Cracking The Shell...

Beginning Enhancements

Once I was sure that I had MT installed correctly, I started to try and figure out how everything worked. I had checked out the book "Essential Blogging" and read it cover to cover. Here is a picture of the cover should you want to pick it up:

One of the things I read about and wanted to utilize was the categories concept. While it is still too early to understand what my "blogging voice" is, I know I want to write about three primary topics. I want the user to be able to come to the blog and only read the entries relating to the categories that they are interested in. In just so happens that my three categories are somewhat unrelated. The book showed me how to add a link to add category support.

Another technology that I wanted to add up front was the ability for my RSS feed to include the full text of my entry. Nothing annoys me more than reading through a dump of multiple RSS feeds and be forced to go to the same web pages that I am trying to avoid in the first place! While the book did not show me exactly how to do it, it gave enough information that I was able to modify the code myself.

Oh yea, I started a blog

While I work in the technical field, I have felt that the leading edge of the industry has passed me by. In order to be able to intelligently talk about the industry I feel that I need to immerse myself in the leading edge products.

While blogging is nothing new, I also plan to add several languages to my toolbox and look into RSS as a viable business option. Additionally, I want to see how I can more fully take advantage of my PocketPC platform.

I plan on describing my exploits here for all to read.

My first major find was Safari. In the past I would drop around hundred dollars a month on technical books. It now appears that for only $150 a year. I can have up to 10 books checked out at one time and can swap any book out for another after 30 days. This could save me over one thousand dollars over the course of a year. More importantly, it allows me to read a book that I would not normally read because of the cost.

Is it glass?

I tried Micro-Glaze for the first time this weekend. With a little more practice I think it can definitely be a replacement for plastic window sheets.

If you've been following this you know I'm building Franklin Watchworks. George Sellios suggests using this Micro-Glaze to simulate the glass window panes. I thought I would try it on a cheap throw away model first to learn to use it correctly.

According to the instructions, you should not do a window larger than 1/4" square without additional support. You take a small instrument like a toothpick and dip it in the glaze and then run it around the interior perimeter of the window.

I did this and was not comfortable with the results. I then placed one window on a clear plastic bag and filled the window hole from the front. I then got the bright idea of taping some wax paper to my desk top and filling the window holes from both the front and back.

Here is what I learned:
1. Use plastic bags to hold it in. The glazing does not stick to a sandwich bag.
2. DO NOT use wax paper. The wax leaves a buildup on the window.
3. Only fill the window in from the back. I will have to redo the last window.

How 'bout them Niners!

What the hell?

Does anyone remember Bill Walsh's teachings? The reason the 49ers were as successful as they have been was because of the near flawless implementation of the west coast offense.

First, George Seifert tweaked the system, then Steve Mariucci made whole sale chanegs to the system, and now Dennis Erickson....Well I'm not really sure what he has done with it yet.

It appears to me that the one thing Steve could do was motivate the team. While this is hard to believe at the pro level, once this current crop of players got down in the dumps, they could not muster the energy to get back in the game.

Also, am I the only one who thinks the Budweiser commercial about "Leon" is really about T.O.? I mean he is the definition of "no I in TEAM"!