Bears fan to become “Peyton Manning”.
Wiese, a die-hard fan of the Chicago Bears, signed a pledge in front of a crowd at a Decatur bar last Friday night that if the Bears lost Sunday’s Super Bowl, he’d change his name to that of the man who led the Indianapolis Colts to victory.
He’s gonna have a hard time explaining that to his kids.
What happens when you take a website that’s not designed as a template and try and plug in your own content? Bad stuff happens. Bad stuff.
My favorite ExpressionEngine customization on Geek & Mild is found on the homepage; the displaying of article and link entries. They’re both listed chronologically, as you can see, but are displayed uniquely. Out of the box the {exp:weblog:entries} tag doesn’t have a category_id variable, so I have to query the database to get one. Thankfully EE does have a query tag so no PHP code is needed.
Here’s what I do:
Firstly, everything’s wrapped in the {exp:weblog:entries} tag, allowing 20 entries (regardless of entry type, or category), and pagination is set at the bottom. Pretty simple and standard. If you plan on implementing or testing this code block out for your own, just replace the “myblog” value with your own blog short-name.
Line 2 is where the query magic happens:
Here I’m grabbing the category ID (cat_id) from the table exp_category_posts for each entry and naming it mycategory. After that I have that precious variable {mycategory} available to me.
Note: I think if multiple categories have been assigned to an entry, every ID will be listed when the variable is parsed. So, for instance, if categories 5, 11, and 14 have been selected, the {mycategory} variable will render 51114. I’m not sure about that since I’m careful to only assign one category for each of my entries, but you should know if you plan on trying this out yourself.
Now that I have the category ID available as a variable, I use a conditional statement to display entries based on their categories. That’s where the first if comes into play. My “links” category ID happens to be 21, so my conditional looks like:
Simple, eh? Once the initial query is done, the rest … scrolls like butter, as Steve would say.
One other note about my homepage code: You’ll notice I don’t use {url_title_path} for any of my entry links. I opted against that based on the simplicity of my website and the fact that linking to a specific anchor (e.g. #comments) doesn’t work that well when using the EE path variables. I’ll gladly change my ways if someone can explain to me why that is or how to avoid it.
UPDATE: It’s like pulling teeth to get EE to not parse code in this entry! Until I can get it worked out, I’ve added “VARIABLE” to the category ID tag.
UPDATE 2: I’ve changed the variable name altogether.
UPDATE 3: Sorry for the outage all day! That’s what I get for messing around with templates during lunch break. Showing EE code blocks when using the Markdown plugin is proving more trouble than it’s worth, but I’ve been getting help from the pMachine Ninjas. Until a proper solution is found, the code blocks above will be backslash-escaped and have some parsed variables (on the homepage). Best not to copy/paste; just ask me if you want the original source.
UPDATE 4: Finally got it working! I was provided a new version of the Markdown plugin (much thanks to Paul Burdick) that encodes EE tags and doesn’t allow them to be parsed when inside an entry. Certain tags on my homepage still get parsed somehow (notice the {url_title} and {entry_date} tags) because I’m using query. I’m not sure if there’s a way around that, so I am considering other solutions for displaying linked entries versus other types.
The Office in Mii format. (Via Inman.)
According to Computer World we’re supposed to think twice about buying an iPhone. They’ve provided eight reasons, some of which are good thoughts – but there’s a lot of misinformation, too.
One of the big criticisms of the iPhone is that it will only support 2G data service
Actually, it supports 2.5G (EDGE) data and automatically switches to WiFi were available. I guess it’s just me, but I find open wireless networks just about everywhere I go now.
Consider how cramped that space will be if you want to store and watch video on your iPhone
Yes, consider that, because you can’t fit nearly as much as you can on your laptop, HDTV or DVD shelving. Com’on, guys, it’s a phone.
[…] if you typically opt for an entry-level or more basic phone, you may find that you won’t use all of those features
This under the warning for if you’re an “entry-level” user. First of all, they’ve obviously forgotten their audience. Secondly, I’d like to see an “entry-level phone user” pick up an iPhone and start to use it compared to picking up, say, a Sony Ericsson J110.
Do you need more features or applications on your phone?
… then the iPhone isn’t designed for you anyway, weirdo.
While many smart phones can interact with Exchange servers, the iPhone cannot
Wow. Flat-out wrong. Sure they go on to mention the iPhone’s “basic POP/IMAP mail access” on Exchange Servers, but with a statement like that they’re purposefully misleading people.
