iezy . be

03/03/2010 - 00:06:24 GMT+1

Major update

Not really sure where to start, as much has changed since the last time I updated this website. As always, there's not that much to notice on the outside, but if you were to look under the hood, you'll notice there's a whole new engine.

So, what has changed?

• A lot of code rewriting
• PHP5 compatibility (leaving PHP4 behind)
• Better database structure
• OpenID implementation
• RSS feeds
• CKEditor instead of FCKeditor

Code rewriting

PHP is evolving into a mature programming language, and it would be a pity not to evolve with it. Version 5 is a lot more faced towards object oriented programming, which opens up a lot of doors for us, programmers, to create something that we're actually proud of.

Also, because support for PHP4 has halted, there's really no choice to make: you have to keep your code up to date, as PHP4 will slowly disappear from the webservers. I suspect that this will leave a lot of website owners frustrated, as their site won't work anymore.

Database structure

Bad database structure... a problem that starts to appear because of rapid program development. There are always things you didn't think of - or just didn't seem important - in the beginning, but became interesting (or even needed!) in the long run. Sometimes you just have to press CTRL+A, Delete, and start over. It will be worth it in the end.

OpenID implementation

While the hype has passed a little bit, I still believe in OpenID, and think it is a step forward in common website usage and even security. Because of this belief, I have implemented an OpenID consumer into the CMS, making it possible for visitors to login with an OpenID provider they trust. No passwords are stored here, as the OpenID provider does most of the work.

At the moment, using OpenID isn't really that user friendly from a visitor point of view. Instead of using a username and password, the visitor has to remember their OpenID url. I tried to make it a bit easier by letting them select the provider they know, generating their OpenID url. You can see how this works on the right of the website: just click on "Login with OpenID"!

It's sad that major websites like Microsoft's live.com and Facebook are making their own authentication system... I just hope there'll be some kind of unified (and open!) sytem in the future, making it a bit easier for the visitors.

Feeds

I know... RSS feeds are so '90ties, and this website doesn't even has one. Starting today, there's no excuse anymore for not reading my posts. Just subscribe to my RSS1, RSS2 or Atom feed, and you won't miss one post...

CKEditor

I still think the name change was a bad idea, but the difference with the previous version is just a lifetime. It's amazing how fast CKeditor is loaded into the web page!

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21/01/2010 - 00:41:07 GMT+1

Belgian Metal Gods - The sequel

Channel Zero, the best metal band Belgium has ever known, split in 2007, but now reappears after more than a decade... exactly 20 years after the band was formed! It seems everybody was still hoping for this to happen, as they are giving 6 concerts in the Ancienne Belgique, starting tomorrow!

No concert for me, sadly. Not that I didn't try... the AB website was just overrun with visitors trying to get a ticket. I couldn't even reach the website! For those that are in the same boat as me: Channel Zero will also perform on the upcoming Graspop concert on June 25 to 27, 2010! I don't know on which day Channel Zero will be playing, but I'm sure this will be announced soon on the Graspop website... along with the ticket price.

A brand new single - Black Flowers - was released just days ago. Right now it's only available on iTunes but that's about to change tomorrow, when the CD comes out. I'm really curious about this one, as I'm not sure what to expect. But most of all, I can't wait to hear these guys live, singing the songs that I've been playing on repeat for all those years (I think I was eight when I discovered them)!

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25/10/2009 - 17:03:47 GMT+1

Karmic Koala is coming our way!

Ubuntu 9.10 is coming soon... just a couple of days until it is released!
The beta is running quite stable already on my Acer TravelMate 4001WLMi...

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