A lot of folks know about SMF (Simple Machine Forums) but did you know about the Tips & Tricks to make them even better? SMF just rocks right out of the box but with some tweaking here and there, it’ll just blow you away!
To start, SMF is one of the easiest, most secure forum software available on the planet. Of course the added feature of it being free is a nice perk too. There’s thousands of skins or themes if you will, plenty of Mods to personalize things and add features. The list just goes on.
Well, with Tips & Tricks you can make things even better. They’re listed alphabetically so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. Give it a try to spice up that forum you have going!
September 4th, 2008, posted by ScottW
Tips n Tricks
What the heck is a favicon? It’s that little emblem or icon if you will, that sits up there in your browser’s address bar right in front of the website address. Some sites have one, some don’t. How would you like to have one of your very own? Cool, huh? OK, well follow along while I set mine up at FavIcon From Pics.
Simply select a picture, logo or other graphic (of any size/resolution) for the “Source Image” from your computer using the handy “Browse” button and then click “Generate FavIcon.ico” .
The next screen will show you a preview of your new favicon.ico with 2 options. 1. You can then download it to your computer or 2. You can test it in your browser to make sure this is what you want.
Now, assuming you’re satisfied with your creation what you want to do next is to upload it to your website. Here’s what to do:
To add this favicon to your web page:
- Click “Download FavIcon” and open the package. favicon.ico is included in it.
- Upload the favicon.ico file to the folder on your web site where you have the web page.
- Add the following HTML tag to your web page after the <head> tag, before the </head> tag: <link rel=“shortcut icon” href=“favicon.ico” >
That’s it! To test your new favicon in Internet Explorer, add your site to Favorites and reopen the page. To test it in Firefox or other Mozilla-based browser, simply open your web page and watch the address bar or the page tab.
September 4th, 2008, posted by ScottW
Tips n Tricks
I’ve used this script on all my sites that are database driven so that I can keep a good backup copy for those just in case times that something should go wrong with one of my sites. Remembering that the web host may or may not have an up to date backup, this will help to save your bacon in those times that it’s needed.
It’s like having insurance: You hope to never have to use it but, if you do…you have it to back you up!
I came across this while surfing one of my favorite Linux forums and it made absolute sense to me. See, even though I had a backup plugin running in Wordpress itself, this would sort of back that up in the event of one failing to go through.
So, after making the necessary adjustments for it to work on my database (yours may differ depending on your hosting provider), I uploaded the file to a specified folder in my public_html directory and then proceeded to create the cron job to run it.
“Please note that all scripts should be with a .php extension, the file should have 755 permissions” Read the rest of this entry »
September 4th, 2008, posted by ScottW
Tips n Tricks
Title is a bit odd but to the point. Read on and see why the PC Decrapifier just might be the “must have” tool for new PC buyers.
Remember when you bought that last desktop or laptop and couldn’t wait to get it home? Remember the feeling of awe when you finally got it out of the box? The thrill of getting things all wired up and ready to go? And finally pressing the power button to boot into it for the very first time…only to be greeted by all those icons and pesky software bugs that were installed by the manufacturer. You know the ones…they keep prompting you to load them up so they can pester you to buy their services.
Well,no more my PC buying friends! Enter the PC Decrapifier! Read the rest of this entry »
September 4th, 2008, posted by ScottW
Tips n Tricks
Not trying to capitalize on a horrific event even though this seems like it’s doing just that but after reading an entry in my Google Reader just now about a New Orleans data center’s employees riding out the storm in their data center plus providing coverage from their windows, I had to sit down and write this down just in case anyone else might stumble across this blog and find theirs in passing.
Their About Us page is quoted below:
GustavBloggers is group of concerned technies from the Internet sector. We are based in New Orleans and survived Katrina from a New Orleans skyrise with NO DOWNTIME. We work for a group of related companies that includes Parked.com, Intercosmos Media Group, directNIC.com, Zipa.com, and ModernDomainer.com.
Geez! These folks have been through this before and it’s happening again. That’s some bad luck and it’s gotta stink that it’s happening again so soon. But enough with my drival, let me link you to thier blog so you can get the real scoop, as it happens. They’re keeping things updated almost by the minute!
Gustav Bloggers - Live from the Zipa Data Center in downtown New Orleans
They have a post up about how to help too. It’s here for those of you wanting to find out what you can do. Good luck guys!
September 1st, 2008, posted by ScottW
General
