All posts by jasonian

Disappearing Netflix plugin images

I’m a huge fan of Netflix: it’s great for catching old and new movies I’ve missed or love, and for catching up on entire seasons of TV shows (it’s how I became addicted to Battlestar Galactica, for example).

I list the three DVDs I have at home right here on my blog; it’s one way you can see what kind of odd taste I sometimes have in movies. I use a pair of WordPress plugins to generate the list, and sometimes the cover images sometimes don’t show up. I figured out how to fix this; hopefully you’ll find it helpful.

The first plugin is called, curiously, “WordPress Netflix Plugin“. This gives the basic functionality: grabbing the raw Netflix datastream, parsing it and displaying the images and such.

The second turns the first into a WordPress Widget for easier display on my blog. It’s called Netflix Widget. Where do they get those wonderful names?

Netflix Image Not Found What’s particularly frustrating about the cover images sometimes not showing up is the “sometimes” part: One day the correct images will show up, and the next, they’re gone, with no changes on my part. Instead, I’d see an “Image Not Available” graphic.

This is so much of a problem that even the authors of the two plugins that provide this great feature both have missing images on their blogs. That’s what I call irony!

I posted a comment to the WordPress Netflix Plugin’s author’s page asking for help, and then decided to figure it out myself. After all, it’s just PHP, and the code is open for access.

It only took about 15 minutes to figure out the problem. Whether my solution is the right one is up for debate, but here’s what I found.

The plugin relies on your personal Netflix RSS feed. You can see your queue (mine—which I use NetFlix Freak to manage; totally worth the $15—is currently 165 items deep); the movies you have at home, recommendations from Netflix, and more.

The Movies at Home RSS feed has a link entry that points to the DVD, along with its numerical ID (the “movie ID”). For example, the Monty Python and the Holy Grail entry looks like this:

<link>
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Monty_Python_and_the_Holy_Grail/771476
</link>

The number at the end (771476) is this movie’s unique ID in Netflix’s database.

The plugin code grabs the RSS fed, breaks it out into various pieces, including that link, grabs the movie id, and sticks it into a known URL format.

Here’s how the movie id ($movie_id, in the code) is used:

$display = '<img src="http://cdn.nflximg.com/us/boxshots/' .
   $image_size . '/' . $movie_id . '.jpg" 
   alt="' . $title . '" title="' . $title . '" />';

And heres how the code figures out the movie id:

$link = $item['link'];
if (preg_match("#/(\d+)\?trkid=(\d+)#", $link, $matches)) {
    $movie_id = $matches[1];
} 

This should generate a URL that looks like:

http://cdn.nflximg.com/us/boxshots/large/771476.jpg

But instead generates a URL that looks like:

http://cdn.nflximg.com/us/boxshots/large/.jpg

Lookie there, no movie id! If you look back at the link entry earlier, you may already know the problem and the solution. The problem is the link entry doesn’t have a trkid section.

The code is looking for a URL formated like this:

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Monty_Python_and_the_Holy_Grail?trkid=771476

But is getting one formatted like this:

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Monty_Python_and_the_Holy_Grail/771476

Even though the code doesn’t use the trkid, it’s assuming its there. Since it’s not, the $movie_id ends up blank. Netflix must have changed this because this code used to work perfectly.

The easiest way to “fix” this is to remove the part of the code that is looking for trkid. Instead of

if (preg_match("#/(\d+)\?trkid=(\d+)#", $link, $matches)) {

use

if (preg_match("#/(\d+)#", $link, $matches)) {

If you have version 3.0 of the plugin, you can simply find the first line and replace it with the second. Disclaimer: this change works for me using version 3.0 of WordPress Netflix Plugin under WordPress 2.2.1. Your milage may vary.

I’m sure the author will release a version of his plugin that handles both formats from Netflix (my next stop is to add that into my own version; it should be a simple either/or), but in the meantime, my Netflix images are back on my blog, and that makes me smile.

Update: The developer has updated his plugin. Go get it now!

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Latest Consumeristic Procurements, Or Things I Bought Recently

I realized a couple days ago that I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon and iTunes. Here’s a peek inside what has captured my interest (and credit card number) recently.

