bookmark_borderExplorer showing multiple desktops?

Windows XP has a bug in it, one that has bugged me for ages but is under the “can be tolerated” category. I’ve looked for a fix before but couldn’t find anything, mainly because it’s hard to describe within search terms (note to Google: how about searches based on uploaded screenshots??).

The problem occurs when you open Windows Explorer and start browsing folders. The tree on the left starts to show additional items named “Desktop” but, when you click on them they are actually items that are on your Desktop.. it’s a little weird and after a while you can end up with multiple “Desktops items at the top (and middle) of the tree on the left.
Continue reading “Explorer showing multiple desktops?”

bookmark_borderAll change!

So, there are a few things around here that are still a bit.. erm.. broken. In the spirit of transparency, and in case I’ve missed anything that you’ve spotted, here is everything that will be fixed or changed in the coming week, fortnight.. month?

  • Archive page – this will be slightly different from the previous one, depending on what plugins I can get to work
  • Comments – still some work to do on these, I’d like to be able to highlight MY comments, and I still think it needs some tidying up. I’d definitely like to “pretty” up the comment form itself.
  • The “First Visit/Previous Posts” area still isn’t quite how I want it. Might need to span both columns to stop it wrapping at smaller window sizes.
  • Search results need work, mainly showing more, truncated, results on a page. Also need to decide whether to lose the sidebar for ‘single’ pages (a decision that rolls out across other areas of the site).
  • More whitespace between the columns? Maybe.
  • The link colours still elude me, I quite like the contrast between the main content links and the sidebar area.
  • Blogroll needs a drastic update!
  • CSS issues – a variety of annoyances thanks to IE collapsing margins, most notable in the comments (the numbers are cropped in half).
  • Double-checking the banner is properly centred!
  • A “go” button on the search box at the top of the page will be added.

Suggestions are encouraged as ever. I write the content for me, but how the site used is solely aimed at you, dearest reader. And no, I’m not changing the font (it’s been this one for AGES, that bit didn’t change!).

Of course all of this is simply procrastination, but I figure if I post this list I might actually get some of the items fixed. Maybe.

In the meantime, I’m sure the Post of the Week site will keep me busy.

bookmark_borderFirefox Extensions Revisited

Been a while since I waffled on about Firefox, but with 2.0 in Alpha (no I’ve not tried it yet, and I’d suggest you leave it well alone too) I thought it might be a good time to look at the current extensions I’m using. I’ve tried many different extensions but have pared things down to what I actually USE, rather than things that might “just be useful” now and again.

Whilst it’s popularity is probably assured, Firefox is getting a little more heat from the competition these days, namely with the stream of news pouring from Redmond (Microsoft) about the version 7 of Internet Explorer. It looks like we’ll be back to some good old fashioned browser wars soon. Ohh and whilst I remember, and before certain people popup in the comments and remind me, there are other browsers available. Opera seems to have a good following but, for some reason, it’s never really broken through in the same way as Firefox. I’ve tried it a few times but never really felt at home using it.. not sure why, maybe it’s better aimed at the ‘more technical’? Dunno.

Tabbed browsing remains the core reason I stick with Firefox. It’s very easy to get used to, and once you learn some of the basic operations, and have tweaked the way tabs work to your requirements, it can be a real boon. To that end I’ll recommend Tab Mix Plus as my tab extension of choice, it includes a variety of useful options, including a session saver (remembers which sites you had open in which tabs when you close the browser), a loading status bar on the tab, rather than one common bar at the foot of your window (making it easy to see the sites that are taking an age to load), an “unread” indicator and a further swathe of options (you can download and import my options here to get you started – right-click, Save As…).

