Month: February 2010

Personal Cloud Databases – DHX QT Shows Promise

As we have seen in previous articles, I’ve been looking at what we might call Personal Cloud Databases. There are many Cloud Data tools out there. I found a review article here, and then looked at these and other alternatives.

  • ZOHO Creator – 3 apps free. $15/mo basic plan.
  • Dabble DB – free public data. $24/mo for private data. Very cool concepts.
  • Web Office – $53/mo includes data.
  • Google Docs – Free. No database. Spreadsheet only.
  • BaseCamp – No free option. Starts at $24/mo.
  • Windows Azure – Clearly not personal. Impossible to tell what it would cost.

And there are more, mostly pitched at small businesses and enterprises, and expensive. At least very expensive compared with Blogging or Photo Galleries. So my question is: Why are database tools so expensive compared with Blogging and Photo tools, which are usually free or almost free? The reason I believe is Open Source.

I think there is a very interesting opportunity for a platform, like WordPress for personal data tables.

Continue reading “Personal Cloud Databases – DHX QT Shows Promise”

DHX Quick Tables

As you may remember from a previous article, I have been using ZOHO creator to store MMO game data while I play the game to keep track of my characters and their loot. I was not happy with the ZOHO solution due to it’s high cost – $15/mo beyond 3 databases [applications]. While I have not yet exceeded that, I desire a solution that will live on my hosting service where I have unlimited storage/databases.

I have found a solution with DHX Quick Tables, and for now I’m using that as we will see. Continue reading “DHX Quick Tables”

Open Office iCal Importer

I have started using Google calendar and now I want to analyze the events that I’m saving. Google provides a calendar, but no tools to analyze the events on a calendar. Also they only provide iCal format export of the calendar and no way to move the calendar to Google Docs. An iCal importer for Open Office Calc would have the widest appeal and widest platform support. I have written a simple importer for Open Office 3.1.1. I have not tested it on other versions of OO. You can download it here: iCal_Import_04 The download link it as the top of the page. Wave your cursor at the top of the page to see the V symbol for the download link. Enjoy. BTW, WordPress.com does not allow posting of any zip files so I had to move the file to google drive.

After an Import

One of the things that I needed to do was to add up times that I spent on certain activities. By adopting conventions about how to fill in the event summary field, and adding a column for Duration, it’s easy to do this. To use the importer, download it and unpack it to your hard drive. You may need to adjust your Security settings to allow macros to run, and possibly set a folder on your hard drive as a trusted source. Open the spreadsheet with Open Office 3.1.1 or later. I suggest you Save As… to a new name as soon as you open it to avoid modifying the original file. Once you have saved it with the name you like, run the main macro as follows:

Continue reading “Open Office iCal Importer”

Artistic Theme for a Wood Carver

I’m working on a wordpress theme for a wood carver. Here’s a thumbnail to show the approach I’m taking.

I built this graphic using 3dsmax using splines and bevels and then lit it with two lights one at top left and a dimmer one on bottom left.

The whole graphic shows the header surround, the sidebar top and bottom background and the footer pieces. The high res graphic will be cut into chunks for backgrounds for the various parts of the theme.

– windy