Bloghosts rudely kicked us out, so we're getting settled now, and while some things are still broken, comments are very fast — thanks to TDavid!
As many of you have probably already noticed, things are a little rough around the edges here at Blogcritics.org right now. We were forced by our former host, Bloghosts, to move under ridiculous circumstances, with the owner of that operation going out of his way to burn up any goodwill he might have accumulated over the last eight months. Jace Herring's silliness and refusal to communicate has made things a bit more difficult than they otherwise might have been.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Phillip Winn
Aha! It's "double-quotes" that are causing me fits! Of course!
27 - Eric Olsen
I WOULD SAY NO AMAZON IS A MASSIVE PROBLEM, but that's just me.
28 - Phillip Winn
So fix it! ;-)
29 - in10sity
Just seeing if I'm delighted or not.
30 - Phillip Winn
Amazon is back!
in10sity -- were you?
31 - Phillip Winn
How "buggy" can MTAmazon be? Not very overall, but the character set thing is just ugly.
32 - Phillip Winn
"Test" comment, m'kay?
33 - Phillip Winn
"Test" comment, m'kay?
34 - in10sity
Yup, very delighted.
35 - Phillip Winn
I believe I've fixed, well, almost everything. Amazon is back, and I just tweaked things so that it doesn't munge up the entire page with funky control codes. That particular fix hasn't yet been propogated across the entire site, because I want to make some more changes and blow them all through at once, but a few test pages have been manually tweaked, and I'm pretty confident of the tweak.
The problem, for anyone who cares, is with Amazon's Web Services, which insist on sending back utf-8-encoded information. So now we're a utf-8 shop. Why not?
What else? Hmmm, occasionally (always, eventually), double-quotes in the comment sidebar get converted to single-quotes. Pardon me if I don't care. All comments are now showing up there, with no errors, so I'm happy. And did I mention that comments are now fast, fast, fast? Did I mention that you can all thank TDavid for that? All together now:
Thank you, TDavid!
He has earned a permanent link on the sidebar for that work.
Posting new articles still take something like 60-65 seconds, so that's my next task, I think. I'm going to take advantage of the opportunity to drastically rework the architecture of the page, but I do it correctly, nobody should notice.
"Nobody should notice." Famous last words!
Hmmm, comment preview isn't showing previous comments any more. Do I care? Do you? I'll get to that after reworking the page design.
36 - bhw
Alllllrighty ... just how fast IS fast?
37 - bhw
Whoa!
Thanks TDavid!
38 - in10sity
I used to look like this...
But now I look like this!
Thanks TDavid!
39 - Phillip Winn
Down to 35 seconds for new posts right now, and still a number of minor and major tweaks to go. I may get out of this without a massive rewrite after all!
40 - Phillip Winn
Weird, the server clock was slightly off. I corrected it now, will look into NTP updates.
41 - Phillip Winn
Down to 25 seconds, though there is now a delay of up to four minutes from the time a post is published and its appearance on the front page. There is a way to speed that up; should I tell you?
What the heck, it's late. When you publish a new post, you'll note that it is listed as 'Filed under:' all of the categories you've chosen. Simply click on the link for the primary category, and as it display the latest 30 entries for you, it will quickly update the front page in the background.
Of course, if you just leave it alone, the system automatically rebuilds each of the four sections every four minutes -- they rotate, one per minute.
There is more that I have in mind, just a little more, but I have to go to work in a few hours, and it's late, and I'm tired, so I'm going to try to grab some shut-eye.
I'm losing whatever lingering affection I might have once had for Perl, by the way, and falling more deeply in love with PHP every day.
That's probably just the fatigue talking, don't mind me!
42 - Phillip Winn
Argh, timezones! Should be fixed this time!
43 - Eric Olsen
wow, lots of great changes, very relieved the Amazon "A"s seem to be gone, very real progress - thanks!
44 - jadester
I'd just like to add my thanks TDavid!
Also, it just so happens that this past semester, one of my modules involved using PHP. I had to code an ecommerce site (not properly - up to the bit where an order is confirmed, but the payment details arent checked bcos the lecturer was hardly gonna start a merchant account just for a piece of coursework). I used PHP and SQL and in the end, all the code was my own (i had a look at a book's example but it was too overblown and had a whole admin functions thing that the coursework did not require)
I enjoy using PHP cos it's actually easier than Java, what with the pattern matching capabilities and loose typing
45 - Phillip Winn
Well, jadester, you'd feel right at home here, then, since there's a little less Perl and little more PHP every day! <grin>
46 - Eric Olsen
great job! looks like the remaining comments issues are email notification, no name requirement to post, and the weird delay before it appears on the front page
47 - Phillip Winn
The "weird delay" is not going away, but I predict it will go unnoticed soon enough. MovableType is simply mind-bogglingy inefficient, so I am not allowing it to do what it normally does, which saves time.
The others are coming soon enough, probably today. :-)
48 - Tom Johnson
Hey, Phillip, what is up with the unsigned comments? I've noticed a number of these now (check the Creed-breaks-up story under Music to see one.) Do we really want to encourage anonymous posting - it's bad enough that people fake emails, but without the need for at least some creativity, we might get flooded with a lot more idiotic, trolling comments.
