Category: Technology

‘Oh my God do we love patterns’

Kim’s sitting right next to me, and she said I should add a comma to the title of this post, but you know what? The article it comes from didn’t add the punctuation, and I just don’t feel like ruining the flow of it. You see?

Also, on a related copy editing tangent, I’m really glad that the Associated Press changed the style of the word, “website” – previously, it was mandated that it be written as two words with the first one capitalized, as in ‘Web site’ – I found this out today thanks to a colleague who lamented the change. But I love it. It’s about time. Website, website, website, website, website!

Anyway, back to the title of this post, there was this great blog posting I read this week just because the title was “The Care and Feeding of a Developer” which, after reading the article, I take to be the title of a presentation given by someone named Jason Johnson who spoke at some conference or something. Whatever! I was just in it for the part where it suggests bosses buy their (web?) developers bigger monitors and other tech gadgets that “passively” increase their work performance. There was a bunch of videos in the post – none of which I watched – because unless it’s 30 seconds long and involves a cat on a Roomba, I just won’t watch it, people.

Anyway, here’s a quote from the article:

“OK, three of them have some sort of interest in music, and you all listen to music while you hack? Right? Yes, there’s a connection here – patterns. Developers love, love, love patterns. Oh my God do we love patterns. We like relational databases, we like constructs and languages that do really neat things and they happen over and over again. So we’re constantly looking for these patterns to satisfy this need for immediate gratification. We love it.”

Speaking of patterns, I found this great website called Repper Lite that allows you to make a pattern from a photo you upload. I know how to do this in Photoshop, but what’s cool about this website, is it has some built in filters that distort the photo similar to a kaleidoscope, and you can alter the photo quicker than Photoshop.

So I uploaded the following photo of my new Neon Cowboy rose:

(UPDATE! Now, click on the photos for a sample page with the pattern)

Neon Cowboy rose
Neon Cowboy rose
The first pattern I created with Repper Lite.
The first pattern I created with Repper Lite.
Numero dos.
Numero dos.
The last pattern. Which one is your favorite?
The last pattern. Which one is your favorite?

Squidoo and FlockDraw

So, while working on this whole wedding website thingy  – and avoiding doing what I should be doing – I have stumbled upon two new (to me) online tools that I am considering implementing.

FlockDraw

The first one is FlockDraw. And it’s beyond cool. Somehow, thanks to the amazing power of the Internets, it allows for collaborative drawing. Like, I could be drawing on it, and you could be drawing on it AT THE SAME TIME … and we can see each other do this … in real time.

It’s FLASH based, I believe and it’s really cool … when it works. I say this because I drew something at work, and then later today from home, I went to look at it and it was gone. I did post it to Facebook, and though no one commented, maybe someone erased it? Shrugs. See it here:

[It was embedded here. But, I’ve since removed it – it was not working as I had hoped and was busting my WordPress container.]

Of course, at this moment, it’s blank again. Sigh. Well, we’ll see … maybe it will right itself.

Just in case, I’ve embedded it here in this non-blog page: http://www.brandonandkimberly.com/flockdraw.html … It’s not working as of this writing. The “embed” code they give out is wonky, and it doesn’t even display on my Mac at work. Go figure.

In the meanwhile, the URL for the one I’ve been playing with is: http://flockdraw.com/cc0u4z

UPDATE: Oh wait, now I get it: “It’s important to note that these FlockDraw rooms are meant to be disposable — once the last person leaves the room, the image disappears.” from: ReadWriteWeb. But, still, I can’t seem to get the embedding to work. Sigh.

Squidoo

I’ve been looking for a guestbook for www.brandonandkimberly.com because someone has strongly advised me to, and one of the first things I found in a Google search was Squidoo.

Squidoo is a lot like GeoCities, in that it allows anybody to set up a free website. And, that it looks pretty crappy. I hate all the banner ads, as represented in this screenshot:

If you’re interested in seeing the Squidoo page I set up today but likely won’t continue messing with, see it here: http://www.squidoo.com/brandonandkim … Really, I just think I’m too old for that many ads. However, if anyone clicks on them, I might make money. Ka-ching … yeah, right.

Typekit makes the heart grow fonder

TypeKit is here and as more browsers start to adopt the @font-face rule, I decided to take it for the old free trial spin for BrandonandKimberly.com.

