animate background images with jquery

January 12th, 2010

jAni is a simple plugin for jQuery which allows you animate background images. The plugin is basically an alternative to the animated GIF but with several benefits. At first, it’s always better to use an animated GIF as this format is supported by all browsers without any JavaScript code or additional markup, but the “dark side” of it is that an animated GIF allows only 256 colors and you cannot control animation in any way. The jAni loads a long vertical image and changes its background position with the speed you setup, giving you more control of the animation.
Features

1. Light-weight script
2. Easy to integrate
3. Fully customizable via CSS
4. Works with all modern browser

animate background images with jquery

January 12th, 2010

jAni is a simple plugin for jQuery which allows you animate background images. The plugin is basically an alternative to the animated GIF but with several benefits. At first, it’s always better to use an animated GIF as this format is supported by all browsers without any JavaScript code or additional markup, but the “dark side” of it is that an animated GIF allows only 256 colors and you cannot control animation in any way. The jAni loads a long vertical image and changes its background position with the speed you setup, giving you more control of the animation.
Features

1. Light-weight script
2. Easy to integrate
3. Fully customizable via CSS
4. Works with all modern browser

1and1.com hosting (1&1) – simply ridiculous

December 22nd, 2009

I purchased a dedicated 1&1 Linux server in October. After it was setup I realized the control panel was not as good as I would like to provide to my clients so I canceled the server. Which required emails, faxes and a lot of run around. However it was canceled so all was good I thought. I couldn’t have been more wrong, they charged me in November for hosting and I complained and sent them cancellation confirmation number, dates, times and re-faxed my cancellation form. So finally I am done with them…but now I am really frustrated with them.

However again in December they bill me another $99! So I contact them again and this time I actually get a refund. Yeah…wait…why did they only give me $87? I was told the prorate me for the refund. What the hell? I canceled in October!! I will never use 1and1.com for anything and advise nobody else does either. I am in total awe how a company can operate like this. 1and1.com is the worst hosting provider I have ever used please stay clear of them.

The reason I canceled in the first place was I wanted to provide my clients the best control panel which is cPanel and 1&1.com did not offer this. It’s unfortunate it ended like it did.

Put al html on 1 line

December 14th, 2009

This is handy if you are inserting records into sql from management studio.

remove whitespaces in HTML code, places code on 1 line

Why I’d rather be pounched in the testicles than call customer service

December 10th, 2009

Funny, check it out: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/customer_service

Incredible Underground Residence in Switzerland

December 10th, 2009

Have you ever thought how it would be like to live in a bunker or an underground tunnel? Well, today we bring you the upgraded version of that, which is an all-equipped underground home. Situated in the Swiss village of Vals, deep in the mountains, the house is very hard to spot, which makes for a perfect gateway. The unusual architecture plan comes from SeARCH and Christian Muller Architects, and includes all the facilities a common house has, such as a guest room, an entertainment area, but also “specialized” interiors like an underground pathway. The entrance is a wide oval opening that you are driven to by some traditional stairs made in stone. Large windows make it noticeable and draw attention to the inside décors- that is when the people living there are up for some company. – via Trendir

NBC Universal would be 51 percent controlled by Comcast

December 4th, 2009

Comcast, which already serves a quarter of all U.S. households that pay for TV, would gain control of the NBC broadcast network, the Spanish-language Telemundo and about two dozen cable channels, including USA, Bravo and Syfy. It also would have regional sports networks, Universal Pictures and theme parks.

(Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

The deal is a major turning point for Comcast, catapulting the Philadelphia-based company to a media conglomerate and above the pack of cable operators that remain content to run their regional cable systems.

“Does the world ever stand still?” Roberts said. Bringing NBC Universal into the Comcast family is “pro-consumer” and would allow the company to more quickly deliver “what consumers want, which is access to all different types of content on different platforms and different times.”

