The Templator
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php
Watch this space
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php?entry=entry071204-211652
Flirting with Danger
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php?entry=entry070918-014849
intriguing slide by Alexander (a positive thinker).
So here is a Polar bear approaching a fettered husky. On any other day, these are the worst of foes. But this isn't any other day. The most unusual and interesting thing happens next. Watch the slide and come away wiser.]]>Stripe Mania
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php?entry=entry070912-095658
there is a tool to make life easier and it is aptly named, StripeMania .]]>How to tell if a forwarded email is fraud
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php?entry=entry070816-223747
"Important warning! Forward it to everyone you know."
Read and do likewise. ]]>Some hiccups for GT500's theme
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php?entry=entry070725-100206
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.]]>Resources for web-designers
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php?entry=entry070724-091955
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.
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.]]>Too Bad This Is Not My Theme
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php?entry=entry070718-100228
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.]]>Early To Bed And...
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php?entry=entry070702-112115
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.]]>How do you wipe your CDs?
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php?entry=entry070624-105957
forum I regularly visit. Too elementary an issue to merit a blog entry, you may think. However, most of us perform this simple task improperly. We usually follow a circular motion as comes naturally to us, while cleaning circular objects. This is not the ideal way to clean/wipe CDs. A more appropriate way would be to use a hub-out motion or centre-out motion to wipe CDs. The logic behind it is in the way data is arranged on CDs. Floppies (and hard-disks) store similar data in radial sections known as sectors. Unlike floppies and HDs, CDs store data linearly on tracks. Data is further partitioned into frames. Should one happen to scratch the CD in a circular wipe, entire frames could be struck off. A radial (hub-out) wipe on the other hand would knock off only a few bytes spanning several tracks (or frames). A few bytes lost is much easier to recover than entire frames. So, please remember to wipe/clean your CDs in a hub-out motion, using the cleanest and softest material possible.
A more appropriate way would be to use a hub-out motion or centre-out motion to wipe CDs.
There are several CD cleaning solutions available in the market today. I have not used any, I must admit. The cheapest and best cleaning agent for me is, some lukewarm water with a tiny amount of mild detergent (baby's shampoo for example). It is very effective in removing grease and dust that accumulates on CDs over time. Occasionally, I've even been able to re-use CDs that I've long since regarded as unusable. Just make sure that your CD is absolutely dry before you pop it in. There is no shampoo available to undo a short-circuit in your CD drive. ;)
I have also heard of off-the-shelf remedies that promise to 'remove scratches' off CDs. Logic tells me that these claims are not to be taken too seriously. Scratches to your CDs can easily be avoided. Playing copies of your CDs rather than the originals help keep CDs in good condition. I usually keep a stack of blank CDs for the purpose. And whenever those 'CD scratching' friends come along to borrow one of my favourite game CDs, I burn them a copy and let them have it - for keeps. That way, I keep my friends and my CD too. Alternatively, you can save an image to your hard-disk and play it directly from there using Microsoft's Virtual CD Control Panel i.e. assuming you are on Win XP.
How do you remove your CDs from its case? This is another simple act that most do it wrong. Most of us simply hold the CD by its edge and proceed to 'plonk' it out of its jewel-case. A better method would be to press the centre of the case with your thumb and gently lift one edge with your other fingers. You will be amazed at how easily the CD comes off. Much better than the 'plonk'.
I know this post lacks visual references to consolidate on what I am saying, but I hope my online buddy, GT500 posts a video-tutorial on this (on his blog), since he's into videos lately. :)
Postscript: Do not immerse the CD in water. Wipe it with a moistened cloth instead. It is best to leave the reflector (coating) side untouched.
]]>I am still breathing
http://grandfinale2002.christian.net/index.php?entry=entry070526-024404
I have been busy preparing for an exam I have to take in June. Hopefully, this will let me land a better job. Yes, I want to work too, you know! :0 My tiny contribution to the SPB project is still afloat. You haven't seen the last of me. I have plans to create more themes in future. I am working on different colour schemes for the current theme - Fabric. Expect 'Fabric Blue', 'Fabric Green', etc. in the not so distant future. I also have plans to create a 'Preview' system for my blog, so that users can load a theme from a list and see it work, first-hand here, and then decide on a favourite. Something like CSS Zen Garden. Thanks to all who have appreciated my work. Keep those letters coming. Cheers! :) ]]>
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.