All posts in Outer Monologue

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

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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.

Every so often, in pretty much any field, something comes out or is released that I don't realise I've been missing until it's pointed out to me. Today it is a little proof of concept for toggling multiple check boxes by click-hold-drag. This is something that I've become familiar and comfortable with in desktop programs, but I never noticed it was missing from web browsers. Now this script has pointed out that it's not there - I miss it.

I decided quite a while ago, probably about 18 months ago, that I wasn't going to attempt to style form controls any more.

This was based on my personal experience and my personal preference - I think your average user appreciates being able to easily identify a text box, a form button etc. - as forms can be confronting beasts to some people. If you leave all the form controls in their default style in the users chosen browser then at least they can readily and quickly identify and understand them.
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I've just read this great little interview with Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails). It doesn't give much insight into his music and new album etc. but it's another great slice of artist's views on the music industry and the record labels continued resistance, and stupidity, to the changes in the way in which we consume music.

Quiet Times

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I've been very quiet recently due to two things, firstly I had been working pretty much ever spare hour my new project (more details to come soon) and then 3 almost weeks ago I got the keys to my first house. It's needed quite a bit of work (OK it didn't need it, but it really was the best time to do it) so I've spent pretty much every spare hour in the house - I hadn't been near a computer for the first 8 days of getting the keys for my house.
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