In agreeing to buy 51 percent of NBC Universal from General Electric Co., which has controlled NBC since 1986, Comcast hopes to succeed in marrying distribution and content in a way Time Warner Inc. could not. AOL and Time Warner are undoing their ill-fated eight-year marriage Dec. 9. Time Warner has already shed its cable TV operations.

Comcast’s Roberts and GE CEO Jeff Immelt have been discussing the deal for months, and the final weeks came down to GE’s persuading French conglomerate Vivendi SA to first sell its minority stake.

Comcast made the deal because it is eager to diversify its holdings. It faces encroaching threats from online video and more aggressive competition from satellite and phone companies that offer subscription TV services.

Video
Immelt, Roberts Discuss NBCU Deal
General Electric and Comcast announced an agreement to shift control of NBC Universal from GE to Comcast. GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts discuss the deal.

CNBC

But consumer advocates and even other cable operators worry about the deal, saying people could end up paying more for TV.

Once Comcast controls NBC Universal, other subscription-TV operators — DirecTV, Verizon, Time Warner Cable, to name a few — would be negotiating with a rival on how much they have to pay to carry NBC broadcast and cable channels. An NBC Universal under Comcast might be less willing to budge than one under GE. Consumer groups worry that as a result, programming fees that are already creeping up could rise even faster, with the costs passed to customers in their monthly pay-TV bills

Comcast wants the company largely for its cable channels — which are expected to provide about 80 percent of the new venture’s profit. Comcast is seeking more programming to beef up its video-on-demand offerings and rely less on cable revenue as the company loses subscribers to rival providers.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34247302/ns/business-media_biz/

How long could you survive after punching a bear in the balls?

December 4th, 2009

How long could you survive after punching a bear in the balls?

Created by Oatmeal

Children who use technology are ‘better writers’

December 3rd, 2009

Children who blog, text or use social networking websites have better writing skills than those who do not, according to the National Literacy Trust.

A survey of 3,001 children aged nine to 16 found that 24% had their own blog and 82% sent text messages at least once a month.

In addition 73% used instant messaging services to chat online with friends.

However, 77% still put real pen to paper to write notes in class or do their school homework.

Of the children who neither blogged nor used social network sites, 47% rated their writing as “good” or “very good”, while 61% of the bloggers and 56% of the social networkers said the same.

“Our research suggests a strong correlation between kids using technology and wider patterns of reading and writing,” Jonathan Douglas, director of the National Literacy Trust, told BBC News.

“Engagement with online technology drives their enthusiasm for writing short stories, letters, song lyrics or diaries.”

Mr Douglas dismissed criticisms about the informal writing styles often adopted in online chat and “text speak”, both of which can lack grammar and dictionary-correct spelling.

The more forms of communications children use the stronger their core literary skills.
Jonathan Douglas, National Literacy Trust

“Does it damage literacy? Our research results are conclusive – the more forms of communications children use the stronger their core literary skills.”

‘Love and kisses’

He said that children needed to learn to distinguish between different writing styles but that in his opinion it was no different to learning when to end a letter “yours sincerely” or “yours faithfully” – and when “love and kisses” would be acceptable.

However not all teachers share the view that encouraging children to spend a lot of time online in the classroom has its advantages.

“Most primary school teachers are doubtful about hooking children up to computers – especially when they are young,” said John Coe, general secretary of the National Association for Primary Education.

“They see enormous advantages in the relationship between teacher and child. Sometimes the computer is closer to the child than the teacher by the age of 13.”

Mr Coe said he was in favour of using computers for research purposes in classrooms and that he agreed that all forms of communication helped young people to develop core literacy skills.

“Young people aged nine and upwards are texting like crazy – inside and outside the classroom,” he said.

“It is a form of reading and writing. It might not be conventional but they are communicating, so there is a general gain.”

He added that the NAPE was looking into ways in which this passion for texting might be incorporated into teaching methods.

