andy skipper dotcom http://www.andyskipper.com cto, web developer, musician, artist Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:59:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 51.415994-0.316243 Browser Usage Graphic http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/I-LSUtnDgAI/ http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/browser-usage-graphic/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:59:36 +0000 andy http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/browser-usage-graphic/ An excellent browser usage chart

An excellent browser usage chart

]]> http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/browser-usage-graphic/feed/ 0 http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/browser-usage-graphic/ Tools for HTML Email templates http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/N3PQMX8jvJ8/ http://www.andyskipper.com/cto/tools-for-html-email-templates/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:46:40 +0000 andy http://www.andyskipper.com/?p=290 This is as much for my own reference, but here are some tools to test and refactor HTML templates such that they’re more widely compatible with the plethora of mail clients out there in the wild:

Litmus Email Testing – freemium model, multiple client testing areas, spam-like content detection. Looks good!

MailChimp Inbox Inspector

MailChimp CSS Inliner – converts styles to inline, which is more cross-client compatible. Smashing Magazine says “Code Like It’s 1999 (Literally) and Use Inline CSS”

Campaign Monitor Email Testing Tool

Great 24ways article

]]> http://www.andyskipper.com/cto/tools-for-html-email-templates/feed/ 0 http://www.andyskipper.com/cto/tools-for-html-email-templates/ Clever cross-platform HTML video embed code http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/4mVZgnEBEgQ/ http://www.andyskipper.com/cto/clever-cross-platform-html-video-embed-code/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:48:11 +0000 andy http://www.andyskipper.com/?p=281 Camen Design have released a very clever HTML snippet which will embed a video in the page, using HTML5’s <video> tag by default, and falling back to QuickTime or Flash/FLV automatically, without worrying about JavaScript, which means it’ll work properly in RSS readers and email clients that don’t support JS. And, since the default output is the <video> tag, it’ll work on an iPhone.. Here’s what it looks like:

<video width="640" height="360" poster="__POSTER__.JPG" controls>
	<source src="__VIDEO__.OGV" type="video/ogg" />
	<source src="__VIDEO__.MP4" type="video/mp4" /><!--[if gt IE 6]>
	<object width="640" height="375" classid="clsid:02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B"><!
	[endif]--><!--[if !IE]><!-->
	<object width="640" height="375" type="video/quicktime" data="__VIDEO__.MP4">
	<!--<![endif]-->
	<param name="src" value="__VIDEO__.MP4" />
	<param name="showlogo" value="false" />
	<object width="640" height="384" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"
		data="__FLASH__.SWF?image=__POSTER__.JPG&amp;file=__VIDEO__.MP4">
		<param name="movie" value="__FLASH__.SWF?image=__POSTER__.JPG&amp;file=__VIDEO__.MP4" />
		<img src="__POSTER__.JPG" width="640" height="360" alt="__Title of video__"
		     title="No video playback capabilities, please download the video below" />
	</object><!--[if gt IE 6]><!--></object><!--<![endif]-->
</video>
<p>Download Video: <a href="__VIDEO__.MP4">Apple iTunes "MP4"</a> | <a href="__VIDEO__.OGV">Open Format "OGG"</a></p>

Go get it, spread it wide

]]> http://www.andyskipper.com/cto/clever-cross-platform-html-video-embed-code/feed/ 0 http://www.andyskipper.com/cto/clever-cross-platform-html-video-embed-code/ Warning – Chrome 4 does not like the Wordpress admin http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/vBCeECKXp2g/ http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/warning-chrome-4-does-not-like-the-wordpress-admin/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:39:40 +0000 andy http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/warning-chrome-4-does-not-like-the-wordpress-admin/ As I’ve just found, to my chagrin, Google Chrome v4 appears to have an issue with Wordpress’ cookies – attempting to log in to the admin dashboard results in the login page refreshing. You have been warned!

