The kaPlurk! Blog

Automatic Updates Are Back!

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:51:00 +0000

I didn't really try to figure out what was wrong. Instead, I thought this would be a good time to put in some actual work: kaPlurk! now uses the official Plurk API.

Automatic Updates Are Down

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:04:00 +0000

Dani reported that she isn't seeing any updates. I did a quick check, and there is indeed a problem with the auto-updates.

I'll see what I can do, ASAP.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Automatic Karma Update Can Now Post Private Plurks

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 04:20:00 +0000

For you guys who have access to the Automatic Karma Update feature, you can now set messages that are only visible to yourself.

Thank @zeldAIS for letting me know that it's a feature that somebody actually wants. I didn't know why I didn't do this sooner.

I'm having some problems with the Friends Only option, so if you really need that, bug me about it. =p

UPDATE (2011-03-14 01:42 AM): I set all existing auto-karma updates to private. No more spammy timelines!

SMS Gateway Indefinitely Down

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Erwin Ramirez) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:09:00 +0000

As I mentioned before, the SMS gateway I set-up is only temporary.

I apologize to those who have been using the service regularly, especially because I haven't found a way to replace it yet.

Access To Automatic Karma Update Feature Restored

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:07:00 +0000

The Automatic Update checkbox in Account Settings was hidden for a couple of weeks already.

Access to the Automatic Update Feature (and management of Message Pool messages) was recently restored to those who had it before.

Plurk Announces Their API Service

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:48:00 +0000

FINALLY!

See their landing page here.

Automatic Updates No Longer Public

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:46:00 +0000

As of a couple of days ago, the Automatic Updates feature will only be available to a select few.

Again, the reason for this is that it kinda got spammy, when a handful of people in your timeline use the feature. I don't regret having implemented it in the first place -- I just haven't thought of how to make it less annoying. Got ideas? Post them in our GetSatisfaction page!

Extended Hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:30:00 +0000

I haven't worked on kaPlurk! for quite some time and, unfortunately, for longer. I've been very busy with my day job, and I'll be on vacation next week! =D

Anyway, Here's a list of stuff I thought I'd better prioritize:

Mobile number verification

Post the first part of a long, concatenated SMS as a plurk, and post succeeding parts as replies

Post Twitter updates

Hide automatic update feature from public use and maybe only offer it to my friends. Because I realized a few months ago how bad an idea it was, when I saw it looked so spammy.

That's all for now! =)

Slow Progress - SMS Service

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:52:00 +0000

I've successfully used the Globe Labs SMS API! Unfortunately, free access to the SMS API only provides 10 SMS messages per day. Fine tuning the service will take some time.

I'm currently evaluating whether I should proceed with this, because this method will only serve Globe users.

Fixes and Tweaks as of October 24, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:55:00 +0000

I sneaked a few fixes to the application, based on these posts in our GetSatisfaction.com page:

If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to post them in our GetSatisfaction.com page!

Indefinite SMS Service Interruption starting October 20, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Erwin Ramirez) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:42:00 +0000

Starting on October 20, 2009, Plurking via SMS will not be available INDEFINITELY.

There is a power problem at the SMS gateway's location.

We are hoping this will be resolved soon.

Want to Know If Plurking Via SMS is Active?

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:30:00 +0000

You can now check if the SMS gateway can connect to Plurk. Just send "KSTAT" to 09158954867.

Message:

To: 09158954867
KSTAT

You'll receive a message saying whether the system is up or down. This way, you can stop wondering whether you're merely wasting your cellphone credit.

Finally! We Have an Official Plurk Timeline!

noreply@blogger.com (kaPlurk! Admin) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:18:00 +0000

Because someone asked: Why isn't there a kaPlurk account on Plurk that we can follow?

We answered:

Aaaaand this is why: http://www.plurk.com/kaplurk

Somehow, someone got the "kaplurk" username AND JUST FORGOT ABOUT THE ACCOUNT! What a waste of a perfect username! T_T

I then got frustrated when nobody from the Plurk team responded to my question: Can we claim "dead" accounts (karma = 0.00) after a certain period?

So I kinda gave up about using a different username, simply due to stubbornness in refusing to admit defeat. :p

Anyway, I just created a dedicated Plurk account: http://www.plurk.com/kaplurkplurk

Simply follow the kaPlurk! Plurk timeline to receive updates in your Plurk timeline! :)

SMS Service Interruption on October 10-11, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Erwin Ramirez) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:26:00 +0000

As I mentioned before, the current SMS service is not 100% reliable yet.

This weekend, October 10-11, 2009, Plurking via SMS will not be available.

The SMS gateway will be turned off during that period, because the gateway will have no Internet connection then.

The SMS gateway will be turned back on by mid-day Monday.

Thank you for your continued support!

Plurk Via SMS (Temporary Solution)

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Erwin Ramirez) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:37:00 +0000

I put up a temporary SMS solution, just so I have something to use.

If you haven't registered on the main site yet:

Log in to kaPlurk! with your Google account
Register your Mobile Number (the preferred format is 09xxxxxxxxx, but +639xxxxxxxxxx should also be accepted) and Plurk credentials

If you already registered before, check your Account Details if you entered the correct Mobile Number in an accepted format.

To update your Plurk timeline via SMS, send a message with the keyword "KP" to 09158954867.

Sample message:

To: 09158954867

KP I'm Plurking via SMS!

Currently, the qualifier is automatically set to "says".

Take note, this is only a temporary solution, and I won't vouch for its reliability.

New Feedback Tab

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Erwin Ramirez) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:30:00 +0000

I've just signed up with GetSatisfaction.com and added that Feedback tab to this blog here and the main site. Feel free to post your ideas, questions and problems there! :)

TO DO List for 2009-09-14

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Erwin Ramirez) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:31:00 +0000

Posting

Posting via SMS -- the app's original purpose

I plan to make use of the Globe Labs SMS API
I already bought a Globe SIM for this
I'm planning to use Kannel as SMS gateway software

Message Pool

Pagination of messages -- won't be needed until the pool grows sufficiently large
Sorting of messages

Miscellaneous

I found an error in the logs that says messages can't be multi-line. My options:

change those textareas into regular text fields,
strip newline characters upon submission,
all of the above

I also have to remember to consider the quotas of Google App Engine and Globe Labs SMS API.

I'm still not sure if I should show my friends my source code. I'm pretty sure it isn't as elegant as I'd want it to be.. :p

Closed Beta of Automatic Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Erwin Ramirez) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:16:00 +0000

I've allowed some of my friends to sign into the app to test automatic updates. We'll see how it goes when the next weekend comes. :)

Welcome to kaPlurk!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Erwin Ramirez) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:17:00 +0000

Good day!

I think I'm ready to open kaPlurk! to a few friends of mine for testing purposes..

The app is FAR from complete, as I haven't even begun working on the SMS part yet. But I think many will already benefit from the automatic updates.

I'll be back when I find more free time! :)