iOS and Mac developer
Mike Cohen I was up late last night working on some programming changes to my2unz.com.
I’ve removed the content & view related functions from my iTunes module where the same functionality could be implemented using standard CCK & Views features such as nodereference fields. I still need to get iTunes XML import working the same way again and link tracks to a playlist. I hope to bring these updates to the live site this weekend before I leave for Vancouver.
Taylor McNeil interviewed me for his new podcast, Tech Bucket. We discussed a few Mac related stories and I talked about LoJack for Laptops.
Taylor is a local 16 year old podcaster & blogger. Until a few months ago, he lived in my condo community. Taylor’s family was one of the few Prius owners in here.
Things have been pretty quiet with my2unz.com lately, but I have some big programming changes planned. I finally got a chance to do some work on it over the weekend.
The site uses a custom Drupal module for iTunes integration. In addition to importing iTunes playlist or library XML files, it also defines several content types for tracks, albums, artists, and playlists. I use a few custom tables to link artists, albums, and tracks. The module also defines the forms & views for those content types.
I’m eliminating those content types from the module and converting them to standard content types using CCK node reference fields and standard views. The itunes module will simply act as a helper and will still handle importing iTunes data. Hopefully I’ll be able to preserve the existing site content.
I would like to open it to the public before the end of the year. I was originally planning to wait for Drupal 6, but it’s still far from ready and most of the modules I use aren’t compatible.
No, I didn’t get my OLPC yet, but I found a Sugar emulator that runs under Ubuntu (which I’m running under VMware on my MacBook Pro). When I run it, I can see other OLPC users on the internet.
Here are a few screenshots.
A Python programming environment
Turtle graphics to teach kids programming
My Neighborhood, showing other OLPC users on the internet
The home screen
I got an email update on the status of my OLPC “Give 1 Get 1” order:
Thank you for participating in the One Laptop per Child “Give One Get One” program. Your donation of $399.00 will bring education and enlightenment to children of the developing world. $200 of each $399 “Give One Get One” Donation is tax-deductible (your donation minus the fair market value of each laptop you receive).
As a “Give One Get One” donor, you will receive one of the first XO laptops to be distributed in North America. Laptops will be delivered on a first come, first served basis. While early purchasers have the best chance of receiving their XO laptops in time for the holidays, quantities are limited and we cannot guarantee timing. We will provide you with regular email updates.
T-Mobile USA is proud to offer you one-year complimentary access to T-Mobile HotSpot in recognition of your support to the One Laptop per Child “Give One Get One” program. As you help children in developing countries stay connected, educated and enlightened, T-Mobile is supporting you! You will receive an email message close to the time that your laptop ships containing instructions on how to begin your complimentary year of T-Mobile HotSpot service. Please refer to http://hotspot.t-mobile.com for additional information on T-Mobile HotSpot Wireless broadband Internet service.
There have been a lot of complaints and criticism about Spaces in Leopard, particularly with how it switches spaces when you switch applications.
That behavior doesn’t really bother me, since a user action (clicking an application in the dock) initiates the space switch. When you click an application in the dock, that application should become visible. If it requires switching spaces to show that application, it’s only logical that it should switch to the appropriate space.
However, it should NEVER switch spaces on its own without any user action causing the switch. This is exactly what happens when an application in another space puts up an alert or displays a sheet. It also happens when you’re running Windows under either VMware or Parallels and some application (such as Outlook) displays a notification – in that case it’s especially annoying.
Instead of switching spaces, it could simply display some kind of notification in that application’s dock icon, either bouncing it or adding a badge (such as a yellow triangle with a ‘!’).
In fact as I was typing this blog entry (using MarsEdit in space 1), I received an email in Outlook, running in space 2, which switched me into that space, right in the middle of typing.
