I recently wanted to contact my previous employer, so I went to their website to check if the phone number had changed. I found that they were still running the website that I created for them way back in 2000.
At the time I made this website Macromedia Flash was becoming vogue, so you will notice the Flash intro movie. And, if you dig even further, you will find the Flash based knowledge base that I created. At the time I was using PHP for the server-side language, but you will only see that on the contact page and the knowledge base login page.
There must have been some changes since I left, a few pages cannot be found and some of the pages have been modified. If you decide to check out the site and notice something that doesn't fit with the overall look, then that is something added after I left. Also, if you look at the source and notice that the generator tag says "Microsoft FrontPage 2.0", that must be because the page was modified after I left. Even back then I preferred to handcraft my pages and thus had a slight distaste for FrontPage.
Plastech Consulting Inc.
2009-05-12
2009-04-23
Creating a SAP Transport
SAP uses a three stage development cycle (at least where I work) which requires developers to make changes in the development system and then users to test the changes in the test system before they can be released into production. In order for changes to get from one system to the next a transport must be made. This post will detail the steps required to create a SAP transport.
The first step is opening the transport manager, which is transaction SE09, in the development system. On the selection screen enter the desired user name and click display. Then, you click on the new request button and choose either customizing or workbench. On the next screen we have special format that we use for the short description:
aannnnnnnn_bb_d_wwyy_description
Now we have a request number that can be entered after we save a change using SPRO (for customizing) or after we active an ABAP program or SmartForm.
After the change is assigned to the transport number we go back into SE09, click on the customizing or workbench task click the "Release directly" button (or hit F9). This will prompt to document you change. Once documenting is complete it must be saved. Next, click the request and click "Release directly" again. For programming changes a code review will be necessary, otherwise you will be taken directly to the project selection screen. There is a folder for each of the different SAP areas, and underneath those folders are more folders for the type of change, select the appropriate change type.
Now the transport is nearly ready. At our company we use the RealTech transport manager (transaction code /RTC/TM). Once in the transport manager the author name must be filled in, then hitting enter will open the transport workflow monitor. Items show up here every half hour. Once it shows up, highlighting the line and clicking the "Next status" button (down arrow) will move it to the signature queue. For our company we must now send an email to one of the people who are authorized to sign off on the change and they will release it.
The system will then transport the changes.
The first step is opening the transport manager, which is transaction SE09, in the development system. On the selection screen enter the desired user name and click display. Then, you click on the new request button and choose either customizing or workbench. On the next screen we have special format that we use for the short description:
aannnnnnnn_bb_d_wwyy_description
- aa -- SR for helpdesk service request or CR for a project generated request
- nnnnnnnn -- The request number
- bb -- the system, LE for logistics execution, MM for material management, etc.
- d -- C for customizing or W for workbench
- ww -- the calendar week
- yy -- the year
Now we have a request number that can be entered after we save a change using SPRO (for customizing) or after we active an ABAP program or SmartForm.
After the change is assigned to the transport number we go back into SE09, click on the customizing or workbench task click the "Release directly" button (or hit F9). This will prompt to document you change. Once documenting is complete it must be saved. Next, click the request and click "Release directly" again. For programming changes a code review will be necessary, otherwise you will be taken directly to the project selection screen. There is a folder for each of the different SAP areas, and underneath those folders are more folders for the type of change, select the appropriate change type.
Now the transport is nearly ready. At our company we use the RealTech transport manager (transaction code /RTC/TM). Once in the transport manager the author name must be filled in, then hitting enter will open the transport workflow monitor. Items show up here every half hour. Once it shows up, highlighting the line and clicking the "Next status" button (down arrow) will move it to the signature queue. For our company we must now send an email to one of the people who are authorized to sign off on the change and they will release it.
The system will then transport the changes.
2009-04-17
Which SmartForm is Used for a Message Type
It is possible to use SE16 to determine the name of a SmartForm form used by a specific message type. In SE16, view the table TNAPR and make your selection criteria. I normally pick my output type (KSCHL = ZLnn), and my application (KAPPL = V2 for Shipping or V6 for Handling Units). Once you hit F8, you will see the list of results. Under the column "Form name" (SFORM), you will see the name of the SmartForm used for the desired label or output type.
2009-04-16
Orman Says Don't Pay Off Debt
Suze Orman recently told Oprah's viewers to only pay the minimum on their credit cards and start saving the money that they would otherwise be paying. But, is this really good advice?
I should explain that I am generally not a big fan of people who make their living by giving broad financial advice that changes from year to year [and many times looks bad in retrospect].
