bookmark_borderScrapbook

If, like me, you struggle to keep a track of this snippet of information, that website, the quote you wanted to use, the thought that prompted a post or article, then may I suggest (and if you are using Firefox as your main browser) you install the Scrapbook extension. Once installed you can start it from the Tools menu.

It allows you to capture either URLs, snippets of websites or entire web pages. It probably does more than that, to be honest, but I’ve only been using it for a few hours (since this afternoon) and I’m already blown away. It’s just SO DARN USEFUL!

Now, how would you do this in Internet Explorer??

SITE NOTE: With thanks to Lyle and David for their helpful suggestions I’ve managed to implement a stylesheet switcher. It’s over their on the left. Not a huge choice at the moment but I was concentrating on getting it working first before worrying too much about the actual “style”. Cheers for your help guys, turns out that I’m a numpty and forgot to give the correct directory path to the CSS files (David I’d started with the ALA PHP switcher and went back to it and spotted my mistook). Suggestions for ‘new’ styles are welcomed.

bookmark_borderSlimline

Itchy feet has advantages. For a while Louise and I were moving house every year (or less). It was just the way things panned out when we were down south. We rented at first, then bought a flat and then a year later decided to sell it (not sure it was a full year either), so back to rented accomodation we went.

The advantage is that we don’t have much in the way of ‘extraneous stuff’. Other than the trappings of materialism – DVDs, CDs, books and the like – we aren’t hoarders by nature, or at least not long term hoarders. Eventually the emotional tie to an object will be broken and it’ll get turfed out, maybe to Oxfam if it’s still in good nick, maybe sold in the local paper or maybe just taken to the skip. We both seem to run on a similar ‘purge’ schedule meaning that when one of us decides that they are going to tidy out their books, the other will think “Yeah I should go through my wardrobe and do that too”.

And so we did. Most of Sunday was spent deciding, sorting, tidying, binning, and collecting. All sorts of stuff. Oxfam will get a nice big bag of clothes and a box of books, all in good order. The recycle bin is now full, as is the regular bin. The house is tidy and organised, and I’m now noticing that we’ve yet to put photos in THAT frame for above THERE, and those shelves for THERE are still sitting up stairs waiting to be fitted. Plenty of time for that though.

Sometimes I do wish we held onto a few more things, sentimental things, the type you find in most attics and lofts across the land. But we don’t, a box of photos and a few old toys is about all the sentimentality we can muster. They lie in the loft, carefully boxed, waiting to bore future generations. Relics of a time gone past, where REAL things held our attention. “Let me show you a photo” I’ll say. The child will turn to the nearest screen and watch for it appearing, only to be bewildered when I produce a paper like rectangle with a picture on it.

bookmark_borderStylesheets

So I’ve implemented a small stylesheet switcher (over on the left). Well when I say implemented I really mean that I’ve TRIED to implement it but, for some reason, the damn thing won’t work. I can’t even get Firefox to display the alternate stylesheet. Summat dodgy is going on. SORTED!

Anyway, this evenings task – before I start a mockup design for another website, and write up a piece comparing information mapping techniques to current web design trends – is to write down all the books I’ve got, sitting on three different bookshelves, that I’ve still to read. Whilst I’m not promising to buy NO books this year, I certainly don’t want to buy any more until I’ve gotten through some of the dust gathering tomes already lining our walls and that includes the three books I currently have on the go.

How many unread books do you have?

bookmark_borderSnippets of life

On the train on Friday night, a father and his toddler take their seat. The young boy is fascinated by the speed of the train, gazing out at the blur of buildings and lights that whizz past. Suddenly, without prompting, starts singing “Happy Birfday” (to his mummy) finishing with three muted Hip Hip Hoorays, after which he falls silent again and watches the world speed by.

A quick glance round the carriage and everyone has a little smile on their face; their weekend journey home suddenly made all the more bearable.

bookmark_border24

Series 4 has started. Alas it’s on Sky and that means adverts and that means the fast paced editing loses ALL it’s impact.

So we recorded it and zipped past the adverts. I’m sure it’ll be repeated but it already (two episodes in) looks like it’ll be another cracking series. I don’t watch much TV but do NOT get in my way when I’m watching 24.

Ohh and we are 4 episodes behind the States so will any American visitors please refrain from adding any spoilers to the comments. Ta.

bookmark_borderScruples

Friday evening was spent celebrating our Christopher’s, our oldest nephew, 18th birthday. It was a very good night, a good meal, good company and we finally got to meet his best friend Ryan. Ryan got very drunk. Very VERY drunk. Thankfully he’s a friendly drunk though so wasn’t too much hassle (hope the hangover wasn’t TOO bad Ryan!). Snippets from the evening – our godson Mark declared that, having drank 5 cans of Coke he would be awake until Tuesday (it was very funny at the time!), bumping into an old friend’s brother and subsequently having a mobile phone thrust in my direction with aforementioned friend on the line. He’s now in London and is about to start work on Saturday Night Fever – well done Malcolm!

Anyway, for fear of embarassing him too much I’ll just say that it’s my honour to have known Christopher (sorry mate, still can’t get used to calling you Chris) for most of his life, and I hope that his and Ryan’s plans to take on Microsoft come to fruition. Actually Louise and I were talking about that and, between them, they have the makings of a good team. Both are smart although I think Ryan would concede that Chris (see I’m trying!) is the brains, whereas Ryan would most definitely be the mouth of the operation. One with the clever ideas, one to sell the idea and talk the talk. Hey, stranger things have happened and I’ll take this moment to point out that I’m giving them my full (non-financial) support and best wishes with any future venture (just remember your old Uncle Gordon when you make your first million!!).