More importantly though I could now pick apart the job save files. Working bit by bit and with a little help form somebody in Texas I was able to reverse engineer the entire file format for job saves. With that knowledge in hand I was able to layout signs using Visual Basic. The best use was “drawing” customers Autocad files and having the jobs automatically created for the new engraver. This was a bigger time saver for me and it helped quench my never ending desire to learn more.

You are probably wondering what this has to do with vectorizing fills in True Type fonts. Well my abilities to reverse engineer Dahlgren’s job file save format interested one of their competitors; Xenetech USA, Inc. You see Xenetech had released its own product which we also acquired that was the very first WYSIWIG interface for the engraving industry. Dahlgren had a large customer base and Xenetech needed a way to win Dahlgren’s customers over to their side. While the WYSIWIG interface should have been enough, their customers wanted to be able to open their Dahglren jobs in Xenetech and that’s where I came in.

Once hired by Xenetech I had one issue to overcome; I didn’t know anything about C/C++. The owner of the company simply told me this; All programming languages are the same, the only difference is semantics. He was right. I quickly wrote the code to open Dahlgren Job files. This clearly helpd put many a sales in Xenetech’s pocket and ultimately in my paycheck.

One throwback form the early days was that all fonts had to be hand digitized with a tool cutter path. Much like your CNC machines today you had to draw each and every line and curve of a particular font in order to make it work for the engraver. This was time consuming and if you had to buy the fonts form someone they were expensive. At the time all engraving systems used these types of fonts and Xenetech was no exception.

One of my pet projects was writing code to digitize bit-mapped images thus creating vectorized images. I had worked it in my mind hundreds of times and while I had working code it was soon to be more important to the company. It turns out that True Type fonts were becoming more popular with pc based applications. In the sign world CorelDRAW was new on the scene. I recall installing a run-time version of windows 3.0 that came with version 1.0 of Corel, from 5.25 floppies… yea I am that old.

The thought came to me that since True Type fonts are in fact vector outlines then why can’t I write code to fill them with vector lines. It took many hours but I had finally crafted a working prototype. Now True Type fonts could be used by the engraving systems, no longer confining sign makers to a small selection of custom fonts. While it took many more hours to fine tune the code adding options such as tool size and edge padding Xenetech finally had the ability to add True Type fonts into their sign making software, yet again putting them on top.

Today I still get requests from sign shops asking me to write the code for CorelDRAW. While it may be mostly a simple port, I am still waiting for CorelDRAW to get with the program and do it themselves.

Unfortunately my first go around was impeded by a lady in a mini van as she hit me from behind on my motorcycle. Two tragedies.

Last week Pam came in from retrieving mail from our SPAM BOX. I call it that because the only thing we usually get is advertisements… unsolicited. She said to me, “Guess what?” I thought the worst, “IRS, I have been drafted, what?” No you got a jury summons. “Yee haw!”

So here I sit, waiting until Sunday to call that special number and hope my services are still needed on Monday. I now can imagine what it must be like to be on American Idol. If I could just make it past the first round…

Her presentation included a DiSC assessment by Inscape Publishing. I found out that I tend to be domineering, not much of a surprise there. I am also a little outspoken, again not much insight just yet. What I found interesting was the other students and their own assessments. While the intent of the analysis was to point out our differences I quickly looked at the other areas as weaker than my own. Another student tried to make this statement but was quickly corrected. I still think there are people that tend to be viewed as weaker leaders but at least I also learned to understand their strengths. For example while my style is to make quick decisions based upon little data, those that tend to take long periods of time to make decisions are of a benefit to me. Where I may make a mistake by missing a detail, they will help me understand the problem and hopefully keep me from embarrassing myself. Of course those that drag their feet still drive me crazy but at least now I can appreciate them a little more.

The whole leadership course is a year long attempt to make us better leaders. This years course is to certify me as a Chief Information Officer. The course is part of the Certified Public Technology Leadership curriculum put forth by the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University.

I achieved my status of Certified Public Technology Manager about two years ago and this course builds upon previous learning. Anyone who has been through leadership training knows there is a difference between a manager and a leader. Its my current course that will solidify what I have learned as a manager and propel me into the leadership arena. Having been in the Army I always found those officers who served as a non commissioned officer made the best commissioned officers. Having walked in my shoes they understood the impact of their directions, something no college graduated officer could ever understand.

I look forward to the challenges of the course and am excited at what I can learn and how I can apply its teachings.

Based upon cost analysis Exchange Server still looked like a viable option for our organization. Google was not in the lineup at the time because they didn’t have a viable email archiving solution. Being in Florida with our public records laws no email archiving meant Google was not even a contender.

