May 2014 update: I’ve ditched the below method of database backup… I’m now using Comcure. June 22nd 2010 update: I’m still using this software to run my MySQL database backups on a schedule but I have to say I’m not totally recommending the below method because of a couple ongoing problems. Issue # 1: My ip address frequently changes on my adsl account… when it does my backups will not work. I need to make an update to my web host control panel. Issue #2: This software doesn’t have a “pause backup” button that allows you to pause a db download currently being downloaded. Conclusion: If I had to do this again I might try to setup some sort of [...]

Problem: PNG files pixilated transparency : problem: the transparency on my PNG files was pixilated and not smooth. However the edges were smooth in Firefox and Google chrome. The problem only seems to be happening with one image in particular. This means that it is likely a problem with the way I exported the photo. Let's try to export the photo again with different settings. Solution: using fireworks export using a PNG 32 setting with the matte set to transparent. More details here: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_14647 Result: decent file size, true alpha transparency, no pixelated edges in older versions of Internet Explorer or any other browser (using the PNG alpha transparency in Internet Explorer hacks: http://www.dailybits.com/png-alpha-transparency-in-internet-explorer/  ) Article notes and keywords: This [...]

Somewhere along the lines Skype started to charge a "connection fee" of about four US cents per call.  The dollar has continued its downward spiral making the €1.5 cents per minute more expensive yet.  I was spending about $60 per month on Skype.  I finally decided that that was just too much and was considering switching back to Vonage.  The problem with vonage is that I can't dial my contacts via voice recognition easily like I can with Skype. So I got on to the Skype website and bumped into an unlimited landline plan to the United States for just €10 per month.  This plan also included the voicemail and free phone number which I was paying extra for before.  [...]

this is what my website looks like on my new monitor. I feel like an idiot for not doing this sooner. And that makes me wonder... what other idiotic things could I be doing right now?