216RCEB9A8L._AA_SL160_Apathy and Other Small Victories
I forget where I first heard about this book, but it was sitting in my Amazon shopping cart since late May, so when I read THW’s recent entry, I figured it was a sign to finally buy it. I’m looking forward to it.

Kingmax 1GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
I wrote about this tiny portable flash drive before. I’ve been living on OmniGroup’s OmniFocus application to help me get things done, using two different files (one on my work computer, one personal laptop) and I’m considering combining them. I figure a tiny drive would be a good place for the files.

Test Kitchen Favorites: The 2007 Companion Cookbook
Despite their annoying marketing tactics I’ve mentioned before, I do like their recipes. I returned the unordered copy of the book they sent me, and bought it from Amazon, saving about $5 in the process. You can have my money, but this fiver is mine!

Animaniacs Volumes 1-3Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain, Volume 3
I have Volumes 1 and 2 already of two of my favorite cartoons ever, and I’m a bit of a completist. There’s no doubt that these cartoons have shaped my humor.

American Gods and Anansi Boys
Recommended to me by Anton many months ago, I finally picked them up. I’ve long been a fan of Neil Gaiman ever since Sandman (which Anton introduced me to fifteen years ago). American Gods modernizes the Greek/Roman Norse and other god mythology and the first chapter has been quite enjoyable, but I’m particularly looking forward to its sequel, Anansi Boys, based in part on Anansi the Spider, the African trickster god from stories of my youth.

Managing Humans, Michael LoppManaging Humans
The author is a decent fellow and the book had me laughing (in that “ain’t that the truth?” fashion) when I flipped through it. Plus, the book’s website is brilliant, and the author’s website has been a tiny bit of a inspiration for some minor redesigns on this site.

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
I wrote briefly about this book before, and I’ll have a more detailed commentary in the near future. It’s all about freeing yourself to do what you like when and where you like. I found it interesting, and am looking at ways of implementing some of its suggestions.

The Producers (2005 Movie Soundtrack)The Producers (2005 Movie Soundtrack)
Several years ago I saw the original movie with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, and a making-of the Broadway play’s soundtrack special on PBS, and just had to see Broderick and Lane on stage. Alas, it never happened. I did finally catch the movie remake a few months thanks to Netflix, and just had to grab the movie soundtrack. Totally worth it. I debated getting the Original Broadway Cast version, but I just really, really wanted to hear Will Ferrell’s hilarious turn as Franz Liebkind. If you’ve never seen the movie (either one), I recommend both wholeheartedly. (I also debated getting it from iTunes and I forget why I didn’t. Turns out it’s not available there anymore anyway. Weird.)

Cardo Scala 700 – Bluetooth HeadsetCardo Scala 700 - Bluetooth Headset
The best of the (many) Bluetooth headsets I’ve tried. Fits comfortably, is lightweight and, best feature of all, it can switch between two phones with a button press. It’ll probably continue being my primary headset when I get my iPhone, unless Apple’s Bluetooth headset is vastly superior.

The Smiths, Hatful of Hollow
I’ve always enjoyed the sarcastically humorous lyrics and musicality of The Smiths, and this album is filled with original versions that illustrate why.

Modern English, After the Snow
OK, so I bought this for I Melt With You, but the entire album is enjoyable.

Naughty by Nature, 19 Naughty III
C’mon, it’s Naughty by Nature, one of the coolest hip-hop groups of the 90s. Like you haven’t bounced to Hip Hop Hooray. A worthy—if not as deliciously infectious—followup to their first album (remember O.P.P.? Of course you do).

Gorillaz, Demon Days
Yeah, I first heard ’em on an iTunes commercial, what’s your point? Head-boppingly, body-movingly fun, no question.

Soca Gold 2006, Various Artists
The best of ’06s soca. Trinidadian party music. Grab a Carib or a shandy, wave yer hand and shake yer ass.

Matisyahu, Live at Stubb’s, Youth.
A serendipitous find I have fallen in love with. Almost every track on these two albums (but especially on Live at Stubb’s) generates joy, invigorates me. While King Without A Crown is his signature piece, I’m partial to his single Jerusalem (Out of Darkness Comes Light). Matisyahu is coming to town soon, and I think I need to see him live.

