My brain is imploding...

[altivo]

So the new Linux-based systems needed a validation routine to check whether a user is registered and authorized to use the internet stations in the library (and to know whom to bill for any printing.) In theory, our purchase agreement would require the vendor to work out all the details of interfacing to our user database (which is MS SQL Server 2000 based) but if I let them do that, they would be entitled to charge additional for any future changes in the specification. So I figured I might as will build a "shim" to go between, accepting a library card number and password and returning either the user's name and authorization level or a denial with a reason. That way, if we changed our criteria or even moved the whole database to another platform, I could change my script and the vendor would not have to change anything.

I hate working with ASP and VBS, but that was going to be the fastest way to do it. I procrastinated as long as I could, but had to get it done today. I need a nap now, but it *is* functional and I was able to ship off the connect specifications to the vendor this afternoon as promised. And if I have to do much maintenance on it, I swear it will end up as a good old CGI script in perl instead of this ghastly and unreadable MS stuff.

*fans overworked brain*

Comments

[marzolan.livejournal.com]

*buys the plushie a liquid cooling system for his brain*


Hopefully that little program won't give you much trouble...

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Mmm, thanks. I had one glass of wine, but maybe another wouldn't be such a bad idea. :)

No, the program should be no trouble now that it's written. As long as nothing changes, that is. Four or five months from now I don't want to have to look at it again and figure it out all over again. It's only a page long. But object oriented stuff written in Microsoft gibberish makes my brain hurt.

[dragon-punk.livejournal.com]

Reminds me of my cousin's job right now. He's working the XML and database stuff for the new library project. http://dev.gapines.org/ should be it. It's not completely operational, but you can get the jist of what's going on. =)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks for that pointer. Took me a while to figure it out, but Georgia is obviously in the process of replacing Sirsi (a commercial system) with their own open source product. I'm a big advocate of open source, I'll want to follow that progress.

[dragon-punk.livejournal.com]

PINES has been around for a while. We're just upgrading it. :3 XD

[farhoug.livejournal.com]

I've been always trying to get myself to get focused on learning a bit of those MS systems, though thinking about it... why bother. *grins*

Hopefully you'll find some nice distractions to get your mind off from those evil scripting languages. =)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Not for a while, alas. There's more to be done. But at least the prototype is up and working, so I can take more time with the rest of it.

[pioneer11.livejournal.com]

You go!

I've noticed, at my local libraries, that they seem to go with
"out of the box" stuff. It works, sure, but they seem to
update it lots. Mostly it works, but on occasion the "one
size fits all" does stupid stuff like not update when I pay
a fine and then I get asked the next five times at the library
to pay the fine.

I have a special slot in my wallet now for a reciept.

You've done yeoman's work and get this Honorary Ice Pack
for your brain.

^_^

[altivo.livejournal.com]

It's not too surprising that libraries do that. The problem, as usual, is money. Most public libraries operate on a shoestring budget these days. My own is fortunate in having a nice endowment fund that has been around and well managed for 97 years now (even through the depression!) so we have a little leeway. But having an experienced programmer on staff is a luxury hardly any but the largest can afford. Programmers can make two to three times what a typical librarian earns here in the midwest. I'm weird because I hated working in programming sweatshops and dealing with big corporate management so much that I went and got my library degree and took a 50% pay cut.

My trouble with this particular task was just that I'm getting out of date. I can design and write complex stuff in procedural languages, given adequate time, but current object-oriented environments give me the creeps. My brain doesn't work that way and I feel like I'm being pushed through a maze of twisty little passages, all different.

By the way, the code I wrote works. The vendor interfaced to it yesterday and my end of it is working perfectly. They have some stuff to do yet to meet their requirements, and I want to make a few improvements to my part, but it could stand as is. :) I think I deserve some time off. Maybe I'll schedule some of my unused vacation soon.

[pioneer11.livejournal.com]

"because I hated working in programming sweatshops and dealing with
big corporate management so much that I went and got my library degree
and took a 50% pay cut."

I was in an SQL class when that revelation hit me.

Five Normal Forms?

How about One, I don't want to be Diblert working on Y2K Cobol.

I was about to go for a MIS Degree when the market crashed here
locally and I decided, for the good of my marriage and my kids,
to go for a state job that offered trememdous stability and decent
pay.

Though...I still hang out with librarians. XD

Its still a bit odd, though wonderful, that they got you, who knows
a thing or two about teh code to run stuff.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Yes, the Dilbert stuff is way too true.

My boss often mentions how lucky it is that I'm here. I just wish it was easier to take days off without feeling guilty.