WordPress Picks for this week [10/04]
Adding a block of HTML to a WordPress post
If you use HTML when you post, then you will realise that WordPress has its own way of dealing with it. Which means that you can either use a host of plugins or just give up and take what you get. scriptygoddess guides you to using shortcodes in adding blocks of HTML in your WordPress posts. You can just add the code into the functions.php of your theme.
How to Add a Live Facebook Share Button to Your WordPress
Facebook is an extremely powerful marketing tool and if you aren’t already using it to its fullest, then you definitely are missing out on something. This tutorial provides you with tiny snippets of code that allow your visitors to promote your blog posts on Facebook
Easy Shortcode Permalinks
A tutorial on using shortcodes instead of absolute links to pages. Not something I recommend, unless you’re in the habit of changing the permalink structure of your blog regularly.
Restrict Pages in WordPress to Require a Login
A simple method of using custom page templates to restrict private / “subscriber only” pages from general users.
The Best-Of Series: Contact Forms
James is back with yet another list, this time of of popular contact forms that allow your visitors to send you an email, while protecting your email address from spammers. Which one of these are you using?
Is A Plugin Validation Team A Pipe Dream?
Just a few days back, I released a security fix for Ajax Edit Comments. In fact, I am pretty sure that a huge number of plugins in the WordPress repository are not perfectly secure. Jeffro raises a very important question / suggestion of a team be created that will validate plugins, just as there is a team that validates themes on WordPress. However, it does mean much longer turnaround times. Also, I don’t think that it is possible for a team to be validating every line of code in every update that is posted.
About Ajay
A die-hard blogger, web developer, biker, singer, geek, non-stop talker, foodie, movie freak are just some of the words that begin to describe me.
Top 7 Stories of the Day
Welcome back to the Top 7 stories of the day!
So there’s some useful stuff for iPhone, iTouch users; people thinking about upgrading to Windows 7 and Mac Users!
1 – ONE!
The Ultimate Guide To Speeding Up Firefox 3.5 – Makeuseof.com -
We all love Firefox but if you’ve ever wondered about how to speed it up even more, wonder no more! Here’s a nice and extremely effective list that will get FF running even quicker than you’d want it to!
2 – TWO!
Microsoft Windows 7 (Professional) – Cnet Reviews -
So Cnet does us all a favour and reviews Windows 7 for us. In case you’re not in the mood to read, it’s actually a video review so that’s even better. For the really lazy ones, it basically says that Windows 7 is everything Microsoft wanted out of XP and Vista and you should definitely upgrade without having to worry. Sure it’s not perfect, but then again it’s not The Pope either.
3 – THREE!
10 Essential Software Apps For Web Development on a Mac – Makeuseof.com -
This is a nice round-up for all you designers / developers who are die hard Mac users.
4 – FOUR!
Defcon: New Hack Hijacks Application Updates Via WiFi – DarkReading -
Here’s an extremely interesting article on how any of our application updates can be turned against us. Hackers can now just hijack an application update and replace the actual update with malware / spyware or something even worse!
5 – FIVE!
40 Really Useful Photoshop Text Effect Tutorials – Web Design Booth-
Here’s an awesomely large list of Photoshop Text effect tutorials for everyone to use. There’s stuff in there that can be used by everyone from a novice trying to get a nice effect for his new blog title right down to a pro looking for some short-cuts. I would advice against going overboard with all the text effects, but some of them can be really cool when used in the right place.
6 – SIX!
12 must-own games for iPhone or iPod touch – TechRadar -
Now that all your precious little iPhones have been saved (yea, there’s now a fix to prevent someone from taking over your iPhone via a simple sms), here’s a nice list of games that you should definitely get. Especially if you travel a lot. Sure beats sitting around in the departure lounge and staring at your laptop screen while trying to connect to any available WiFi. (Which more or less sucks more than any Adobe update you’ve ever had to sit through.)
7 – SEVEN!
Snow Leopard Now Available for Pre-Order – Gizmodo -
Don’t have a Mac, but I know quite a few people who’ve probably already pre-ordered Snow Leopard and are now pacing up and down their rooms waiting for a copy. About a month more to go and there will be celebrations again!
That’s it from me for today. Will be back soon!
About Nikhil
I'm a 23 year old Web & Graphic designer, currently living in Mumbai, India. Most of my time is spent on the internet browsing through new ways and means of betting myself at what I like to do. As a big guitar enthusiast, I enjoy listening to a lot of Blues, Jazz and a few select rock and roll bands. Classical, if I'm in the mood.
Top 7 Stories of the Day
I’m back… again… with the top 7 stories of the day, according to ME!
Right! This time I’ve got some serious stuff for you guys to feast on.
1 – ONE!
Weaponizing Web 2.0 – The Washington Post -
I thought this was quite an interesting article. Imagine your browser turning against you, all your personal information being used by someone else without your knowledge! I’m sure we’ve all had this nightmare before, but if what this article says is true, I think we’d better be really careful. This is a real life version of one of those scary movies where technology turns against you, but instead of being dismembered by traffic signals that grow arms, your web browser bankrupts you!
