On Task Reminder

I posted a "daily motivator" from Ralph Marston on my Soky.Biz blog titled "Connect your Goals to your actions" yesterday morning at 6:33 am and guess I've already forgotten it. Laying in bed this morning at 3:00 A.M. my mind was busily coding and recoding "stuff" I had been working on this week. Most of what I was working on was toward my goals for the core site and content management system, in a round about way. The things I chose to work on were what could be considered advanced features, value added features or in a word, "cool" features.

Arriving at my office at 4:00 this morning I cranked everything up, checked my sites, checked my favorite blogs, checked my favorite forums and started 'getting busy.' I enjoy sitting at the kitchen table with a spiral notebook and a cup of freshly brewed coffee writing ideas down. This is how I dream, invent, create, code, explore and list. I wrote an entire page about what I call the "site ninja" which in a sense is a custom web spider I've had in my head for years.

Ironically, I was writing on the last page of the current notebook. I say ironically because it really was the last thing I needed to be doing. I went to my desk and got a new notebook and interestingly enough, the first page already had some writing on it. It said, "focus." I poured another cup of coffee, sat at the table and started writing a system to document and annotate internal functions of my sites... or... writing something that was not exactly on the top of my priority list.

Speaking of lists... where was my priority list anyway? What? I don't have one? Oh sure, I have that list in my head, dozens of 3x5 cards on my desk, pages in my notebooks with lines and lines of ideas and to-dos', but I don't have a list. There is no shortage of 'reasons' for my disjointed organization from the server upgrades to waiting on the core data, but in the end I'm not focused on my personal goals. (Which is an entirely different post.)

Looking at my genius plan for organizing, documenting, and even injecting improved routines into existing applications, I realized that I was not doing what I was supposed to be doing. I stood from my table, paced the office a bit, cleaned my water filter and decided that I really need to make a good list. I know how to do this! I've even received formal training from Franklin Planner school to a week long Seven Habits class. Four categories, important, not important, urgent, not urgent... I know this stuff!!!

Refilling my coffee cup again, I sat and filled an entire page in no time flat. I have allot to do!!! As I wrote I realized that I had put some things off that really shouldn't have been. There were other things that I put off that are just so hard or complicated that I hated even thinking about it. It is a good thing to just sit down and face the facts don't you think?

So I finished my list (for the most part), dreaming of my project/task manager system and prioritized my list. It's going to be a very busy weekend for me. Then, I sat at my desk and decided to blog this process. Why? To keep from doing the first thing on my list. HA! No, it's my way of documenting the process as well as remind myself next week and the weeks that follow of my morning revelations. You see, I'm my own greatest reader and I read my blogs over and over again.

I also write this to share with other people who may deal with the same issues. My mind moves at warp speed sometimes and I have so many ideas, plans, dreams, hopes, desires that I tend to overwhelm myself. Sometimes a guy has to take a step back to see the whole picture instead of that sparkle of genius that may be brightest at the moment.

So to all my fellow procrastinators and disorganized dreamers, know that you're not alone. There is another person in Bowling Green KY who deals with the same demons and tries his best to overcome them. I'll be ticking down my list until the "urgent/important" items are complete. Perhaps refocusing on what's important will help me connect my goals to my actions and bring my dreams from thin sheets of ruled paper to reality.

priority list | organization | procrastinating | goals | dreams | achieve | small business | success

Laziness is the mother of invention

I've been playing with a Technorati tag generator for myself. It seemed that the ones linked from their website were either flawed or had to be installed. So I created my own.

It's quite simple really, just enter the words you want to tag separating each work with a comma and it will create the tags.

Wanna see?

(This is a modified version removing the Technorati image and limiting to 4 tags.)

That do you think?

Enter all tags separated with a comma and no quotes.

I built this tool for myself. I'm kinda lazy so I'm also building an initial caps script to be added to the example later. This allows me to add tags quickly even if I do have to copy and paste from my form to blogger. This will be part of my new custom blogger application that I've been working on. The tag generator will also be part of the category minder as well.

