Subversion Links

I've been working on a software project at home for the past several weeks. Until now, I haven't had the project under source code control. A few days ago, I installed open source Subversion and I'm very happy with the results.

I installed the Windows version of CollabNet Subversion from openCollabNet. The current version is 1.4.2. Installation is painless. You just have to answer a few questions including whether to install Subversion as an add-on to an Apache server or as a standalone server (svnserve). I chose the standalone option and my server was up and running in a matter of minutes.

One tip: You will want to check out the instructions for running svnserve as a Windows service. This lets you can automatically start your Subversion server when you start Windows. You can also use the services UI to stop your server, for example, when you back up your repository.

Although CollabNet Subversion includes a command line client, you can pick from a handful of GUI clients too. I chose Subclipse, an Eclipse Team Provider plug-in. If you've experienced the way Eclipse integrates with CVS, Subclipse will be very familiar. The preceding link brings you to a page with information on Eclipse update sites where you can get the version of Subclipse that's right for your version of Eclipse. And How to Use Subversion with Eclipse is a good tutorial for Subclipse beginners.
 

Waterfalls in the Souhegan Valley

I have lived in New Hampshire's Souhegan Valley for more than twenty years. For most of that time, I was unaware of the beautiful waterfalls in the area. These are not grand, attention seeking, drama-queen-type waterfalls. They are unassuming, yankee-type waterfalls tucked away in town forests and at the edges of farmers' fields. But they are beautiful just the same.

Here is a concise guide to the local waterfalls I've visited. It is a guide I wish I had years ago.

Lower Purgatory Falls



Location: Off Purgatory Road, Milford (map).
Height: Approximately 10 feet.
Directions: See the Purgatory Watershed Conservancy page for directions. There are directions to both the lower falls, pictured above, and the upper falls. The upper falls are nice, but the lower falls are more accessible.

Tucker Brook Falls



Location: Tucker Brook Town Forest, Milford (map).
Height: Approximately 10 feet.
Directions: See the Tucker Brook Town Forest page. The Savage Road entrance is closest to the falls.

Old Reservoir Falls



Location: Off Isaac Frye Highway, Wilton (map).
Height: Approximately 25 feet.
Directions: From Nashua, take Route 101A west to Route 101. Continue west on Route 101 to Isaac Frye Highway in Wilton. Go 1.5 miles north and park where stream runs under the road (this is just before Putnam Road). You can park at the mouth of the dirt road on your right. Walk .25 miles down the dirt road to the falls. The road is private property, but the owner welcomes visitors. Just be quiet, considerate and carry out your own trash.

From the Milford Oval to the Oval Office

If you are a regular listener of NPR's All Things Considered, you'll be hearing about Milford, NH for the next several months. As part of their presidential primary coverage, the show's producers decided to focus on one town in New Hampshire. And they've decided to focus on Milford. As reported in the first segment on March 22:

In many ways, Milford is emblematic of New Hampshire: It traditionally votes Republican, but has many independent voters, or "undeclared voters," as they're called in New Hampshire. Milford voted for George W. Bush in the general election in 2004 and 2000; it went for Bill Clinton in 1996 and for George H.W. Bush in 1992.

Check out the link above for the full story.