Tag Archives: Software Sagacity

C#.NET and OpenXML DocX Text Replacement

May 30, 2014 Andrew Palczewski 1 Comment

The OpenXML DocX format in Microsoft Word offers a new, accessible format for manipulating documents. Whereas the previous “doc” format was proprietary, the new “docx” format directly exposes XML source files, enabling developers to generate dynamic Word documents, or directly edit their content. This brings opportunity for exciting tools such as text replacement algorithms and native mail-merge. Along with the opportunities, however, come several challenges and caveats that need to be handled in development.
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Bad Code Good Code

May 15, 2014 Andrew Palczewski 2 Comments

In the previous series on database design principles, we discussed potential pitfalls in software development and ways to solve common database design mistakes. In the past week, while revamping an ASP.NET software application developed by another company, I have had the opportunity to see many of these rules come to life, and see their malpractice wreak havoc on the enhancements.
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Getting Ahead of Ourselves with Radical Atoms

May 1, 2014 Andrew Palczewski 1 Comment

Professor Hiroshi Ishii of the Tangible Media Group at MIT is no longer satisfied with existing technology. In an attempt to do something truly interesting, he is devoting his research to a future world where Radical Atoms can be controlled by a computer, and brought to life in 3D.
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Top 5 Brainstorming and Wireframing Tools

April 28, 2014 Andrew Palczewski 1 Comment

Good wireframing tools can save time and make sure everyone’s ideas are incorporated in the final product. There are a plethora of tools available, however a core set of tools seems to be used by most designers. They help save time on software development and web development projects, and result in thought-out and well-designed systems.
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Can User Interface Design Make the World a Better Place?

April 25, 2014 Andrew Palczewski 1 Comment

When building custom software, a user interface designer will progress through several levels of skill development. Similar to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, each lower level must be fulfilled before a designer can progress to the next plateau. The question is – where does the pyramid end, and where is it right to draw the line as to the responsibility of the UI designer?
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Digital Privacy: Your Emails Are Naked Online

April 18, 2014 Andrew Palczewski Leave a comment

Despite many of the recent high-profile security breaches – from Target’s credit cards, to Edwards Snowden’s extravaganza, to further leaks of the NSA’s spying capabilities, major changes still have not taken place in most individuals’ digital habits.

While the average person implicitly understands the difference between sending a postcard and an envelope, most eyes gloss over at the thought of encrypting their email or web traffic. Just like a letter without an envelope can be read by everyone in between, an email or web page that is not encrypted can, and will, be read by everyone who gets their hands on it. In addition, each person who handles that email doesn’t just read it, but copies it several times into various archives. The email archives and logs are often stored for years or decades.
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JavaScript Anonymous Functions – Blessing or a Curse?

April 17, 2014 Andrew Palczewski Leave a comment

The growing popularity of AJAX and jQuery has significantly increased the use of anonymous functions in client-side JavaScript code. Although anonymous functions provide a very convenient way to decrease the amount of code necessary in an app, their prevalence and necessity may portend to structural deficiencies in either the language or development tools.
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