Wordpress forum post

Chrome issue ref

]]> http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/warning-chrome-4-does-not-like-the-wordpress-admin/feed/ 0 http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/warning-chrome-4-does-not-like-the-wordpress-admin/ Links for 2010-01-17 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/5qkrxXodquo/andyskipper.comMon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PSThttp://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2010-01-17<ul> <li><a href="http://stackoverflow.com/questions/886221/does-django-scale">Does Django Scale? - Stack Overflow</a></li> <li><a href="http://randomfoo.net/2009/01/28/infrastructure-for-modern-web-sites">Infrastructure for Modern Web Sites &laquo; random($foo)</a></li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/andyskipper/~4/5qkrxXodquo" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2010-01-17Links for 2010-01-15 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/mxQNyeIIPsk/andyskipper.comSat, 16 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PSThttp://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2010-01-15<ul> <li><a href="http://uswaretech.com/blog/2010/01/tools-of-pro-django-developer/">Tools of Pro Django developer &ndash; aka What powers dinette and almost ...</a></li> <li><a href="http://github.com/uswaretech/Django-Socialauth">uswaretech's Django-Socialauth at master - GitHub</a></li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/andyskipper/~4/mxQNyeIIPsk" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2010-01-15Links for 2009-12-17 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/0_W4dwxnI9Q/andyskipper.comFri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PSThttp://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2009-12-17<ul> <li><a href="http://davidlaing.com/2008/09/13/altnet-london-13-sept-2008/">Interesting take on a manifesto for Agile development, not just Alt.Net</a></li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/andyskipper/~4/0_W4dwxnI9Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2009-12-17 Unbelievable 3D Projection on Buildings http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/20ehQEQakB4/ http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/unbelievable-3d-projection-on-buildings/#comments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:55:34 +0000 andy http://www.andyskipper.com/?p=276

Projection on Buildings from NuFormer Digital Media on Vimeo.

]]> http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/unbelievable-3d-projection-on-buildings/feed/ 0 http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/unbelievable-3d-projection-on-buildings/ Links for 2009-11-20 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/XO7ZZyJCYd0/andyskipper.comSat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PSThttp://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2009-11-20<ul> <li><a href="http://www.ps3bargains.co.uk/">Bargain Sony PS3 Consoles - Latest cheap console, bundle, games and accessory deals | PS3Bargains</a><br/> Buy cheap Sony PS3 consoles, games and accessories with our regularly updated offers and bargains. Online prices compared with consoles starting at £195</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/andyskipper/~4/XO7ZZyJCYd0" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2009-11-20 New PS3 Bargains list http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/qUILkDA08kQ/ http://www.andyskipper.com/msc/new-ps3-bargains-list/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:57:48 +0000 andy http://www.andyskipper.com/?p=274 I’ve just set up a new site where I’ll be listing the best PS3 console, bundle, accessory and games bargains and deals in the run-up to Christmas. If you’re on the look-out for a good deal, have a look here:
PS3 Bargains

]]> http://www.andyskipper.com/msc/new-ps3-bargains-list/feed/ 0 http://www.andyskipper.com/msc/new-ps3-bargains-list/ Links for 2009-11-14 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/Cv0H5GUWMng/andyskipper.comSun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PSThttp://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2009-11-14<ul> <li><a href="http://www.azarask.in/blog/post/making-privacy-policies-not-suck/">Aza's Thoughts &quot; Making Privacy Policies not Suck</a></li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/andyskipper/~4/Cv0H5GUWMng" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2009-11-14 Matthew Good – While We Were Hunting Rabbits http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/aoi00apAgFk/ http://www.andyskipper.com/msc/matthew-good-while-we-were-hunting-rabbits/#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:22:36 +0000 andy http://www.andyskipper.com/?p=267

While We Were Hunting Rabbits from Sam Bradley on Vimeo.

A good friend of mine in Toronto turned me on to Matthew Good recently, and I’ve been gobbling his back catalogue like it’s about to disappear completely. This is my current fave, and the video is fantastic to boot. Enjoy.

