Code and Cook

Book Pao - Persewaan Buku Sepuasnya di Surabaya

2008-11-18T10:41:00.006+08:00

Check out this cool site (for Indonesian people).

BookPao adalah persewaan buku di Surabaya dengan konsep subscription/berlangganan,yang berarti bayar sekali setiap bulan dan sewa buku sepuasnya.Untuk informasi lebih lengkap, silahkan masuk ke website BookPao

installing EPSON TM printer in Windows XP using USB to parallel port troubleshooting

2008-09-07T14:18:00.004+08:00

It took me almost 3 days to solve this problem.
For background story, I have a EPSON TM-T88IV, and I want to install it to my new EEE Box. My EEE Box doesn't have any LPT port, so I bought a USB to parallel port cable.
I thought it would be as easy as plug and play. Unfortunately, it's not.

I won't tell long story about my struggle finding the solution.
So here's the solution:
- don't connect the printer (I don't know if this step is necessary)
- use WinXP driver (APD304E.exe)
- Install it
- After select module dialog appear, pick TM-T88IV Driver and select Port configuration. Select USB.
- continue install, and restart the computer.
- After restarted, connect the printer. Window will detect TM-P2.01, and want to install driver.
- Just press cancel.
- Open Control Panel -> Printers and Faxes
- Right click on the printer (T88IV) icon, and select properties.
- Select "Ports" tab.
- find the "virtual printer port for USB" in description.
- select it, and click apply.
- Test if the printer really connected to this virtual port. Unplugged the USB-LPT cable, and see printer icon in "Printers and Faxes" window. If it's connected, it should become "offline". and then plug it again, the status will be "ready". If it's not, well you can stop here, because I don't experienced this. If you have more than 1 virtual printer port, you can try it one by one.
- Uncheck "Enable bidirectional support" and "Enable printer pooling".
- Apply again.
- In "General" tab, you can test print. Click on "Print Test Page".
- And there you have it.

Code 128 font (barcode) code in C#

2008-06-19T20:58:00.009+08:00

I have problem using code128 barcode font.
When I use character 154 (& #154) in html it will be š but in C# its wrong.
š value will be 353 in C#.
So I make table for the character.
here's the codes:



        readonly static string code128AsciiTable = "€!\"#$%&'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\\]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~‘’“”•–—˜™š›œ";
        private char Code128ToAscii(char c)
        {
            char res = (char)code128AsciiTable[(int)c];
            return res;
        }
        private char AsciiToCode128(char c)
        {
            char res = (char)code128AsciiTable.IndexOf(c);
            return res;
        }
        private char Code128CheckSum( string str, char startChar )
        {
            int result = 0;
            for (int i = 0; i < str.Length; ++i)
            {
                result += (int)str[i] * (i + 1);
            }
            result += (int)startChar;
            result %= 103;
            result = Code128ToAscii((char)result);
            return (char)result;
        }
        public string ConvertToCode128Format(string str)
        {
            char startChar = code128AsciiTable[104];
            char stopChar = code128AsciiTable[106];
            string convertedStr = "";
            for (int i = 0; i < str.Length; ++i)
            {
                convertedStr += AsciiToCode128(str[i]);
            }
            char checkSum = Code128CheckSum(convertedStr, (char)104);
            string FullConvert = startChar + str + checkSum + stopChar;
            return FullConvert;
        }
        public void Test()
        {
            string testString = "156461003";
            string code128String = ConvertToCode128Format(testString);
        }

Agile Planning in my office

2008-06-13T23:19:00.008+08:00

For the past 7 months, I've been introduced and experiencing a whole new world of software development planning, that's called Agile Planning. Well, I know it's not a new thing, but it is for me. I heard a lot about this method since 2 years ago, but I haven't got a chance to experienced it until 7 months ago.
When I first heard about it, I thought it was just another gimmick in software development, that will be forgotten in 2-3 years. But I was wrong, and I'm glad I'm wrong, because --for me-- this method is the best system in software development planning.
It so simple, but yet it so spot on in solving the problems in old ways of planning (waterfall). Starting from the scrum meeting, sprint, and milestone. It just feel so right for me.
I recommend everybody working in software business, at least have a try implementing agile development. Read Mike Kohn's books, or at least check his website.

