In this day and age people tend to be obsessed with making money. So much so that a lot of the time they disregard the comfort of their customers or visitors. Not only in the real world but in the realms of the Internet as well. Mainly I’m going to be talking about the Internet and it’s disease of ads. Now don’t get me wrong, I love ads! I sometimes use them to find useful info and I regularly use them to promote this site and other web services. However, I do not promote, encourage, click on, or use invasive advertising techniques. I’m seeing this more and more, even in websites that used to be legitimate. In the next paragraph I’m going to lay out some examples of bad practices; that I think we all need to boycott and ultimately crush.
Assuming these practices continue, the Internet could easily be a horrifying place in just a few years. I personally give my vote to Firefox’s “Do Not Track” and to sites who allow non-invasive ads (such as Craigslist, and Ink Ignite’s sidebar links). Since the Internet has almost no rules or regulations, who decides how far Google will go to make you click ads, or how much effort Facebook will take to make you see the latest app. I’ve been considering starting an anti-ad campaign to promote sites who use proper techniques and don’t leave their users feeling violated. Ink Ignite as a company is refusing to use advertising systems which track users; you will not see adsense present, you will not see pop-ups, you will not see spam, and we will never force you to click an ad on our site.
Fluency Admin
This has quickly become the most elegant and most needed plugin I’ve ever used. It cleanly organizes the dozens of administration pages for WordPress while keeping everything readable and compact.
WP Word Count
I just recently tried this one out. It’s pretty fun to get the exact number of published, unpublished, and per-post words. It’s helped me see how the length of the post often directly effects the number of views.
WordPress 3 Invoice
For me personally this plugin is absolutely necessary to organize my clients, their contact info, and when they need to renew hosting. It also allows for easy viewing of monthly profits.
WordPress.com Stats
I’ve been using this stats plugin for some time now. Not only does it provide a list of incoming search terms (which can greatly help with SEO), it shows the outbound links, inbound links, and what pages/posts were visited.
Jquery Lightbox
I found this when looking for something to better the posts which had multiple images. It allows for a clean and lightweight way to set up micro-galleries on your WordPress site.
W3 Total Cache
What can I say, this plugin speeds up site load times by a significant amount. For people with fast Internet speeds there isn’t much of a noticable difference. But for visitors with slower speeds it is essential to ensuring they stay on your site.
How about you? Any plugins that you think are absolutely necessary for a WordPress website?
Comment below =)
Sorry, couldn’t think of anything particularly interesting to name this post. As some of you may, or may not, know; I write. Usually short little poems or stories that get lost in the ever-mounding pile of words that appear on this blog (17,812 words, to be exact). A few… weeks ago I started on a short story called The Staircase. It was just meant as a way for me to creatively write and possibly entertain a few people. Since then I’ve had several requests to make a book, or at least a longer story, out of it. So why not? Well mainly because I can’t stand writing dialog. It’s not that I don’t talk, I just don’t see the interest in characters talking. Actions speak louder than words.
Regardless, I’ve still started and grit my teeth as I got down a page or so of the book. It’s not meant to be a 600-page Stephen King novel but it could serve as a short essay. Entirely fictional of course. Except for you paranormal people out there, then it could be entirely plausible as a story. (No, please don’t take that last sentence as mocking paranormal events, I totally support people’s research, as long as it doesn’t involve bumping tables in the dark and screaming.)
In other (news?) I thought singing could be a fun experience. Now before you get the idea in your head of a web designer on stage with a choir, let me stop you. I mean more of Linkin Park/Marilyn Manson/Nirvana type singing. Maybe Nirvana was a bad example? No, wait, that’s right. Yeah, just basically anything with a lot of rock sounds and probably low vocals. My voice isn’t keen to going high, although I might have some disagreement from friends. Anyways, if I make any interesting music I’ll be sure to post it as a podcast thing on here. So….. stay tuned? (Such an odd phrase for this century.)
