Bruce Zimmer: Items To Review

Elvis Has Left The Building

Tue, 18 Oct 2005 05:44:05 GMT

Let the word go forth to all my Radio weblog category sites. And let the word likewise be cast upon the RSS waters that those both near and far may hear the news.

This incarnation of Redwood Asylum has been retired. But let not the news weigh heavily upon thee. Know ye that nonsense and drivel spring forth anew in these TypePad locations:

Redwood Asylum: same old stuff with a new RSS feed
Random Analytics: web analytics and a new RSS feed

Oh, and the Elvis expression?

Upgraded TypePad Trial

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 07:24:54 GMT

Upgraded my TypePad trial account from Basic to Plus.

Spent a lot of time troubleshooting problems with Radio UserLand post exporting. Finally decided the issue was probably not in Bill Kearney's exporter tool, but in the Radio UserLand database.

Deleted several old posts from an unpublished category and deleted the category. Deleted several other old categories which were no longer needed. Ran the TweezerMan script to rebuild internal category story lists. Used the Radio application option to save a new copy of weblogData.root. Shut down Radio, swapped in the new copy of weblogData.root and restarted. Bill Kearney's exporter ran fine, dumping over 1700 posts into a Movable Type format file.

Re-worked the TypePad test site several times, dumping the earlier partial import and loading the full 1700 post file. TypePad isn't nearly as flexible as Movable Type, but I don't think I need extensive customization. However, I do have an account at Total Choice Hosting where I could test Movable Type.

Many have moved to (perceived) greener pastures after Radio UserLand. Will I follow The Shifted Librarian, TweezerMan and Phil Windley to Movable Type? I watched Ernie the Attorney move from Radio to TypePad. If my TypePad testing proceeds without major incident, maybe I'll buy the first year. If I don't like the Project Comet evolution, I can always jump to Movable Type later.

Time will tell.

TypePad Trial

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 07:06:12 GMT

After three and a half years with Radio UserLand, I'm testing something new. I opened a 30-day free trial TypePad account this evening, starting with the Basic version. Using Google, I located Bill Kearney's exporter tool for Radio UserLand. Although I'm having problems, I was able to export enough Radio posts to test the TypePad import feature. Time will tell.

A Few More Knowledge Management Blogs

Tue, 22 Mar 2005 07:10:35 GMT

Following up on the Bill Ives knowledge management blog list, Jack Vinson over at Knowledge Jolt with Jack offers his favorite KM resources.

More Knowledge Management Blogs

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 00:38:32 GMT

Never hurts to have another list of knowledge management sites.

Some Knowledge Management Blogs from Bill Ives. An nice list of blogs that deal with KM topics from Bill Ives. I'm flattered that Bill chose to include mine among the list. You should definitely check out the rest of the list as well.

Some Knowledge Management Blogs. When I was at Braintrust 2005 last week, someone asked me about good blogs to read. Since it was a knowledge management conference I put together the list of 17 below. Eight are cases in our own business blog book... [Portals and KM]
[McGee's Musings]

Windows XP Support Tools

Sun, 13 Feb 2005 05:02:05 GMT

Install the Windows XP Support Tools (XP Pro). The Windows Support Tools are located on the Windows XP CD. These tools are normally used by technical support or more experienced users to troubleshoot and resolve various problems. The support tools are not installed with Windows XP. If you want access to these tools, you must complete the steps below. Once you do, a Windows Support Tools folder containing the different tools is added to the Start Menu….
By rss_feedback@lockergnome.com (Diana Huggins). [Lockergnome's Windows Fanatics]

Radio UserLand 'Slacker Bug' Not Fixed in v8.1

Fri, 08 Oct 2004 05:59:27 GMT

Based on the previous upstreaming test post, I know that the 'one-month slacker' bug was not fixed in Radio UserLand version 8.1.

Q: WTF is the 'one-month slacker' bug?
A: If you write a post, whether to the home page or one of your categories, on a day which is exactly one month after your last post, Radio UserLand gets sick. Although the new post is entered into the database with the correct date, it is rendered to the web site using the date of your month-ago post.

So, all you slackers, don't let the moss grow on your categories or your home page. My test post today (10/7/04) was one month after the last post (9/7/04) in my Items To Review category, triggering the bug. My test post from 10/7 appears on 9/7, along with my 'real' 9/7 post.

This second test post is also going to all categories.