49 - Eric Olsen
he's aware of that one Tom, it's a function of redoing the comment code entirely, the name requirement has to be built back in.
50 - Eric Olsen
Hey Phillip, we're getting an error on the front page instead of the DIY section (Warning: Failed opening '/home/eolsen/public_html/archives/categories/diy.inc' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /web/sites/ecolsen2003/blogcritics.org/index.php on line 107)
, and, very oddly, the sponsor ad, and a fourth adstrip ad that isn't showing up on the front page or on the regular post pages ARE showing up in, of all places, the DIY section, (which also still proudly features Blogcritics Radio)
51 - dan
Just wanted to test the zippy new commenting system.
52 -
test test2
53 - TDavid
- I fixed the issue with the comments not requiring a valid email or name.
If you don't enter in a name or valid email address you'll be prompted in the preview mode to fix and resubmit.
54 - TDavid
I'm not entering a URL now
55 - TDavid
- I made it so that if the person doesn't enter a URL then it defaults to the blogcritics homepage
56 - Eric Olsen
eggggcellent, thanks!!! Any thoughts on the email notification of comments issue? (he asked pressign his luck)
57 - TDavid
Do authors like that email notification function?
58 - TDavid
Ok, the new comment email notification is re-enabled.
If they complain about it, then well ... something more detailed will have to be done because there is no flag for emailing by user, it's either "on or off" for everybody. I didn't see an option by author, which is kind of unfortunate :(
Some authors may not want to receive the emails ... but then again I don't know many writers who don't like to receive feedback so it's probably a moot point.
59 - bhw
I like the e-mail notification. It keeps you from having to check in at the site just to see if anyone has commented on what you wrote.
Thanks, TDavid.
60 - dph
Just to let you know ... Bloghosts is no more ... shutting their doors!
61 - Natalie Davis
When did you hear this???
Bloghosts is my web host and it sent no notification of this announcement, so thanks for passing on this news. Guess my site is moving.
62 - TDavid
Hi Natalie - you can get a special Blogcritics discount through Cyberwurx hosting (which currently hosts Blogcritics). Eric and I put this article on how to take advantage of this special offer for Blogcritics: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/10/25/132850.php
They have plans starting as low as $5 ($3.50/month with the Blogcritics discount). You don't have to be a writer, this is available to readers as well!
63 - Natalie Davis
Thanks, checking it out. They do Wordpress installations and I have thousands of postings under Movable Type. Don't know if this will be compatible, but I hope it works out. I'm checking out a service called BlogMoxie too.
64 - Eric Olsen
absolutely, we recommend Cyberwurx to those who are moving from Bloghosts, and everyone else for that matter, just click on the link at the top of any page, and don't forget the additional 25% Blogcritics discount - see TD's comment above
65 - bhw
I think Natalie identified a potentially big problem: moving from MT to WordPress. Not for nothing, but WordPress is incredibly easy to install -- it literally takes less than five minutes. The average user won't have too much trouble with that.
It's the conversion from MT that will keep people from using WordPress, and potentially from coming to Cyberwrx.
Any chance they'll offer to install MT for free, instead? Or as well?
66 - Eric Olsen
Well, we use MT (still) so you don't have to switch Phillip and TDavid will have to resond to the technical aspects of this
67 - bhw
No, you don't have to switch, but you have to install it yourself, which is not always a walk in the park, to say the least. So some less techie bloggers might opt for a service that installs MT for free, instead of WordPress, which is extremely simple to install.
The hosting deal you guys worked out is *great*, honestly. But the free installation of WordPress isn't much of a value add to MT users.
68 - TDavid
Hello bhw :)
I'm somewhat curious who told you that you had to install Movable Type yourself upon moving over to Cyberwurx?
You can *optionally* install any script or create your own for that matter, but I don't see where they say they won't help you or the next blogger with moving over their existing blog regardless of the software used. In fact, here's exactly what they say:
"We can install other blog software (setup fees may apply)."
So they say setup fees "may" apply. Maybe. It depends. Case by case basis. Did you specifically confirm with Cyberwurx before posting that indeed in your specific case they were going to charge you for your specific Movable Type installation?
You can't speak for me, or even the next blogger, because every Movable Type installation can be modified, customized, etc and some installations can be more time consuming to deal with than others.
In my opinion, that's all they are saying there and while they might install yours for free, because sites like Blogcritics are more involved, they reserve the right to charge for installation like that.
I think that's totally reasonable, don't you?
As for your comment/guess about them requiring more "techie bloggers" sorry, that's inaccurate. One, I know several new webmasters -- brand new webmasters -- who use them and love them. These new webmasters cannot be classified as 'techie' ;)
Also, please check the Yahoo groups and you'll see comments from at least one new blogging Cyberwurx customer switching over who said he felt Cyberwrux was very easy and 'non-techie' to work with. Also, it was mentioned that they installed a non-Wordpress blog -- for him for free. They didn't charge.