Fast forward a year and I still faced upgrading the hardware and software. Like whack-a-mole I whacked one solution after another. Left with no other choice I was about to cut a purchase order for a new server and Exchange Server 2010.

Taking one last look at Google at the suggestion of a new hire I was surprised to find out GMail now could do mail archiving. Albeit through another service called Postini. I started a business case and it become clear real fast that Google Apps would be not only be a cost savings but a relief on me as an email administrator. Our year zero savings would amount to $36,000 and $9,000 thereafter per year. Sounds almost too good to be true, but it wasn’t.

We signed up with Google, made our payment and transitioned 100 mailboxes to Google in a matter of hours. It could not have been easier unless I had someone else do it. That’s not to say we didn’t have a few issues here and there.

Because I was dropping Exchange I was losing my SMTP server. This meant my copiers and printers which relied upon exchange to send out status reports now would have to go through Google. Google requires authentication to use their SMTP server and if your devices cannot do authentication you may have to find a work around. I settled on installing the SMTP service on a Win2008 machine. You have to jump through the hoops of adding reverse DNS PTR’s and a SPF record if you want to use it for anything other than status reports form devices. I ran into the issue where AOL, Hotmail, RoadRunner, etc were bouncing my mail because of improper DNS records for the new SMTP server. I found a free tool at MXToolbox to help diagnose MX DNS issues amongst a myriad of other services.

Also my users had created their own personal PST files. While Google does a good job of importing them if your users did not use standard naming conventions for folders you may have to go back and fix their imported folders. In Google folders are really called labels and I spent three hours working on one users folder. He categorized nearly email he ever received thus creating over 300 individual folders.

We used dual delivery during the transition to ensure all emails were delivered both to the Exchange server and Google Gmail. This worked well as new users who signed on to GMail already had emails in their inbox.

A couple of major gripes that your users will have are Tasks and File Attachments. No longer can you simply click from within your Word Application and select the Send To… Now your users actually have to save their document and then add it as an attachment to a newly composed email. Not a real big deal but it is different. Different means change and we know how well change goes over. Tasking is definitely not the same in Google Apps. Instead steer your users to use the Calendar App. Again its just a different way of doing the same task. As of this post GMail has released the WYSIWIG Signature block that was missing. Now your users can get creative with their signatures, adding images and hyperlinks.

We have been using Google Apps for almost two months and I would certainly suggest you giving it a look. If you are interested in lower cost of ownership along with an easier to use interface with peace of mind that comes with not having to worry about your server, then Google Apps may be your solution.

I understand that if you cover the small hole on the iPhone your reception drops to nearly nothing. Is it just me or does this sound like an amateur mistake? A $200 phone (with contract) can be taken to its knees by simply holding it the wrong way. Luckily Steve Jobs has the answer. Much like going to the doctor and telling him/her that when I raise my arm it hurts and your doctor tells you not to raise your arm Steve Jobs simply says not to hold it hat way. Wow now I understand why he is a gizzillionaire and I am still working for a paycheck.

Now I just have to wait until they fix this little snafu so I can once again join the legions of iPhone users with the latest and the greatest.

Small print. I have been going to the eye doctor for years and each time I am asked the same question, “Are you able to read the small print?” Proudly I would answer “Yes”, thinking that for so long as I could read small print I would not be classified as reaching some restrictive age barrier.

I have not been to the eye doctor this year but I already know the answer to the question; “No I can’t read the small print, are you happy now?”

What does this have to do with the Yacht Club? Absolutely nothing, but I was sitting here thinking how aggravating it was and I thought commiserating with you about my eyesight would be akin to my boating escapades. Somehow this draws the bond tighter between you and I much as boating has. Does anybody have a spare set of reading glasses?

The Gulf Streamer was another race to remember this year. We made the trip to Charleston via my truck and it was pretty uneventful. Our stay was fantastic. I recall the humidity was perfect where I didn’t feel like a wet dishrag after walking outside.

Charleston Yacht Club was beautiful as were their members who graciously volunteered their time to provide us with a great dinner for the awards banquet. I enjoyed their hospitality as did many of our members who made the trip. Thank you to all of the HRYC members who showed their support of sailing and our club in Charleston.

Norm Church and his crew brought the honor to our club by finishing first overall on Obsession. Thanks to him and his crew for a fine finish.

Thanks goes out to P/C Ford for committing to chair this race. As anyone who has chaired the race knows, the GulfStreamer take about one and half to two years of planning and coordinating.  He sacrificed his opportunity to race this year to make sure it came off without a hitch. Thank you.

I want to finish up by saying that Pam and I have enjoyed three, yes three boating excursions without a major incident. I say major because our last one was met with a loud shrieking alarm as we were returning to port. Panic set in as I saw the red light; low oil.