These Are Not The Droids You're Looking For

Fri, 08 Oct 2004 04:09:39 GMT

This is not the post for which you are looking, but will test Radio UserLand upstreaming after the version 8.1 upgrade. This is the first post since returning from Gnomedex 4. Later, I'll test post back-dating (via Mark Paschal's unsupported Radio To The Past) for my Gnomedex comments. This test is posted to all categories.

Install XP Without A Product Key

Wed, 08 Sep 2004 06:52:43 GMT

Install XP without a product key.

Direct and Related Links for 'Install XP without a product key'

“Microsoft’s new Windows Product Activation presents support techs with all sorts of new challenges, including the need to have a valid product key to install, or reinstall, Windows XP on workstations. But what do you do if you can’t find the CD with the original key that matches the machine you’re working on? You can discover the key using ViewKeyXP…. If you try to reinstall Windows XP and don’t have your original product key or… By marc@lockergnome.com (Marc Erickson). [Lockergnome's IT Professionals]

ComputerWorld - Best Practices for Software Development Projects

Sat, 12 Jun 2004 03:00:09 GMT

Best Practices for Software Development Projects. 10 simple tips to get projects in on time and within budget. [Computerworld News]

Screwed by Apple DRM

Sat, 12 Jun 2004 03:00:05 GMT

How to Un-DRM your Un-DRM'd iTunes 4.6 Songs.

God damn it, Apple. So I don't buy a lot of albums from iTunes Music Store, because I'm cheap and Denton had to get another set of gold fronts, but I've got a couple here and there, which I have unlocked with Playfair/Hymn. Now part of the whole shtick with Hymn is that even though it strips the iTunes DRM, it leaves your email address and other unique purchasing information in the protected AAC file, ostensibly to symbolically signify that Hymn users aren't trying to spread their fairly-purchased music files to the whole world, but instead to whatever devices they want. I unlocked mine so that I could be sure to play them after I had reformatted my machine. I'm pretty sure Apple has a method of reauthorizing your computer, but that's a hassle. But now the new version of iTunes has recognized that the DRM-stripped M4P files were purchased from iTMS and is telling me my (reformatted, reinstalled) machine isn't authorized to play them. So gee, thanks for that, Apple.

Get the fix after the jump.
[Gizmodo]

Turn Off Windows Services

Sat, 12 Jun 2004 03:00:04 GMT

GNEWBIE GNOOK: Can I Turn Off Some Services?.

By Brandon Watts

Q: When I do the Ctrl-Alt-Del key combination, I see a whole bunch of things called services that are running. I really have no idea what some of these do, and I'm wondering if I can end them. Which ones are safe to turn off? By the way, I'm running Windows XP.

A: I've previously talked about disabling unwanted programs from starting up. One of the things that I didn't cover was the plethora of services that are no doubt running on your machine at this very second. Eliminating some of these services from starting up can help your computer to run smoother. But how do you know which ones to turn off and which ones to keep? For all of the important details, visit this valuable page on the Black Viper site.

The chart on the page gives you all of the information that you could ever want. You'll get explanations on what the service does, what its dependencies are, and suggestions on whether you can turn it off or not. The beginning of the page will tell you how to disable these services, and give you other beneficial links and tips. This is required viewing for any XP user. For your information, there's also a guide to Windows 2000 services.

The next time you perform the three-finger-salute (Ctrl-Alt-Del), you'll know exactly what the services do, and if it's safe to turn them off.

Have a question or subject that you would like to see covered? Drop Brandon a line and maybe he can include it in a future edition of the Gnewbie Gnook! Also, don't forget our forums (or, if you're a Latin freak, "fora") where Gnomies from all around the world congregate to help, be helped, and discuss issues that may or may not have anything to do with technology!
[Lockergnome's Windows Fanatics]

Nanodude Launches Site

Wed, 05 May 2004 06:01:00 GMT

Nanogoodies...

Eric Drexler's new nanoscience site.

Nanotechnology pioneer K. Eric Drexler has launched a site focused on the "science behind emerging technologies of broad importance." Along with deep technical information on nanotechnology, e-drexler.com will also explore secure, distributed computing efforts.

"A better understanding can benefit both technical leaders seeking productive directions for research and development, and policy makers aiming to make wise decisions."
A sister site called metamodern.com will delve into the social implications of these technologies. Link
[Boing Boing]

Icon Comparison

Mon, 03 May 2004 07:45:00 GMT

Cute collection of various icon designs.

