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Company and industry news, featured projects, open source code, tech tips, and more.

Benford's Law

Michael Argentini/Friday, March 15, 2024

The Benford project provides a framework for using Benford's Law to determine if a given random data set has been modified.

Benford’s Law, also known as the Law of First Digits, the Phenomenon of Significant Digits, or the Law of Anomalous Numbers is the finding that the first digits (or numerals to be exact) of the numbers found in series of records of the most varied sources do not display a uniform distribution, but rather are arranged in such a way that the digit “1” is the most frequent, followed by “2”, “3”, and so in a successively decreasing manner down to “9”. The expected distributions can be seen in the screenshots below.

Essentially, when looking at a significantly large set of numbers, this law can tell you if the distributions of first digits follows Benford's Law. Deviations of significance should indicate data tampering. This can be applied in all kinds of use cases, from social likes and follower counts, to regional vote counts, financial information, and more.

This project has some sample images and voting data that you can use to see how Benford's Law applies to them.

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Screenshots

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Open Source Software Subtopics : Analytics Subtopics : Software Development

Project: Campus Outreach ThinkDrink Analytics

Michael Argentini/Friday, March 1, 2024

COS has partnered with the Pentagon, the Department of Defense, and over 20 U.S. military bases to achieve increased knowledge, empathy, and improved bystander engagement over the last 30 years.

Campus Outreach Services offers unmatched sexual assault prevention training, substance use programs, mental health school assemblies, college transitions workshops, and customized series of other wellness topics. With compelling presenters and pragmatic resources, our impact lasts beyond an hour, a week, a year. We deliver pin-drop moments for lifetime change.

Campus Outreach Services partnered with Fynydd to create an analytics dashboard for their ThinkDrink learning platform. They needed to show efficacy across demographics and teams including longitudinal test results for their ThinkDrink program.

The platform enables subscribers to track course completion, filter, compare and share results, and see overall efficacy.

Some of the key features of the project include:

9,000 users across 80 distinct organizations
Custom Moodle/PHP/MySQL implementation on Ubuntu Linux, Vimeo as secure video CDN
9 filter criteria, 7 chart layouts, and 5 demographic segments
Student score comparisons across school boundaries
Analysis of a three phase testing process, including a longitudinal test, to show retention and efficacy

Screenshots

Key Technologies

Front-End

CSS3

HTML5

JavaScript

Sass/SCSS

Cloud Back-End

Github

Moodle

MySQL

PHP

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Client Projects Subtopics : Learning Systems Subtopics : Websites Subtopics : Analytics Subtopics : SaaS Products Subtopics : Content Management

DataStore

Michael Argentini/Thursday, February 15, 2024

The DataStore project is a high performance JSON object store (ORM) for SQL Server.

DataStore uses and automatically creates and manages a pre-defined SQL Server data structure that can coexist with existing database objects. All database operations are performed with the DataStore helper class.

Your models are stored in the database as JSON text so you can have most any kind of object structure, provided your models inherit from DsObject.

Basic Example

Instantiating DataStore with settings is non-destructive. Any existing DataStore tables are left untouched. Methods to delete all or unused schema objects are provided for those edge cases.

Models

Instantiate DataStore with a settings object and database schema will be created for all classes that inherit from DsObject. The following attributes can be used in your classes:

DsNoDatabaseTable prevents DataStore from creating a table for the class.
DsUseLineageFeatures enables lineage features for that table; add to the class itself.
DsSerializerContext(typeof(...)) to provide a de/serialization speed boost by using source generator JsonSerializationContext classes for each table; add to the class itself.
DsIndexedColumn generates a SQL computed column with index for faster queries on that data; add to properties and fields.
DsIndexedColumn("Food","Email") generates indexed SQL computed columns for faster queries on the dictionary key names specified; add to Dictionary properties and fields.