Fortunately “low oil” means something different than “no oil” so stopping at Down the Hatch only meant we were eating lunch not calling Boat U.S. for a tow. Scallops were the item of choice and returning to HRYC was without further incident.

I hope to see you on the water and at the club. It is summertime and the Tiki Bar continues to be the pulling force for member’s young and old alike. If you have not stopped by yet, come on a Friday night for a busy party atmosphere or Sunday for a more laid back end to your week.

See you at the club…

The Battle of the Yacht Clubs was another great success story. I hope you made it but if you didn’t you should really come next time. The catch was a little light this year but nonetheless HRYC remains the champions and retains the trophy for yet another year.

The seafood buffet that was served later in the evening for the participants was fantastic. Well that’s what I was told. I had ham and potatoes with fish and shrimp not being my cup of tea.

The fine weather continued for Mother’s Day. With nearly four hundred guests and members who attended one sometimes wonders how the staff manages the events and keeps most of us happy. Not only did they handle the buffet but they were able to serve the Tiki Bar with some great food. To our staff I say, “Great job!”

Our member survey went out and we are beginning to receive some great feedback on where we shine and where we could improve. Between our manager Louis and the Board of Directors I can assure you we will review all responses and make adjustments where we can. If you have not completed your survey please do so soon.

At this time I would like to warn all other boaters out there, I have cleaned and prepped my boat. You know what this means… Pam and I will be heading to disappearing island with friends and family. I am sure that somewhere along the way I will have a new adventure or should I say catastrophe to report. As of this writing all systems are a go. Another thank you goes to Tina Webb who has graciously offered to teach me how to drive my own boat.

As many of you know Les Levy and his team have been working hard on restoring our newly acquired sailboat. This sailboat will be used to teach kids and adults the fine points of sailing. Thank you to Cal and Tom, owners of Seven Seas Marina who have generously donated time and effort to haul the boat out of the water and give us a place to work on it. I say again that it’s our members who make our club the greatest club anywhere around.

See you next month!

I want to say a word about some of our members who have given blood, sweat and tears to building our new docks. We must have had over the last few years about 50 different members who contributed to the refurbishing of our docks saving the club hundreds of thousands of dollars. If not for them we would not enjoy such clean and well built facilities when it comes to boating. Thank you to everyone that has contributed their time to make this happen.

Financially the club is doing quite well considering the economy. As a matter of fact our Treasurer Jim Richards will surely fill you in on the details. Working with his finance committee and our controller Frank Amendolia we now have a working set of financials that everyone can understand. If anyone has any questions about the financials feel free to speak to Jim.

Don’t forget May is the month for the Gulfstreamer. The race to Charleston is a grueling trip for our sailors therefore my mode of travel will be by truck. Seriously I have completed the race twice and have now learned to stop opening my mouth when I am asked, “Wanna go?” There will be a FREE rum party to kick things off and I know you wont want to miss it.

I have to send a big thank you to Les Levy who installed a head (toilet for people like me and you) on my boat. It’s not quite what Pam had in mind but it surely has become a conversation piece. Funny thing was a friend of mine had joined his brother at the club for Easter Sunday and as he was telling me how great everything was he laughed and started to mention that somebody’s boat had a head on the bow. He thought that was the funniest thing… Then I told him it was my boat which made it even funnier.

Somebody hung a little fish from my top of my bimini. Some would say it’s about the size of the last fish I caught. I thought so too so I could not argue the point. Pam had pictures to prove it. Pictures don’t lie.

As for the boat, I went down to check things out. I have two batteries installed. I found battery one is dead. So starts the misadventures of my next boating season… Anybody want to buy a boat? I would like to enjoy the second happiest day of a boat owner’s life.

My point is that when you have a question there are three of the most informed members in the club you should talk to; Rear Commodore Wayne Stewart, Vice Commodore Bill Masters and myself. Aside from Louis Sellers our manager, the three of us know more about what is going on at the club then anybody else. Before you pass on a “rumor” you heard please give one of us a call. It may save yourself some embarrassment and more importantly will educate you on club business. Failing any of that you are always welcome to attend one of the many committee meetings during the month. Gossip and rumors may be fun… until it’s about you…

On the brighter side of club business I want to encourage those that travel to exchange club burgees with those clubs that you visit. I can say that we practically have all of the domestic burgees but if you are going out of the country check with Brian to see if we have a burgee from one of the clubs you may be visiting. We can give you one of ours to exchange. When you come back we can post a short article from you and some pictures to go along with it in the Binnacle. Mike and Pat Alekson just got back from a trip and hopefully their article and pictures appear here this month or maybe next.