Be sure and check your spelling. (grin)

Technorati | tag | tag creator | simple tag maker | tagging | blog | blogging | webmaster | David Francis | example | Bowling Green

From errors to stats

Building on the work I did on the error handler, I've revamped my "Visitor Information System" (VIS), completely. Since I already use a core set of functions, including these new VIS functions is not difficult. I've completed the work on the live monitor which shows me exactly who is visiting and where they are in my site. The next steps are

• Write session information to a sql database
  • -- design the database (grin)
  • -- create the database
  • -- create the stored procedures for inserts and reporting.
• Take it from session to page level reporting updating the live session record but also inserting each request into the table.
• Create management functions for management, reporting and analysis.
• Create a related table with the domain name and IP address whois information. (This is slick because it will allow me to see who, what, where and when. I'll get the data from two or three sources and it's intended to auto populate based on traffic. It's a private function for me and my clients.)
• Build an administrative feature that will use the statistics and the whois information to grant or reject access. This is good for denial of service attacks, website abusive users as well as psycho freaks who use the site for stalking and harassment of me, my clients, my friends or the site users.
• Auto report feature that will write reports to the server but also email the report to a selected list of recipients.

Since I'm using an application level object for my session info, it's much easier to call and edit these values on the fly. I just complete the session purge which looks for an elapsed time and then removes the record from the application object. I'm currently working on a sub that will insert the record into a database table before it's deleted.

This is all part of the groundwork for the business portal I'm working on. I've got to be able to report statistics, but this is much deeper because it will also handle customization and authentication as well. Using the same concepts, I'll be able to make the site very easy for users to navigate and offer special features for registered users as well as website contributors, editors, sponsors and managers.

VIS will also aid in the custom blog application as well as sub website management. I'm really excited about this server side application and all the ways it will help me continue create world class websites that help my customers communicate their uniqueness with style and grace.

Tag/Topic website development visitor statistics sessions database SQL ASP

Handling errors

For the last three days I've been working on my own way have handling errors. Yawn, I know, sounds boring but it excites me. From concept to database design to conditional displays, I've had a good time creating the perfect method of handling errors on my websites.

As a webmaster, I feel it is my duty to reduce the number of pages not found on my customer websites to as few as possible. With this in mind, I've created a method of tracking all page errors on all sites in one report. When I find a page comes up missing, I can replace it or redirect traffic to a more appropriate page. I can also notify the website that has a link to a missing page that the file is moved or they need to fix something. Personally, I like redirecting better as it relies on no one but me.

Since I plan to erase most of the content on my personal and corporate websites, I had to do this first. But, I've also started the groundwork on the "Visitor Information System" or "VIS." This system will be used to track all traffic on my customer websites so we can analyze where people are coming from and adjust our marketing accordingly. It will also help me see what content is more popular from a variety of websites.

Oh, I already accomplish statistical analysis using tools available but I wanted to be able to drill down to page specific, IP specific, Referrer specific information. It's also part of my "anti stalking" application which has become necessary over time.

Here's what I've already accomplished.

The visitor arrives and I look for their browser, cookies, JavaScript etc so I can deliver a page that works.

I screen out known "stalkers" or abusers by cross referencing their IP address in the database.

I assign a unique ID as well as set some cookies to help in navigation and site preferences.

I insert all that data into a database.

IF the page was not found, I enter the page they were looking for as well as where they came from into the database so I can address the issue by redirecting or replacing files.

From this point, it will be easy to monitor the sites as well as who is looking at what. This will help us create websites that are more popular and more enticing to visit. How? By expanding on content that people enjoy and leaving the boring stuff for the boring people. LOL

What's next?

Reporting as well as user specified preferences. I'll write more on that late.

Hey, this is my personal blog and I can write about what I want right? Well, this is what I've been working on; it's what I've been thinking about; it's what is important to me. In the end, it excites me and if you're reading this still... it must excite you too. (grin)

The effort doesn't stop!

I lost a huge database that stored all of my personal note and annotations of the development on a few projects this morning. It was very disheartening and stole the day. I was very disappointed and frankly, angry at the whole situation. In the end it was my own fault.

One thing I try to do is "go with the flow." I know, I wrote about fighting the flow but sometimes it's best to just go with it and see where you end up.

Today, I not only rebuilt the database but put together a scheme that backs it up every 4 hours. So, this little situation created the 'fire' I needed to finish up on a disaster preparedness issue I was meaning to address for some time. I'm just glad it was my own information lost and not one of my clients.

