Blog/Journal
Testing websites part 2: Internet Explorer on a Mac
Designers prefer Macs whereas most computer users own a PC, so web design done in OS X should always be tested in Windows too. The reverse is also true.
A site should look good and work well regardless of browser and operating system, otherwise it's like having a big sign shouting: 'We don't care for you!'
Not every Mac-toting web developer has a PC lying around, or can afford to buy a copy of Microsoft's expensive platform (for use with e.g. Boot Camp, etc). So one solution is to outsource the job of looking at your website to a PC. This can be done via web rendering services. Many are available but the best ones are either too slow or cost money.
The exception is IE NetRender. Although it will only capture a preview of the screen (not an entire page), unlike all the other services, it's both fast and free.
Comment on entry | Copyright 2008 JVC | Permalink posted on 20.03.08 | Tags: design, links, website | Top of page
Testing websites part 1: Internet Explorer on a PC
Unlike most cross-platform browsers, such as Firefox, Opera and Safari, each version of IE has its own little "quirks". These cause it to display pages in ways that are... different, making sites look peculiar and/or unattractive.
Windows users surf the web using various versions of IE. Although it would be nice if everyone stayed up-to-date with the latest version, many internautes like the security of keeping a browser that they know for sure "works".
This is a headache for web developers, as it means testing the design and functionality of their websites in numerous older versions of IE. Moreover, as with most software, installing a new browser involves erasing/overwriting previous installations. A lot of technical know-how is needed to run multiple versions on the same computer, otherwise you may fall into DLL hell.
Fortunately TredoSoft have produced an all-in-one package that allows you to run IE3, IE4, IE5, IE5.5 and IE6. Download the executable program, double-click and you're done: you’ll be able to select one of several IEs to test your website.
Comment on entry | Copyright 2008 JVC | Permalink posted on 19.03.08 | Tags: design, links, website | Top of page
Arthur C Clarke, SIG
Comment on entry | Copyright 2008 JVC | Permalink posted on 18.03.08 | Tags: books, links, science-fiction | Top of page
Concentrate, Focus power!
Lately I've been rather evasive or downright secretive about work. That's because I've recently made a move into science writing! Readers of this weblog may notice that this explains my recent spate of rants on grammar and style.
Essentially, I realised that I prefer explaining concepts over testing theory through experiments. Over the last few months I've been writing a popular science book. It's only half-done, but I'm revealing this now because it'll have go on hiatus while I settle into my new job. So it's big announcement time: from next week, I'll be Staff Writer on BBC Focus, the PPA Specialist Magazine of the Year. My work will mainly involve writing copy for the magazine and website.
There were over 50 applicants, so I'm extremely happy and proud to have got the position. The interview involved a half-hour discussion with the Editor and Consulting (ex-) Editor, followed by 30 minutes to write a news story. I would describe my writing on the day as pretty piss-poor, so I gather that I must have interviewed well. After having designed a few websites (and spending too much time online), I suspect my knowledge of How the Web Works™ helped things.
The publishing and journalism industries don't pay well. Even with my PhD providing a slight bump, I'm effectively taking an over 40% pay-cut compared to a research salary. Not that I mind too much, however, as I'm sure the work will be much more fun. As a long-time technophile, hopefully writing for Focus will give me the opportunity to talk technology too.
I enjoyed a 2 week placement at Focus last December, where I got to write several news stories for the website (e.g. Memory Chimp), plus various bits and pieces that have appeared in the last two issues of the magazine (e.g. How to memorise a long number
, March 2008, page 49). The thought of a 28-year-old going on "work experience" still makes me chuckle.
Focus are a small team in a friendly office atmosphere. I haven't been this excited about Mondays since working with Laurence. I'm a good writer, but not a great one. Like all things, the only way to get better is to practise, practise, practise. And getting words in print on a regular basis isn't just immediately rewarding, knowing there's a large audience also helps drive improvement.
Pre-emptive mini-FAQ
- Will you still keep this blog?
- Yes, but I'll concentrate on my personal interests outside of sci-tech. For biology specifically, I'll be launching a new website soon (more on that once it's ready).
- Will you ever return to research?
- Probably not, but one should never say never. Right now I certainly can't imagine a career that doesn't involve writing about cool stuff.
- What's the book about?
- Sorry, not telling! You'll have to wait until it's nearly finished.
