All posts in Outer Monologue

I've previously highlighted the geekery that is using pseudo-code for non code related activities (in my case an IM insult) and just though I'd share this lovely example from Null is Love:

RUBY:
  1. piper = Baby.new(:name => 'Piper',
  2.                  :born => '2008-06-09 18:22:00 EDT',
  3.                  :weight => {:lbs => 6, :oz => 8},
  4.                  :length => {:inches => 21.25})
  5.  
  6. skoglunds.children <<piper
  7.  
  8. piper.daily do |p|
  9.   8.times do
  10.     p.eat
  11.     p.poop
  12.     p.sleep
  13.   end
  14. end

I've just about given up adding comments to blogs as about 80% of the ones I've made recently haven't appeared on the post after I've submitted them.

If you've got spam filters and they're catching comments then inform the users that their comment has been identified as possible spam, if you've got moderation on comments then inform the users.

I don't know how many times I've submitted a comment twice as it hasn't appeared the first time (and usually never does the second time either) just to make sure that it's not a cookie issue -- as in my RSS reader I don't have cookies enabled.

So the long and short of it, is that if for any reason a comment will not appear as soon as the user has submitted it then inform the users that you've got their comment and the reason it hasn't appeared. If you're just returning the existing page without their comment you're going to frustrate people (I can't be the only person this annoys).

I used the BBC iPlayer for the first time yesterday so I decided I'd share my thoughts on that and as it turns out a few other things with regards to on demand TV.

Firstly I must make the point that I have the a home made Personal Video Recorder (PVR, using GB-PVR) which I had and used for nearly 3 years and a Sky+ box. Both of these have really helped me detach from being locked into the TV schedule and digital recordings are much more liberating than VCR's ever were. I rarely use my PVR anymore, only as a DVD player and to watch older recorded/downloaded programs & films - but it would be the perfect machine for any on demand TV software, in my opinion.
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I was just reading my RSS feeds (in the fabulous FeedDemon) and I followed a link to an Excel spreadsheet (on purpose).

I've not used IE (outside of FeedDemon that is) in so long that I forgot that with Microsoft Office documents it opens them within the "browser" for you. Yuck. I wasn't expecting that, not at all - and it scared me, quite a lot. This kind of thing (and the slow loading speeds with this kind of thing) is the reason I don't let Firefox load PDF's inside itself.

Am I wrong? Sitting here looking at an Excel spreadsheet within FeedDemon you'll have to forgive me for thinking that it's all a bit scary.

I know you, just like me, has looked for a cool throbber/loader graphic for your web application more than one. Go on admit it.

Well there is no need to search any more as I've found a site that lets you create one from many available styles: AjaxLoad.info. Fantastic!

I just read a post on Autosport.com on the subject of a failed trademark application for exclusive rights to the abbreviation "F1" and I found it very odd and interesting that the Trademark Registry cited content found on Wikipedia in their response:

As Wikipedia comments, F1 is the highest class of single-seat, open-wheel formula auto racing. There is no hint in the Wikipedia references to indicate that F1 is seen as anything other than a particular form of motor racing...

Maybe this marks some sort of watershed in the arguments as to the validity of Wikipedia, or maybe that's already been and gone and this is the first time I've noticed it. Any which way I thought it was interesting.

I've had a site hosting an animation of mine called The Mime since mid 2002. I did have in mind to have for the site to be from the perspective of The Mime from the film and that he would have a diary etc. etc.

This was back when I was hoping to work in some sort field in 3D animation, that is before I accidentally became a full-time web developer (don't worry I've progressed a lot since I did the site for the animation).
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Pseudo Code Insult

2 comments, join the discussion.

A recent tradition in our inter-office messenger chat has been to talk in pseudo-code, usually just because it makes a statement a lot more funnier. Yes it's a little (ok, a lot) geeky.

Today I received this message:

PHP:
  1. if( time() == $dave->getBirthday() ) {
  2.     $dave->setAge( $dave->getAge() + 1 );
  3.  
  4.     if( $dave->getAge()> $michael->getAge() ) {
  5.         michael->laugh();
  6.         die($laughing);
  7.     }
  8. }

I think someone's trying to say I'm old.

Now I didn't expect to hear this when I came into work this morning:

"Dude, look Safari on Windows"

I was a little incredulous at first, but it turns out it's true you can now get Safari for Windows.

While this is interesting I think I'll be sticking with Firefox, as I've never got on with Safari on the Mac anyway. I'll give it a try though as it does seem silly fast compared to the other Windows browsers.

I've read a few stories about people who having been sued by the RIAA for downloading music have stood up and counter-sued or at least fought it in court; but this one looks like it could be one of the best. It looks like they've really put some thought (and legal council) into the issue and come up with some great countersuits.

It's great to see people stand up against this, but again it's such a shame that people have to fight the RIAA in this manner. Surely it would be better all-round to embrace the many great potentials that the web as a distribution channel presents?

Link from Boing Boing.