Mark Stosberg: Tech: Tutorials

Kaddressbook import template for Now Contact
I'm in the processing of migrating from using "Now Contact" (3.8) as my addressbook to the open-source KAddressbook (3.1), which I can run on both my OS X and Linux machines. KAddressbook doesn't import the Now Contact format directly. However, it allows you to use a template for unknown formats. The file behind this link is one of those templates. Just put this file in a directory named .kde/share/apps/kaddressbook/csv-templates and select "File: Import: Import List...: Assign with Template" to get started. Not every Now Contact column is supported in Kaddressbook, but this should get you 95% of the way there. I used a tab-deliminated export from Now Contact as my input.
Form Validation with Perl
This is a HOWTO for easy web form validation with Perl.
Tips for upgrading Postgres from 6.5.3 to 7.0.3
This documents some of the "gotchas" I ran into with the above Postgres upgrade. Since then, I helped with the upgrade to 7.1, which I haven't gotten around to documenting the minor snafus for.
Configuring the SoundBlaster PCI128 with FreeBSD
Read about how I got sound working on my FreeBSD machine and why I look like a sky diver.
Richmond, IN 47374
Making Dynamic PDF's with Perl
I wrote up this quick hack HOWTO on how to make dynamic PDFs with Perl. This solution solves a very limited scope of dynamic PDF problems, but maybe it's the one you're having. :)
Notes on Upgrading Perl to 5.8.0 on a production web server
I wrote up this document for Summersault as part of the process of upgrading Perl on our production web server.
Spam-proofing mhonarc archives
Mhonarc is a nice tool for creating web-based archives for mailing lists. Unfortunately, automated e-mail addresses harvesters treat these as a hot-bed for e-mail addresses to collect for later spamming. This mailing list posts explained how tweaked my installation to make it harder for the spambots, while still allowing humans to figure out the e-mail addresses.
My tech tips
This is an informal collection of geek tips I've collected for my own use. These are usually not the most useful tips or common commands, since I've got those memorized. I have made these publically available so that some of you might be spared the time I spent to figure these out for myself.
Using XEmacs for Web/Database Development
A dated and unmaintained document describing how I used the XEmacs text editor for Web/Database development.