Untwisted Vortexsoftware

PHPText Blogger: Pre-Alpha Software Notes

RT Cunningham — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:05:30 +0000

I'm working on a programming project as the sole developer of a browser-based software application. I've dubbed it "PHPText Blogger" as a working name because it's only using PHP and text files formatted specifically for this application.

In order to use this browser-based application on Windows or Linux, I only need to have a web server installed which includes the PHP software. I'm using XAMPP for Windows right now.

Design Goals

The main goal of the project is to create an application that runs on the local computer and not the online web server. The data and pages created by the software are to be transferred to the online server at the click of a button. The online server would only host the minimally-required files to run a full-featured blog. Pretty permalinks won't be required since the blog will live in whatever directory it gets installed on, pulling the data files and pages from a subdirectory of where it lives.

This application will be perfectly suited for small, niche blogs that don't require constant updates. It will run extremely fast since the bloat that WordPress is now famous for won't be there. It would probably work well for a blog containing thousands of posts, but transferring the information from a MySQL database would be daunting.

I would like to incorporate caching and compression from the start but until I get to the final stages, I can't be sure how to implement it all. Caching may not increase the speed or reduce the HTTP connections since a database is not being continually queried. Compression shouldn't be a problem, but I won't need to add that part until the back end is nearly finished.

The final product is going to be designed to be fast and portable, working with PHP4 as well as PHP5 and on Windows or Linux. Specific PHP5 functions will be emulated for PHP4, such as "file_put_contents" and "date_default_timezone_set".

The Reasons for my Madness

I've been using WordPress for this blog for more than 2 years. I've been examining other applications, such as b2evolution, but all of them have similar overhead bloat in the software which defeats the idea of simplicity.

WordPress started out as the perfect software for self-hosted blogs but as it progressed, it started catering to too many different kinds of bloggers. It's an all-in-one kind of package with bloat that's starting to look like something I'd expect from Microsoft.

WordPress now includes a lot of features that a lot of us (meaning bloggers) neither want nor need. Many of the features require plugins or changes to the configuration file to either change the behavior or disable it completely. Including features that can't be turned off from any of the main administration panels is the straw that broke the camel's back, my back.

Status Updates

I've already completed the basic framework and I'm working on the main administration page (blog titles, descriptions, timezone settings, etc.) with most of it already done.

Rather than writing about it at every stage, I prefer to keep quiet about it for the foreseeable future, keeping only my noble UV minions apprised of the continuing development.

The alpha version should be completed by the end of August (probably sooner) and the first beta version should be ready within days of that milestone. I'm in a hurry to get it done because I plan to use it for some new blogs I haven't starting working on yet. I'm not sure at this point how good it's going to be, but one thing it won't be is WordPress.

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My Final Windows Upgrade

RT Cunningham — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:28:31 +0000

I'm a little slow on the uptake today. While going through a website for a review on my Blog & Article Reviews blog, I remembered that this PC needed to be updated with service pack 3 for Windows XP.

I stopped what I was doing, closed all my open windows and proceeded with the update. Well, at least I tried to do the update. Before I could, Windows Update forced me to upgrade to Microsoft Update (because of my Office software, I suppose) which took well over an hour. Then another hour passed while service pack 3 was downloading and another half of an hour waiting for the installation to be completed.

Even if I'm offered the ultimate Windows Vista edition at a dirt cheap price, would someone please remind me to never buy Windows again?

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Website Review: technoNix

RT Cunningham — Sun, 11 May 2008 17:48:59 +0000

At first glance, I thought technoNix was a blog using one of several blogging platforms. Upon closer scrutiny, I found out it was a complete content management system (CMS).

What is "technoNix" all about?

The answer to this question required that I look around a bit. Not all technology-related websites are alike. I looked for what this website focused on and I found it in the forums: Software, hardware, gaming, mobile technologies, and other Internet-related technologies.

The focus seems to be more on the forums than the blog portion of the CMS.

Site Design

Not being familiar with the e107 CMS, I don't know how much of the design is customized and how much comes straight out of the box, so to speak. I do know one thing. Moving objects in the sidebar are virtual targets for my virtual sights. What I mean to say is that they're annoying and they're an annoying part of Reshadat's sidebar. I'm sorry, but the latest forum topics are not important enough to be in the sidebar and displayed on all of the blog pages.

I always look for an "about" page, even on non-blog websites. I couldn't find one here.

Article and Post Content

While browsing through the news archive, I chanced upon "XP is Faster Than VISTA", stopped what I was doing, closed all my open windows and then went through the process of updating my Windows XP installation with service pack 3. It was the one thing I overlooked the last time I cleaned the clutter from my PC.

I didn't dig any deeper for anything else because that one cost me more than 2 hours on my crappy DSL connection. I have other things to do, like eat.

My Overall Opinion

Reshadat's website is old enough that it should be drawing a lot of traffic. I can't tell how well it's doing because the PageRank is sitting at 0 and the Alexa rank is at 932,813. The rankings should be much better for a tech-oriented website. Either his website got slapped by Google or the CMS isn't as SEO-friendly as it should be.

