If the purpose of Version 5 was to add the ability to use Python in the context of md2pptx the purpose of version 6 is to extend md2pptx’s automation capabilities still further. This time instead of Python it’s AppleScript. The context is different too: With Version 5 the Python support runs the user-supplied code asContinue reading “md2pptx 6 Is Another Big Step Forward”
Author Archives: Martin Packer
md2pptx 5 Is A Big Step Forward
A while back I experimented with executing user-provided Python. It seemed a small step at the time, but I had a hunch it would turn out to be a much bigger thing. Coding it was straightforward but two things delayed releasing it: Documentation is tricky. The python-pptx API is (necessarily) not for the faint ofContinue reading “md2pptx 5 Is A Big Step Forward”
mdpre Comes Of Age
I wondered a while back why I hadn’t got mdpre to 1.0. It turns out there were still some things I felt it needed to have it “graduate”. I suppose I should explain what mdpre actually is. It’s a tool for preprocessing text into Markdown, This text is “almost Markdown” or “Markdown+” so you canContinue reading “mdpre Comes Of Age”
REXX And Python
A long time ago I wrote blog posts about driving Unix System Services from REXX. My motivation at the time was relatively minor. Now, however, I have a stronger motivation: Python. You might or might not be aware that z/OS has modern Python support – and I expect it to keep up very well asContinue reading “REXX And Python”
Well, That’s Embarrassing
I’ve had a task on my to-do list for some time now to assess the state of my blog and publish some posts I knew I had drafted. Typically I write posts while in the air – as there’s precious little else to do. So I’d written several – some with more topicality than others.Continue reading “Well, That’s Embarrassing”
z17 Sustainability Metrics – Part 0
I call this “Part 0” because I haven’t yet seen any data. However I think it useful to start here, rather than waiting for customer data to appear – for two reasons: Sharing what data is available is useful. Showing how “folklore” is built is instructive and useful. As you might expect, I’ve been downContinue reading “z17 Sustainability Metrics – Part 0”
Mainframe Performance Topics Podcast Episode 36 “Telum Like It Is”
We were especially keen to get a podcast episode out on the day z17 was announced, having both worked on the launch project in various capacities. So, for once there was a deadline – which we actually made. It was a pleasure to record this, with almost every piece of it related to z17. SoContinue reading “Mainframe Performance Topics Podcast Episode 36 “Telum Like It Is””
Mainframe Performance Topics Podcast Episode 35 “In Search Of EXCELence?”
As usual it’s taken us longer than we would like. The usual problem of finding planning and recording slots we can both make applies. But I think the episode turned out well. It was certainly fun to make. So here are the show notes. Episode 35 “In Search Of EXCELence?” long show notes This episodeContinue reading “Mainframe Performance Topics Podcast Episode 35 “In Search Of EXCELence?””
Utility Window Detection
It seems to me understanding when an installation’s utilities run is important. Why is this? It’s because utilities can make systems behave differently from how they usually do. And some of these behaviours can represent a challenge. It’s often also valuable to reduce the utility window. What Is A Utility? There is no formal definitionContinue reading “Utility Window Detection”
Engineering – Part 9 – Perhaps Affinity Nodes Are Interesting After All
I’ve tended to think Affinity Nodes aren’t worthy of study – because there’s little you can do to influence them. However, that doesn’t mean one shouldn’t understand them. (In this post I’m going to say “processor” when I mean “logical processor” and “affnode” when I mean “affinity node”. Also “VL” for “Vertical High”, “VM” forContinue reading “Engineering – Part 9 – Perhaps Affinity Nodes Are Interesting After All”
Mainframe, Performance, Topics 