And so it begins, again: SharpMT 1.2, Beta 1. The 1.2 version adds two and half major features to SharpMT, and again, they’re from user feedback: support for MT’s text filters (I think, anyway!), customizable tags for Bold/Italics/Underline, and new behavior for the Add URL’s link box (that would be the half feature.) If you have been using 1.1 or earlier, please read the rest of this because there’s some important upgrade information – continue, on to download…
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All posts by Randy
Starbucks Updates
It’s been a while since I’ve had an update from the Mermaid’s Lair, but, well… it’s been boring lately. Granted I don’t spend as much time there as I used to, now that my manuscript is done, but the product line seems to be gotten stagnant lately… I think their malt-frap drinks were supposed to be the big release of the summer, but they didn’t *wow* me that much… It hasn’t been completely dead there, though – so what’s the latest from my local Starbucks?
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iTrip
I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while, but I initially had some issues with it to work out with it first – I didn’t want to slam a product without giving it a fair chance, particularly when it looks as good as this one did. You see, iTrip is the best possible iPod accessory design to date.
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Memoirs of an Italian Geek
The manuscript for this has been done for a while now, but as with programming, there’s always more work to do once the work is done. What I mean is that when you code an application, that’s only the beginning of the final project. After you hit compile for the last time, you then have application level testing (stress and “error” testing) as well as the help system, FAQ files, the web site updates, and lastly the installation. When I started writing this book/anthology, I thought writing the manuscript would be the hardest part… oi, what a typo in logic that was!
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Screw You, Hallmark
I’ve often wondered if there was a government board or council or something that dealt with the creation and maintenance of holidays in the US. Let’s face facts: Flag Day would be completely forgotten if there wasn’t someone reminding us every 14th of June. There’s no religious reason for it. No one exchanges gifts on it. There’s a spark of patriotism that goes with it, but for the last couple of years, every day in the US has had a spark of patriotism, so this holiday can be easily overlooked. Yankee Stadium knew about it this year: everyone got a little flag to carry in the stands and there was a huge flag displayed during the national anthem, held by soldiers from the four branches of the US armed forces. So someone is keeping the holidays straight for us. I think it’s been Hallmark that’s been doing it. However, to Hallmark, I say, “Screw You.”
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Speaking Invisibly
I think I’m officially developing a new talent. Maybe cultivating is a better word, actually. I mean, I didn’t plant the seed of this talent – my mum did that. I certainly didn’t help it grow into the mature trait that it’s become – my day job did that. No, I was stuck with this hardy talent, so I think I need to cultivate it now and start using it to suit my purposes. You see, it seems that I’ve taught myself to Speak Invisibly.
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Random Thoughts – Allergic to Them?
What a strange way to start a week. I spent the last two hours in an allergist’s office, suffering the scratching and poking of a battery of tests to find out what I already knew: a $45 copay for an office visit makes any trip to a doctor feel like a trip to the proctologist.
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SharpMT – 1.1 Release
Announcing the official release of SharpMT 1.1! The 1.1 version adds three major features to SharpMT, all formed from user feedback: a preview mode for drafts, the ability to upload images to your Blog server, and a sharper design for the embedded windows of SharpMT. Some important links for SharpMT:
Product info: https://www.randyrants.com/sharpmt/
FAQ: https://www.randyrants.com/sharpmt/faq.htm
Download: https://www.randyrants.com/sharpmt.exe (always the latest final version – currently 1.1)
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SharpMT – 1.1 Beta 3, RC1
Time for another round of work towards a “final” release. As near as I can tell, this round of SharpMT is just about feature complete – the latest thing added to 1.1 Beta 3 is the ability to upload images to the Blog server. I can also confirm that this release works with the 2.64 release of MovableType. There’s a couple of caveats with the Image upload feature, so if you’re interested keep reading – if you’re just looking to stay up to date, download Beta 3 here.
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Condoms: $6 Box or Priceless?
I have no kids. Oh, I like kids and I have almost no issues with kids, actually – I just don’t have any of my own. Am I not going to have any ever? Am I shooting blanks? How the hell do I know? The only thing I’m sure of is that kids are irreversible, which really makes them unique thing in today’s day and age. I mean you can get out of marriage, evade taxes, duck many felony charges (with a greasy enough lawyer), and stave off death for years – even tattoos can be removed. Even if a kid is put up for adoption, they can always find you, given the information stores of the ‘net; hardly reversible. So, as near as I can tell, kids and death are the last irreversible decisions. Irreversible decisions make my feet itch.
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SharpMT – 1.1 Beta 2
I’m pleased to announce that I have a couple of new features in this release of SharpMT and not as pleased to announce that a proposed feature is being abandoned. Either way, you are truly going to be forced into service as beta testers with this release for a couple of reasons. One is that this was compiled using an evaluation copy of VS.NET 2003 – as my real copy is still on backorder – which means that the 1.1 release of the .NET Framework is now required to run this version of SharpMT. I’m also including a new control with this release, so there could be some installation issues as well. That’s what a beta is all about, after all. That and some new features of course…
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American Idol
I actually didn’t know what to call this Rant because I really don’t know who I’m even Ranting at. One thing is definitely certain: no more American Fuckin’ Idol. Wasn’t having to live through shows like “Punky Brewster”, “The Golden Girls”, and “Mannix” enough? We already had to suffer through the producers from “The Cosby Show” as they searched for “spunky” and “fresh” new talent to replace Rudy when she got too old. We saw the writers of ER keep Carter as an intern for like five seasons because he made a better intern than doctor – don’t ask me about that either: I stopped watching ER a long, long time ago. Why do TV networks feel obligated to feed us such crap?
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Life Imitating Art (Video Game Edition)
OK, so the other day presidential “hopeful” Joseph Lieberman had a press conference because he was concerned about a very pressing issue. As he put it, he was “concerned about video games that spoon-feed blatant sex [as opposed to sex hidden in digital shadows?] and graphic violence.” Very concerned for our children. Good for you Joe, but what’s your solution? Ban the games entirely? I certainly wouldn’t like it and let me tell you why.
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Move or Die!
This weekend started out harmlessly enough. I picked up another four chapters from my “editing staff” and planned to roll them into my master draft copies that I keep. I went to see the Yankees game this Saturday at the Stadium. I had lunch with my parents on Sunday. Seems like a normal and pleasant weekend, no? It’s amazing how leaving out details can alter one’s perception of things.
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SharpMT – 1.1 Beta 1
Yes! It’s time for another round of beta releases of SharpMT. First off, this will be a much slower and long beta cycle. Why? I have less to do on the application this time around! Also, I’m stalling while Microsoft continues to stall me, on their $29 upgrade to Visual Studio.NET 2003. I have a trial version that I might install to get some other upgrades going, but Microsoft has told all of us that have ordered the upgrade that “it’s on backorder” and we should get it soon. So what’s new in the first beta of SharpMT 1.1?
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