Getting started with Ajax

Ok so you want to get into the basics of Ajax? Maybe you've heard of it, maybe not.
If you haven't, basically it's a way for javascript to load information into a page without the page refreshing. This looks more professional and can be extremely useful in a database driven website, such as the kind I would prefer to make in PHP and MySQL

In my case, I'd use Ajax to call a seperate PHP page that would give back info, such as maybe database info or info from a file. the latter would be less preferable as if the site were dynamic with many users changing a file mid-read could case problems, especially on Windows servers. {I'm guessing here but I like to be cautious}

Anyway here's an example of how I would use Ajax:

I'm presuming you've used PHP + MySQL before but if not read on anyway and you might find some of this interesting.
I'd have one PHP or even HTML file with a form, some textareas or list boxes or whatever. When you change the text in one area, or select something from a listbox, it would run a seperate PHP file. This PHP file would be setup to connect to my database and get the info needed based on a given parameter, eg.
dav.php?id=12

this would run the PHP which would go and get the info from the database for id 12
so then I could populate a textbox or another listbox on my main HTML page and voila - you've got a professional, dynamic, interactive, database-driven application!!!!! even typing those words makes me squirm but that's basically what you're doing

Now obviously these are just the basics but Ajax can prove very powerful.

You'll need the code for doing what I said above, and I found a good guide to getting started here

Connect your google talk to Aim, Msn, Yahoo etc.

I saw an article here about this. Check it out if you're interested in that sort of thing

Free PHP Video Tutorials!!!

Leighmac, a web developer from Australia, has put up a few free video tutorials on www.phpvideotutorials.com and they're very good. The sessions tutorial was very helpful for me anyhow. You can donate if you want and this is how you get the guy to do more tutorials. Handy if you're learning PHP. refer to my earlier blog post here for text-based tutorials that get in-depth into mysql etc.

Free Java Video Tutorials!!!

check them out here

Using Bart’s PE Builder to Make an Anti-Spyware and Rescue CD

Ever have to clean spyware from your PC or someone elses? Wish there was a more complete way of cleaning your system from outside of Windows? Bart PE is basically a build of Windows XP that runs directly from a CD. in this manner it cannot be affected by viruses or spyware so if you add enough scanners and utilities this CD could come in very handy.

Remember this CD is definitely best created on a working, virus-free pc.

The guide is here -
http://www.irongeek.com/i.php?page=security/pebuildertutorial

props to Adrian Crenshaw for this excellent guide. I have used this guide to create BartPE cds in the past and have been very successful in cleaning viruses from all kinds of machines, from "not too sick" to "dead as a dodo". There are a lot of great addons for Bart PE - just take a look at
http://www.bootcd.us/BartPE_Plugins_Repository.php
and
http://smithii.com/bartpe_plugins
and
http://oss.netfarm.it/winpe/

I always install everything Adrian recommends in the main part of his guide, plus the following extras he mentioned to my build:
HWPnP - for hardware detection post-boot.
Registry Editor PE for editing the registry a little deeper than Ad-Aware or HijackThis allows.
Eraser - for cleaning the drive of all data.
Firefox - for obvious reasons.

I also like to add Security Task Manager to the mix

Cheap + basic Nokia mobile phones (sim-free)

Do you want a very simple mobile phone (sim-free) ?

• Black and White screen etc.
• It can call people and send SMS and that's about it?
  

I found a Sim-Free Nokia 1110i - approx €43.13 here

Do you want a decent phone (sim-free)?

• SMS
  
• MMS
• Bluetooth
• Infrared
• GPRS
• Email
  
• Tri-Band
• Java
• no camera unfortunately

I found a Sim-Free Nokia 6021 - approx €125.21 here

I used to have a 6021 - they're ok. I got one free from work. Don't expect any java program to be able to use the infrared to remote control your TV though - I found out the hard way that's only going to happen with Symbian or Windows Mobile. incidentally that's one of the reasons I went for the UBIQUIO 401 smartphone, although ironically it doesn't have Infrared at all. maybe I'm a bit mental but I just loved all the features of the 401. Except the battery life. it's worse than my ipod!!!!

I have ordered from this site before [blueunplugged.com - in the UK] and they ship to Ireland. I've had no problems with my orders from them.
The site has an option to show approximate prices in Euro.

Bluetooth Ipod with a big touch screen??

It's quite possible a bluetooth enabled ipod is in the works.
check out the possibility here