Cool Javascript Plugin #2: Blackbird - Say goodbye to alert()

So, what's Blackbird?

According to their site, "Blackbird offers a dead-simple way to log messages in JavaScript and an attractive console to view and filter them. You might never use alert() again."

I've always relied on alert() like crazy to debug and test my javascript applications in the past. But let's face it, it's a real pain having to click through each of the alerts, not to mention removing the alert() statements once you are done debugging. It is an infant-like approach compared to debugging and testing tools available for other languages and frameworks.

Blackbird does a great job filling in this void, and is definitely a tool that I see myself using consistently in the future.

Link: http://www.gscottolson.com/blackbirdjs/

Cool Javascript Plugin #1: seekAttention

I was writing some documentation the other day for a web app I had built, and was wondering whether there was a nice way to write a quick tutorial using the actual system itself (rather than creating a screencast).

The idea was, while in "tutorial mode", the user will go through a step by step tutorial, with message boxes leading them through the process.

That's when I stumbled on to this script, which fit my purpose perfectly!

The seekAttention script allows you to dim the rest of the page and call attention to a specific element, such as a link,a button, an image, a div area, chunk of text, etc.

This coupled with some floating divs was all I needed to make my tutorial.

Hope you find it useful!

Script: http://enhance.qd-creative.co.uk/demo/seekAttention

Demo: http://enhance.qd-creative.co.uk/demo/seekAttention/#demos

Download: http://enhance.qd-creative.co.uk/demo/seekAttention/seekAttention.jquery.js

Apple's October 14th 2008 Special Event - Live Coverage

Finding a live video feed for this event for some reason has been impossible so far. The only person who is supposed to be streaming it live on qik doesn't seem to be doing it anymore. (http://qik.com/android)

Here are some links if you are looking for text and image updates.

http://live.macobserver.com/article/2008/10/

http://live.gizmodo.com

http://live.macscoop.com/

Database Tip #1: Where are your database files stored?

When you create a database in MySQL, have you ever wondered where the actual data is physically stored on your file system?

Here's a way to find out. 

Start up the MySQL console, and type this line.

That should give you the path. In Linux, this will typically be /usr/local/mysql/var

Why I like Plurking more than Tweeting

Plurk

Hasitha: Hello
Joe: Hello
Hasitha: How's everything?
Joe: Not bad... Kind of a slow day
Dan: Same here.