Alex Jones: Web Technologist, Barbecue Acolyte, Information Junkie, Austinite

Internet Explorer Open to New Trojan

Symantec reports about a new virus that affects Windows XP, including those computers that are running Service Pack 2, which was supposed to lock down many of these vulnerabilities. Unsurprisingly, the trojan, Phel (Anagram of ‘help’) uses a hole in Internet Explorer to infect the computer.

Yet another reason for you to switch to Firefox right now.

Posted in Windows

Texas Megahighways

As discussed on Slashdot, and reported by the AP, Governor Perry wants to build “megahighways” across the state of Texas:
> The Trans-Texas Corridor project, as envisioned by Republican Gov. Rick Perry in 2002, would be a 4,000-mile transportation network costing an awesome $175 billion over 50 years, financed mostly if not entirely with private money. The builders would then charge motorists tolls.
>
> But these would not be mere highways. Proving anew that everything’s big in Texas, they would be megahighways — corridors up to a quarter-mile across, consisting of as many as six lanes for cars and four for trucks, plus railroad tracks, oil and gas pipelines, water and other utility lines, even broadband transmission cables.

This should prove to be an interesting issue for Texas politics, as conservatives and liberals alike will take issue with many parts of the plan. Environmentalists are concerned about the impact to the land surrounding the “megahighway” and those concerned about property rights (including Gov. Perry’s own part) are worried about the effects on farmers and ranchers.

Posted in General, Law & Government

SilverSpider Play List 1.1 Released

Just a quick note to let everyone know that a new version of SilverSpider Play List is available.

Changes

The first big change is the ability to choose the size of the album cover, which was requested by two people on the same day! So, you can now use any of the following sizes:

• Small (50 x 50)
• Medium (130 x 130)
• Large (300 x 300)

The second big change is the addition of six new formats, bringing the total to 12. These new six are variants on the same basic layout, the image is placed in it’s own div and is encased within a link. A second div contains the information (song name, album name and artist name), with the first listed item acting as a link.

I have also added examples of the output for every format within the documentation so you can see what it actually produces. A full version history is available within the documentation.

Upgrading

I had to make changes to the config file, so make sure you back yours up before you overwrite it. Also, with the introduction of the new sizes, you will need to create two new missing album cover graphics if you want to use the larger sizes.

Download SSPL 1.1 (64K zip)

As always, let me know if you have questions or suggestions. I will do my best to respond quickly, but I have friends and family in town for the next week, so please forgive me if it takes a bit more time.

Posted in SilverSpider Play List & Tagged: Music, php, SilverSpider Play List

macosxhints - Integrate Skype users into Address Book

macosxhints - Integrate Skype users into Address Book

Posted in OS X, Quick Links

RumGallery

RumGallery may well be the ideal photo gallery plugin for WordPress. While I haven’t tested it yet (it requires the 1.3/1.5 beta version of WordPress), I’m excited by the screenshots, and forum discussion.

While the page header on the plugin’s site gets annoying very quickly, put up with it, as spending a bit of time looking at the example galleries is worthwhile.

Posted in General

How to fix Mom’s computer

How to fix Mom’s computer is a great explanation of the steps one should follow to ensure a PC is virus-free, rid of spyware, and as efficient as possible. Hat tip to Jeff Croft for the link.

Posted in Windows

bbPress

From the developers of WordPress comes bbPress, a new, light weight forum package that follows five key principles (as taken from their site):
> 1. Open Source, always and forever
> 2. Less (code) is more
> 3. Simplicity is a feature
> 4. Speed and security are the foundation of any good user experience
> 5. Put the user first
>
> Every line of code is written with these principles in mind..

bbPress can be seen in action in the WordPress Support area, so check that area out for a demonstration of what it can do. For those who have visited the WordPress Support area in the past, you will be pleased with the fact that the forums are much faster.

Posted in PHP & MySQL, WordPress

Millions long for immortality…

“Millions long for immortality who don’t know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.”
Susan Ertz

Posted in Quotes & Toasts

Daring Fireball: Software Update Tips and Voodoo

Daring Fireball: Software Update Tips and Voodoo - “here’s the procedure I use when installing system updates (e.g. from 10.3.6 to 10.3.7) and security updates.”

Posted in OS X, Quick Links

How and when to use sIFR

How and when to use sIFR presents a great explanation of the technology and when it should, and should not be used.

Posted in Design & UI, Flash