Calculate and Set Bounds (Bounding Box) from Points in Google Maps Flash [Update]

I’ve got a list of points in my database, which I want to show neatly in a Google Maps Flash Map. Thus, I … calculate the bounding box around these points calculate the center of this bounding box set the zoom level of the map in a way that the zoomed cutout contains all points …

Using a MacBook with Bootcamp in Windows XP with an External Primary Monitor

Today I came across the problem that I needed to use a MacBook with our multi-touch table the Virttable. Therefore, the screen of the MacBook must be enhanced onto a video projector that has been attached to the DVI port and this projector must be the primary screen. Anyway, Windows did not offer to me …

Django on OpenSUSE Virtual Server

I had some struggles when installing django on my OpenSUSE virtual server. It started with the problem, that I have not found a django rpm via yast in the OpenSUSE repositories. Thus, I decided to install django manually and to keep the footprint as small as possible. Luckily, Python 2.5.1 and the appropriate mod_python module …

Django Invalid command ‘SetEnv’ in OpenSUSE

Today I came upon a problem when I wanted to integrate a Django project into my Apache via mod_python on my OpenSUSE virtual server. I put the snippet I need for Django into a separate config file called django.conf into the folder /etc/apache2/conf.d/ from which all files are automatically loaded whenever Apache starts. Everytime I …

Remove Plesk default host from Apache conf in opensuse

Yesterday, I struggled with a problem on my virtual server that Plesk automatically sets /srv/www/vhosts/default/htdocs as the htdocs directory of the Apache. Anyway, the greatest advantage of the Apache configuration of opensuse is its biggest problem: everything is set up very modularly. There are many things you can edit and install with yast and there …

MBP Keyboard Assembly: Backlight illumination with FTIR

Today I have made an interesting discovery: my 2008 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro is using frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) for the illumination of its keyboard. The background to this discovery is that I spilled a bit of salad dressing into my keyboard (pro tip: do never try to show someone the salad you are …

Nokia S60 Problem: Invalid Jar file / Ungültige Jar Datei

When I started to develop some software for my Nokia Navigator 6110 I repeatedly ran into the problem that my apps worked fine with the Symbian SDK S60Emulator but when I tried to install them on my device via Nokia Application Installer everything went fine until finally the device would say ‘Ungültige Jar Datei’ or …

Symbian SDK IllegalStateException: No application specified in JAD or command line

This is a bit off-topic for this blog but recently I’ve needed to cope with Java ME and my Nokia S60 device Nokia Navigator 6110. The problem: If you are doing what I have done and want to run an old midlet project with the Symbian SDK then do not forget to add all your …

Stantum SMK-15.4 Multi-Touch Development Kit

I recently had opportunity to lay my fingers onto a Stantum SMK-15.4 Multi-Touch Development Kit. The SMK-15.4 is a TFT panel with a resolution of 1280*800 pixels, which is equipped with a foil that contains a net of transparent capacitors, which can track multiple touches. Thus, the SMK-15.4’s touch principle is similar to the iPhone’s. …