First, though some rules of thumbs are useful (save money for a rainy day), I don't generally care for blanket advice that intends to cover a specific topic (save money by not paying off credit cards). My situation could vary enough from the average that following specific commodity advice could cause adverse effects.
Secondly, it would seem that for these people to continue to generate income they must keep selling books. And, if the books that they sell are not fundamentally sound, then that would necessitate selling a new book each year. I understand that as our world evolves and laws change updated advice is sometimes necessary. But, if the situation evolves so rapidly as to necessitate a new book every year, then is the information even still relevant by the time it is published? Furthermore, what is the expiration of the book or when should an individual quite following the given advice? I would assume that the suggestion would be to by the latest book every time it comes out.
Part of the reason that I like the Bad Money Advice blog is that Frank, the author, points out flaws in these peoples' reasoning. He has even recently written a couple articles about Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan (and part 2).
When it comes to financial advice, I am still a fan of Poor Richard and Benjamin Graham.
With all that said, lets turn back to the issue of not paying off your credit cards. I will quickly sum up what I think her reasoning is: The credit card industry is only interested in protecting itself from you, so you shouldn't worry about paying them first, they'll just end up screwing you. When you eventually get laid off, the credit card companies will close your no-balance card and you won't have any money for food since you paid them instead of saving. However, she does say that if you already have an emergency fund then you should focus on paying off debt.
Maybe I am crazy, I am doing the complete opposite of what she is recommending. My emergency fund is not as high as it should be, yet I am focusing on paying off the remainder of my credit debt first. I do, however, have some reasons for my approach. Maybe Suze will read this post and help me out by highlighting my flaws.
First, my wife and I both work, and if either one of us were laid off we would be able to pay all of our bills on one salary, including minimum payments on credit cards. If we were so unfortunate that both of us were laid off, we could still pay all of our bills, at least temporarily, based on what we could expect from unemployment. And, neither of those scenarios take into account any adjustments to expenses that we obviously make in the event of a job loss. (e.g. I would be forced to make a 100% switch from GLBC to PBR)
Obviously, I must not be in Mrs. Orman's target audience. My credit limits have so far not gone down, and my credit ratting has actually gone up slightly (and, maybe her target audience wouldn't drink PBR). I am not poor, but I am by no means rich, just one of the many middle class workers in Ohio.
From my perspective, it just seems better to pay off my remaining credit card debt now, I will have to do it eventually. The longer I wait the bigger it grows. If I can pay it off prior to getting laid off, then that is one less expense hanging over my head. In my situation, it seems logical to pay off my 8% credit card debt rather than save at a potentially inflation lagging 2%.
Now, what should you do? Like I said, I don't like blanket advice, what you need to do depends upon your situation. Therefore, the best advice that I could give is to do a "stress test" of your own finances. Open up a spreadsheet program (preferably OpenOffice since it is the frugal choice), and start figuring out scenarios. Examine what your household budget would look like under varying conditions.
But, then again, my advice doesn't make a very good sound bite.
I should explain that I am generally not a big fan of people who make their living by giving broad financial advice that changes from year to year [and many times looks bad in retrospect].
First, though some rules of thumbs are useful (save money for a rainy day), I don't generally care for blanket advice that intends to cover a specific topic (save money by not paying off credit cards). My situation could vary enough from the average that following specific commodity advice could cause adverse effects.
Secondly, it would seem that for these people to continue to generate income they must keep selling books. And, if the books that they sell are not fundamentally sound, then that would necessitate selling a new book each year. I understand that as our world evolves and laws change updated advice is sometimes necessary. But, if the situation evolves so rapidly as to necessitate a new book every year, then is the information even still relevant by the time it is published? Furthermore, what is the expiration of the book or when should an individual quite following the given advice? I would assume that the suggestion would be to by the latest book every time it comes out.
Part of the reason that I like the Bad Money Advice blog is that Frank, the author, points out flaws in these peoples' reasoning. He has even recently written a couple articles about Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan (and part 2).
When it comes to financial advice, I am still a fan of Poor Richard and Benjamin Graham.
With all that said, lets turn back to the issue of not paying off your credit cards. I will quickly sum up what I think her reasoning is: The credit card industry is only interested in protecting itself from you, so you shouldn't worry about paying them first, they'll just end up screwing you. When you eventually get laid off, the credit card companies will close your no-balance card and you won't have any money for food since you paid them instead of saving. However, she does say that if you already have an emergency fund then you should focus on paying off debt.
Maybe I am crazy, I am doing the complete opposite of what she is recommending. My emergency fund is not as high as it should be, yet I am focusing on paying off the remainder of my credit debt first. I do, however, have some reasons for my approach. Maybe Suze will read this post and help me out by highlighting my flaws.