It was easy. I went to their website, signed up, chose two fonts from the free trial selection and specified what domain I will be using them on. The free trial only allows for the use of two fonts on one domain. I then copied the two-line Java call and pasted it into the head of all the site’s pages, then configured the easy-to-use TypeKit editor to specify which font corresponded to which selector in my HTML/CSS of the site, and after a few minutes, I was done.

I chose FF Enzo Web by FontFont for my headlines.

I chose Scrivano by Outras Fontes for my regular body text. I know, I know – it’s a little wild. And kind of a little fancy pants, but it really highlights the fact that I’m using a unique font on my Web site and if you’re cool enough to have an updated browser, then you’re cool enough to see it and, perhaps, be inspired by it and the brilliant web developer behind the Web site. All that, and Kim let me, so there.

But it doesn’t work in all the browsers I use. Here’s the results of my survey:

Go

MAC
Firefox 3.5.5
Safari*

PC
Firefox 3.5.5
Internet Explorer 8

No Go

Mac
Camino
Google Chrome
Opera

PC
Chrome 3
Internet Explorer 6+7

* Though BrandonandKimberly.com keeps crashing Safari. Doh! Man, I hate that browser.

Also, I’m kind of disappointed in the way that various browsers display the fonts I chose.

Check out these screen shots. Discuss.

Firefox 3.5.5 (PC): This is how Typekit displays our wedding Web site on the browser of my choice.
Firefox 3.5.5 (PC): This is how Typekit displays our wedding Web site on the browser of my choice.
Internet Explorer 8 (PC): It doesn't display as nicely, but, maybe that's just my opinon. Notice how the weights of the headlines between this one and FF are inconsistent.
Internet Explorer 8 (PC): It doesn't display as nicely, but, maybe that's just my opinion. Notice how the weights of the headlines between this one and FF are inconsistent.
Firefox 3.5.5 (Mac): It looks pretty good on Firefox for Mac.
Firefox 3.5.5 (Mac): It looks pretty good on Firefox for Mac.

A week late and a few thousand short

It’s the weekly list of links, except this is more than a week late and such. Yeah, I took last week off from blogging. I blame the new school year, a rush order at work and planning a wedding – all of which has helped to warp what’s left of my sanity.
ART
Time to take a bath : http://www.baldheretic.com/2009/08/09/bath-time

Why being a professor is the best job in the world : http://comics.com/pearls_before_swine/2009-08-16/

Poor, poor Annie Leibovitz : http://nymag.com/fashion/09/fall/58346/

GARDENING
Hunting season for gardners? : http://www.chron.com/commons/persona.html?newspaperUserId=rjudd&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=rjudd&plckPostId=Blog%3arjuddPost%3a805907a5-17e1-4765-afa5-967e18cca9e8&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest

How to ripen tomatoes : http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/ripen-green-tomatoes.html

A shot of lavender, please : http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2009/08/grow-your-own-drinks.html

GEEK + TECH
Can Streamy fill the FriendFeed void? : http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/why_streamy_could_be_the_next_friendfeed.php

Wired’s first look Windows 7 : http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/first-look-windows7

Maximize Photoshop efficiency and such : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/13/10-simple-steps-to-better-photoshop-performance/

Yahoo’s Know Your Mojo says I’m a “matchmaker,” as in, I should have my own game show. Lame. : http://yahoo.knowyourmojo.com/

We’re the digital sharecroppers : http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/001295.html

1998 was a long, long time ago : http://www.smashingapps.com/2009/08/13/how-popular-website-designs-looked-like-in-late-90s.html

Why not to call your boss a “wanker” on facebook, especially if they’re your “friend” on the service : http://thenextweb.com/2009/08/09/note-friend-boss-fb-bitch-job/

Get the OpenID code : http://openid.net/developers/

iGoogle gets more social : http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/google_launches_social_gadgets_for_igoogle.php

Why not to switch to Windows 7 : http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/7-reasons-to-avoid-windows-7/

Facebook to RSS … for now : http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/08/another-facebook-newsfeed-rss-application-emerges-will-facebook-let-it-stay/

What about Bob : http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/001297.html

Advanced CSS 3 Selectors : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/17/taming-advanced-css-selectors/

Fonts on the web – where we’re at : http://www.zeldman.com/2009/08/17/web-fonts-and-standards/