Midnite, Vijan
I honestly have no idea why I bought this album. I think I heard one of the cuts on, of all things, a MySpace page and decided I didn’t have enough roots reggae in my collection.

Rocker-T, If Yu Luv Luv Show Ya Luv
I’ve dug Rocker-T since he was the front-man for Skadanks back in New York during the late 80s-early 90s, when I spent the more-than-occasional weekend at Wetlands.

CSS, Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex
In what must be one of the great ironies, a Microsoft Zune commercial led me to buy a song of iTunes. The commercials are plain weird, but the one with the lion and zebra had this catchy song, and I had to buy it. I love the driving electronic guitar. Nothing else on the album spoke to me. Ain’t it great being able to buy individual songs? Oh yeah.

Deep Dish, Junk Science
Another album that I can’t remember why I bought it. It’s probably a combination of it having The Future of the Future, a track from Everything But The Girl’s Temperamental album and Deep Dish’s Valio – Rapture mix on Ibiza Annual Summer 2001, and I decided to give the entire album a chance.

Billy Miles, Billy Miles
C’mon, it’s Billy Miles. One listen to that smooth, sultry huskiness and you’re hooked.

Colin Hay, Man @ WorkColin Hay, Man @ Work
Admit it: You listened to Men At Work. You wanted to go to a land Down Under, where woman glow and men plunder. You wondered Who Can It Be Now, admitted It’s a Mistake, and probably think this whole thing is Overkill. If you found yourself humming any of those songs, you’re gonna love Man @ Work, from the group’s lead singer and songwriter. You’ll find great originals and acoustic remakes of classic Men At Work tracks. If you’re a Scrubs fan, you’ll also recognize a couple songs from the show.

Lewis Black, The Carnegie Hall Performance
Oh my god this man cracks me up. His appearances on The Daily Show are bubble-gum lightness compared to his well-directed vitriol in his stage performances, and this recording has Lewis at his crackling best.

Christopher Titus, The 5th Annual End of the World Tour
51SClG6flML._AA240_I first learned of Christopher Titus from his too-short-lived Fox TV show Titus. I then saw Norman Rockwell is Bleeding, a scathingly funny romp through Titus’ darkly dysfunctional family. One minute you’re Stop-I-Can’t-Breath! laughing, the next you’re mumbling “oh shit, that’s fucked up man”. Fifth Annual continues the tradition, with Laugh-Out-Loud-In-Public funny followed “did he just say that?!” reality. The funny comes from a dark, dark place, but it’s so good, I walked 4 1/2 miles listening to it, yes, laughing out loud in public.

(While writing the above, I decided to buy the Titus TV show DVDs (the Seasons 1 & 2 Boxed Set, and the standalone Season 3. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the show again.)

It’s All Too Much
If you find yourself uttering variations of “hey, I may need that someday!” or “aww, memories!”, clutter probably dominates your life as it does mine. I have stuff from 20 years ago. Why? Who knows?! This book is supposed to break me of the habit and help me de-clutter. Let’s hope it doesn’t end up on a pile of junk.

Giraffe 21306 – Light Bulb Changing System Combo Kit
Giraffe 21306 - Light Bulb Changing System Combo KitMy ceiling lights in my 20-foot-high living room blew out a while ago. OK, six months ago. I bought a ladder, but it didn’t quite reach. I finally broke down and bought this extender. I almost paid $90 for it at ImprovementsCatalog.com (instead of the $40 Amazon charges), but Improvements Catalog’s site was delaying order processing for a couple of days. It pays to shop around!

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Renting a luxury convertible for a month

I read The 4-Hour Workweek a month or so ago (and plan to read it again so I can properly comment on it), but one thing mentioned within is enjoying the fruits of one’s labor today, not 30 years from today. The author, Tim Ferriss, suggests that instead of thinking of the luxury car of your dreams costing, say, $120,000, you think of it as costing $1,000 a month.

I thought about this the other day as I was coming down from the high that was my big annual conference and contemplating vacation time. Not wanting to necessarily buy a new car, I wondered if it was possible to simply rent a luxury convertible (say, a Lexus SC430 or a Porche Boxter S) for a short but extended period, say the entire summer.

