I have been noticing some issue with the new site's XML storage system. I knew using XML for storing data that only I would change is no problem. It works very well. But for the counters it's just not working out well. Not to metion that it kind of keeps me from adding comment sections on the software pages. which I plan on doing. So I think I am going to migrate to jet databases for simple comments and (note to self) store the home page's html in an xml doc that is editable in place so I can easily update the homepage from anywhere.

But first I need to finish a couple controls I am working on, and add a new section to the site, a .net control library section. I am working on a few custom controls that i really would like to share with the world.

I finally have a decent release of the RockBand Drum-Kit for Windows ready so I popped it into an installer and dropped it here on the site. I am hopping that I get some feedback to help make it a better application. I ran into a little problem with permissions on vista and windows 7 so for the time being the app requests admin privileges, but hopefully that will change when i get some time to re-factor the code a bit.

I'm really proud of it to say the least, spent a lot of time working on an attractive interface and tweaking the performance. Give it a go, you know you want to play the drums!

Download the RockBand Drum-Kit for Windows Beta V0.0.1.0

When I first purchased windows 7, I was running windows xp so I purchased an upgrade key. After formatting and installing windows 7 it became clear that Microsoft wasn't going to let me just use an upgrade key after a fresh install. So I began to browse the web in search of an answer, Not long there after I had my solution; A registry edit, and a command prompt script. After I performed the operations i decided to hack up this little tool that performs the patch "automagically"

This little app simply edits the registry to change the install type from "full" to "upgrade", and then calls a VB scripts from the system directory that rearms the system, the same functionality that allows you to change your product key without a reinstall if Microsoft blacklists your system and sells you a key (these two concepts are completely different, it just uses that innate functionality).

it's far from pretty, never intended it to be, Some programmers are so proud of their little patches that they spend more time on a theme and background music than they do on the patch itself. This is just a simple dialog with a "Enable Upgrade key" button. But it works, so I'm satisfied.

Download DiamondDrake's Windows7 Upgrade Key Enabler Patch

Still haven't gotten my site done, I have been pre occupied working on a Libvlc 1.1.2 wrapper in C#. I have every intention to provide at the least a compiled version here on my site, although as things stand it seems I have a little ways to go before I am ready to publish the site.  I think i will work on my site this weekend and try to get it up and running. I have a little content ready for it like the libvlc wrapper (and hopefully an accompanying tutorial on using it, and also how wrapping libvlc works. I also have a screensaver written in C# that uses directX to play a video, but I intend to update it to use libvlc, although that will be a separate release. I also have the rockband drumkit. A little application that allows you to use a ps2/3 Rockband® drumkit to play drum sounds on your computer. Not to mention numerous code snippets that I have developed over time to help any budding programmers out there.

I am really happy that my site will have some decent content for once, I just never seems like working on my own site was as important as working on someone else's. But It makes me happy, hopefully one day will make me money, and its a service I can provide to the world. Thanks for you interest.

Rickey Ward

I've decided to make the switch. All my blog load will be handled by BlogEngine.net. It's awesome, but I'm not going crazy with it like many. It's not going to replace my website. Its just going to handle my blogs sections. I have to say, Its growing on me. I think I can learn a lot from tearing it apart in code. first thing is to create a custom theme for it that matches the rest of my site, hoping to blend it in so you can't tell the difference.

Here is to trying. Cheers.