21.3 GB = The Pirate Bay : http://torrentfreak.com/download-a-copy-of-the-pirate-bay-before-its-gone-090816/

WordPress Hook Hacks : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/18/10-useful-wordpress-hook-hacks/

Lookout for the virus that seeks out your stored-FTP passwords : http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=732&doc_id=180663

Photoshop paths refresher : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/18/mastering-photoshop-with-paths/

It’s content strategy, dummy : http://www.alistapart.com/articles/the-case-for-content-strategy-motown-style/

Twitter – It replaces nothing and adds nothing : http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/17/why-i-dont-use-twitter/

When stealing isn’t flattery : http://www.designer-daily.com/what-to-do-when-your-design-is-stolen-2855

How to die the green way : http://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2009/08/the_ultimate_environmentally_friendly_way_to_die.html

HYPER-LOCAL
Chron Neighborhood News draws the attention of Hairballs : http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/08/chronicle_email_quotes.php

BlogHouston talks about the Chron’s adventure in bad journalism : http://www.bloghouston.net/item/7791

A high tech county fair? : http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2009/08/15/news/doc4a86d266d07da325602700.txt

“(Alberto) Gonzales teaching a class on executive branch issues is a bit like … Dick Cheney speaking on firearm safety” : http://www.texasobserver.org/index.php?/pi/going-gonzo-in-lubbock/

Texas Watchdog isn’t granted access to the Lege floor : http://www.texaswatchdog.org/2009/08/news-web-sites-denied-press-access/

It’s a good thing blogs always get it right : http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/08/bloggingfail_right_here_in_hou.php

Holy Rosary Bazaar is Sunday : http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2009/08/18/news/doc4a8aef2220ad4244821238.txt

Shudder: Could Perry pick Patrick : http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/?p=4448

“rick perry gay” : http://www.texasobserver.org/editorial/gay-panic/

The latest issue of graffit-e, the newsletter for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, is out : http://www.class.uh.edu/enews/2009/08/index.html

MIXED SIGNALS
I’m stock-full of playing experience, I’ll let you know : http://communitynewspapergroup.com/articles/2009/08/20/waverly_newspapers/sports/doc4a8c6a9f0eb44811736602.txt

MUSIC
Despite Eddie Money, Neko Case to play Warehouse Live on Nov. 22 : http://www.29-95.com/music/story/neko-case-houston-date-announced

Lone Star Indie Bash : http://indiehouston.org/upcoming-shows/lone-star-beer-is-having-a-show-support-your-states-brewery/

R.E.M. live discs out Oct. 26 : http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/08/rem-live-at-the-olympia-set-for-oct-26-release.html

New R.E.M. tracklist : http://pitchfork.com/news/36257-rem-reveal-live-album-details/

Kind of Bloop – a tribute to Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue : http://laughingsquid.com/kind-of-bloop-an-8-bit-tribute-to-miles-davis/

Astral Years : http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/17/van-morrison-rediscovers-astral-weeks-in-to-be-born-again-doc/

Why Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue is so great : http://www.slate.com/id/2225336/pagenum/all/

NEWS
Meet the Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement (JADE) : http://iheartejade.blogspot.com/

A screeching halt : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/business/21clunkers.html

The rich not as rich no more, featuring Mr. (Virus) McAfee : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/business/economy/21inequality.html

I haven’t had much time to read this week. But, still.

It’s the weekly obligatory linkpost. Yeah, you know you want it.

Here's a shot I snapped of Westheimer at Dunlavy, during a recent visit with my pal David.
Here’s a shot I snapped of Westheimer at Dunlavy, during a recent visit with my pal David.

RECREATIONAL READING
Another great post from Betty Martin’s blog : http://bettymartin.wordpress.com/2009/08/05/another-anti-war-blog/

GEEK + TECH
Houston design firm makes unmatchedstyle.com : http://www.unmatchedstyle.com/gallery/poplabscom.php

For IE6, gif it, don’t png it. : http://www.pewpewlaser.com/articles/png-into-gif

“The over-extended class” : http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/005073.html

What WebMonkey wants to throw in a black hole, featuring #99ff33 : http://www.webmonkey.com/blog/8_Things_on_the_Web_We_d_Like_to_Throw_Down_a_Black_Hole

Nobody cares about your website : http://newsweaver.ie/gerrymcgovern/e_article001512755.cfm