Again, case by case basis.
With that, I implore you -- trust me, you'll really like these guys if you are looking for a good, solid host -- please check with Cyberwurx directly and report back your findings about your specific case.
69 - skillzy
Phillip, could you provide some details on your falling out with bloghosts? E-mail me if you don't feel comfortable posting it. Right now they have control of 2 of my domains (dumb, I know, but too late to do anything about it), and will owe me for about 6 months of hosting when they close down. I'm already experiencing downtime, and have gotten no response to my e-mails. The whole shutdown thing smells rotten, and I intend to make some noise if they don't start responding soon.
70 - bhw
Jesus Christ, TDavid, why are you so strident all the time?
71 - bhw
P.S., TDavid, why don't you actually read both of my posts on the hosting issue -- that means ALL the words -- and see if you want to amend your stupid attack mode comment.
72 - bhw
And not for nothing, TDavid, but your arrogant jackass attitude toward me makes me NOT want to move over to Cyberwurx, when that is exactly was I was planning to do in Jan. when I know I'll have some time off from work so I can attend to the transfer properly.
Customer service much?
73 - TDavid
hello bhw :)
Normally, when someone starts a post with a smile (see above) it sets the tone of the post. In my case it means I'm SMILING -- I'm HAPPY -- I'm trying to be pleasant. It isn't a fake smile, or an arrogant smile or a sarcastic smiel. I still smiling in this entry:
:)
I apologize if you misunderstood any of what I wrote above as having a "arrogant, jackass, attitude" I was trying to be *helpful* NOT "strident"
With this all said, switch or don't switch in January, that's up to you :)
I'm not trying to sell you on anything because I have zero at stake here. You never indicate anywhere above that your plan was to switch to them in January. In fact, your comments seem almost -- though it may not be intentional on your part -- to be discouraging others from using them when you haven't tried using them yourself. See:
"No, you don't have to switch, but you have to install it yourself, which is not always a walk in the park, to say the least. So some less techie bloggers might opt for a service that installs MT for free, instead of WordPress, which is extremely simple to install. "
I interpreted that to mean that "hey, this is a good deal for new bloggers or people willing to switch to Wordpress, but not if you are an experienced Movable Type blogger."
And thus, I set to correct that. I do see in another post your question marks, so it's obvious you have questions. And I think they are GOOD questions, thank you for asking.
I'm not sure the timeline here because I didn't inspect the timestamps so forgive me if you've left messages elsewhere explaining yourself. Are your comments here after reading my Yahoo groups response or before?
If it's after ... then I'm even more puzzled by your reaction. I spent a good 20 minutes or so typing up a very careful, detailed response in the Yahoo groups -- and then I called Eric and spent 20 minutes with him explaining my concern to help it be as simple and non-confusing to people as possible -- on this same subject and essentially echoed those same sentiments here.
I was just trying to make sure all the facts were clear. That was the intention of the post -- to let Natalie or anybody else that's curious and seriously contemplating changing hosting companies (something that I take to be a big step for a webmaster/blogger) know that they are happy to help out at Cyberwurx and that rather than you, me, her speculate, we should contact Cyberwurx directly for the facts and report back our actual experiences and findings to share with others.
I'm trying to document all this stuff so there is no confusion and I do appreciate the questions and concerns, which I realize some of your response was exactly that -- question and concern.
If the way I answer those questions and concerns in details is a problem for you then I will not answer them directly to you heretofore.
Just let me know and I'll give the info to Eric or Phillip or somebody you like better and let them answer :)
74 - TDavid
I should add above to anybody else reading that I'm really excited about all this stuff. Not excited in an angry, asshole way, but excited in a cheerful, happy, jubilant way. So I might be using a few extra words when talking about this stuff. I might be overexplaining stuff. It's all that happiness running from my heart to the keyboard!
- I'm happy that Blogcritics is doing better financially lately. Those who have been around awhile (like you, bhw) know that this was a concern for awhile.
- I'm happy that I discovered this site over a year ago and that I can spend MY PERSONAL TIME here, what little of it that I have, reading so many good reviews and writers
- I'm happy that I'm able to choose from literally hundreds of review materials for FREE for being a blogcritics writer (those reading this can be one too!)
- I'm happy that Cyberwurx is doing blog hosting because I like blogs, bloggers and being a Cyberwurx customer
- I'm happy that Cyberwurx has started their own blog and they want me to post there to provide the true customer experience and perspective. I think that's fresh and useful info from any commercial website
- I'm happy that Blogcritics readers and writers get a 25% Cyberwurx Blog hosting discount if they sign up for blog hosting and make sure to reference 'blogcritics' in the referrer field.
- I'm happy that I've been able to volunteer my professional assistance with some of the code and some of the backend technical details of this site: Blogcritics
- I'm happy to write this list of happy thoughts :)
So if all my happiness and joy is being misinterpreted by anybody as anything other than positive karma, then please reread this post over and over before reading anything else I say about these issues and commenting.
Happy coding to you!
75 - boomcrashbaby
Is it possible to create a table of data within a comment?