Sure, I had to put some things off while I worked on this but in the end, it all came together and rewriting my priority list was also refreshing and helped me reevaluate the relevance of my list.

Well, it's Friday night and I'm still in the office at 7:00 pm, and even with house guests waiting for me. I feel guilty but I have things to do.

I've accomplished the backups of all my files from most of my domains and will finish up on an error logger that will help reveal deleted files that I needed. What? What I mean is, I'm removing all but the files 'I think' are needed on my domains. Inevitably, there will be images or files linked from internal and external pages that will be deleted. What I'm doing is building a script that will report to me all the files that were looked for but not found so I can either replace them or correct the reference. This is all part of what I call conscientious web mastering and is one of the things I take pride in.

That's my report. Sorry for the little rant this morning about Cingular. I actually wrote it last night and wanted to sleep on it before posting. I was in a very bad mood this morning and had no trouble posting it. LOL. The day turned out good overall.

Cingular has become terrible

I've been a customer of Cingular since before they were Cingular. I joined the BellSouth cell service way back in the mid 90's when cell phones were still called car phones and my first phone was so big it needed a bag to carry it. Even now, I have 4 lines with many expanded features and spend nearly $200 per month. I'm ready to pack it in and get rid of Cingular for a number of reasons but this voice mail thing really torques my screws.

Recently, our local network was "upgraded" here is south central Kentucky and along with that "upgrade" came a new voicemail service. Since the change over I no longer receive the name with the caller ID and my phone reports "unknown caller" even from known numbers. I know it's not my phone because it used to work before the upgrade.

But this voicemail is so bad I'm tempted to turn it off. I may even make a new message to "please don't leave me a message on the cell phone because Cingular has screwed it all up."

So what's the big deal? For starters, I don't get a date and time of when the call came in. That is irritating beyond words suitable for all audiences. But then, when I do listen to it, I press 7 to delete and then, it's stored automatically to a "deleted messages store" and I have to press 19, listen again and press 7 again to delete it. It really is frustrating to the point of abandoning my long term account with Cingular.

I did try to contact them but the waits on their customer service number are so long that I usually get another call before someone comes on the line. Going to the Cingular office on Scottsville Road in Bowling Green is not an option because they will leave you standing there for literally hours. I even logged onto the website and the technician told me that I needed to call or come into the office.

So hopefully, there are enough people out there making waves and expressing themselves. I'll send this to their customer service address but simply wanted to share with the world my personal opinion and frustration with Cingular.

server maintenance

Not that I don't have enough to do, I've decided to purge all the old files from my websites!!! Yep, I'm transferring all files from my servers and storing them locally, then republishing only the files that are needed. I've got too much "old stuff" out there and this will help me clean the closet so to speak.

However, part of this process will be a new script I wrote that will report all broken link and missing files. Since I'm sure I will be removing too much stuff, this will help me put back those files that are missing. The new script will send me a notice when there is an error on the server and log all relevant information like what file from which link and by which person. It's really cool and I will be putting it on all my personal and client domains.

Another thing I've been working on 'in my spare time' is a new log analyzer. Actually, it's a live statistical mod that allows me to see up to the minute who what where and when people visit my site, but it digs deeper in that it pulls the raw log data into the database so I can analyze images and other file information.

I will also be building a custom database of IP addresses and service provider information. This is to give me quick info regarding who visits my sites and will help with sorting the details. It is also mart of my 'anti stalking' application that keeps psycho weirdoes off my sites while logging every attempt for legal documentation. There are only a few who meet this criteria and they know who they are but for some demented reason, they refuse to leave me and my sites alone. So I'll build the tools and do my best to prevent them from intruding on me and my life.

Anyway, I've started with Soky.biz and will continue with davidfrancis.us, soky.net, davidfrancis.org and 'the other' site. Wish me luck.

Water break

Took a little break from coding to make some water. LOL, water? Yeah, the water in the city literally stinks so I broke out the old Britta water filter and started using it again.

It's a large container kind that stores 2 gallons (?) of water. I keep it in the fridge so the water is always cold. Since my fitness program starts soon, I've started taking vitamins and drinking green tea. I've also decided that my body could use a lot more water so I'm trying to drink as much as I can.

