Technology

I Have Changed Web Hosts, Successfully!

I have wanted to make this change for over a year now, and after a series of issues with my old provider, 1&1, I finally switched my site to Bluehost. I'm sharing my brother's account, so some of the configuration is more convoluted than I like—but it works!

Great Idea! Inflatable Concrete Structures

I just learned about Concrete Canvas Structures, a small business that formed from the great idea of instant emergency structures, inflated and hardened into hardy, sound shelters. They can be bermmed for insulation and protection. And they are water-proof. What intrigued me most was the minimal time involved and permanence of the structure. There are lots of other uses for this. I also wonder what the size limits might be?

Are the Constants of Nature Evidences of Intelligent Design?

I was just listening to an Engines of Our Ingenuity podcastnetcast on the Constants of Nature, by Andy Boyd.

Boyd discusses Richard Feynman's exploration of nature's constants (like the speed of light) saying, "Feynman realized that if the fine structure constant was somehow even a tiny bit different, the universe we experience would not be the same. Certainly, human life would not have evolved."

TED Shows Off the BumpTop Interface

I always enjoy seeing new user interface innovations. We are so complacent about how we interact with the world that, when given the freedom to do what we want, few will try. Computer technology is so ready for new interfaces!

Hunting For a New PDA

I have watched the PDA market for years now. The miniaturization of personal computing fascinates me. Back in 2001, I was wondering if I should purchase a Visor when an old Palm IIIx came my way. It came from work, as all the full-time employees had upgraded and didn't want it. Now this may surprise you, but that PDA was my trusted companion for four years, taking all sorts of accidental abuse, until last year when it fell from a desk, screen first, onto a table leg. The screen was toast.

Understanding Drupal

I finally understand Drupal. The various CMS review sites stated that Drupal had a steeper learning curve than most, and that is true. My first lesson was to take the enhancing modules slowly, and one at a time. I was impatient to get my site up and start adding all the content. My biggest disappointment with Drupal is that it requires so much setup and configuration to really function as I expect. Calling it a Content Management System is a misnomer as it really is a Management System With the Added Function of Organizing Content. What does it manage? Its self; its modules.

Developing My Professional Web Site

I spent a lot of time developing this web site yesterday. The hardest part is configuring all the options, menus, taxonomies, and permissions to produce what I want. I managed to create a few pages of content, but there is a whole lot more to do.