Ye Olde Rad Blog II

Six Apart Releases Movable Type Open Source! (v4.1) Woohoo!

Now that the forum-update (to YaBB 2.2) is complete (first things first), my attention turns to Ye Olde Rad Blog .. for which I've used Movable Type (since 2003), and been waiting patiently for the release of v4.1. (Cuz it...

Posted on January 25, 2008 3:59 PM

The Neck, Web Master Skills & Holy Frijoles

My neck is finally (after 6 weeks!) starting to loosen. I can turn my head side-to-side without pain, tho full range-of-motion remains elusive. Tilting » right-ear toward right-shoulder .. is the movement I now find most difficult. Feels like a steel cable (tendon?) connects my left shoulder to the base of my skull (on left side), restricting this (right-ward ») motion. Forcing this movement causes swelling (the next day) where my neck (left-side) connects to my torso. The swelling (raised ~2 inches) looks scarier than it feels. Nevertheless, I'm hesitant to stretch very far in that direction (.. like they want me to).

Posted on November 19, 2007 4:34 PM

Best Book for Learning Cascading Style Sheets » CSS Mastery by Andy Budd

With my current book (on XHTML/CSS) coming to a close, I've been cresearching books that deal solely with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) ... .. to determine which one might represent the next step in upgrading my web meister skill set. Here's what I found. Let's begin with end. The best book (for me) would be » CSS Mastery: Advanced Web Standards Solutions .. by Andy Budd (from Brighton, England. His blog is » here.). Sample chapter posted » here (600-KB, 20-page PDF dealing with Layout).

Posted on August 29, 2007 7:38 AM

Download Classic Books (for Free) from PlanetPDF + Military-style Mass-Innoculations

Link worth bookmarking » PlantetPDF. Contains 7 pages worth of links to books (all free) .. with authors such as Dickens, Homer & Dostoevsky, and titles like Dracula &

Posted on August 24, 2007 6:54 AM

Exercise, Bizarre Dreams & Advanced Web Construction

Remarkable how much better I feel whenever I work-out. I even feel better about myself (psychologically). Shirts fit more snugly (in chest & shoulders). Arms hang a bit heavier. Each step flows more easily, propelled by stronger legs ("wheels").

Posted on August 11, 2007 10:46 AM

Returning to the Gym After 6-Month Layoff

Returned to the gym yesterday .. first time in 6 months. You might recall, 6 months ago, when I tweaked my back, how bad that suk'ed. (See entry titled » Falling Apart at the Seams.). Felt good to throw around some iron. I went straight to the BACK exercises, beginning with deadlifts.

Posted on August 7, 2007 9:39 AM

Various Topics » Nuclear Nightmare, Learning XHTML/CSS, Trying to Quit Coffee, Dog to Wed in Prague

Broke up recent blog entry (about Navy Nuclear Power school) into two parts. The original grew too long for a single page. Also added heading titles (not needed with shorter entries). Still reading Head First XHTML/CSS book. Learning about CSS. Already know most of this, too, but definitely best chapter yet (far as learning useful info). Also .. been trying to get off the bean (as you might recall). Not going very well. The mere idea of quitting makes me wanna drink more .. (cuz I can't be sure tomorrow won't be the day I really quit).

Posted on August 1, 2007 8:07 AM

Mid-way Review of Head First XHTML/CSS Book

Half-way thru new (650-page) Head First XHTML/CSS book. Completed first 7 chapters, which cover all things pertaining to HTML/XHTML (the *structure* of a web page, such as setting up » headings, paragraphs, images, links). Chapter 8 (« 3-MB PDF), which I'm starting now, begins discussion of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), which is cooler than (X)HTML, cuz it deals with *presentation* (as separated from structure).

Posted on July 26, 2007 12:19 AM

First Impressions of Head First XHTML/CSS Book

Been studying new "Head First" book on XHTML/CSS .. currently ~200 pages into it (1/3rd way thru), now reading chapter 5. Haven't seen much new material I don't already know (having learned most of my tricks from viewing the source of other web sites). Tho I have learned bits-n-pieces of cool info from the book, especially regarding the names (terms) of things (.. which I've been using for years).

Posted on July 17, 2007 6:22 AM

Theory of Learning Behind the Head First Series of Books (from O'Reilly)

Been reading a new book on XHTML/CSS. O'Reilly claims its books in the Head First series represent a "learning experience." (not a reference) Slow down. The more you understand, the less you have to memorize. Take time to ponder the implications of what you're learning. Pictures help you learn better than text, cuz the brain is tuned for images (not text).

Posted on July 11, 2007 2:05 PM

Upgrading Web Master Skills | New Technologies Presenting Challenges

Been upgrading my web master skills recently, to include proficiency with HTML, XHTML, CSS & Dreamweaver. I'd also like to become familiar with JavaScript, PHP & SQL-based databases, such as MySQL. Like most people, I learn best by doing .. by having a project to which I can apply my new skills. I'm finding these newfangled XHTML/CSS pages significantly more complicated to work with than the old (simple) HTML ones I used with the original Rad Ghost guide.

Posted on June 26, 2007 7:13 AM