The iPhone announced last month isn’t likely to be the only iPhone that Apple will produce. It seems almost certain, based on statements from both Cingular and Apple, that future iPhone models will be released […] If you feel that this first iPhone is too expensive, too limited or just isn’t for you, keep in mind that over the next year or two, there may be a model that will be more appealing.
Okay, good point. If you’re not an early adopter you may want to sit this one out.
The King and Queen. Awesome new (free!) font.
Shaun Inman recently released a new version of his website stat-tracking software, Mint. The upgrade features many new improvements to the previous version, but the bulk of the full version change came in the form of speed increases, a new(ish) interface, and updated default modules (called Peppers). Oh, and it now supports IE PC – which is perhaps the reason for the influx of crazys on the Mint support forums, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Now let me get this out of the way before I go on: Though I own licenses for Mint, and read Shaun’s blog regularly, I do not know him personally. I think we’ve had one off-site conversation over email, but that’s it. Beyond what I’ve read on his site and what others say about him, I don’t have any other point of reference with which to judge his character.
Let’s be honest. Shaun’s work is an inspiration. His designs, software, and methods are all pace-setting. When he uses X and Y, we all “ooh” and “aah” and start to use X and Y too. He’s like a modern pide piper.
On a personal level, I remember first coming across shauninman.com when I was just discovering the Web Standards movement. I learned so much by dissecting his stylesheets and HTML. In a way, he’s sort of like a mentor to me. Shaun is like the Ferrari of web developers, and I feel like a Dodge Neon compared to him.
Yes, I respect him a lot.
I guess that’s one of the reasons I take so much offense when I read responses knee-jerk reactions to the upgrade cost (of $19) for the new version of Mint. Enter those crazys I mentioned:
I think charging customers $19 to upgrade their ‘Mint’ software is an absolute joke, and a disgraceful demand on Shaun Inman’s behalf.
And:
I have to say I’m very dissappointed. I love what Shaun does. Great design work. Excellent ideas and awesome developpement. But paying 19$ for an upgrade. I think I’ll pass. Sorry Shaun.[sic]
And:
[…] why should we have to pay for an upgrade to Mint 2? It seems a bit unfair.
As if Shaun were indebted to those who’ve purchase his software, and must therefore make good by supplying free support, upgrades and compliments. Riiiight.
I do understand some of the frustration these people have over an upgrade fee – I’ve questioned his decision and the cost, too – but this attitude of entitlement is what irritates me. If anyone has entitlement here it’s the guy who holds all the cards: Shaun Inman.
Let’s remember, we’re all using his software. He developed it. He packaged it, and he licenses it. We’re just users of the stuff, not owners. Hence the license agreement we must agree to before installing it. He’s not Google, and can’t just give away the stuff he creates because he’s floating in a river of income. He’s a real guy with real needs, wants and feelings.
I’ve purchased Mint 2. I did so just last night, in fact. I wanted to track this website’s stats. Sure I could use one of the other stat-tracker titles already installed on the server, but I wanted something more streamlined and focused. I decided Mint was the perfect product for me.
I’ve also purchased licenses for The City Church in the past. I won’t, however, be upgrading those – at least not for a while. I don’t need to. Mint version 1 already does everything I need it to do for those sites. Version 2 offers some great features I’d love to have, but don’t need.
The new iPod nanos are pretty sweet, too. Do you think if I complain to Apple that it’s unfair to charge full price for me to upgrade my first-gen nano they’ll listen and understand? Doubt it.
I challenge anyone who feels Mint’s upgrade price is too steep to take a good, hard look at what they’re getting for the price they’re getting it at. Do some comparisons. What can $20 get you?
Anything in that list you’d be willing to give up for a software package that’s well-built, comes with free support, a wonderful development community, and actually does what it says it’s supposed to do?
I tip my hat to Shaun, and wish him the best of luck with the future of Mint (and other endeavors). That’s free of charge.
Shades. Adds an additional pane in Apple’s Color Picker that shows a grid of shades for the color you’ve selected.
Star Wars PSA. Dark Sith Lords who use lightsabers have children who use lightsabers.
They’re Dropping Like Flies. Cabel Sasser (of Panic) got engaged, too! (The announcement is at the bottom of the article.)
Welcome to Version 3 of Geek & Mild. (If you’re reading this via RSS feed, you may want to visit and check out the changes!) This version represents the third redesign since the site launched 18 months ago, and but is the first major update in terms of graphics and presentation.
(A big thank you goes to The Wife™ for enduring my “code-comas” and late nights while I obsessed over the redesign.)
What you won’t recognize as being new is the format I display entries on the homepage. I opted to stick with the Kottke-/Gruber-esque inline display of both links and blog posts. Now links are identified with a neat, little leaf decoration. Posts are now fully displayed on the homepage, requiring no additional clicks to read to entire article.
