Works paid off

Does that explain it? That alarm shown appeared on the calendar page right on time and by default will stay there for 15 minutes and then removed. The neat thing is that it’s all web based and all pure PHP. Like I always say though, it is not Windows server compatible right now.

Eject Key, Apple Pro Keyboard, and Linux

One thing I never liked about running Linux on my iMac is the fact that the eject key doesn’t work.
Using Debian, Gnome 2.8, Linux 2.6.8.

Well the problem is now solved, or fixed, thanks to a bit of scripting and the eject executable.

I wrote a little PHP script:

#!/usr/local/bin/php

And put it in /usr/local/bin/maccd
Added a shortcut icon into the Gnome panel, and know all I have to do is click a button to eject and close my cd tray.
At least it’s easier than going to the Terminal.

Now if only I can somehow map the eject key to it…

Alarms Groundwork Ready

The system which will be used for web based event alarms is ready to go for ACal 3.0. The hooks still need to be connected to the HTML and SMTP but the stuff that works is done.

I will not say exactly how it’s going to work until after it’s released, but it will not work on Windows servers because of the following reasons.

• I do not have a Windows machine
• I do not no how to do it
• I have no desire to do it

So as you can see, all it would take for Windows support is for someone other than I to do it. But that will have to be done when it’s all over.

So what does this say for the alpha release? Maybe in two weeks minimum.

Redesigned Sidebar – ACal 3.0

I have redone the way you work with events in ACal 3.0. The previous design was just to complicated and used up too much space.
This new design uses up much less space and is easier to use. And as a plus it makes working with the code easier as well for me.

There is some discussion about whether to use a popup window for event management or the current sidebar implementation. If this get’s to be too big of a problem I will add a preference option for that.

An Alpha release will hopefully be coming this month, but the final release will not come until every feature in ACal 2.2.3 is implemented plus more.
The Alpha release will have a month view, and you’ll be able to manage events. From then on official snaphots will be made available from the ACal Project web site.

ACal 20050211

We always enjoy a progress update right?

Well Mozilla now almost has support for XForms 1.0 and so I felt like taking advantage of it because I’ve been waiting (looking forward) for it for a long time.
And what better way to put XForms to real world use than to use it in a calendar management pane. So that’s what the preference there is for.

ACal 3.0 has a long way to go before it’ll be of any use. But if the core is planned correctly, it will be very easy to change things later on.

And no, we will not make the February 12th Beta. If I would release a snapshot tomorrow it wouldn’t even be alpha quality yet. This calendar is really complex, but it will be work of art when finished.

Palestinians not Keeping Truce

The Hamas group and Islamic Jihad are not bound by the recent truce between Israel and the PA. So what does this mean? It means that Israel is doing their part and the PA is not. This also means more terror attacks will be launched against Israel and Israel will be forced to defend it’s people again.

In short, this recent truce is a failure. Even if the PA could remove Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, some of the members of the PA are members of terrorist groups as well so it’s not like if they would. I feel another war coming. It’s called phase 2 of the PLO.

A new Wave

I thought the wave of giving away GMail from blogs was over, but I guess not.

So I’ll try to stop the wave, or at least slow it down.

Would you like to get a free GMail account? If you leave a comment with your name and email address I’ll send you an invitation.

If you don’t know what GMail is, do a Google search

Arab’s Versus Israeli’s

AN END TO VIOLENCE! Says the Jerusalem Post.

Mid-East leaders announce truce says the BBC.

What are these news publications missing? First of all, an end to violence. How can a one month cease-fire be an end to violence? It’s just temporary. Once again the media is making it look like the conflict is gone for good. It’s only been a few days since the last attack.

But I do like what Mr. Sharon said, “We must not make do with a temporary stop in violence, but rather be determined and make sure that terror comes to a full stop, for good. We are willing to commit to all the obligations we agreed upon, and expect the same from the other side.”

But I have found the BBC to be the most unreliable news source, ever since they made Yasser Arafat out to be a good person who was all for peace, when he meanwhile invented modern terrorism single handedly.

I am confident though, and really hope Israel does not let down their guard. Because once the Palestinians have a good grip on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, it’s time for phase two of their plan. To destroy Israel. Israel cannot become satisfied, or let down their guard for one moment. They are surrounded by people who hate them. Who would love to replace Israel with Palestine.

Israel Releases 900 Prisoners

I didn’t think they’d actually do it.

JPost says it well.

The Internet

What a broad title.

The internet was created for the use of research. The idea was having all the information you can find, accessible by anyone from anywhere over a network using a web browser (user agent.)

A world wide information network.

Looking at it today, it has become that and a lot more. It is now used for communication as well, multimedia, and even entertainment.

It is used for evil, and for good.

Now for what this is really about, can the internet become the new school? Think about it. The internet really has the possibility of replacing schools and colleges as far as information goes. Then there’s learning by doing, something the internet can never replace.

Knocked out

I think I’ve been knocked out of developer mode into some kind of end user mode. I just can’t seem to get myself to write code anymore. Hopefully I’ll be able to find the switch soon so I can get back to my regular self.