# Jason Duffett > Notes on technology and music, by Jason Duffett. ## About - [About](https://jasonduffett.net/about/): Bio, contact, and site licensing. ## Tech - [Lose the constructs. Keep your composure.](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/introducing-composure-cdk/): An AWS CDK app is a program that builds your infrastructure. composureCDK makes it a flat map of components you can read, diff, and hand off instead: a worked example, the shapes that make it, and why a declarative description matters more, not less, when an agent writes the code. - [Your infrastructure isn't an app. So why is your CDK?](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/what-is-wrong-with-cdk/): The CDK gave us a real programming language for AWS infrastructure, then taught us to write a program that builds it — instead of a value that simply describes it. A look at the one design choice behind CDK's most familiar frustrations. - [Tidy your tests with ts-fake 1.0.0](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/tidy-your-tests-with-ts-fake/): A ten-line TypeScript utility that lets unit tests declare exactly the fields they care about, and nothing more. - [Citrix NetScaler VPX + Safari compatibility](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/citrix-netscaler-vpx-safari-compatibility/): I found an interesting problem while configuring cipher suites on a NetScaler VPX appliance. With the 10.5+ firmware you have access to all of the TLS1.2 cip… - [Recording deployments in New Relic with PowerShell's Invoke-WebRequest](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/recording-deployments-in-new-relic-with-powershells/): If you’re not using New Relic to monitor your ASP.NET applications then you definitely should be, it’s an awesome tool providing a huge insight into how your… - [iDoneThis + AlfredApp = daily standup nirvana](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/idonethis-alfredapp-daily-standup-nirvana/): I’ve been testing out iDoneThis as a way of steam-lining the reporting for our team’s morning stand-up meetings. - [.NET Development with source code on a network share](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/net-development-with-source-code-on-a-network-share/): 1st thing. Disable UAC. I know it’s bad but I was never able to get EnableLinkedConnections to work with an elevated Powershell prompt. This was a show-stopp… - [I'm sure this wasn't Ayende's intention...](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/apple-basic-in-csharp/): Now that I know C# has a GOTO statement… - [Backing up all databases in Microsoft SQL Server](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/backing-up-sql-server/): I’m not a big fan of Maintenance Plans. I know they can work quite well, but I don’t like the UI and the way it hides the actual SQL being used. - [Beware Dell PowerConnect firmware upgrade](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/beware-dell-powerconnect-firmware-upgrade/): We had a bit of a hair-pulling here at eSpares this morning. The plan was to upgrade the firmware in the Dell PowerConnect 6224 switches in one of our testin… - [So nuget.org is down...](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/nuget-is-down/): Has your Microsoft dev shop gone on vacation because of the Nuget.org breakdown? - ['sudo' for PowerShell](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/sudo-for-powershell/): Run an elevated PowerShell command without opening a new window. - [Gmail, custom domain name & "on behalf of..."](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/gmail-custom-domain-name-on-behalf-of/): I use Gmail for all my different email addresses including some custom domain names. - [VMware ESXi, Active Directory, and domain trusts](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/esxi-active-directory-domain-trust/): Following the work I’ve been doing with getting Domain Admins working across an Active Directory cross-forest trust, I also found a quirk integrating VMware… - [Domain Admin rights on a cross-forest domain trust](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/administering-cross-forest-domains-with-a-single-login/): Update 02/06/2011: BUILTIN\Administrators on the domain controllers is just not enough, see Group Policy… - [More ReSharper and MSpec - playing nice](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/more-resharper-and-mspec-playing-nice/): Stop the annoying re-formatting of your specs. - [ReSharper, StyleCop and MSpec playing nice](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/resharper-stylecop-and-mspec-playing-nice/): ReSharper, StyleCop and MSpec playing nice - [Could not load type 'Machine.Specifications.Utility.Naming'](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/machine-specifications-utility-naming/): Ever seen this error in ReSharper test runner using MSpec? - [A guide to object equality in .NET (part 4)](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/guide-to-object-equality-part-4/): The IEquality interface. - [Microsoft Key Management Service](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/microsoft-key-management-service/): Microsoft’s Key Management Service (KMS) is a great way to manage licensing of a large number of machines. All you need is to have a KMS server running on yo… - [iSCSI, VMware recommended reading](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/iscsi-vmware-recommended-reading/): If you are setting up a VMware environment using iSCSI storage (especially EqualLogic) then I recommend reading these links: - [Editing /etc/hosts in Mac OS X](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/editing-etchosts-in-mac-os-x/): Something I usually forget since I don't do it often. - [Recommended iSCSI configuration for VMware ESXi](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/iscsi-configuration-for-vmware-esxi/): I’ve recently been working with a couple of VMware environments using Dell EqualLogic and MD3000i iSCSI SANs, and developed the attached PowerShell script fo… - [A guide to value object equality in .NET (part 2)](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/guide-to-value-object-equality-part-2/): In the 2nd part of the series I’ll explain the GetHashCode() method and how you should implement this in your value-type classes. - [A guide to value object equality in .NET (part 3)](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/guide-to-value-object-equality-part-3/): In the 3rd part of this series I’ll show the tests I used to define, and confirm, my assumptions on how comparison of the EmailAddress object should work. - [Usage of static members](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/usage-of-static-members/): A back-to-basics guide on the static keyword, after a race condition reminded me why it matters. - [A guide to value object equality