I also chose to keep a streamlined homepage design rather than bog it down with needless badges, referrals, widgets and other typical blog paraphernalia. Yes, I added a Flickr Image Stream, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves …
Obviously the biggest change is the design. I wanted to go with something bolder, but didn’t want “Web 2.0” or 18px Helvetica. I chose black, grays and white because I wanted photos and inline images to pop on the page. The serif type I selected also seemed to lend itself nicely with the plain blacks and grays. I kept the subtle yellowish highlights of previous versions – I think it was part of whatever “brand” had been developed.
Another big update is the implementation of live comment previews. Previously there had been no way to preview your comment before submitting it. That made for unsure interaction with commenting, and caused frustration with the way Textile formatted comments. Now, everything’s previewed while the user types, even the Textile formatting.
With this version I really wanted to make my archives more readily available. Since Geek & Mild had accumulated 18 months worth of posts, I felt it was worth it to create a stand-alone archives section. The previous 30 posts are listed first, displayed as “The Last Thirty.” After that is the Topics and Archives listings.
I admit the archives section is still infantile. Search capabilities are coming soon (I had to launch this version first, in order have a live URL structure to work with), and I’m brainstorming ways to transition to using tags for easy browsing of relevant interests. Be sure to check back often, as changes to the Archives section will probably be rolled out weekly.
The more I use ExpressionEngine for a variety of different projects, the more I love it. This blog is actually more complicated than it looks in terms of code. Still, the flexibility EE provides made creating revamping it a joy. My goal is to open up and share the source code, showing how and why each page works the way it does. I’ll do this over the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, though, feel free to peruse the HTML/CSS yourself and ask questions.
Wii T-shirt. They just keep comin’!
Off The Market. Joshua Blankenship gets engaged. Congrats, man!
Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to my new lil’ friend: Reepicheep.
(Named, of course, after the heroic mouse from the Narnia series.)
I’d been debating the purchase of one of the new colored shuffles all week (well, since the announcement anyway) and happened by my local Apple Store last night. It must’ve been the RDF that sucked me in because five minutes later I found myself back outside the store, iPod shuffle in hand, and $85.95 poorer.
As for my impressions thus far, I can say that I’m mostly impressed with the accompanying earbuds that Apple has supplied. They are an upgrade to the standard iPod earbuds, and were introduced when the 2nd generation nano was unveiled. They’re much more comfortable to wear, have a shorter length cable, and have slightly better sound quality. After using them for a full day now I would recommend them to anyone, even for the $29.99 retail price!
You’re right, by the way, if you’re thinking, “but don’t you already have a perfectly good iPod nano?” The truth is, I have no need for it. Not only do I already own an iPod, but I also intend on buying an iPhone (also a wide-/touch-screen iPod) come June. Even I don’t need that diverse of a gadget lineup.
Still, therein lies my reasoning. Bear with me here.
The iPhone will replace my iPod nano – by the way, anyone looking to buy a nearly-perfect, white, 4GB iPod nano? – and take its place as player for podcasts, favorite songs, and specific playlists. It will also store the latest episode of The Office.
Reepicheep, then, will be my “work iPod.” I’ll load it up at the beginning of my work day with tunes I think fit my mood and will drive my creativity. I tried it out today, and even though the novelty of owning a new iPod affected my overall opinion, I thought it served its purpose great. In fact, I finally kicked out some logo comps that have been months-due. Yay for creativity!
Now, if only I could keep the iPod’s playlist in the source list. To me, that feature was one of the benefits the shuffle models offered. When did that go away?
Also, if only I didn’t have to use the (included) dock to sync with my Mac. The standard USB connector on the first-gen shuffles was definitely under-appreciated.
And, if only I loved the orange color without condition. I chose orange, but only because it was the new, trendy, cool-kid color. In reality, I would have been just as happy with green, blue or silver. Heck, even the pink one is pretty hot. Like I said, I want them all!
After all, there are five days of the work week, and I need all the creativity I can get!
Body by Wii. A killer tee design by D. Keith Tom Watson, pimped by D. Keith.
Did you know you can view your entire Purchase History from the iTunes Store? While browsing mine I found my first-ever purchase. Turns out it was Clocks by Coldplay, a full 4 years ago!
So what was yours? To find out, go to the iTunes Store and your account settings. From there you just hit the “Purchase History” button and jump to the very start of your history. Post your results here (if you’re brave enough)!
© 2012 Sean Sperte, please don't steal. More info.
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