View and convert Visual Foxpro .fpt files

Foxpro (.dbf) databases store memo fields in an separate file with the .fpt extension. I've been using DBF Explorer to poke around in a .dbf database recently but all of the memo fields were left blank. Luckily I've come across a nifty little perl script which will convert .dbf AND .fpt (in situ no less) files into .csv or apparently .json. You can find dbf2csv free at Burton Systems Software. The license even states that the script is "uncopyrighted". Easy as pi!

Netgear GS108v2: The Immortal Switch

We have a couple of Netgear ProSafe 8 Port Gigabit Switch model GS108v2 around the office. These things fail so often it's not even funny. Luckily I've discovered something I would guess Netgear would rather I forget. The device comes with a lifetime warranty on the hardware. The really interesting piece here, though, is that if the device was purchased prior to 11/09 an RMA doesn't require a proof of purchase. What's that you say? They're still available on Amazon? That's right - $60 USD will buy a gigabit switch with a warranty that will last until 2037! Though, by 2037 we'll likely be on 1000GbaseT or some such, but still - thanks Netgear!

Pro am tip of the day

If you walk in to the workplace someone asks you "Are you here to fix the internet?" the correct answer is simply "Yes".

Avería: The average font

I recently read about Avería on BoingBoing. This font was generatively produced by averaging some 725 different fonts using a purpose developed algorithm. Yesterday while randomly browsing the Open Font Library I was pleasantly surprised to find a copy of Avería! It's available in seven different weights in truetype format. I'm unfamiliar with the license, but the details are available and I'm guessing it's pretty permissive. I think this may be the beige of typefaces.