I really like the new version of WordPress.   As with every version, they take everything that people ask for, and incorporate it into their software, which is amazing.

I just went through all the site that I run, that use WordPress as a backend, and upgraded all the different versions to the new 2.2.1

While I have no problem doing upgrades, it gets tedious to upgrade the same batch of files over and over again for each different domain.   I wonder if there’s a way to mass-upgrade all your WordPress sites at one time.   I’m off to find a solution!

I wrote  some new features for my pet project, MovieSnobs.net, that  I  implemented over the last few days.

• New search results – The search engine for  the site was rewritten to include more results, and it’s more targeted to get more information  the searcher is  looking for.   Now, in addition to searching the reviews, the search will also give   results from our front-page posts, and our cast database.  
• AJAX user ratings – Now, when viewing a review of a movie on our site,  users can add  their own vote, based on what they thought.   Along the left, in the “Review Info” box, there’s a “Your Vote?” section.   The information gets automatically saved, and remember it during your visit, in case you forget.   The average user rating will be displayed on the page, for others to see
• Firefox/IE search plugin – I wrote a pretty basic Firefox/IE search plugin, to search  the site.   To install it, do the following (when on the website):
  • Firefox – simply click the down pointing arrow next to the Google G (the default search engine), and select “Add MovieSnobs Search”.   That’s it!
  • IE  – click the down arrow next to the magnifying glass, then select “Add Search Providers”, then pick “MovieSnobs Search”.     When the little window pops up, click the “Add Search Provider” button, and you’re done.

I’ve got some other plans in the works for other features.  

So, with all my free time lately, I’ve been learning the ins and outs of Firefox plugin writing.   That, and Google gadget writing.

 So, I wrote a plugin, and a gadget.   For MovieSnobs.   The first, the plugin, is a search plugin for Firefox.   Simply visit the website, in Firefox.   Then head up to the little search box in the top right corner of your browser.   Click the little down pointing arrow, and select “Add MovieSnobs Search”.   That’s it. Now, when you type a movie, or actor into the search box, you’ll get the results directly on MovieSnobs, from our database.   Nifty, eh?

The second, the gadget for Google’s customized homepage, does the same thing.   Installing it’s a bit different though.   First, go to your customized homepage for Google, and click the “Add Stuff” link.   Then “Add by URL” link (the teeny tiny one) next to the button. And enter http://www.moviesnobs.net/snobsgadget.xml  into the box they give you.   Click the “Add” button, and then “OK” on the warning message. Don’t worry, it just says that what you’re installing wasn’t written or provided by Google.   It’s safe, I promise.   That’s it, voila, search MovieSnobs.net directly from your iGoogle page.

Fancy, eh?   Even more surprisingly, it was pretty easy to learn how to do, too.

I had some extra time yesterday, and decided to finally work on the invoicing script that I’ve been saying I was going to do, for months now.

Here’s some details  about the script, and a screenshot.   If you have any questions, or want to use it for something you’re doing, drop a note in the comments here, and let me know. I’ll get in touch with you.

I went through, this morning, and updated the content of the “Design” page.   Check it out to see my skills, and a (very) few examples of actual work I’ve done.  

For more sites I’ve done, check out my portfolio at http://www.mjjdesigns.net I’ll be adding some of the custom scripting programs (PHP based) to the site, this one or that one, in the next week or so.

I started reading “Foundation in Flash MX” last week.   One of the jobs I was hoping to get required an in-depth knowledge of Flash and ActionScript.   Both of which I haven’t touched since late 2000, early 2001.   And once I installed Flash MX on my PC, I realized how much had changed in their application between now and then.   Surprisingly, it seemed a lot easier to use, which I guess is a good thing.

So, I’ve begun my journey to re-learn Flash.   Though I didn’t get the job I wanted, I think it’d still be a great asset to add to my portfolio of skills.   You never know when someone might want a flash site these days.   I’ll post some of the projects that I do, once I get to that point.