Google map on Android

Google Map is awesome and easy to use on javascript. Don't believe me? Go here.

Well if it is so easy, and Android can show html/javascript, why not do in javascript and then have Android display it? Boom, it did't work for me, perhaps I am missing something.

You can try the MapView API, and get a key... details in here.

Throw away the easy javascript stuff, they don't apply in the MapView API.

Waita minute, just what do you want to use google map for? just about everything has been already done by someone else? like getting directions from point A to B, put little balloons at certain locations etc.

Well I need google map for drawing polygons as outline for states.
Sample use: draw red and blue states for election results.

But I have another use to draw states, stay tuned.

Drawing states is not so easy. It would be easy if every state is a rectangle like Wyoming. First I need to get latitude/longitude data... and eventually I found them on the web. But wait, the earth is not flat! If I treat it like regular x-y coordinates they will look funny... so I will need google map...

I tamed it and am able to draw states in any color I specify.

Android 300 Tang Poems

Soon I will release another educational free app, featuring the 300 Tang Poems.

These classic poems are fundamental for a classic Chinese education. Unfortunately today's students know so few of these. There are already a few apps (some free) on these poems, but alas, they are in simplified Chinese.

These classics ought to be read in its original form!

Here is a complete list. Yikes, in frames?

A few surprises, 詠鵝 is not part of the 300? (actually, 320)

This is usually regarded as the simplest (and cutest) of Tang Poems for kids.
鵝，鵝，鵝，
曲頸向天歌。
白毛浮綠水，
紅掌撥清波。

Oh, this one is not? 關雎 with the classic line: 窈窕淑女，君子好逑. Oh this is from another text (詩經, way before the Tang Poems 300)

See, this reflects how LITTLE I know about classic poetry.

Tech note: I went through helluva time copy/paste the text into xml, then the xml gets parsed and put into a SQLite database on the Android.
Once the data is set, it is straightforward to query by category, by author, and get individual poems.

Sorry, no English translations, and no simplified Chinese version.

No Space Shuttle for Chicago

Aww, no space shuttle for Chicago.

Details here.

Just what is the criteria for getting one? Was there a bid? It would be a great tourist attraction for Chicago. The space shuttle is truly amazing breakthrough for space exploration and making today's satellites possible, and thanks for putting the Hubbles telescope in orbit.

Adler planetarium... I will visit you again soon even if you don't have the shuttle.

Apple's weaknesses?

I saw this article in headline. Oh there are 3 big weaknesses of the iPad:
1. It needs to plug in to a computer
2. not integrated tightly with social things like facebook
3. limited selection of videos

These are just minor complains. Look, the iPad is a hugely successful product and won the heart of many. (Although I don't have one). Android pads are good contender but no one knows sleek design like Apple. Look at the basic Android apps for things like notepad and calendar and compare that to iPad. Though Objective C is HORRIBLE but Apple does have a great UI and great exterior that other devices are hard to beat.

So for those who envy Apple: face it, their products are pretty. Unless something VERY bad happens like it explodes, Apples are here to stay. Let the world have BOTH Android and Apple.

Job ads, recruiters, and companies are ALL THE SAME

Hi, we need a senior programmers who can do , at a fast growing company. We won't talk to you unless you have consulting experience.

Everyone is looking for superheroes to solve all their problems.

So many companies are ALL THE SAME. They offer to sell you bodies to create some apps for you by charging you for as many people for as many hour as they can. Their salesmen know how to draw pictures but have absolutely no idea how to accomplish anything. After clueless people lure the clueless customers they try to hire senior programmers to get things done.

I am BORED at the openings, BORED at the all-the-same bodyshop companies.

I want to work for an unique company doing interesting things.

Why do they look for the superheroes all the time? because there are few, if not none.
A successful company should grow their employees to be the superheroes and keep them happy.