TDH.me

Internal linking comes to WordPress 3.1

tdh — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:13:10 +0000

WordPress 3.1 is primarily a cleanup release, no big new features are planned. This is reasonable since it is the last one to support PHP4. Anyway, one thing that’s been asked for in my let’s fix WordPress post is internal linking, and that’s been approved. Due December 15th.

Is your username available?

tdh — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:11:27 +0000

This is cool. Knowem.com can search for your preferred username over a bunch of social networks, services and domains. Check it out!

Still no MacBook Air

tdh — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:49:27 +0000

I was hoping to get to spend a hideous amount of money for a new version of the world’s most stylish typewriter, but Apple denied me yet again. The new iPod nano could be used as a Dick Tracy-like watch though, at least that’s something.

Thanks for the ideas (keep ‘em coming!)

tdh — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:00:07 +0000

I love all the great ideas and suggestions on my post on solving the problems with WordPress, thanks ya’ll. You can still add yours if you like. Follow-up soonish.

Fever GET! (no wait, it’s gone methinks)

tdh — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:52:52 +0000

I’ve been meaning to ramp up the publishing schedule here at TDH.me, especially concerning my upcoming book, but a few days of fever put a halt to that. So I’ll just say this: Smashing WordPress Themes is 14 chapters of theme goodness.

Unless I add some, to my editor’s dismay. You’ll never know.

I was going to publish the chapter outline here, but earlier today I actually swapped places on two of them, so it might be a bit premature. With me, this is a process up until my editor says stop, which she will when I’ve delivered the last one and hit the super-duper-mega-epic deadline for getting this book on the shelves this side of New Year’s. Which I’d like.

So there, it’s an actual update from yours truly on something, here on my blog-thingy. It’s been a while. I intend to keep those while a little less apart in the future.

Let’s solve the problems with WordPress!

tdh — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:16:09 +0000

Never one for shying away from a challenge, my most recent endeavour is all about fixing the problems with WordPress. Now, I’m not talking about fixing bugs in WordPress per se, rather solving the issues with the platform. From controlling the post flow to making more flexible text widgets, I’ll join up with friends to create plugins, themes and code snippets that’ll help you all to create better WordPress sites.

While I do have a list of things I think WordPress needs, mostly added functionality for better control when using it as a more traditional CMS, I’d like to hear from you guys. What do you miss in WordPress?

Share in the comments below, and your wish might come through, GPL’d and free for all of course!

Catch me on Disruptive Code

tdh — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:49:15 +0000

If you happen to be in Stockholm on September 21-22nd you can catch me speaking on Disruptive Code, an excellent conference with a bunch of talented people. Here’s the introduction post of yours truly.

Google needs to shape up on Apps

tdh — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:20:19 +0000

I’ve been a Google Apps user for quite some time now, and while I’m happy with the service and the fact that I can use it for free (should I want to), it is also a constant disappointment. Consider this: You choose to pay to use Google Apps, live in your own branded version of Gmail, Docs, and so on. Then Google updates Gmail for their users, add a feature or whatever.

And what about you? You’re left with the same old service you had yesterday. Weeks (or months) later you’ll get the update.

Gmail and email through Google Apps is basically the same thing, so why can’t Google let me choose if I want the update right away as an Apps user? Why am I left out in the cold, a version behind for weeks and months every time Google updates their services?

Sure, there are security aspects to consider. Gmail is, in a way, an ongoing beta test for the email feature in Google Apps, but why can’t I decide if I want to be cutting edge or not?

I’m a happy Apps user, but this treatment is an ongoing disappointment.

Are you seeing this?

tdh — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:05:00 +0000

My my my, I’m on a new server. Excuse the mess, expect the madness.

What?! The netbook's not dead yet?

tdh — Sat, 29 May 2010 15:03:41 +0000

I was scanning the gadget blogs while waiting for the MacBook Pro to copy a bunch of files to my brand new Mac mini server and something struck me as odd. There are still posts about netbooks, as in brand new upcoming netbooks.

Wow.

Now, I wrote all those Apple gadgetary things to tell you I love Apple products. I work on a 17″ MacBook Pro, write on my beloved MacBook Air, own three (3) iPhones, and am totally in love with my iPad. In fact, the only non-Apple things on my home network are a gaming PC, the PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360.

Apple does it best, the whole ecosystem product thing.

Which brings me back to the netbook. In my mind, the iPhone killed the netbook with the 3G edition. I’ve owned a bunch of netbooks, and the only thing that made me to actually keep one (I’ve had a bunch at the same time) when I got my iPhone 3GS was that coding on the go was just about impossible on the Apple phone, whereas it works well enough on the netbook. And it still had a reason to exist side by side with my Air, since the netbook still was smaller, albeit just as heavy/light.

But today? The iPad with a bluetooth keyboard is just about all I need when I’m on the go. Some widely quoted study, which I really can’t put too much weight on, says that a fourth of the Americans are planning on buying an iPad.

That will slash the netbook sales for sure.

So. Again. I was reading up on the gadget blogs, and saw a bunch of netbook posts. Two things:

What decent computer company would release a netbook in the wake of the iPad?
Gadget blogs earns money by getting a ton of readers, but who wants to read about the netbook today, post iPad?

The answer? A bunch, on both accounts.

The netbook’s not dead, but the craze is over. Apple’s iPad and all its upcoming competitors, along with more visual interfaces, will force the netbook makers to position their products even more as a low budget alternative.

That’s OK. I just don’t see a reason to buy one anymore. I used to have a bunch at the same time, as I said before. Not so anymore. In fact, even the Air is in question when it comes to the iPad and the needs when on the road.

Computing will be an interesting concept in the years to come.