Google Maps Firebug/Firefox Issue gg.google.com 204 Error
Just had an issue trying to debug a page which was giving 204 errors from gg.google.com, loading a Google Map in using an API key.
The page wouldn’t load at all and 204 errors where appearing.
Turns out its a Firebug and Firefox 3.0.7. issue which can be solved by turning off “Support for JavaScript debugging”
You can read about it here: http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Maps-API/browse_thread/thread/68218c6665dd527e
And a further fix for it here: http://code.google.com/p/fbug/issues/detail?id=1580&start=500
Topics: Google Maps | 1 Comment »
Hosts File on MAC Leopard to resolve PC names
I have just built a new Coldfusion CF8 development server for the office. The old server has been decommisioned after many years of thank-less work.
Using a MAC for development purposes i noticed i couldn’t resolve any PC names across the network.
This is due to the MAC having no DNS server to tell it the names to resolve to.
After some searching i found you can modify the hosts file on the MAC (i’m using Leopard) to resolve the names you need for development purposes.
The old NetInfo on OS X has gone so you need to either modify the hosts file itself by opening the file or using Terminal to achieve this.
Firstly i tried opening the file but i ran into read-only permission problems when trying to save the file.
NB. The etc/ folder where the hosts file lives is hidden. You can find the etc/ directory (or ANY hidden directory for that matter) using the Finder –> Go –> Go To Folder option.
Anyways, i found a method using Terminal with the following commands.
1. Open Terminal through Applications –> Utilities –> Terminal
2. type in the command line of Terminal the following:
sudo nano /etc/hosts
Terminal will ask you input a password as you have envoked the Super User profile on the system. Nano will now open.
You will see the following come up on your terminal window:
##
# Host Database
#
# localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
# when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
##
127.0.0.1 localhost
255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
::1 localhost
fe80::1%lo0 localhost
3. Move the cursor down the page with arrow keys and type in your desired IP address and tab once then the PC name.
127.0.0.1 localhost
255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
::1 localhost
fe80::1%lo0 localhost
192.168.0.112 YourPCName
You need to save the changes by hitting ctrl+o or ^o.
Hit enter to name it hosts, then hit ^x to exit nano.
Your cache needs to be flushed to see the changes.
There is a new command for this in 10.5 Leopard.
dscacheutil -flushcache
After this is done you should be able to resolve the PC name on your MAC.
Happy Days!
Topics: MAX OS X 10.5 Leopard | 1 Comment »
Search Engine URL ReWriting
There are many components to a Search Engine Optimisation campaign. Once all the basics have been applied its time to upgrade your URL’s.
You’ve probably got a great CMS running all your content, but your URL’s have special characters in them and can be very long in length.
Google doesn’t like special characters and you are giving yourself every opportunity to go higher in rankings if you have keywords within your URL.
Eg. http://www.yourcompany.com/index.aspx?page=product_detail&id=55
This doesn’t really mean much to anyone (or your customers when you email them links) only that it might be a product of some kind.
Re-Writing your URL using an ISAPI filter can acheive results like this:
http://www.yourcompany.com/home-entertainment/sony-surround-sound-system.html
Instantly you know its a Sony surround sound system in home entertainment. The link looks quite tidy. Google loves this. The shorter your URL the better, and especially if it has keywords contained in within.
Don’t go crazy in your slug creation, less is more in the world of SEO.
If you are using IIS 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, and 7.0 on your servers, you should try out Ionic’s ISAPI ReWrite Filter.
RewriteRule ^/go/([a-zA-Z0-9_-]+)$ /go.cfm?page=$1
MaxMatchCount 50
Here’s a quick sample of how to write a basic ReWrite script.
Your web host can usually help out with what is pre-installed on your server so you can get scripting immediately and write beautiful URLs.
Topics: Search Engine Optimisation | No Comments »
Google Webmasters Sitemap XML
A way of letting Google know exactly what pages are in your website is to create a sitemap XML file and submit it to Google Webmasters (google.com/webmasters).
Generate an XML file (Google Sitemap Generator) or make your own, making sure it is within the Google webmasters guidelines and standards. Most of the generators do a good job, but you will need to cull links if you haven’t excluded them in the filters properly.
When you have generated the final XML, upload to your specified directory and then submit in webmasters. Your XML will pass or fail with results in reporting of webmasters.
This will allow Google to know exactly what you want it to see and also dig up any broken links or unwanted pages you might have.
Topics: Search Engine Optimisation | No Comments »
iPhone Battery Pack - The Dexim Blue Pack
Dexim’s Blue Pack battery pack lets you charge your iPhone on the run.
The kit includes 1000mAh battery pack (also available in 1200mAh) and the funky compact retractable USB charging cord.
Power users of the iPhone will find using emails, browsing and maps to to their full extent will drain the iPhone and they won’t see out a full work day.
Simply plug the battery pack into the base of the iPhone and enjoy 3.5hrs of extra talk time, 7hrs of video and a massive 36hrs of audio playback.
It took just over an hour to charge the iPhone back to full. The battery pack itself takes around 2hrs+ to charge up, so make sure you have it ready the night before.
It does look a bit dorky if you are making calls with the battery pack plugged in, but once your phone is charged again, simply remove the pack.
If you are the travelling iphone power user like some of us - you need one of these by your side for those long hauls.
Available from iWorld Australia.
Topics: iPhone Hardware | No Comments »
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