ΩJr.Net Site-Wide News

Reissued the site's sitemaps and removed advertising.

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Fri, 9 Nov 2018 06:52:00 -0600

We reissued the site's sitemaps to Google. We also removed all advertising. Our goal is to regain your trust after our domain name of old got squandered to some fraud.

Publizjr updated visually, and tested for PHP7

publizjr@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Sun, 7 Aug 2016 08:52:00 -0400

We tested the Publizjr Web Page Publication System, release 2, against PHP7, and found no errors. We also updated its out-of-the-box visual appearance. Come download the latest version.

Publizjr Software Change Log

publizjr@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 21:55:00 -0500

Insight in the changes made to the software of the Publizjr Web Page Publication System, since release 2.

How to use Sound Sprites to Speed Up your HTML5 Web Games

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 15:00:00 -0400

Like image sprites, sound sprites collect several distinct sounds into a single file, which reduces network lag while downloading.

A Better Javascript For Google Consumer Surveys

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 22:00:00 -0400

The script Google provides is slow, dangerous, and time-consuming, drawbacks that this better one overcomes.

Process Flow Patterns (Data Flow, Interaction Flow, and User Experience Journeys)

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 21:50:00 -0500

How to recognise common patterns and set up new ones. Process flow defines what steps a user (or data) and software take to achieve a goal.

LiveJournal E-mail Validation Requires Log-In

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Wed, Mar 18 2015 12:30:00 -0500

And it really should not. The link from a validation email should validate immediately, without requiring the additional action of a log-on.

Tweet Opens Twitter Card Under Finger

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Tue, Mar 17 2015 12:30:00 -0500

Potentially causing a crash of not only the Twitter Client, but also the Mobile Device.

Media Query Cut-Off Fails at ETS.org

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Mon, Mar 16 2015 10:30:00 -0500

Unfortunate CSS decisions forcing visitors to put in more effort to achieve simple tasks.

Adding Translations to Publizjr

publizjr@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 17:00:00 -0500

Publizjr uses translations to make both non-editorial labels and code snippets language-aware. Learn how, why, and where.

Integrating JotForm Webforms into Publizjr

publizjr@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 23:44:00 -0500

How to include webforms in your Publizjr Generator Templates by using the JotForm webforms service.

Image 404-documents in .htaccess speeds up websites

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Tue, 3 Mar 2015 13:44:00 -0500

Speed up your website by providing a simple error response for images, video, audio, etc. This article looks at how to do so in htaccess.

Review and advice for the TLC Ministries Redesign

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Tue, Feb 17 2015 15:30:00 -0500

A look at the content strategy, navigation structure, load speed, mobile device preparation, and social sharebleness. Advice based on experience.

Biggest Web Design Mistakes of 2014

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Mon, Feb 2 2015 09:42:00 -0500

Daily usability problems on the web distilled to Most Problematic Usability Issues of 2014.

IA Use Case - Setting out to code a Tic-tac-toe

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Sun, 7 Feb 201b 11:11:00 -0500

You may all know the game of Tic Tac Toe: a fairly simple game of naughts and crosses, and a game board that consists of 4 lines in order to create 9 fields. The objective: to create a line of similar symbols. I'm hoping to provide an insight into the mind of one application developer.

Publizjr 2 Progress Report

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Wed, 13 Jan 2015 00:38:00 -0500

We are making our PPS easier to maintain and implement. Read where we stand and what the updates mean to you.

Content Strategy - The IA Process #2

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 18:37:00 -0500

Content Strategy combines what project stakeholders want to publish with what the public wants to know, and figures out the best way to present it. Read how.

Why I am a Full-Stack Developer

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Sat, 1 Nov 2014 15:21:00 -05:00

A potential employer asked why a UI/UX designer would also be interested in middleware software development and back-office software integration. For me, that answer is simple.

Zjramble5 Muziek - een woordzoekspel zoals Boggle en Scramble - Flash-vrij

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Wed, 14 May 2014 12:30:00 +01:00

Hoeveel muziektermen ken jij? Vind er zoveel mogelijk!

Trezjr - an HTML5 version of the most popular video game ever

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Wed, 7 May 2014 18:48:00 +01:00

Slot together falling puzzle pieces to remove as many full lines as you can before time runs out!

