Scott’s Spiel

So yesterday I noticed a big commit on the WordPress SVN where selected files from the “crazyhorse” branch were merged with trunk. This has resulted in a pretty different look to some of the admin sections. Because I know at least a few interested people read this, I’ve took a quick screencast of what it looks like at the moment.

As a disclaimer, I have no idea if this is technically “allowed”. However all of it is freely downloadable to those who care so I can’t really see any problem with it. I should also add that this is a highly developmental version and the entire thing could spout pink frilly things before it makes it to a release. You may notice a fair few bugs even in this video (which were not intentional but I’m not going to hide the fact it’s buggy). This is also located on my localhost which hasn’t been setup to allow the script to download and has no ftp which is why I stopped at those screens.

Screencast of WordPress Trunk

The crazyhorse branch has a few different widgets on the dashboard, including the ability to post directly from the dashboard.

If I see any more changes of note, I’ll make a similar post.

Looks good to me though.

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As I mentioned in my last WordPress post I’ve been working on adding documentation to the core of WordPress, specifically the formatting.php file. This is quite a big file will upwards of 2000 lines of code and around 65 functions to document. It is used extensively in the formatting of pretty much every aspect of a blog. It surprised me therefore that when I started getting involved in developing WordPress this file (with the exception of may a dozen functions) completely lacked documentation.

Over the past number of weeks I’ve been (rather slowly, it’s quite a boring process) adding inline documentation to the file. So far I’ve got around 70-80% of the file done and plan on doing as much of the rest that I can. Unfortunately some of the functions are a bit difficult for me to understand and, at the risk of writing totally incorrect documentation, I’ve been leaving these.

However there is only one other developer actively documenting the code. New code is being documented as it is written but there is a great deal of code lacking any. Hopefully the 2.7 release will see a good deal more added. My contributions have already been committed to the Subversion trunk which I’m quite happy about.

So WordPress 2.6.1 was released today. This marks the first release where I have contributed any code. Nothing big, just 3 bug fixes (#7366, #7336 and #7316) but I have to start somewhere. I’ve also done a bit of inline documenting for some of the functions (which is ironic because most of my own projects have chronically lacked documentation) and with any luck these will be included in the 2.7 release.

I’m quite looking forward to that release based on what I’ve seen being worked on including some very helpful features. I never really appreciated just how much goes into the development of WordPress before and I’m quite enjoying contributing on such an active project. Whether I’ll be able to keep it up when I go back to Uni or not I’m not sure, but here’s hoping.

I got an email yesterday replying to an enquiry about spending my 3rd year (junior) elective in the Southern General Accident and Emergency Department. Happily I’m all booked up for July next year! Why that choice?

A&E because:

• It may actually be my future career. May be nice to get some experience as early as possible.
• I will see a variety of people, hopefully consolidating a lot of what I’ve learned already and will learn by the end of 3rd yr.
• It’s not an area that we’ll cover in the course for a while (if at all?)
• It’s a busy place and I’ll hopefully be able to get involved at some level

The Southern becase:

• I know where it is!
• I can live in the area without spending too much money. I can save more for my senior elective (where i’ll probably go abroad).
• It’s a busy hospital, lots to do
• It even has a helipad (the only one in Glasgow).
• Probably a few more.

So, basically, if anyone is planning on being injured near the Southern in July 2009 (I’m sure people plan it…) then you might just see me looking after you.

…I feel your pain.

Popped into the Apple store on Sunday with my MacBook and presented my problem. They didn’t even question the warranty period. Instead I left the shop about 10 minutes later with a free replacement battery.

Considering I was thinking I might have to pay around £50 for a new one, I’m quite chuffed.

Now I just need my TV licence refund and old flat deposit and I should be a little safer in the money camp.

I got an interesting email a few days ago looking for 3rd-5th years (oh boy, that’s me!) who have a valid First Aid certificate and would be happy to help out with teaching first years some first aid. The content is to include:

• Responsibilities of being a first Aider
• Personal Safety
• Regulations and Legislation
• Action at an emergency
• Assessing a casualty- primary and secondary survey
• Recognition and treatment of Hypovolaemic shock
• Fainting

Not a bad list (although not quite a comprehensive course) and it’s a big improvement from the maybe 30 minutes CPR that has been the norm for the last few years. It’s not clear whether CPR is actually included in the above (primary survey?) or how much will be practical work compared to lecture based.

Because I’m interested in this kind of thing and because I seem to be a tool for volunteering I’ve already agreed to help. Now I just need a timetable…

…ha!

I knew it wouldn’t be impossible, just quite difficult.

However, it seems I’ve broke the battery at least. Technically the die hard mactards would probably claim the computer itself is fine (a fair point, something I’d probably say).

The problem? The battery doesn’t appear to be recognised. Apple knows about it but unfortunately none of those work to solve it.

Honestly, I think i’ll be needing a new battery (£99 from Apple!) but I plan on taking it into the Apple store tomorrow and see if there are any other options.

Apart from that, I now have grown a hatred for the MagSafe power adapter.

On the plus side, I did manage to fix our DVD recorder after my mum decided it would be a good idea to put two DVDs in at the same time…