I am a bit under the weather and very much disinclined to remove myself from bed, let alone write a post. I share a thought nonetheless, particularly since I received a beautiful mail in my feedbox. It wasn't the usual 1200-worded reports or the banal rants, of which I am slowly developing an aversion to. Just a simple caveat:

"Important warning! Forward it to everyone you know."

Read and do likewise.

GT500 theme has sailed into rough weather. Upon my request GT500 emailed me the updated 'themes.php' file this morning. I needed to see if I could modify it to suit his theme. The code was not something I was quite ready for. The updated file is a huge departure from the earlier version (v0.4). (For the uninitiated, I'm talking about the updated SimplePHPBlog.) GT500 was quick to update his blog to v0.5, while I, assuming only minor changes, plodded on with his theme based on v0.4. Assumptions can be dangerous.

I have mixed reactions to this. First from the point of view of the designer. The earlier version was definitely easier to theme on as almost all required information was on this particular file. A carefully prepared theme would not have required a change to the blog engine. This update changes all that.

Now from the point of view of the programmer. The newer version certainly has a more polished code. The earlier version looked more of a roughly done jigsaw puzzle. This one looks more swanky. Sadly though, the blog engine has to be modified to suit tableless design. Sadder still for GT500, this little project has to be shelved till I try out SimplePHPBlog v0.5 myself. Also it would be unethical for me to keep on beta testing his theme here. So I revert.

Poor fellow!

Update 29-7-2007
I'll have to eat some of my words. Maybe I wasn't looking closely enough, but the 'themes' file is almost the same as it was for SimplePHPBlog 0.4.x. It can be modified to suit tableless design indeed. After three days of failed attempts to configure PHP5 for Apache, I've now got it going and was able to test SPB 0.5 first hand. So GT500 will be getting his theme afterall.

There still are some HTML embedded deep into the system that could resist tableless design (like in the earlier version). But I think, this would suffice. Hence the need to commence beta-testing the theme again.

I must share with you some my favourite blogs. These are required reading for any aspiring (like me) or established web-designers. I use the term 'web-designers' very specifically to mean people who are very particular about CSS and its applications. It should not be confused with the all-encompassing term, 'web-developers'. So here is a compilation of what I've been referencing.

Web-developer's handbook
Very aptly named, this has to be the mother of all references. I needn't say more. See for yourself.

CSS Reference
This is a humble CSS reference but very handy nonetheless. It is not very elaborate. Instead it concentrates on the more popular CSS properties.

PIE
PIE is a sarcastic acronym for Position is Everything. It lists various bugs in popular browsers and methods to squish them. Not unexpectedly, most of it concerns Internet Exploder, err Explorer.

Developer Dictionaries
Nothing beats HTML Dog and HTML Playground.

Practical Examples
One learns more by observation than by pure bookish knowledge alone. Observe and learn.

Some free components
WebAppers shows you where free components are available. Glad tidings to any graphic designer.

Here's a sneak peek of GT500's new theme that I have been working on. It still has it's little quirks that needs working on. It is about 80% done and still in beta. I wouldn't have needed to test it online had not my Apache turned it's back on me.

Please report all quirky behaviour through this form. Bouquets are welcome too.

This blog is still named The Templator and it is not my intention to steal GT500's identity. I hope the eventual owner will oblige till the final version is ready in about a week's time.

Update 19/07/2007
I am now down to the bells and whistles. I have had to make a few changes to the framework. The theme was not consistent over all screen sizes so I've had to make a few adjustments. The current modification is 100% transparent (not psuedo-transparent as earlier) and fluid. Frustratingly, the transparent background and the darker image somehow rendered the texts unreadable. After several attempts at trying different background techniques, the only option left for me was to lighten the clock.
The theme now boasts a different 'quotes area' (that floats to the right) and a bolder 'first letter'. I've also adjusted the font sizes to make it more aesthetically pleasing.

Update 20/07/2007
Did not do much today, except adjust the 'first-letter' and a few minor tweaks. The dates are lighter against a darker background. The quotes get the "quotes" and the links are more subtle than compared to the default and jarring royal blue. The comments section too is a little different. I am too tired to do anymore. Need some sleep. It's the 21st here actually and it's 'me birthday'.

Update 23/07/2007
Some colour adjustments and backgrounds to the sidebar.

Update 24/07/2007
We are perhaps nearing the home stretch.

If you are like me - a heavy sleeper, Alarm 2.0 (for Windows) comes about as an object of redemption. It is freeware and can be set up to play MP3 music, so you can be jolted from your slumber by some Heavy Metal.

Long ago, during my early years of technical studies, I had created a similar program using VB. It was amateurish but it could play a custom wave file and did its job handsomely. Alarm 2.0 is much better ofcourse.
Linux has a much more elaborate KAlarm that can remind you about your every task. My copy of Kubuntu came with KAlarm as standard fitment. How thoughful of them! There is also a more hands-on (read geeky) approach to reduce your $1000 machine to a snooze button. I however won't be losing sleep over it. Atleast, not for the moment.