# Techybit

> A bit of this and that


## Posts

- [Concord Pavilion is now Toyota Pavilion + Tips](https://techybit.com/2023/08/22/concord-pavilion-is-now-toyota-pavilion-tips/): In the interest of consumer help to save some money and frustration when attending shows at the Concord Pavilion in California (now called the Toyota Pavilion), I give these helpful tips after attending a show there last week.
- [Number 4 is in the books](https://techybit.com/2023/08/15/number-4-is-in-the-books/)
- [Covid is Done](https://techybit.com/2023/04/16/covid-is-done/): It took three years, just like the 1918 pandemic, but things are mostly normal. Some of the crazy things that happened these three years.
- [The Era of AI Has Begun?](https://techybit.com/2023/02/16/the-era-of-ai-has-begun/)
- [The Crazy Is Accelerating](https://techybit.com/2022/06/24/the-crazy-is-accelerating/)
- [Personal Inflation Tracker](https://techybit.com/2022/06/01/personal-inflation-tracker/): It's no secret inflation is running "hot" this year, with May 2022 CPI at 8.3% yearly.
- [NYTimes: How America Lost One Million People](https://techybit.com/2022/05/14/nytimes-how-america-lost-one-million-people/)
- [This is Bad](https://techybit.com/2022/02/23/this-is-bad/)
- [A World Record](https://techybit.com/2022/01/07/a-world-record/)
- [The endless pandemic continues with another concerning variant](https://techybit.com/2021/12/01/the-endless-pandemic-continues-with-another-concerning-variant/)
- [Almost Gone...and then](https://techybit.com/2021/08/29/almost-gone-and-then/): Seemed like we licked it, then Delta came and walloped us all over again. Looks like it'll be three years before it's over, like many experts predicted.
- [2021 Going Better](https://techybit.com/2021/06/22/2021-going-better/)
- [Inauguration Month Chaos](https://techybit.com/2021/01/22/inauguration-month-chaos/)
- [Chaos as Trump Incites Insurrection](https://techybit.com/2021/01/09/chaos-as-trump-incites-insurrection/)
- [Election 2020](https://techybit.com/2020/11/08/181-2/): After a contentious election season and several days of world-on-edge waiting, a new president elect is chosen!
- [Dog Days of Summer](https://techybit.com/2020/09/05/dog-days-of-summer/): It's the end of Summer and it's the same 'ol thing...
- [Fire in the Sky](https://techybit.com/2020/08/25/fire-in-the-sky/): Amazing sunset tonight with smoke from nearby fires.
- [Sunset](https://techybit.com/2020/08/17/sunset/)
- [Weekend Update](https://techybit.com/2020/08/10/weekend-update/): I was walking the lake this weekend nearby these incidents.
- [Late July Doldrums](https://techybit.com/2020/07/31/late-july-doldrums/): So much bad news this week. At a local level there were two deadly shootings 1 block from our place, one occurring at noon while I was on a conference call!
- [Not Improving](https://techybit.com/2020/07/02/not-improving/): It seemed okay when new infections were hovering around 20K per day but unfortunately there's a huge spike now and we are accelerating through 50K per day.
- [Stocks Dive & Virus Up](https://techybit.com/2020/06/11/stocks-dive-virus-up/)
- [Covid Pandemic Timeline](https://techybit.com/2020/06/10/covid-pandemic-timeline/)
- [2020 Catch-Up](https://techybit.com/2020/06/01/2020-catch-up/): The year 2020 always seemed like the far future but this hopeful future arrived in tragic fashion and has accelerated month by month into uncertainty and increasing chaos.
- [My First Blog Post](https://techybit.com/2019/09/23/example-post/): Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
- [Introduce Yourself (Example Post)](https://techybit.com/2019/09/23/welcome-to-my-blog/): This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.
- [PickFlicks for Windows Phone–One Year Later](https://techybit.com/2013/01/09/pickflicks-windows-phoneone-year/): My Windows Phone application has been in the marketplace for one year now and an update has just been published (v2.5).
- [Lake Merritt, Oakland - Resources For New Residents](https://techybit.com/2012/11/25/lake-merritt/): Arial view of the Lake Merritt, Oakland area Moving to a new area is always a bit scary and involves a lot of work to get settled. What things are there to do?
