Here is correspondence for 2005.

2005-03-17

From: Ian H [metadata]

Hi,

Just seen your site and wanted to ask you a sql question, your help would be much appreciated.

I have 2 tables 'ecastdata' and 'ecastops'. 

I am running a COUNT on the number of records from the 'ecastdata' table with a specific ID from both tables.

I am excluding certain email addresses from both tables. 

The email addresses in the 'ecastdata' table are in one column: |Email|.

The 'ecastops' table has the email addresses in seperate columns, for example: |EcastOpSeed1|EcastOpSeed2|EcastOpSeed3|

How can I use wildcards  in a SELECT subquery?

Here is the query I want to use:

SELECT COUNT(*) AS intTotal FROM ecastdata where ecastdata.EcastID = 46 AND
(
ecastdata.Email NOT LIKE '%yahoo.com' AND 
ecastdata.Email NOT LIKE '%hotmail.com' AND
ecastdata.Email NOT LIKE (SELECT ecastops.EcastOpSeed1 FROM ecastops WHERE ecastops.EcastOpID = 46) AND
ecastdata.Email NOT LIKE (SELECT ecastops.EcastOpSeed2 FROM ecastops WHERE ecastops.EcastOpID = 46) AND
ecastdata.Email NOT LIKE (SELECT ecastops.EcastOpSeed3 FROM ecastops WHERE ecastops.EcastOpID = 46)
)
Ian:

Try the following:

select count(*) from ecastdata where ecastdata.ecastid = 46 and 
(
ecastdata.email not like '%yahoo.com' or
ecastdata.email not like '%hotmail.com' or
ecastdata.email not like (select ecastops.ecastopseed1 fromecastops where ecastops.ecastopid = 46) or
ecastdata.email not like (select ecastops.ecastopseed2 fromecastops where ecastops.ecastopid = 46) or
ecastdata.email not like (select ecastops.ecastopseed3 fromecastops where ecastops.ecastopid = 46)
)

The big difference is the use of "or" instead of "and". 

Note that this will run into problems when any of the 4 email fields are null or empty string.

-George Hernandez

2005-04-09

From: Lana Tolman [metadata]
Subject: OEM 437 Code

I use ALT 157  ¥ and   ALT 156  £  - what is the code for the Euro?
Lana:

There is no Euro for OEM 437, since 437 predates the Euro.
Windows "remembers" OEM shortcuts but doesn't really use OEM 437.

If you are actually using OEM 437, then please tell me about your system.

Otherwise:
Windows: ALT+157=ALT+0165=Yen, ALT+156=ALT+0163=Pound, and ALT+0128=Euro.
Mac: ?=Yen, OPT+3=Pound, ALT+2=OPT+SHIFT+2 = Euro.
HTML: ¥=Yen, £=Pound, €=Euro.

I hope this helps.
Thanks it did.

2005-04-24

Since this exchange involves Unicode, I'll force this section to use a cascade of Unicode fonts: Arial Unicode MS and Lucida Sans Unicode.

From: Alan J. McFarlane [metadata]
Subject: On entering Unicode codepoints...

George

I'm currently investigating the alleged existence of the Windows XP
feature where one can enter a Unicode character in hexadecimal by typing
Alt+'+'+<xxxx>--that is hold the Alt key, type the numerical keypad's
plus-sign, then enter the four digit hexadecimal number.  The is
described <http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/reference/glossary.mspx#a>
and <http://www.fileformat.info/tip/microsoft/enter_unicode.htm>.
However it does _not_ work for me. :-(

In investigating this I discovered your page
<http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/xComputers/CharacterSets/Shortcuts.asp>.
I wonder about the sentence, "If the number is four digits long and the
OS is Windows XP, then the output is Unicode. EG: ALT+0165 yields a Yen
symbol (¥) for its Unicode character".  I wonder if that is correct.  I
think this is actually just the behaviour described in the second
sentence "If the number is zero followed by three digits ...".

For instance 0x0080 through 0x009F are only Control characters in
Unicode, whereas in Windows 'ANSI' there are 'printable' characters in
these positions.  For instance Capital S with caron is Windows ANSI 0x8A
(decimal 138) but is Unicode U+0160.  When I type Alt+0138 I get the
S+caron which seems to show that the code is being used as a Windows
ANSI value.  Also, there is a character at Unicode codepoint 0x0100,
Capital A with Macron, but there is no such Windows ANSI codepoint
(being an 8-bit encoding).  When I type Alt+0256, I get an error beep
and no character, whereas if it was accepting a Unicode value I would
get a chacracter.

