Author's Choice,General 3 February 2011

I have noticed that over the months (since 2010), Bing was catching up on Google in terms of search relevance and search results. Almost all the things that I searched on Google using my IE with improve user experience turned on appeared on Bing after a few minutes. This is odd since I search them on Bing first (laziness to turn the default search engine to Google).

For months I was thinking it was normal due to the mere fact that Microsoft has acquired of some search engines including Yahoo’s directory over the years. I was not aware that even Google itself was intrigue on this issue and they have conducted a test by inserting fake search terms and fake search results on their database. This dummy data was used as a test medium to confirm the theory that somewhere inside IE8 or Windows itself is a recorder of Google search terms and results. The test will prove true if the bogus search terms will appear on Bing and eventually the search results.

 Author's Choice,Publishing 21 January 2011

Dropbox is a popular online storage solution that helps you store files and access them across multiple computers that have a drop box client. The application allows you to sync your files online and across your computers and mobile phones automatically.

An initial account will give you 2GB of online storage for free with an option to go paid increasing your file storage up to 100GB. The application works on Windows, Mac and Linux and on selected mobile devices. There are 2 types of sync mode, an automated one that will pick up new files and modified files automatically. The second mode is selective where you choose what will be sync, this saves bandwidths specially if you are storing big chunks of files.

File sharing is also available where the files can be accessed online and converted into public shares. Shared files/folders will appear as a new folder entry on your friend’s accounts where they interact with the files. For those that are worried on allowing a stranger to access their files, Dropbox also have the feature to monitor who is accessing your files and keep them out or give them access.

 Author's Choice,Coding Tips,Exposure,Programming,Publishing 20 January 2011

If you have been maintaining a website or plan to maintain one, I am pretty sure that you have already known some of the trickiest part of being a webmaster. Everything starts on your work board where you plan and decide what the website will be, how people will find it and what audience you will aim to serve. Going online gives a few more hurdles such as picking the right webhosting service, for a starter, you won’t get a Linux webhosting service if you want to host ASP files and vice versa.

The hurdles gets on moving to securing your files, protecting the server, making sure that everything runs and that you have enough bandwidth or disk space to carry everything out flawlessly. Sooner or later you will hit a certain condition where uptime will be questioned. Are you 100% sure that your website is live 24 hours a day and 7 days a week?

Introducing the Robot.
Fortunately, you no longer need to sit in front of your computer checking at regular intervals to make sure that your website is live. “Uptime Robot” a web application from WebResourcesDepot & SSLmatic will dutifully alert you if your website suddenly went down so you can take an action at once.

 Author's Choice,Coding Tips,Exposure 9 November 2010

Sometimes we need to change filenames or directory structures but simply can’t since this always results on being penalized by search engine ranking. If a file was moved or renamed, a search engine index will end up as an error 404 which only puts you down on ranking with search engines but also drive away your visitors thinking that your website ends up broken.

A common user will use script base forwarding by manipulating the headers, it will work but the robots will get confused and may mark your site as spam. The best way to redirect in a search engine friendly way is to utilize error 301 (Moved Permanently).

Here are the steps that you need to do:

• Make sure that you have a Linux or Unix webhost, the OS can be optional as long as you have Apache as the base server.
• Consult your webhosting company if they support .htaccess file, a few years ago support for this file is not supported on most shared hosting accounts.
• Open your ftp software or file manager in case you prefer a file manager
• Navigate to the web root, in case for php hosting it is either public_html or httpdoc (httpsdocs for SSL directory)
• Locate if you have a file named .htaccess (take note of the . and the blank filename).
• If you have an existing .htaccess file, download the file and create a backup.
• Add an entry taking this format redirect 301 /odlfilename http://domainname.com/newfilename

 Author's Choice,Coding Tips,Programming 30 October 2010

I started having problem with Disqus system showing “View Comments” on the comment count slot when it was upgraded to the latest version (2.52). Playing with the Disqus admin panel gives no good result and I am pretty sure that it is working properly on earlier versions of Disqus after version 2.42 and not it looks broken.

A trip to the official plugin website for Discus was made and it yields almost nothing. This problem seems to exist on earlier versions of Disqus and have affected people since October 2009 until around June 2010. I have been using Disqus since June but was unaware of the problem for the simple reason that I don’t display comments count.