[DsUseLineageFeatures]
[DsSerializerContext(typeof(UserJsonSerializerContext))]
public class User: DsObject
{
    [DsIndexedColumn]
    public string Firstname { get; set; }
    
    [DsIndexedColumn]
    public int Age { get; set; }
    
    public List<Permissions> Permissions { get; set; }
    
    [DsIndexedColumn("Food", "Color")]
    public Dictionary<string, string> Favorites { get; set; } = new();
}

[JsonSerializable(typeof(User))]
[JsonSourceGenerationOptions(WriteIndented = false)]
internal partial class UserJsonSerializerContext : JsonSerializerContext
{ }

Construction

You can create a DataStore instance anywhere in your code:

var dataStore = new DataStore(new DataStoreSettings {
    SqlConnectionString = sqlConnectionString,
    UseIndexedColumns = true
});

You can also use DataStore as a singleton service:

services.AddSingleton<DataStore>((factory) => new DataStore(new DataStoreSettings {
    SqlConnectionString = sqlConnectionString,
    UseIndexedColumns = true
}));

Create and Save Objects

Creating and saving a DataStore object is simple:

var user = new User
{
    FirstName = "Michael",
    LastName = "Fynydd",
    Age = 50,
    Permissions = new List<Permission>
    {
        new() { Role = "user" },
        new() { Role = "admin" },
        // etc.
    }
};

await dataStore.SaveAsync(user);

The saved object is updated with any changes, like lineage and depth information, creation or last update date, etc. And you can provide a list of objects to save them all in one call.

Read Objects

Querying the database for objects is simple too. In any read calls you can specify a DsQuery object with a fluent-style pattern for building your query. In the query you can specify property names as strings with dot notation:

var users = await dataStore.GetManyAsync<User>(
    page: 1,
    perPage: 50,
    new DsQuery()
        .StringProp("LastName").EqualTo("Fynydd")
        .AND()
        .StringProp("Permissions.Role").EqualTo("admin")
        .AND()
        .GroupBegin()
            .NumberProp<int>("Age").EqualTo(50)
            .OR()
            .NumberProp<int>("Age").EqualTo(51)
        .GroupEnd(),
    new DsOrderBy()
        .Prop<int>("Age").Ascending()
);

Or you can use the model structure to specify names, and make code refactoring easier:

var users = await dataStore.GetManyAsync<User>(
    page: 1,
    perPage: 50,
    new DsQuery()
        .StringProp<User>(u => u.LastName).EqualTo("Fynydd")
        .AND()
        .StringProp<User, Role>(u => u.Permissions, r => r.Role).EqualTo("admin")
        .AND()
        .GroupBegin()
            .NumberProp<User,int>(u => u.Age).EqualTo(50)
            .OR()
            .NumberProp<User,int>(u => u.Age).EqualTo(51)
        .GroupEnd(),
    new DsOrderBy()
        .Prop<User>(o => o.Age).Ascending()
);

Dynamic Property Access

If you need to access object properties without knowing the object type, DsObject exposes JSON features that allow you to access property values using standard JSON path syntax:

var users = await dataStore.GetManyAsync<User>(
    page: 1,
    perPage: 50
);

foreach (DsObject dso in users)
{
    dso.Serialize(dataStore);

    var lastName = dso.Value<string>("$.LastName");
    var roles = dso.Values(typeof(string), "$.Permissions.Role");

    // etc.
}

Remember: these JSON features are read-only. If you change a property value in the DsObject you will need to call Serialize() again to update the JSON representation.

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Screenshots

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Open Source Software Subtopics : Database & Storage Subtopics : Software Development

Project: CLSI AMS And Shopping Platform

Michael Argentini/Thursday, February 1, 2024

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) is a not-for-profit organization that develops laboratory standards worldwide. Our standards are recognized by laboratories, accreditors, and government agencies as the best way to improve medical laboratory testing.

CLSI partnered with Fynydd to create a web platform for marketing their organization, provide member and volunteer services, membership management, and a shop for their Standards documents.

The platform integrated with NetForum and other third party services to provide a single, complete access portal for staff, members, and volunteers.

The shop provided unique pricing, options, and user experiences for anonymous visitors, members, and customers in developing countries. Standards products provided digital samples and full specifications, as well as customized pricing based on the visitor.

A member portal provided everything a member needs to manage their profile, membership details, purchase history, downloadable products, event attendance, membership certification, nominations, volunteer history, and more. It also provided delegates with management tools for authorized employees in their account.