Show build configuration in Visual C# express

2008-05-17T06:16:00.002+08:00

When I start download Visual C# express, I thought Microsoft remove the feature for selecting build setting (debug/release), because I can't find the build configuration anywhere.
I found out that you just need to do some setting.
To show the advanced build configuration,
open: Tools -> Options -> Project and Solutions and then check the "Show Advanced build configurations".
and viola, you have the build configuration (almost) like visual studio.

MySql: to reset auto increment number

2008-03-25T22:34:00.004+08:00

Recently I've been doing a project using MySql database server. I created some tables using auto increment number as the Primary Key. Just like the name suggests, the number will increase every time I insert new record into the table. At some point I wanted to delete the whole dummy data I inserted.

Using the 'DELETE FROM Table_name'statement will only remove all records but will not reset the auto increment number back into 1. After some little effort of searching I found this useful syntax to reset the number: ALTER TABLE Table_name AUTO_INCREMENT = 1;

Problem solved.

Sayur Asem (Sour vegetable soup)

2008-01-02T20:14:00.000+08:00

Last week we cooked 'sayur asem' as dish companion to 'ayam goreng kuning'. As usual we got the recipe from googling in internet. It was a bit difficult to find one of the ingredients needed, daun salam (some say bay leaves). In the end of searching, we found it at a small shop of Malay. Interestingly, the shop also sells other Indonesian products like 'mie sedap' (not Indomie guyz), kecap bango, tempe, sambal abc (yeah!).

Anyway, and the ingredients are....(opening the notes)

Serves 4-6

- 1 litre of water
- 1 cube of chicken stock
- 2 daun salam (bay leaves)
- 1 cm galangal, a bit crushed
- white chick peas, as much as you like
- long green bean, chopped about 3-4 cms long
- 0.5 chayote (labusiam) chopped in cube about 2cmx2cm
- 1 sweet corn, chopped about 2 cm each.

Seasoning (crushed together)
- 3 shallots
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 red Thai chilli (hot enough for me)
- 1 tsp shrimp paste/terasi/belacan
- 4 tsp salt
- 4 tsp sugar
- 4 tsp tamarind paste (add water a bit to mix)

Preparation:
1. Grind the seasoning together into a paste.
2. Using a sauce pan bring the water and chicken stock to boil
3. Add the paste into the pan and stir to dissolve.
4. Add daun salam, galangal, chick peas, corn into the pan and wait for another 10-15 minutes or until the peas tender enough
5. Add the chayote, long green bean into the pan and bring back to simmer for another 10 minutes
6. Taste it if you like a bit sweeter or saltier can add more sugar and salt

Fried Chicken with yellow spice (Ayam goreng bumbu kuning)

2007-12-29T13:47:00.003+08:00

Relieved!! After hours of cooking, and my back was hurt, I'm happy because the results were very satisfying. I guess nothing can beat Indonesian food.

Like the title, today we cooked "Ayam goreng bumbu kuning". I also cooked "Sayur Asam". Together, they are really really good combination. Let me tell you how I do it.

Ayam Goreng Bumbu Kuning

Preparation: 60 minutes
Cooking: 75 minutes.

Ingredients:

- 1 whole chicken, cut it to 8 pieces (breasts, wings, and thigh).
- 2 stick of lemon grass
- 3 bay leaves (Salam leaves)
- 25 gram of coconut milk powder or 100 gram of thick coconut milk
- 3 lime leaves
- 1 liter of water
- 3 cm of ginger

Crushed Ingredients:
- 6 clove of shallots
- 6 clove of garlic
- 3 candle nuts
- 2 cm of ginger
- 4 cm of yellow ginger/turmeric
- 1 tablespoon of Corriander
- 2 cm of galangal

First, grind the crushed ingredients into a paste. After finished, heat the wok with 2 tablespoon of cooking oil. Stir fry the crushed ingredients for about 2 minutes with medium heat.
Put the bay leaves, lime leaves, ginger, and lemon grass. And add water, mix it, and let it boil. Add about 2 teaspoon of salt, and 2 teaspoon of sugar, and a cube of beef stock.
After boiled, pour the coconut milk, slowly with continuously steering. Wait until boiled, and put the chicken pieces inside.
Let it cook for 75-90 minutes (until dry or thick).
When its done, they are ready to be deep fried :)
Heat the cooking oil(a lot) to deep fry the chicken. Set on medium-high heat. The deep frying only for making the chicken more crispy, because the chicken already done (not raw). Fry it until the skin become golden brown (about 5-7 minutes).
Rice is the perfect match for the dish.

