In the last year.

April 28th, 2010

The first Ignite NM happened 1 year ago today.  I started working on it in Feburary 2009, and I called on everyone I knew, and they called everyone they knew just to get enough people to present.  It was a modest crowd, but a fun event.  We just held our 6th event yesterday, great turn out both in audience and speakers.  I’m so happy with how many people have enjoyed Ignite and have been a part of it in the last year.

A year ago I didnt know many people in the area, especially geeks.  So, I set out to be a part of the New Mexico web community.  I didnt know if it existed, and I didnt know if I could join.  It turns out that it did exist, kinda.  It was fledgling, and in many ways still is, but I think it better today then it was a year ago.  There are definite signs of progress. More people are getting involved and that’s encouraging.

This started just as a thank you post talking about the ways I’ve grown in the last year, and become a part of something in New Mexico.  But I want to say for anyone that is on the fence, if you are unsure about reaching out, Do It!  I’ve put a fair amount of time into Ignite and other local projects in the last year, the rewards are amazing. And most times it’s all in the people you meet. For the time that you invest, you’ll see good returns.  Not ready to start your own thing, volunteer to help with an existing event.  Find something you think you could help with and bring that idea to the organizers, 9 times out of 10 they will invite you in with open arms.  Want to start something?  Talk to existing groups, get their perspective and most likely also their help in promoting it.  But find a way to get involved, trust me it is well worth it.

So overall, it has been a great year.  and I’m looking forward to see what the next year will bring.  And thanks to everyone that’s been a part of the last year!

Posted in Community, New Mexico | 9 Comments »

A Firehose.

April 21st, 2010

The real-time web loves the word firehose.  I’m not completely sure where the word started being used in relation to streaming data, but the first time I cared was with Twitter.  The Twitter firehose, all the updates from everyone in real-time, the full stream.  It seemed like everyone wanted it, few people needed it, and even fewer got it.  Some every interesting things were built and bought (summize / now search.twitter.com)  Now every company offers a firehose, right?  Well some do.  Wordpress pushes all their updates in realtime via xmpp or pubsubhubbub.  And you can even purchase the full feed.  Others have stepped forward with streams of data, Myspace for example.

So what exactly is a firehose.  It goes beyond being a real-time push stream of data.  If you just had my twitter stream in real-time would you call that a firehose, hardly.  Firehose is all public data, the full thing.

As the Twitter Api says:

Returns all public statuses. The Firehose is not a generally available resource. Few applications require this level of access.

Now I’m starting to see more people say “we got a firehose!” when they dont have anything close.

First, Yahoo. See the Read Write Web Article (which shows they didnt look or didnt care, just repeat the Yahoo Press release)

The first sentence makes it clear that it is not a firehose:

The Updates Firehose API gives developers access to the full, real-time Yahoo! Updates index and allows developers to search, filter and combine Updates data using YQL.

That’s right, the full firehose to query.  What?  It isnt push, it isnt a full stream of data, it isnt even close.  Instead this is just a combination of several APIs from yahoo into one endpoint.  That’s cool for what that is worth, but that isnt real-time and it isnt streaming.

Second Spinn3r.  From their site:

Spinn3r listens to a new Twitter firehose API which is a sample of the full Twitter feed.

Again, if it isnt the full stream it isnt the firehose.  That’s like firefighters showing up with a garden hose. (likely the api method they use)

I’m glad to see that we have gotten more streams of real-time data on the web.  I’m glad to see some companies providing a firehose of their content, even if they charge for it.  The ability to build  some of the next large scale ideas depends on that.  Just dont crowd the search results with overusing the term, use it correctly.

Posted in Notes, Uncategorized, fail, thoughts about the web | 10 Comments »

Domain names + Unicode = Punycode

April 13th, 2010

I Saw.

I saw a unicode symbol of a white star enclosed in a black circle the other day, in a domain name.  So last night I set out to see unicode characters in a domain name for myself.  I started at my favorite Registrar name.com.  Some of the country code domains they sell allow unicode characters.

I Bought.

So I chose ⤷.ws  the .ws was the cheapest option coming in at $14.5o, and as you no doubt know .ws is the TLD for Government of Samoa.  First thing that I notice while setting up my DNS was that domain showed up as “xn--2ri.ws”.  What is that all about?  Well, although I really kinda hoped that the internet had progressed to the point where we can all handle unicode, it hasn’t.  So in order to implement Internationalized Domain Names or IDNs, we still use Ascii.  How?

I Wikipedia’d.

Punycode is a means to represent a larger character set (unicode) with a smaller more restrictive character set (ascii).  Do to some security concerns around spoofing urls many browser will show the punycode that represents the unicode domain in the address bar, although some do this selectively such as safari.  Many countries are retrictive on the allowed characters, usually ascii + their countries language, but there are some that have just allowed them all (thanks Samoa).  So my new url shorten is in place, http://⤷.ws

Posted in Notes, thoughts about the web | 28 Comments »

Win a trip! Big Omaha.

