Archive for February, 2007
File Transfer Protocol
A fast and efficient way to move your files through cyber space. Below you will find a short tutorial to show how it works using WS_FTP LE
So thats what you see when you activate the software.
Under the session properties when you have correctly entered the details you see:
Your local files on the left(stuff that’s on your computer)
Server files on the right (where you want to sent the stuff.)
Hit ok, and the connection will be made.
When connection established, usually only a few seconds, you can navigate through your local files (on the left), using the green arrow. Click this until you get to your root drive. Usually the c:\ drive as below:
From here you should be able to find your pics etc. to send to the server.
You will have a destination folder ready.
In this example the folder is called amelofile (on the right), double left click folder to open it. It is empty in the example.
Note: Click the binary box to send pictures. Click the ASCII to send text files. Make sure the files you want to send are highlghted and click the arrow in the middle of the two locations in the direction you want to send. So in this case to upload to server click right. That’s it… Job done
You can download a copy here: WS_FTP LE 3.2
February 24th, 2007
Not really, just a nice mirror
or is it?
click the pics.
Big thanks to Linda, Gordon and family, Happy 2007
February 21st, 2007
feel like I’m starting over
Please read for intro: WordPress as a CMS
I have to document this in cyber land, or the chances are I will forget, or not be able to decipher my hand written notes.
So I have my basic design, and I’m using the Blix theme, because I am already familiar with it, as it provides the scaffolding for this blog.
With that in mind, and the fact that transmuting the theme to my will in the first instance was, lets say a task doing it all again for a new and totally different project presented more challenges.
There is out there a fairly heated debate as to the best platform for building dynamic sites. I like wordpress, but I also like corel photopaint opposed to photoshop, I guess it’s just the old familiarity.
The details
I have intergrated the design with Blix and all seems good.
What I want to begin with is a static front page, but also have that page easily updatable by the client.
Small sites I have done in the past have always been down to me to update, so to have a non-designer come in with additions and customisation in mind presents some accesibility issues.
So back to wordpress, I think the interface is reasonably intuaitive, and if problems arise I can be on hand to guide the way.
How dy’a do it?
Firstly: As basic as possible I copied the index.php file and saved it to a spans.php (whatever) this would allow me to use that template for created pages for the semi-static side of the site.
Secondly: Copied the index.php and saved it orig.php, so I have it in case of meltdown.
Thirdly: Deleted the posts loop from index.php so I can use all the good stuff without the clutter hitting the front page by default.
Please note, at this point I would love a highly qualified mentor!!
Update
Been playing in code, I have the feeling again, when things begin to come together.
I am at this point going to show how to use WS_FTP LE
I think it might come in handy GO..
Latest News and Updates
The project I’m working on as mentioned above required a static front page, and I have outlined how I planned to achieve this. Well anyway it didn’t work, i geuss it has something to do with the blix extended page functions, which ironically was the route of the probelm I am about to describe below.
Introducing the latest version of wordpress
WordPress 2.1
I came across this whilst browsing for a solution to the static page quest. I was delighted to see that the latest version of WP came with the option to make a page static, (to take it out of the loop), and designate post pages to another location.
Excellent i thought and checked to see what dreamhosts’ version was. 2.1 to upgrade or install, and since the project is on the table in it early stages I thought i’d give it a shot.
Again it didn’t work, worse than that any created pages were not showing in the nav bar. I assumed it was to do with the tinkering on my part in customizing the design to mine.
A destryed database later and a reinstall and the same problem. What’s going on. flipped through a couple of themes and the navigation worked as expected. So it’s a blix thing. Major pain in the ass. It is to do with the extended special bx-functions.php. Not even begin to dabble with that code. So it has to be a new base theme, or a fix.
The fix
Not fully tested yet, but in early stages seems to work.
Check this development blog here for more details, and futher possibilities.
February 20th, 2007
Isn’t that what it is?
As wordpress organizes and categorises posts, archives, all sorts of things, you think it would be a simple task to use it’s structure for a non-blog style website. With this in mind:
I have found myself high and dry above the web triangle, my compass spinning.
The goal
To use wordpress as cms for a non-blog website. I have a load of links: See below that I think will help accomplish this task.
I will build this site and document the progress, It will a be useful learning oppurtunity.
This post is just for general reference and a guide to myself as I without bearings head into the anything is possible with WP dimension.
To be fair I have been scratching my head a little, but now feel ready to undertake this task as a theoretical, hypothetical diversion into what might, or indeed could have been..
So the thing is:
I have a site design nice-ish, needs a little work and was planning to use a content management system (CMS) to allow the owner of site the ability to update and maintain content.
With my move here to dreamhost many new and exciting options became available, and I initially looked at Joomla for the job. I don’t know perhaps I didn’t give it enough time, perhaps I am not up for the task, these thoughts have plagued my waking hours.
Deny the gremlins
The urgency that was here to begin with has subsided, I feel now ready to undertake this coding challenge, and to make it beautiful..
Check these links:
WP as CMS
Page as front page
Inclued page
February 18th, 2007
Some shots from Dion
Be Aware
Just getting this little app. working, if you click the thumbnail the pic will expand. Nice..
It’s nice, It works and it’s free.
February 16th, 2007
Non stop dust and rubble
We moved into our new house. Four humans, (debatable) and three cats about one month before christmas, the dust is just beginning to settle.
It’s one of those things you don’t realise until you’re actually through the door how much work needs to be done.
So we got the downstairs carpets out, and bought a load of laminate, were assured that it’s an easy click and lock system.
Indeed it might be in a perfectly rendered room 12ft by12ft, no corners and a level floor, but I think these rooms only exist in the sales catalogue and promotional materials.
Nothing is easy
Not in my world. Anyway, after initial success with the downstairs rooms,
I began to get a bit of a handy Andy thing going on. A word of warning, never presume the fates won’t turn against you. So finish the skirting boards, tidy up the paint work and we can chill.
So up the stairs
Bolstered by the look and reasonably good finish downstairs I hit the first bedroom to be done with renewed gusto.
So it was a two day makeover, had managed to get rid of the boy for the weekend and was to surprise him with a stylish new room on his return. The scene here was taken after a substantial time clearing debris.
All going well
Compared to the downstairs rooms with its knooks and crannies this was going to be a breeze.
And indeed it was until I struck the pipe, and had to frantically tear up floorboards I had just secured from squeaking. Even as the hiss told me of my strike, inside I was laughing and thinking what a fool you must be to put a nail through a water pipe.
I was a little annoyed that I as I was stripping off my t-shirt to try and contain the geser didn’t get a shot of the water hitting the ceiling. Full speed downstairs, mind racing, where’s the stop cock..? In the corner behind loads of furniture. Just like a guy on pcp I flung the offending book shelves out of the way and made a dive for the tap.
The fix
Was thinking about the possible costs likely to be incurred by such misadventure whilst heading to the diy shop, hoping that I could perhaps buy some self sealing resin or some such wonder substance.
What I ended up with was this, and more work. Had to cut the hole out of the pipe, fit this thing on to one end (I forget what it is called) and gently ease in the other. Then I had to cut out a space under it so that it would lie flush. Should have done these things the other way around.
So that is it really, to cut a long story short, we went all out for it Jo and I over the next day and a half, and although not 100% finished, the room had become habitable.
No pic at the mo will find it later
February 10th, 2007
