July 21, 2006
Switching Web Hosting
FYI: I am switching Web Hosting from Hasweb to Dreamhost, so if you were having troubles getting to my blog, that would be the reason.
July 20, 2006
DOM Scripting with hijax
I was reading the blog of Jeremy Keith, author of the book, “DOM Scripting: Web Design with JavaScript and the Document Object Model” and I really enjoyed his views on AJAX in which he calls Hijax
The way he explains AJAX is better than I have seen anywhere else that I have looked because it makes the most sense.
Begin with content
Mark up the content in a semantically meaningful way (X)HTML
Add a presentation layer CSS
Add a behaviour layer DOM Scripting
Basically, he says that if you are going to use AJAX, it should be the last thing that you do to an application. When I first read this, I was confused because of the way I thought about using AJAX, however, once I realized what he was talking about, it all clicked.
If you use AJAX, you want to degrade gracefully meaning if JavaScript is disabled on someone’s computer, your application should still serve a purpose. This way you are filling the needs of those who are not so technologically advanced and have a browser that doesn’t support JavaScript.
If written properly, here are some of the benefits of using hijax
No need to spend time and resources building a non-Ajax version.
No duplication of logic (e.g. form validation).
Keeps your application logic on the server.
Keeps your JavaScript file size down.
Links are spiderable and potentially bookmarkable.
July 19, 2006
Firefox 2 Beta
Since the release of Firefox 1.5, it has become one of Internet Explorers biggest competitors. However, IE is releasing version 7 which is said to be a lot better than Firefox 1.5. Now, since competition is the best way to increase new technology, Firefox 2 Beta has been released and they are testing it with developers. I have downloaded it and am testing it as well and let me tell you, it is very cool with some of its new features. One of the coolest features that was taken from Safari was inline spell check. As you type just like word, it will underline the word and when you right click it will offer suggestions.
Here are the new features list:
* Built in Phishing Protection
* Search suggestions now appear with search history in the search box for Google, Yahoo! and Answers.com
* Changes to tabbed browsing behavior
* Ability to re-open accidentally closed tabs
* Better support for previewing and subscribing to web feeds
* Inline spell checking in text boxes
* Search plugin manager for removing and re-ordering search engines
* New microsummaries feature for bookmarks
* Automatic restoration of your browsing session if there is a crash
* New combined and improved Add-Ons manager for extensions and themes
* New Windows installer based on Nullsoft Scriptable Install System
* Support for JavaScript 1.7
* Support for client-side session and persistent storage
* Extended search plugin format
* Updates to the extension system to provide enhanced security and to allow for easier localization of extensions
* Support for SVG text using svg:textPath
July 19, 2006
Amanda Congdon & BisonBoom
After writing about Rocketboom Unboom, I unofficially found out through Matt at Borkweb.com and Zach at nosheep.net that Casey Bisson, registered the Domain bisonboom.com
Is this going to be Amanda’s Secret project? Will Rocketboom go under and is Bisonboom going to “Take Off”? Not sure if this is for real, but it will be awesome if it is because we want Amanda back blogging. Only time will tell, or Amanda will.
Other Links to this plan
Amanda Congdon’s New Project? @ NoSheep.net
Amanda Congdon and Casey Bisson Form BisonBoom? @ Borkweb.com
Digg It
July 18, 2006
Firefox Sidebar and Google IG
After reading Erica Baker’s Blog, she posted an article called Firefox Sidebar + Google IG = Useful on any platform. Basically this allows for you to have the functionality of Google Desktop on any OS.
The following requires a little knowledge about manipulating Google IG
1) Using Firefox, browse to http://www.google.com/ig (may work in other sites, but this works the best)
2) Line up all your Gadgets on the left, putting the ones you’ll use most at the top.
3) Once you’ve got everything arranged, bookmark that page and give it the name Google IG.
4) Open Bookmarks in the toolbar and select Manage Bookmarks.
5) Highlight the Google IG bookmark and click on the Properties button.
6) In the Properties dialog check the box next to “Load this bookmark in the sidebar” then click OK.
7) Double click the Google IG bookmark and it should load in the sidebar.
July 17, 2006
ESPY Awards 2006
The 2006 ESPY Awards were one to remember as Lance Armstrong took the stage to host the sports filled night.
The 2006 Winners:
Best Male Athlete - Lance Armstrong
Best Female Athlete - Annika Sorenstam
Best Team - Pittsburgh Steelers
Best Coach - Bill Cowher
Best Game - USC vs. Texas (Rose Bowl)
Best Championship Performance - Vince Young (Rose Bowl)
Best Moment - Jason McElwain
Best Play - Tyrone Prothro
Best Comeback - Teddy Bruschi
Best Breakthrough Athlete - Chris Paul
Best Record Breaking Performance - Shaun Alexander (38 TDs)
Best Sports Movie - Glory Road
Best US Olympian - Shaun White
Best Male Action Sports Athlete - Shaun White
Best Female Action Sports Athlete - Hannah Teter
Best Male College Athlete - Vince Young
Best Female College Athlete - Cat Osterman
Best Male Athlete w/ Disability - Bobby Martin
Best Female Athlete w/ Disability - Sarah Reinertsen
Best Angler - Tammy Richardson
Best Driver - Tony Stewart
Best MLB Athlete - Albert Pujols
Best NBA Athlete - Dwanye Wade
Best WMBA Athlete - Sheryl Swoops
Best Bowler - Walter Ray Williams Jr.
