Before You Start
Before you start creating a GUI with wxPython, you need to know how to program in Python. This may seem pretty obvious but some people may expect wxPython is self-contained; no additional knowledge required. As a personal plug, you can view my Python programming tutorial at GIDNetwork. Other online instructional sites include the Python languague site and Dive Into Python (which is an intermediate tutorial). > more <

Overview of Graphical User Interfaces
GUIs (graphic user interfaces) are very popular for computers nowadays. Very rarely will you find a program that doesn’t have some sort of graphical interface to use it. Most non-graphical programs will be found on Unix-like operating systems; even then, those programs are usually older ones where the programmer didn’t want (or see the need) for a graphical interface. > more <

Having a MacBook Pro means you have to deal with heat. The MBP is built with an aluminum case, which is becoming a popular option among the desktop “home-brew computing” world. However, in a laptop it means much of the heat that would be absorbed by a plastic case is now transferred to the case; the case effectively acts as a large heat sink. > more <

I’ve started my hobby programming again. As some of you may know, I learned the Python programming language a few years ago because I wanted to make an online role playing game based on the movie Aliens. That dream slowly faded as I realized I didn’t have the skills to do it nor did I have the time to devote to gaining those skills. > more <

Just wanted to post a picture I finally got from my visit to the medical clinic. The girl is Jasmine, the one who really, really wanted the pink soccer ball. Sadly, the military has cancelled the clinic, no reasons given. My guess is that someone in a “senior leadership position” decided that, because the clinic was an unfunded venture for the military, it was more important to use the money and supplies on something “better”.

It seems like the military or politicians would have learned a thing or two about “hearts and minds” from Vietnam but apparently not. Granted, I don’t know the exact reason why the program was stopped but, knowing the military the way I do, I can almost guarantee the reason was probably stupid.

So, that was the first and only time I’ll probably be able to work with real Iraqis. I had fun and wouldn’t mind doing a tour that allowed me to work with the locals on a regular basis.

Just a couple more days and I’ll be at my 90 day mark in-country. Not only that, but I finally (after 6 months) got my follow-on orders. After I’m done in Iraq, I’ll be heading to Japan. Rock on!

I’ve been trying to go back to Japan since I left there in 2003. At the time, I was on the USS Kitty Hawk (nicknamed the Shitty Kitty for reasons I soon found out). I had reported there in June of 2001. For those without a calendar, just a few months later was the infamous 9/11 incident in New York. Being a forward deployed battle group, we were naturally one of the first units to respond to the upcoming war in Afghanistan. > more <