Other tools and features include public file management for volunteer communication and education, outbound links to services such as their eClipse platform and support system, a shopping cart reminder system, product import and publication tools, and so much more.

Some of the key features of the platform include:

Based on ASP.NET MVC and Umbraco CMS, hosted on Microsoft Azure
Full integration with NetForum AMS, including product data and membership management, e-commerce
Complex sales pipeline
Complex member management features
Catalyst Fire Ignition, SmokeSignal, and Flashpoint integration for enhanced NetForum communication and single sign-on (SSO)
Non-destructive product data sync keeps the site online even if NetForum is not available
Responsive HTML5 framework
Membership management, product sales (e-commerce), blog, news, videos, slideshows, file management, and more
Transactional email service for website visitor and shop communication

Screenshots

Key Technologies

Front-End

CSS3

HTML5

JavaScript

Sass/SCSS

Cloud Back-End

Github

Microsoft .NET

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Windows

NetForum

SQL Server

Umbraco CMS

Want to know more?

There's usually more to the story so if you have questions or comments about this post let us know!

Do you need a new software development partner for an upcoming project? We would love to work with you! From websites and mobile apps to cloud services and custom software, we can help!

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Client Projects Subtopics : Learning Systems Subtopics : Websites Subtopics : Analytics Subtopics : SaaS Products Subtopics : Content Management Subtopics : Membership Systems Subtopics : Marketing

Project: ATF OST Connect Intranet

Michael Argentini/Monday, January 1, 2024

The U.S. Department of Justice through the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) partnered with Fynydd to create a secure web portal for their Office of Science and Technology directorate.

The platform was built using the Microsoft SharePoint ITAR platform under the most strict security protocols. This platform is built and configured specifically for secure government use.

Access to this environment required rigorous background checks at the state and federal level for each Fynydd development team member. And the subset of SharePoint functionality offered by ITAR made building in the environment a challenge. In addition, some of our work required travel to meet with the OST team in Washington D.C.

Some of the key details of the project include:

Custom SharePoint ITAR environment for U.S. Department of Justice; heavily secured.
Integrated metrics, division and branch directories, blogs, self-help support features.
Alerts and system status mechanisms.
Custom email templates and delivery systems
Integrations with other directorate systems and coordination with other directorates
On-site coordination in the Washington D.C. office for the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Screenshots

Key Technologies

Front-End

CSS3

HTML5

JavaScript

Sass/SCSS

Cloud Back-End

Github

Microsoft .NET

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft SharePoint

Microsoft Windows

SQL Server

Want to know more?

There's usually more to the story so if you have questions or comments about this post let us know!

Do you need a new software development partner for an upcoming project? We would love to work with you! From websites and mobile apps to cloud services and custom software, we can help!

Let's Talk!

Client Projects Subtopics : Websites Subtopics : Analytics Subtopics : SaaS Products Subtopics : Content Management

Project: New Relic Playbooks

Michael Argentini/Friday, December 1, 2023

Full-Stack Observability helps engineers plan, build, deploy, and run great software. Only New Relic has a unified data platform for all telemetry data—metrics, events, logs and traces—paired with analysis tools to find solutions fast. Move past the ‘what’ to uncover the ‘why’.

New Relic partnered with Fynydd to create a sales training platform. New Relic needed to train new sales personnel using the latest product information and real-world scenarios to ensure customers were given the best fit recommendations.

They had already approved a WordPress multi-tenant environment for these kinds of use cases so that's the content management system we used. Given the security track record of WordPress we normally don't recommend using it. Since the New Relic IT department was hosting at WPEngine and securing the platform, our concerns were not as serious as they would have been had the platform been on the public Internet.

With regard to security, we also had to integrate with their corporate Okta single sign-on (SSO) platform to restrict the LMS to authorized users in the sales department.

Some of the project highlights include:

WordPress Multisite, hosted at WP Engine
Responsive HTML5/CSS3 framework
Okta/SAML 2.0 SSO integration
Shared content and media
Multiple author workflows
Embedded media

Screenshots

Key Technologies

Front-End

CSS3

HTML5

JavaScript

Sass/SCSS

Cloud Back-End

Amazon Web Services

Github

MySQL

PHP

WordPress

Want to know more?