**Update: This review is for GnackTrack Final. I’m downloading the R2 as I’m typing this so expect some updates to the review if anything is changed.
When I was recently browsing for new Linux distributions to try out, I ran across one that caught my eye: GnackTrack. A Gnome-based-Ubuntu-child, this distro gave me the chills when booting it up for the first time. Not only is the entire system designed to look amazing, it’s also designed for security testing. The list of tools is too long to go into here but let’s just say that BackTrack finally has some big competition. If you’re one of those people who likes trying out the next-best-thing, this would be it!
I have a feeling this is going to be one of those Ubuntu forks that takes on a face of its own and grows immensely. Based on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, you can expect this system to have full support for quite a while. In fact, I’m going to install it on my external harddrive as soon as I get a chance. There’s not much more to say other than; if you have virtual machine software or an extra flash/usb drive laying around, try it out! (I’ve provided a screenshot below but it doesn’t do the system justice, you have to see to believe.)
(click for larger preview)
Here is a short story I decided to write in the late hours of the night….
He stumbled down the steel stairs, tripping every other one it seemed. The shuffling on the bottom floor didn’t put his pounding heart to ease. It was too late to change things now. Too late to just walk away. Air itself seemed to beckon him to leave. He pressed on down the icy stairwell. Ethan gasped for breath as he reached the last step. There, sitting in a pool of almost black blood, was his wife’s killer. Two years of diligent stalking had finally brought cruel justice to his prey. Although he knew his wife would be ashamed and shocked, he had to do it for her. The dark liquid flowed to his shoes. Then he saw it, a pair of eyes looking out from the janitor’s closest. As he grew accustomed to the dim light he recognized the face, it was a face he’d see a thousand times. His wife’s face……
Copyright © 2010 Jonathan Dugmore
What has Internet advertising become? Honestly, it seems like the net is simply too big now. Remember a couple years ago when you actually had a chance at being a YouTube star? Well it seems one billion people also had the same idea. It seems the seams are closing tighter and tighter around popularity. Sites are having vicious dogfights over who gets the adspace. TV commercial bombard you with the loudest, fastest, and cheapest commercials they can make. I’ll admit my site doesn’t get the number of views I’d like, but it’s not like I don’t try to get the word out there. Advertising just grows in expense, and who can afford higher rates? Affiliate ads often leave you wishing they would respect your site as much as you respect theirs.
My point is, some days I wish the Internet was a lot smaller and that every site was given an equal chance to be seen. Small business owners are struggling to show off their products and web designers like me are unable to reach the customers needed. If we all do our part and support not-so-famous websites, we can all make the Internet a better place to design, publish, and grow. Know someone who runs a website? Do them a favor and post a Twitter or Facebook update, support your friend’s Internet triumphs and leave the likes of adsense to falter.
If you take a look at the side of my blog posts and several of the site pages, you’ll notice an Awesome Links section. At the bottom of that section is a link saying YOUR LINK HERE. That is FREE advertising for you. All you have to do is click it, shoot me over an email, and I’ll put your link there. I just ask that you do the same for me and add my link to your site or at least share a post on one of your social networking homes. Thanks to all the readers out here who want to make this wired world a better place!
Finally that holiday is upon us, the holiday where someone thought stuffing ripped up bread up a turkey’s CENSORED was a good idea. That sounded like a Lewis Black comment. Holidays tend to be more of a heartattack-in-a-bag, rather than fun. If I’m going to have a holiday I want it on the tv where everyone smiles and you don’t see grandma cussing out her daughter-in-law or your uncle pulling out his beard (just realized tonight how much that would hurt after tweezing a random mustache hair I missed when shaving).
