Tech for Snack
Technologically Appetizing!
Using SQL ‘LIKE’ Statement on .NET SqlDatasource for MySQL
Jul 7th
I am back with another technical post! This time, it is with regards with the SQL ‘LIKE’ statement in SQLDatasources which are available in .NET development. Recently, I was having trouble figuring out how you can actually use a SQL statement such as
SELECT * FROM products WHERE productName LIKE ‘%Computers%’
inside a SQLDatasource in an ASP.NET project. Unlike SQL Server, MySQL does not understand the syntax if you use the ‘+’ symbol and put it this manner:
<asp:SqlDataSource ID=”SqlSearchResults” ConnectionString=”<%$ myConnString %>” ProviderName=”<%$ ConnectionStrings:myConnString.ProviderName %>” runat=”server” SelectCommand=”SELECT * FROM product WHERE productName LIKE ‘%’ + @productName + ‘%’)”>
</asp:SqlDataSource>
That is where the use of the CONCAT statement in MySQL comes to play. As the MySQL Database engine does not understand the ‘+’ symbol which we frequently use in SQL Server, CONCAT will help to replace this irregularity in MySQL. So, to get it to work, just modify the data source as follow:
<asp:SqlDataSource ID=”SqlSearchResults” ConnectionString=”<%$ myConnString %>” ProviderName=”<%$ ConnectionStrings:myConnString.ProviderName %>” runat=”server” SelectCommand=”SELECT * FROM product WHERE productName LIKE CONCAT(‘%’, @productName, ‘%’)”>
</asp:SqlDataSource>
With this, your problems with mySQL LIKE will be solved immediately! Hope this helps some people out there… 
iPhone 4 Malaysia Release Date in August?
Jun 30th
Went through TechCentral today and found this quote from the Maxis COO:
Van Overbeke said the iPhone 4 could be available here by August, but declined to provide prices. And, he said, Maxis’ data packages for the smartphone “would not be very expensive.”
As for the iPad, he said it is possible that Maxis will be distributing the 3G version of the tablet computer. “But it’s really up to Apple at this point.”
So is the iPhone coming in August for Maxis or for both Maxis and DiGi? Hope to get more updates on this soon! Read the full article here at TechCentral!
Updated to iPhone’s iOS4 and Downloaded the Vuvuzuela App!
Jun 27th
I have just downloaded the latest iOS4 update and jailbroken it with PwnageTool 4.01 for my iPhone 3GS. For those who are interested in jailbreaking it, visit this URL at RedmondPie and follow the guide. All iPhone models from 2G to 3GS can apply this update. Again, please jailbreak at your own risk and a Mac is required to complete this process! As promised by Apple, iOS4 comes with over 100 new features which includes mainly; multitasking, folder management, improved e-mail, iBooks and digital zoom for the camera. For the full list of features, click here.
Below are some screens on the latest features in iOS4 from my iPhone (From top left: (1) A brand new Home Screen, (2) Folder Management, (3) Multitasking bar, (4) Camera Digital Zoom up to 5x:
Due to the World Cup season, I also managed to find a free Vuvuzuela app which you can download from the AppStore. All you need to do is to select your favorite team and touch or shake your phone to emit the buzzing sound which has been a culture and also an annoyance to players and fans altogether throughout World Cup 2010. You can get that app from here via iTunes too. A screenshot available below.
I have also realized in a way that the new iOS4 is faster and a little more smoother when in comes to rendering transitions than previous OS versions as opposed to what other people commented. Probably the 3GS still has enough juice to run iOS4 without any issues. Signing off for now and enjoying Apple’s latest iOS. Wooot! I can’t wait for iPhone 4 already!
iPhone 4 Round-Up
Jun 25th
The iPhone 4 has already gone on sale at the United States yesterday. Summary: Thousands of people are lining up to purchase it, iOS4 is already jailbroken and the phone breaks easily when it drops (from only just 1 foot mind you)!
Below are a round-up of some interesting articles:
Hardware Preview: Belkin Wireless N Technology (Basic, Surf, Share and PlayMax) Routers
Jun 24th
The Belkin Wireless N Technology Routers Lineup
The guys at Belkin Malaysia have just launched their new line of Wireless N Technology routers on the 22nd of June 2010 here. The lineup consist of 4 types of models: Basic, Surf, Share and Play Max. The main difference between the new line of routers compared to other ones in the market would be the ease of setup and built-in apps. One of the apps in my opinion, which is TorrentGenie available on the higher end Play Max model, can actually allow you to download torrent contents off the web without turning your PC on! All you need is just a hard disk plugged into the router, run the app, and you will be downloading content in no time without a PC running overnight.
With 4 ethernet ports and 2 USB ports available, you can connect up to 4 PCs via wire and 2 USB printers or hard disk. The new Belkin routers are all running on 802.11N standard which would allow you to transfer data up to 300MB per second. It also comes with the ‘Easy Start’ and ‘Self-Healing’ feature to ensure easy installation and simple troubleshooting on your network.