Anyway, my intermission included taking the cold water and putting it in a half gallon milk jug. I also made some ice cubes and some iced tea. I've started making iced tea out of Green Tea for the health benefits.

I'm far from healthy, but I am going to be hydrated that's for sure.

I upgraded from FrontPage 2000 to FrontPage 2003 and WHOA it's different

I upgraded from FrontPage 2000 to FrontPage 2003 and WHOA it's different!!!

I've been using FrontPage since the free 'Express' version back in the 90s. I can't remember all of the versions but I know I've used them all. With all the "issues" relating to Microsoft FrontPage such as overwriting source code to the buggy web-bots and server extensions, I've always liked FrontPage over the rest.

As a web developer, I've evaluated most of the modern web development programs with the exception of MAC software and for some reason I come running home to papa when it's time to get work done. Now this tool is amazing and the 'IntelliSense' feature is great.

According to FrontPage help:

About IntelliSense

IntelliSense refers to the Code view functionality that provides auto-completion of commands, as well as context-sensitive lists that contain code and scripting elements.

For example, when you type the HTML delimiter <, you can have IntelliSense automatically display a list of tags.

With IntelliSense, you can edit scripts in a number of languages, including ECMAScript as defined by the specification of the European Computer Manufacturers Association, such as JScript or JavaScript, and Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript). You can quickly fill in valid variables, functions, or parameter information. IntelliSense also provides context-sensitive lists for HTML tags and attributes.

There are all kinds of new features for accessibility, validation and even text replacement rules. On the surface it appears to have a regular expressions search and replace feature as well. It would take me hours to review and report all of the new gadgets in this version of FrontPage but let me just say I'm happy with the upgrade.

Story about me and FrontPage.

I have a major client who has several hundred employees and a large IT department. They are a Microsoft Office organization in that everyone has Office installed on their desk top computers and receive comprehensive training on how to use it. This organization asked me to develop a website in 1999 that would allow existing staff to have access to the website to make changes, add pages and work with me in creating and editing content.

Back in 1999, FrontPage was very buggy but I developed a website that would avoid the FrontPage Server Extensions as much as possible but allow authorized editorial access to the website using FrontPage. My decision was based on the fact that the staff already knew how Office worked and FrontPage is a member of the Office family.

It was a large site built by a number of people, using a number of website creation tools. The site was static HTML files with few shared elements. Okay, only one shared element was found inside one folder and it was in the body tag sharing style. The site then was 1800 pages and had to be completely redesigned. I may write about that process someday.

Another element of the site was they wanted different editors to have access to different areas of the site. FrontPage subwebs was the solution to this situation as well. Now remember... this is 1999.

I built the core site using ASP on a MS IIS server and trained the staff how to edit the pages leaving my include at the top and function at the bottom. Everything else was normal MS Office as far as they knew and I had to accomplish minimal training on HTML most specifically on relational links. Teaching them how to edit the source so their images and links related to the root instead of the file, folder or domain was important for portability and because we had several domain names on that site.

Then Microsoft introduced Visual Interdev and I spent some time learning and converting the new website to use that tool. What I could not do in Interdev was manage my subwebs or their users. I had to "run home to papa" to manage that aspect of the site. This advice came directly from Microsoft engineers so it had to be right.

Did I mention this was 1999? (grin) My current development of the site includes a content management system (CMS) that would allow me to use a SQL database to manage users and access to the pages and offer my editors an easy forms based interface that would simply cut and paste from Word to the form and handle all the validation, link reference, image upload and compression automatically. But, due to their failing budget, I'm not likely to implement that scheme... for them.

Since then, the tools available has evolved to a point where I thought FrontPage was on her way out. Then I upgraded to 2003 and I'm in love. I think it's a great improvement. I use a number of supporting tools in my development to accomplish a number of tasks, FrontPage 2003 has some exciting features that may allow me to eliminate some of those and make my job easier.

That said, I won't be doing a complete evaluation nor accomplishing the tutorials because of the impending upgrade to ASP.NET 2.0 and the new tools available for that development. Since I am in the process of becoming a Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist, and a subsciber to the Action Pack from Microsoft, I'm able to install and evaluate a number of new and powerful software. If FrontPage 2003 is any indication of the tools available, I'm excited about learning about and using the new more advanced tools.