I'd welcome any information on the former subject too.

Alan

Alan:

Good eye Alan.

We're both right. The supposed WinXP Unicode shortcut has been
officially described in two ways:

1. [ALT]+[UnicodeInDecimal]. See the Rich Edit Shortcut Keys in
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/commctls/richedit/richeditcontrols/aboutricheditcontrols.asp.

2. [ALT]+[+]+[UnicodeInHexadecimal]. See the third question in
http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/drintl/columns/019/default.mspx#Q3.

Both links also shows a third method:
[UnicodeInHexadecimal] then [ALT]+x.

Unfortunately I have been unable to make any of the three methods work.
I have modified my page to reflect this.

I'll ask Dr. International about this.

-George Hernandez

From Alan:

> 1. [ALT]+[UnicodeInDecimal]. See the Rich Edit Shortcut Keys
> in
> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-
> us/shellcc/platform/commctls/richedit/richeditcontrols/aboutri
> cheditcontrols.asp.
>
...
Ahh, I didn't know of that one.  This works for me both in WordPad and in MSWord.  (It doesn't work in Notepad).
e.g.
Alt+"8224":     †       dagger
Alt+"8240":     ‰       per-thousand
Alt+"8241":     ‱       per-ten-thousand
For the last one WordPad, needs font setting e.g. Lucida Sans Unicode:  ‱
MSWord however automatically applies font Lucida Sans Unicode.


> 2. [ALT]+[+]+[UnicodeInHexadecimal]. See the third question
> in
> http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/drintl/columns/019/default.mspx#Q3.
>
That's the one I can't get to work anywhere.

(3.)
> Both links also shows a third method:
> [UnicodeInHexadecimal] then [ALT]+x.
>
This one works for me too (see some examples below).  It works in WordPad and MSWord.  (It doesn't work in Notepad).

I wonder what applications use the Rich Edit control; WordPad does at least.  It appears though that Word has its own implementation, as some differences in behaviour are apparent:

1) On conversion to the hex value, the resultant value is selected.

This is particularly useful when the character preceding the converted character is a hex digit.  e.g.
In WordPad:
[] indicates selection.
50%-->50[25]-->50%-->50[25]-->ad infinitum.
1%-->1[25]-->1%-->1[25]-->ad infinitum.
In Word:
50%--(Alt+X)-->500025-->500020035-->500020030035-->etc. :-(
1%-->10025-->'block'-->10025-->'block'-->ad infinitum. :-(

2) On conversion to a character, WordPad is more exacting.

e.g. again when the character preceding the hex number is a hex digit.  For instance wanting 50+'dagger' (U+2030).
In WordPad:
502030-->'error beep' and no change.
In Word:
502030-->502030030-->converts last char, as above, ad nauseum.
Of course in both, if the user highlights the 2030 part, the correct conversion happens.

3) Word doesn't support the Alt+Shift+Ctrl+F12 alternative.


> Unfortunately I have been unable to make any of the three
> methods work.

Odd.


> I have modified my page to reflect this.
>
Err, can I make some comments again. :-)  Respectively, in the sentences starting as follows.

1. "If the number is zero followed".  (Not necessary three digit, e.g. Alt+31).

2. "If the number is three digits".  (Ditto).

3. "For certain applications".  I don't understand.  For instance Unicode is equivalent to Latin-1 for 0x00 thru 0xFF, so "entering things like Unicode" doesn't make sense to me for such values.

Oh wait, do you mean when editing a file that is a Unicode encoding, but the editor doesn't know so one can enter the individual bytes (ignoring the characters that display) that make up the required encoding of the required codepoint.  And when viewed or 'used' later the consumer application will use the encoding in its Unicode form.

4. "In Windows XP and Notepad".  "the four digit Unicode value in decimal", it is in Hexadecimal, (and again there is no set number of digits required).  The Dr Intl. column referenced above says: "Unicode hexadecimal number", (and "Preceding zeroes can be left out", and "pressing the keypad's + then C 6").