Play Max Back View (4 ethernet ports and 2 USB ports for more device connectivity)
Besides the TorrentGenie app which I have introduced earlier, Belkin’s Play Max routers also come with many other apps such as Music Mover, which will allow you to play an entire music library on smart devices, like the Xbox® or PS3™. There is also a Daily DJ app serves up daily personalized playlists to match moods. By analyzing the musical DNA of a collection, Daily DJ creates playlists around three mood mixes: High-Energy, Steady Groove, and Kick Back. Lastly, there is the Song Labeller which will be able to detect and automatically label untitled songs from CDs or MP3s. Be reminded that most of these apps are only available on the higher end Play Max model.
A Sleek Looking Play Max Router from the Front
The Belkin Wireless N Technology routers will be available in Malaysia’s IT stores in mid July 2010. Expect pricing to be around RM100 to RM500 depending on the model.
Sharing your Webpage on Facebook
Jun 22nd
With Facebook becoming a trend setter in social networking, it is hardly surprising to see websites coming up with ways to allow users to share content through it. In this post, I will show how you can easily place a Facebook sharing link and place it onto any page of yours.
To do this, firstly, you will require some basic knowledge in HTML. Open up your web page editor and just place in the following code into the location where you want the sharing link to be at:
<a name=”fb_share” type=”button_count” share_url=”www.example.com” href=”http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?”>Share</a>
<script src=”http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share” type=”text/javascript”></script>
Make sure you replace www.example.com with your own site URL to ensure that it works. Once successful, you should be seeing a result like this below:
Share
By clicking on it, you will be redirected to Facebook and you should be seeing a result like this:
Facebook sharing!
And that is all you need to share your site on Facebook. Will be coming up with more details on the Facebook API such as the “Like Box” coming here soon!
Edit Videos directly on YouTube!
Jun 18th
Always finding it troublesome to edit videos on your PC? Fret no further, the YouTube video editor is here to stay! All you need is a set of video snippets uploaded to Youtube, and you are good to go. You can even add music files from the AudioSwap library, but it may come with some advertisements.
YouTube Editor in action (Taken from HardOCP.com)
For all YouTubers out there, start editing your videos now at http://www.youtube.com/editor. A YouTube account is required. And oh, there are some demo videos you can find here too!
The all new iPhone 4
Jun 16th
iPhone 4 with the new IOS4
It’s summer and as usual, a new iPhone, this time called iPhone 4 was announced last week during the World Wide Developer Conference by Steve Jobs. This time, the new iPhone 4 comes with a brand new retinal display, HD video recording at 720p and FaceTime for videoconferencing.
Time for another mad rush for the new iPhone. It will definitely come out in Malaysia. The only question now is when…
iPhone 4 in Black and White
Derek’s Tech Blog is now “Tech for Snack”!
Jun 16th
Derek’s Tech Blog (http://derekchan84.wordpress.com) have now moved over to a brand new domain! Stay tuned for more tech news and details. For those who have been following Derek’s Tech Blog previously, be rest assured that this blog will be active in the coming months.
Will be coming right back with more yummy tech details!
Windows 7 is Officially Released!
Oct 23rd
Windows 7 was officially released yesterday on the 22nd of October 2009. For Malaysians, hold on as events and roadshows will be coming to major towns near you in November (I have listed down a list of Malaysian Windows 7 events below). Below are some screens from the launch event at New York City yesterday (Images courtesy of CNet News):
Not to forget, reviews and articles from the latest Windows 7 OS:
- Windows 7 Review @Bit-Tech
- Windows 7 Review @CNet
- Windows 7 Review @Wired.com
- Windows 7 Review @Guardian.co.uk
- Windows 7 Review @AssociatedContent
- Top 10 Windows 7 Features that should have been on Vista
Looks like Windows 7 is garnering good reviews, with most reviewers mentioning that it is the best OS from Microsoft yet. Look forward to Malaysia’s Windows 7 events at the following locations:
- Windows 7 Consumer Launch, Lowyat Plaza, Kuala Lumpur (7th November 2009)
- Lowyat Plaza, Kuala Lumpur (2nd – 8th November 2009)
- Ikano Power Center, Petaling Jaya (4th – 8th November 2009)
- Gurney Plaza, Penang (6th – 8th November 2009)
- City Square Plaza, Johor Bahru (13th – 15th November 2009)
- For developers and IT professionals: The New Efficiency Launch, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (24th November)
Hope to get comments from those who are on Windows 7 now!
Derek Chan is a software developer specializing in Microsoft .NET technologies such as WPF, Silverlight, ASP.NET and Windows Mobile. He is currently based in Malaysia where he is working as a freelance web and .NET developer.
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