The end of an idea

Ever since the iPhone SDK came out, I had planned to write ReceiptWallet for iPhone as it seemed like a logical thing to do. A few users asked for it, so I thought it was a good idea. However, today is the day that ReceiptWallet for iPhone ends. I've toyed with it for the last few months, but just don't have my heart into it as it isn't something that I see myself using. As much as I wanted to do this product to answer the needs of the public, it just isn't going to happen. I was going to finish it to get it out the door, but then I'd have a crappy product that wasn't my best work.

In addition, there are some serious issues that have to be overcome before it could become usable.

First off, the camera on the iPhone can't focus close enough to get quality images. As you can see, these pictures are awful. I'm not sure they would be acceptable for any form of documentation. (Who knows, maybe the IRS would accept something that can't be read.)

Second off, the synchronization mechanism with the desktop would not be seamless; you would have to launch ReceiptWallet on the iPhone, click on sync and run ReceiptWallet on the desktop. Apple has not provided a plugin mechanism (like Palm did with HotSync Manager) for third parties to sync data.

Third, I'm not happy with the data entry mechanism. ReceiptWallet on the desktop uses combo boxes to allow you to type a few characters and then a dropdown menu shows everything close; nothing like this exists on the iPhone.

The future may change things with ReceiptWallet for iPhone, but ending this today takes a huge weight off my chest and will let me move on.

Securing Open Directory on Leopard Server

Awhile ago I wrote about how insecure Open Directory was on Leopard Server. I was not the first person to have discovered this, but apparently no one has found a real workaround. I did find information on how to secure it, but then you can't use Directory Utility to properly setup the machine. After much head bashing, I have completely given up on securing individual components of Leopard Server. It would appear that the only way to secure it is to use a VPN, turn on the firewall to block all, but VPN traffic, and set Open Directory and iCal Server to NOT use SSL. Turns out there are bugs in the iCal (CalDAV) server that don't handle a GoDaddy SSL certificate.

It still amazes me that an experienced software engineer like myself can't secure a server designed for small business that don't have an IT person. Maybe this will work in Snow Leopard.

To Migrate or to Not Migrate

My new MacBook Pro arrived today and I had to decide how to set it up. Apple has a great Migration Assistant for transferring information from an old machine. So I could either use that or do things manually. I decided for a mixed approach. I copied all the info from my old machine (via Gigabit Ethernet) and installed everything by hand. I didn't copy the preferences over as they sometimes contain cruft. After about 5 hours, everything was working! Yeah. I just have to get backups going again and then I'll have an even bigger smile on my face.

More Negative Campaigning

Following up on my previous post about the local city council election, I've decided to post copies of ads I received from both candidates (these ads are only the ones I received today; I receive ads a few times a week from both candidates).

From April Boling, the extremely negative campaigner:

From Marti Emerald, my candidate of choice:

Please, oh please, don't elect April Boling; we need cooperation in government and all she seems to want to do is put down her opponent. To me, this seems like someone that has no good qualities to be in government, so she slams her opponent.

Any quote can be taken out of context and misconstrued. Let's not stop there; the photo of Marti Emerald has been flipped horizontally; the original is the other way. And while I'm on a roll, that picture comes from a site that is copywritten which may make using it a copyright violation.

(The images above are posted with the understanding that I can use them under the Fair Use Doctrine of US copyright law. If asked by the copyright holder, I will remove the images.)