artiss.blog

Category: Life

Random thoughts on life

  • Switching blog content on and off

    A while ago I realised that I had a need to be able to turn off particular content on and off, as required, on particular posts and pages. In this case, it was to switch off comments and/or advertisements (they default as being switched on). For example, you may have an “About Me” page on which you may not want people to be able to leave comments.

    The solution was quite simple and makes use of the custom fields feature.

    First of all, find the code that you need to find switchable within your theme page and add the following before it…

    <?php $nocomment=get_post_meta($post->ID,"nocomment",false); ?>
<?php if ($nocomment[0]!="Yes") : ?>

    And immediately after it…

    <?php endif; ?>

    What this does is look for a custom field named “nocomment”. If it exists and doesn’t contain “Yes” then it will execute the code in question. Obviously, you can change the field name as you require – make sure you change the reference in the above code as well.

    I have another, titled “noad”, which I then use for turning off advertisements on particularly pages.

  • Die IE6, die

    Internet Explorer 6

    Microsoft doesn’t want Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) to die and, indeed, they’ve announced that they will continue to support it until 2014.

    IE6 was launched in 2001 yet remains popular. Most of these users, I suspect, are businesses – we use it at my place of work. Except, there’s a growing back lash against the use of this version of the browser.

    So, what’s wrong with it?

    Well, security for a start, which has moved on a lot since 2001. For me, however, it’s the problem with web development. It isn’t compliant with the appropriate standards and developers often have to introduce “tweaks” to sites to get them to specifically work with IE6. Microsoft had been pretty lax with these standards (probably because they could be – what was the alternative at this point?) and only really started making a nod to improvements with this release. It wasn’t until IE7 that serious consideration was made.

    Then there are other issues – it doesn’t support transparency with PNG images, for instance. All of this means that whilst most modern browsers will just work if your site code is written properly, swathes of effort often then have to be put in to get it to work with IE6. Here’s a useful, but jokey, comparison.

    But, hell no, Microsoft is going to keep supporting it, rather than withdrawing support and pushing IE8 out in preference. Odd, as they were keen to try and get rid of XP after Vista came out. That was until it became really popular again, thanks to Netbooks. Surely this isn’t a commercial issue is it? Microsoft appear happy to force users to upgrade if there’s money in it, but with free software such as IE, they’d much rather be seen doing “the right thing” for business.

    However, playing devil’s advocate, I should point out that IE6 was the last version of Internet Explorer that was compatible with any Windows OS before XP. Therefore, if you’re hanging onto Windows 98 with your finger nails, you’re stuck with 6 as your IE choice. Having said, that, as I think that most of this is due to business, I suspect this isn’t their reason. I know at my place of work that certain essential online applications won’t run on newer browsers – and god help them think about buying anything newer 😉

    There’s a growing band of developers who are adding code of their site to detect and reject those using IE6. This is one way to go if you don’t want to develop a site specifically for this browser. The other is to swallow your pride and change it.  Personally, I’ve not got around to checking this site with IE6 – there is a vast list of browsers I need to give priority to first. In time, though, I will and I’m sure, like a fool, I’ll fix any problems.

  • When a walk in the park becomes uncomfortable

    I have 2 daughters – one is a little over 3 months old and the other is 11 years old. Quite a difference in age but I’m sure you’d find nothing weird or wrong with that.

    So, we’ll often go out. Just for a walk or we’ll go to a nearby park. My old daughter loves to push her baby sister in the pram. Sometimes I’ll just be with her (my wife taking a chance to have a rest) or both myself and my wife will be.

    Yesterday, we went to a nearby park. It was quite busy so my wife and I walked behind my older daughter, pushing the pram (otherwise we would have been taking up an unfair amount of path way). However, the visit was made very uncomfortable by the staring, pointing and whispering. Yes, many, many people we passed assumed my older daughter was the mother of our younger daughter (not realising that myself and my wife were with them). At one point one woman, quite loudly, proclaimed, “what is the world coming to?” Quite. What is the world coming to when people are so quick to judge and jump to massive conclusions.

    It gets even worse if my wife isn’t with me, as they think my daughter and I are the parents. I’m just waiting for somebody to say something to our face.

