The Happy Blog

  • Firefox Extention | Firebug

    A couple of years ago, I, along with every other web developer on the planet fell in love with Chris Pederick’s Web Developer Toolbar. This amazing extension does everything but code the site for you. Features such as easy access validation, outlining and live css editing help to ease the struggle of developing under tight deadlines. Needless to say, my projects wouldn’t be the same without it.

    Until recently, I couldn’t fathom the idea of another Firefox extension taking title of being the ultimate tool for web developers. Then, I found Firebug.

    Instead of going through all of the cool features available is this wonderful little utility, I urge you to watch the screen cast and download the extension. I’m sure that you will agree, Firebug is a welcome addition to any web developer’s tool kit.

  • CMS Search | Strike Two

    For the past three weeks, I have been trying out text pattern as a CMS. I want to clarify my headline by saying that text pattern is a great cms/blogging tool. It’s just that it isn’t the right tool for the project that I am working on.

    Installing and configuring textpattern was an absolute breeze. I found a ton of support groups and modules that I could use to get the most out of the cms. Standards support and css customization was extremely easy to implement on this open source application.

    The biggest problem that I ran in to was the inability to create sub sections. For example, I needed to have /site/books/drama/something.html and all that was available was /site/books/something.html. I’m sure their is a way around this, but I didn’t want to get in to the whole, I have a new CMS tool that I love but have to customize it to meet my needs. This road block gave me an immediate bad taste and I decided to code the CMS myself.

    In the end, I have to say that text pattern is my new favorite blogging tool and I will probably use it for smaller sites. If you are working on larger news sites or are creating a website that requires a relatively deep site structure, look elsewhere.

  • CMS Search | Strike One

    Through out the past few weeks I have been searching high and low for a scalable, accessible, standards based CMS. I really thought I hit a home run when I stumbled upon Live Story Board. This CMS had everything that I was looking for. It was cost efficient, hosted, and best of all, standards based.

    After speaking with the less than professional representative at Live Story Board, I realized that this was too good to be true. My test demo was ignored twice and they stopped responding to my emails. This could have been the dream CMS that I was looking for but I will never know because the Customer Service was so bad. If you are looking for a new CMS for your upcoming project, be sure to avoid Live Story Board.

  • SEO Myths

    I came across an interesting page that lists some of the myths associated with SEO. Take it for what its worth, but don’t read in to it 100%.

  • The Proof is in the Pudding – SEO put to the test

    For all of you that don’t think Search Engine Optimization is a viable means to market your product/service, have a look at Five SEO Excuses. This site proves that SEO actually works and argues the five great myths opposing SEO.

  • Using & Configuring Google Maps with XML

    Through out the past couple of weeks, I have been working endlessly on implementing the Google Maps API in to a xhtml strict website. At the beginning of the project, I decided that I wanted the application to be fully customizable via an XML file. Everything from the icons, locations & info windows needed to be accessed and modified from one central location.

    When setting up the Google Maps API, it is very important to pay attention to the version. I wasted a good day trying to follow XML.com’s “Hacking Google Map’s” tutorial, only to realize that their method of using marker.openInfoWindowXslt to access an xsl file was no longer supported.

    The main advice that I can give for anyone that wants to add Google Maps to their site is to use the following two pages as a resource because they are the best :

    * Google’s Google Maps Version 2 API Documentation
    * www.econym.demon.co.uk/googlemaps/

  • Media Temple vs. Hosting Matters

    I decided to try out the web hosting company, Media Temple, after reading all of the positive feedback from various websites.

    Media Temple’s design was clean, simple and aestheically pleasing. The hosting packages offered competitive prices and packages that included a variety of features.

    After signing up with Media Temple, uploading the files, configuring the server and installing Moveable Type I compared it to my current provider, Hosting Matters. I came to the conclusion that I prefer Hosting Matters and although the interface at Media Temple is fairly intuitive, it is not as easy to configure the server as it is in Hosting Matters. For example, Media Temple required a request to the service department to add an additional domain to the server where as Hosting Matters allowed the user to add the domain independently. When comparing the packages I discovered each company had similar features and prices.

    In my opinion, if you are in need of a “user friendly” hosting company, Hosting Matters would be an excellent choice.

  • Four Golden Rules in Website Design

    Mike Rundle of 9rules published a very useful post describing the four golden rules (a.k.a. C.R.A.P) in website design. These rules consist of contrast, repitition, alignment and proximity. If time and consideration is devoted to following these rules, the overall usability and appeal in a websites design will be much much better off. Head over to thinkvitamin for the complete article.

  • Digital SLR Photography

    After months of ewing and awing, I finally bought myself a Canon Digital Rebel XT camera. Now, about three months later, I’m actually beginning to learn how to use it.

    As a newbie in photography, I’ve found it very difficult to get off of the “fully automatic” settings mindset and beginning expanding my creative photographic abilities with all of the features that the Digital SLR has to offer. For me, the Canon Digital Learning Center was exactly what I needed. It provides so much insite into how to properly expose your subject, when to choose a certain ISO setting and pretty much everything else a beginner needs to know. Better yet, they offer tutorials specifically for the Rebel XT.

  • The date is set – I’m getting married!

    This past week and a half has probably been the most exciting and emotional time of my life. I bought Kristin an engagement ring and managed a whole three days of nerves and butterflies before I had the opportunity to propose.

    It was so exciting to hear her say yes, my head almost hit the roof. Since then, we’ve began making lists, booking a hall, and picking the date (July 29, 2006).

    Please watch by as I’m going make regular postings throughout the planning of my wedding! Be sure to check out my Flickr account to see some photos of me and my “Fiancé”

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