There's usually more to the story so if you have questions or comments about this post let us know!

Do you need a new software development partner for an upcoming project? We would love to work with you! From websites and mobile apps to cloud services and custom software, we can help!

Let's Talk!

Client Projects Subtopics : Websites Subtopics : Analytics Subtopics : Content Management Subtopics : Learning Systems

Upgrade Windows 10 Without a TPM Chip

Michael Argentini/Sunday, November 12, 2023

Microsoft (in)famously requires that your PC have a special security chip (TPM) in order to install Windows 11. But the requirement is wholly unnecessary to maintain a secure installation. And it requires many people to buy new PCs, arguing that this is likely the primary reason Microsoft implemented the requirement.

Patching the Windows install to allow it to run on existing hardware without a TPM chip has been a game of cat and mouse. And until now it had again been thwarted by Microsoft.

Recently Microsoft has patched the Windows 11 ‘product server’ trick for TPM check bypass, but the bypass still works with setupprep.exe. This bypass will upgrade Windows 10 clients to Windows 11 without requiring a TPM.

setupprep.exe /product server

Tech Tips Subtopics : Software Development Subtopics : Hosting & Deployment

Project: Saint-Gobain Living Laboratory

Michael Argentini/Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Saint-Gobain North America Headquarters

Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. These solutions are found everywhere in our living places and our daily life: in buildings, transportation, infrastructure and in many industrial applications. They provide comfort, performance and sustainability while meeting the challenges of the decarbonization of the world of construction and industry, the preservation of resources and rapid urbanization.

Saint-Gobain partnered with Fynydd to create a marketing website for their Living Laboratory campus location in Malvern, PA. The campus was built to showcase their newest, cutting edge building materials and processes. It also happens to be their North America Headquarters.

One of the many futuristic office spaces in their Living Laboratory

Saint-Gobain created a high-performance workplace that encourages employee productivity, collaboration, satisfaction and well-being. By installing more than 60 of their sustainable building materials, working together in a systems-based approach, they influenced occupant comfort and well-being.

The marketing website included a visitor signup flow and several interactive content units including photo gallery, infographics, news feed, social network updates, video library, and more.

Some highlights of the project include:

ASP.NET/C# technology stack
SASS/Compass for powerful layout control; fully responsive
JQuery.Validate, Lightgallery, slick carousel, reCAPTCHA, custom hero and animated page scrolling
Contact and tour forms
Kaltura video library

Screenshots

Key Technologies

Front-End

CSS3

HTML5

JavaScript

Sass/SCSS

Cloud Back-End

Amazon Web Services

ASP.NET

Github

Microsoft Windows

SQL Server

Want to know more?

There's usually more to the story so if you have questions or comments about this post let us know!

Do you need a new software development partner for an upcoming project? We would love to work with you! From websites and mobile apps to cloud services and custom software, we can help!

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Client Projects Subtopics : Websites Subtopics : Analytics Subtopics : Content Management Subtopics : Marketing

Prioritizing Software Features

Michael Argentini/Friday, October 13, 2023

Being a pragmatist when it comes to software development, I generally prefer simple solutions whenever possible. So when clients are faced with the challenge of determining which features to add to their products, as a starting point I usually recommend looking at user value versus cost to implement.

Given a progressive value scale from a “cup of coffee” at the low end and a “house” at the high end, we can easily see where the best choices lie.

Looking at the first row in this example, if a user values a feature at “house” and your cost to implement is a “cup of coffee” this feature addition becomes a no-brainer.

Likewise if a user values a feature at a “cup of coffee” but it will cost a “house” to build, it's certainly a feature to avoid implementing.

There may be some diamonds in the center blue area, but more information is usually required before we make those decisions.

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There's usually more to the story so if you have questions or comments about this post let us know!

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Tech Industry Subtopics : Software Development

Good User Interface Design Is Always Subjective

Michael Argentini/Saturday, October 7, 2023

Tech Industry Subtopics : Design & CSS

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