    I blame the likes of the Daily Mail for poisoning the minds of people into being so damn cynical about the world we live in. Where every situation must have a negative twist and the world is going to hell in a handcart.

    Thanks to everyone for making something like a walk in a park an uncomfortable experience. But here’s a suggestion for next time – when you see something that you don’t like, think about what the other possibilities are before you get yourself angry and bothered. Play your own devils advocate. The chances are, your second thought might be the more accurate one.

  • Netbook Easy Mode

    Many of the Linux powered Netbooks come with a simple “Easy Mode” front end – large, chunky icons, all categorised into tabbed menus for you to launch. However, their Windows XP equivalents usually boot to the standard desktop. A Windows version of these easy menus would therefore be useful.

    I’ve come across 3 which, kind of, work.

    EasyDeskXP

    I came across EasyDeskXP quite by accident – its SourceForge hosted site contains few details. And, I have to say, it’s still early days for this application.

    It’s not easy to use, I couldn’t find any documentation and it has few configurations options. It also looks hideously ugly – particularly the carbon fibre “look” surround. Horrible.

    Easy Mode XP

    Next up, Easy Mode XP, is a particular project aimed specifically at EEE PC users. The software is, therefore, branded accordingly but it’s not too bad. However, there are a few niggling issues here and there, including copious spelling mistakes.

    The site is in German, but the link I’ve provided is via Google Translate.

    FSL Launcher

    Now, unlike the previous two applications, FSL Launcher hasn’t been designed for Netbooks, but any PC in general. It’s okay I guess – it’s not the prettiest thing, but not as ugly as EasyDeskXP. It also doesn’t take over the entire desktop, as these easy menus generally do (and whether you find that good or bad, is up to you). Personally, I’d prefer something more like the Linux versions – taking over the entire desktop experience, but allowing you to drop back to the Windows desktop when you want.

    Having said all that, it’s the best one I’ve come across so far. Not that this is a huge collection – I was thinking  there’d be more choice.

  • Boycott Scotland!

    Or rather not.

    Some rather patriotic American has created a website, boycottscotland.com, to blame Scotland for the release of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi. Now, I’ll admit to not being sure myself whether his release was for the best or not. However, as was said at the time, he showed no compassion for what he did, but by showing it ourselves, we are proving ourselves to be better than the terrorists.

    Anyway, this website is quite, unintentionally, funny. Better though is the accompanying Twitter account. Let’s have a look at a few of the gems so far posted.

    I boycott any country where I can’t speak there language.

    This was in response to somebody creating a spoof Twitter account named “boycott wales”! However, he seems strangely serious in his response. Of course, being able to spell in your own language would be a good start – it’s “their” language.

    Simon Cowell should leave American idol & get replaced by a REAL American idol, Mr. Asskicker himself Jack Bauer from 24.

    Now, I’m not necessarily a Simon Cowell groupie, but I can see two things here. First of all, Simon has never put himself forward as an “American” idol, as he is very much British (although, I believe, lives in their country and contributes to their economy). Secondly, are they seriously suggesting that the alternative is a FICTIONAL character (I’m guessing a grip of reality is an issue here) and, specifically, because he “kicks ass”? No stereotyping of the angry, violent, gun-totting American then.

    You have your freedom Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue

    He is talking about the UK isn’t he? Or does he believe that only the USA has those colours in their flag?

    Scots need to go back where they came from. We can have whiskey party here – you’re either with us or against us.

    The huge irony of telling a particular country folk to return to where they came from, from a country that, with the exception of the Native American, is built upon those who came from other nations, is not lost on me.

    Look at this flag, Scotland. it’s the AMERICAN FLAG. Case closed.

    Their Twitter icon is the flag of the USA, which is the flag I’m assuming they’re referring to. However, the comment is pretty surreal. Why does pointing out a flag mean the end of any argument?

    Their location on Twitter shows as “REAL America”. That’s in preference to that fake America that keeps being mentioned.

    Now, I can understand that many people are unhappy with the decision that the Scottish minister has made. Quite why all this then becomes the fault of the whole of Scotland – and in some cases, the UK – I’m not quite sure. But at least, use some reasoned, well thought out, argument.

    They follow Fox News on Twitter, which makes sense.

    Thankfully, an alternative website has been created – boycottscotland.co.uk. That’s also funny, but intentionally so.