A brief search on Google revealed that it was indeed possible. Several companies specialize in, well, specialty rentals, aka exotic cars. In addition to the rather prosaic Audi TT and BMW Z4 convertibles, the much sexier Lexus SC430 and Porsche Boxster S were available. Heck I could even rent a Lotus Elise convertible!

Excellent! I’m already feeling the warm breeze caress my arm as it dangles out the window. I adjust my Michael Chiklis shades as I glance over at my girlfriend, who sinks deeper into the leather….

Hm, what’s that? How much would this fantasy run me? Well, let’s take a look. We’ll choose a Porsche Boxster S over a Lotus Elise, because it might be slightly less likely to result in a traffic stop for DWB.

According to specialtyrentals.com, a one month Porsche Boxster rental (July 8 to August 8), with 100 free miles a day, would be…. Oh my.

$7,331.77.

$245 a day.

Yikes.

The Lotus Elise is, surprisingly, also $7,331.77.

The Lexus SC 430 is a mere $5,385.44. Only $180 a day.

200707030111

What do you think? Worth it for one solid month of pure summer enjoyment?

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,

iPhone Day

Yes, it’s iPhone Day. Lines have been formed outside Apple and AT&T stores across America. Alas, no iPhone for me today: I just can’t imagine standing in line for 24 or more hours to get a phone, even one I want. I’ll get mine in a month or so, after Apple has shipped a few to customers and people aren’t clamoring for them as much.

While I’m still not looking forward to moving back to Cingular via AT&T (I’ve been a happy T-Mobile user for a long time), I was pleasantly surprised by the relatively reasonable pricing for the iPhone rate plans, especially the “unlimited data” part. The Family plan at $80 a month is particular pleasing, and Y and I may end up merging our accounts and save some money to boot. (The “Unlimited Nights and Weekends” for the Family plan is an appreciated touch.)

Not everything about the iPhone makes me smile, though. The iPhone Bluetooth Headset is $129. Most decent headsets can be purchased for $50. I know, it comes with a $49 “Dual Dock” for charging the iPhone and the headset together, and the $29 iPhone Bluetooth Travel Cable that lets you charge both while on the road, meaning the headset really is only $51, but why should I have to pay for accessories I may not need? (Although, have you seen the Travel Cable? You plug the headset in one end, and attach the iPhone to the other; it’s brilliant.)

Apple has also introduced a “Works with iPhone” program and logo, to go along with their “Made for iPod” program. That means you can expect hundreds of new devices and accessories tattooed with this logo in the near future. Personally I can’t wait for the iPhone version of the iCarta toilet paper holder. I’m sure folks will love knowing where I’m talking to them from.

Good luck to everyone waiting in line. I hope you get your iPhone today.

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,

MyContractor.com wastes my time, might waste yours

I’ve had the worst luck with building contractors. They show up late (if they show up at all), and when they do arrive, they’re less than helpful and, of course, expensive. With the housing downturn, more people are staying where they are and remodeling, so I suppose the contractors have no lack of work, and, therefore, no concern for losing a job.

Today’s experience was rather typical. Six months ago at a local home and garden show, I signed up for a free estimate for a kitchen remodel from MyContractor.com (warning! don’t visit that site with your audio up, you will go batty. More on this later). They were very persistent in calling me, and I was equally persistent in putting them off.

I finally had time to deal with this and scheduled a 6pm appointment for tonight. Good thing I scheduled it after work.

At 6:20, I called to find out where he was; they promised to call me back within 20 minutes.

At 6:40, I got two calls at nearly the same time from their number; there was no one on the other end of either call.

At 6:45, I called them again, and was put on hold while they tried to track down the sales guy.

At 6:50, while still on hold, I see a red Dodge Magnum pull into my parking lot. Sure enough, my doorbell rings: it’s Sales Guy, with an aluminum briefcase that looks like it should be handcuffed to his wrist.

My first reaction was to say “sorry, you’re late, lost your shot”. I come close, talking to Sales Guy outside my door for a couple of minutes, asking if this first impression is a fair representative of what I can expect. He asks the question I’m waiting for: should he come in. I acquiesce and let him in. I don’t shake his hand, keeping my hands in my pockets. I’m in no mood for social pleasantries at this point.