A Little Fun. You may not put much thought into the icons used on websites, but Ro London has. He's produced a nifty website called 300 images from 1800 sites, which includes a collection of tiny icons he collected from around the web -- arrows, buttons, print icons, comment bugs, mail icons, bullets, shopping cart/bag images. These are NOT for you to borrow or steal, but rather the site is meant to help designers brainstorm on their own web graphics project. It's a cool little site, and I thank my Poynter colleague Julie Moos for pointing it out to me. By steve@poynter.org (Steve Outing). [Poynter E-Media Tidbits]

More Cool Outlook Toys

Sat, 24 Apr 2004 05:49:21 GMT

TabTag - adding SQL capabilities to Outlook.

This looks interesting. Now all I need to do is find time to evaluate it.

TabTag. TabTag turns Outlook into a flexible SQL database solution, adding a range of features to classify, link and edit data as required. Easy to install, use and manage, TabTag saves valuable resources and improves productivity. Free single user version now available. [Slipstick - Outlook and Exchange News]
[McGee's Musings]

Blogger Discount on Bug Tracking Software

Mon, 29 Mar 2004 07:44:42 GMT

Don't know if I'll take them up on the discount, but the package looks interesting. Just what I need, another software product to test. Sigh...

Axsoft is offering a free 3-user license for their bug-tracker.

Axosoft: Free 3-User Offer

Axosoft is offering bloggers a free 3-user version of their .NET & SQL based OnTime defect tracking software (bug tracking software). For more information, visit

http://www.axosoft.com/Free3UserOffer.htm.

An interesting way to market software and build buzz.
[Marc's Outlook on Productivity]

More Web Toys

Mon, 29 Mar 2004 07:40:30 GMT

brain eaters. Whenever I’m overwhelmed with work tasks, I become far more susceptible to the siren call of brain-eating games. I lost more hours than I care to admit to WEBoggle this week. Now I find myself confronted with the ingenious InfocomBots—AIM bots that allow you to play the best of InfoComs classic text adventure games using nothing more than an AIM client. Ack! My susceptibility to the appeal of these games was probably fueled by my recent sleeplessness and drug-induced fogginess, which in turn resulted from the annoyingly persistent cough I’ve not been able to shake for the past 2+ weeks.... [mamamusings]

Find File Extensions

Mon, 29 Mar 2004 07:17:55 GMT

GNEWBIE GNOOK: Decoding Obscure File Extensions.

By Brandon Watts

Q: I'm really confused about all of the different file extensions that are sitting on my computer. How do I know what type of files they are, and what programs they go with?

A: If you have ever (as a beginner) perused the system folders on your computer, you know how frightening it can be. You'll be presented with all of these strange filenames and indecipherable file extensions. Or, maybe you have installed a new program and would like to know what some of the installed file types do. If you've ever been in this position, surf on over to FILExt.

Upon arriving at the site you can search for a specific file extension that you may have in mind, or you can browse through the extensive database. Even though this site contains just a portion of extensions, it really shows you how many different types exist that you've never heard of and probably will never see. Still not able to find what you're looking for? If this is the case, you can post your question on the forums where people reside to discuss file formats and all their glory. That's gotta be some exciting discussion...

Have a question or subject that you would like to see covered? Drop Brandon a line and maybe he can include it in a future edition of the Gnewbie Gnook! Also, don't forget our forums (or, if you're a Latin freak, "fora") where Gnomies from all around the world congregate to help, be helped, and discuss issues that may or may not have anything to do with technology!
[Lockergnome's Windows Fanatics]

Locate IP Addresses

Mon, 29 Mar 2004 06:56:20 GMT

NET: Atelier Web IP Locator v1.0.

833K
Win98/2k/XP
FREE
http://www.atelierweb.com/iploc/index.htm
{IP locator} Enter IP addresses to retrieve information including country, city, ISP, and start / end IP addresses. You can enter up to 100 IP addresses and search for them. The resulting information is useful for locating Internet visitors or sites that send spyware (I have a list of sites to block and a couple of them only list the IP address). It's also for producing localized content, redirecting visitors, analyzing raw Web logs, and producing spam-filtering software. Even use it to learn about IP addresses and the information they provide. [Meryl]
[Lockergnome Windows Fanatics]

Weekend Blogger

Mon, 29 Mar 2004 06:54:37 GMT

weekend mode.... [jenett.radio]