cftopper.com

XUL Freaky Stuff

Open firefox and browse to chrome://browser/content/browser.xul. Cool eh!

(It's 4am on a Friday night so naturally I'm depriving myself of much-needed sleep and diving into XUL programming i.e. learning how to build extensions for the Firefox.)
Posted by Topper at 04:04AM Permalink Comments [0] - Leave a comment

Impressive Text-to-speech

I just dug to the story about "CIA acknowledges Bush signed secret directive on interrogating terror suspect" on Intrernational Herald Tribune's website and I was impressed with the layout.

But I was blown away by the quality of their text-to-speech (listen). It's really is getting there! Look's like it's powered by ReadSpeaker.com.

I predict that in a few years we won't be able to distinguish between recorded and dynamic text reading.
Tags: Online
Posted by Topper at 06:40PM Permalink Comments [0] - Leave a comment

Thumbs.db

I came across this handy tip some weeks ago: If you, like me, use Windows XP, have hidden files displayed and are sick of those stupid Thumbs.db files polluting your projects, you can simply turn off thumbnail caching for a Thumbs.db-free life.

Get rid of those annoying Thumbs.db files!
Tags: Tips
Posted by Topper at 11:03AM Permalink Comments [0] - Leave a comment

IE7 Javascript Error Reporting Still Sucks

Don't get me wrong, I like Internet Explorer 7 and I applaud the effort made by the IE team but guys could you not have improved the shoddy error reporting.

Not long ago, I used Internet Explorer almost exclusively and one of the reasons Firefox has stolen my soul is down to it's developer-friendly error reporting and debugging.

What prompted this rant was an error I encountered first thing this morning on my current project. Internet Explorer simply said, "Hey dipship, you have an error, go figure". Also IE seems to displays the exact same error message, 'Object missing', for a myriad of different scenarios.

IE7 Error Message


In Contrast

Firefox on the other hand, says "Yo! Little problem on line 1. There's no init() method.". It tells me exactly what the problem is! No thinking involved. Time saved. And it also provides a link to bring up the code, be in in the current file or on some dynamically generated JavaScript file. Very handy.

Firefox Error Message


Appeal to the IE7 Team

IE Team, please help us developers. Is there some developer extension for IE7 I don't know about? I just searched and installed the developer toolbar for IE7; it's good but alas, it doesn't provide better debugging services.

Final IE Rant

One final rant: IE7 should lose the annoying Error on Page message in the bottom left of the browser.

IE7 - Error On Page

It only advertises how crummy some developers are (notice I didn't say we) and frightens little children Messing.

 

Tags: Rant | WebDev
Posted by Topper at 12:18PM Permalink Comments [3] - Leave a comment

About Topper on ColdFusion

Peter Coppinger aka Topper is a neurotic web monster who spends most of his chaotic life developing ColdFusion web applications when not drinking himself into a stupor and scheming his plans for world dominance.

Peter founded Digital Crew way back in 1999. Digital Crew run CFTagStore.com and have also produced lots of powerful ColdFusion tools like ProFlashUpload and CFMyAdmin.

“I made this site to share my thoughts, tips and tools with fellow ColdFusion developers.

If your a ColdFusion developer, go ahead and subscribe to this site and in exchange i'll try to provide quality content to make it worth your while.”
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I'm speaking at CF-United Europe!

CFDevCon I'm going to be speaking at CFDevCon08! It's my second time speaking in front of more than 10 people so please lend your support.

The topic is:
Introducting TeamworkCMS and Site Engine - Building better websites in half the time or something like that..

My ColdFusion Software

My Blogs

Digging

My Work - Just Finished

  • modules.cit.ie
    Web-=based modules/programmes designer tool and database system for Cork institute of technology.
  • Teamwork Project Manager
    The top secret project is finally released. The project management app will rock your world - give it a go.
  • PMG
    New website for Project Management Group website.
  • Digital Warehouse Wholesale
    Added wholesale products to existing client website.
  • New Digital Crew documentation website
    New version of documentation.digital-crew.com using new InfinityCMS site engine. It's done now. Just add content.
  • PFH Company Webite
    New website/CMS/Newsletter System for prestigious Irish IT company.
  • Module Manager for CIT
    CIT is switching to module based courses. We are making an application for managing/submitting these modules. Gettig there.
  • Bons Secours Cork Hospital Intranet
    New Intranet for Bons Secours hospital in Cork. Considering turning this Intranet system into stand-alone product.
  • Revamping InfinityCMS
    I'm making major improvements to our content management solution, InfinityCMS. Making it faster, more powerful and easier to check into/out-of source control. Done but it's always going to be evolving.
  • BPC Update
    Minor functionality update for internal Pfizer Best Process Chemistry project.

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