Macintosh and Web Programming

Xcode 4 External Editors

2011-03-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

When I was at WWDC in 2010, the "Open with External Editor" option was not implemented in the Xcode 4 developer preview, and now after downloading a tool that cost $4.99 today [which should be free] I see the same non-implemented status of a feature I very much liked in Xcode 3, its been like 9 months. I wonder whats up with this feature? Either implement it or remove it already Xcode team? Although if its not implemented people who like other quality editors are going to be pissed... Apple Stop denying developers there basic rights, like the right to choose their own editor. This truly is a joke...

MacVim and Xcode, and what I am using that is pretty sweet

2010-05-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

Hi all, I have been using Xcode and MacVim to get work done. MacVim has some great plugs that really integrate well with Xcode. The set of plugins that I am using are cocoa.vim, snipMate.vim, objc_matchbracket.vim, and comments.vim. Rock on VIM!!!

However, there is one really annoying cocoa.vim issue with all of this and that is that the documentation feature "K" or :CocoaDoc does not load right if you are using Firefox and have it set as your default browser.

So what is the fix you may ask, well its not changing your default browser. The solution is a bit of a hack but it involves editing a line in the cocoa.vim script. The result of doing this hack will be that all of your documentation look-up request done within MacVim will open in Safari, awesome a dedicated use for Safari.

If you like the sound of having Safari be the documentation viewer, then after installing cocoa.vim edit the file located at:
~/.vim/autoload/objc/man.vim

In that file Find:
call system('osascript -e ''open location "file://'.a:file.'"'' &')

Replace it with:
call system('osascript -e ''tell application "Safari"'' -e ''open location"file://'.a:file.'"'' -e ''activate'' -e ''end tell'' &')

(NOTE: if you copy and paste the above be sure to remove any return lines in it, that whole thing should be just one long line as pictured below)

Forming an LLC I am

2010-02-10T17:06:00.000-08:00

Hi there, there are big plans underway. My current software development site as you may know is Brieck's Programming well that will be going away and I will be making the transition to a real company with a new name since I will be forming an LLC and hence a real company.

My currently released software which is just Network Drive Launcher will be transferred to the new LLC. I am just beginning the process of forming the LCC. I will announce on here the progress and name chosen as soon as things are final.

So please bear-with me while I invest the time to make a new site that will be easy to manage and update for me and will let me focus on making the software that I really want to be working on. I am taking the time to get my formal web presence where it needs to be while also creating a real company. Fun it will be.

Thank you for your support. I have at least 5 new project Ideas not including plans for Network Drive Launcher... So I have to get cracking and can't wait to get more things out there. And I am always getting new ideas at every venture I take, just need more time and people.

Dan Brieck Jr.

Connecting to Windows Vista and Windows 7 using the the “Connect to Server...” feature in Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Leopard.

2010-02-08T09:35:00.000-08:00

If you are running Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard and you want to connect to Windows Vista and Windows 7 computers please read on.

Trying to connect to the latest Windows Operating systems from the latest Mac Operating systems is still not as easy as it should be, thanks Apple. Lets keep the pads and the pods coming... So whatever the case may be it appears that even after turning on Windows file sharing and making sure both the Macs and Windows boxes where all on the same network and workgroup the Macs still fails to see the Windows 7 and Vista machines that are offering network shares. Fortunately, it is not to hard to manually figure out a fairly easy way to connect to your PC with out having to coup out to just using IP address at the moment.

So I am going to give some steps below to show you how to connect to a Windows 7 / Vista from the Mac.

On your Windows 7 / Vista computer:

Know your User name and password, in this example my user name is “Dan” (To find your user name click the windows Logo aka Start Menu and look at the upper right section of the menu as pictured )
Enable Sharing in Windows for your user and the stuff you want to share. (For more on how to enable file sharing in windows click the Start menu and click on “Help and Support” and then search for “sharing”)
Get the name of your Windows computer.
1. Click “Start” menu
2. Click “Computer”
3. See your computer name in the lower left of the window as pictured below, in this example my PC is called “DAN-PC”.
You have all that you need and are now ready to try to connect to your PC from your Mac.