- [Baltimore Skywalks Being Demolished](https://techybit.com/2012/10/24/baltimore-skywalks-demolished/): One of my favorite posts about the downtown Baltimore skywalks (here) was timely- I recently learned some of these antiquated but cool urban features are being demolished soon.
- [Where's Waldo?](https://techybit.com/2012/10/22/waldo/): Just a couple updates on activities the past few months- I relocated from Baltimore, MD to the San Francisco bay area, CA earlier in the year, got a new job as a computer consultant (at Avanade), and settled into the lovely California weather.
- [PickFlicks is Available](https://techybit.com/2012/01/14/pickflicks/): I'm excited to announce the PickFlicks application is now available on the Windows Marketplace!
- [My First Windows Phone Application - PickFlicks](https://techybit.com/2012/01/14/windows-phone-application-pickflicks/): I’ve spent the last few weeks watching Windows Phone training videos (via learndevnow.com) and reading all the great Microsoft articles on WP7 development and finally writing my own application.
- [WCF Services, Shared Hosting and Windows Phone 7](https://techybit.com/2011/08/29/wcf-services-shared-hosting-windows-phone-7/): Creating a Microsoft web service can be a straightforward thing, but add in the requirements of deploying a WCF service to a shared hosting provider (such as GoDaddy) and have it available to web applications and to a Windows Phone 7 device can add a few wrinkles.
- [Emergency Tech Prep](https://techybit.com/2011/08/27/emergency-tech-prep/): A rare 5.8 earthquake followed by hurricane Irene within one week of each other on the East Coast has made everyone think about emergency preparedness.
- [Applications Page Updated](https://techybit.com/2011/04/10/applications-page-updated/): Maintenance mode: After upgrading the site to ASP.NET 4.0 some of my applications no longer worked.
- [Digitize with Windows Phone 7, Gmail, and Handyscan](https://techybit.com/2011/02/24/digitize-windows-phone-7-gmail-handyscan/): I’ve been using an HTC HD7 running Windows Phone 7 for 6 weeks now, and I love it, rarely missing my iPhone.
- [We Don't Need No Stinkin' 3rd Party Controls](https://techybit.com/2010/12/28/stinkin-3rd-party-controls/): A recent client application used some 3rd party controls which gave nothing but trouble.
- [Flickr Geolocated Pictures](https://techybit.com/2010/11/14/flickr-aspnet/): Here's a new fun application which shows recent random public Flickr photos initially from your location, but allows you to select from a few other U.S.
- [BrowserSpy - A Browser Capability Utility](https://techybit.com/2010/11/09/browser/): The applications page has been updated with a new utility, BrowserSpy, which demonstrates how much information can be retrieved from just the browser Request object.
- [Trying instant Bing & Twitter Search with ASP.NET](https://techybit.com/2010/10/25/instant-bing-twitter-search-asp-net/): I've been learning and writing a lot of ASP.NET code the past couple months and thought it was time to try a fun project.
- [Tech Tips from Appdev to Virtual PC](https://techybit.com/2010/08/01/misc-tech-tips-2/): Just an assortment of hopefully useful miscellaneous items from things I've been working on lately along with resources for further review.
- [iPad in my Pad](https://techybit.com/2010/06/01/ipad-mypad/): Having used my wi-fi iPad for a couple weeks now, I wanted to write some thoughts down on how I'm using it, favorite apps, and some tips.
- [The Nearly Forgotten Baltimore Skywalks](https://techybit.com/2010/05/01/baltimore-skywalks/): And now for a non-tech diversion: I recently discovered a little used yet interesting section of downtown Baltimore- a series of skywalks and skybridges crisscrossing many blocks and leading through hotels, office buildings, and parks.
- [Why Closed Systems Like iPad Will be Successful](https://techybit.com/2010/04/15/closed-systems-ipad-successful/): There's lately been much discussion about closed vs.
- [Fun with How-To Videos](https://techybit.com/2010/03/07/fun-how-to-videos/): A while ago I added some beginner how-to videos to my Senior Citizen's website, and it was an interesting and fun process.
