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Dear MIND,
The whole November 1997 issue helped me get going with Java 1.1 and the Microsoft SDK for Java 2.0. I hope to replace an existing Visual Basic 5.0-based CGI client-server app with a Java-based client-server setup and this gave me the missing pieces.
In the article, "Using Java and Data Access Objects" by Ted Pattison, in the QueryDef example (page 54) Ted uses the setValue method of the Parameter class object—which does not exist. I found that I needed to use the putValue method instead. Normally this would have been a trivial referral to the docs, but I've found the DAO docs to be unclear on this.
Keep up the good articles—I'd
especially like to see a tutorial on
the new features in Java 1.1.
—John
Dear MIND,
In response to the October 1997 Editor's Note column: I'm sure you've already been told this a zillion times, but in my opinion the New York Times got you rather than the other way around. You commented that "people don't use Y or Z as replacement letters" in response to "...such an attitude adjustment may be critical to its ability to publish Wired versions 1.Y or 3.Z". True enough, but you obviously missed the author's physics-related pun on "attitude adjustment" which, in my opinion, justifies his/her (sic) taking liberties with variable names. One meaning of "attitude" is, of course, "orientation in three-space"—that is, something's X, Y, and Z coordinates. It's a rather lame pun, but your missing it is even lamer.
Also, why shouldn't a computer-related acronym be referred to as "computerese"? Acronyms are generally used, and frequently pronounced, as if they were "real" words, so it seems to me that "OS" is as much computerese as "byte."
Also, while I'll agree that referring to a domain name as an "IP address" is a trifle ignorant, it's a hell of a lot closer to accuracy than one might expect from a general news magazine. At least the author conveyed
the correct idea about the info stored in cookies, even if they gave it the wrong name. That error won't affect comprehension by readers, and
is of little practical consequence.
I teach English as a Second Language as one of my occupations, and in that profession we hold in considerable disdain people who believe in the concept of one "correct" English. Of course it's
useful, and often necessary, to stick with "correct" terminology, especially in technical areas. But it's hardly worth mentioning in a magazine
column when someone makes a mistake which, while technically inaccurate, still conveys the desired idea effectively.
On the other hand, I thoroughly agree with you about the Times' misstatement of the capabilities of Microsoft Excel. It gives a completely wrong impression, and looks pretty damn stupid to boot. However, the error is so egregious (even, I suspect, to the uncompiled masses) that it certainly wasn't necessary for you to print a clipping from Microsoft Excel to demonstrate it, don't you think? Perhaps you underestimate the mental capabilities of your readers. The point of your column was that misinformation (which, to your thinking, seems to equate to "misuse of terminology") creates fear and confusion in the minds of the less computer literate. But I don't see any items in that column that are good examples of something likely to have that effect. The entire column seems to me a waste of space. —Tom
Tom,
Hey, you try writing several inches of column space some month. Oh, wait. You just did.
Good Morning,
On p. 58 of the October issue's article about direct animation, "Adding Theatrical Effects to Everyday Web Pages with DirectAnimation," by Salim AbiEzzi and Pablo Fernicola, the authors say, "We highly recommend that you visit the MIND Web site and download the examples and media that go along with this article." Can you tell me where that material can be accessed? Thanks. —Will
Will,
Oops. Our mistake. As you noticed, we accidently left that code out. We've since corrected the archive so it now includes all of the code and sample media. You can find the updated archive in the Source Code section of this site, or here:DirAnim.exe (1,145,479 Bytes)
Dear MIND,
I was extremely excited about the columns written by Steve Zimmerman using C++. The last issue did not have his normal column. I hope this is not the end of his C++ columns. This was the primary reason I subscribed to this magazine. My major focus is in using C++ with ActiveX. Just call me curious. His columns have inspired my surge in Internet development as a C++ developer. I hope to see more of his columns in the future. —Dave
Hi David,
Steve's Extreme C++ column will appear in MIND bimonthly. We're also starting regular features on other tools like Visual InterDev and Microsoft Office. We're glad you enjoy Steve's work (we like it too), and hope that the rest of the magazine won't disappoint!
Dear MIND,
I just installed Internet Explorer 4.0 and can't connect to my ISP. Help!
—Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Microsoft maintains a product-by-product list of no-charge support phone numbers at http://www.microsoft.com/support/customer/itpro.htm.
Dear MIND,
I work for the government at the Stennis Space Center where my main project involves developing a Web-based DCOM application. I am currently working with DCOM on Windows NT 4.0. I wish to be able to remotely access any number of server applications with my client over the Internet. I need to include remote access across domains. Is this possible with this version of DCOM?
If I need to wait for the next system upgrade, when can I expect that? Will the new version come as a system upgrade, service pack, add-in, or what? Can you suggest any articles that would help me understand DCOM's concepts and interfaces?
Thanks for your help. —M.J.
Dear M.J.,
At MIND, we make every effort to get you the most up-to-date information on Microsoft Internet development tools and techniques. If we're doing our job right, you'll read about things here before they'll be discussed anywhere else.
You might check the back issues listings for MIND and Microsoft Systems Journal (http://www.microsoft.com/mind and http://www.microsoft.com/msj, respectively) for articles relevant
to your interests. Take a look at http://www.microsoft.com/support for online and phone support forums. And for news specifically about COM technologies, see http://www.microsoft.com/cominfo.
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We welcome your questions and comments. Send correspondence to mindmag@microsoft.com, or to
Letters, c/o Microsoft Interactive Developer, 825 Eighth Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
Letters may be edited. All letters and accompanying materials become the property of MIND and will not be returned.
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From the January 1998 issue of Microsoft Interactive Developer.
