Whilst we can target IE 6 with Conditional Comments, this approach requires the main CSS to be over-ridden with different values, but what if we do want to start from scratch with IE 6?

Recently discussed at Rissington HQ it was decided for some sites, we didn't want to really support IE 6 and with some people making a concerted effort to ditch IE 6 support, we would still like IE 6 users to see "something" but not a mess either. Instead of supplying the fancy-dan CSS, it would be ideal to just supply a basic text version, such as the basic style we already apply to IE 5, Netscape etc.

We have been able to hide styles from older browsers such as IE 4 and Netscape using the @import declaration (and IE 5 using the filter /**/), but this won't work for IE6 and above. Digging around in the Textmate HTML bundle, I accidentally stumbled upon a Conditional Comment basically saying, "if you're not IE, show this"... Ah ha!

So very quickly here's the score. At the moment we can link to our external CSS using this code and as IE 5 can't understand the @import bit, it just gives up:

<link rel="stylesheet" href="textonly.css" type="text/css" media="screen" />
<style type="text/css">@import/**/"my_gorgeous_layout.css";</style>

Using the [if !IE] Conditional Comment however, we can just feed old Microsoft browsers one style and more modern browsers another. Like this:

<!--[if !IE]><!-->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="my_gorgeous_layout.css" type="text/css" media="screen" />
<!-- <![endif]-->

<!--[if gte IE 7]>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="my_gorgeous_layout.css" type="text/css" media="screen" />
<![endif]-->

<!--[if lte IE 6]>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="textonly.css" type="text/css" media="screen" />
<![endif]-->

I've tested the basics of this approach and it works well. If anyone tries has some success on a future or current site, please let me know.

It all went well and we’re all pleased with the result. And I got to use some Trade Gothic.

Building upon the spook shoe collection, it has been suggested many times that this should be a public Flickr group.

And now it is. And anyone can join if you have a relevant entry that abides by the rules:

• Shoe must genuinely be lost
• Other shoe must be nowhere to be seen
• Location must be accurately located on the map so an accurate picture can be built up

One lost shoe

• Things, it is promised
• Proper Flickr client that can upload to said site from the photo library
• Something to download pics with the Apple Camera Connector and add to the photo library
• Twitter client
• Light metering
• Proper RSS Reader from the NetNewsWire people
• Full on GPS app, that will read a from Bluetooth GPS module. (I don't want to hear about battery life)
• Texteditor
• FTP client
• Unit Converter
• Weather app of some use, in fact, all the info from the met-office will do

This, I hope, is a quick and cheap way to place my identity and some contact information on my iPhone (which tends to go everywhere) wallpaper. This is so that the people identifying me will be saved a lot of hassle, because at present they wouldn’t have much to go on, but by activating the phone, they will have some basic information.

Below is a Photoshop template where you can add your own details, save as a flat file, and then transfer to your iPhone/iPod touch. I have a iPhoto library that just contains wallpapers that I sync via iTunes. You can then easily set the wallpaper.

If you want something more physical, particularly if you are a runner, then there are some good solutions out there. I particularly like CRAMtags, and there are plenty of options available from Road ID.

If anyone knows what the ideal information is to place on your ID, then please let me know.

Download Photoshop template - ZIP [2.2MB]

Just the red telephone box?

Lack of productivity?

It’s something we’ve talked about at Rissington HQ, and before we know it, we’ve been on the phone, written a load of emails, made hot drinks, and all of a sudden it’s 11.45am. And produced no work, the stuff that puts bread on the table. I then get replies to stuff in the afternoon and act upon them. Repeat to fade.

So, I need more head down, full-on, distraction free, creative production time and I’m going to get strict (sort of). I’m not going to go down the Carsonified or 37 Signals route to a four day week (although this is on the cards at some point), I’m just going to have some office hours. So I’m only going be available on certain days of the week at certain hours.

Already considered

Yes, we can turn off the phone, and close email, Skype, Twitter etc but everyone would like answers there and then to their questions and “urgent” requests. I’m as GTDd and Inbox-Zeroed as much as I ever will be.

Office hours for starters:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 9am - 11am.

I want to compress my bureaucracy. I want to do what I do best and enjoy it.

Not that I’m jealous or anything, but today, I know one person who has taken delivery of a digital SLR and another who just ordered one. A month back, I bought a new battery, and last week I bought some film for my Minolta X-300. It’s not an exercise in nostalgia, because sometimes it pays to go back to basics, and in this case, treat each shot as a picture in itself rather than endlessly fiddling - because you can.

Hopefully I’ll have some results in a couple of weeks…

The cycling to work has been going well so far, and although not making the trip every day, I feel as though I’ve now got a proper routine. In February, riding to work, without wanting to sound like a martyr, can be a right pain in the backside. The weather is one thing (although of late it’s been really nice for Feb), but it’s the amount of baggage I seem to be carrying around that is noticeable.

I’ve two bags for my trips between Rissington HQ and home. The Rapha Fixed bag holds my MacBook and day to day stuff like glasses, phone and a 85W power supply because I’ve been too lazy/mean to buy a second. The second is the Altura Dryline panniers where I keep my many change of clothes, towel and packed lunch - when I remember to pick it up.

So I’ve two bags, but what really makes sense is to keep all the bike stuff away from these two bags. These apply to all year round really, so, these are what I consider to be the essentials that should go everywhere.

1. Topeak mini pump

Had this a few years, but thankfully doesn’t get used too often. I swear by Continental Ultra gator skins.

2. PRO pretend bottle

A recent edition. Basically a water bottle with a lid. In here lives a spare tube and a quick lock. Good at the moment, but what will happen when I need 2 bottles?

3. Topeak Mini Aero Wedge

I’m on my second one of these* as, although clever, the velcro part that straps to the seatpost tended to come clear. It probably wasn’t helped by my saddle position but some hacking with a Stanley through the main plastic shell means it’s probably better than new. This contains tyre levers and…

4. Topeak Multi tool

If you’ve nothing like this, buy one now, and with the chain link extractor. Mine is a few years old now, but pretty much the same as this.

5. Basic and backup LED lights

Now the days are drawing out, these are more for being seen rather than seeing. Handy when gloomy and overcast.

Bonus. Polar s710

Knowing your distance/time/work rate is important for smug value. Mine? Still working happily after 5 years, although a replacement battery is about to set me back £25. This seems rather high. Pondering.

* Topeak clearly not going for the accessibility or SEO route with their site.