April 11th, 2010

[warning that title is kinda sorta misleading... little more then kinda]

Recently a new conference has come to my attention, Big Omaha.  Their speaker list is impressive for a conference that I havent heard about (because I’m such the conference connoisseur… ok, so not really)  But I think it will be a great chance to meet a different crowd, while still getting to hear some of the speakers (and perhaps getting more time with them?)  that I have always wanted to.   Who I’m going to see:  Matt Mullenweg, Jason Fried, Gary Vaynerchuk, and mostly to meet people from the Silicon Prairie.  There seems to be several emerging technology, media, web, entrepreneur hubs. Can this be one too?

Win a trip to  Big Omaha…. umm, if you’re from NM, wanna come with me?  You still have to pay for yourself, but I’ll buy you a drink while we are there.  If we had several people, I would be willing to drive (then you dont have to pay for the travel).  Interested?  Email me or Contact me on Twitter.

Also, a shout out to Silicon Prairie News, they are doing a great job organizing / supporting / publicizing events like this and others in the area!

Posted in travel | 38 Comments »

NMTechCal.com – Concept.

April 7th, 2010


The idea is for a central location to look for information about upcoming tech/web/design events in New Mexico (start with Santa Fe and ABQ).

  • Shared google calendar with event organizers. we all have access to enter our own info. (built in iCal feeds etc.)
  • Blog which we highlight new, and upcoming events. This is authored by event organizers, and other contributors.
  • That’s it. It think simplicity is key. But even this small step would be a big help.

If you know a group that would like to post their info, or if you would like to help by contributing to the blog, email me: mick@davidmichaelthompson.com

Posted in Community, New Mexico, Notes, projects | 11 Comments »

Calling all of New Mexico’s Tech Community

April 7th, 2010

About a year and half ago I traveled to Boulder, Co for the first time.  What I found there was a vibrant web developemnt / design community.  Here is what I mean by that.

Tech Community

In Boulder: At least a couple of events (great then 50 people) a week.  It isnt all the same people at all the events, although at the major ones you can expect the regulars, but in general a good diversity and networking / learning opportunity.  Some of these events are fun geek nights out (Ignite) some have a bit more structure in content (Boulder New Tech Meetup, generally has some demos / presentation about companies and products), some are just user groups exchanging knowledge.

Along with all these events comes many organizers.  These are people that want to give back to the community, want to see it grow, and want to be a part of it.  In Boulder I have seen many people reach out to be a part of this, and I’m starting to see more of that here in New Mexico (read as: a very good thing).

In The Land of Enchantment

Over the last year I think we have seen a good increase in geeky events in New Mexico.  NMTC, Barcamp, Webuquerque, IgniteNM, AIGA, SynerQue, ABQ Web Geeks, Several User Groups(ruby, python?), as well as others I’m sure.  One thing that I think we lack a bit, is cohesion.  Just last night I heard about 2 events that I would have been interested in attending, however I didnt hear about them in time to attend.  Part of this is trying to keep up with multiple groups and just getting lazy about doing so.  Some of it is not knowing about new groups that are just getting started.

The Solution?

There is a question mark, because this is still very open for discussion.

The first step that I’m going to take (and hopefully getting some others involved too) is to start a calendar of all NM Tech Events.  This will be administered by all the group organizers.  Have a group or are you planning an event? Contact me (mick@davidmichaelthompson.com) and I’ll set you up with access to the calendar.  This is based on a shared google calendar, and a website to display the events, and highlight some.

Step 2. Blog covering upcoming events, highlight recaps of past events, and discuss new or current groups.  I’m willing to do some of the writing, but I really want this to be a group effort (i.e. I’m looking for a bunch of other contributors)  This will all at nmtechal.com If you are interested in contributing in any way, let me know.  I want to run this very open to the community at large, everyone welcome!

Step 3. Talking with Chad Kieffer, he has the idea for a event where we actually all pull out our laptops and work on some code.  Very hands on.  I’m thinking about a “Web Project Night” at the Santa Fe Complex.  It would meet 1-2 times a month, we’d decide on some sort of small project, and try to use new tools to accomplish the goal.  Getting to work with others, build something, and try out some new things along the way.

That’s it from me.  Grow community, Grow!

Posted in Community, New Mexico, Notes, projects, thoughts about the web | 8 Comments »

JetBlue #aycj

October 10th, 2009

This last month I spend 30days flying everywhere I could.  All totaled I tooke 24 flights (which includes 2 flights to get to and from Denver, which the closest Airport that JetBlue services.) at a cost of $864 (including tax on international flights, and the southwest tickets)  I visited a dozen cities, in 2 countries.  Now I wasnt the craziest All you can Jetter, but I think I still got a great deal out of the trip (value of the tickets would have been over $4000).