The website is interesting, even if most of the topics aren't personally interesting for me. I'm not a gamer and some of the tech stuff talked about isn't available locally here in the Philippines at a reasonable price, if at all. An iPhone, for example, is useless here.

Would you like a Review?

My reviews aren't the best. They aren't even close. They are one thing, though. They're free! No refunds and no exchanges. Make your blog the very best you can make it and then submit it on my Request A Blog Review page and I'll try to make my review the best I can make it.

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But I Only Want QuickTime!

RT Cunningham — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:22:51 +0000

After seeing the image to your left (click it for the full size) pop up on my screen for the umpteenth time, I decided I'd had enough.

When I set up this PC a few months ago, I made sure I installed QuickTime. I didn't install iTunes or Safari. Every so often since then, the download image would pop up on my screen telling me I needed to upgrade it. Until the last two or three times, it only showed QuickTime and iTunes. In all cases, the checkboxes were always checked. I would have to uncheck the boxes for iTunes and Safari in order to update only what I wanted to update. It's ridiculous.

The QuickTime Alternative

I remembered from a couple of years ago that there were alternatives available, so I "Googled" for "alt quicktime". The results brought up what I wanted as the first choice: Free-Codecs.com : QuickTime Alternative …

Before I did anything else, I made sure to uninstall Apple's QuickTime and then run CCleaner to remove any references to it from my hard drive and registry.

I installed the QuickTime Alternative along with Media Player Classic, which I had forgotten to install. I much prefer Media Player Classic over just about any other player, including Windows Media Player.

The Real Player Alternative

Remembering that I hadn't installed Real Player or anything to play those types of videos, I installed the "Real Alternative" from the Tools menu in their left sidebar, Free-Codecs.com : Download Real Player Alternative ….

This time, I had to tell the installer to ignore Media Player Classic.

Surprising Results

Okay, so I already knew I could install all of these software items and they'd still be lighter (less software bloat) than just having Apple's QuickTime installed. What I didn't know was how much more responsive my Firefox browser had become. At first, I thought a reboot (after uninstalling Apple's QuickTime) was responsible. I must've been wrong.

I've now been browsing without a reboot for more than 12 hours (not including breaks) and I haven't seen the sluggishness that I previously experienced. I can probably attribute that to the original QuickTime browser plugin. I even surfed on over to watch the trailer for Iron Man (due out it May 2008) from Apple's site. The last time I went there, the video loaded slowly and my connection was fine. This time, it loaded really fast and my connection is flaky.

If you should choose to go down this path, your mileage may vary. I don't have a lot of things installed that I see on other people's computers, so I can tell the difference between two different pieces of software designed to do the same thing.

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Get the Full Edition of Microsoft Windows Vista for the Price of an Upgrade

RT Cunningham — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:11:30 +0000

Sometimes I come across some information that makes me to want to explode if I don't tell everyone I know about it. It doesn't have to be a secret; all it has to be is something that isn't well known yet.

While I'm no Windows proponent in any shape of the word, I consider it my duty to tell you how to get Microsoft Windows Vista for less than full retail price. That is, if you don't already have Vista installed.

The Scoop

You can buy the Microsoft Windows Vista "upgrade edition" (with Service Pack 1 even) and install it on any PC as the more expensive "full edition", without paying the full price.

It's crazy, but I wouldn't lie about a thing like this. You can always check my source.

The Source

The latest Windows Secret newsletter includes an article by the editorial director, Brian Livingston, which gives us the dirty low down in "Article on Vista upgrade trick rattles the cages".

It all started with his article in 2007, "Get Vista upgrade, never pay full price", which explained a procedure which is supported by several built-in dialog boxes, indicating it was deliberately included by the developers.

A second article written by Scott Dunn about a week ago, "It's official: upgrade hack included in Vista SP1", shed some more light on the subject.

The Reverse Bait-and-Switch

As Brian explains in his latest article, Microsoft sells Windows Vista for an incredibly high price knowing full well that consumers who are tech-savvy will use the workaround and save a substantial amount, on any edition.

It's like going to a new car dealer and he shows you something expensive, which makes you wince. Then he shows you something a lot cheaper and you decide to buy it. The cheaper model is always easier to sell when it's done like that. Imagine if the dealer had used cars as well. Why would he show you the used cars first, being the cheapest of the lot, when he could get much more out of new car even if it isn't the top of the line?

It's a stupid analogy, but I've seen it in practice. I believe Microsoft is doing the same thing without admitting to it.

Never Mind, I Don't Do Windows

Regardless of their marketing tactics, I will never buy another version of Windows. Vista is too damned expensive for the average consumer. Here in the Philippines, unless we want to buy an expensive computer system, we have to buy the operating system separately.

Here's my war cry: Give me Linux or give me death! Well, not that extreme, but you get the point.

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Blog Review: Hari's Corner

RT Cunningham — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:53:11 +0000

This is a re-review of Hari's Corner. The first time was here: Blog Review: Hari's Corner. Hari asked for the re-review since he noticed I was becoming more critical when doing the reviews.