New tools for Google Services for Websites : http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-tools-for-google-services-for.html

The crash-happy Firefox 3.5 : http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/08/i-want-to-love-firefox-35-but-it-keeps-crashing-on-me/

16 ways to share large files : http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/08/16-apps-that-make-sharing-large-files-a-snap/

Does Microsoft’s investment in Facebook net them “below-the-fold” search results when one searches Facebook? : http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/08/facebook-search-bing/

Advanced CSS tips and tricks : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/10/mastering-css-advanced-techniques-and-tools/

“… A website is more like a storefront … you need to advertise to attract trade.” : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/09/10-harsh-truths-about-corporate-blogging/

As it broke – Facebook acquires FriendFeed : http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/10/facebook-acquires-friendfeed/

Blackberry vs. iPhone : http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/08/great-geek-debates-iphone-vs-blackberry/

Forgetting is healthy : http://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2009/08/in_a_webbed_world_do_we_remember_too_much.html

You can’t delete Flash “cookies” : http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/08/you-deleted-your-cookies-think-again/

Android has some cool apps : http://lifehacker.com/5331710/ten-more-neat-and-productive-android-apps/gallery/

How to create a line art silhouette : http://www.layersmagazine.com/silhouettes.html

How to create line art from a photo : http://www.graphic-design-employment.com/live-trace.html

Colorizing line art : http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=30229&seqNum=8

“New Photoshop Line Art Trick” : http://www.tomrichmond.com/blog/2008/06/06/new-photoshop-line-art-trick/

HYPER-LOCAL
Maybe carp is not crap : http://www.texasobserver.org/index.php?/botb/one-mans-trash-fish

More on the Schulenburg dance hall : http://www.texasobserver.org/index.php?/critics-notebook/destination_dance_hall

WiFi coming to Rosenberg : http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2009/08/06/news/doc4a7b0c05465f7459130225.txt

Sunflower swiping in the Montrose? : http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/08/some_old_ahole_is_swiping_the.php

I can’t believe there wasn’t any water at Summer Fest. My God. : http://www.29-95.com/music/story/29-thoughts-summerfest

Prescriptions just got cheaper in Fort Bend County : http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2009/08/10/news/doc4a8082d5e8e8f365451104.txt

MEDIA
On media layoffs, and the wrong assumption of “I’m a lot better than that doofus, so I must be safe.” (the comments are as good as the post) : http://johnemcintyre.blogspot.com/2009/08/patron-and-protege.html

The term is “programmer/journalist” : http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2009/08/how-computer-assisted-reporters-evolved-into-programmerjournalists219.html

NEWS
How to refute the birthers : http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/08/05/birther_faq/index.html

So what – a third of the kids who graduate college were likely pushed there by rich parents and thus have no debt. For the rest, the median debt was about $20K : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/education/12college.html

ART
Why so serious? : http://www.drawger.com/drewfriedman/?section=articles&article_id=8462

Marmaduke explained : http://www.29-95.com/time-suck/story/marmaduke-explained-08-10-09

MUSIC
Elton John + Alice in Chains = Black Gives Way to Blue : http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/11/elton-john-joins-alice-in-chains-new-album-to-honor-layne-staley/

.CMX : http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/08/11/in-a-move-im-calling-too-little-too-late-too-proprietary-major-labels-are-introducing-their-own-file-format/

TELEVISION
Mad Men written predominately by mad women : http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/08/08/mad_women_writers/index.html

GARDENING
Tomato blight is partly the fault of the renewed interest in gardening, Dan Barber claims : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/opinion/09barber.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=late%20blight&st=cse

Coreopsis – one you don’t hardly have to water : http://blogs.chron.com/lazygardener/2009/08/ol_reliable_heat_bloomer_coreo.html

The way it is

Here’s the obligatory end-of-the-week post-o-links.

A store sign spotted on the way to Freeport last week.
A store sign spotted on the way to Freeport last week.

