Projects

Usually, there are several burners going at once. Links from the brief descriptions below to more in depth details will be made available as they develop.

Crafts

You read right: crafts. I'm not listing any of them at this time, because I'm not currently working on any of them. Hopefully, there will be time for some things for the holidays.

Web

www.xmission.com/~lrp/

XMission now offers MySQL database service (utilizing some of the 100MB of file storage allocated to users, which this site uses) for US$5/month extra. I have been toying with thoughts of finally putting some of the stuff online that I have wanted to build, but needed a real database to do, properly. I am considering writting a blogger of my own to integrate into this site.

In the meantime, I have been making small changes to the existing site. I have:

• Fixed some typos (if you see any, please, email me).
• Revamped my Resume page (now includes certifications; resume offline).
• Built a useful Travels page with some cool stuff.
• Fixed some ugly CSS (the Summer season was ugly, sorry).
• Added the new Rocketry page.
• Other minor (mostly code/XHTML) clean-ups.

Hopefully, I will bring Charlotte's pages online, soon.

www.OpenBrainstem.net (new website)

In March, 2004, I registered a few domains. This one will be the developer resources website for my open source projects.

I bought some servers to host this site on, but I have not had time to finish setting them up. I have a RaQ3i and a RaQ3. The 3i, unfortunately, took a nose dive while I was trying to upgrade the BOOT EEPROM. I am going to have to send it off to have the chip replaced in order to fix it. This will cost me around US$129 to get done (I only spent US$100 to buy the server, so it is not all that bad).

When the first server goes online, I will post links from here to there.

Software Under Development

RecipeNet (Recipe Database)

Originally, my plan was for this application's front-end to be web based, only. Now, I am designing a Qt-based front-end, though I will probably finish the web front-end first. I will be building the Zaurus app (with embedded MySQL database) early on, as well.

There will be provisions for multiple versions of the same dish, allowing one to pick the version(s) wanted. There will also be a submissions system for adding new recipes and correcting or modifying existing ones.

The project manager for this application is Charlotte. I have some alpha/beta testers already lined up. There has been a good expression of interest in this program.

Geneological Database (GDB)

We will be bringing this application online soon. It will have a web front-end with MySQL as the repository. The big thing going on here at the moment is testing to ensure that my database design can handle all types of relational entries that might be needed.

Information describing the internal structure of my database design will not be released. I believe I have found a way to represent all the familial relationships required of this application, using less storage space than current applications. But, only time will tell me whether or not it'll hold up under pressure. There will be no load testing, until this system is brought online for beta testing.

Diary (or "PersonaLog"?)

This program will initially be released for Linux & Win32. It will provide an entry management system with fully encrypted storage and integrated editor. I am using the Qt library for cross-platform compatability. Once again, I will build a Mac version, as soon as I can.

As simple as this program is, I should have more of it done already. I should be able to get something out soon after I get the RecipeNet application online.

MindCAST (Integrated Development Environment)

I am modeling the plugin architecture for this project. There are many exciting things going into the first version. A roadmap is being built which will outline all items that must be completed for each revision from 0.1 through to the final version 1.0 release. Keep your eye on this program. I promise you, it will rock your world (if you are a Software Engineer).

Family Accountant

I currently use Microsoft Money to manage personal finances. It is quite a capable tool, however, it has it's limitations. For one thing, you can not enter transactions using a Palm device. Yes, I know that Microsoft provides Pocket Money for WinCE, but nothing for PalmOS. I do not wish to be slaved to Windows, either.

One feature that I have not seen other applications provide is real multi-user support suitable for families. For example, you might want to open a savings account for your child, and have them track the account using the financial management software. You (probably) do not want the child to have access to your accounts, but it would be convenient to have their's visible along with all of yours. I will provide this kind of "User View Restriction" with this application.

Front-ends will be built to run on the web, Linux, Solaris, Win32 & PalmOS. If I had a Macintosh, I would also build a MacOS version. This will be a multi-homed, multi-user database application. Initially, it will be able to run on MySQL or Oracle on the back end (support for PostgreSQL, IBM DB2, MSSQL & others are planned). For stand-alone installations, the database could be an encrypted text file or (preferably) on a local MySQL server.