In .Net the Interface System.IServiceProvider is a simple and elegant method to query services from other objects without having – or even wanting – to know how the class structure behind it looks like. Is the interface at that class implemented or at another? No matter, you query IServiceProvider and you get an instance of what you asked for.

That’s the theory. In reality the developer may have forgotten to add the new interface to the list after he implemented it. Or he forgot the IServiceProvider altogether.

That’s why I have this method to get what I want through several fallback strategies:

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Categories: Misc, Software
Tags: .NET · C# · System.IServiceProvider
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Here’s the “official version”:

And here’s an “Extended Cut” from a different perspective:

Categories: Fun, Misc, Web
Tags: The Big Bang Theory
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The idea behind the .NET System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer class is that you can easily serialize an XML file into a class tree and vice versa.

If you’re using XML Schema files, the xsd.exe tool can create that class tree for you.

But for simple applications you don’t even need a schema. You simply create a class that has public properties of simple types or complex types that in turn contain simple types.

Then you can throw this object into the XmlSerializer and you’re done.

Here’s my personal XmlSerializer coding pattern for a simple list of settings:

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Categories: Misc, Software
Tags: .NET · C# · Serialization
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My buddies and I are playing Texas Hold’em cash games every once in a while.

As a start stack you get 5,000 in chips.

Since it is a varying degree of players every evening (from 4 up to 8 so far) I wrote a little app that would determine what kind of chips the start stack for everyone would consists of.

We agreed that the stack shouldn’t contain more that 20 chips of one value (so you wouldn’t get too many low-value chips).

I used to have a classic PDA (with Windows Mobile) on which it ran. Now it’s unfortunately broken.

Thus, I adapted the app so it would run on a normal Windows as well.

If you’re having a Poker night, feel free to use it to build equal stacks for everyone: PokerChipsForWindows.zip

Categories: Misc, Software
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Windows 8 was written primarily for touch devices such as tablets and touch screen monitors.

If you’re a classic mouse and keyboard user there will be some challenges.

For example, did you know that if you want to close one of the new Metro apps, you have to push your mouse to the top of the screen until it turns into a hand and then you have to drag the app all the way down to the bottom of the screen until it disappears?

Also, the new Windows 8 is designed to have a special function in every corner of the screen. To open the Start screen you have to move your mouse into the lower left corner until a small Start screen popup appears and then click.

But what if you have two monitors and the right one is your primary monitor just like in my case? Try to quickly hit the small area on the bottom left of the right screen when the mouse cursor has a whole other screen to wander into…

That’s why I’m glad that I grew up during DR DOS and MS-DOS and still know how to use keyboard commands and shortcuts.

For example, I have not opened an MS Office program via icon in years. Not in Windows XP, not in Windows 7 and I won’t do it in Windows 8. You open the Run window via Windows key plus R (Win+R) and type “winword” or “excel” or “powerpnt” and off you go… For the Calculator “calc”, the Character Map “charmap”, the Paint program (e.g. for quick screenshots) “mspaint”, …

Luckily for me, Windows 8 brings some new shortcuts with it which can be used to open the most important functions. The keys used are not always intuitive but my guess is that the alphabet has only so many letters and many are already in use.

But nevertheless, why the function “Find Apps” has the shortcut Win+Q instead of Win+A and “Find Settings” has Win+W instead of Win+S I do not know.

So, here’s a list of shortcuts new and old that might come in handy for the usage of Windows 8:

Windows key (Win) – Formerly opened the Start menu, now opens the Start screen (no need to find the lower left corner of the screen). Press Win again and the Start screen closes.

Before Windows 8 I found this to be pointless unless you were unlucky enough to have a computer without a mouse. Now it actually becomes useful.

Win+Q - Opens the search for applications in the former start menu.

Win+W – Opens the search for settings.

Win+F – Opens the search for files.

Win+E – Opens a new instance of Windows Explorer.

Win+R – Opens the Run window.

Win+I – Opens the Settings sidebar.

Win+P – Opens the multi-screen options (e.g. to use a projector in a meeting).

Win+D – Shows the Desktop. Another press of Win+D returns all programs to their previous state (important difference to Win+M).

Win+L – Lock computer.

Win+X – Show a list of shortcuts to various system functions.

Win+C – Show the right side bar (no need to find the lower/upper right corner of the screen).

Win+M – Minimize all windows and thus show Desktop.

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Categories: Misc, Software
Tags: key strokes · keyboard · shortcuts · Windows 8
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Categories: Fun, Misc
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Note: The general idea of this story is the aftermath of 6×21 Prototype combined with the Bones episode 6×22 The Hole in the Heart in which one of the recurring characters gets killed and the two lead characters deal with the loss. The story goes AU from there.

Disclaimer:: I do not own Smallville. The rights to the characters remain with DC and Warner.

It hurt. Both physically and emotionally. His back still ached and his mind couldn’t come to rest.

It hurt. Both physically and emotionally. Her throat was still sore and her mind couldn’t come to rest.

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Categories: Misc
Tags: Bones · Smallville
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Categories: Fun, Misc
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This episode was so great.

Jeff the Liar, son of William the Barely Known. Abed the Undiagnosable. Hector the Well-Endowed.

Categories: Fun, Misc
Tags: Community
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Categories: Misc
Tags: Burn Notice · Smallville · True Blood
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