2 – TWO!
Facebook erroneously sucking in Twitter updates – Cnet News -
In case you’re a Twitter and Facebook user and have been wondering why your Twitter posts have been showing up on Facebook, here’s why..
A temp solution, till they fix the problem is just to block the Twitter app from accessing your profile.
3 – THREE!
Mozilla starts preparing developers for Firefox 3.6 – Cnet News -
Recently Mozilla put up some mock-ups for FireFox 4, almost immediately after the release of FF 3.5, and now they’re already ready with FF 3.6.
Some pretty interesting features. Mozilla has already begun the development of Firefox 4. Seems like Santa’s little elves have been extremely busy.
4 – FOUR!
Windows 7 Ultimate activation cracked with OEM master key – Ars Technica -
Windows 7 has been cracked. Properly. Microsoft claims that they’re going to do something about it, but I doubt it. Though if Windows 7 turns out to be as good as they claim, I’m sure a lot of users who use pirated versions of Windows will actually switch over. Considering it no longer cost an arm and a leg for a legit copy of Windows.
5 – FIVE!
14 tips and tricks to buff up your Gmail skills – Tech Radar -
14 pretty cool tips on how to ensure you’re getting the most out of Gmail. I’m very comfortable with Gmail and I still found most of the tips to be very useful. Especially for those of you, who like me, use Gmail for everything. A must read.
6 – SIX!
VoloMedia awarded the Patent for Podcasting – NewTeeVee -
So it seems that VoloMedia now has the patent for Podcasting. In short this means that only the authors of the media who use Podcasting as a tool to get their ‘stuff’ out there will be affected. One can only wait and see how this turns out. (More money to be made for the many people involved…)
7 – SEVEN!
iPhone SMS Security Flaw could allow every iPhone in the world to be Hijacked! – Gizmodo -
Right, So you get an SMS with a single square character – and the next thing you know your very own beloved iPhone, yes the very same one you sacrificed a virgin lamb for, is no longer yours.
All I have to say to all you iPhone users is, “Be afraid, be very afraid!”
Right, so that pretty much does it for today.
Oh wait, your Bonus link:
iPhone app lets you get away with napping at work – GamesBeat -
Cheers!
About Nikhil
I'm a 23 year old Web & Graphic designer, currently living in Mumbai, India. Most of my time is spent on the internet browsing through new ways and means of betting myself at what I like to do. As a big guitar enthusiast, I enjoy listening to a lot of Blues, Jazz and a few select rock and roll bands. Classical, if I'm in the mood.
Top 7 Stories of the day -
According to ME!
So here are seven of the most interesting stories regarding Technology that I could find while scouring the reaches of the internet.
1 – ONE!
“10 Gadgets We’d Like to Throw in a Black Hole†– Wired -
So Wired put together a list of 10 gadgets that they’d like to throw into a black-hole because of how crummy or otherwise utterly annoying they are. I thought this was amusing in a ‘look it’s a Giraffe with sunglasses’ kind of way, so have fun.
2- TWO!
lifeIO – A Social Media Dashboard that combines E-mail, RSS and just about everything else.. – TechCrunch –
Here’s a new toy for those crazed Twitter / FaceBook fanatics to play around with. With all the new applications and services that have sprung up there’s no lack of choice, but none that give you a nice mixed serving of the world’s best.
LifeIO still isn’t available, but I’m definitely going to give it a go once it’s up and running.
3 – THREE!
Leak: Inside the Microsoft Store – Gizmodo -
In case you don’t already know, Microsoft is planning on setting up a retail store, much like what Apple has. Since the internet is like one of those probes used on most unsuspecting males going for their first Prostrate check-up, we now have a series of images to help us form a mental picture of what the Microsoft store will look like. (Don’t worry, we’ll leave the prostate examination images a surprise for when you’re 50..) Enjoy!
4 – FOUR!
Microsoft to issue two emergency patches next week – The Register -
As it is with Microsoft, they’ve found another security loophole in IE and Visual Studio. The new found bug allows attackers to remotely execute malware and hopefully the coming Tuesday should be the day the patches are out. Read up and patch yourself, lest you die a horrible death!
5 – FIVE
Hacker says iPhone 3GS Encryption is ‘Useless’ for Businesses – Wired -
This is quite funny, an iPhone expert showed the whole world how easy it is to bypass it’s so called security. A simple software is all that’s required to get pass the iPhone’s much touted security. Worth a read, especially for all those iPhone users and potential buyers out there.
6 – SIX!
Microsoft relents to European Commission, will give users browser freedom in Windows 7 – Engadget –
Looks like the Microsoft thugs will finally allow people the freedom to choose which browser they want instead of forcing people to stick to IE. I’m sure for people like me it doesn’t matter, because the first thing I do on a new system is install Firefox and make that my default browser, but for a lot of people who have not had the opportunity to enjoy the FireFox (as you can see, fan-boy) experience, this should do the trick.
7 – SEVEN!