Even still, if you have basic web publishing needs with a few advanced desires, and are familiar with Microsoft Office, then FrontPage is the way to go. I know I'll be using it for a long time to come.

Call me crazy, and I'm only guessing here, but I think this may be the last version of FrontPage. If I'm right, Microsoft® Expression® Web Designer will be the replacement. I haven't tried it yet but my fellow developers are reporting that it's pretty slick.

Microsoft® Expression® Web Designer info

Oh... hold the presses... I was right!

What happened to FrontPage?

After nine years of being an award-winning Web authoring tool, FrontPage will be discontinued in late 2006. We will continue to serve the diverse needs of our existing FrontPage customers with the introduction of these three brand-new application building and Web authoring tools using the latest technologies, Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Designer 2007 for the enterprise information workers, Microsoft® Expression™ Web Designer for the professional Web designer and Microsoft® Visual Studio 2005 for the Web developer.

What are these new tools?

The Microsoft® Office and Server & Tools teams are proud to announce the introduction of two great new tools for application building and Web authoring in 2006:

1. Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Designer 2007: Automate your business processes and build efficient applications on top of the SharePoint platform, and tailor your SharePoint® site to your needs in an IT-managed environment.
2. Microsoft® Expression™ Web Designer: Take advantage of the best of dynamic Web site design, enabling you to design, develop, and maintain exceptional standards-based Web sites.

These two new products will join the recently launched Microsoft® Visual Studio 2005, the next-generation tool for developers, to deliver a complete set of instruments for application building and Web authoring.

When will they be available to the public?

Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Designer 2007 and Microsoft® Expression™ Web Designer are partially based on FrontPage technologies and will be launched in the second half of 2006. Microsoft® Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition were successfully launched in 2005.

Source : http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA101205221033.aspx

 

Okay, so that make this post kind of redundant but who cares... I still like it.

Concert In the Park

Last night was the perfect night in the perfect town for a concert in the park. My estimates are usually off but I'm guessing more than 500 people turned out for this event. According to the local newspaper, Bowling Green has had concerts in the park for the last 27 years. I love this town!!!

My Flickr Set 12 photos Photos are from between 07 Jul 06 & 08 Jul 06.

Impressive Governor Fletcher

Governor Ernie Fletcher of the Commonwealth of Kentucky impressed me greatly yesterday! No, he didn't capture any new business for Kentucky (that I know of) or made any sweeping legislative changes, he did something incredibly simple that reinforced my support for him as a man, a politician and as a leader. He made a simple phone call to my 21 year old son who serves in Fletchers' National Guard, personally requesting him to accept a domestic mission.

I have to say that this is one of the most impressive acts of leadership I've seen from a politician in all my years. Oh, I've shaken the hand of a US president, talked to countless congressmen and even flew Speaker Hastert of the US House of Representatives, but this simple act of support and kindness to a low ranking Airman ranks as one of the most powerful demonstrations of leadership I've ever been privy to.

My son joined the Kentucky Air National Guard and is a qualified Load Master on the C-130 aircraft. I'm very proud of him as I have posted in the past. He has already been to Europe and the Caribbean as well as flown countless missions including relief missions for Katrina. He could have easily been notified of this new mission by a phone call from his flight chief or other NCO, but no, he received a call from Fletcher himself.

I'm not posting what details I know of the mission intentionally because I am careful about things like that, but also because this isn't about the mission, it's about how a leader leads through small acts of kindness to even the lowest ranking Airman on the list. It's about how the Governor of a state in the most powerful country in the world took the time to speak to a young man and request his participation. This almost routine mission could have easily been assigned and accepted by anyone, but instead it was assigned by the Governor of Kentucky himself to my son.

Yes, I'm impressed Mr. Fletcher. I voted for you and even through the din of political posturing and critical opinion, you know how to lead. Thank you.

Baby steps to fitness

In the latest edition of Business Week, the cover proclaims, "Eureka, We Failed!" I could cover a few recent failures with that one proclamation but I will try to focus on one. My fitness program; I've failed to begin.