Sales, pitched

He asks what I want to do, and I lead him to my kitchen. I explain that I have two ideas, a complete tear-down of the walls, opening the kitchen into the dining room. I get no further before he informs me that MyContractor.com doesn’t do that kind of demolition.

OK, fair enough. Moving onto my second idea, I explain that I’d like to do a cabinet and countertop remodel. He starts in about doing either a cabinet refacing (cheaper) or building new cabinets from scratch.

I should tell you: my kitchen layout, well, sucks. All the cabinets seem to be off “standard” by 1/2 inch in every dimension. It’s quite usable, mind you: typical U-shaped space with about four feet separating the stove and fridge on one side, and the sink and dishwasher on the opposite. Certainly enough for cooking, but storage is an issue.

Thus the remodel. I tell Sales Guy that I’d like to do more than just reface the cabinets, that I’d like to redo the layout somehow. I give an example of reclaiming the dead corner space behind a cabinet, maybe putting up more upper cabinets on another wall.

He glances around, unfurls his tape measure, gets the four-foot dimension, and states “I don’t see it. I don’t see how you can do a different configuration”.

Huh. No “maybe if you lost this counter space here, put up a cabinet there, shift the stove to there….” Nothing except “I don’t see it.”

I ended the meeting right then. “Thank you for your time, but I don’t see how we’ll be able to work together”. I’m sure he wasn’t surprised, he certainly didn’t seem to care.

The website, or Does anyone use this thing?

I felt the urge to vent, and visited the MyContractor.com website, looking for a feedback link. (When a company performs so poorly, I find it almost necessary to tell them about it, because I presume it must be far outside their expected norm, and they should be given the chance to deal with it.)

Oy vey! Upon landing, the talking ad starts up. “Everyone wants their home to look nice. After all home improvements can increase the value as well as enhance the overall enjoyment of their home.”

OK, where’s the pause button? Hm. No pause button. No mute button. In fact, no buttons at all to control the playback of this ad. Geez. How rude. But OK, I’ll be on this page maybe 10 seconds. I ignore it and click on a link.

“Everyone wants their home to look nice. After all home improvements can increase the value as well as enhance the overall enjoyment of their home.”

Seriously? I click another link.

“Everyone wants their home to look nice. After all home improvements can increase the value as well as enhance the overall enjoyment of their home.”

Are you fucking kidding me?

I decide to wait it out. How long could it be? 30 seconds? A minute?

Try four minutes! Holy crap! I defy you to use that site with your audio turned up without going daffy.

I had to mute the site to navigate it, only to find no obvious place to leave feedback, forcing me to call and talk to a customer rep (who was perfectly nice, and perfectly unaware that the site had this talking ad on every single page.

I’m now expecting a call from Sales Guy’s manager, to hear my experience and, I presume, to persuade me to reconsider MyContractor.com. I must say though, Sales Guy had no competition. There was no one else pitching me on my remodel. He was the first, and he managed to blow it, completely. I’d be surprised if there’s anything Sales Guy Manager can say to change my mind about that.

I’ll report back tomorrow.

Technorati Tags: ,

Dreamhost has this site on a server named “shithead”

Not sure how I should react. The unprofessionalism of that name shocks me, and I keep looking to see if I’m misreading it.

Dreamhost calls my MySQL server 'shithead'. Very mature.

I’ve written in to complain (also to complain about my site going down for some period of time on a nearly weekly basis, according to FeedBurner).

I’m starting to wonder if I shouldn’t be looking for another webhost. I’ve been with Dreamhost for a year, and Y is also with Dreamhost (I wonder what her servers are called?), and while I’ve had few problems to speak of, and their web-based management console is pretty nice, I can’t help wonder if there’s someone better.

My needs are relatively modest: a couple of MySQL databases, a couple of WordPress installations, half-a-dozen or so domain names pointing here, a few hundred megs of data storage and bandwidth. Heck, I hosted this site on a spare iMac in my closet, hanging it off my DSL until AT&T started sucking (again). If a five-year-old iMac with 512 MB of RAM can host it, I don’t need much more than a $10/month provider offers. (I still host the email for this domain myself, in fact.)

