TroubleZone.Net

.. trailblazers do or die!1

So, folks, guess what: it’s already time for an update for Firefox V2!
About two weeks have passed and I was working hard to get things done more quickly and (most important) get them done in the best way I knew off. Additionally, I’ve created a German version of Firefox V2 for my compatriots.

Go, get it here: Firefox V2 2.4

Also, I’ve modified the conditions under which Firefox V2 can be distributed. So please have a look at the “Copyright notice” at the “Contact”-page in order to get the new ones..


Some words for my German visitors:

Mit Veröffentlichung von Version 2.4 gibt es nun auch eine deutsche Version von Firefox V2 für alle begeisterten Liebhaber des feurigen Fuchses!
Wenn ihr sie haben wollt, klickt einfach oben auf Firefox V2 und dann auf “German Version”..


Take care,
Martin..

1. Yeah, I do believe that I’m a trailblazer in some cases.. [↩]

.. here we stand with the Future in our hands,
through fire we’ll rise to touch the sky1

So, this is the moment most of you have been waiting for: the final release of Firefox V2 2.3!

I know it has been way too long for the release to happen, but there were several2 reasons that prevented me from finishing the code.
Anyway, this version seems to be completely3 free of bugs, layout-breaking stuff or other errors4.

Though, there are some major changes which should be remembered before updating:

• Support for the following plugins has been completely dropped: Calendar, Footnotes5 and This Day In History6.
• Beginning with version 2.3, the following plugins are now supported: CharCounter and Extended Live Archives
• Layout of category and archives listings have been improved.
• Most important, I’ve switched to XHTML 1.1, so not well-formed syntax is one of the errors you might see after updating7

.. and yes, the next version8 will take some time..

Cheers,
Martin..

1. No, this time it’s HammerFall’s “On The Edge Of Honour”.. [↩]
2. Mostly private things which I’d like to keep private.. [↩]
3. It’s open source software, so there might be still a bug or two.. [↩]
4. If not, feel free to drop me a line via the comments or the contact form. [↩]
5. There’s a newer version available called “WP-Footnotes” which offers already an option to change the listing so that leading zeros are shown. [↩]
6. Firefox V2 does the Wikipedia-link for its own.. [↩]
7. But remember: my theme’s source code is valid.. [↩]
8. In case no major bugs will occur.. [↩]

.. we sail forever more
And the endless tears of sadness towards the distant shores
When the flame has died forever we stand one and all
With the power of the almighty sword1

Hey guys — it’s been a long time since my last post, right?

First of all: life is still only plain shit2.. Furthermore, I got some news and I think the world should know them, so here is (kind of) a newsflash:

1. new keyboard: Logitech G153 — it just kicks ass!


2. new router: AVM Fritz!Box 71704 — handles everything (and I do mean *everything*) regarding ADSL (2+), VoIP, LAN and of course POTS, too.


3. new account created: I’m now addicted to Last.FM, too..


4. new private tasks: enhancing “Inter 1”, a G15-config I’m currently using; posting more entries to my blog; extending my blog with pages..


5. new WordPress version: I’ve updated my blog to 2.1.2 and so far, everything still runs just fine.. — Theme development made some steps forward, too5..


6. new feeling about life: not that “I’m-cast-away-and-totally-down”-feeling, but sort of “Why can’t I find an apprenticeship which suits my skills and wishes?” and “Why do I have to prove my abilities again and again and again and …?!” — feels strange, feels sapping, feels just so bad.. :'( And the worst thing about that: I do know my bad situation, but still haven’t found a way out6..

Cheers,
Martin..

1. Yes, yet another blockbuster from DragonForce — it’s called “Black Winter Night” [↩]
2. But as I’m up shit creek without a paddle, I won’t hang my head.. [↩]
3. Actually, I didn’t bought it — got it as a bonus after subscribing to a German hardware-mag.. [↩]
4. Sorry, I couldn’t find an english version of the 7170-page.. [↩]
5. An ETA? Hum, what about next week? [↩]
6. Hence the quoted lyrics at the beginning.. [↩]

.. hidden by the stormy light, a battle rages for the right for what will become..1

Alright guys,

been here for about 5 years now and I always hated Microsoft’s Windows XP. Oh, I hated it so much.. One might ask why and IMHO the answer to this question is pretty simple: Phoning home.

Yes, I don’t like this. I don’t like this, because the idea that someone tracks my habits. So, I never ever wanted to install that OS onto my hard disk.

But on the other hand I had my Windows 2000 Professional2, lacking support for Dual-Core-CPUs: everytime I printed a page and afterwards turned off the device, I got a BSOD3 telling me about a “BAD_POOL_CALLER” which actually shouldn’t happen when SP4 and UR1 are installed..

So, I had the choice: waiting for Vista Home Premium and ignoring the BSOD till its release or switching to Windows XP.. – I’ve choosen the latter and now, after 5 years, I have to rectify my opinion about this OS.. Damn, this kicks ass..

Lastly, if everything goes on as expected, there will be a special Xmas-present for all Firefox-lovers out there..

Cheers,
Martin..

1. DragonForce — Valley Of The Damned [↩]
2. With latest Service Pack #4, Update Rollup #1 and the most recent drivers installed. [↩]
3. Short for: “Blue screen of death” [↩]

.. our quest carries on, far beyond the sundown, far beyond the moonlight1..

Well, here it is: Firefox V2, version 2.22
This time the main focus of the development was on extending the theme. That means more supported extensions, more useability and of course less bugs3.. — From my point of view, these targets have been reached.

Though, there are a number of changes that you should know before you upgrade your 2.1-theme:

1. First of all, I had to drop the support for “Calendar”4.


2. Same goes for the support of the following plugins5: Days Since Birth and Akismet Spam Count.


3. But there are also plugins which are supported from now on: Gravatars and Subscribe To Comments.


4. I also improved the support for the Footnotes-plugin (looks much better now).


5. The footer got a total renewal: less text, less lines and better layout.


6. Font sizes have been converted from the ex-unity to the px-unity (needed for correct letter-sizes)


7. Starting with version 2.2, I’m going to offer 7-ZIP-files, too.

So, all in all, a new version with a lot of improvements and bug fixes and I hope you like it. Please leave a comment about your opinion regarding my theme — thanks!

Lastly, if you encounter any bug6: feel free to drop me a line and I’ll do my very best to get it fixed!

Cheers,
Martin..

1. DragonForce: “Through The Fire And The Flames” — Damn, these guys rock! [↩]
2. Just in time, right? [↩]
3. Compared with version 2.1. [↩]
4. A plugin made by Vanguard. [↩]
5. I’m sure that there will be support for these 2 plugins again in the future.. [↩]
6. Even the smallest one! [↩]