- [Goal-Centered Design](https://techybit.com/2010/03/07/goal-centered-design/): Alan Cooper's About Face 3: The Essentials of Interaction Design is the standard for user centered design, in my opinion.
- [5 Tips for Crash-Proof Consulting](https://techybit.com/2010/02/08/5-tips-crash-proof-consulting/): Are you considering a career in computer consulting? Here's some semi-serious personal tips I've developed from years in the trenches...
- [How to Develop iPhone Apps For Free](https://techybit.com/2010/01/31/develop-iphone-apps/): There's an interesting (and free) resource if you're interested in learning how to program the iPhone- how about a class from Stanford University including video lectures, pdf's of lecture materials, and other reference materials?
- [The Simple Things](https://techybit.com/2010/01/31/simple/): While working on some enhancements for a client's application I was reminded how sometimes simple changes can be powerful, useful, and appreciated by end users.
- [Save Those Snaps: Digitizing Your Photos](https://techybit.com/2010/01/24/save-those-snaps-digitizing-your-photos/): It's something we all think about...sorting and digitizing our old family and vacation photos. Every year they fade, get damaged a little more, and pile up.
- [Computer Programming for Kids](https://techybit.com/2010/01/17/computer-programming-for-kids/): Do you have a kid in your life who has an interest in computers and programming? If so, please encourage this passion and let them try it out!
- [Gadget Envy (CES 2010)](https://techybit.com/2010/01/09/gadget-envy-ces-2010/): It's geek Christmastime now that the Consumer Electronics Show 2010 in Las Vegas has arrived (cnet coverage)...time to drool over the cool new gadgets and buy those lottery tickets!
- [Website Tools Summary](https://techybit.com/2010/01/04/website-tools-summary/): Part of the purpose of writing this blog and starting the techforliving.com website was to learn about how to build, host, and maintain a site and explore the issues revolving around those technologies.
- [Let's Make a (new car) Deal](https://techybit.com/2010/01/02/lets-make-a-new-car-deal/): Buying a new car hasn't changed much over the years, and still remains a frustrating, time intensive experience.
- [Microsoft Virtual Business Cards Available](https://techybit.com/2009/12/31/microsoft-virtual-business-cards-available/): If you're a Microsoft Certified Professional, there is a new tool you can use in addition to transcript sharing and logo-building.
- [Teching Across the Country](https://techybit.com/2009/12/27/teching-across-the-country/): Portable technology can make traveling much more effective, efficient, and enjoyable than anything possible just a couple years ago.
- [Don't Call Me Shirley](https://techybit.com/2009/12/22/dont-call-me-shirley/): People in other professions have fairly concrete titles which indicate what they do. Think surgeon, math teacher, architect, or president.
- [Starting Things Up](https://techybit.com/2009/12/21/starting-things-up/): Welcome to my blog...I'm a software engineer/consultant.
- [First Post](https://techybit.com/2009/11/02/first-post/): Hi- this is my first post.

## Pages

- [Photos](https://techybit.com/photos/): The Oscar Meyer Mobile in person by random chance.
- [Blog](https://techybit.com/blog/)
- [TechForLiving](https://techybit.com/techforliving/): Technology made simple for all of us.
- [Techybit](https://techybit.com/): The nearly forgotten Baltimore skywalks (now demolished). I lost the original post but the wayback machine had it!
- [About Us](https://techybit.com/about-us/): The concept for my company was a team effort.
- [WCF Services, Shared Hosting and Windows Phone 7, Part Two](https://techybit.com/applications/wcf-services-shared-hosting-windows-phone-7-part/): You can find Part One HERE Firstly, make sure all the Windows Phone 7 development tools are installed and configured correctly on your system.
- [Gridview Ajax Popup Code](https://techybit.com/applications/gridview-ajax-popup-code/): Here's the ASP.NET code for this utility.
- [Flickr Pictures](https://techybit.com/applications/flickr-location-pictures-code/): Here's the ASP.NET code for this utility.
- [BrowserSpy Utility](https://techybit.com/applications/browserspy-utility/): Here's the ASP.NET code for this utility: This class gathers browser capability information, adds them to a list, and binds to a gridview control.
