Wednesday, August 29, 2001
Microsoft finally released Internet Explorer 6 this week. I'm downloading it now. MS brags full support for DOM Level 1, CSS1, and more CSS2. Apparently, there is no scheduled release of version 6 for Macintosh. So all you Macintards, quit whining and get Moz!
I get a lot of my more informative musings from Jeffrey. I'm glad he doesn't mind. He even added cookieCrook to his favorites. I'll have to return the favor somehow. Plug.
DISCLAIMER: I was kidding about the "Macintards" comment. I use a G4 in addition to my PC. Also, recent reports have shown that Microsoft actually will be releasing future versions (including version 6) of Internet Explorer for the Macintosh.
I ran across a link to a mouth-controlled synthesizer/vocoder type thing. It uses a camera to record the size and shape of the shadow within the mouth. It then takes an audio source like a normal second input on a vocoder. Check out the demo video but be prepared for a long download time. It was developed in Japan and they're calling it a Mouthesizer. You should definately check it out if you are into musical toys or electronics.
Sigh... I just received my second call today from some rather slow learners at a company called Credit Card Terminals. Someone had signed up my work phone number under the name "Harry Bolsak." Haha! In order for them to remove my number, I actually had to explain the pun to them. Those people need to watch more episodes of The Simpsons.
Saturday, August 25, 2001
I'm scheduled to help out with the AIR Austin contest. On September 15th, volunteering developers are split up into competing teams to make accessible websites for non-profit organizations.
Sounds like it should be a lot of fun and an interesting experience. I'm at the "Web Accessibility Initiative - Level A" right now. Hopefully I can get my site up to WAI-AA standards before the competition. I'm missing two checkpoints: a site map and labels for my forms. Look for the site map or table of contents next week.
Wednesday, August 22, 2001
I just checked my SETI@home User Statistics and noticed that I recently completed over two years worth of processing time on various computers. Awww... They gave me a certificate to show their appreciation for decoding over 1000 packets. I haven't been keeping up lately ever since I attributed the failure of two computer fans to my leaving it on all the time. Hah!
A column on EyeWire talks about The Seven (Bad) Habits of Highly Ineffective Creative People. Lee Silber goes over the finer points of sloth, gluttony, avarice, pride, lust, lack of discipline, and deceit. JT described it as "An excellent reality check for the best (or worst?) of us."
True... True...
Earlier today, James Tikalsky showed me a page on the Microsoft site that contains a list of default fonts that come pre-installed on most computer systems - Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX. There is some other cool stuff available on the Microsoft Typography site like free utilities and other info for developers.
Tuesday, August 21, 2001
A new CSS article is up on A List Apart this week. Practical CSS Layout: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques by Mark Newhouse goes over the basics of replacing your 20th century table structure layout with fabulous new css-positioned divs. The title sounds a lot like my notes on Practical CSS Tips but we're really talking about different aspects of the same science.
A more detailed css layout tutorial can be found on Eric Costello's site, glish. I used that one a few months ago to help me make this site "certified table-free".
Wednesday, August 15, 2001
I made some new changes to the site. I've added a little bit of dhtml to the left navigation. and a corporate portfolio section. The portfolio section includes work I've done for high-status clients while working at various jobs.
I also had a chance to talk to some Dell employees (in the web division) recently. It's encouraging to hear them talk to highly of the company. Makes me wanna buy some stock.
It's a sad day for the web when Dan Steinman, the original dhtml guru and creator of the DynAPI, has to advertise for work on his personal website. If you lived in Texas, I'd have a job for you, Dan.
