New Tech News Blog: The Tech Planet

Being a techie/geeky guy who still enjoys toys for big boys and the latest technological advancements, I’m always on the lookout for technology news on the web. Recently, I’ve come across a blog-style site that covers technology, trends, software and web services. Check out The Tech Planet.

The posts are concise and just the right size for quick digestion, so it’s worth adding to your RSS reader. Posts also contain photos of the subject, making it easier to browse topics of interest.

It’s fairly new (from December 2006), but I think it suits techie people like myself and complements the topics on my own blog. For example, the post on “Honda readys fuel-cell car for 2018” talks about when Honda plans to offer a hydrogen fuel-cell powered car in ten years’ time. Author Michael Paul says that the timeline and sale price are off the mark and I agree with him. With rising fuel costs and world climate, we need alternative fuel vehicles within the next few years.

Go visit The Tech Planet today to get a quick dose of technology news that makes you stand out from the general population. :)

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Blogger.com Template Tip Part 2: Render Previous Post Links

Enhancing on the previous session of Blogger.com template goodies, I’ve finetuned the behaviour of the “Previous Post/Month” link at the bottom of three types of blog pages. The common tip that other bloggers use to display the previous post’s link will not work well in the individual post pages, thus the need to enhance using JavaScript here. They are:

  1. MainPage – display link to the n + 1 page, where n is the number of posts to display per page
  2. ItemPage – display link to the previous post
  3. ArchivePage – display select combobox with all months of posts

You may want to read up on the previous session first before proceeding below.

Place this (updated) JavaScript code anywhere in between your template’s <head> tag. Same thing, adjust nMaxPostsOnMainPage to the number of posts that you have set to display.

<script type=”text/javascript”>
// This JavaScript code created by Teng-Yan Loke
// Date: 12 Dec 2006 2349hrs
// Website: http://glob.lokety.com
// E-mail: lokety-at-gmail.com
var nMaxPostsOnMainPage = 2;
var nItemTitleTruncateLength = 50;
var aPosts = new Array(nMaxPostsOnMainPage + 1);
var n = 0;
var sItemTitle;
<BloggerPreviousItems>
sItemTitle = String(“<$BlogPreviousItemTitle$>”).substring(0, nItemTitleTruncateLength);
aPosts[n] = “<$BlogItemPermalinkURL$>|” + sItemTitle; n = n + 1;</BloggerPreviousItems>
function writePrevPostOnMainPage()
{
var sTmp;

sTmp = aPosts[nMaxPostsOnMainPage].split(“|”);
if (sTmp[1].length == nItemTitleTruncateLength) sTmp[1] = sTmp[1] + “…”;
document.write(“<a href=\”” + sTmp[0] + “\” target=\”_top\”>” + sTmp[1] + “</a>”);
}

function writePrevPostOnItemPage()
{
var sTmp;
var sItemTitle;
var i = 0;
var j = 0;

sItemTitle = String(“<ItemPage><Blogger><$BlogItemTitle$></Blogger></ItemPage>”).substring(0, nItemTitleTruncateLength);
do {
sTmp = aPosts[i].split(“|”);
if (sTmp[1] == sItemTitle)
j = 1;
i++;
} while (j == 0);
sTmp = aPosts[i].split(“|”);
if (sTmp[1].length == nItemTitleTruncateLength) sTmp[1] = sTmp[1] + “…”;
document.write(“<a href=\”” + sTmp[0] + “\” target=\”_top\”>” + sTmp[1] + “</a>”);
}
</script>

Main Page

Use the JavaScript function writePrevPostOnMainPage() as before, on the main page. You can use something like:

<MainPage><div style=””>Previous post: <script type=”text/javascript”>writePrevPostOnMainPage();</script></div></MainPage>

Item Page

For individual posts, use the following code. You can place this just next to the preceding code of the <MainPage> tags.

<ItemPage><p>Previous post: <script type=”text/javascript”>writePrevPostOnItemPage();</script></p></ItemPage>

Archive Page

This last part may be no surprise to some of you as you may have seen a variant of this elsewhere. Place this code next to the preceding code:

<ArchivePage><p><a href=”<$BlogURL$>” target=”_top”>Back to Home</a> |
Other Months: <form name=”previouspostform”><select name=”previouspostselect” size=”1″>
<option>click here</option>
<BloggerArchives>
<option onclick=”javascript:window.location.href='<$BlogArchiveURL$>’;”><$BlogArchiveName$></option>
</BloggerArchives>
</select></form></p></ArchivePage>

Same your template, publish, and test these goodies out!

If you try all these code, please let me know how it goes for you. Leave comments here…

Related posts:

Blogger.com Template Tip: Render Previous Post Link At Bottom Of Main Page
<URL:http://glob.lokety.com/2006/11/bloggercom-template-tip-render.html>

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Secure and Convenient Keyless Door Locks

Most of us who have locked doors to open at home or at the office know the hassles of using keys to lock and unlock them. In no particular order:

  • Losing the key meant having to replace the lock and all copies of the key
  • Scratches and dents on the door around the lock
  • Fumbling, searching, sorting, selecting the right key while running the risk of getting mugged in front of the door
  • Ensuring that you are holding the key before you close a door which automatically locks
  • Keeping keys in a pouch, wallet, purse, or pocket, causing wear

Instead of messing with keys, try using something that only you own and can never lose: fingerprints! BrickHouse Electronics has a quality range of keyless door locks which use the uniqueness and convenience of your fingerprint to gain access.

BrickHouse Electronics Fingerprint Door LockFingerprints are tested to be very unique as there is only a chance of false acceptance of a fingerprint in tens of millions of fingerprints. It is obviously more convenient to use as you have it with you all the time. Other family members or staff can also train their own fingerprints into the locks, so there is no need to share fingerprints (which is not possible anyway).

For the above peeves of using keys, I would buy and use one of these locks in the future. Residential crime is prevalent in Malaysia and having one of these devices can save the time spent opening doors and getting in safely. I don’t have to duplicate keys for others anymore, so there is no risk of the key smith copying your key unscrupulously.

One disadvantage of fingerprint door locks would be in the event of power loss. BrickHouse locks use batteries, which the lock will remind you to change when they are low on power. You have to be vigilant in changing batteries about every year. Fortunately, even if the batteries are flat and the fingerprint sensor does not work, you can still use a mechanical key to unlock – very clever!

The last thing to consider is the price. These locks cost about five times more than key locks, but I think they are worth the convenience, enhanced security and cool factor. Imagine, no keys clinging, no need for bright lights at the doorway, and silent and smooth access into your home or office!

Links:

BrickHouse Electronics Biometric Door Locks
<URL:http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/keylessdoorlock-electronicbiometric-fingerprintlock.html>

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