Category Archives: Site News

So what’s going on here, exactly?

Good question. I had redesigned my site, in conjunction with a transition to using the Drupal engine. But then I learned just how much of a sitting target for spammers a Drupal site really is, so that’s out the window.

For now I’ve rolled back to the old site (with the 3 or 4 blog entries I posted in Drupal floating out there in the ether). I’m in the process of moving everything over to a new server anyway, so for now the site will remain in this old look until I get everything on the new server ready to roll out.

Site redesign? No way!

Yet another incremental tweak of the design has arrived. I’m pleased with the general direction of the current design, plus I’ve got enough invested in the functionality the way it’s currently put together to be interested in a wholesale redesign. But I just haven’t been happy with the color palettes or the treatment of certain elements. So, now we have a triumphant return of the orange-and-gray color scheme, accented by new green and brown elements. I’ve also reworked the header (in case you somehow hadn’t noticed). I’m still not totally convinced this is the way to go but I’m on the right track. (Perhaps the green is a little too “XBOXy”. I’m going to live with it for a while though…)

I think I may need a new section to file posts like this under: “Like You Care!”

More stupid web tricks coming your way…

I realize I’ve been working with PHP for too long when I get an idea like “I wonder exactly how birth rate affects population levels” and the first thing I think of is, “well why don’t I just build a PHP app to figure it out?”

This is the result of such thinking: Population Trajectory Calculator. It’s the newest addition to my Stupid Web Tricks page, and the first that’s not just JavaScript triggering an irritating pop-up.

This is probably just as pointless though, but it was a fun little exercise, and it’s starting to give me more ideas, which is always dangerous. Before long I’ll have built a web-based version of Oregon Trail.

I’m not kidding.

(Well, OK, I hope I am.)

Dream Out Loud video now available

I’ve updated my Bands page with a video clip of Dream Out Loud performing “Hope” at Breakers Music Hall on May 2, 2002.

Here’s the video…

That’s me standing stiffly stage left and playing my beloved (and former) aquamarine metallic Fender American Jazz Bass V. (Well, I do miss it, but I certainly can’t complain about the translucent orange Music Man StingRay 5 I bought to replace it.)

Note: This video requires QuickTime.