When you add custom HTML with Flash or Javascript using the WYSIWYG editor, Joomla will modify your code, rendering your code useless. Instead of using one of these modules, here is a simple hack using the built in Category feature.

continue reading "Using Custom HTML with Flash or Javascript in Joomla without Modules"

When you want a user to be automatically logged in after they register, you can use the following code where you have access to the sfGuardUser module:

$this->getContext()->getUser()->signIn($user, true);

One of the most powerful tools on the Mac in terms of day to day productivity boost, has been Spaces. I have been using this feature in Linux for years, but never quite took advantage of it in Windows. Here is how I currently use it. I would love to here your tips and tricks regarding productivity on the Mac.

continue reading "Using Spaces to Improve Productivity on the Mac"

Login to your Passport account and do not close the page.

32 Bit Windows 7
Click 1: Copy and paste the key found here.
Click 2: Download here.

64 Bit Windows 7
Click 1: Copy and paste the key found here.
Click 2: Download here.

Thanks LifeHacker!

If you are interested in creating a local development environment for Django and you are running Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit, this guide is for you! Following are step by step instructions.

continue reading "Running Django on Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit"

It appears as though Propeller.com has fallen victim of a bad practice most early web designers have experienced early in their careers.

When you don’t iterate early and often with the input of your stakeholders you are taking a big risk that a majority of your stakeholders will hate your work.

continue reading "Propeller.com and Rapid Application Development"

I recently started a contest for a logo design (The link is not to my contest, just an example). Soon I had over 60 entries and I needed an easy way to present these logos to the client in a Power Point presentation. It takes two clicks to get to each image… no good. Thus the following script was created. It should serve as a good tutorial on how to use Python to do some basic web interactions.
continue reading "Using Python to Grab Images From a Web Site"

There are two books I recommend to any startup: The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything and Getting Real. I created a guide based on the former, and now I have created a mind map based on the latter. I suggest that you use the mind map for review or to gain an overview of the key points. You can download the mind map here (it is in the FreeMind format): Getting Real Mind Map.

As an undergraduate, one of my favorite classes was Software Engineering. It was in that class, I learned about applying Computer Science theories to the “real world”. We learned about things such as CVS, Cron, Python, UML, etc…

One of the books that was recommended reading, and remains in my library, was The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master. Chapter 3 talks about the basic tools needed for any programmer. Here is a review and description of the tools I use and consider fundamental.
continue reading "The 8 Essential Tools for Programmers"

I had the great fortune of spending some time with Paul Maximov, owner of Cyberian Soft at Orange County’s Largest Mixer. He shared some essential tips on managing his nine person programming team in the Ukraine.
continue reading "3 Powerful Offshoring Tips"