DevBlog

When you write code for a living, it becomes important to compare files. Sometimes you have to know what changed between versions or even worse, when multiple devs can update the same source and you need to know what the other person changed. For a few years, I've used Beyond Compare from Scooter Software. It's easy to use and does an amazing job of comparing differences and allow you to synch up the two files if needed. I found out this morning that Beyond Compare 3.0 is out. I couldn't imagine how they could make this product better, but the list of changes is amazing.. I'm in the process of downloading and installing the new version.

I just came across a list of Utah user groups. While I know of groups that are missing, for example, SQL Server and BI groups, it is the most complete list I've seen.

I got this error message this morning while opening a project in Borland C++ Builder. It could have had a tad more information.

A few weeks ago, Microsoft pulled it's Sandcastle managed code documentation tool from the web when someone complained that it didn't come with source code, as was required by the licensing agreement on CodePlex. Now, it's back on CodePlex and includes the source.

Remember Enron? It was the Houston company that used the same accounting firm for it's accounting and auditing, then became one of the largest corporate failures in history when it was revealed the executives cooked the books. Well, Microsoft has just announced a new program called Microsoft Equipt, where you can get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note, OneCare, Live Messenger, Live Photo Gallery, Live Mail, Live Writer, and Live Toolbar for under $70/per year. It's not the yearly license fee that bothers me, it's having to use OneCare for anti-virus protection. The Microsoft web site says, "It is not possible to install Microsoft Equipt without Windows Live OneCare". IMO, using a Microsoft anti-virus to protect Windows is like using the same company for your accounting and auditing. Personally, I don't want to Enron my PC. I don't think I can recommend this program.

I'm rewriting my SQL documenter in C# 3.0 and came across a bug with Excel interop. I need to set the background color of some cells to light yellow, but when I use this code:

curRange.Interior.Color = Color.LightYellow.ToArgb();

it comes out as light cyan. I tried Color.Yellow and it comes through as Cyan. The solution is to use Cyan:

curRange.Interior.Color = Color.LightCyan.ToArgb();

to get light yellow. I added a comment to the code about why the colors are reveresed.