> I'll ask Dr. International about this.
>
I've done the same previously, well I emailed the GlobalDev webmaster and Dr Intl. replied:
"Alan,

The last method is supported in Notepad on Windows XP. For more details see,
http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/DrIntl/columns/019/default.mspx#Q3.
BTW - Word 2003 also support this feature.

Hope this helps.

Dr. International
http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev"

I sent in response, "Just a quick response.  Does the <Alt>+<+>+<xxxx> feature work for you?" (plus examples of it not working).  And got no reply.

So it will be good to hear if you get any further answer.  I wondered about opening a support case at MS, but was slightly worried about this feature's kinda unofficial status, i.e. not mentioned in the OS supplied/specific documentation.

Alan

Alan:

Good catches again. I got a better response from Dr. International:

{

>Supposedly thre are WinXP Unicode shortcuts officially described thus:

>1. [ALT]+[UnicodeInDecimal]. See the Rich Edit Shortcut Keys in
>http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/commctls/richedit/richeditcontrols/aboutricheditcontrols.asp.

<<Dr. Intl>> This is only available in richedit 4.1 and above. Thus if you have Windows XP SP1 or better you should have this. WordPad use this version of RichEdit and it should work for you.

>2. [ALT]+[+]+[UnicodeInHexadecimal]. See the third question in
>http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/drintl/columns/019/default.mspx#Q3.

<<Dr. Intl>>To use this, you need to set a value in the System Registry using RegEdit. (NOTE Make sure you backup the Registry before changing it). Here is what you need to do:

a. You need to open RegEdit
b. Then go to HKCurrent_User/Control Panel/Input Method
c. Set REG_SZ “EnableHexNumpad” to be “1” (If there is no EnableHexNumpad, then add it and set its value to 1).
d. Reboot your system.

This should now enable this for you.

>Both links also shows a third method: [UnicodeInHexadecimal] then [ALT]+x. Unfortunately I
>have been unable to make any of the three methods work in Notepad or Word.

<<Dr. Intl> This method should work in both Wordpad on Windows XP SP1 and Word 2002 and Word 2003, but it does not work in Notepad.

}

See my updated page <http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/xComputers/CharacterSets/Shortcuts.asp> for a summary of all this.

I wonder if your careful eye will find any errors! :)

-George Hernandez

2005-05-03

From: Bryan Rusek [metadata]

I just wanted to thank you for the article you wrote on T-SQL cursors.
It helped me get what I needed done fast.

Thanks again,
-Bryan
Bryan:

Thanks for the kind word. I'm glad I could help.

-George Hernandez

2005-05-05

From: Robert [metadata]

I've got a question.

When you go to screen properties and backgrounds 
you can select from a number of choices to set as your wallpaper.

How do you remove choices from the menu?  
For some reason I've got family pictures showing up 
in the list also which make the list huge and 
also has items I'll never use for wallpaper.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Robert
Robert:

I agree: Sometimes a huge list is annoying.

The default wallpaper choices given come from several 
potential places (depending on your system and version of Windows).

C:\Documents and Settings\<User Name>\My Documents\My Pictures
C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes
C:\WINDOWS
C:\WINDOW\WEB\Wallpaper
C:\WINNT. (.BMPs, be careful about deleting in here)
C:\WINNT\Web\Wallpaper

Just clean up the available choices in those areas and 
you should have greater control over the default wallpapers listed.

-George Hernandez

 

From: Paul Nielsen [metadata]

Just a quick note to say I like you site. Straight forward to the point facts. Well done.

-Paul Nielsen, SQL Server MVP

www.SQLServerBible.com

www.ConnectedInnovation.com
Paul:

Thanks Paul! As a parent, I know the value of a pat on the back.

-George Hernandez

2005-06-09

From:  William Gentile [metadata] 
Subject: Maroon

Hi George,

I came across your site while researching the color garnet. I purchased
a 1990 Oldsmobile that's GM color code said was Dark Garnet...I too
prefer to call it maroon.

Anyway I enjoyed your explanation...Also just finished reading
Robinson Crusoe (while on Alaska's  North Slope feeling marooned).

Once started and past chapter one couldn't stop..now I know why
it is a classic...way better than all the movies!!

Looks like you have a very interesting web site.

