Prepare For WP 2.5
Prepare For WP 2.5
With WordPress 2.5 due to be released today (Hooray!) now would be a good time to go through a series of upgrade checks to see if your blog is ready for 2.5. Lorelle Van Fossen has written up an excellent article on the BlogHerald in regards to the pre upgrade checks you should perform. These […]
With WordPress 2.5 due to be released today (Hooray!) now would be a good time to go through a series of upgrade checks to see if your blog is ready for 2.5. Lorelle Van Fossen has written up an excellent article on the BlogHerald in regards to the pre upgrade checks you should perform. These include disabling and or removing old plugins, updating themes and plugins, validation, and checking for compatibilities. Going through this series of pre-flight checks as some would say, will help you prepare for a smooth upgrade process.
I know I’ll be one of the first to upgrade my blog when I have the chance. When will you upgrade yours?
*Note* WordPress 2.5 was TENTATIVELY scheduled to be release on March 10th, 2008. However, it looks like it’s not ready for production treatment and thus, has not been released.
WordPress Plugin Releases for 3/11
Section Specific Text The widget allows to display text in certain sections of your blog. The plugin also allows you to insert both html as well as php code provided by other plugins. Release Page | Download FirstTimer Shows a custom message and image to visitors who are visiting for the first time. This plugin uses cookies to identify […]
Section Specific Text
The widget allows to display text in certain sections of your blog. The plugin also allows you to insert both html as well as php code provided by other plugins.
FirstTimer
Shows a custom message and image to visitors who are visiting for the first time. This plugin uses cookies to identify unique users so the message may be served everytime a user clears cookies.
PageFlip
PageFlip is a plugin which allows you to create a virtual book you can browse with your mouse, can be used for creating photo albums and references.
TipJoy TipThis
Allows you to add a TipThis button to each of your posts using your TipJoy account where users can add tips about the stuff you love.
Collapsible Elements
Allows you to add collapsible elements to your posts using the code editor, once added these elements can be collapsed or expanded by clicking on it.
Can Blue Gene pass the Turing test with some Star Trek help?
A rather interesting article in the EETimes suggests that the holy grail of artificial intelligence, the ability to pass the Turing Test, may become a reality later this year courtesy of a collaboration between IBM and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Turing Test was first described by Alan Turing back in 1950, and requires a human being acting as a judge to hold a natural language conversation with a machine and with another human being and not be able to tell which is which. So far, no machine has been able to pass this simple test. But now the AI experts at RPI reckon that by…
Open Thread: What’s Your Organizational Setup?
I’d like to take this opportunity to ask you guys what your organizational setup is. How do you get stuff done? Are you into paper or digital tools, or both? A disciple of GTD? Or do you have your own home-brewed setup? Basically, just describe your organizational flow in the comments below. I’m curious to […]
I’d like to take this opportunity to ask you guys what your organizational setup is. How do you get stuff done? Are you into paper or digital tools, or both? A disciple of GTD? Or do you have your own home-brewed setup? Basically, just describe your organizational flow in the comments below. I’m curious to see what everyone’s productivity system looks like, and I think we can all learn a bit from each other. Sound good? Comment away!
Windows Vista SP1
Evening everyone! As most of you will proberbly already be aware that the first service pack for MS Vista is looming. Although the final version won’t be available on MS update until proberbly next month - it is available as a download (roughly about 450Mb) direct from MS. I decided to go all out and install it on my laptop earlier on, and during the setup it asked me to make sure that I had at least 7.5Gb of free space for the service pack. (Not exactly sure why it requested so much?) The install was pretty much painless although it did take a while and obviously restarted numerous…
11 Steps to Becoming Addicted to Running
photo credit: Thomas Hawk Running is one of those things that you don’t miss until you try it again after a long hiatus. I’ve recently been reminded of this as I just starting to get back into running myself. I’ve been a runner for the past 13 years, about 9 of those competitively. I’ve run a […]
photo credit: Thomas Hawk
Running is one of those things that you don’t miss until you try it again after a long hiatus. I’ve recently been reminded of this as I just starting to get back into running myself.
