<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rss version="2.0">
<channel>
<title>Technical Corner</title>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/</link>
<description>Technical notes, ramblings, findings, info...</description>
<language>en</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Wed, 11 Oct 2006 10:23:31 -0600</lastBuildDate>
<generator>http://www.movabletype.org/?v=4.1</generator>
<docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs> 


<item>
<title>Z4 M Coupé Strut Brace</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p>I installed the Z4 engine strut brace bar on my Z4 M Coupe and it fits perfectly.  Thanks to Ron Stygar for trying it out first and confirming fit.<br />
BMW OEM Part# 51-71-0-305-114</p>

<table border=0><tr><td><center>Before</center></td><td><center>After</center></td></td><tr><td><center><a href="/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_before.html" onclick="window.open('/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_before.html','popup','width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_before-thumb.jpg" width="251" height="188" /></a></center></td>
<td><center><a href="/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_after.html" onclick="window.open('/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_after.html','popup','width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_after-thumb.jpg" width="251" height="188" /></a></center></td></tr></table>

<p>Very simple install. With the car on the ground, remove the existing nuts, bolt on the new brace, torque the brackets first then the bar.  Torque to 18lb/ft.<br />
I have not driven the car yet... details to follow.</p>

<p>More pics:<br />
<a href="/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_01.html" onclick="window.open('/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_01.html','popup','width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_01-thumb.jpg" width="251" height="188" /></a>&nbsp;<a href="/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_02.html" onclick="window.open('/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_02.html','popup','width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="/tech/images/z4_strut_brace_02-thumb.jpg" width="251" height="188" /></a></p>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2006/10/z4-m-coupe-stru.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2006/10/z4-m-coupe-stru.html</guid>
<category>Cars</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Oct 2006 10:23:31 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Getting and Setting Sort Preferences</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p><strong>Q:</strong><em>For reports that have clickable column headers, HTML DB remembers this sorting choice by establishing a preference named FSP<app>_P<page>_R<region?>_SORT with a value of "fsp_sort_<col>(_desc)". I would like to be able to programatically get and set this preference. Essentially, I would like to save (and re-establish) the user's sorting preference, but I can't rely on the built-in mechanism to do this because the region source is generated from a PL/SQL block, and the resulting query can vary significantly. Getting the App and Page ID's are no problem, but I'd rather not hard-code in a Region ID (if that's even what that 3rd number is). Is there some way to access this value from within a PL/SQL process? Thanks. -Rich</em></p>

<p><strong>A:</strong>It is possible to find the region_id using htmldb_application.g_plug_id (plugs are regions) via g_plug_name</p>

<p>This code will show the approach:</p>

<blockquote><pre>
begin
  htp.tableOpen;
  htp.tableRowOpen;
  htp.tableHeader('region_id');
  htp.tableHeader('region_name');
  htp.tableRowClose;
  for i in 1.. htmldb_application.g_plug_id.COUNT loop
    htp.tableRowOpen;
      htp.tableData(htmldb_application.g_plug_id(i));
      htp.tableData(htmldb_application.g_plug_name(i));
    htp.tableRowClose;
  end loop;
  htp.tableClose;
end;
</pre></blockquote>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2006/07/getting-and-set.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2006/07/getting-and-set.html</guid>
<category>Apex</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Jul 2006 09:57:44 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Griot&apos;s Spray-On Protective Bra</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p>I tried <a href="http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1007&L3=L3_1090&SKU=20264">Griot's Spray-On Protective Bra</a> on the new M Coupe in preparation for a track day event at <a href="http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Brainerd_International_Raceway">BIR</a></p>

<p>The product works great, it does exactly what it says and it doesn't hurt the paint.  No scratches, no problems with water.  It creates a film similar to static cling decals, which is then easy to just peal off.</p>

<p>Prepping the car for the spray though did take a while.  It was a time consuming process with the complicated contours of the front fascia of the M Coupe.</p>

<p>Then to make matters worse, I ran out of the product before finishing up!!  Check out the pics of the before and after with 1/3 of the front still not covered.  Hard to tell on the picture below, but the left side of the picture (driver side) you can see it's still not completely covered as is the bottom spoiler/air splitter.</p>