If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears. In the mean time, I’m curious about what Dreamhost will say about the server name.

Update: 12 hours later, and Dreamhost has either moved me or changed the server name. It’s now topogigo:

200706261055

Alas, if they’re referencing the Italian mouse puppet from the 60s, they got the spelling wrong: it’s Topo Gigio.

Technorati Tags: ,

Getting TiVo online wirelessly via Airport

Every now and then technology fazes me, especially when something had been working perfectly, and then, for no apparent reason, stops. Getting Y’s TiVo online wirelessly via her AirPort Express is one recent example. I finally figured out how to get things working, but man was it a royal pain in the tuchus.

In her old place, everything worked perfectly. It was a relatively simple setup: Comcast cable internet to an AirPort Express, with a PowerBook 15″, my occasional MacBook, and TiVo, all connecting to the AirPort wirelessly.

When she moved to San Francisco, the setup remained the same, and when everything was first connected, everything worked as expected. I was even able to connect my Wii to her network without a problem. Then something went horribly wrong. Suddenly neither the TiVo nor the Wii would talk to her network. The Macs were fine.

I spent hours troubleshooting this. I changed passwords. Encryption protocols. Network names. I rebooted every single device in the network chain, multiple times. I Googled. I changed passwords, encryption protocols and network names again.

Things were starting to get desperate: TiVo had run out of programming information, and wouldn’t record anything new. Oh no! It was time to redouble my troubleshooting efforts.

I found stuff online saying “Use WEP, 5-character passwords”. No luck. 13-character passwords. Nothing. I even found stuff saying use the hex-equivalent passwords instead of the ASCII passwords I’d entered. Still no go.

After another hour of trying last night, I managed to got the Wii back online. I’d entered a WEP 128K, 13-character password on the AirPort Express, and entered that same password on the Wii, and boom, it was online.

Exciting!

Alas entering that exact same password didn’t help the TiVo. Hrm. Well, at least I knew the network was working. I went to bed, determined to try again the next morning.

Today, after a few attempts, inspiration struck, and I tried the hex version of the 13-character password. Lo and behold! Success!

What’s odd here, of course, is neither Y or I recall entering the hex version of a 13-character password on her (or my) TiVo when we’ve set this up in the past, nor does it explain why it worked then stopped.

I can only attribute this failure to TiVos poor support for wireless networks. If you’re trying to get your TiVo connected to a wireless network, and it’s failing, try these steps:

1. Set your wireless router security to WEP 128K; for an AirPort network, open AirPort Admin Utility and under the AirPort tab, choose “Change Wireless Security”:

Airport-Security

2. Get the hex equivalent password (again, for AirPort, within AirPort Admin, choose “Base Station > Equivalent Network Password…”

200706241236

3. In your TiVo, go to TiVo Central > Messages & Settings > Settings > Phone & Network > Change network settings. Select the name of your wireless network, and for the password, use the hex equivalent your router gave you (e.g. “89796A6877756D77516F672131”). Enter this carefully! Fortunately, it’s only 0-9 and A-F, so you won’t have to scroll around TiVo’s text entry too much.

4. If all goes well, after a minute or two TiVo will connect to the network, get a network address, and connect to the service, and start downloading updates. As I write this, TiVo is now 73% of the way through “Loading info”.

Whew.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Twelfth iPhone icon revealed

Apple just released a new iPhone commercial showing YouTube integration. Great. What surprises me is that no one seems to have mentioned that there are now twelve icons on the iPhone home screen. No more wacky asymmetry.

Iphone 12th App

C’mon people! If we’re gonna obsess over every single detail of the iPhone, obsess completely!

(And please to be noting: there’s an entire empty row now at the bottom. Another four applications to be revealed and obsessed over? Yay!)

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

iTunes Plus: All or Nothing Upgrades

Apple released iTunes Plus a few days ago. The “Plus” is higher-quality songs (twice the quality of “regular” songs—256 kbps vs. 128 kbps), and without any “DRM” or Digital Rights Management, which, among other things, means you’re no longer limited playing your music on five computers.