Regards,

*->BiLL
Bill:

Fabulous Bill! It's the little things like a personal connection with maroon
that make the world a better place.

The contrast of you on the slopes and me sweating here in the summer is
delicious.

Thanks for visiting.

-George Hernandez

2005-06-29

From: William Kaffenberger [metadata] 
Subject: Question regarding your emoticon page

Hello, I was surfing the web and came upon your emoticon definition web site.
I found one of the two I was looking for.  So on the second one, 
I have seen the following used in various emails, I have no idea if its okay 
or rude thats why I am asking because I have seen my teenager use it 
but have NO idea what it means:
 
<3
 
either alone or repeated several times.
 
Do you have any idea what that emoticon means?  
I have checked several other sites but no one seems to have it. 
 
Any help you can provide will be appreciated.
 
Cheers!
 
Bill K.    <><
Bill:

The <3 emoticon is a heart symbol (laying on its side).
Given the vibes I get from you, it is no surprise that 
you have emails with a lot of love in them.

Peace,
George Hernandez
George thanks!  At least it means something positive!

Bill K.    <><

2005-07-01

From: Randy Howard [metadata]
Subject: Update for your page

http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/xComputers/UNIX/ 

The entry for Dell UNIX could be expanded on a bit...

Dell had multiple UNIX offerings during the 90s, the first was Dell UNIX SVR3, 
based upon a version from ISC with a lot of customization for 
Dell hardware (drivers, platform features, etc.).  Later, and more popular, 
was Dell UNIX SVR4, based upon a source license direct from AT&T/USL.  
It was one of the first platforms anywhere to have automatic device detection 
and driver loading (long before Windows "plug and pray").  
We should have patented it.  :-)

I worked in the Dell UNIX development team throughout both product cycles.

Cheers...

-- 
Randy Howard
Randy:

Well, since you asked so nicely, I've added some of your info on Dell UNIX.

-George Hernandez

2005-07-12

From: Explore: Dictionary of Everything [metadata]
Subject: Request to change the URL

George,

Under "Weapons Dictionary [Explore-Weapons.com]" , you have a link to:
http://www.explore-weapons.com/

This page has moved. Would you mind changing the URL to
http://www.dictionaryofeverything.com/weapons/  ?

We appreciate your link. Thanks.

Roy K
Enlexica, Inc.
Roy:

Done.

-George Hernandez

2005-07-25

From: Peter and Drinda Petroni [metadata]
Subject: Money Question

Dear George,

I have a question that I can not seem to figure out.
I am hoping you can give me some help.

   1. If someone tells me that they will give me 
$ 20,000 per acre for my land by paying my $2,000 every year
for 10 years, how much in today’s money are they giving me?

Thank You for your help,

Peter
Peter:

The answer depends on the interest.
If you normally collect interest on your money,
then that payment schedule is worth less than
$20,000 in today's money.

Here is the worth depending upon the interest:

%	Present Value
0	$20,000.00 
1	$18,942.61 
3	$17,060.41 
4	$16,221.79 
5	$15,443.47 
6	$14,720.17 
8	$13,420.16 
10	$12,289.13 
12	$11,300.45

Just type in "=-PV(%/100,10,2000)" into a spreadsheet like
Microsoft Excel to get the present value for a given %.
For example:  -PV(7/100,10,2000) yields $14,047.16.

I hope that helps.

-George Hernandez
Thanks It does.

2005-08-03

From: Patrick Lee [metadata]
Subject: Site for inclusion as link

Dear Mr Hernandez

Your site was of great interest to me.

I noticed you have a links section regarding Wing Chun.

I have a new website, http://www.ikungfu.net, which provides
information on, among other things, the Wing Chun Siu Nim
Tau, Chum Kiu and Biu Jee forms, and also sell eBook
instructions on these forms.

I would be very grateful if you could please link to my
site's Wing Chun section, in your Chinese (CMA) links
section of URL:

http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/xMartialArts/zLinks.asp

In return, if there is an eBook from our collection that you
like, I'll be happy to email it to you for free. Our
collection of eBooks include forms on many Kung Fu styles
such as Shaolin, Praying Mantis, among others, and retails
at US$20 to US$29 each.

Link info:

http://ikungfu.net/Wing-Chun.htm
(Anchor text: "ikungfu.net - Information on the Wing Chun
forms")


I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards
Patrick Lee
Patrick Lee:

Your site is very clean and promises good content.

