Blogger Labels...oh my!

One of the most desired features I had for my blog was a wish for labels. Those are the little subject words related to your post. They can be a wonderful tool for assisting your readers with finding related posts on a subject and help with organizing your blog, especially as your post number increases!

Under beta Blogger, one could apply labels, but it required some hacks and a third-party service like Labelr.

Now...that's not a problem as post labels are supported natively.

I'm still trying to carefully consider the best way to approach the label concept.

If I have too many label categories, I will have a list a mile-wide, and defeat the purpose. So any label must be specific enough to be useful, but able to logically include a sufficient number of related items.

I'm trying to model them after other blogs that use them successfully like Dwight Silverman's use of categories over at the TechBlog, but I can't outright copy them as my subject matters differs to some degree.

Also, I'm not sold on it yet, but I like the visual appeal of changing the label list into a label cloud. It takes some work, but here is a fantastic post on how to accomplish just that: Beta Blogger Label Cloud Setup and Instructions

Even though bulk updating of old posts with labels is possible under the new Blogger, I'm going to take the time to review each older post. I hope that will give me a better end-result.

Windows Live Writer does support the adding of "Tags" to your posts, but if you are a Blogger user, labels are not yet supported. That would save me a bunch of time if it were!

FYI--did you know that Windows Live Writer has "Plugins" or "Writer Extensions" you can download to enhance your blogging experience? I didn't find any helpful ones to me, but you might...

Additional Blogger Label Resources

How do I label my posts? -- Blogger Help

Adding Labels to Old Blogger Posts is Like Using GMail -- Not looking to update all 300+ of your classic Blogger posts with new labels, one-by-one? Have no fear! Do it in bulk!

Under The Hood: Blogger's New Labels -- Explores the code underneath the Blogger label system.

Blogger Hacks Wiki -- Amazing site that attempts to collect and sort all the best Blogger hacks by platform (New Blogger, Blogger FTP, Blogger Classic, etc.) There is lots of good stuff here and any serious Blogger user would do well to bookmark this site!

Blogger Hack: Adding Categories to Your Sidebar Without Losing Your Old Template -- A tutorial on how to keep your classic Blogger template in the new Blogger system, but now use categories (labels) with it. Very clever!

Known Issues for the New Blogger -- Not really label related, but good to know what issues others are still having with Blogger.

Happy Labeling!

--Claus

Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 RC, Running on XP Home!

02/19/207 Update: Microsoft has now released the final version of Virtual PC 2007. The final released setup.exe file seems to now allow installation of VPC 2007 on XP Home versions without the "hack" noted below. See my newer post: Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 (Final) Released

If you decide to do the hack method listed below anyway, my tests indicate you may need to manually run the MS XML 6 setup file after you run the msi installer. ---Claus

(original post follows below)

It has been a while since I last posted about Microsoft's Virtual PC 2007.

This week Microsoft announced Release Candidate for Virtual PC 2007 (still in Beta) is now available.

This normally would have brought me a measure of cheer, but seeing as Virtual PC 2007 has been updated to only now run on XP Professional and Windows 2003 server editions...that left me very bummed out. The newly updated RC version is working great on my XP Pro work machine, but at home, I'm still stuck with Virtual PC 2004.

Others are bummed too...no VPC 2007 on XP Home.

What to do?

Well, hot on the heels of my recent post "Making Windows Defender work with Windows 2000", a fair bit of work on Google, and my stubbornness...I present you the following:

How to get Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 RC to run on XP Home