We need chili paste to make it more delicious.
Making the chili paste is very easy.

Chili paste (Sambal)

Ingredients:
- 10 thai red chilies
- 1 clove of garlic (Peel only, don't crush it)
- salt
- lime juice
- soy sauce (Kecap manis)

Heat a wok with 1 tablespoon of oil. Stir fry the chillies and garlic on medium heat for 1 minute. And then crushed them with some salt and about 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Mix with soy sauce. The chili ready to be served.

Look! Steve Jobs and Bill Gates can get along. (Interview at D5)

2007-12-28T18:10:00.000+08:00

Probably this post not really suitable with the theme of the blog because its not about code or cooking. But these 2 guys are really very big deal (if not the biggest) in the software industry, so I think it's interesting to share.
These videos taken from http://d5.allthingsd.com

This is the first part where they talk and respect each other.

The second part they talk about the relationship between both company.

The third is about devices and apps in the futures(5 years).

The fourth is continuing the discussion on the third.

The fifth talk about their company correlation in the entertainment business.

This one talk about the misunderstanding in their relationship.

And this is the last one.

Enjoy!

Chicken Stuffed with minced beef

2007-12-27T11:54:00.000+08:00

This recipe quite easy.

Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

Chicken
- 200 gr Boneless chicken breast (thin slice)
- salt and pepper
- Lime leaves finely chop

Beef
- 100 gr minced meat
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg powder
- salt and pepper
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- bread crumb

Coating
- 50 gr plain flour
- 1 tablespoon rice flour
- 1 egg white
- salt and pepper
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped

First, make the chicken breast to thin fillet, so you can roll it.
Marinade with some salt and pepper also lime leaves. Leave it for about 5 minutes.

Then for the minced beef, just mix the ingredients together.

And the coating, beat the egg white. Mix flour with rice flour, salt, pepper and chopped garlic. Add the beaten egg white inside, and mix them.

Heat the oil.

Spread the minced beef on the surface of the chicken, and then roll it.
Then dip into the coating, and deep fry it until golden brown.

My result not to pretty, but the taste is quite good.

X'mas dinner (kind of)

2007-12-25T19:03:00.000+08:00

Okay we couldn't call it Christmas dinner, but its only dinner at Christmas. I cooked 2 dishes for today's dinner. First was Chicken Katsu (at least it looked like chicken katsu :p), and the second one was Steamed egg.

I'll give the the recipe and the process.
First is chicken katsu:

Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 10 minutes

- 200 gr boneless chicken breast
- Plain flour
- Bread Crumb
- 1 Egg
- salt and pepper
- rice wine
- light soy sauce

First of all, marinade the chicken with rice wine, light soy sauce, salt and pepper for about 5-10 minutes.
Place the flour, egg and panko crumbs into separate shallow dishes. Beat the egg.
While waiting the chicken, heat the wok and cooking oil for deep frying the chicken with medium heat.
Coat the chicken in flour on both sides, then dip into the egg, and coat in bread crumbs.
After the oil hot enough, deep fry the chicken until golden brown. Done!

Second, the steamed egg:

Preparation: 5 minutes
Cooking: 30 minutes

- 3 eggs
- chopped spring onion
- salt and pepper
- 100 ml water

Beat the egg on a bowl, give salt and pepper. Mix them together, and put spring onion into the egg. Add water into the egg, mix it well.
prepare the tools for steaming. I don't have any steamer, so I just use a pan and small bowl. Put water into the pan, and put the small bowl upside down into the pan.
Wait until the water boil. After boiled, place the bowl of egg on top of the small bowl. Close the pan, and wait for 20 minutes. Use low heat.

Pictures probably tell much more.
So here they are.

Marinading chicken

Frying chicken

Cutting chicken

steamed egg

End Result

Valid Reasons to Create a Routine

2007-12-25T00:53:00.000+08:00

"Valid Reasons to Create a Routine", I've been trying to make the list of the reasons for few years, because 4 years ago I teach programming at my University. But it seems I can't explain it to myself either. Yeah of course I know (some of)the uses of routine, it just I can't put it into words.

