re-evaluated its hiring plans for the year? If you thought it was the one I've been talking about for over a month now, you're right!

Date: 2008-09-16 12:14 Subject: And on the sixth day, he vented. Security: Public Mood: exasperated Music: none Tags: interview, job hunt, microsoft

My calendar has me scheduled to fly to Seattle today. The weather is clear and perfect, thanks to the front that pushed all the lingering nastiness from Ike back into the gulf or further north. A man who believed in omens would take that as auspicious. I'm not flying to Seattle, though.

After the phone screen and it's more or less positive outcome, I rushed to answer their questions, fill in forms, and generally push out every scrap of data that the company wanted. I did this despite my shitty dialup connection; I did this despite Gustav ripping through the state. Yesterday, at 7:30 PM (5:30 Pacific time) the recruiter I was working with let me know that the job I was interviewing for tomorrow (and flying up for today) had been filled.

Silver linings being what they are, my recruiter has led me to some openings on another team that they're looking to fill, but doesn't think she can get me an interview until October. (I won't go into the reasons.) This also gives me more time to prepare, and I think I need that time.

I am not perfectly pleased with this outcome.

Date: 2008-09-10 01:45 Subject: Upside Prospects in the Near Term Security: Public Mood: giddy as a schoolgirl Music: none Tags: interview, job hunt, microsoft

Microsoft has now set a date for the face-to-face interview: September 17. They're even kind enough to pay for airfare to Seattle. I've sent them my proposed itinerary, so they've got all the information they need (I hope) to set up travel. Nothing to do but hit the books until the time comes.

Date: 2008-09-02 19:42 Subject: Greetings from Gustav Security: Public Location: Jena, LA Mood: longing for the AC Music: none Tags: hurricane, interview, job hunt, microsoft

Good news, everyone! My parents' house is currently without power. Right now I'm at my aunt and uncle's place, leeching power and DSL thanks to their generator. Thanks to the massive damage wreaked by Hurricane Gustav, we are unlikely to have it again for about a week.

Of course, life isn't so bad. The Microsoft Office Publisher test group is apparently desperate enough to fly me to Seattle for an interview. Now I just need to get enough power, phone service, and Internet access to set up travel and the interview.

And I should probably get a shower at some point before the flight.

Date: 2008-08-27 17:33 Subject: Phone screen Security: Public Mood: man-angst Music: Norihiko Hibino - Father and Son Tags: interview, job hunt, microsoft

I had my phone screen with the Microsoft Publisher test team yesterday. I think it went well, but there were some questions that I think I should have gotten without any nudging from the interviewer. (I missed divide by zero. I should turn in my degree.)

The interviewer said he'd get back to me by the end of the week. I'll know if they want to take the next step in the interview process then.

Date: 2007-05-30 22:09 Subject: Shiny New Tools Security: Public Mood: tools Music: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Don't Come Around Here No More Tags: programming, tools

I've known about Scott Hanselman's gigantic list of useful tools for the computationally-inclined for some time now, but didn't do anything about it until recently, when my work PC was (finally) upgraded recently. I trawled through, looking for stuff that I didn't have and could actually use, and deigned to try out a few little items that looked like they'd help out at work.

SlickRun has changed my life. A few keystrokes now bring up pretty much everything that I use very often at all. No more groping about in the Start Menu for me, no sir!

I'm also using PureText (because I sometimes need unformatted text out of a Word document or Toad window) and Ultramon (on my work machine where I have two monitors). I recommend those, but they're not quite as earth-shatteringly important. I was already hooked on SciTE and FileZilla thanks to Pfunk, but they're on the list, too.

What tools do you use?