Best NFL Athlete - Shaun Alexander
Best Golfer - Tiger Woods
Best Jockey - Edgar Prado
Best Soccer Athlete - Rolandinho
Best Male Tennis Athlete - Roger Federer
Best Female Tennis Athlete - Venus Williams
Best Boxer - Oscar De La Hoya
Best Female Track and Field Athlete - Allyson Felix
Best Male Track and Field Athlete - Justin Gatlin
Best NHL Athlete - Jaromir Jagr
Best MLS Athlete - Landon Donovan
Best International Athlete - Albert Pujols
GMC Professional Grade Play Award - Doug Flutie’s Drop Kick
Undeniable Performance Award - Kobe Bryant 81 Points
July 13, 2006
RFID ePassports Ready
I wrote a post awhile back called RFID Passports and the fact that they are ready and ahead of schedule poses many fears about the security of our Identity.
Imagine being overseas and your identity being available for the taking - your nationality, your name, your passport number. Everything.
The chances that RFID passports will be 100% hacker proof is very unlikely and when dealing with our personal Identity, 99.9% is not good enough. Passports are issued for 10 year spans which means that the technology that they embed into your passport will be there for 10 years and we all know how technology changes every decade….O wait, it’s every 6 months, I forgot.
In May, researchers at the University of Tel Aviv created a skimmer from electronics hobbyist kits costing less than $110. The equipment was small enough to fit into a briefcase or be disguised in any manner of luggage or clothes that could hide the 15-inch copper tube antenna.
The antenna boosts the read-range from a few inches to a few feet. To extend the range of surreptitious access much further, a second piece of equipment is needed to fake the RFID reader into sending a “read” signal, which is then relayed via radio waves to the skimmer’s reader near the targeted RFID chip.
Once this technology is cracked every American will have their identity sitting out there for everyone to see. There are skilled hackers out there who spend there time proving to the rest of us that technology may be cool, but technology also has many flaws and those flaws can turn into something more serious than a mundane detail. We are talking about the destruction of our personal information our entire human identity.
I mention the word Identity a lot because in the past 6 months, I have grown to realize how little people care about it. (Hypothetically) Think that one over while I take your Social Security Number, go kill someone and leave traces of you at the crime scene. Yea, your identity means nothing to you. (This was a fake situation used to prove a point)
For more information e-Passports: Ready or not here they come
July 12, 2006
All Star Game 2006
The 2006 All Star Game kicked off with Carrie Underwood (American Idol Winner) singing the National Anthem.
In the first inning, National League Pitcher, Brad Penny struckout the American League Side. First, Ichiro then Jeter and finally Ortiz.
In the second inning, Vladimir Guerrero of the Angels hit a HR to put the AL on top 1-0, but in the bottom of the inning, David Wright of the New York Mets tied the game with a HR to left field.
In the third, Alfonso Soriano was thrown out at home from center field on a double by Carlos Beltran. The next pitch, Beltran stole third and then scored on a passed ball by Ivan Rodriguez.
At the 7th inning strech, John Legend sang “God Bless America”
In the top of the ninth inning, Trevor Hoffman was able to get two quick outs with one more to get to win the All Star game for the National League for the first time in 10 years. After Paul Konerko hit a ball to left field, pinch runner Jose Lopez took over to try and tie the game with his speed. Troy Glaus bounced a ball into the stands for a ground rule double and Lopez was stopped at third which gave the National League a second chance. However, Michael Young wasn’t about to let that happen, Young hit a 2-run triple to put the American League ontop 3-2.
Mariano Rivera nailed down the save in the bottom of the ninth giving the American League home field advantage at the World Series in October. That will really help the Red Sox out when we are at Fenway Park for the 2006 World Series
July 11, 2006
Homerun Derby 2006
Since David Ortiz of the Red Sox lead the Majors with 31 HRs going into the All Star Break, most people thought that this was his year to win the Homerun Derby considering Big Papi is the best Clutch hitter in all of baseball.
After advancing to the Second Round with 10 HRs in the First Round, he was unable to make it to the championship round since he only hit 3 HRs for a total of 13. Ryan Howard and David Wright on the other hand, made it to the final round where they battled for bragging rights.
Ryan Howard of the Phillies would finally get that honor when he hit his 5th HR in the finals to win it over David Wright with 4 HRs. Bobby Abreau of the Phillies won the HR Derby last year and gave Howard some advice for this year and it paid off.
July 10, 2006
Rocketboom Unboom
In two years, Amanda Congdon of the video blog “Rocketboom” has become very popular low-tech style newscast. Even though I have only watched it a few times, there was a high number of dedicated viewers who watched everyday.
However, just recently she left the company to pursue other things in Hollywood, but as far as she can tell, she was fired since she only owned 49% of the company.
Check out the following links to follow her more:
* Amanda Congdon official site
* Amanda Unboomed blog
* Amanda Congdon at the Internet Movie Database
* Wikipedia Entry