AIX: Commands

November 30th, 2009
COMMAND PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
bootlist  -m normal <dev1> <dev2> Alters the list of boot devices
(or the ordering of these devices in the list available to the system)
bosboot  -a

-ad /dev/rnt<x>

-b <loc of bootimage>

Create a boot image on the default
boot device 

Create a boot image at location and send to tape

cfgmgr   Configures devices by running
the programs in /etc/methods directory. 
chcons    Redirects the system console to
device or file, effective next startup
chdev -l <device> -a<params> Changes a device’s characteristics. 
chdisp    Changes the display used by the
low-function terminal (LFT subsystem.
chfont   Changes the default font selected
at boot time.
chfs -a size=+<blocks> /<FS> Changes attributes of a file system.
This one will increase the Filesystem .
chgroup Users=x,y,z <grp name> Changes attributes for groups. 
chlv -n <nlvname> <olvname> Rename logical volume from olvname
to nlvname
chps -s<no. pps> <ps name> Changes attributes of a paging
space. 
chpv   Changes the characteristics of
a physical volume in a volume group. 
chque -q<q name> -a�host = x� Changes the queue name. 
chssys    Changes a subsystem definition
in the subsystem object class.
chtcb   Changes or queries the trusted
computing base attribute of a file. 
chtz.   Changes the system time zone information
chuser rlogin=true <username> Changes attributes for the specified
user. 
chvfs   Changes entries in the /etc/vfs
file. 
chvg   Sets the characteristics of a
volume group. 
crfs -v <fstype> (jfs)

-d <lvname>

-m <mount point>

-Ayes

Create a Filesystem on a pre-defined
logical volume( which will automount at boot!)
crfs -v <fstype> (jfs)

-g <vgname>

-a size=�<no blocks>�

-m <mount point>

-Ayes

Create a Filesystem and its logical
volume (uses default lvname)
crvfs    Creates entries in the /etc/vfs
file.
exportvg None Export a volume group
grpck -n ALL Verifies the correctness of a
group definition. 
hvirprt    Changes the attribute values of
a virtual printer. 
importvg -y <vgname>

<hdisk x>

Import a Volume Group onto hdisk
x
lpstat   List print queues
lsallq    Lists the names of all configured
queues.
lsallqdev    Lists all configured printer and
plotter queue device names within a specified queue. 
lsattr  -El <devname> List detailed configuration for
a device
lscfg    List all configured devices
  -v List in detail
  -l scsi* List all scsi IO devices
lsdev -Cc tape List configured tape devices
  -Cc disk List configured disks on devices
  -C -s scsi -H List all defined scsi devices
lsdisp   Lists the displays currently available
on the system. 
lsfont   Lists the fonts available for
use by the display. 
lsfs -l List all filesystems in /etc/filesystems
quering the LVM descriptor area and superblocks
lsfs   Displays the characteristics of
file systems. 
lsgroup ALL Displays the attributes of groups.(checks
NIS aswell!)
lsitab -a Lists the records in the /etc/inittab
file. 
lskbd   Lists the keyboard maps currently
available to the low-function terminal (LFT subsystem.
lslicense    Displays the number of fixed licenses
and the status of floating licensing. 
lslpp  -l List all installed software
lslv <lvname> List configuration details of
a given Logical Volume
  -l <lvname> List further configuration details
of a given disk
lsprtsv  -ch Shows print service information
stored in the database. 
lsps -a List pagaing space
lspv None List configured disks
  <hdisk> List configuration details of
a given disk
  -l <hdisk> List Logical Volumes/Filesystems
on a given disk
lsque   Displays the queue stanza name. 
lsquedev    Displays the device stanza name. 
lssrc -a List all subsystems
lsuser   Displays attributes of user accounts. 
lsvfs   Lists entries in the /etc/vfs
file. 
lsvg None List configured Volume groups
  <vgname> List configuration details of
a given Volume group
  -l <vgname> List Logical Volumes/Filesystems
on a given Volume Group
mkcatdefs    Preprocesses a message source
file. 
mkdev   Adds a device to the system. 
mkfont    Adds the font code associated
with a display to the system. 
mkfontdir    Creates a fonts.dir file from
a directory of font files.
mkgroup    Creates a new group. 
mkitab   Makes records in the /etc/inittab
file. 
mklv -y <lvname>

