The DRAGON CITY home page
                                                            of Brett S Hallett   

                                                        an eclectic mix of "stuff"
                                                  dragoncity@aanet.com.au

Updated Sept 2008


index:   Ruby
             Blackbox Oberon
             Smalltalk
             Murry River Paddlers
             Model Paddlers
             Ettrick Spinning Wheels

Ruby Programs

I was recently ( 2003) introduced to the Ruby Programming Language, a very powerful , but relatively easy to understand development tool for rapid, and fun, development of programs that are transportable across many Operating System Platforms.

Download my article on developing GUI programs and the QT2FXRUBY program

Go to Ruby

And check out , Spam-B-Gone, a Ruby/FXRuby email visual spam filter program.

Go to Spam-B-Gone



BlackBox Oberon

Download my manuscript ( approx 1.8 mb ) in .PDF format developing_in_blackbox.pdf

which a link to Helmuts Zinn's web page containing many useful Oberon connections and files. Look under 'DragonCity' for the book.

This is my collection of notes, example code, etc I created to "fill in" the gaps not explained by the standard documentation supplied with Blackbox Oberon on how to actually write useful programs. The book is approximately 160 pages and is not complete. But still useful !!
       
It covers Installing, Setup and Interfacing to  MySQL using ODBC  in depth. Writing report programs (including a compete SQL report generator),  writing complete GUI/MySQL systems, etc. It does not cover the more esotric usage of the language, because I have'nt the need to be bothered to work them out. I make no attempt to cover the complete BlackBox Oberon Language.   It does not cover the basic Oberon Syntax, etc, as the readily available documents/reports cover this in great detail.

Blackbox Oberon is a very powerful programming tool and well worth consideration. But I should also advise you that while I really like Blackbox Oberon I have found it lacks certain features that I need for commercial database programming development. Therefore,  I stopped writing the manuscript !

NOTE:  I understand that BB Oberon is now open source as of 2004.

Find more information at : http://www.oberon.ch/

Smalltalk

A general overview  of Smalltalks I have used, plus a link to a book I wrote "Smalltalk for the mere mortals" , because I was fed up with not finding 'stuff' I needed to know to write a Smalltalk program!  (For Visual Works Smalltalk 7.3  - but includes a handly quick reference with example code.

Goto Smalltalk

A page about problems I had with VAST , 'bugs' and misunderstandings with  Smalltalk and its Manuals, etc.

Vast Bugs I've tripped over.


Murray River Paddlers

A small photo essay of paddle boats currently working out of Echuca, Australia can be found  here : 
 Go to Photos

Model Paddlers

Model radio controlled paddlewheelers has become a recent interest on mine after a friend suggested I make one after he saw one operating at Echuca, the home of Murray River Paddlers. This turned into a very interesting modeling project, whereapon I designed, built and operate a vessel based upon the P.S INDUSTRY using Radio Control (RC) to operate the twin motors driving side paddles  Go to Models

Ettrick Spining Wheels 

If you admire really top quality hand crafted workmanship, I suggest you visit this site of a friend at Ettrick Spinning Wheels 

Go To Ettrick Wheels

Brett S Hallett