Brand in Mokum

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Tue, 6 May 2014 20:21:00 +01:00

The story of a town called Mokum, which always is on fire. 3-Voice jazz song, original composition by A.E.Veltstra.

Emotional Lead Magnets: Social Media Marketing using psychology to increase participation

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 18:50:00 +01:00

One of the easiest ways of attracting lots of attention is the Emotional Lead Magnet. It uses human psychology in the best of ways: it makes the participants feel better about themselves.

Mother Earth (Within Temptation)

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:22:00 +0100

Arrangement by A.E.Veltstra for woodwind band, of the song by Within Temptation.

Vermenigvuldigen werkt zo!

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 07:15:00 +0100

Lijntjes trekken en kruisingen tellen voor rekenmachineloze berekeningen.

Why your software house needs a Functional Design Patterns Library too

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 09:56:00 GMT+01:00

They provide insight and education. Read the article for details.

How to prevent Disqus from slowing down your web page load

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:56:00 GMT+01:00

A simple adjustment of their javascript code prevents pre-loading of their files, plus it increases compliance to the European Cookie Law.

New Category: Use My Browser!

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Fri, 9 Nov 2012 01:51:00 +0100

Highways built for Volkswagens, excluding Corvettes. Ridiculous? Yet that is what many a website does!

Mother Goose Songs

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Tue, 04 Sep. 2012 23:21:00 +0100

New melodies for 6 Mother Goose rhymes. Original music by A.E.Veltstra.

Melodietjes voor Kinderliedjes: "Kortjakje", "Brand in Mokum"

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Tue, 28 Aug. 2012 22:41:00 +0100

2e Paar liedjes: "Kortjakje" en "Brand in Mokum". Nieuwe muziek voor bestaande kinderliedteksten. Originele composities door A.E.Veltstra.

Melodietjes voor Kinderliedjes: "2 Beren"

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Sun, 26 Aug. 2012 21:21:00 +0100

Nieuwe muziek voor bestaande kinderliedteksten. Originele composities door A.E.Veltstra. 1e Liedje: "'k Zag Twee Beren".

Kus! Lipzetting voor koperblazers

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Mon, 21 Aug. 2012 21:11:00 +0100

Koperblazers zetten hun lippen fout, als ze niet worden opgeleid door een uitvoerend musicus. De goede manier: zoenen.

7 Reasons to use OmegaJunior's FacetEngine

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:30:00 GMT+01:00

We use it. Should you? Decide for yourself.

Listing Javascript Object Properties Without a Debugger

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:45:00 GMT+01:00

Sometimes there is no debugger, like on a mobile device like iPad (iOS5). Still you need to inspect an implementation. Use zjrJS.

How the European Privacy Law Sped Up my Web Pages

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Fri, 6 Jun 2012 18:45:00 GMT+01:00

This "cookie" law was passed in May 2011. As of 2012, web sites will need to comply. In preparation, we took some drastic measures. As a bonus, our web pages became a lot faster. Here's how.

element.hasOwnProperty fails in MSIE8

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Wed, 4 Jun 2012 18:45:00 GMT+01:00

Javascript quality enhancement hasOwnProperty works on HTML elements in many a modern browser, but fails in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.

About me, and why Failure Notes.

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:58:00 +0100

Software should help. You should know whether your product or service helps, or irritates. And so should everyone else.

Zjramble5: faster, more

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:25:00 GMT+01:00

#Zjramble5 faster than ever. Plus a music version: http://bit.ly/Mp7KDW. Also: deities http://bit.ly/Lr3CAl, web mark-up http://bit.ly/MHW1mC

Emotional Pendulum

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:57:01 +0100

Brass-band orchestration of the original composition 'Emotional Pendulum' by composer A.E.Veltstra.(4.7MB, 3min. 26 sec.) 2007-11-02

Adding Array Comprehension using zjrJS

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:30:00 +0100

For older browser version that lack this functionality, as defined in EcmaScript 5.

Faceted Search

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Sat, 7 Apr 2012 19:25:00 GMT+01:00

Categorised filter tags for search results, only showing those that give any results, each with a tally that updates dynamically with any filter change. A how-to in javascript.

Publizjr. Creates Web Pages.