Only thing I can honestly say I like about Thanksgiving is canned cranberries. You know, the thing that falls out of the can like condensed soup, and then people slice it up so it doesn’t look like you’re eating dead Jello? I have no idea why I love it so much but that is the one thing I eat. Everything else is debatable. The food seems to affect me like buffets do (an unfortunate occurrence considering how much I love Chinese food). Let me explain, when I go to a buffet I’m hungry and can’t wait to eat 5 pounds of orange chicken and 10 pounds of chow mein, then I sit down and my stomach decides that a bite of food is more than enough. Maybe it’s the sheer magnitude of the food, but Thanksgiving is not for me. Sure, I eat it all after everyone is popping Tums like drugs, however that’s not the point of the holiday.
I have a better idea for this particular holiday; let’s all starve ourselves for a month beforehand so we really are thankful before eating. Instead of skipping breakfast, having a Big-Mac, and then trying to stuff more food down our throats. Just my opinion of the holiday, sorry if you love it. Don’t forget to do Christmas shopping at 3am since there will be stores open! Oh and as a random note, what’s with tv shows about bad/rotten food at dinnertime?
The long-living need for gum often entices me to try out new flavors. More than often they turn out bad, e.g. Berry Mint from Stride, not the best combination. This time Orbit took two fruity flavors and made them clash. It came out to be a long-lasting delicious gum. My only critique of it would be a little more lime flavoring, tasted too melon when I’m used to something more akin to Sour Patch candy. I’m not planning on trying any more of the new Orbit for fear of losing trust in their brand but they did a great job with this one considering it holds to the traditional sugarfree recipe. Decided to have a little photographic fun with the exceptional packaging. If I can (and hopefully not messing with any copyrights?) I’ll try getting a repeating pattern tile of it.
Ahhhh Daylight Savings Time…who does not love an extra hour of sleep? 
Today I was watching this movie called Freedom Writers, and I must say this is probably one of the best movies I have ever seen. It’s about this group of kids living in Long Beach two years after the Rodney King Riots and how one teacher brings them together despite how much they hated each other in the past due to race. If you have not seen it, I strongly recommend watching it and then you should also read the book, “Freedom Writers”, since the movie is based off a real story.
If any of the readers have seen it, comment and tell me what you thought of the book or movie!
As you all may know, Johnny is currently in the process of moving back to California so I will be taking over the blog for now.
I do not really know what to blog about today, but hopefully something will come to me eventually. Maybe I will be slightly entertaining to all of you, but as a warning, I am not exactly a computer person like Johnny, so please do not get upset that I am not going to blog about the new Linux or whatever, because I did warn you. :p
Since my brain is not letting me think right now, leave a comment about something you would like me to blog about, and I will most definitely give you a very interesting opinion on whatever you request. (except computer programs!)
Okay, enough with the boring introduction. Remember, leave a comment and I will blog later.
Yes, I finally got around to moving back to my home-state of California! This is going to be quite an adventure. Even with multitasking, one day to pack 35 boxes and everything else in the house is going to be…. fun! Then it’s off across the country and hopefully not beating the moving company too much. One thing I’m looking forward to is my baby; a brand new dual-core Optiplex which has been living in Cali for the past few months.
Before I go I won’t forget to change this site to that unique Halloween theme I promised, then it’ll stay as such until I manage to get Internet again. Sorry there won’t be any updates on the road but I’ll try to get some Vegas pics to put up. Until then you’ll just have to sift through my old posts (some of which can be quite entertaining). For now bye my readers and remember, the WordPress theme in the store (Venom) has a fully automated payment & download system so buy your copy ASAP.
*Update* The packing actually turned out to be pretty fun and I’m letting my friend do some guest posts, please enjoy!
Before you start reading, here’s some music… [powerpress]
While I’ve been teaching myself how to better code and improve WordPress themes, I decided it would be nice to open up a store on the site to sell my digital wares. After a while I expect to fill the store with software, themes, and even books! There is an attractive dropdown addition to the store link in the menu if you wish to view any other areas of our checkout system. The store may be removed if it’s not doing too well, so get the products while you can! If you can offer a substantial link exchange I’ll give you a free copy of the Venom theme (shown above and soon in the store). Contact me for details.
