Alan's Blog

Google ... again

I am not paid by Google to advertise their services, honest! I know that many people have reservations about the way that the company will put to use information collected from us while using Google, with all sorts of accusations of plans of world domination, etc. I value my privacy as much as the next person, but don't really have much of an issue with them. However, since Google is one of the most blogged-about companies out there, I figured I ought to put in my own two pennyworth.

Please note that the following is written from the point of view of a Web amateur, and is aimed at similar people. Professionals and experts will either not need services like those Google provide, or already know all about them, or both. It might be useful to those running small small businesses and amateur Web publishers, though

Google AdSense

I decided recently to add Google ads to my main site, Greenwich Guide. I don't really have any expectations of retiring early on the proceeds, but they should, I hope, help offset the server fees. I must say that Google make it fairly easy to add their ads, and they are fairly configurable. I had some trouble adding the code to the site as I used 'Find and Replace All' to insert the code on each page. Unluckily, the 'Quiz' page on the site uses JavaScript and the code was accidentally inserted in the middle of the script as well, totally breaking the page. Luckily I was able to find the problem by running Aptana (see previous entry) and it immediately found the offending lines in its 'Problems' view and enabled me to delete the offending lines.

Looking for a new HTML editor

I've mentioned Nick Bradbury's FeedDemon RSS aggregator and his TopStyle CSS/HTML editor several times on this blog. His software business was acquired last May by Newsgator and he has been spending all his time coding for FeedDemon. Although they have promised that they will continue with the development of TopStyle, they are still advertising for a Delphi developer to take development forward.

I don't hold out any hopes of an update in the near future, and quite likely not in the middle term, either. That assumes that Newsgator don't quietly drop all development.

Greenwich Day by Day

I've added a new section to my Greenwich Guide site, courtesy of David Male, called Greenwich Day by Day. Check it out at Greenwich Day by Day!

I apologise for not making any posts here for so long. Hopefully I'll get around to making more posts next year!

w.bloggar version 4.0 released

I posted about this handy blogging tool back in August 2003.

This new version supports MovableType advanced post options and also support some new tools: Wordpress, SquareSpace, b2evolution, Blog:CMS, UBlog, .Text, BlogWare and Xaraya. Check what else is new at the w.bloggar site.

OEDILF via RSS

Two of the subjects that I have posted about in the past come together here. The Omnificent English Dictionary In Limerick Form (better known as the OEDILF) has added an RSS feed at http://www-b.oedilf.com/db/rss.xml that will deliver to your news aggregator the latest limericks added to the site's database.

If you don't already use an aggregator, one of the best is Nick Bradbury's FeedDemon, as I have said here before at length.

The OEDILF again

I mentioned the OEDILF a few posts ago. They have now set up their own Web site at http://www.oedilf.com and the section on the Wordcraft site has been closed.

Because The Oxford English Dictionary are not happy about the use of their name, the title of the project has been changed to the "Omnificent English Dictionary In Limerick Form".

TopStyle 3.11 Beta

I'm rather late mentioning this, but Nick Bradbury has announced the release of the first beta of his CSS/(X)HTML editor, Topstyle 3.11. Basically the new release fixes a number of bugs in version 3.10, plus a few small changes and additions based on feedback from users. The new version will be available free to registered users.

The beta will only install for those who use the registered version 3.x and is available from the beta download page.

The Oxford English Dictionary in Limerick Form

I've mentioned the Wordcraft Forum in this blog before.

One of the members, Chris Strolin, has conceived a wonderfully mad scheme, the OEDILF. With the assistance of Wordcraft regulars, he is rewriting the Oxford English Dictionary in the form of limericks!

Currently only words beginning with aa-, ab-, ac- and ad- are being covered, but a good number of limericks have already been received. It should only take a few hundred years for the project to be completed. As Chris says, "Possible? Yes. In one lifetime? I sincerely doubt it." The FAQ for the project can be found here.

You will need to register as a member to post a submission, but can read the site as a guest without the need to register.

FeedDemon 1.10 RC5

Nick has made one last pre-release version available. RC5 contains a number of fixes related to how Japanese characters are displayed, and it also includes a new "Web Search" feature.

• RC5 release notes)
• RC5 download link (2.03MB)