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Sun, 1 Apr 2012 22:22:00 GMT+01:00

You concentrate on your article. Let Publizjr worry about turning it into a webpage. For all or just some of your webpages. In real time. Fast.

Added a Task-Based Cheat Sheet for zjrJS

omegajunior@protonmail.com (ΩJr) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:30:00 +0100

The alphabetical API Overview is useful when you already know the method's name. If not, try this cheat sheet, based on the task at hand,

Adding Test Cases for zjrJS

omegajunior@protonmail.com (ΩJr) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:47:00 +0100

The first test cases have been added. Each public zjrJS method will get at least 1 test case, for both the stable and the beta channels.

Info on Bar Pull, 3D Maze Game

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Thu, 8 Mar 2012 04:18:00 GMT+01:00

How to play, some technical details, and feedback options.

Bar Pull, 3D Maze Game

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Thu, 8 Mar 2012 04:16:00 GMT+01:00

An example of the current status of 3D CSS styling of web pages, this game lets you move a ball through bars which can be pulled up to free more openings. Beware of gravity! Try and reach the golden cube. Webkit browsers like Google Chrome and Safari preferred at this moment.

Blast from the Past

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Fri, 2 Mar 2012 23:57:00 GMT+01:00

In 2004 I described what we now call CSS Sprites. Back then, I only knew "sprite" from antique games.

3D Bar Maze, Proof of Concept

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:59:59 +0100

Move the ball out of the maze. Entirely crafted in Html5, Css3, extra-special 3d Css, and some javascript. Youtube video available.

No sign-up at Twitter.com for the javascript free

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:25:00 +0100

When you go to the Twitter.com sign-up page, it looks normal, like you could actually sign up for an account. Fail! They require you to enable javascript to sign up, but they forgot to mention this.

Path Walking

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

To establish whether or not a player is allowed to move to a next position in a game, path walking usually is the easiest to program, because all possibilities are known. This article describes 2 different path walkers, both programmed in javascript, for games on the ΩJr.Net.

Genetic Search

omegajunior@protonmail.com (OmegaJunior) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Why and how of Genetic Search Algorithms, plus a javascript implementation. The Genetic Search Algorithm is used to solve problems by computing a biological genetics approach, creating a survival of the fittest scenario.

Impossible to Edit Personal Profile using iPad on Google Plus

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:53:00 +0100

More conversion loss through device bias: Google Plus programmers knew that their iPad-using customers would be unable to edit their personal profile introductions, so instead of fixing the problem, they omitted the button altogether.

No Birthday Card at Tele2.nl for iPad

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:22:00 +0100

Conversion failure by device bias. Tele2.nl, one of the Netherlands' larger internet and telephony providers, ignores iPad users when creating birthday cards. If they neglect you, why should you give them your money?

No Birthday Card without Flash at Bol.Com

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:26:00 +0100

Conversion failure example. Your favourite book selling site sends you a birthday greeting by mail, containing a hyperlnk with the promise of a nicer birthday wish and a surprise gift. After following the link, you see no birthday card, no surprise gift. Why? You use an iPad, which by default doesn't support Flash. You just became a victim of device bias.

No Service via Essent's "Service" E-Mail

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:10:00 +0100

Why call an e-mail address 'service' when you don't actually provide any service via that address? Just use the noreply address you use in other communication and let your customer know onbeforehand that you don't want their feedback.

Category: Dead End coming up, but we won't tell you

failurenotes@protonmail.com (Failure Notes) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:08:00 +0100

Ever experienced moments on the internet where people deliberately caused a dead end? You expect a way through, but they just cut you off? This category highlights exactly that failure.

Turn it into music - a How-To

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:20:00 +0100

Sense and nonsense of a director's instruction: turn it into music. Really? How? Where? For how long? Give me an example? Where lies the border between noise and music? About emotion: how and what.

Merry Yule!

omegajunior@protonmail.com (ΩJr) — Fri, 22 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Today we celebrate the winter solstice. Tomorrow we'll see more light of day. Happy times you all!

Talk to us

omegajunior@protonmail.com (ΩJr) — Sat, 16 Dec 2011 05:34:00 +0100

We like to hear your opinion on the topics we discuss. As such, we are in the process of rolling out a commenting functionality via Disqus. The first sections to benefit are the zjrJS API docs and the Failure Notes. Let us know what you think!