ART
Sharks + Beer = (Bleep) yeah! : http://fuckyeahsharks.tumblr.com/post/153105566/nickdouglas-fuck-yeah-beer-fuck-yeah-summer

COMMENTS
Third comment : http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2009/08/omg-wicked-plants-is-the-cover-story.html

GARDENING
How to recycle rain : http://blogs.chron.com/lazygardener/2009/07/recycle_rain.html

The botanical collection : http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2009/07/the-botanic-garden-collection.html

I would wiggle mine, but it was mauled by a shark : http://blogs.chron.com/lazygardener/2009/08/for_mon83_whats_in_your_escape.html

GEEK + TECH
Smash it open : http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/01/why-the-fcc-wants-to-smash-open-the-iphone/

How to Bypass Stupid Voicemail Instructions : http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/how-to-bypass-stupid-voicemail-instructions/

Laughing Squid was banned for mysterious reasons for months from Digg, proving Digg is pretty worthless : http://laughingsquid.com/digg-bans-laughing-squid-without-warning-or-specific-reason/

MySpace steps toward open : http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/myspace_to_bet_its_future_on_open_standards.php

FileSoup under seige : http://torrentfreak.com/oldest-bittorrent-site-targeted-by-police-owner-arrested-090804/

WebTrends 9 is out : http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2009/08/webtrends-9-google-analytics-eat-your-heart-out.php

Die for freedom, but don’t you dare enjoy it yourself : http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/08/marines-ban-twitter-myspace-facebook/

Kill, kill, kill IE6 : http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/08/06/internet.explorer.six/index.html

A little more openness for facebook Pages : http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/08/facebook-opens-stream-further-pages-become-true-twitter-competitor/

The end of the codec wars? : http://blog.broadbandmechanics.com/2009/08/05/the-end-of-the-codec-wars/

Now that’s what I call a remote control : http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10302894-1.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5

Bring. It. Down. : http://www.bringdownie6.com/bring-down-ie-6.html

IE6 – No More! : http://www.ie6nomore.com/code-samples.html

Transparent PNGs + IE 6 : http://24ways.org/2007/supersleight-transparent-png-in-ie6

A-Z of Free Photoshop Plugins and Filters : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/03/a-z-of-free-photoshop-plugins-and-filters/

Inside the Erskine redesign : http://www.alistapart.com/articles/erskine-design-redesign/

How to redesign your own site : http://www.alistapart.com/articles/redesigning-your-own-site/

HYPER-LOCAL
“Heck, you’ve already reduced the size of the weekday paper to a point the delivery folks are having to add weight to keep people’s copies from blowing away.” : http://loseaneye.blogspot.com/2009/07/chronblog-lets-talk.html

That’ll get their attention : http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2009/07/29/news/doc4a70b8ffe5487069255089.txt

New inspection stickers invoke feelings of cowboy pride, heritage : http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/08/new_inspection_stickers.php

No more (kid) culture at the Woodlands Mall : http://blogs.chron.com/woodlands/archives/2009/08/museums_to_clos_1.html

Hail Mary: Nutty Christians vs. Social Science : http://www.texasobserver.org/index.php?/pi/history-the-right-way/

The Smoking Gun vs. the not-so-merry pranksters : http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/08/prankster_smoking_gun.php
The right should ‘come to Jesus’ : http://loseaneye.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-time-for-come-to-jesus-meeting.html

MEDIA
Why the AP no longer matters : http://www.boingboing.net/2009/08/02/associated-press-wil-1.html

MOVIES
New Wes Anderson flick, Fantastic Mr. Fox : http://www.29-95.com/movies/story/wes-anderson-totally-wes-andersons-out-new-wes-anderson-trailer

MUSIC
Meridian, JavaJazz merge in a move that makes no sense : http://www.29-95.com/music/story/meridian-javajazz-become-one

Rolling Stone nods Listen Listen : http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/07/30/hype-monitor-listenlisten-ramona-falls-neon-indian

Loving it up while you’re falling down : http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/06/aerosmiths-tyler-airlifted-to-hospital-after-falling-from-stage/

Get Tweedy on the phone and over here, stat : http://www.29-95.com/music/story/sigh-another-wilco-tour-passes

NEWS
A Palin divorce? : http://gawker.com/5327957/are-sarah-and-todd-palin-getting-a-divorce

Now we pay you, now we don’t : http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/6557588.html

RECREATIONAL READING
A tribute to Pumpkin : http://seanmorrisseycarroll.blogspot.com/2009/08/orange-jack.html

Links galore

Portulaca (moss rose) art
Portulaca (moss rose) art

GEEK + TECH

MEDIA

GARDENING

NEWS

COMMENTS

ART

HYPER-LOCAL

MUSIC