This theme (Venom) also comes free with any of our blog and blog+website packages. Other colors are being planned right now (lime, orange, yellow, pink, and red). Please leave a comment if you’re wanting one in particular and we’ll hurry to finish that color. Note: This theme is WordPress 3 compatible and may not work with older versions.
As a note I am preparing a special Halloween-themed modification for the site, complete with horror music and several easter-eggs of deals. Don’t miss one second of the Halloween Week Specials.
The music is respectfully credited to: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0. I recommend you visit his site for more awesome music!
A new project is underway with Mozilla Labs; they have developed a browser which allows interface designers to create customized browsers using only HTML, CSS, and Javascript. The impact of this experiment can go way beyond plugins like Firefox Personas and allow anyone to create their own browsing experience. After just 10 minutes of looking through the sourcecode I was able to set the homepage and give a nice pattern around the top URL bar. It’s in the pre-alpha stage as of writing this post but it appears to be a promising project from Mozilla.
The chromeless concept along with the release of Firefox 4, may mark the beginning of the end for useless browsers like Microsoft Internet Explorer (which is long-due for a silent death). I will continue to support Mozilla’s efforts to better the web and take modern technology to the next level (The Concept Series). Let this serve as a reminder that open-source will only get stronger as large corporations strive to drown out freedom of software.
I must say I’m thoroughly impressed with this release! Just booted it up off a flash drive and it was amazing. As a matter of fact I’m writing this post from the release candidate right now, and loving every second of it. The icon theme is comparable to that of a Mac, the theme is cleaner than the pope’s mouth, and the font is so small but crisp. Even my site looked better in it. Without say the assortment of Minty wallpapers which follows each release was nice enjoyable. It came with a smooth metallic theme, which gave a new twist to the mint aspect. I’m trying to find an excuse to install this even though it’s not the final version. This definitely takes Mint beyond the boundaries of Ubuntu and firmly plants a new branch in the Linux world! I decided to change around the normal embedding of a screenshot and put it into the header, so above you’ll see a nice photo.
Here’s our site’s URL embedded in the below QR barcode:
QR barcodes are the next generation of high tech tracking. They allow an individual to embed words, phone numbers, emails, or even a website address in a compact and machine-readable code. First used in regular packaging systems, now they are showing up everywhere. I just saw one at the end of a commercial and another on the back of a business card. Currently the Droid smartphone can read them as can newer Blackberries; it’s only a matter of time before they are put as a standard into phones. And then become…. The new URL embed. The new ad code. The future of small information technology. Get your’s below!
The above barcode was made at: http://www.barcode-generator.org
An alternate generator can be found here: http://www.qr-barcodes.com/online-generator
And another here: http://qrcode.kaywa.com
OR download a barcode generating program from: http://www.zint.org.uk
On Halloween week I’d like to launch a special Ink Ignite discount of 30% off ALL design services. Although there will be a discount code you’ll have to send us, just so we know you’re listening 
I’m pleased to announce that there are several spots for adspace available all over the website (footer, header, sidebar, or even a whole post about your product/service). Contact us for full details, prices are unbeatable and space is going fast!
I’ve been considering to bring the Viper OS project back (possibly with a new name). I feel like the Linux community might benefit in someway. Although maintaining an operating system involves a lot of attention and single-handedly that turns into a burden. Also I’m planning two child themes for my two favorite WordPress theme frameworks (Hybrid and Thematic), they may be released before the end of the month. In addition to that, I changed the site font to reflect the upcoming holiday and just to make sure Cufon* works.
Now on to less boring stuff. In the course of planning an operating system release I came across a humorous but practical idea… Creating a “Drunk OS”. Let me explain; when a person gets drunk their abilities to function normally are impeded. So why not create an operating system that has an “I’m Wasted” button on the desktop. Upon clicking said button the fonts would get bigger, the spell-check would get smarter, and the cursor would move slower. Thus aiding the drunken person in their conquest to post photos of them chugging beer on Facebook.
