neocotic

int17

2013-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

There's a few i18n JavaScript libraries in the wild right now, some much better than others, but none that satisfied all my needs. I've found this to be the case when developing in the browser and in node.js. I wanted a single library that I could use in both the client and server sides so I didn't have to keep switching syntax and styles etc. As this didn't already exist (as far as I could tell) I decided to create my own, and I give you int17.

int17 is a highly customizable i18n framework whose locale file structure was inspired by (and fully compatible with) that used by Google Chrome extensions, meaning you can already collaborate with others using online services like crowdin. The API is clean, simple and robust, while also being very forgiving. The last thing you need when learning another library is exactly how methods should be used, and I've put a lot of effort into creating the initial documentation to help with this. Here's a brief highlight of some of it's fantastic features:

Simple message fetching
Shared API between client and server-side code
Localize your HTML easily using special attributes
Easily juggle between multiple locale instances
Out-of-the-box support for Express

I've been using some of this functionality within some of my Chrome extensions and it's been a lot of fun making these concepts available to everyone. As this is the initial public release of int17, I'm expecting to find lots of bugs and hope that the JavaScript community can help make this something all developers can benefit from.

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Template 1.2.0

2013-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

It's been quite a while since I first released Template 2 years ago but with it now out of beta it has become an extremely stable and feature-rich browser extension.

There's a lot of work in the pipeline, but I'm not letting that deter me from releasing minor updates like this. Here's a brief overview of some of the features coming this year:

Interactive editor for writing templates
A brand-spanking new homepage at template-extension.org
Ability to share and download templates created by other users
Social network integration

Meanwhile the changes included in version 1.2.0 cover a lot of ground and keep the extension up-to-date and fresh with a completely redesigned Templates tab on the Options page which makes managing your templates a piece of well-iced cake.

Changes

#110: Replace calls to deprecated chrome API methods
#111: Update Bootstrap to v2.2.2
#115: Add new operations for query selectors
#116: Redesign Templates tab on Options page
#117: Improve build process and restructure code to simplify support for other browsers
#120: Update jQuery to v1.8.3
#120: Update jQuery URL Parser to v2.2.1
#120: Update html.md to v2.0.1
#130: Add new configuration file to simplify future changes
Plenty of bug fixes and UI tweaks

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Chrome Web Store update brings users

2011-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

Since I created my first Google Chrome extension, Template (then URL Copy), I have struggled to keep my user base over 200 users. Some weeks it would be just over the mark and then drop anywhere from 50 to 100 users, and the cycle would start all over again.

However, since the recent update for the Chrome Web Store I've seen a steady increase in users and I'm really glad to say that Template has crossed the 1,000 user mark (1,011 when publishing this post). Hurray! After all of the effort I've put in to it it's amazing to finally see it reaching people.

I'm not sure what exactly increased its visibility and/or attractiveness but Google have definitely done something right. Maybe it was the fact that I adopted the new promotional and supporting image specifications early. Maybe it was the fancy unicode characters I added to the description. Or maybe it just got noticed. The truth is I'll never know, but I just hope it continues.

Unfortunately, I can't really say the same for my second extension, iOrder, as it seems to be stuck around 15 users. However, I'm not too frustrated by this as it was a little experiment and tool mainly for my own use that I thought I'd share. It's just a shame I didn't finish it before the iPhone release date.

Overall, the web store's new look is great for users and developers alike. Plus, it gave me the opportunity to contribute to one of my most used extensions, My Extensions. Any Chrome extension developers out there should definitely use this extension by George Papadakis to keep track of their user base.

Template 0.2.4.0 - Options page update

2011-10-20T00:00:00+00:00

It's been a lot harder than expected to find time to work on implementing social networks in to Template so I decided to take out the other changes originally for 0.3.0.0 and include them in a newer update.

The changes in version 0.2.4.0 are all aimed at making the options page even easier to use. Although the majority of you won't even notice these changes hopefully you will all benefit from them.