- [Instant Search Code](https://techybit.com/applications/instant-search-code/): using System; using System.Collections.Generic; using System.Linq; using System.Web; using System.Web.UI; using System.Web.UI.WebControls; using Question.net.live.search; namespace Question { public partial class Instant : System.Web.UI.Page { // List of results from service List _results = new List(); // Variables for search services private Question.net.live.search.api.LiveSearchService _service = new Question.net.live.search.api.LiveSearchService(); private Question.net.live.search.api.SearchRequest _request = new Question.net.live.search.api.SearchRequest(); private Question.net.live.search.api.SearchResponse _response = new Question.net.live.search.api.SearchResponse(); protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) { if (!IsPostBack) { _request.AppId = "???"; // put your appId here Session["_request"] = _request; Session["_response"] = _response; Session["_service"] = _service; } } protected void RowDataBound(object sender, GridViewRowEventArgs e) { // As each row is bound, fill in the url and summary for the item if (e.Row.RowType == DataControlRowType.DataRow) { HyperLink hLink = new HyperLink(); hLink.NavigateUrl = _results[e.Row.DataItemIndex].resultLink; // Only show portion of URL to avoid lenghty column if (hLink.NavigateUrl.Length < 33) { hLink.Text = "(" + hLink.NavigateUrl.Substring(7, hLink.NavigateUrl.Length - 8) + ")"; } else { hLink.Text = "(" + hLink.NavigateUrl.Substring(7, 25) + "...)"; } // Tooltip has the whole URL hLink.ToolTip = hLink.NavigateUrl; hLink.Target = "_blank"; // Add url and result to cell TableCell myCell = e.Row.Cells[0]; myCell.Controls.Add(hLink); myCell = e.Row.Cells[1]; myCell.Style.Add("text-align", "left"); myCell.Text = _results[e.Row.DataItemIndex].resultText; } else if (e.Row.RowType == DataControlRowType.Header) { e.Row.Cells[0].Text = " Link "; e.Row.Cells[1].Text = " Summary "; } } private void doSearch() { // Set source to Web or News depending on user selection switch (rbMode.SelectedValue) { case "Web": _request = (Question.net.live.search.api.SearchRequest)Session["_request"]; _request.Sources = new Question.net.live.search.api.SourceType[] { Question.net.live.search.api.SourceType.Web}; break; case "News": _request = (Question.net.live.search.api.SearchRequest)Session["_request"]; _request.Sources = new Question.net.live.search.api.SourceType[] { Question.net.live.search.api.SourceType.News }; break; } _service = (Question.net.live.search.api.LiveSearchService)Session["_service"]; _request.Query = txtQuestion.Text; try { // Perform the search and get response _response = _service.Search(_request); // Fill results structure with results for Web or News switch (rbMode.SelectedValue) { case "News": if (_response.News.Results != null) { _results.Clear(); foreach (Question.net.live.search.api.NewsResult wr in _response.News.Results) { _results.Add(new ResultItem(wr.Url, wr.Snippet)); } } break; case "Web": if (_response.Web.Results != null) { _results.Clear(); foreach (Question.net.live.search.api.WebResult wr in _response.Web.Results) { _results.Add(new ResultItem(wr.Url, wr.Description)); } } break; } // Bind the gridview with data gvResults.DataSource = _results; gvResults.DataBind(); } catch (Exception ex) { // Just ignore errors for now.
- [Applications](https://techybit.com/applications/): The best way to learn something new is to try it out, and so this page shows some sample applications I've written while learning various .NET programming techniques.
- [The Forgotten Baltimore Skywalks, Part 2](https://techybit.com/misc-skywalk/baltimore-skywalks2/): Once back at the Convention Center, go up the stairs and cross over Pratt Street towards the Bank of America Center.
- [Misc](https://techybit.com/misc-skywalk/): And now for a non-tech diversion: I recently discovered a little used yet interesting section of downtown Baltimore- a series of skywalks and skybridges crisscrossing many blocks and leading through hotels, office buildings, and parks.
- [About](https://techybit.com/about-me/): I’ve worked in the software field for years in various industries, primarily using Microsoft technologies with a user-centered focus.


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