Troy Forster

Musings on technology, environment and adventure

Pages

Recent posts

Tags

Categories

Navigation

Archive

Blogroll

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway.

TheStar.com - artsentertainment - The portable gallery

This is great!  Jeremy's upcoming street art exhibition was mentioned in the Toronto Star today. 

Link to TheStar.com - artsentertainment - The portable gallery

Digg It!DZone It!StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditDel.icio.usNewsVineFurlBlinkList
Posted: Apr 26 2007, 12:16 by tforster | Comments (0) RSS comment feed |
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Filed under: art

Constructors in C# are not inherited

After several very frustrating hours of work I discovered that C# constructors are not inherited.   To be more precise, constructors with parameters are not in inherited.  I had a situation where I had created a class called "tag" that provided 99% of the functionality required.  However, it was used by two other classes and both needed a different constructor.  I spent several hours going through the online help, websites and trying different approaches before I finally came across http://www.yoda.arachsys.com/csharp/constructors.html.  The last few paragraphs are quoted:

Constructors are not inherited

(ECMA) ( MS), second paragraph from the bottom.
Constructors are not inherited. In other words, just because a base class has a constructor taking a certain list of parameters doesn't mean that a derived class has a constructor taking that list of parameters. (It can, by providing one itself, but it doesn't inherit it from the base class.) To demonstrate this, here's an example which doesn't compile:

public class MyBaseClass
{
    public MyBaseClass (int x)
    {
    }
}

public class MyDerivedClass : MyBaseClass
{
    // This constructor itself is okay - it invokes an
    // appropriate base class constructor
    public MyDerivedClass () : base (5)
    {
    }
              
    public static void Main()
    {
        new MyDerivedClass (10);
    }
}

Here, we try to invoke a constructor for MyDerivedClass which takes an int parameter. There isn't one, however, as constructors aren't inherited. The MyBaseClass constructor which takes an int parameter can be invoked by a constructor in MyDerivedClass (as is shown by the parameterless MyDerivedClass constructor) but isn't actually inherited. Removing the "10" from the above code would make it compile and run with no problems - the parameterless MyDerivedClass constructor would be invoked, and that would in turn invoke the MyBaseClass constructor taking an int parameter, with 5 as that parameter value.

Some people have said that they would rather constructors were inherited, making the language act as if all derived classes had constructors with all the parameter lists from the constructors from the base class, and just invoking them with the parameters provided. I believe this would be a very bad idea. Take, for instance, the FileInfo class. You must logically provide a filename when constructing a FileInfo instance, as otherwise it won't know what it's meant to be providing information on. However, as object has a parameterless constructor, constructors being inherited would then mean that FileInfo had a parameterless constructor. Some have suggested that this could be fixed by allowing you to "override" the parameters you didn't want invoked as private, but this goes against the idea that you should never be able to override anything to give it more restrictive access, and also means that class developers would have to change their code every time a new constructor was added to a base class.

Source: Constructors in C#

Digg It!DZone It!StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditDel.icio.usNewsVineFurlBlinkList
Posted: Apr 26 2007, 10:27 by tforster | Comments (0) RSS comment feed |
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Filed under: c

Why I love and hate the Don

After my morning ride in Caledon this morning I decided to hit the Don for a some hills and trails with my friend Vanessa.  I've always loved the Don for what it offers.  Namely great technical trails in the heart of one of the largest cities in North America.  I've been riding in the Don for about fifteen years and know every root, hill, drop and twist intimately.  Sure I get bored of it, but for something that is practically outside my back door it can't be beaten.  That and the next closest trail system requires an hour drive on a 4oo series highway makes the Don all the more attractive, especially for mid-week after work jaunts.

Not today.

Helmetless idiots outnumbered intelligent humans by a significant factor.  It was frustrating seeing so many people attempting to ride my trails in a manner that is sure to gain the attention of the media and municipal officials.  And when it does it could easily lead to trail closures.  What is it that goes through these imbeciles (lack of) minds that compels them to get on a bike, go careening down a steep rock drop without a melon cushion? 

I think I'm going to stick to early morning rides when the trails are all but deserted.  Live on "Dawn in the Don"

Digg It!DZone It!StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditDel.icio.usNewsVineFurlBlinkList
Posted: Apr 22 2007, 23:42 by tforster | Comments (0) RSS comment feed |
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Filed under: adventure

NP2A 2007 Another Success

Well today saw another great running of the annual Not Paris to Ancaster event.  I'm not sure what number this one is.  Maybe #7? 

We started a little earlier than usual this time, 8:30.  Actually, it was more like 9:00 and that was my fault.  How was I to know the Gardiner was closed today?  The turnout included yours truly, Dave, Steve, Andrew and Jeremy.  All of us were riding cross bikes with the exception of Steve who showed up with a mountain bike sporting BIG tires.  The sad thing is he was still able to lead the pace for pretty much the entire ride.

The weather was brilliant.  You couldn't ask for anything better.  We took off like a freight train from the parking lot and maintained a fairly decent pace all the way to Winston Churchill Boulevard.  From the end of the rail trail at WCB it was the usual steady slog up the escarpment although it was significantly helped by the recent paving of the notorious gravel stretch we usually encounter toward the summit.  We stopped at the ice cream shop, and on a day when it was already 25 degrees were looking forward to a cold tasty treat.  But alas, they store had not opened up the ice cream freezers.  Consequently we didn't linger very long and were soon on our way.