<vgname>

<no of pps>

Create a Logical Volume
mklv   Creates a logical volume. 
mklvcopy    Adds copies to a logical volume. 
mknamsv    Configures TCP/IP-based name service
on a host for a client.
mknotify    Adds a notify method definition
to the notify object class. 
mkprtsv    Configures TCP/IP-based print
service on a host. 
mkps   Add an additional paging space
to the system. 
mkque   Adds a printer queue to the system. 
mkquedev    Adds a printer queue device to
the system. 
mkserver    Adds a subserver definition to
the subserver object class. 
mkssys   Adds a subsystem definition to
the subsystem object class. 
mksysb.    Backs up mounted file systems
in the rootvg volume group for subsequent reinstallation
mkszfile.    Records size of mounted file systems
in the rootvg volume group for reinstallation
mktcpip    Sets the required values for starting
TCP/IP on a host. 
mkuser    Creates a new user account.
mkuser.sys    Customizes a new user account. 
Mkvg -y <vgname> 

-s <ppsize>

<hdisk x>

Create a Volume Group on hdisk
x
mkvg   Creates a volume group. 
mkvirprt    Makes a virtual printer. 
odmadd   Adds objects to created object
classes. 
odmchange    Changes the contents of a selected
object in the specified object class. 
odmcreate    Produces the .c (source and .h
(include files necessary for ODM application development and creates empty
objectclasses.
odmdelete    Deletes selected objects from
a specified object class. 
odmdrop    Removes an object class. 
odmget   Retrieves objects from the specified
object classes and places them into an odmadd input file. 
odmshow    Displays an object class definition
on the screen. 
pwdck   Verifies the correctness of local
authentication information.
redefinevg   Redefines the set of physical
volumes of the given volume group in the device configuration database.
reducevg    Removes physical volumes from
a volume group. When all physical volumes are removed from the volume group,
the volume group is deleted.
reorgvg    Reorganizes the physical partition
allocation for a volume group.
restbase    Restores customized information
from the boot image.
rmdel   Removes a delta from a Source
Code Control System (SCCS file.
rmdev   Removes a device from the system.
rmf   Removes folders and the messages
they contain.
rmfs   Removes a file system.
rmgroup   Removes a group.
rmitab   Removes records in the /etc/inittab
file.
rmlv   Removes logical volumes from a
volume group.
rmlvcopy    Removes copies from a logical
volume.
rmm   Removes messages.
rmnamsv    Unconfigures TCP/IP-based name
service on a host.
rmnotify    Removes a notify method definition
from the notify object class.
rmprtsv    Unconfigures a print service on
a client or server machine.
rmps   Removes a paging space from the
system.
rmque   Removes a printer queue from the
system.
rmquedev    Removes a printer or plotter queue
device from the system.
rmserver    Removes a subserver definition
from the subserver object class.
rmssys   Removes a subsystem definition
from the subsystem object class.
rmuser   Removes a user account.
rmvfs   Removes entries in the /etc/vfs
file.
rmvirprt    Removes a virtual printer.
runcat   Pipes the output data from the
mkcatdefs command to the gencat command. 
savebase    Saves base customized device data
in the ODM onto the boot device.
startsrc  -s <subsystem> Start a subsystem
stopsrc  -s <subsystem> Stop a subsystem
syncvg    Synchronizes logical volume copies
that are not current.
usrck   Verifies the correctness of a
user definition.
varyoffvg <vgname> Takes a Volume Group offline
varyoffvg   Deactivates a volume group.
varyonvg <vgname> Puts a Volume Group online
varyonvg    Activates a volume group.
COMMAND PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
bootlist  -m normal <dev1> <dev2> Alters the list of boot devices
(or the ordering of these devices in the list available to the system)
bosboot  -a