I have linked to you via two pages on my site:
http://www.georgehernandez.com/xMartialArts/zLinks.htm#Chinese_MAs_CMAs
http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/xMartialArts/zLinksCommercial.asp#Books_Videos_Periodicals 

Kindly send me a copy of your ebook on Bagua please. If it is to my
liking, I may order more books.

Sincerely,
George Hernandez
Dear Mr Hernandez

Thank you for your email below, and for linking to
ikungfu.net 

I have tried to send you the eBook, but it has been blocked
by your email server. Would you have another address for me
to send the eBook to? I believe the activation code has been
sent to you already.

Regards
Patrick
Patrick:

Thanks for trying. Please try [alternate email].

-George Hernandez
Patrick:

Thanks for the complimentary eBook. FYI: I did a little review that
you can find at
http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/xMartialArts/zLinksCommercial.asp#Books_Videos_Periodicals. 

Thanks once again.

-George Hernandez
Hi Mr Hernandez

You're welcome! Thank you for your review.

Regards
Patrick

2005-08-06

From: Michael Reiss <metadata>
Subject: remote control finder

Hi,

I thing your remote control finder idea has already been done ...
but this is even better -> www.remotestand.com 

Any chance of adding a link on your site?

Mick.
Mick:

Sure! I now have links to it.

http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/xzMisc/zLinks/GetStuff.asp
http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/xzMisc/zMisc/Invent.asp#RemoteControlFinder

A pretty nice product. More elegant than using duct tape to attach
a remote to a cricket bat.

-George Hernandez
Thanks very much!

:-)

Mick.

2005-09-20

From: Robert Page <metadata>
Subject: Thank You from SiShong Rob

Hello George,

   I recently saw that I was recieving hits directed from you website and decided to check it out. 
You have a great deal of information on your site. Very informative!

I also wanted to thank you for what you said about me and my school on your site. 
It is an honor to be mentioned on your site that way!

Just so you know we have moved our school to 3302 W. Lawrence Ave. 
It is a second floor studio with 1900sq feet of matted floor and great windows! 
I invite you to come check it out if you havent already. 
I noticed you are a student of Nate Defensor, and if you are currently 
training you should know that he has moved his Tuesday night classes to our 
school from 7:30 - 9:30. I unfurtunatly will not be here tonight but plan on attendeing his classes regularly.

As I said in the subject thank you for what you said it means alot to me 
and to Master Johnny Tsai. I would like to link our site to yours if 
that would be ok with you! Maybe I will see you in the Kali class on Tuesday's.

Robert Page
Tsai's Kung Fu International [TsaisKungFu.com]
Si Shong Rob Page:

I'm glad you got some hits from my site. Right now I get almost 30,000 hits a day
so some of them must be going to you! A link to my site is OK with me.

I haven't trained with Guru Defensor in many weeks so I will have to visit your
new location soon and I look forward to seeing you then.

Sincerely,
George Hernandez
www.GeorgeHernandez.com

2005-09-27

From: Ralston, Derek <metadata>	
Subject: Discontinued film formats

George,

Where did you get the idea that the APS film format was discontinued?
Kodak discontinued making new APS format cameras, but continues to make APS format film. 
In fact, Kodak just updated the packaging of this film.

http://www.photoreporter.com/2001/06-04/kodak_revamps_packaging.html 
Derek:

You're exactly right! When Kodak stopped making the cameras,
I thought that everyone stopped making the APS film too.

I've updated my page and made a minor correction at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_format. Thanks for the catch.

-George Hernandez

2005-09-29

From: Niklas Hedsköld <metadata>	
Subject: pictures

Hello!
My name is Niklas Hedsköld, I'm a swedish student from Campus Norrköping.
Is it okej if I use two pictures (of Munsell and Ostwald colorsystem) from
your website in my report about colorsystems?
It's for non-commercial use only.

//Niklas
Niklas:

You have my permission.

I have more references on the color systems listed at
http://www.georgehernandez.comh//xzMisc/Color/zLinks.asp. 

-George Hernandez

Page Modified: (Hand noted: 2005-09-29 00:00:00Z) (Auto noted: 2010-12-24 22:26:11Z)