Until lately, I read this sentence from title of a sub-chapter on a book called "Code Complete" by Steve McConnell. Currently I read only 170 pages from 850 pages of the book, but no doubt, this is one of the best book I ever read. If you are a programmer, you better read this book. :)

Here's the list that the book wrote:
- Reduce complexity
- Avoid duplicate code
- Support sub classing
- Hide sequences
- Hide pointer operations
- Improve portability
- Simplify complicated boolean tests
- Improve performance

There's description for every point stated above in the book, and I couldn't agree more with the list. So buy the BOOK. Thanks Steve for the knowledge. :)

Soto Betawi

2007-12-23T12:34:00.000+08:00

Preparation: 30 minutes.
Cooking: 30 minutes.

Today we cooked "Soto Betawi", a traditional Jakarta, Indonesian food. We "googled" and got the recipe. We used a few web pages as reference. One is using Indonesian language, and the other is English. Here they are:
Indonesian Language
English

We modified some ingredients, because we couldn't find few herbs.
The ingredients:

300 grams boneless chicken breast
coconut milk (thick)200 ml
lemon grass 1 stick
lemon leaves 4
water 500 ml
2 cm of galangal.

Seasoning (crushed together):

garlic 3 cloves
shallot 4 big size
candle nuts 8
turmeric 2 cm
paper
salt

Accompanion:

5 small potato
2 tomato ripe, cubes
spring onion, for sprinkle
Lime
Chili

Extra seasoning:

salt and sugar
beef stock cube

The recipe uses beef, but I've tried the chicken version of this dish, so we decided to use chicken breast instead of beef. We didn't get the bay leaves, so we didn't use it.

Peel the shallots, garlic, and turmeric. We used a traditional Indonesian tool called "cobek" to crush the ingredients, but using blender should be fine.
Put the shallots, garlics, turmeric, candle nuts, salt and pepper together. Crush them until become smooth paste.
Beat the lemon grass and galangal.
Heat the wok and add 4 tablespoons of cooking oil. Stir fry the crushed ingredients for 1 minute, and put the beaten lemon grass and galangal also lime leaves inside, and add the chicken. Mix them well together for 2 minutes. Add water and let it to boil. Add beef stock.
After it boils, add coconut milk inside. Pour it slowly while stir it continuously. And let it boils again.
Taste it, if you like it to be saltier and sweeter, add salt and sugar. The dish is ready.

While waiting the "soto" boils, we can prepare the companion. Cut the potatoes and tomatoes into cubes. Boil the potatoes to make it tender and then deep fry it. Put cube tomatoes to a plate to serve. Chop the spring onion to sprinkle.
To make the chili paste, boil some water in small sauce pan and put chilies inside. Let it boil for 5 minutes. Peel some shallots. This time we used 15 Thai chilies and 2 shallots. Dry the chilies, and crush the chilies together with the shallots. Put it on a small bowl to serve.

To prepare the dish, put some chopped tomatoes and fried potatoes. Pour the "soto" on top of it. Sprinkle the chopped spring onions. If you like sour taste, add some lime juice.
Rice will be a perfect match for this dish.

I'm quite proud with the result today. For me it was very delicious.

First Post and First Problem

2007-12-20T18:08:00.001+08:00

How do you code to open a new window when a button is clicked? If you use HTML or server side scripting like ASP, it's pretty simple, because you only need to call a javascript function window.open(...) in the button's onclick event. Thing gets a bit more complicated if you code using ASP.Net, which I experienced lately. In my case, I want the popup window to display a particular page according to selected value of a dropdownlist.

So, after doing some little research in Google, I tried to use Response.Write() method and put "<script>window.open(...)</script>" as its param. The Response.Write () was called inside the OnClick event handler of the button.
Note: I was using code behind class.
Since the popup page should be dependent on the selected value of a dropdownlist, so I used a switch-case statement to determine which page I should open. Actually it worked, but there was a small thing that bother me. After I clicked the button a popup window was displayed, and the main page was also refreshed. This refresh made the layout of the main page in a mess.

Then, I tried to use another method, that was ClientScript.RegisterStartupScript() and used window.open function as one of its param. This method worked perfectly fine for me. A popup window was displayed and the main page was still refreshed (of course!) but didn't ruin the layout.

"<script>window.open(...)</script>"I guess it was because the difference of where ASP.Net put javascript function in the page. Using the first way, the javascript function is printed on the very first line of the HTML code, while the second way, it prints javascript function inside "body" tag after the button tag.