Steve Jobs happy with Apple’s Tablet, Fast tracks it for early 2010 –  TechCrunch -
Apple’s Tablet is basically an enlarged iPhone touch. I’m personally looking forward to it. I’m not a 100% sure, I’ll buy one, but that depends totally on how much it costs and how much spare cash I have lying around. Though if the reports / rumors are to be believed, it should be fairly priced. At least when you compare it to how much fun you’ll have playing around on it.
And since I’m such a nice guy – here’s a Bonus link. I’m not sure how Tech related it is, but it amused me quite a bit and is definitely worth a read and some share-love!
Top 10 geeky things you didn’t know about Romance Writers – Wired -
I’ll be back in a day or so with my new Top 7 list… till then, Enjoy!
About Nikhil
I'm a 23 year old Web & Graphic designer, currently living in Mumbai, India. Most of my time is spent on the internet browsing through new ways and means of betting myself at what I like to do. As a big guitar enthusiast, I enjoy listening to a lot of Blues, Jazz and a few select rock and roll bands. Classical, if I'm in the mood.
Top 5 games to look foward to in 2009
So we’re already at the end of the first quarter of 2009 and things haven’t been so great on the economic front. However, for you chip-heads out there who love their videogames and can’t wait to get your hands on something new to play, there is good news.
There are quite a few video games that will be releasing in 2009 and I’m going to list the top 5 games that I am looking forward to. These are games that I’ve been waiting for since the day they were announced. In fact, I’ve already started saving up to actually go and buy some of them.
So, without further adieu, here’s the list:
- Starcraft II: This has to be one of the most highly anticipated games of 2009, if not of this decade. The sequal to Starcraft, which by the way is still one of the most popular games in the world, is looking like it’s going to quite literally be as awesome as it’s being hyped up to be.
This is going to be a little different from Starcraft and I’m not talking just about the looks either. Blizzard has said they will release 2 expansions for this game, each focusing on a particular race. The game is still an RTS, but the mechanics have changed just a little bit. According to Blizzard, they’ve been “re-imagined”. - God of War III: Good God! Kratos is back.. If you’ve played GOW (God of War) I and II, then you don’t really need me to tell you why this game should be on your list of games to definitely get in 2009. But just for those who have not been fortunate enough to get their hands on the previous version let me spell it out for you. The GoW series is one of the most bad-ass that you will ever come across. If you are into any kinda of RPG games, this one takes the cake. Not only are the graphics mind blowing, but so is the game play. And for all those out there who love a good story, this game’s got that too.
- Bioshock 2 : I played Bioshock and I really really liked the game. I can only expect this game to be better. A lot more will be released about this game in the coming months, but from what I’ve seen (trailer) I’m pretty sure that I’m going to love this game as well.
- Call of Duty – Modern Warfare 2 : I’m quite a fan of the COD series. I had minor issues with 2 and 3, but all in all the series has not disappointed. The Single player campaign is quite entertaining and pretty good for a one time complete, but the COD Multi-player is the most fun. Activision Blizzard has confirmed the release of COD 6 or Modern Warfare 2, as it’s known, for later on this year. If you don’t already have it on your must buy list, you should seriously consider it.
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Splinter Cell: Conviction : There has been much debate as to when this game is going to be released, but one hopes that it will finally be released this year. After having played Pandora Tomorrow and Double Agent, it’s only fair that I give Conviction a try. I really enjoyed Double Agent, and I played it on a computer that barely managed to run it. Now that I’ve upgraded I’m all set to help Sam Fisher do whatever he needs to, at at least 60FPS! I’m quite looking forward to the game.
So there you have it. My top 5 games to look forward to this year.
Oh, I’m not done yet. There are a couple of other games that are either already out or will be out shortly that need to be mentioned as well.
- Tekken 6 : Don’t tell me you don’t want to play Tekken!
- Fear 2 – Project Origins : I haven’t gotten my hands on the full version yet, but boy oh boy was the trial a nice treat. Hoping to get my hands on this one soon.
- Resident Evil 5 : Who doesn’t like shooting Zombies. The PC version of this game should be out later this year, but until then, I’m sure you can make friends with someone who has a PS3.
- Halo 3 – ODST : Another Halo game. Definitely worth giving a go. I havn’t played it yet, and probably wont bother with it until I’ve tried Fear 2 and until I finish Prince of Persia on my new comp (Yes, old game, but I’m a BIG fan.) But since it’s a Halo game it deserves a mention.
- Duke Nukem Forever : All I know is that this game is going to be badass. I’ve been waiting for this game for a while now and I can’t wait for them to finally release it. This game was probably the reason why people started blaming games for why kids are so violent. Too bad they never played it themselves.
Right! So if there are any games that you’re particularly looking forward do let us know. Also, if you do manage to get your hands on any new games this year, let us know what you think.
About Nikhil
I'm a 23 year old Web & Graphic designer, currently living in Mumbai, India. Most of my time is spent on the internet browsing through new ways and means of betting myself at what I like to do. As a big guitar enthusiast, I enjoy listening to a lot of Blues, Jazz and a few select rock and roll bands. Classical, if I'm in the mood.
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