Category: techno

WordPress 3.0 is now available

I’ve been looking forward to this update for a while.

If for nothing else, this reason alone

Developers and network admins will appreciate the long-awaited merge of MU and WordPress, creating the new multi-site functionality which makes it possible to run one blog or ten million from the same installation.

I’m looking forward to merging several WordPress sites into one installation to save time and effort in the future.

https://videopress.com/v/wp-content/plugins/video/flvplayer.swf?ver=1.21

Huge props to everyone who work on making WordPress what it is! Keep up the great work.

As an added note, if you’re still using Blogger or perhaps WordPress.com (which runs on WordPress 3.0) and you’d like to make the switch to a self-hosted WordPress site, check out Hostgator, who I use for the vast majority of my sites (I was waiting for this WP release to move the rest of my sites to them). They offer one-click install and you can run all your blogs/sites on their servers for as little as $4.95 a month. And use coupon code JDBLUNDELL at check out to save $9.94 on your initial purchase. Click here to find out more.

Amazon Wireless is live

Shameless advertisement post…

I received an e-mail earlier this week announcing that AmazonWireless is now “live.”

I’ve already used the service during it’s earlier beta stage and loved it!

I purchased a brand new Blackberry Curve 8900 for $50, when AT&T wanted $199. (It’s now $.01 with a two-year AT&T contract.)

AmazonWireless is a new website by Amazon.com that offers cell phones and wireless plans, easy shopping without rebate hassles, and FREE two-day shipping.

AmazonWireless makes it easy for customers to upgrade their phone if they already have a plan, or if they want to establish new cell phone service, has tried to make it simple to find the right phone, service plan, and options.

Customers can shop for phones by carrier, phone feature, price, color, and brand. The site’s shopping cart will guide them through each stage of the purchase process, where they’ll find familiar Amazon features like bestseller lists, detailed product descriptions, and customer reviews.

A few things I loved about the site..

  • First and foremost – the great pricing.
  • Secondly, the free shipping.
  • And third, you can shop for phones on AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile all on one easy to use site.

Now if only they had an easy/cheap way to buy unlocked Android phones, we’d really be in business….

Just as a reminder, the ads and links to products on my website are most often affiliate links, meaning if you click on the links and make a purchase, you’re helping support my blogging habit. I’m aware that ads can be annoying and misleading, so promise to work hard and only advertise and/or link to products and businesses I personally support.

Top posts for March 2010

March Analytics

The top 5 posts here at Stranger in a Strange Land for March 2010….

  1. Texas foster care statistics for 2009
  2. Homemade pizza
  3. Ustream videos not working? – Fixed!
  4. Discussion on Ephesians 4
  5. We live…

And the top 5 posts at We Live Simply…

  1. The Simple Manifesto #14 – Simplify your computer life
  2. The Simple Manifesto #13 – Simplify your wardrobe
  3. A Fool Month of Purging
  4. Five questions with Jason Fowler
  5. Outfitting your kitchen for less

And our top 2 podcasts at something beautiful (based on page views)…

  1. Kari McHam
  2. Gerry Hanan

Of course these are just numbers — I’m curious what were your favorite posts in March?

Ustream videos not working? – Fixed!

The Ustream Black Box (no video loading)

While trying to watch a conference via Ustream, I found a horrible discovery — the site would no longer load video.

I tried Internet Explorer (IE8), Firefox and Chrome. Nothing.

After numerous Google searches, I was still out of luck.

No video on the site would load.

YouTube worked. Vimeo worked. Facebook video worked.

But no Ustream. Nothing but a black box appeared in place of the video.
Continue reading Ustream videos not working? – Fixed!

Answering the question :: What should I blog about?

I have several friends (and family members) with blogs that get updated somewhat frequently. Others are far more occasional, and still others, I have to wonder if they’ve forgotten their password.

When I ask them about it, their usual response is, “Well I don’t know what to write about.”

I understand, I’ve had writer’s block before.

But there’s one thing I’ve found that gets me over my writer’s block every time — writing.

I know you’re all looking at me funny now but perhaps I can explain.
Continue reading Answering the question :: What should I blog about?

Add a Buzz This button to your WordPress blog

Last week Google released Buzz to the masses — with mixed reviews.

Love it or leave it, it’s another avenue to help share your content with others.
Continue reading Add a Buzz This button to your WordPress blog