Here. Because I don't believe humans can know how to write XSD files from scratch *and* remember where their car keys are, I've been dying for an XSD inference tool that can take a bunch of XML files and produce a starting point XSD. Towards that end, I fed the 200+ XML files for Dave's Quick Search Taskbar Toolbar Deskbar (dqsd.net) into the MS XSD Inference tool. The result was good enough to work with xsd.exe to generate C# classes and to impress Glenn Carr (Dave's XML guy). Highly recommended.

The one where my Dad answers the Microsoft manhole interview question and we judge just how far from the tree this acorn has fallen.

Here. I've had a bunch of requests for write access to the RegexD source. I provide read-only access to the RegexD source via a .zip file in the RegexD GotDotNet workspace. If you want write access, add your code to the snapshot of code in the workspace and send it to me for review. If it passes muster, I'll add you as a read/write member of the workspace. This helps me to ensure that only good code makes it into RegexD. Thanks!

Here. Yet another signal of the inevitability of .NET.

Tue, Apr 22, 2003

My Dad, a long-time draftsman in a civil engineering firm in Fargo, ND, had this to say about manhole covers:

“It’s like this. Sanitary manhole covers are usually round (and solid, i.e. VERY heavy) but Storm sewer manhole and Inlet covers are usually square or rectangular grates which let water in. The deciding factor is where they are placed relative to the curb line. All covers are actually installed on a concrete generic ‘Mexican Hat’ structure which can be centered or offset to one side. The structure fits on the round concrete casting (5′ - 8″ diameter) and can be made to accept any solid or grated casting. If this part of the world, where river flooding is fairly common, Sanitary manholes and lift stations are either raised above potential flood limits if possible or sealed and bolted shut, making them much more difficult to open. It’s also a very good idea to vent Sanitary manholes and lift station with a portable fan to avoid being overcome by methane and other gasses trapped in them.”

Anyone wonder where I got it? : )

Here. From Eric Sink: CornSharp (written entirely in C#) is a free tool for editing and publishing a weblog. CornSharp generates static HTML files which can be used on any web server.

Here. The one where I start to work for Microsoft as an employee.

For more than a year, I’ve had a request to video tape an interview at Microsoft up on this page. The goal was to show the human side of Microsoft by showing that one of their most famous practices isn’t something to be scared of. I never expected that I’d actually get to tape an interview. In fact, I expected to be ignored by Microsoft altogether.

Of course, as the most juicy litigation target in the world, and especially sensitive to legal issues, Microsoft couldn’t grant my request. That didn’t surprise me. What did surprise me is how hard that they tried. In fact, all kinds of folks at Microsoft — from engineers who wanted to interview me to managers who wanted to help make it happen to HR folks who went to legal to ask — all kinds of folks at Microsoft really did *try* to make it happen.

So, while I’ll never be able to put a recording of an interview up on this site, I can tell you that my mission to find the human side of Microsoft was a success. All of the people I’ve encountered there — whether trying to let me tape an interview or taking my feedback on whatever technology I’m working that day — all of the folks that I’ve encountered at Microsoft really *care* about doing the right thing. They want interviewees to succeed. They want to build the right products. They want to meet their customers’ needs. And as much guff as I give them (they are a juicy target), by and large they succeed. I wouldn’t spend my time with their technologies if they didn’t.

With that in mind, I withdraw my request. I’m seen the human side of Microsoft. Thanks for showing it to me.