*Cufon font replacement is a system which allows a regular font file to be converted and used to replace existing text areas on a website that would otherwise use boring fonts (like Ariel). This is achieved using Javascript, which is more widely run than Flash. Cufon is used in more and more websites, what we might consider Web 3.0 technology.
Here we go! The latest release of the almightly Ubuntu operating system. They of coursed planned the 10.10 on 10/10/10, and now I’m publishing this post at 10pm. Not too impressed with the default theme, and the left-hand-side window controls are getting to be annoying. But other than that I love the speed (even in a virtual machine) and the HD wallpapers included. Installation was significantly faster, as now you specify settings while Ubuntu installs in the background. I’d like to see some better-looking themes in the next Ubuntu release but otherwise it was very pleasant to test out. I have high hopes for Linux Mint 10 (which should be based on Ubuntu 10.10 and should come out soon- hopefully). Below is a screenshot of the default wallpaper/theme and on the right is an alternate wallpaper and theme.
One of my favorite flavors of Linux was released recently but taking a new approach. Perhaps they got tired of the corporate-minded ideals that are finding their way into Ubuntu or perhaps they just wanted to start a fresh branch. Whatever the case, Linux mint has now released a crisp new branch in their family tree: Linux Mint Debian. Debian itself is the parent of Ubuntu and the grandparent of Mint, now she becomes the parent of this new system. Below I’ve uploaded screenshots of the system running by itself and with an added wallpaper from Gnome-Look. Although the new OS has just been born I can see great potential. The image file and further infomation can be found on the Linux Mint website.
**You can expect to see a post about my business cards fairly soon!
Crisp and clean logo for an up-and-coming search engine optimization website. The header images were cloned and tweaked for the new site.
After a very teary finale of season 5, this season’s premier brought it all back together and mended open wounds, “metaphorically speaking”. You’ll understand the quote if you watch the episode. For some reason they kept saying that through the whole episode. I’m actually surprised they didn’t throw a Windows Kin in there somewhere. I counted at least 6 Windows logo shots, all in the same scene (funny, this is season six). Guess we should all sleep soundly knowing the FBI’s forensics lab runs on Windows *wink wink*. So in episode 2 I would love if Angela tries to run a third program and then realize she’s running Windows 7 Starter Edition (link related). Sorry, Windows rant finished. I couldn’t help but laugh at Booth’s belt buckle in the Korean factory.
That’s all I’m saying about it; Bones is a great TV show and you should show them appreciation by watching the episode. Hopefully you guys/gals enjoy it as much as I did. Minus the hidden advertising and obscene belt buckle. Oh, and did Booze have the new BlackBerry?
The finale perfectly ended this season of The Gates; I could not imagine a better closing other than them having a massive war midday at the high school. Otherwise the ending was superb. Left a Grand Canyon’s worth of room for the next season and seemed to close all the holes I noticed. The only thing that was fairly unrealistic was the quickness with which various characters accepted the paranormal events. Most people wouldn’t believe it even after seeing it. Oh well, makes a great show! These Vampires aren’t emotional pushovers. Makes True Blood look pathetic.
Warehouse 13‘s season finale kept me on the edge of my seat. The acting seemed stepped up quite a bit for this episode, although I can’t say the special effects were. SyFy tends to keep it on a penny-budget. I don’t want to make this a spoiler post but I definitely see certain characters stepping it up in roles. Have to admit the ending was so sad, almost cried! If you haven’t watched either finale I’d recommend watching the shows. I have my fingers crossed that both shows will return for their next seasons.
Here’s the links to watch online. Thank you Hulu!
The Gates – http://www.hulu.com/the-gates
Warehouse 13 – http://www.hulu.com/warehouse-13
Hey, just thought I’d let you all know that Ink Ignite also owns LinuxHaxer.com and ViperAmped.com. Right now the sites are either redirecting here or dormant. But if you are interested in buying the domains or renting them as a test site, just let us know. Please only serious inquires and no adult content. Otherwise feel free to ask.