Why?

Why not?  Really I work on the road (easier said then done) but otherwise I got to hang out in some really fun cities, with my scenery changing near daily.  To enjoy a month on the road (rather on the air) you have to love travel.  I do, so it all worked out great.

Favorites

I really liked San Diego, which is seemed like a fun city with plenty to do, and great weather.  I appreciated Washington DC because I

had never been there and I got to see building, monuments, and places I had only known from pictures and video.  Costa Rica was the best.  Visiting Costa Rica makes me want to go back, but it also makes me want to travel the rest of the world. Because travel is awesome! There is so much more then your town, state, or country.  Explore it, Experience it.  At least that’s how I feel about it.

JB

JetBlue, is without a doubt one of the best airlines I have ever flown.  They are a step above the rest.  If you get a chance to fly them, take it.  You’ll enjoy it, and find it harder to fly other airlines after that.

Community

The other great thing about travel is meeting people.  There was a great community around the jetblue deal on twitter, all using the #aycj hashtag.  I meet some awesome people both #aycj-ers and just other travelers.  If you are traveling alone, I do recommend checking out your options in Hostels.  More then just being a cheap place to stay it helps you meet others.  In Costa Rica I spent a lot of  time with the people I met at the Hostel and the really contributed to the trip.  It’s nice have people to do things with, it really made it more fun.

Posted in travel | 379 Comments »

Fixed: “The URI you submitted has disallowed characters.” error CodeIgniter

September 3rd, 2009

I started up a development project today after upgrading to snow leopard, and none of the codeigniter links worked.  they all said “The URI you submitted has disallowed characters.”  Why?  This hadnt happened before, same project what changed?

Snow leopard upgraded my php dev environment to 5.3 from 5.2.6  And a few things have changed since then.  Namely php bug #47229 “preg_quote should escape “-” (minus) as well” was fixed. (technically in 5.2.8)  CodeIgniter checks uri for allowed characters to prevent some bad things.  But the use preg_quote to convert the allowed list of character to something usable in a regular expression.  Now the minus “-”, or I’d call it a dash (but I know there is a longer character for that)  gets escaped in preg_quote with a backslash “\”.  That cause the expression “a-z 0-9″ to be converted to “a\-z 0\-9″ which will not work in a regex.

How to fix it. (assuming codeigniter 1.7)

1) in codeigiter system/libraries open  URI.php  line 189 you’ll find

if ( ! preg_match("|^[".preg_quote($this->config->item('permitted_uri_chars'))."]+$|i", rawurlencode($str)))

Change that to:

if ( ! preg_match("|^[".($this->config->item('permitted_uri_chars'))."]+$|i", rawurlencode($str)))

Note we removed the preg_quote().  Now in your system/application/config/config.php file  look for line 126 (unless you’ve added a lot to you config will be around there somewhere)

Change the line

$config['permitted_uri_chars'] = 'a-z 0-9~%.:_-';

to:

$config['permitted_uri_chars'] = 'a-z 0-9~%\.\:_\-';

we’re now preparing our allowed character string in the config file and skipping preg_quote.  And that’s it.  Now your uri should work

Posted in coding | 187 Comments »

Ignite NM 2

August 8th, 2009

The last Ignite was so. much. fun.!  So let we’ll do it again.  We’re looking for presenters who are passionate about a topic about would like to talk about it for 5mins.  Yep, just 5mins.  Ignite is fast paced, light, and a lot of fun.  

Ignite NM in Albuquerque was a great success, many thanks to all the great presenters.  Ignite NM dealt a lot with technology heavy subjects.  Technology is great, believe me I’m a geek through and through.  But we are looking to having more variety in topics for the next Ignite NM.

Have an idea you want to talk about?  Want to come, please RSVP?  See more info ignite-nm.com

Tags:
Posted in projects | 11 Comments »

“internet explorer cannot open the internet site” – great, thx IE!

August 4th, 2009

ie_errorSo IE 7 doesnt like if you have a script tag anywhere in your page except: in the head, as the first elements, or last elements of the body tag.  

OR most of the time if you have your script in a window.onload event, or the jQuery version $.ready().  I’ve seen some people saying this has happened on a number of different scripts, including google maps.  This isnt a big deal, because in most if not all cases their is an easy solution.  But this is still odd, unexpected behavior from IE.  Something that Firefox and Safari have no issues with.

Moral of the story is if you get the error “internet explorer cannot open the internet site”, check your script tags.  remove them one by one, and find why IE is choking on them.

A couple resource for more info:

Posted in Uncategorized | 31 Comments »

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