Entries in " geek "  

Boom! More Software Updates

Just a quick post to update the status of the CMS software that is running this site now. I have added a few new features to it.

Tagging - I wrote some quick stuff to parse the Technorati tags from each post, and tag the actual entry on the back end as well. I used a simple method, just 2 models named Tag and Tagmap. Tag is the tag name itself and Tagmap is a map that puts the actual database blog entry to the Tag and vise versa. Pretty simple really, but I will write up a blog post about it when I have the time. FYI: There is also an awesome app called Django-Tagging that would probably be best for most situations.

Amazon S3 - I added support for the Amazon S3 service via the metaWeblog API code. When my blogging client uploads an attachment, the blog software itself will take the data and store it on the Amazon S3 servers. This has the advantage of keeping static media off the Django server. Plus, it's super cheap storage! I plan on writing up a post for this as well very soon.

[Update] Oops. You can view the tag cloud here.

Technorati Tags: blog, development, django, geek, python

New Django CMS System Is Live!

Well, here it is. My Django blog/cms software is alive and kicking. I spent about 3 weeks getting this together, off and on. I finally decided to bring it live, even though there is a small list of features I want to add. It currently has all the basic features a normal blog should support. Here is a TODO of what I would like to add.

• Trackback/Ping Support


• Better Post Tagging


• Multiple Client Blogging API's

I also have to give credit where it's due. The template was a free design from NodeThirtyThree. I altered it where I wanted to get the look you see today. I used code snippets and examples from various places as guidelines for creating this app. Many articles and blog entries related to various specific Django functions were used, etc. Small list of thanks.

• Django Docs (obviously)


• All Your Pixel


• Jerakeen.org


• B-List

So have a look around and let me know what you think, if you spot any errors or if you have any suggestions.

[Update] I got around to adding Trackback support last night, according to the MovableType trackback specs.

Technorati Tags: blog, development, django, geek, python, software

Django CMS

I have been taking the time to learn Django the last few weeks. Hour here, hour there. I started working on a "real" project a few days ago and it's coming along nicely. Given the little time I've had for this, I am really surprised how much I have completed.

The idea is to replace serendipity as the blog software I use for this website. It's been fine, but has a few things I find pretty annoying. Bottom line is, I want something I have complete control over. So, with that was born "pscom". Which is what I called my personal CMS written in Django. Highly original! I have all the basic blog functionality working fine, even got the XMLRPC stuff working thanks to an awesome write up over at All Your Pixel.

Most of my time has actually gone into the "design" of it. I am by no means a web designer, and my creativity in that sense is not even on the charts! So it's tough for me to get something together that I think looks nice. We will see what you all think soon.

Anyways, I have been pretty busy with other things, so I will update when I can! I hope to have this site replaced with the new one in a few weeks.

Technorati Tags: development, django, geek, python

Mac Mini iRouters!

I stumbled across a pretty clever use of Mac Mini's today. There is a pair of mini's being used as redundant BGP4 routers on the London INternet eXchange (LINX), by the Fubra network. They apparently installed Ubuntu Linux and used the Quagga Routing Suite for the BGP communications.

The mini's were perfect as they are very compact and draw very little power. Apparently, London data centers have power shortages *shrugs*

Details here...

Technorati Tags: bgp, geek, networking, OS X, technology

09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

OK, I jumped on the f'n band wagon!

09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

Wheeee!

Technorati Tags: geek, hd-dvd, news

eChores - Flickr

Keeping the various services, that we all use, up to date can be a pain! I haven't updated my Flickr account in some time. It is so out of date in fact that I simply deleted all my photos and started over from scratch. I am slowly adding "rolls" from my iPhoto into "sets" on Flickr. I have to admit, Flickr is very cool these days. Their newer utilities and geo tagging are awesome features. I know they might not be that new, but it literally has been a year since I used my account. heh.

So I am making an effort to ditch my current gallery install and use my Flickr account for all my photo sharing. I purchased the FlickrExport plugin for iPhoto. Now keeping it up to date is extremely easy. Just add them to Flickr as I import them from my camera. I can worry about organizing them later, when I have the time, via the Flickr website.

Currently I have about 3 sets up on the site, with more to come. I will spend another hour on this today (hopefully) and move on to something that doesn't involve a keyboard. Anything, as long as it doesn't involve a keyboard!

Anyways, check out my Flickr photos here.

Technorati Tags: flickr, life, photos

Starting with Django

Django (pronounced: 'zhang-go') is a web application framework written in Python. I have read about it for some time but never got the time to start messing with it. I wish I had as it would have made my previous development for some sites much easier. Anyone who knows me will say that I love to preach Python. So when I started learning Django it was a very easy transition. I obviously still have a lot to learn (in Python and Django) but as I continue to learn the framework the more impressed I am with it.

There are other great frameworks available. TurboGears is one of them. I feel like the momentum is behind Django and has a larger community. To be fair, I honestly haven't tried TurboGears yet. I don't plan to any time soon as Django has given me what I need, in a way that fits my style.

I am working on a new project, which I don't want to give many details about yet. Hopefully I can have a private beta together in a few months, depending on the time I have available. I will say that it will be a social environment (I know, not another one!) and I believe it will be useful and unique. I will keep this blog updated with my progress.

If you are interested in a comparison of Django with other frameworks (Ruby on Rails, TurboGears, etc.) then Google is a good place to start. I did enjoy this post on the topic.

Technorati Tags: development, django, python, software