<p>Oh well, I guess some protection is better than none.</p>

<table border=0><tr><td align="center">
<a href="/tech/images/spray_on_prep.html" onclick="window.open('http://www.rimblas.com/tech/images/spray_on_prep.html','popup','width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="/tech/images/spray_on_prep-thumb.jpg" width="251" height="188" /></a></td><td align="center"><a href="/tech/images/spray_on_after.html" onclick="window.open('http://www.rimblas.com/tech/images/spray_on_after.html','popup','width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="http://www.rimblas.com/tech/images/spray_on_after-thumb.jpg" width="251" height="188" /></a>
</td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Before</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>After</strong></td></tr></table>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2006/07/griots-spray-on.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2006/07/griots-spray-on.html</guid>
<category>Cars</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jul 2006 11:06:31 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Resetting the service indicator lights</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p><a title="BMW E30 Network: Technical articles" href="http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00042&Section=">BMW E30 Network: Technical articles</a><br />
Article by <em>Gustavo Melo</em> :: 01 Jan 2000</p>

<p>You'll need a piece of electrical wire (10/15 cm) to serve as a jumper wire.</p>

<p>According to Patrick Farrel, a BMW master tech working at a dealer in MD, you should <strong>always use a fused jumper wire</strong>.</p>

<p>First, locate de diagnostic socket, at the engine compartment. There are two different types: up to 1987, it's located near the intake manifold, and has a red cap:</p>

<center><img src="/tech/images/early_connector.gif" alt="Early type connector"></center>

<p>After 1987, you have to find a big round black plastic socket, with a cap held by a plastic strap, located near the oil dipstick (M20 engines) or near the firewall, driver's side (M40 engines):</p>

<center><img src="/tech/images/early_connector.gif" alt="Late type connector"></center>

<p>Pull the cap (early connector), or unscrew it (late connector), and you'll see a number of connectors, depending of the type of plug (see the diagrams below).</p>

<center><img src="/tech/images/sil2.gif" alt="Early type connector">&nbsp;<img src="/tech/images/sil.gif" alt="Late type connector"></center>

<ul>
<li>According to the type of plug on your car, locate the right connectors, marked red in the diagrams;</li>
<li>Use the jumper wire to connect them together;</li>
<li>Turn the key to ON position, without starting the car;</li>
<li>When the 5 LED's in the dash light up (3/4 seconds), turn off the key. If you keep the ignition on, another 6/7 seconds, after the LED's appear, you'll perform an inspection reset, too.</li>
<li>Disconnect the jumper wire.</li>
</ul>

<p>Be Carefull! <strong>Make sure you jump the right connectors!</strong> The best way to follow the diagram for the late type connector is to match its center circle cut (that looks like a pacman :o)) with the one in your car. The earlier one has a flat side, so it's easier to follow.</p>

<p>If you can't reset the lights, or if they reset and return after a few days, you probably have to replace the SI board batteries.</p>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/12/resetting-the-s.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/12/resetting-the-s.html</guid>
<category>Cars</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Dec 2005 12:56:19 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>How To Be A Programmer</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Found this essay as a result of a blog entry from <a href="http://tkyte.blogspot.com/">Tom Kyte</a>.  Tom said "<strong>This is an excellent paper, many people in our industry would benefit from reading it.</strong>". With such a good recommendation I just had to read it.<br />
Originally taken from <a href="http://samizdat.mines.edu/howto/">http://samizdat.mines.edu/howto/</a><br />
I have reproduced it locally: <a href="/work/docs/HowToBeAProgrammer.html">How To Be A Programmer</a></p>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/11/how-to-be-a-pro.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/11/how-to-be-a-pro.html</guid>
<category>General</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Nov 2005 07:31:13 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tire Size Calculator</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p>I was talking with a friend about tire sizes the other day and I really didn't know if the wheel tire combo in my <a href="/bmw/318is">E30</a> maintained the ratio of the original tire.</p>

<p>I ran into this nifty Tire Size Calculator and I was able to answer the question.<br />
Just go to this link and enter tires sizes to compare:<br />
<a href="http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi">http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi</a></p>

<p>Here are the sizes I use, in the following order; stock (snow tires), track and street<br />
195/65/14<br />
205/50/15<br />
215/40/17</p>

<p>I was glad to see that the big 17 inch wheels are apparently 0.9% smaller in diameter than the stock size.  Meaning they pretty much maintain the ratio.  According to the calculator, for every 10000mi (with the 14") the odometer would reflect 10088mi with the 17"</p>

