User support/experiences

Corrupted downloads via script on IE

http://www.marcus-povey.co.uk/2009/01/05/corrupted-downloads-via-scri

I have spent the last couple of hours grappling with this problem, and having finally got to the bottom of it I'd thought I'd share my solution.

Ok, so the problem was that a PHP script which prepared a download (in this case a .zip) from Elgg's file store was working ...

Posted by Marcus Povey | 0 comment(s)

Marcus Povey

Elgg scalability

http://www.marcus-povey.co.uk/2009/01/04/elgg-scalability/

"I am creating an Elgg network and I am expecting 10 million users, can it cope?"
This question gets asked in one form or another almos tevery week, but I believe this is the wrong question to be asking. Perhaps the more pertinent scalability question is:
"I am creating an Elgg network, ...

Posted by Marcus Povey | 0 comment(s)

Owen Cutajar

Google Chrome 2.0 Pre-Beta

http://www.u-g-h.com/2009/01/09/google-chrome-20-pre-beta/

There’s a new release of Google’s browser, Chrome that is doing the rounds; which has a set of new features including support for Greasemonkey (Yeay!). There’s still some way to go before it has all the features I’d need to make it my mainstream browser (I’m just too comfortable in Firefox), but considering the last drop was four months ago, I’m pretty impressed at how quick the product is shaping up. Google must be putting some muscle behind it.

So, what’s new? There’s all the details on the release notes, but the highlights are:

New version of Webkit

Form Autocomplete

Full-page zoom

Spell checking improvements

Autoscroll

Docking dragged tabs

Import bookmarks from Google bookmarks

SafeBrowsing

Browser Profiles

New Javascript engine

New network code and window frames

Experimental script support

HTTPS only mode

Some cool stuff there and some of those features will take it further up the technology scale than most browsers out there.

So, how do you get your hands on it? Here are the steps:

If you don’t have Google Chrome, install it from google.com/chrome

Subscribe to the developer preview channel. This is required even if you’ve previously subscribed to the channel.

Wait until the new version is downloaded (you may force the updatie by opening the “About Google Chrome” dialog).

Note that the developer preview channel will expose you to code that may not be fully tested, but you can always switch back to a safer channel if you wish. It’s nice to see the experience of choosing which stream you want to join made so easy. Anyway, I’ve installed it, and am off to play

Posted by Owen Cutajar | 0 comment(s)

Owen Cutajar

Secure your ZIPs

http://www.u-g-h.com/2009/01/08/secure-your-zips/

I’ve just come across SecureZIP, a secure compression program by PKWare, the people behind PKZip. I used PKZip for a long, long time in the past, but I’ve never really used a compression program to secure my files. I had dabbled a bit with PGPDisk when I needed to encrypt files, but it was a bit of a pain to use. So I downloaded SecureZIP to give it a whirl and it’s really quite easy to use. The initial setup is a bit time consuming in that you get assigned a certificate by PKWare to create an encryption key for securing your files. It’s understandable, especially as the software walks you through the process.

PKWare are actually running a great contest for users of SecureZIP (which is free for non-commercial use). Here’s the buzz ..

PKWARE, the inventor of the .zip standard, is giving away a non-commercial use license of SecureZIP Express and the opportunity to win great prizes in the new “Decrypt and Drive” contest!

With SecureZIP Express you can compress/decompress and encrypt files that you store or send. Compressing files is a great way to save storage space, especially on thumb drives and CD’s, and we all have files we should be securing! The software also includes a digital certificate so you can exchange files securely with others without using passwords. Only the person the file was encrypted for can open it when you use a digital certificate. The software is fully licensed for non-commercial use and has no toolbars or spyware!

For years, PKWARE has given free .zip software away and wants as many users as possible to receive the benefits of SecureZIP. PKWARE is giving away great prizes including a Honda scooter, bicycles, Wii games, gas cards, and more! Visit www.DecryptandDrive.com to play the game daily and/or download the free software. You need to have SecureZIP, and the digital certificate it installs, on the computer you play the game from. You can also get SecureZIP Express at www.securezip.com Good luck!

I can’t actually take part in the competition, because, guess why .. it’s only open to US residents; but now I have a great way to secure my files, so I’m happy anyway

Posted by Owen Cutajar | 0 comment(s)

Eric Betts

Ticket #2575 (defect closed): duplicate copies of accountmanager in svn

http://beaversource.oregonstate.edu:80/projects/admin/ticket/2575#comment:2

fixed:

(In [171]) fixes #2575
deleted the older one, and the one that lacks features we've added to
the other (sso info being put in for the person's "settings")

Posted by Eric Betts | 0 comment(s)

Eric Betts

Changeset [171]: fixes #2575 deleted the older one, and the one that lacks features we've …

http://beaversource.oregonstate.edu:80/projects/admin/changeset/171

fixes #2575
deleted the older one, and the one that lacks features we've added to
the other (sso info being put in for the person's "settings")

Posted by Eric Betts | 0 comment(s)

Owen Cutajar

Another HoneyPost

http://www.u-g-h.com/2009/01/07/another-honeypost-2/

Regular readers will know that every now and again I dump a collection of links to things I have found interesting over the last few days. It’s called HoneyPost, nice and sweet! Here you go:

10 Killer Wordpress Hacks: Some great tips here for all the WordPress gurus around

A Twitter I would Pay For: An analysis of how Twitter could become a killer application (that is, more of a killer application it is already)

FreeUndelete: Ever needed to undelete a file? Here a free application that will let you do it

One Hundred PushUps: Here’s a plan to take you from wimp to being able to 100 pushups without stopping

Top 500 worst passwords: What passwords not to use

The 10 commandments of personal finance: Interesting read on how you should take care of yourself over this recession.

One Year’s Worth of Images: A great video and how to replicate it

There’s loads there to keep you busy, so wrap up warm in one of your NFL Jerseys, light a fire, put your feet up and settle down to a nice evening of browsing.