I’ve been a runner for the past 13 years, about 9 of those competitively. I’ve run a couple of marathons, and know quite a bit about the sport. I believe it to be one of the best sports for individuals (though definitely not for spectators). I love running, but I took a long hiatus over the winter holidays because, well… it was really stinkin’ cold and snowy. As a result I slowly started gaining weight, and losing my shape. Bleah. With Summer just around the corner, it was definitely time for a change.
I’ve run all sorts of distances and races, and I can tell you that the absolute hardest runs are the ones when you’re just getting started. I’ve never been more reminded of that until recently.
While long-distance running is a test of perseverance, actually running on regular intervals can be an even bigger test of persistence. I’ve found that actually getting my lazy butt off the couch is usually harder than the runs themselves. Sound familiar to anyone else?
Luckily, there is hope. Once a runner has been running at regular intervals for a while, getting motivated for a run becomes much easier.
At this point, our bodies start craving the run.
Yes, we can actually become addicted to running (or physical activity in general). There are many benefits to running, from health to psychological (I’ve argued it boosts productivity too). But the addictive part mainly comes from the way pheromones (which improve your overall attitude), are released while running.
Running, especially outside and on trails, creates a release of endorphins that can cause euphoria (runner’s high) or just a general sense of happiness. Running has been used for years to treat clinical depression and addictions of all kinds. Less tension, less depression, less fatigue, and less confusion are just a few of the changes that patient’s have seen after beginning a regular running program. Running gives something for them to focus on, allowing them to see something besides their depressed state or addiction.
Interestingly enough, it looks like a running addiction can cure another addiction! But we’re straying from the point. Getting addicted to running is great for someone wanting to start a regular exercise schedule, but just hasn’t found the motivation. If you can force yourself to start running at regular intervals throughout the week, eventually it’ll be hard to stop. You won’t want to stop running.
Here are a few tips I’ve found stumbled upon over the past decade that can really keep you motivated and eventually at the point where running is a (good) addiction.
- Don’t give yourself any excuses. Everyone’s got reasons why they shouldn’t be exercising. But if you make it an important part of your day, it will be harder to make excuses not to.
- Run with other people. Nothing helps develop a habit like a little accountability.
- Reward, reward, reward. Give yourself little rewards for your diligence. There’s nothing wrong with a little superficial indulgence for diligence. It’s amazing how much these can help your overall outlook at running. Small bits of motivation add up.
- Run at the same time every day. Creating a running routine can help you quickly become accustomed to releasing those endorphins at the same time every day. Pretty soon you’ll be looking forward to your running times (no joke!).
- Run first thing in the morning. While it takes a bit to get your body accustomed to running in the AM, you’ll find that this is probably the best time for running, no matter where you live. While the rest of the world sleeps, you can navigate the streets or countryside without the heavy traffic of the rest of the day. It’s quieter, and there’s nothing like waking up to a beautiful
- Slow down, Tiger. One of the biggest problems people encounter while starting running is that they try do to too much too quickly. This will only burn you out, give you some injuries and quickly instill a hatred for running. Start slooooow. Build up your endurance. The only way to keep running every day is to take it slow at first.
- Be mindful of the benefits. Notice how much weight you’re losing, how much better you feel and all the other benefits that running gives. You’ll start seeing/feeling some of them instantly.
- Set goals. There’s nothing more empowering than accomplishing running goals. It boosts confidence and adds a little swagger in your step because you know you’re a champ. If that’s wrong, then I don’t want to be right.
- Find a running routine that fits you. Plenty of people smarter than me have published running routines and goals to help you gauge how much to run each day. I’d recommend the Runner’s World Smart Coach to tailor a running plan that’s going to work for you.
- Track your progress. Like any activity, tracking your progress will keep you motivated to improve. If you’re into digital tools, try the Runner’s World Training Log. If you’re into paper, a paper calendar works fine. Just record your progress each day.
- See running as a release, not a chore. You’ve got to develop the mindset that this isn’t something you have to do, but rather something you get to do.
If you wanting to read more on the benefits of running, check out the entire article about the benefits of running at About.com. Very convincing if you’re thinking about starting it up.