in .NET (Part 1)](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/guide-to-value-object-equality-part-1/): This is a guide to providing equality functionality to Value type classes in .NET. These are complex, immutable classes that behave like a value type. - [Windows 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 won't install!](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/windows-2008-r2-service-pack-1-error/): Error code 800f0818 installing Windows 2008 R2 Service Pack 1? - [TeamCity: deploy to an Active Directory group](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/teamcity-deploy-software-to-active-directory-group/): A PowerShell script and TeamCity build for one-touch deployment of a Windows service to every computer in an Active Directory security group. - [Using 7zip from PowerShell](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/using-7zip-from-powershell/): Although it is possible to invoke the Shell’s zip functions from within PowerShell to unzip a file, I’ve found that it is slow and problematic for automated… - [iPhone 4 and Sky wireless](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/iphone-4-and-sky-wireless/): So, here I am. 2 months into a new flat and Sky have finally managed to get my broadband connected. I'm running around the house madly hooking devices up to… - [Premature Optimisation - The root of all evil...](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/premature-optimisation-root-of-all-evil/): "Programmers waste enormous amounts of time thinking about, or worrying about, the speed of noncritical parts of their programs, and these attempts at… - [Are you a ferengi programmer or want to become one?](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/are-you-ferengi-programmer-or-want-to/): http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2009/02/the-ferengi-programmer.html One of my colleagues ( the minimalist developer ) pointed this article out to me with the… - [Mac OS, camera and auto-launching application](https://jasonduffett.net/tech/mac-os-camera-and-auto-launching/): For some reason that I can't remember, I installed the Canon EOS utility for my Canon digital camera on my Mac a few weeks back. Now every time I plug in… ## Music - [This Is the Life (uke arrangement)](https://jasonduffett.net/music/this-is-the-life/): Amy Macdonald's Scottish indie-folk anthem, arranged for ukulele and fiddle — chords, lyrics, and the riff tabs. - [In Hell I'll Be in Good Company (uke arrangement)](https://jasonduffett.net/music/in-hell-ill-be-in-good-company/): The Dead South's banjo-and-cello murder ballad, arranged for ukulele orchestra — chords, baritone tab, and banjo-uke tab. - [Don't Let Me Down (uke arrangement)](https://jasonduffett.net/music/dont-let-me-down/): The Beatles' raw, slow-burning Lennon love song, arranged for ukulele orchestra — chords, the four lead riffs, and a bass tab. - [Don't Worry Be Happy (uke arrangement)](https://jasonduffett.net/music/dont-worry-be-happy/): Bobby McFerrin's classic for ukulele, including the whistling riff. - [The Boys Are Back In Town (uke arrangement)](https://jasonduffett.net/music/the-boys-are-back-in-town/): The Thin Lizzy classic, transcribed for ukulele in A. ## Misc - [Stop Forgetting How to Play Gloomhaven](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/jotl-cheat-sheets/): Free, printable cheat sheets for Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion — one per mercenary — covering the setup, round, and end-of-scenario rules groups keep forgetting between sessions. Download them, print them, and stop re-learning the game every time you play. - [GBBF 2012, Day 3](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/gbbf-day-3/): I went to the Great British Beer Festival again yesterday, meeting up with @TPCasey and @UncleSpong. - [GBBF 2012, Day 1](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/gbbf-day-1/): Today is the start of the Great British Beer Festival, relocated for 2012 to its old home of Kensington Olympia due to some Olympian Volleyballists laying cl… - [Tumblr Tag Clouds](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/tumblr-tag-clouds/): A great, simple tag cloud plugin for Tumblr from Heather Rivers. - [Code Syntax Highlighting in Tumblr](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/code-syntax-highlighting-in-tumblr/): A great tool for adding code syntax highlighting to Tumblr or any other blog. - [Beer Ambassadors Half-Time Score](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/beer-ambassadors-half-time-score/): Well this is it for me. The final day of my leg of the Beer Ambassadors at Large USA tour. It's been a whirlwind tour of hops, malt and yeast. There have been… - [The Rogue Nation](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/rogue-nation/): Earlier this week, Beer Ambassadors said " so long California " and drove up the beautiful highway 101 into Oregon. Our first stop was a noon appointment in… - [Thank you for your wine, California](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/thank-you-for-your-wine-california/): ...your Barley Wine that is. San Francisco and the Bay Area After the shenanigans of Colorado (see earlier post and beerambassadors.com ), and now that the… - [Rocky Mountain High](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/rocky-mountain-high/): Beer Ambassadors at large USA was taken to a whole new level over the last couple of days in Colorado. Things started well enough as we landed in the mile-high… - [San Diego](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/san-diego/): The morning after Stone Brewery started off with a fender-bender in the car park. A giant, black Challenger that was honking incessantly wasn't conspicuous… - [The Beer Garden of Eden](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/beer-garden-of-eden/): Our 2nd day of the Beer Ambassadors at large tour of the states started innocently enough. While the rest of us got our bags packed, Barney walked down to the… - [Welcome to my hangover...](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/welcome-to-my-hangover/): Starting the first full day of BeerAmbassadors USA and what better way than a hangover to help me remember our first night? The thing that stood out the most… - [Beer Ambassadors Trip to the United States](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/beer-ambassadors-trip-to-united-states/): 30 Breweries In 30 Days On Sunday the 6 th of June, three dedicated “men of beer” (and one IT Technician from London - that's me ) set out to explore the new… - [Le Vacherin, Chiswick. Restaurant Review - March 2009](https://jasonduffett.net/misc/le-vacherin-chiswick-restaurant-review/): I was actually going to go to Kew to check out this Bistro that I'd seen when I was there getting guitar strings yesterday, but the weather turned and what I…