]]> http://www.andyskipper.com/msc/matthew-good-while-we-were-hunting-rabbits/feed/ 0 http://www.andyskipper.com/msc/matthew-good-while-we-were-hunting-rabbits/ Links for 2009-10-01 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/tMLh5hTlg0k/andyskipper.comFri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2009-10-01<ul> <li><a href="http://10steps.sg/freebies/icons/ultimate-collection-of-high-quality-icons/">460 Free High Quality Icons For Web Designers | 10Steps.SG</a></li> <li><a href="http://dzineblog.com/2009/09/27-best-websites-to-download-free-seamless-patterns.html">27 Best WebSites to Download Free Seamless Patterns&nbsp;|&nbsp;Dzine Blog</a></li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/andyskipper/~4/tMLh5hTlg0k" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2009-10-01Links for 2009-09-17 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/sQFEmIOU0Cs/andyskipper.comFri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2009-09-17<ul> <li><a href="http://www.virtuosimedia.com/tutorials/ultimate-ie6-cheatsheet-how-to-fix-25-internet-explorer-6-bugs">Ultimate IE6 Cheatsheet: How To Fix 25+ Internet Explorer 6 Bugs</a></li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/andyskipper/~4/sQFEmIOU0Cs" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/andyskipper.com#2009-09-17 Provisioning Profiles in XCode http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/uskzGyGIruE/ http://www.andyskipper.com/ipn/provisioning-profiles-in-xcode/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:36:10 +0000 andy http://www.andyskipper.com/?p=254 A very small hint to anyone tearing their hair out with the installation of provisioning profiles in XCode – shut XCode altogether after installing them, and re-open it. This was the only way I could get my application to recognise them – YMMV. Yours sincerely, Irritated of Hampton Wick.

]]> http://www.andyskipper.com/ipn/provisioning-profiles-in-xcode/feed/ 0 http://www.andyskipper.com/ipn/provisioning-profiles-in-xcode/ Height-accurate 3D mapping – the future! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/d9envF-FL0Q/ http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/height-accurate-3d-mapping-the-future/#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:12:07 +0000 andy http://www.andyskipper.com/?p=251

This is incredible, and with a corporation the size of Saab behind the project, it’s likely to get the backing it needs to gather as much data as Google have for Maps, or Microsoft for Virtual Earth. I can’t wait to try this.

]]> http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/height-accurate-3d-mapping-the-future/feed/ 1 http://www.andyskipper.com/rnd/height-accurate-3d-mapping-the-future/ Recession CTO tip: create an open source SSL accelerator http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/andyskipper/~3/ViPhMA_B6IQ/ http://www.andyskipper.com/cto/recession-cto-tip-create-an-open-source-ssl-accelerator/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:40:47 +0000 andy http://www.andyskipper.com/?p=239 Here’s something that may not have occurred to first-time e-commerce entrepreneurs – SSL is expensive. Very expensive. The load it puts on the processor for each SSL-encrypted request is orders of magnitude greater than that of requests to normal, port 80 requests. This has the obvious effect of reduced load tolerance, slower response times, etc etc. Many companies circumvent this problem by employing a hardware SSL accelerator which allows the additional computing to be offloaded to either a card in the server, or a separate piece of kit altogether. All well and good, but these dedicated pieces of hardware can run into the tens of thousands to purchase, rendering it out of reach for those in the early stages.

Here’s where the fun starts: using freely-available web server Nginx on a low-cost (comparatively) server in the hosting infrastructure and a bit of proxying know-how, you can create a completely configurable SSL accelerator for a fraction of the cost.

Check out this tutorial on o3 magazine to see how

]]> http://www.andyskipper.com/cto/recession-cto-tip-create-an-open-source-ssl-accelerator/feed/ 0 http://www.andyskipper.com/cto/recession-cto-tip-create-an-open-source-ssl-accelerator/