-ad /dev/rnt<x>

-b <loc of bootimage>

Create a boot image on the default
boot device 

Create a boot image at location and send to tape

cfgmgr   Configures devices by running
the programs in /etc/methods directory. 
chcons    Redirects the system console to
device or file, effective next startup
chdev -l <device> -a<params> Changes a device’s characteristics. 
chdisp    Changes the display used by the
low-function terminal (LFT subsystem.
chfont   Changes the default font selected
at boot time.
chfs -a size=+<blocks> /<FS> Changes attributes of a file system.
This one will increase the Filesystem .
chgroup Users=x,y,z <grp name> Changes attributes for groups. 
chlv -n <nlvname> <olvname> Rename logical volume from olvname
to nlvname
chps -s<no. pps> <ps name> Changes attributes of a paging
space. 
chpv   Changes the characteristics of
a physical volume in a volume group. 
chque -q<q name> -a�host = x� Changes the queue name. 
chssys    Changes a subsystem definition
in the subsystem object class.
chtcb   Changes or queries the trusted
computing base attribute of a file. 
chtz.   Changes the system time zone information
chuser rlogin=true <username> Changes attributes for the specified
user. 
chvfs   Changes entries in the /etc/vfs
file. 
chvg   Sets the characteristics of a
volume group. 
crfs -v <fstype> (jfs)

-d <lvname>

-m <mount point>

-Ayes

Create a Filesystem on a pre-defined
logical volume( which will automount at boot!)
crfs -v <fstype> (jfs)

-g <vgname>

-a size=�<no blocks>�

-m <mount point>

-Ayes

Create a Filesystem and its logical
volume (uses default lvname)
crvfs    Creates entries in the /etc/vfs
file.
exportvg None Export a volume group
grpck -n ALL Verifies the correctness of a
group definition. 
hvirprt    Changes the attribute values of
a virtual printer. 
importvg -y <vgname>

<hdisk x>

Import a Volume Group onto hdisk
x
lpstat   List print queues
lsallq    Lists the names of all configured
queues.
lsallqdev    Lists all configured printer and
plotter queue device names within a specified queue. 
lsattr  -El <devname> List detailed configuration for
a device
lscfg    List all configured devices
  -v List in detail
  -l scsi* List all scsi IO devices
lsdev -Cc tape List configured tape devices
  -Cc disk List configured disks on devices
  -C -s scsi -H List all defined scsi devices
lsdisp   Lists the displays currently available
on the system. 
lsfont   Lists the fonts available for
use by the display. 
lsfs -l List all filesystems in /etc/filesystems
quering the LVM descriptor area and superblocks
lsfs   Displays the characteristics of
file systems. 
lsgroup ALL Displays the attributes of groups.(checks
NIS aswell!)
lsitab -a Lists the records in the /etc/inittab
file. 
lskbd   Lists the keyboard maps currently
available to the low-function terminal (LFT subsystem.
lslicense    Displays the number of fixed licenses
and the status of floating licensing. 
lslpp  -l List all installed software
lslv <lvname> List configuration details of
a given Logical Volume
  -l <lvname> List further configuration details
of a given disk
lsprtsv  -ch Shows print service information
stored in the database. 
lsps -a List pagaing space
lspv None List configured disks
  <hdisk> List configuration details of
a given disk
  -l <hdisk> List Logical Volumes/Filesystems
on a given disk
lsque   Displays the queue stanza name. 
lsquedev    Displays the device stanza name. 
lssrc -a List all subsystems
lsuser   Displays attributes of user accounts. 
lsvfs   Lists entries in the /etc/vfs
file. 
lsvg None List configured Volume groups
  <vgname> List configuration details of
a given Volume group
  -l <vgname> List Logical Volumes/Filesystems
on a given Volume Group
mkcatdefs    Preprocesses a message source
file. 
mkdev   Adds a device to the system. 
mkfont    Adds the font code associated
with a display to the system. 
mkfontdir    Creates a fonts.dir file from
a directory of font files.
mkgroup    Creates a new group. 
mkitab   Makes records in the /etc/inittab
file. 
mklv -y <lvname>

