Grandpa Ham – Grandpa Can do IT!

From IPAWS:

IPAWS Operational Users and Developers,

IPAWS-OPEN version 3.08 has been deployed to the FEMA Test Environment (TDL) for initial testing and may be accessed now by IPAWS compatible Alert Origination System developers with current MOAs.  We expect to formally begin User Acceptance Testing (UAT) on March 12, 2015, with anticipated deployment to the FEMA Production Environment on April 15, 2015.  …..  Upon successful testing and acceptance, IPAWS will send the updated IPAWS-OPEN 3.08 Interface Design Guidance document to developers with current MOAs.

Primary changes in this version include improvements to response codes and re-alignment of validation to better match channel processing.  For most developers there will be little if any change to what has already been built.  It would be a good idea, however to test you current release against what is in TDL beginning March 12 and report any issues you may have to ipaws@fema.dhs.gov with subject line “IPAWS-OPEN 3.08 issue”.  It is likely that there will be no issues, but it is important to test your software to be certain.

Release notes are also available for developers with IPAWS MOA’s from the IPAWS mail box link above.

Cracker Barrel – Super Bowl Sunday – empty.

Happy Birthday to all #Marines. I retired 21 years ago. Served 20. We all gave some. Many gave more. Some gave all. #SemperFi

All insect game tonight (g)nats vs. GI(army)ants. Hope the #Nats can fly above the swarm.

Check this link for an interesting perspective on the texting generation: http://xkcd.com/1414/

I just completed the on-line #NIEM (National Information Exchange Model) courses from niem.gov.  Yes, all 7 of them in one weekend.  It is doable if you know some UML and  XML Schema.  I also have some background in NIEM from previous work that made it a lot easier.  It was actually a very good presentation of concepts.  Got me “all caught up” which the concepts.   Will be doing some more work in the NIEM model, so I needed the refresher for background.

SQL For Misanthropes  – Funny in a strange sort of way!

When is 9 > 50000? When both are stored and accessed as strings in any typical DB.

I now have six computers operating from my “place of business.”  Three of my own.  One belonging to IPAWS, and two belonging to SETI.  One of mine does independent monitoring of IPAWS Status and blogging of IPAWS alerts received.  Another will do the same for SETI.  The third is my “real” work computer. The SETI Boxes are demo and development boxes.  Finally, the IPAWS computer is a FEMA issued laptop  that I use to VPN to FEMA for FEMA e-mail and for any Government-only work/documentation.  Amazing how far I have come from the mailed punched paper tape I used 45 years ago in Alaska when I got my first “computer” job.

Last day of living large (3E). Tomorrow 3F. Not sure of the phrase for that. Next year: the big 4 zero.