Playing and digging around the Disqus code lead me to the file named disqus.php which seems to be the heart of the plugin. A quick search for the word “View Comments” brought me down to line 697 with the following code:

function dsq_comments_number($comment_text) {
	global $post;
	if ( dsq_can_replace() ) {
		return 'View Comments';
	} else {
		return $comment_text;
	}
}

 Author's Choice,General,Reflections,Video Stream 4 September 2010

‘Kambas ng Lipunan’ is a documentary by the late Joey Velasco (a national artist) that revolves around the 12 street children from different streets of Manila, Philippines. The painting was a modern ‘Last Supper’ with the portrait of Jesus Christ but the normal 12 disciples was replaced by the 12 street children.

Each face holds a story, each smile holds a secret and each eyes stairs right back at the person viewing them as if they want to reach into your heart and soul. The canvas turned into the whole world realization of what really is happening outside the four corners of your comfort zone which you call home and drags you to a journey into the real world where real person live and interact.

This faces are so familiar and you can see them around the world but almost no one sees them or did we just ignore them?

Joey Velasco, the documentary author, died July 20, 2010 due to heart attack and seizures.

‘Everyone knows he’s going to die, but nobody seems to be completely and absolutely prepared for it. Nobody lives each day ready to die; life should be lived to the full each day.’

NOTE: The painting was called ‘Hapag ng Pag-asa’

 Author's Choice,Coding Tips,Database Systems,Programming 4 August 2010

I personally choose not to use Micro$oft products when it is possible, but sometimes the choice is not given. For these unfortunate who have to deal with SQL Server 2008 (or 2005), here is how to get around without too many swear words and avoid licensing costs.

Requirements

1. Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Win XP
2. .Net Framework 3.5 SP1
3. Windows Installer 4.5
4. Windows PowerShell 1.0
5. MS Core XML Services (MSXML) 6.0

Note: In order to download windows Power Shell, you need to pass the genuine windows checking. You can still google for alternative download locations preventing the need for the checking. Power Shell also comes preinstalled from windows 7 including .Net framework 3.5 but it wont eliminate the need to download the service pack.

 Author's Choice,Entertainment,Gaming 23 July 2010

On July 28, 2010 at 1:00AM, East Asia and Ocenia will be able to purchase the new game Star Craft II: Wings of Liberty via an online digital download.

The official release was July 27, 2010 at approximately 10:00AM (GMT+8) where the CD/DVD will start to fill up your favorite computer games stores.  On july 28, 2010 at 1:00AM (GMT+8) will be  Battle.net’s  official SEA opening and online purchase activation.

Those that wants to get a little ahead with the others can download the game starting today by visiting this link http://sea.battle.net/account/management/sc2/pre-download-page.html, you need a valid Battle.net account to download the game.

StarCraft II continues the epic saga of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg. These three distinct and powerful races will clash once again in the fast-paced real-time strategy sequel to the legendary original, StarCraft. Legions of veteran, upgraded, and brand-new unit types will do battle across the galaxy, as each faction struggles for survival.

Featuring a unique single-player campaign that picks up where StarCraft: Brood War left off, StarCraft II will present a cast of new heroes and familiar faces in an edgy sci-fi story filled with adventure and intrigue. In addition, Blizzard will again offer unparalleled online play through Battle.net, the company’s world-renowned gaming service, with several enhancements and new features to make StarCraft II the ultimate competitive real-time strategy game.

 Author's Choice,Exposure,Publishing,Update 22 July 2010

Facebook chain connection and shared login was now implemented on vhortex.com “Will of the MetalBender”. There are some bugs to iron out and scheduled to be fix.

Currently the link supports sync login to both facebook.com and vhortex.com, the blogger on the other hand also have the special access to post directly to facebook without any outside manual reposting of links.

 Author's Choice,Exposure,Publishing 19 July 2010

After checking the list at “Getting your Google account” and securing a Google account we can continue on creating our first webmaster tool account. Google webmaster offers more services at no cost other than providing a proof of claim for ownership for the website we are adding.

If you are using http://blogspot.com, this step may be optional but I cannot guarantee that this is the case since I abandoned blogspot after I got my own hosting.  This step may vary from website to website and some free blogging system may not provide any methods to complete this.

The main reason we are getting webmaster tools was to mark the site as our own and this gives a good point boost before application. On some states or country, this step is required.  First step to be done was to click “Add a site” which will open the site adding dialog box,