<vgname>

<no of pps>

Create a Logical Volume
mklv   Creates a logical volume. 
mklvcopy    Adds copies to a logical volume. 
mknamsv    Configures TCP/IP-based name service
on a host for a client.
mknotify    Adds a notify method definition
to the notify object class. 
mkprtsv    Configures TCP/IP-based print
service on a host. 
mkps   Add an additional paging space
to the system. 
mkque   Adds a printer queue to the system. 
mkquedev    Adds a printer queue device to
the system. 
mkserver    Adds a subserver definition to
the subserver object class. 
mkssys   Adds a subsystem definition to
the subsystem object class. 
mksysb.    Backs up mounted file systems
in the rootvg volume group for subsequent reinstallation
mkszfile.    Records size of mounted file systems
in the rootvg volume group for reinstallation
mktcpip    Sets the required values for starting
TCP/IP on a host. 
mkuser    Creates a new user account.
mkuser.sys    Customizes a new user account. 
Mkvg -y <vgname> 

-s <ppsize>

<hdisk x>

Create a Volume Group on hdisk
x
mkvg   Creates a volume group. 
mkvirprt    Makes a virtual printer. 
odmadd   Adds objects to created object
classes. 
odmchange    Changes the contents of a selected
object in the specified object class. 
odmcreate    Produces the .c (source and .h
(include files necessary for ODM application development and creates empty
objectclasses.
odmdelete    Deletes selected objects from
a specified object class. 
odmdrop    Removes an object class. 
odmget   Retrieves objects from the specified
object classes and places them into an odmadd input file. 
odmshow    Displays an object class definition
on the screen. 
pwdck   Verifies the correctness of local
authentication information.
redefinevg   Redefines the set of physical
volumes of the given volume group in the device configuration database.
reducevg    Removes physical volumes from
a volume group. When all physical volumes are removed from the volume group,
the volume group is deleted.
reorgvg    Reorganizes the physical partition
allocation for a volume group.
restbase    Restores customized information
from the boot image.
rmdel   Removes a delta from a Source
Code Control System (SCCS file.
rmdev   Removes a device from the system.
rmf   Removes folders and the messages
they contain.
rmfs   Removes a file system.
rmgroup   Removes a group.
rmitab   Removes records in the /etc/inittab
file.
rmlv   Removes logical volumes from a
volume group.
rmlvcopy    Removes copies from a logical
volume.
rmm   Removes messages.
rmnamsv    Unconfigures TCP/IP-based name
service on a host.
rmnotify    Removes a notify method definition
from the notify object class.
rmprtsv    Unconfigures a print service on
a client or server machine.
rmps   Removes a paging space from the
system.
rmque   Removes a printer queue from the
system.
rmquedev    Removes a printer or plotter queue
device from the system.
rmserver    Removes a subserver definition
from the subserver object class.
rmssys   Removes a subsystem definition
from the subsystem object class.
rmuser   Removes a user account.
rmvfs   Removes entries in the /etc/vfs
file.
rmvirprt    Removes a virtual printer.
runcat   Pipes the output data from the
mkcatdefs command to the gencat command. 
savebase    Saves base customized device data
in the ODM onto the boot device.
startsrc  -s <subsystem> Start a subsystem
stopsrc  -s <subsystem> Stop a subsystem
syncvg    Synchronizes logical volume copies
that are not current.
usrck   Verifies the correctness of a
user definition.
varyoffvg <vgname> Takes a Volume Group offline
varyoffvg   Deactivates a volume group.
varyonvg <vgname> Puts a Volume Group online
varyonvg    Activates a volume group.