Editing Word and Excel Files

I came across some interesting information in researching an issue for a client yesterday.  When you edit a file in Word or Excel (and one would assume, other Microsoft applications), the application creates a temporary file to do the edits in.  This protects the original document while you’re working on it.  When you want to save your changes, the application deletes the original file and renames the temporary file to the name of the original.  There are two implications of this I’d like to point out:

• To edit a Word or Excel file, a user needs delete privileges in the directory the file resides in.
• If you’ve set up custom privileges on an individual Word or Excel file, these privileges are lost as soon as the file is changed and saved.  When the temporary file is created, it inherits the permissions set on the parent folder.  When you save your edits, the temporary file – with the new set of permissions – replaces the original.

Moved on

As of this past Friday, I’ve moved on from my long time client.  I went out there in June (20th?) of 2005 for a 5 week gig to fill in for their Wintel Technical Lead who had just given notice.  My last day there was August 18th, 2006.  That’s 14 months.

This week has pretty much sucked as far as billable hours goes.  However, I start a nearly 3 week project on Monday and have some other projects lining up so I should be fairly busy for a little while after this week.

The upshot is this has given me more time to work on the team blog at work.

Do you have the smell of burning flesh?

The latest issue of Wired has an interesting article called “The War on Terror.”  It’s about using virtual reality to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans, or Shell-Shock.  Many veterans of war come home with issues.  The problem frequently manifests itself in nightmares and flashbacks.   Also common are depression, anger, and general jumpiness. 

Psychologists are using virtual reality to help soldiers readjust to civilian life and put the ugliness of war behind them.  Technology has advanced to the point where very realistic environments can be created.  Not only with images but sounds and smells as well (hence the title of my post, which is a quote from the article).  Give it a read.

Why no posting?

So, I’ve been rather lax on my posting and it’s been for a variety of reasons.  First, I’m a major procrastinator.  Second, I watch too much TV and play too much World of Warcraft.  I also went to Chicago last weekend for Wizard World (yes, I am such a geek).

However, I’ve also been working on some work stuff.  I’m trying to write another article but I’m having trouble finding the information I need.  The first article hasn’t been published, yet, but we’re working on it.  I’ve been told it will go out in my group’s newsletter at work.  I’ve also been working on my group’s blog.  If you know me, get in touch with me and I’ll tell you where it is.   At least for now, I’d like to keep my personal blogging as seperate from my employer as I can.