Dan Murphy's Blog

Looks like phpBB3 is finally out of beta today and ready for production.  I have been running this all semester for my classes and had no issues and updated all the way through the development process.  Its super easy to use and has a nice clean interface and easy to manage.  My only qualm is the lack of RSS feeds from the forum but I can survive without that.  I have come across a website that has free Templates for you to use instead of the default one (phpBB3Styles).  With some minor modifications it now more closely resembles my blog template.  Amazing what software you can get for free these days.  This was a super easy repository to use for school and very helpful for keeping all teammates on the same page as to where the project is.  Also provides an easy medium to share documents and keep everyone on the same version.

So my new favorite web based documents site has updated their PowerPoint replacement to version 2.0.  This site is great for a quick backup of those presentations or if you want to embed something online like a YouTube video.  New features include a better interface, more themes, shapes support, clip art, and ability to integrate Zoho Chat.  The new interface is a lot more slick and easier to use.  I like this suite better than the alternate Google Docs as I am a big fan of Zoho Creator which allows you to create quick applications with no hassle.  I introduced my girlfriend to the website and she built a nice little project management application and loves how easy it is with the drag and drop interface.  I will do just about anything to get away from using Excel and Access!

Yes finally I have found a use for the cigarette lighter in my car.  At an estimated frugal $14.99 this item won Best New Interior Accessory prize at SEMA 2007.  You can never have too many flashlights in your car, I have one of those crank LED flashlights in my car so its always ready to use.  According to the web page a 3 hour change gives you 1 hour of light.  I like this idea because cigarette lights really serve no purpose in cars other than a power outlet.  Seriously who smokes any more??

I love when people do the research for me.  In one of my blogs I found HackWordPress.com the following entry that he lists out what he believes to be the best WordPress themes out there.  Of course that’s an objective point of view but never hurts to read what other people have written

So this would be the first siting of the new DisplayPort making its way to the video cards.  This goes inline with the Dell Monitor I posted with the new interface on it.  This new interface is great because it allows you to daisy-chain multiple monitors on just one port.  No more having to have multiple cards to have multiple screens.  Plus what good is your computer these days unless you have multiple monitors?

This article is a nice wrap up of the new features of the new A4.  Looks like they managed to stretch the wheelbase about 6 inches and added a total length of about 4.5 inches.  They made the backseat something you might actually want to sit in!  They added about 2 inches of knee space for the back seats.  Of course it has the new B8 body style and they are saying it is a great mix of the A5 and the A6.  They have also added a selectable suspension on the fully packaged version.  I still have my eye on the A5 but nice to see some of these updates come to the A4.

Been a really long time since I have posted my OPML file so figured I would attach it now.  For those of you not familiar with an OPML file it is basically a data dump of all the feeds I subscribe to.  This is the easiest way to let you in on my 150+ blogs I read through Google reader.  Some of the blog-rolls are provided on the sides but this is a little more extensive

Well you can never have too many WordPress themes to select from.  So lets add this one to the list.  This site takes the Digg approach to rating themes so people can vote on their favorite.  I am a big fan of the one I have now specially because I have customized it a little but its always good to know what is out there.  I am interested to see the redesign of the admin-pages that is scheduled for 2.4 release in January.

I almost forgot probably my most used application!  This one is a must have it allows you to batch add pictures and shrink them down in resolution.  That way you are not uploading 1mb-12mb files to your site or trying to email large files.  It also will convert image file types to just about any type.  It will let you put watermark images into your pictures easily, you can also rename your files in a snap.  This program has been super handy of the years.  It also comes in a nice portable version so you can take it with you on your pen drive!

Just in case I have attached the portable version if they decide to go to a paid model only like they did with the screen capture.

Incase you were wondering what happens in a graduate level stats class I have attached  our stats Presentation imported to Zoho for your viewing pleasure