First, my wife and I both work, and if either one of us were laid off we would be able to pay all of our bills on one salary, including minimum payments on credit cards. If we were so unfortunate that both of us were laid off, we could still pay all of our bills, at least temporarily, based on what we could expect from unemployment. And, neither of those scenarios take into account any adjustments to expenses that we obviously make in the event of a job loss. (e.g. I would be forced to make a 100% switch from GLBC to PBR)
Obviously, I must not be in Mrs. Orman's target audience. My credit limits have so far not gone down, and my credit ratting has actually gone up slightly (and, maybe her target audience wouldn't drink PBR). I am not poor, but I am by no means rich, just one of the many middle class workers in Ohio.
From my perspective, it just seems better to pay off my remaining credit card debt now, I will have to do it eventually. The longer I wait the bigger it grows. If I can pay it off prior to getting laid off, then that is one less expense hanging over my head. In my situation, it seems logical to pay off my 8% credit card debt rather than save at a potentially inflation lagging 2%.
Now, what should you do? Like I said, I don't like blanket advice, what you need to do depends upon your situation. Therefore, the best advice that I could give is to do a "stress test" of your own finances. Open up a spreadsheet program (preferably OpenOffice since it is the frugal choice), and start figuring out scenarios. Examine what your household budget would look like under varying conditions.
But, then again, my advice doesn't make a very good sound bite.
2009-04-15
SAP Data Browser Field Text
In SE16, by default, the selection screen displays the database field names. This may be good if you are a developer who is familiar with all the database column names, but it makes selection difficult for most people. It is nice to see the description of each of these fields, and there is a simple setting to allow this. From the "Settings" menu select "User parameters...", then on the "Data Browser" tab in the "Keyword" area, select "Filed text" rather than "Field Name".
2009-04-13
Chris' Ohio BBQ Sauce
In the US we buy a lot of factory made food because we Americans are very busy [some outside of the USA might say lazy] people. I also purchase my share of convenience items, but there are a few items that I really hate to buy.
Croutons. These are essentially stale bits of bread that should be selling for a discount, but when sealed in a bag with some cheap spices they can go for a pretty penny.
Croutons. These are essentially stale bits of bread that should be selling for a discount, but when sealed in a bag with some cheap spices they can go for a pretty penny.
Spice rubs. These seem to frequently contain 95% salt, 4% pepper, and 1% spice. Yet, they are priced higher than simple salt and pepper. For the same price you can buy a big box of kosher salt that will: last for a year, work on almost any food, and yield nearly the same results in improved taste.
Barbecue sauce. I love a good barbecue sauce, and there are so many of them choose from depending upon your mood and the target food. There was a time when I had quite a few bottles of the stuff in my refridgerator. I had some super spicey, some sweet, some garlic, and countless other varieties. Then one day I started looking at the ingredients, they were all very similar. It seemed that there were some basic ingredients, just the order was changed. So, I decided that I would try making it on my own.
I created my own base recipe that basically contains vinegar, tomato, brown sugar, and mustard. I know, mustard is a little unconventional in barbecue sauce, but I like it. Give it a try, especially the spicy brown types. I change the quantities of these main ingredients based primarily upon the sweetness that I am trying to get. The brown sugar is important for getting that carmelization on the grill, so don't skimp too much if you are looking for that effect.
After the base is mixed up I start adding spices to get the final flavor. And, I try to set it aside for a while to let the flavors come together, but this really depends upon how much time I have.
Here is the basic list of ingredients that I use in my barbecue sauces. I'm not giving quantities, because I think it is more fun to experiment with the quantities to find the perfect balance for your tastes.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Tomato Paste (ketchup works too [if you don' mind HFCS], but then I would reduce the amount of sugar)
- Brown Sugar
- Mustard
- Onion Powder
- Garlic (pressed or powdered)
- Cayenne pepper (red pepper powder)
- Cinnamon powder (optional)
- Anchovy paste (optional)
- Liquid Smoke (optional)
- Tabasco (optional, I like the chipotle style)
Some people like to add Worcester sauce, which I am not really opposed to, but most of the ingredients in Worcester sauce are already on my list.
For an Asian flavor I'll add in some soy sauce, ginger, and maybe some rice vinegar.
The possibilities are endless.
2009-04-11
New Blog Template
I have been working on customizing my Blogger template, and I thought that I was almost complete. It is published now, and I have found some glitches. Some of the colors are off, and the comments section looks terrible.
I'm working on it ...
I'm working on it ...
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