Archive for the 'internet' Category

Use fieldset tag to place a border around your text

A simple easy to use tag to highlight a special paragraph or section…

Use the <fieldset> tag: Drawing a box around your data couldn’t be easier, just use the <fieldset> tag. The <legend> element defines a caption for a fieldset. I saw this in a recent email and wanted to know how the effect was accomplished…it’s a neat way to highlight an important element and easy to use.
Update: Not sure if this will validate correctly on your web pages, it looks like it was designed to be used to group form data. I was impressed that the effect wasn’t wiped out in my email client. Use with care.

Remove annoying ads in Yahoo mail

I’ve been so annoyed about the overwhelming advertising in my AT&T Yahoo! mail box that I only check my personal mail there a couple times a week. The mail is part of a paid account, and even if it were free, I wouldn’t tolerate the flashing, rotating, pulsing, and did I mention ANNOYING advertising?

Well, I think I’ve found the solution…at least if you use Firefox. First install the Firefox add-on Greasemonkey, then add the user script Yahoo Mail Cleaner. No more nasty, annoying ads!

Stop being afraid of your mail! Make Yahoo! Mail Ads disappear.

Of course, I now use iGoogle as my default home page and rarely use Yahoo Mail anymore. So Yahoo! Mail Ads worked really well to get me over to Google and Gmail for all my browsing and email needs. Bye Yahoo.

Using articles to generate traffic

Every once in a while, I find a marketing article that I think is worth reading. Since I’ve had several people ask about ways to increase traffic and search engine exposure, I thought I’d share this with you. Jacob Stein just released his new ebook called “Article Marketing Traffic”… and, he’s offering it practically for free!

Click here to get your copy now!

Firefox add-ons you need

Looking for a quick way to check out meta tags while viewing web pages, I found a couple new add-ons and was reminded of the ones I’ve been using so long I take them for granted. Maybe you’re looking for some of these too.

Here’s my list of my favorite add-ons:

Read about Greasemonkey and Stylish on Chrispedrick.com

Web Site Design and Hosting

It was recently brought to my attention that I’d left out information about our web site design and hosting services on our web site. I got so caught up in exploring the technologies available, I lost sight of the main goal of the web site, providing information and details about the services we offer and how we can help you reach your goals.

Honest, we’d like your business. I’ll work on getting more details about our services online as soon as I get our current clients needs satisfied. In the mean time, click the link “Design Samples / Client Links” at the top of this page for links to few examples of our work. Please call me if you if have any questions.

How to add a link to your post in WordPress

While the WordPress Codex is great for detailed information on how to use WordPress, it seems a little confusing to some users who just want to know how to do a simple task, like adding a hyperlink.

WordPress makes it easy to create posts and updates to your blog without having to read much…it pretty much just makes sense. Exactly what you want if you’re not into web design or programming, but want to update your site yourself.

One question I hear often from users is, “How do I add a link when I write a post?”

It seems like a simple thing to ask, and it’s not difficult once you understand the process.
So here we go, How to Add a Link When You Write a Post:

  1. Select the text that you want to use for your link.
    Use text, not the actual URL, for your link. It will make it easier for visitors to understand what they’re clicking on and will look better in your posts.

Highlight Text

  1. Click the “Add Link” icon in the editor menu bar (or use the keyboard shortcut “Alt-A”).

Create Link 2 - Click Add Link Button

  1. Paste the URL link address for the site in the text field: Link URL. Click Insert
    Be sure to use the complete address including http:// , you can also fill in the Title field with a Text Description of your link.

Create Link 3 - Add URL and Title

  1. You’re finished!
    It’s that easy to add a link to your blog.

Create Link 4 - Your Finished Link

Happy Linking!

Photo Gallery Software

I’ve really been having fun with Flickr. It’s easy to use and simple enough for most folks to view your photos. I had a client that wanted a way to easily add photos to a web page and I thought, “wouldn’t it be great if I could have something like that and incorporate it into a blog!”

In comes Gallery 2. Looks like a great idea, so I install and configure it. It’s not as easy to use as Flickr, but there are tons more options…which is the good (I suppose) and bad news. I did get a gallery started, I even began to integrate it into the blog. [WordPress Gallery 2 Plugin] You’ll have to keep an eye out to see if I try to work out the style and integration issues. It’s starting to weigh in on the “not so fun side”, so I’m not too sure…

You can take a look at the gallery here. Like everything on the web, it’s a work in progress…and a good excuse to go out for a ride and take photos.

Generating valid html code embedding Flash

I nearly gave up trying to keep my code valid and embed a Flash element into my page. (I had completely decided to ignore providing alternate content for users without flash).

But then I found SWFOject!

Not only was I able to embed the flash element I wanted, my code validated properly, and I was able to include a static image for users without flash or javascript enabled in their browsers.

Thank you Geoff Stearns for your help!

Gmail saves my email

Gmail For Your Domain makes it possible for me to get mail at my domain again. I’ve enjoyed having an account that doesn’t get 98% spam, so I don’t check the old account as often, but it sure is nice to be able to get message from folks that still use the old address. Thanks Gmail!

Gmail offers beta testing for domains!

Just when I thought that I may never be able to use our domain name for email again, I noticed that gmail began offering service to domains as part of a beta program. I’ve enjoyed my personal gmail account and it’s been a great help, so I’m very excited about this offer. Don’t start using my old email addresses yet, but maybe in the future I’ll be able to get email here again. Yeah Gmail!!