These “Plus” songs are selling for thirty cents more than “regular” songs (U.S. $1.29 vs. U.S. $0.99). If you buy an entire album of songs, you get the “Plus” versions at no extra charge (a nice freebie that should encourage more album sales).

While I appreciate these features, and look forward to the lack of DRM and better quality on any albums I buy in the future, I’m disappointed that I’m unable to upgrade my current music library without a massive charge.

The cost to upgrade to “Plus” is $0.30 per song, $0.60 per music video and for albums, 30% of its current price. This is a great-sounding deal… were I able to select the songs, videos and albums to upgrade. But instead of allowing me that choice, Apple requires that I upgrade my entire music library at once.

If you only own a few downloads from iTunes that can be upgraded, you may think “big deal”. As an example, the Gorillaz album Demon Days is upgradable for $3.90, while Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon would run you $2.40 to upgrade. If you have a couple dozen songs, a music video or two, and a couple of albums, it might cost you $10-$15 to do your entire collection.

What if, though, you bought several dozen songs and a dozen or more albums? Suddenly, even if all you wanted was a better quality of This is Why I’m Hot, you may be forced to spend upwards of a hundred dollars upgrading all your songs. Does that make any kind of sense?

I’m ticked off that I’m not given any flexibility here. There are only a few songs in my collection which are important enough to upgrade. Don’t force me to spend more than I need to, Apple. I mean, do I really need to hear every musical nuance of I Touch Myself? In the face of this, I’ve chosen not to upgrade any of my existing library unless and until Apple changes its upgrade policy.

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Why Movable Type is no longer king of the bloggers

Six Apart released a beta of Movable Type 4 today. As I’ve installed just about every blogging/CMS tool out there (and Movable Type was one of the first ones I ever used), I figured I’d give it a shot. Unfortunately, a mere 90 seconds after attempting the install, I’ve decided MT will never again be the top dog in the blogging tool world, for one simple reason:

It’s too much work to install.

WordPress (my current tool of choice) has schooled Moveable Type on this for years now. In WordPress, you

  1. download a WordPress archive
  2. copy it to your web host
  3. set up a database
  4. edit a text file of database connection info (username, password, location)
  5. visit a web page

For Movable Type, on the other hand, you

  1. download a Movable Type archive
  2. copy it to your web host
  3. set up a database
  4. visit a web page
  5. copy files from where they told you to put it to a different location and reload the web page
  6. figure out which missing database module you should install
  7. visit that module’s web page, figure out how to install it

At this point, I gave up on Movable Type. In the time it took for me to get this far with MT, I would already have a basic WordPress system running, probably with a few extra plugins, and a new theme to boot.

This isn’t about lack of knowledge, of course. I know I can just drop to the command-line and do

$ cpan
cpan> install DBD::mysql

But I shouldn’t have to. There’s no reason the folks over at Six Apart couldn’t ask a few intelligent questions (“Which database do you use?”, for a start) and download the modules directly, or, even better, distribute the packages they need as part of the Movable Type package.

I haven’t needed to use CPAN in a long time, and firing up CPAN required me to do an install Bundle::CPAN to get the basics installed on my system, which in turn required the install of a whole lot of other dependencies. And, there’s no guarantee that after all that, I’ll be able to install DBD::mysql anyway: who knows what requirements that module has that I can’t satisfy?

I suspect some of this may be the benefit of using PHP for WordPress rather than Perl for Movable Type. PHP has database modules built in: no need to download additional pieces to get basic functionality.

Perl is getting rather long in the tooth, and almost no one is creating any high-profile projects using it. I stopped using Perl about five years go, in favor of PHP, even though I once had a rather torrid love affair with Perl, back in the early 90s. (I was self-taught and Perl allowed me to do some interesting things for big advertising agencies.)

I’ll probably end up getting Movable Type 4 installed on one of my systems, if only for the challenge of doing it, and to see how it works these days (I gave up on Movable Type about two years ago, after finding WordPress and getting tired of the rebuild cycle Movable Type forced on me).

If I do, I’ll report back on the exact process I had to go through to get things running. One thing’s for sure: it’s not going to beat WordPress’s “Famous 5 Minute Installation”.

Technorati Tags: , ,