We’re going to start using a more complicated CMS (Content Management System) in our projects called Concrete. This along with our WordPress, Flash, phpBB, and PHP-Fusion experience allows us to create pretty much anything you need. We’re gaining some momentum with WordPress MU (Multi User) sites too. Hope everyone else is having a good night, I’m pulling an all-nighter and impatiently waiting for my mouth to heal (wisdom teeth removal a few days ago). You may notice we’ve re-activated the Sharebar plugin and added a “Like?” button into the blog posts, similar to Facebook but usable by any visitor. Feedback please?
Ink Ignite has formed a strong affiliation with the Rich Secrets eBookstore. We fully support their work and have even added a link to them in our menu bar. They are personally recommended by us for all your eBook needs, and have a vast array of easy-to-read books. Below you can view the logo (opens to a larger image upon clicking) we were contracted to design for their advertisements.
I recently downloaded the 5th beta of Firefox 4 after not being able to resist trying it. Its truly going to stomp out any competition from the weed in Firefox’s garden known as Google Chrome. Don’t get me wrong, I use Chrome from time to time, but it’s too Googly for my taste. With Firefox’s next browser release smooth browsing will find its way into every Firefoxer’s computer.
Have to admit I was a bit disappointed there was no Linux release of the beta (yet). Could barely stand using Windows long enough to take the above screenshot. Yes yes, my hatred of Windows overflows onto my blog from time to time. But I have perfect reason to be angry when Halo crashed twice and my computer decided to reboot on its own. Not really much to see in the screenshot other than the improved browser controls and the nice little Chrome-like tabs.
[powerpress http://inkignite.com/wp-content/uploads/1459504.mp3]
This is just a test of the podcast plugin I installed. Was considering doing a weekly broadcast with music or something like that. I have no idea what techno song I embedded above or I would give credit.
For anyone who may have stumbled on our site in the last few hours (8pm-11pm), we apologize. There was a slight database error which we jumped on ASAP. Thanks to our outstanding hosting company it was resolved in a matter of minutes. Only one more reason why you should trust us for web design. We promptly and personally fix all errors, bugs, and glitches that may occur. Plus our hosting provider has a 99.9% uptime and stands by that! Thank you HostMonster!
Although it was embarrassing at least it happened at an hour of low traffic. We’re working on a project to show our national design reach. Sit tight and enjoy our blazing fast site for now!
In our modern world, seen by people decades or even centuries ago, people dreamed of peace. Ideas of nanobots, moving sidewalks (the LA airport doesn’t count), and technologically advanced society. Now it seems we are taking all the wrong directions. It takes weeks to get to trapped miners, simple oil spills cannot be stopped, and the occasional rouge unmanned aircraft threatens innocent citizens. I’m sure Columbus, B. Franklin, and G. Washington didn’t imagine the world’s technology at our fingertips but the use of it for things like invasive scanners or heartless warfare. Personally I enjoy the ancient idea that countries’ rulers would go into battle with the troops, it would cut back on wars. We spend thousands to stop things like Wikileaks and The Pirate Bay but ignore the fact our own infrastructure is failing. I experience frequent power outages, slow Internet connection, and days for a service as simple as plumbing to get here. Yet NASA is spending millions crashing a rocket into the Moon. Politics is becoming a thing for older generations, not to so naively word that, but teens and young adults of today support different causes like “going green”. No young people care to watch presidential speeches; for that matter older people don’t care either.
So what changes? Why aren’t we using flying cars and home holograms? Why do Coke commercials have to remind us there’s no time machines? Any and everyone reading this is responsible for what’s happening. If you don’t like it…. run for president, governor, city mayor. And then: invent, innovate, IMPROVE!
As a side note, look on the right-hand side. There’s “Awesome Links”. Have a useful site? Your own blog? A dramatic vid? Comment below or contact me and I’ll add it.
**Update: I had no idea but apparently today is “Blog Day”. And I happened to have already posted three other blogs in the Awesome Links section, guess this link is a fourth, almost to the goal of five!