If you read my blog regularly, you already know that I had every intention of starting a new and improved fitness program that was supposed to be 12 weeks long and include diet, exercise, martial arts and 8% body fat. When I made that announcement, I had no idea what other plans life had for me. My business life has taken on a new shape and form with the loss of a key revenue source and the addition of an even greater one. I've eliminated other business diversions that will allow me to focus on the one that matter, SoKy.net.

Yes, life has been incredibly temperamental of late and therein lies my "excuse." I have been nosed to my keyboard for nearly 16 hours a day for the last two weeks straight working on a huge dataset and SQL database insert program. I may write on that later but I'm staying focused right?

With all that's been going on, I've done exactly 40 sit ups one day since I announced my fitness program. Oh, I've wanted to go running, even drove my truck on my new route. I've wanted to go to the gym even walk outside a look at it. I've wanted to go to the martial arts studio and start my Kung Fu /Tai Chi training and even talk to Sam on the phone. But I have not done it.

I guess that's not a "failure" to accomplish... it's a failure to begin! There's a huge difference I think.

I had a grand plan to do all these great things for my fitness and my spirit even so far as starting the design of a "Zen Garden" of sorts. A place to practice my Tai Chi, Yoga and meditate. I never even re-read Body For Life as intended because I was too "busy" with other life's pressures.

Well folks... what do I do? Just give up? I don't think so.

I may start this new program a little slower. It worked last time I got in shape... it worked really good. I started jogging a little and told myself that I would not sign a membership agreement at a gym until I jogged at least 3 days a week for six weeks... small achievable goals or land marks on the way.

So... I'm not going to restyle my entire life all at once! I'm going to start a little slower... baby steps. One mile at a time on my new running route... one visit to the gym... one lesson at the studio... one step at a time.

Funny thing about baby steps, once a baby takes their first step they have an urge for more. They walk all over the place. Sure, they fall over and over again, but they get back up and keep walking. Ever notice how fast a baby goes from walking to running? Well, that's my point I guess, I will take the first baby step on my run to health.

So there you have it... kind of an Independence Day resolution (a day early). I resolve to take some time for myself, read a little, run a little, play a little and start enjoying life a little more.

Oh... funny story. Carrie and I were on the deck just enjoying ourselves and our discussion turned to diet and exercise. She said, "I like to eat some 'junk' and I like the way we live." I explained that while becoming healthy is a lifestyle change, that doesn't mean we have to change everything. I explained that I want to eat more healthy food, get in better shape, be stronger, faster and more lethal so the "bad" things I do to my body are offset by the good things. Becoming healthy doesn't mean I have to give up my fried food, red meat or other unhealthy things, it means that improving my health will help my body deal with those gut bombs I throw at it once in a while.

No, I don't think the road to health leads to some kind of Tibetan monk diet and Iron Man fitness, it leads to a nice place of balance where your body is better equipped to handle a normal lifestyle and one that can handle our social life as well as the bowl of ice cream at 10:30 PM.

Unlike many new fitness programs where the goal is to "loose weight to look better." The goal of my program is to become even stronger, more flexible, more 'graceful' or at least less clumsy. I don't necessarily want to loose 1 pound, but I do want to exchange the nearly 40 pounds of fat hanging on my frame to muscle. In order to do that I'll have to lift more weight, run more miles and yes, eat more food. I would not be surprised if I gain weight on this program... getting to 250 lbs is not a bad thing if I can keep the body fat to between 8 and 12%. (Currently, 225lbs and 25% (??) body fat.)

Yes, I intend to journal this road to fitness! Once the membership element is complete on my personal website at DavidFrancis.org, I'll post some goals and make entries as to the progress. It's going to be my way of holding myself accountable to the hundreds of people who apparently are interested in what I'm doing. I will post starting weights, fitness levels, lessons learned and weekly progress photographs. I'll also be posting articles about my Kung Fu and Tai Chi training, new weapons learned, new techniques mastered and my "sash" levels. Nutrition, supplements and other info may be another section.

So... watch for it! I think I'll call it, "this old man can kick your butt." Nah... too macho. How about, the Zen of Fitness? I like that. But no matter what I call it, I won't call it, "this old man was too lazy to start his program and failed without even beginning." That I assure you.

tags: fitness weight training nutrition martial arts tai chi kung fu personal goals

I'm proud to be an American!

Click the center (maybe twice) to start and turn up your speakers! This is great!!