Well the weather got better and I finally told Pam, “I need to work on the boat”. If you recall the last time I was trying to get it started I saw a bunch of sparks come out of the motor and something told me that wasn’t supposed to happen. So yours truly, Captain Obvious loaded up the truck with whatever tools I thought I would need including a battery charger as I was sure that after all these weeks the batteries were probably dead. Pam went along for the ride and upon arrival quickly made her way to the Tiki Bar, smart woman. I lugged the tool bag and my boat bag to the dock and surveyed the situation. Tide was low so it was about a 4 foot drop to the boat not too bad, one wrong move and I was going to be baptized in the Halifax. Fortunately getting on the boat was in fact uneventful. The wind was blowing from the North East so I had to keep pulling in the lines to get close to the dock to get everything from the dock to the boat. A little annoying but it was a nice day and I was finally going to fix the sparking problem before it turned my boat into fiery mess at Disappearing Island. Yes I know that would be one heck of a story but I don’t think my insurance company would appreciate it.

Off came the top of the motor. I was pleased to see the trim switches actually moved the motor and the bilge pump was still working. That meant I wasn’t about to invest in new batteries just yet.

Surveying the case I could see it would require splitting in order to get to what I thought was the source of my sparking issue. This too was without incident as I removed each bolt one by one, carefully ensuring that I had a firm grip on it lest it be sacrificed to King Neptune. As I started to separate the case I heard a “tink, tink, tink” and looked below and saw a nut rolling around.  No not a walnut or a peanut but a real brass looking nut. As many men do and their wives can attest whenever a man puts something back together there is one universal and obvious occurrence, “Spare Parts” We men shrug it off as “over engineering” and move on. However this lone nut concerned me. I carefully picked it up and examined the offending nut, seeing that it appeared to be oxidized green. A bright moment flashed in my head, “A copper nut” Its appearance also gave me another clue as to where it may have come from. It was not a tall nut like so many other tall nuts but one short in stature. I have seen these kinds of nuts before, but where? It was a small mystery indeed but one that would soon reveal itself.

As I continued on to what I thought was the problem, the battery cable to the starter solenoid I discovered I was indeed right. It was loose to the point the cable and the nut had burn marks. This would be the source of those sparks I had seen before.

I reached for a wrench to tighten the offending loose nut and discovered it was pretty tight. Looking closer what I saw was stripped threads. Ah ha, the connection, in another moment of brilliance I now knew exactly what happened. At an earlier visit to the dealer for some warranty work they removed the cable to do the repairs. The mechanic must have dropped that nut I found and simply grabbed another one to put the cable back. The only problem was it was the wrong thread type and he stripped it. This made me mad. For what would have been a nut that cost maybe a nickel I could have incurred hundreds of dollars worth of repairs and towing. I was lucky enough to be able to wrench down on the nut a bit more without damaging the starter solenoid.

This is a good point to boat owners; know who is working on your boat. There are members who are in our club that do everything from marine electronics to diesel repair and maintenance. There is no better place than our club to find out if the person you want to hire is worthy of your hard earned money. Not only for boat repair but for many things like finance, travel and medical the members who advertise in the back of the Binnacle all know they must do right by the members with whom they enjoy our club with.

The weather is getting warmer… see you on the docks!

The weather has been somewhat less than cooperative lately but it doesn’t seem to stop the Tiki Bar crowd. With propane heaters going and the shades pulled low members continue to enjoy one of the finest features of our club. I have to say you sometimes have to be careful for what you ask. Each year I lament about how warm it is and this year I had hoped for a longer season of cooler weather. I can honestly say that I am pretty much over it. It seems like every time I plan to work on the boat its 40 degrees with 30 knot winds. If it’s not windy it’s raining. It’s hard to have boat stories to tell when you can’t even work on the boat. I do make sure each time I visit the club to check to make sure the boat is still floating. It is and that’s a good sign.

Pam and I attended Bingo night at the club last month. I had the honor of calling the numbers and we had quite a good time. The next time we have Bingo night you better get your reservations in early. The word is spreading and I fear there won’t be much room left.

The St. Patrick’s Day Party is almost always a sell out and does require you get in an early reservation. Our kitchen staff serves some of the best corned beef to be had in this area and will be a hit with those in attendance. Pam and I look forward to seeing you there.

So far this year most parties have been to capacity and even Grillin’ and Chillin’ has had record number turnouts. Try to remember to let staff know if you plan on attending Grillin’ and Chillin’ or the Seafood Buffet. It really helps kitchen staff plan accordingly ensuring everyone has a pleasant experience.

Thank you to all of our members for supporting the best yacht club on the east coast. Till next month…