No photo upload at the MyOpera blog when using iPad

failurenotes@protonmail.com (FailureNotes) — Sat, 16 Dec 2011 00:30:00 +0100

We've blogged at MyOpera for years. Today we recognised that it does not allow us to upload any photos when using an iPad. Ever heard of cross-load from a URL?

Completed the zjrJS documentation

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Wed, 06 July 2011 06:03:00 +0100

We have completed the documentation on zjrJS, our own Javascript library. Full API documentation, best practices, and guides for library selection.

Zjramble5 - a Game like Boggle - Flash-Free

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Tue, 05 July 2011 06:02:00 +0100

Just to show off that we can, we've rebuilt Zynga's Scramble as an html5 / javascript game, and named it Zjramble5. Go give the beta version a test run. We've added Facebook integration to publish your game scores.

Pop-Under (a.k.a. Pop-In) retested succesfully

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:59:00 +0100

Ever evolving web browsers require us to adjust our web applications and widgets every now and then. The OmegaJunior Pop-Under Script is no exception. We've tested it under MSIE10 (the platform preview), Opera 10, and the latest Google Chrome. We've only had to add detection of the MSIE10 version to have the script work correctly. Go check it out and let us know what you think!

Live Real-time Search Filtering

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Sun, 31 Sep 2010 21:12:00 +0100

The evolution of the previous test: real-time filtering of search results based on meta keywords (also known as facets and facetted search), showing only those keywords that yield results, inclusing a count of how many results to expect. No more guess work: your search will always yield a result. Completely executed in javascript, to see how far Microsoft's excuse for a browser can be pushed. (Conclusion: far enough for most searches.)

Testing javascripted search results

omegajunior@protonmail.com (FailureNotes) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:50:00 +0200

You know Google CSE and you want something similar, but the results come from your own database? Or, you want to speed up the generation of search results in your own web site? Here's a test page, which generates some random search results, and allows for paging, filtering, and sorting. It's a work in progress, so expect it to break every now and then.

Profit Loss - Your Money Isn't Good Enough - Failure Notes

failurenotes@protonmail.com (FailureNotes) — Sat, 30 May 2009 01:15:00 +0200

Your company wants to sell stuff... but makes it as difficult as possible for their customers to buy it. If a car company wants to sell a car to you, they will want to make sure you have the money. However, they should not refuse to accept your money based on you being female. That's not only considered discrimination, but it also means they sell less cars... which isn't a very commercial attitude.

WAP Version of Nu.nl offers less articles - Failure Notes

failurenotes@protonmail.com (FailureNotes) — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:23:00 +0200

WAPped versions of web sites are expected to offer less bling than their desktop counterparts. So what possible reason could a news agency have to deny access to its articles for people who access those articles via mobile phone? In the category "Your Money Isn't Good Enough", a Failure Note for the WAPped version of Nu.nl.

Migration Complete!

omegajunior@protonmail.com (ΩJr) — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:57:00 +0200

Our host, Globat.com, has informed us that the migration of our Omegajunior account has been completed. If you find anything missing that was there before today, please let us know. Thanks!

Register to download MS Windows 7 RC - but how? - Failure Notes

failurenotes@protonmail.com (FailureNotes) — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:25:00 +0200

When going to download MS Windows 7 RC from the official Microsoft product page, Microsoft forces us to register first. That registration page however, shows up empty. Turns out that javascript and iframes need to be enabled, but there is no indication of that, anywhere. Thus, in the category "Your Money Isn't Good Enough", a Failure Note for the MS Registration Center.

New section added: Failure Notes

omegajunior@protonmail.com (ΩJr) — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:34:00 +0200

When web and software applications fail to work as expected, it will be noted. Read and learn. Articles available in the languages Dutch and English alike.

Maol Chinn Tire - Muziek

omegajunior@protonmail.com (A.E.Veltstra) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:01:44 +0100

Sample of the arrangement 'Maol Chinn Tire' by composer A.E.Veltstra. 2min. 38sec., 2.5 MB. 2008-10-26. Original 'Mull of Kintyre', by Paul McCartney and Denny Laine (1977). Arranged for woodwind band in an upbeat marching tempo (120 bpm). (Ska version available: 180 - 200 bpm.)