<p>Now, that said, I still know my 17 inch are just too heavy a wheel for the little E30.<br />
Here are my weights (lbs) in the same order:<br />
Bottle caps & tires 31<br />
Kosei wheels & tires 35.2<br />
Mille Miglia wheels & tires 45.2</p>

<p>Another Java tire size calculator:<br />
<a href="http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html">http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html</a><br />
</p>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/10/tire-size-calcu.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/10/tire-size-calcu.html</guid>
<category>Cars</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Oct 2005 15:14:42 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>HTMLDB Tabular Form Validation</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p><b>Q:</b> I have created a master/detail form and a tabular form by using the wizard. How can I add validations? Is it possible to reference the different values?</p>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/09/tabular-form-va.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/09/tabular-form-va.html</guid>
<category>Apex</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2005 07:29:20 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Testing HBlogger</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p>HBlogger is a <a href="http://www.palm.com/" target="_blank">Palm</a> application by <a href="http://normsoft.com/" target="_blank">Normsoft</a><br />
Aside from posting text, it allows you to post pictures that exist within the Treo.<br />
It doesn't seem to allow for a specific title, category or excerpt.  Which means, these values have to be set after the fact.<br />
However, it does provide for the following lj tags, that I don't know what they'll do for Movable Type:<br />
<quote>[lj user=""] </quote><br />
<quote>[lj comm=""] </quote></p>

<p>Here is a picture taken with the Treo 600:<br />
<img src="/new/images/pic093_17Jun05_454619257.jpg"></p>

<p>Interestingly enough, I know know that the Title is made of the first 30 characters.</p>

<p>[Posted with my trusty Treo with HBlogger]</p>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/08/testing-hblogge.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/08/testing-hblogge.html</guid>
<category>Palm</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2005 17:47:37 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Labels with Zebra Printers</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.zebra.com/" target="_blank">Zebra printers</a> are fairly common, easy to find and easy to use.</p>

<p>However, some Zebra printers require their own escape codes and will not print plain ASCII input.<br />
Expanding on the foobar solution (<a href="/tech/archives/2005/08/printing_barcod_3.html">Printing Barcodes from Oracle Apps</a>), I have created zfoobar.</p>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/08/labels-with-zeb.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/08/labels-with-zeb.html</guid>
<category>General</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2005 15:00:29 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Printing Barcodes from Oracle Apps</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Printing barcodes has always been a challenge from within Oracle Application, specially when printing ASCII only reports.<br />
FOOBAR is a filter style program that generates 3 of 9 barcodes via PCL codes.  (FOOBAR was originally developed by <a href="http://www.allen-sauer.com/toolbox/unix-foobar/" target="_blank">Allen-Sauber Consulting</a>.)</p>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/08/printing-barcod-3.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/08/printing-barcod-3.html</guid>
<category>Oracle</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2005 10:56:16 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Updated M42 timing chain tensioner</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Article by <i>Ray Pipkin</i> :: 01 Jan 2000<br />
Original at <a href="http://www.bmwe30.net" target="_blank">BMWe30.Network</a> (<em><a href="http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00072" target="_blank">direct</a></em>).</p>

<p>The M42 timing chain is tensioned by a chain guide pushed against the chain by a hydraulic tensioner. A weak or frozen tensioner can cause timing chain noise. Replacement of the tensioner takes about ten minutes and requires only a 19 mm socket wrench.</p>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/08/updated-m42-tim.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2005/08/updated-m42-tim.html</guid>
<category>Cars</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2005 08:21:10 -0600</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title>Using Oracle Web Applications, mod_plsql</title>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Oracle Application Servers in conjunction with an Oracle Database have a very cool feature that has changed names multiple times: <em>PL/SQL Cartridge</em>, <em>Oracle Web Applications</em>, <em>mod_plsql</em>, etc..  However the concept remains the same: the ability to run native PL/SQL packages or procedure from a URL whose possible output is directed back to the browser to render an actual web page (or any MIME type output you desire)</p>

<p>This is my reference page that I used to host on my personal <a href="http://twiki.org/" target="_blank">Twiki</a>: <a href="/twiki/Oracle/OracleWebApplications.html">Oracle Web Applications</a><br />
You'll find quite a few code examples that without much effort can be ran anywhere.</p>]]></description>
<link>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2002/04/using-oracle-we.html</link>
<guid>http://www.rimblas.com/tech/archives/2002/04/using-oracle-we.html</guid>
<category>Oracle</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2002 16:09:34 -0600</pubDate>
</item>


</channel>
</rss>