On your Snow Leopard or Leopard Mac:

Go to the Finder, click on the Go Menu and select “Connect to Server...”
Type into the “Server Address:” box something like the following: smb://YourWindowsUserName@YouPCsName (In my example it would be smb://Dan@DAN-PC)
Press the connect button.
When prompted make sure the registered user radio button is selected and then enter your windows user name and password, and press connect
Select the volumes you want to mount and then press the “OK” button.

So there you have it a better way to connect to your Windows PC in a more consistent manner that does not require looking up your PCs current IP address or setting up static IPs or relying on the broken Network Browser in the Finder. Now your ready to use Network Drive Launcher and make this stuff really fly...

Network Drive Launcher 1.0.2. Snow Leopard Compatible

2010-02-07T17:28:00.001-08:00

The Website has been updated for 2010 and Network Drive Launcher 1.0.2 is out and working with Leopard and Snow Leopard, Enjoy...

Network Drive Launcher 1.0.1 Snowleopard Support

2009-09-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

Network Drive Launcher 1.0.1 is confirmed not compatible with Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard ). I am currently looking into fixing it with a 1.0.2 release of NDL, or maybe just rolling it into the new 2.0 release. Stay tuned for the latest.

Network Drive Launcher 1.0.1 Released and Website Updated

2008-11-11T16:13:00.000-08:00

Read about the updates details on the Brieck Programming support site.

Development Delayed / Updates

2008-09-02T20:17:00.000-07:00

As what might might be apparent, NDL 1.1 development has been delayed for awhile, I just have not had time to work on it. I will post when I will be ready to do the next big update. Also an issue was discovered in NDL 1.0 on Mac Os X 10.5 where AppleScript errors occur on the opening NDL1.0. I have recently fixed that and will be putting up a patch as NDL 1.0.1 for those who may be effected.

Network Drive Launcher 1.1

2008-04-24T13:48:00.000-07:00

An updated version of Network Drive Launcher is in the works. Can't say exactly when it will be done just yet, still working on adding the primary new feature/s. The new version will include the most importantly the enhancement of providing you the option to wake the computer you want to connect to on your local network. For example, if the system you want to connect to is in sleep or standby mode, Network Drive Launcher will accommodate waking the system for you as well connecting you for file sharing. This will all come in the same easy to use double-click AppleScript®™ quick launcher, but now with a new and improved contents.

New Features Coming in the NDL 1.1 update

Soon it will Wake systems from Standby for you. If you provide a MAC address a.k.a Physical Address for the machine you are connecting to. This will work only with systems that support Wake On Lan.

This is green technology at work and this could help you save some money and save the environment by cutting back on electric by keeping your PCs and Macs off that you are not using.

Improved product icon, with hopefully no distortions and a better drop shadow.

Some kind of donation reminder system to be integrated into the application at start up time. And of course a way to stop it from reminding for those that have already donated. Thank you to all of you who have donated. For those that have not please consider donating I need more Coffee, and all the same I thank you for downloading Network Drive Launcher.

Network Drive Launcher FeedBack

2008-04-18T07:11:00.001-07:00

Hello all users, how are you making use of Network Drive Launcher? Please say what you like and what you don't like about the Network Drive Launcher application. Also for future version I plan to fix the somewhat funny and blocky Network Drive Launcher icon appearance that is visible at 48 x 48 in the Finder, as well as fixing the drop shadow there as well.

Thank you,
Dan

2008-04-09T16:30:00.001-07:00

New Formal domain was purchased, please check out the new site location at http://www.brieckspro.com

2008-03-28T18:16:00.001-07:00

Site is ready, just a few minor tweaks to make the current link or URL will be http://homepage.mac.com/djbrieck/

2008-01-15T07:40:00.001-08:00

News Program Network drive launcher is Tested not Compatible with Mac os 10.5 Commonly knowns a Leopard.

10.3 Version of NDL Postponed

2007-09-15T22:19:00.000-07:00

The 10.3 Version of the program is on hold until I have Sufficient Free time to fix the problem.

Dan

Network Drive Launcher

2007-08-28T21:42:00.000-07:00

The new Network Drive Launcher Utility Application is nearing release, just a few loose ends to tie up. A small incompatibility with Mac Os x 10.3.9 has delayed the prospective launch date of the product. Along with concerns over the license agreement and the website layout. Stay tuned for the latest updates and a release of the product for download.

Hello World

2007-05-26T17:12:00.001-07:00

First message New, stuff is coming soon.

DJB