[d] enclosed in brackets chaotic perfectionist for hire

In working on a couple of web design projects, I've needed to test out what the site looks like on various browsers, on different operating systems, all with different versions. Designers would have a much easier time if browsers worked more like TVs - you don't see a different looking show on a Sony than a Panasonic TV.

Unfortunately, some of the older browsers *cough-IE-cough* were really bad about rendering pages, and people coded for them because they were the most popular. In these cases it's old and outdated code that looks bad on modern browsers, but is in there to help the people who haven't upgraded since Windows 95 and IE3. blech.

Fortunately, there are ways to test these designs out, even if you aren't on Windows, or a Mac, or Linux. On the last project I did, The design looked great on Firefox, IE7, Opera, and Seamonkey. What I didn't know at the time was that it looked atrocious on IE6. I'm working on a new site for someone (more details soon), and finally got the theme together. He went to look at it while he was home and it came out... wrong. Again, I didn't know what it looked like, and couldn't fix it as is.

When it happened the first time, I half-looked for a way to check browser compatibility. At the time, I didn't find something to use, and stopped looking once I had fixed the issue. This time, I needed something... and I (re)found Browsershots.org. Yes, they've (he's?) been around for a while, and many people use them, but I hadn't realized how useful it is.

Now I know that the pngfix for IE 5.5-6 is what's breaking it in those two browsers, and I can work on fixing them. I'll post some screen shots soon, but in the meantime, go visit the site and check it out.

I found myself reading my own writing the other day. This might sound like an obvious thing to some people, but it started me thinking.

I've been online since 1997, starting with my account on Geocities and a little space on a site owned by a local graphic designer in Nashua, NH (US). I really had no idea what I was doing, but I started learning and liked writing HTML, and seeing it turn into something on a page. That was back when Yahoo had a gray background and dialup speed was the norm.

In July of 2001 I started writing on Xanga (and still do, as liquid), then in May of 2003 on this site (which was revamped in 2006). While searching for posts to put on a newer site (coming soon), I decided to scroll to the bottom of my Xanga archive, to the oldest entries. I had forgotten about a lot of what I wrote (it was almost seven years ago), but it was like reading someone else's writing. There were thoughts and comments that I remember writing, and others that seem like they belonged to someone else. It was an interesting snapshot into my own life.

Has anyone else had this experience? Things like this also make me wonder about the generations from mine and younger. This is the everyday experience now, to share with an online community or group as much as write down thoughts in a private journal.

It'll be interesting to re-read this entry in five or ten years, with all the changes and everything that's happened in-between.

This isn't a Yet Another Signup post.

I joined Curbly a while ago, checked out a few things, and went on my way. It was a cool site, filled with people who do it themselves, from remodeling to construction to design, big and small. Since I'm in an apartment, I felt like I didn't have much to contribute.

Over the last month or so, I've gone back and started reading more, and commenting on the articles and posts there. It's a small community, but very active and willing to share. It's a welcoming place, and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to get ideas or share their own with a group of people who like the DIY thing - interior design, home improvement, architecture, etc.

I like tea.

There's something about it that just makes me come back for more (no, not just the caffeine). While reading ThinkGeek's newsletter earlier today, I found Monkey Picked Tea for sale. Yes, it was covered by Digg about four months ago, but it got me thinking about how many options there are for tea... and that you can get tea (not cheaply) that's picked by a monkey.

My favorite (right now) is probably still Earl Grey for hot tea, and I haven't picked something for an iced tea. I usually just use whatever I can find, which has ranged from good to flavored sawdust (I didn't realize how old it was before I used it). Any suggestions? I'm looking to make the transition from bags to loose tea, and any links or info would be great to have.

The other option would be to grow my own tea, but I think that's going to have to wait for now, at least until I'm in a house (or have a window that our cat can't poach from).

A few years ago, I signed up for an account at Cafe Press. I made a couple of designs, but then promptly forgot all about it (yes, big surprise). A few months ago, I started looking for a new place to sell t-shirts and other stuff through - but I haven't touched Cafe Press.

Does anyone have any suggestions for good places to use? I've seen a few (and saved the links):

• Spreadshirt
• Printfection
• Zazzle

I signed up on Spreadshirt, and it seems pretty decent (minus a few typos on the wording in a couple of places). There's no specific reason for me to do this right now, but I've had a couple of ideas for shirts that I think would be good... and I'm planning ahead on a long-hibernating project (more on that later).

This goes back to the idea (and article) from a previous post (hefty-hefty-hefty). It's a video describing 5 "dangerous" things we should let our kids do. As a father of a 6-year-old and almost 1-year-old, I'm dealing with this on a regular basis... The safety thing, not the things listed in the video. Oh, and these are part of a book that the speaker wrote... which is 50 dangerous things. The first taste is free, then you gotta pay for it.

(Originally from a Digg Story)
5 dangerous things you should let your kids do:

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If the video doesn't work (NoScript or whatever), just click on the link above it.