Try not to work for friends … the customer/vendor dynamic is one of the harshest tests of a friendship.
Goodbye Klout
Although I was quick to jump on the Klout wagon when I first came across it, this is just a quick note more than anything else about my just as quick decision to stop using the service.
I would expect no one should see any more unsolicited tweets et al. to use the service from me; and I also believe I have clicked enough buttons and disconnected all of the services that were attached to Klout as well.
I didn’t find any “close my account” or “cancel my service” options but then again Klout really does not seem all that interested in having your permission to assign a “score”.
So long and thanks for all the +K.
WordCamp Toronto 2011 Takeaway
Although WordCamp Toronto 2011 was last weekend there were several ideas I will be taking away from it in regards to future development, best practices, as well as some interesting concepts and discussions. To keep it simple I’m just going to list these items (with their inspiration):
- Install MultiSite for use with Theme Demos (Ron and Andrea Rennick)
- Look into PhoneGap to make HTML5 WebApps for the iPhone * Review Sencha Touch as well (Trevor Mills)
- Review all of my Themes to add a ‘description’ parameter to the register_sidebar and register_sidebars definitions * Update the codex, too, if it is not done yet (Jeremy Clarke)
- Monetize What You Do (Christopher Ross)
- Develop “site” plugin(s) (Rick Radko)
- Use inline documentation * PHPDoc (Chip Bennett)
- Review do_action and apply_filters in place of conditional function checks (Chip Bennett)
There were many more ideas and great pieces of advice, as well as some really sound tips and suggestions through the day (which I simply made myself comfortable in the Developer track for the duration).
The above were just the ones I specifically made note of (literally using the “Sticky Notes” program). Don’t ask me why I didn’t use EverNote at the time, but all of the above are now listed in an EverNote list for future reference and recollections.
Some of these ideas I am already putting into action, such as the inline documentation in a PHPDoc style; some items I had already been looking at; and others are more as reminders to keep thinking about what can be done.
Just like my site tagline at WPFirstAid: It’s WordPress … anything is possible!
The Little Things
Once the big picture is drawn, it’s the little things that separate the good from the great.
New < 140
I just updated my < 140 block to:
I am Cais: WordPress junkie and blogger; maker of fine themes and plugins; WP Theme Review Team admin; Guitar player; and, mischief manager
For consistency purposes it’s the same “bio” details I use on most (all?) of the social networking services I belong to; which, sadly, are simply too many to remember at the moment.
Although my primary social media site is Twitter (@JellyBeen) I can be found most places if you search for Edward Caissie … look me up; and let me know you saw this post, too!
WordPress 3.3-beta1
Although it was released yesterday, I am following my normal routine of using it live now.
If you are interested in following along and helping with the beta testing, you can read my post on WPFirstAid.com on how to “Start Using WordPress Beta“, or you can download the “Nightly Build” at WordPress and start from there.
Revenue is a big carrot to ignore, especially when its potential is removed altogether.
Week 39: Back At It
Last week was an interesting vacation; not what I expected nor had in mind but for the most part it was productive and we accomplished a few things that needed to be done.
Due to an unforeseen and most definitely unexpected accident we replaced our walk-in closet shelving with some much more sturdier industrial style racking. We also seem to have increased the open floor space in the closet, too. No pocket change for the racking (~$600) but well worth the peace of mind and additional space. The do-it-yourself aspect also made the project less of a chore and more of an accomplishment.
Unfortunately our hapless cat Roo will not be venturing into that closet anytime soon. It was one of his favorite places until he was buried under seven feet of clothing and a myriad amount of boxes and what-have-you items that were stored on the top shelf.
No worries, Roo is physically fine … just a bit nervous; although to help entice him back into his favorite haunt we made sure to allow for a special space and a brand new cat pillow for him to safely sleep on.
Now, re-charged and ready for more fun and games I am getting this week off to a start by catching up on my correspondence and other items of note.
I’ll see about getting some pictures posted … maybe I will even catch one of Roo in his new bed, too.
WordCamp Toronto 2011
It’s Official!
WordCamp Toronto 2011 is now listed at WordCamp Central!
We have a date: November 5 & 6, 2011
We have a venue: George Brown College
We need sponsors! We need speakers! We need volunteers!
Most of all we want you to come out and enjoy a great WordCamp and learn more about WordPress and the Toronto WordPress community … and remember, even if you have never heard of WordPress before, you are more than welcome to come out and enjoy the time with us.
The Internet Vote
Election Day is soon upon us; and, one of the key issues is the matter of Internet access and pricing policies of service providers.
OpenMedia.ca has been working hard to champion the cause of bringing this information to light so voters can make an informed decision with their next federal election vote. To that point, a letter to the Conservative Party representative in your local riding can be sent from their site. Here is the boilerplate text of the letter (please note you are able to change this at their site):
The Conservative Party of Canada is the one party that has not responded to the Digital Future Survey put out by OpenMedia.ca. Canadians want to learn more about where all the parties stand on rising Internet fees. By refusing to answer us, you are leaving voters in the dark.
When your party stood up against the pay meter on our Internet this winter I thought you were on our side. In flippantly dismissing the Digital Future Survey, the Conservatives are giving the cold shoulder not only to the half-a-million Canadians who signed the Stop The Meter petition, but to all voters concerned with Canada’s digital future. Please put pressure on your party leaders to respond to citizens, and clarify the Conservative vision for Canada’s digital future.
Your party’s positions (or lack thereof) on key Internet issues will help guide my voting decision.
Right now you have a unique opportunity to let voters know where you stand, and I want to hear from you.
I want to know that, if elected, you will stop the pay meter on our Internet and work to increase Internet access, competition, transparency, and choice. And I want to know how.
Please become a pro-Internet candidate, and ask your party to let citizens in on the Conservative plan for Canada’s digital future.
Vote Responsibly!