bookmark_borderBlogmeet

Just a wee post to remind those bloggers in Scotland who enjoy good company and a “light refreshment” or ten, the next blogmeet is but weeks away. February 18th, Edinburgh, Jolly Judge. Kicks off at 2pm, finishes… when the last person leaves! More details on the Scottish Blogs site, and apologies to those who I visited over the weekend, just trying to drum up some interest.

If you are going to come along, please leave a comment on the Scottish Blogs site (or click here). Thanks.

bookmark_borderPrison Blog

I received an email, to Scottish Blogs, the other day asking for some help with a fairly unique blog. If you are interested let me know and I’ll pass on your details:

I am going to prison on 20th dec to continue a sentence for a road traffic offence, I expect to be there for four to six months.

I though it would be interesting to do a blog from there as having already done a month of the original sentence,(I am out on appeal), I feel I could give an interesting insight into life and conditions in Scottish prisons today. Obviously I couldn’t do this myself as there is no internet access for prisoners. I would need help to set up the site and input to it from my correspondance. Do you know anyone from the blogging community who would be willing to work with me on this issue.

Could be an interesting site, any volunteers?

bookmark_borderBlogmet

They say you learn something new everyday. Yesterday was an exception as I lost count of the number of things I learned. Let me try and re-cap.

1. When arranging a blogmeet, provided the ADDRESS of the pub as well as the name. This will save at least two people getting lost (apologies to Peter and Corrinne).
2. Suggest everyone prints out a “blogcard” to save me scrabbling around for a piece of paper to jot down the attendees and their URLs (hat-tip to the very well organised Chameleon).
3. Don’t presume everyone reads the Scottish Blogs news page and EMAIL ALL previous attendees (apologies to Gunnella but thanks for turning up!)
4. Lots of other interesting things that will come to me once the fug of Guinness has cleared.

So, putting my guilt (points 1 and 3) aside, I can happily say that it was a great afternoon in the company of some lovely, intelligent and funny individuals. The fact that we were sharing part of the pub with a random assortment of fiddlers, a mandolin player and a couple of singers (one of whom did have a lovely voice), only added to the day.

As I mentioned to various people yesterday, I’m probably the worst person in the world to be organising these things given that I have such a terrible memory. It was with some relief that everyone who said they’d come along found the pub (eventually) and seemed to have a good time. Who attended? You ask. Well, and I’ll try and do this in order of “appearance”, I spent the afternoon with:

Some photos have appeared already, and there will be more here soon.

Another good day hanging out in the pub with “strangers that you kinda know”. What an odd hobby we share yet how rewarding it is. Many thanks to everyone who came along, see you in Edinburgh for the next one!

bookmark_borderMySQL Help

OK, techie request time people. Those of a non-technical, anti-acronym mindset should look away now.

I think I’m getting hacked. Well not here, Scottish Blogs.

The Scottish Blogs site uses a MySQL database to store the member details. The submission form calls a separate PHP page which does a little checking (to make sure duplicate URLs and email addresses aren’t added) then throws the info into the database. The database connection details are held in a separate PHP file which is included as and where needed.

I’m pretty sure that someone has managed to figure out how to write to the database directly. I’ve taken the submission form offline for the past few hours but I’m still getting new “spam” sites added, I’m currently getting around 15 – 20 “spam” submissions a day, mainly from chinese sites/hackers (not really spam as such just illegible nonsense).

So, given those rather skimpy details, anyone got any suggestions on how this is happening and how I can stop them from doing it?

bookmark_borderBritBlog

Just a quick note. The guy(s) over at BritBlog are calling for some ideas and suggestions as they prepare to revamp their site and their service. I’m going to be involved on some level, but more on that later.

So, if you are a member of the BritBlog directory, check out the current list of new features and services and let them know what you think.

If you’re not a member of BritBlog then join up, and don’t forget that if you are Scottish or currently reside in Scotland, you can join Scottish Blogs as well.

bookmark_borderOhh go on then

Richard suggested I start the Scottish Blog Awards.

Shauny just said “blogmeet! blogmeeeeeeeeeeeeet!”

Richards idea has been floating around, between the two of us, for a while but would take more effort than I have the energy for at the moment.

A blogmeet isn’t so hard though. So bowing to public (Shauny) pressure I’ve started to organise another Scottish Blogmeet.

With a bit of luck THAT article might just have done me a favour as the Scottish Blogs site has added 24 new members in the last week alone.

Surely we can muster more than two people for the next one – that is if you don’t count the breakaway faction headed by Peter who claim a Blogmeet with three attendees. Hopefully this Blogmeet will finally end the feud* and bring both factions together in peace, harmony and Guinness.

* Just in case: I’m joking, we are a big happy family.