The next leg is the famous "Forks of the Credit" switchback.  However, when we crested the top of the decent we found the road closed.  A pleasant gentlemen informed us that it was closed due to roadworks but we were free to travel through if we could.  I don't think he knew that all of us were riding cross bikes and all accomplished mountain bikers.  The road was stripped and was mainly hard pack sand, mud and some puddles.  It was great!  We took off down the fast decent all the way to the switchbacks taking full advantage of the fact there were no cars and we could take up both lanes.  It was fantastic.

Beyond the switchbacks it was the usual ride back toward the escarpment, past the Caledon Cycling Store and back onto the rail trail.  It wasn't long before we were back at the cars. 

Nobody was keeping track but we certainly bettered out past times by at least 30 to 45 minutes.  Due in part to the lack of stops and the high pace we maintained there and back.  That coupled with the early start meant I was on the road heading back to Toronto by 12:08pm.  All in all it was a great ride and a perfect way to continue a long standing tradition.  Thanks to everyone that came out for the 2007 Not Paris to Ancaster. 

Digg It!DZone It!StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditDel.icio.usNewsVineFurlBlinkList
Posted: Apr 22 2007, 23:04 by tforster | Comments (0) RSS comment feed |
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Filed under: adventure

Frameworkers

Frameworkers Originally uploaded by adactio. This came from the recent Web 2.0 conference. Unfortunately the prototype library is missing from list of panelists. However, if it was there it would probably sit somewhere between YUI and Dojo and between websites and applications (in my opinion).
Digg It!DZone It!StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditDel.icio.usNewsVineFurlBlinkList
Posted: Apr 20 2007, 11:15 by tforster | Comments (0) RSS comment feed |
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Filed under: web-20

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Tour will snub dope-probe riders

Nothing like guilty until proven innocent.  I can understand the rationale behind the decision to disallow dopers into Le Tour but it could be presented in a better way by the race director.  If anything I think Christian Prudhomme is doing a greater disservice to the sport by implying that everyone named in the case is guilty by association. 

Certainly anyone that is proven to be doping should be booted from Le Tour and all professional cycling events for life.  As far as the unproven cases it would have been better for Prudhomme and the race officials to quietly pressure each of the teams to have them voluntarily remove those racers, or subject them to daily drug testing. 

Link to BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Tour will snub dope-probe riders

Digg It!DZone It!StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditDel.icio.usNewsVineFurlBlinkList
Posted: Apr 20 2007, 10:40 by tforster | Comments (0) RSS comment feed |
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Filed under: adventure

Look what my friend found in a bag of Tostitos on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

EEEWwwwww!  I don't know if this is more disturbing than it is funny... or more funny than it is disturbing.  Follow the link to Flickr to see a picture of "something" that someone found in a bag of Tostitos.  Ok, that is gross.  Now read all the comments, some are very funny.  The ones that say it is a quarter wear thin after a while :) 

Link to Look what my friend found in a bag of Tostitos on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Digg It!DZone It!StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditDel.icio.usNewsVineFurlBlinkList
Posted: Apr 20 2007, 00:55 by tforster | Comments (0) RSS comment feed |
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Filed under: food

L33t Haxxors - Episode #1 (Video) | [Geeks Are Sexy] Technology News

I've only watched the first episode so far but it was quite funny, especially the hacked BSOD :) 

Link to L33t Haxxors - Episode #1 (Video) | [Geeks Are Sexy] Technology News

Digg It!DZone It!StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditDel.icio.usNewsVineFurlBlinkList
Posted: Apr 20 2007, 00:32 by tforster | Comments (0) RSS comment feed |
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Filed under: tech

CityNews: No Organ Donor Card Could Mean No Driver's License Or Health Card

Wonderful!  A step toward opt-out organ donation in Canada. 

Link to CityNews: No Organ Donor Card Could Mean No Driver's License Or Health Card

Digg It!DZone It!StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditDel.icio.usNewsVineFurlBlinkList
Posted: Apr 16 2007, 18:22 by tforster | Comments (0) RSS comment feed |
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Filed under: environment

Are mobile phones wiping out our bees? - Independent Online Edition > Wildlife

This is alarming! Almost as alarming as the disappearance of the bees themselves. If the cause is indeed cellular phones then are we going to see the wholesale extinction of bees within the next year? Of course whatever the cause of the disappearance the fallout is significant. The cross-pollination of plants is almost completely carried out by bees. How will we manage to grow crops without them? More importantly, how will the hundreds of millions of hectares of flora that supports wildlife, the delicate ecosystem and the creation of oxygen reproduce? Our planet is on a very high speed train to destruction. Link to Are mobile phones wiping out our bees? - Independent Online Edition > Wildlife
Digg It!DZone It!StumbleUponTechnoratiRedditDel.icio.usNewsVineFurlBlinkList
Posted: Apr 15 2007, 15:51 by tforster | Comments (0) RSS comment feed |
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Filed under: environment