Changes

#38: Add help documentation for general settings on options page
#40: Make template export process no longer require external resource
#44: Many minor UI changes in options page

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iDevice addicts rejoice!

2011-10-20T00:00:00+00:00

After finding myself constantly refreshing the order page for my new iPhone 4S I decided I would ease the pain of others waiting for their iDevice orders to be updatediOrder is a unique and simple Google Chrome extension that needs only the order number and delivery zip/post code to keep you automatically updated with the progress of your order.

Don't just take my word for it, try it yourself!

Template 0.2.3.1

2011-10-11T00:00:00+00:00

As promised after 0.2.3.0, Template has a brand new logo... again! The 0.2.3.1 update also includes another minor bug fix but the new logo is the main purpose of this release. I'm much happier with this new logo and hopefully you are too.

Changes

#41: Rebrand logo, again...
#42: Prevent content script conflicts between version updates

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Template 0.2.3.0

2011-10-07T00:00:00+00:00

I've decided to release a small update for Template today. Version 0.2.3.0 includes some minor changes but mainly a redesign of the icons used.

Google recently contacted all extension developers saying that icons, screenshots and promotional images must meet their new criteria to be promoted on their Chrome Web Store so I thought I better update my images since I'm struggling to keep it above 200 users at the moment. Honestly, I didn't like the previous logo but I'm not exactly 100% sure about the new one except when I used it in the promotional images.

I think I'll find another logo to use in the extension itself as it doesn't look great in the toolbar... Expect a 0.2.3.1 update within the week ;)

Unfortunately, 0.3.0.0 is still a bit away as I am currently working on some new projects I've had ideas for and it will take a lot of effort to do right. I am hoping to have it completed before 2012 though as I want to have the final release (1.0.0) done before the extension is a year old.

Changes

Rebrand logo and create new promotional images
#36: Improve URL derivation when using the context menu
Update jQuery to v1.6.4

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qr.js 1.0.2

2011-08-31T00:00:00+00:00

Today I made a quick 1.0.2 release for qr.js which contains renamed methods within the API which I feel will make it more simple and understandable to use.

I strongly recommend using QRCode.image and QRCode.canvas from now on as their old method names will probably be completely removed in a future release (not sure when though).

Changes

Deprecated generateCanvas and generateImage and replaced with canvas and image respectively

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JSONX is here!

2011-08-23T00:00:00+00:00

I've finally got around to releasing version 1.0.0 of the JSONX JavaScript library as well as its associated jQuery plugin.

The library and plugin both allow simple transformation between XML and JSON and viceversa.

This is the first release so there is definitely room for improvement and I'm sure through testing and common usage some bugs will be revealed but please give them a try now so they can mature in to something great.

JSONX

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jQuery JSONX

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qr.js 1.0.1

2011-08-12T00:00:00+00:00

I've just released version 1.0.1 of qr.js! This update only contains a single (but hopefully welcomed) change that allows users to specify custom background and foreground colours to be used while rendering the QR code.

Changes

Allow customisation of colours used when rendering

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Template 0.2.2.0

2011-08-09T00:00:00+00:00

Template 0.2.2.0 is now here! This is a relatively small release again and it includes changes that were aimed at 0.3.0.0 but the bug annoyed me so I'm releasing it early.

Changes

#33: Ignore keyboard shortcuts for disabled templates for validation and lookup
Minor spelling correction

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Hello, World!

2011-06-23T00:00:00+00:00

This is my first post on what is hopefully my final attempt at a central website for me. Here I will post my thoughts on pretty much anything, from movie reviews to programming hints & tips. I will also be hosting information on my many ongoing projects here so be sure to check-in for the latest updates.

However, as you can probably tell, this site is nowhere near complete but I'll be doing that as I go. Missing content will be filled, cosmetic touch ups (and some overhauls) as well as restructuring changes. Once all that's done I should have a nice wee place on the internet to share my ramblings outside of facebook, twitter and Google+.

I hope you like it and enjoy the content I promise to bring.