Onto the list then:

  • Autofill – Automatically fill out HTML forms
  • BugMeNot – Bypass compulsory web registration
  • Copy URL + – Copies to clipboard the document’s URL along with the title or the selected text
  • Download Statusbar – View and manage downloads from a tidy statusbar
  • DownThemAll! – The mass downloader for Firefox
  • Enhanced History Manager – Search Google for Enhanced History Manager
  • Ext2Abc – Alphabetizes your extension manager list
  • IE View – Open pages in IE via Firefox menus
  • ListZilla – Outputs an alphabetical list of extensions to a text, vB code, or HTML file (used to produce this list!)
  • Paste and Go – Lets you paste an URL from the clipboard and directly load it
  • Resize Search Box – Allows you to use a resize the search box
  • Sage – A lightweight RSS and Atom feed aggregator
  • Slim Extension List – Makes items in extension list shorter, so you can see more at once. Also, sorts them by name
  • Statusbar Clock – Display the date and time in your browser’s status bar (links to an old extension, but you can find an update one for 1.5… somewhere… maybe
  • Stop-or-Reload Button – Turns the stop and reload buttons into a single button
  • Tab Mix Plus – Tab browsing with an added boost
  • View Rendered Source Chart – Creates a Colorful Chart of a Webpage’s Rendered Source
  • Web Developer – Adds a menu and a toolbar with various web developer tools

So, there you have it. I’ve had many MANY more extensions installed, and looking back at my original post I’ve only got seven of that list still running which I’m sure tells you something… or not…

With 2.0 on the horizon I’m wondering if I’ll upgrade. At the moment I can’t think of anything that I’m missing, any one feature that would be a big enough draw. Security wise I’ve not had any problems, but I guess that’s only a matter of time (or usage) before I’m forced into an upgrade. Only time will tell I guess.

bookmark_borderEmpty Recycle Bin

Excuse me, but I really need to get all this stuff out of my head.

  • Hot feet – every morning when I come into work I follow the same routine. Turn on the PC, login to email, scan the subject lines and then grab a coffee. Every morning I end up feeling too hot and find that only taking my shoes off helps. Just me?
  • iTunes – why won’t you delete files from my PC anymore? I know I shouldn’t have selected to ‘never display this confirmation again’ but I thought you’d be nice enough to allow me to turn on that prompt again. But no, you seem to be in the huff which is a pity as we were getting on so well…
  • Time flies – except it doesn’t. It’s only that as you grow older you notice it is advancing, you are too busy as a kid to care.
  • Football – Man Utd take on Chelsea on Sunday, I’ll be watching. Someone recently mentioned that I don’t talk about football much so I’ll be addressing that notion soon.
  • Windows XP/NeoWin MultiPatcher – OK. I’ll start with XP, I gave you your upgrade to SP2 (finally), and it was fine. Everything still works, except for the NeoWin Patch (for those that don’t know, the NeoWin patch allows you to apply 3rd party styles to Windows XP, same as StyleXP without the resource overhead or monetary impact). I’ve installed it, restarted, double-clicked this, sworn at that and bang the desk like a petulant child. Why won’t you work?
  • BUZZ – visited my Gran last night and noticed that her wee portable stereo was buzzing very loudly (so loudly that she had noticed as well, saying something as she’s increasingly becoming deaf). It was turned off, so I unplugged it and told her I’d get her a new one. Double checked it at home and there was no noise at all. Most odd. Could it be the power socket?
  • Sod and his laws – Autoglass are coming on Sunday to replace the windscreen (excess of £60) so it’s only natural that there is now a bump in the front wing (excess of £100).
  • Music – Aimee Mann has been dominating my playlist for the past week or so, with Joni Mitchell a close second. However I am really looking forward to Paul Anka’s Rock Swings album but I don’t know why. Ohh and the new Kate Bush album… yes… it is, isn’t it.

Busy weekend ahead for me, not least fixing a few oddities here and getting another website launched… somewhere else… it’s all about one man designs (and that’s all yer getting for the moment). I plan to get round ALL my favourite blogs as well, so make sure you have something interesting for me to read (I know, I know, pot… kettle.. etc etc).

And yes, I know this post looks funny in IE. Should be ok in other browsers though.

bookmark_borderWood for trees

Despite having far too many draft posts lying unfinished, and with my focus still elsewhere – finishing a long overdue website, writing up design thoughts for another, battling the demons of IE box model hacks, not to mention that thing that pays the bills – I find myself casting around for something to write about.

Nope.

Still nothing.

bookmark_borderGrayscale this

One for the Lazyweb methinks.

Is there an EASY (non-coder) way to make all images that appear in a DIV, grayscale? PHP is the preferred langauge and you can presume access to the GD Library is available on the server.

Note: I’m aware that IE users can utilise CSS for this but that’s not what I’m looking for so please don’t suggest it.