Comment on entry | Copyright 2008 JVC | Permalink posted on 05.03.08 | Tags: focus, life, words | Top of page
Congratulations and celebrations
My sister Steph got accepted to study Medicine at UCL. Despite repeatedly telling her how over-hyped the city is, she's really happy to be going to London.
My friend Joanna Parmley, who started her PhD after me, passed her viva voce exam, officially making her "Dr Jo". Last night we had fantastic time with former and current Hurst lab members at my ex-supervisor's country house. Laurence and his wife used to regularly host dinner parties, but I studied at Bath just as his family grew by two. I've always been curious at to what I was missing!
His dog and two daughters are all really sweet. The girls were keen to show-off their plush cuddly toys, including a maned lion named Milly. One day daddy the biologist will have some explaining to do!
Laurence was very pleased with himself after showing-off a birdie in Golf. Seriously, how many university professors do you know who play Wii?
Comment on entry | Copyright 2008 JVC | Permalink posted on 05.03.08 | Tags: academia, family, life | Top of page
Minami Con 14
Less eventful than last year, but no less fun.
Stepping into the Novotel Southampton, I always experience an awkward moment: looking around at the brightly-clothed cosplayers, the socially-inept teenagers and ever-present gophers, I wonder, What the fuck am I doing here?
The apprehension dissolves as soon as I see old friends, of course. But without Sweatdrop, 'the iCrew' and a few random acquaintances, I would no doubt feel out-of-place at such events.
Conventions are a gathering of fans, an event to share and celebrate an enthusiasm for a genre. For many, it also provides a sense of 'belonging'.
Given this freedom, some attendees seem to confuse "be yourself" with "act weird", taking liberties with social behaviour. Being someone who's reserved around strangers, feigned familiarity alienates me. So, while I can't begrudge a middle-aged man their annual opportunity to dress like a schoolgirl in public (without getting arrested), please no touchy.
Anyway, enough introspection, here's my report of another enjoyable Minami...
Friday 29th February 2008. I joined friends from the iCrew for an ASDA run, stocking-up on booze and snacks. I would later tell anyone who would listen an anecdote about how a six-pack of Pink and Whites costs just 27p. On a per-wafer basis, it would probably cost more than 4.5 pence to buy the marshmallow and cardboard separately. What a rivetting story.
The remaining itinerary: hotel bar, opening ceremony, the bar, TGI Friday's restaurant, the bar. Our TGI's waitress remembered a friend's embarrassing alcohol-related antics from last year. We rewarded her with a decent tip.
At 11pm my room-mate went upstairs to rest for a bit, then didn't come back down (is he showing his age?) I stayed up until 2am, chatting with Fehed Said (author of The Clarence Principle) and Nana Li, who won TOKYOPOP's Rising Stars of Manga competition (more importantly, she studies at Imperial ;)
Saturday 1st March. As usual, the evening masquerade was the highlight of the convention. Although, in general, the cosplay characters weren't as imaginiative as previous years, it did feature the single greatest costume: an 8-foot tall Optimus Prime. He starred alongside Leader-1 (from the Go-Bots), in a comedy sketch about Michael Bay making Transformers 2. Side-splitting stuff, but was it appropriate for an anime convention? The Squeenix Eye for the Straight Guy skit was also pretty funny.
I was lucky enough to snag a prime spot towards the back of the hall, so managed to snap a few half-decent photos of the costumes. My pictures are nowhere near as good as last year (note: please login if you're a friend with a Flickr account, as some images are restricted).
Dinner was Indian. Last year's Chinese was definitely better, but the curry only cost £10 and it came with good company. Back at the bar, I failed to convert others to the cult of old-school Top Trumps. Instead we attempted to solve riddles, told jokes on stereotypes and drew politically-incorrect Mexicans. Thanks Dock and Selina (I think!)
Sunday. Mother's Day meant the nearby pubs and restaurants were all booked-up for lunch, so we ended-up at McDonald's. Before I stopped attending cons in the 1990s, my body could cope with hamburger-based meals, but not anymore (stupid slowing metabolism!) I only made a paltry £15 from selling books at the Bring 'n' Buy, not enough to help fund my trip. At the newly exploitative hotel exchange rate, that equated to two and a half pints of beer.
After saying goodbyes, I took the over-priced and over-crowded train back home. Short and subdued, the weekend left me with a bad case of the post-convention blues, made worse by the depressing realisation that I'm getting too old for this shit. With each passing year, I find it increasingly more difficult to relate to the average con-goer. Unless there's a compelling reason to for me attend, I'll soon have to stop going. Another reason to start making comics again?