What is "Hari's Corner" all about?

In his own words, it's about his "humour, cartoons, tech, software, reviews, essays, articles and HOWTOs intermingled with random philosophy now and then".

Hari seems to write in spurts, continuing on for days on end, and then taking a break for days on end. That's his way and he won't change for anyone. He's a little busy these days, working on things for his blogging software.

Site Design

The blog is attractive, both in color scheme and design. Hari created the skin himself. The sidebar has no clutter and no slow-loading widgets to contend with.

Since my last review of his site, Hari has switched from the WordPress platform to the b2evolution platform for blogging. He even wrote the code for importing the database.

The key elements I look for in a blog are there. I don't agree, however, with the placement of his "contact" link in the footer. It's the last place most people would look for it.

Article and Post Content

There's so much good stuff on Hari's blog, it's hard to point out any one article as being better than another. Since I'm a link loving fool, I'll pick a recent one.

One of Hari's noms de plume (go ahead, look it up), Papa Hari, has declared the Papa Hari World Government bans hyperlinks. Well now, aren't we in a pickle?

My Overall Opinion

I really like Hari's blog. I really like Hari. When Hari doesn't visit any of my blogs for weeks at a time, I feel as if something is amiss. When Hari writes consistently, it's one of my favorite (or favourite since he likes the British form) blogs to visit.

Hari is Indian. No, not what the U.S. Native Americans were formerly called, but a true Indian. You'd never know it from his writings, however, because he commands the British form of English better than many people who write English as their first language.

Would you like a Review?

My reviews are not the best, and I won't pretend they're even close to being the best, but they're free! You can't beat that with a stick. Submit your blog on my Request A Blog Review page and I'll see if I can do your blog justice.

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WordPress Woes

RT Cunningham — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:57:56 +0000

I just spent the last 24 hours upgrading WordPress on 3 blogs. Things broke. Some people were blamed, others were shot.

I could have saved myself a whole lot of headaches if I'd disabled the cache on each of them while changing the widgets. Mine kept disappearing on me. If you haven't upgraded yet, do yourself a favor and do that first.

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Bypass WordPress Content Plugins with a Simple Hack

RT Cunningham — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:16:12 +0000

There are a few WordPress plugins that add text to the main content, such as "Related Entries" and "Similar Posts". (I prefer the latter due it being updated frequently.)

Other types of of plugins are available, but for my example I want to use Similar Posts. The proper way to include the plugin, in addition to the initial installation, is to add a line of code to single.php and/or index.php, similar to this:

By including the code in the theme, the plugin affects every post. How do you prevent it from affecting a specific post? Change that line to:

post_content, '')) similar_posts(); ?>

When you write or edit a post, you would simply add to the end of the post, which would basically tell the post to ignore that plugin.

This kind of hack will work for any plugin that adds text onto the content. Sometimes it's easier to do it this way than to try to use the options available with the plugins.

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Experimentating for the Mooses

RT Cunningham — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:46:01 +0000

If you think the article title is convoluted and confusing, you should see the inside of my head right about now. Don't worry; I'll make some kind of a point real soon.

The fact of the matter is that words are power. How you use them can make a huge difference in how you're perceived by others. Is that man over there a smart man or is he a moron? Your first impression, before the man speaks, may be completely different than your impression once he does.

The words we use and how we use them, in any language, can color the perceptions of those around us, specifically their perceptions of us. If we talk like idiots, we'll be perceived as idiots, it's really that simple.

A lot of people write differently than they speak. Some of you may be thinking "duh", but a lot of people also write EXACTLY how they speak. If we write like idiots, we'll be perceived as idiots. Would you want to read something written by an idiot (excluding me, of course, because I'm awesome)?

If you wanted to venture a guess, would you think that the article title was meant to read "Experimenting for the Moose", "Experimenting for the Missus", "Experimenting for the Masses", or something completely unrelated? In this case, it's meaningless, as I meant it to be.

I will, however, be experimenting with something in the next couple of months: Dragon NaturallySpeaking (No, I'm not being paid for this dammit!) I have the software sitting on a shelf in a cabinet here somewhere. I don't even know which version it is and I've never used it before. Since I'm convinced that natural writing helps with originality, I'm hoping it will help me to write more like I speak.

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Students: Don't Pay Full Price for Microsoft Office

RT Cunningham — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 10:53:40 +0000

The last time I purchased Microsoft Office, I paid the full price. I never even thought to buy it for my son, who was a full-time student back then. As a matter of fact, he's still a full-time student, only now he's a full-time college student.

Microsoft sells several different versions of their office product through resellers. If you're going to buy it anyway, why not buy it through CostCaptain.com, where you're guaranteed the real deal and with any applicable discounts? Students only need to prove their academic statuses to get the discount.

I'm not going to compare prices here because prices change. I can tell you this though: The student version is about the same price as Microsoft Office Standard and doesn't have all the standard features. Why not get the better of the two? Use your student discount and get what I got for a lot less.

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