1. Download it from Microsoft Connect, you will have to register and enroll if you don't already have an account.
2. You will now have a setup.exe file. Make a subfolder somewhere and place the downloaded file into it. I named my folder VPC2007.
3. Go get Orca and install it on your system, if you haven't already. (See this post for more details on Orca.)
4. Open a command-prompt session and browse to the sub-folder where you have the setup.exe file.
5. Now extract the contents of the setup.exe file with the following command: setup.exe /c /t .\
6. It should take a moment to complete, but you will now see three files in the folder:
1. setup.exe (your original)
2. msxml6-KB927977-enu-x86.exe
3. Virtual_PC_2007_Install.msi
7. Close the command-prompt session window.
8. Run Orca and use it to open the Virtual_PC_2007.msi file.
9. On the left-hand side listing find the "Custom Action" item and select it.
10. On the right-hand side listing, find the "CA_CheckIfWeCanInstall" row.
11. Right-click on that row, then select the "Drop Row" option to delete it.
12. Save the changes and close Orca.
13. Now run the modified Virtual_PC_2007_Install.msi file.
14. It should install the application without any issues.

I'm running Vista RC1 right now in Virtual PC 2007 RC on my XP Home machine!

Notes

You must have the msxml6-KB927977-enu-x86.exe file in the same location as the msi file. If you do not, you will get an error message like "Error message: "Virtual PC cannot find MSXML 4. Please reinstall Virtual PC or install MSXML 4 and try again." Downloading MSXML 4 won't fix it. Despite what the message says, you must actually have the MSXML 6 version which the msi will install automatically from that other file.

I don't know yet if this will work on Windows 2000 Professional systems. That OS is not supported under VPC 2007 either, although it was under VPC 2004. I think it will, although I haven't had time to try it yet. If you beat me to it, let me know.

You will probably want to uninstall the virtual machine additions from any Windows virtual OS systems you may have installed it on under VPC 2004. It has been updated in the latest VPC 2007 RC version.

Additional Reading and Credits

Google Groups thread: How to install vpc2007 on xp home

How To Obtain List of Files Installed by Microsoft IExpress EXE

Command-line switches for IExpress software update packages

Command-Line Options

Happy modding!

--Claus

Survival Science Stuff...

A series on the Discovery Channel I've enjoyed watching recently is Walking with Cavemen. They have started running new series of it and it is really compelling. Mom and Dad had a collection of the Time-Life Series: The Emergence of Man and it was great stuff to read as a kid. We always had lots of science books, series, and magazines around the house growing up and I have no doubt it contributed to my love of science and reading growing up.

I still really struggle to conceptualize the conditions our forebearers lived under and how they socialized in light of our "high-tech" surroundings. It was tough, but they were smart and clever. While they developed stone tools and honed their technologies as they migrated out the day would come thousands of years later when we would have modern weapons and technology and walk on the moon. It makes my mind spin.

Then there is the series "Man vs. Wild" where a modern survivalist leads us into surviving the wilds without almost any technology at all. And the just wrapped up run of "Everest: Beyond the Limit" proving there are places that man can go on the face of the earth that even with the best of technology...probably shouldn't.

"I Shouldn't Be Alive" is another compelling series where common folk like us get dropped into unimaginably harsh survival conditions and existence is no longer certain.

BLDG BLOG posted a fascinating article about what the world would be like if pate tectonics stopped. Imagine what it would be like. Some scientists think it actually happened at one point in earth's past--and might happen again in another 350 million years.

Useful Resource Link Find

Leggman's Time-Life Library website. Details all of the series offered by Time-Life, now no longer in print. I saw quite a few familiar titles in there that we had.

--Claus

Two Tech Problems, simply solved.

Case One: The Mysterious Beeping Printer

So I get assigned at work to make a field-visit. The issue was one of our network laser printers was beeping periodically and no effort or troubleshooting by the other technicians could resolve the matter. I was the escalated response before making a call to our contract vendor ($$$).

I arrived on site and upon walking into the room did indeed hear a curious beeping. It repeated once every few minutes. I went through the laser printer's menu configuration. This model does have a speaker for error beeps, but we usually turn it off by a default setup. Everything looked good in the menu system settings and the LCD display on the front didn't show an error code.

It was printing fine otherwise, but had been beeping now for several days.

I checked for other sources--like the user's digital alarm clock, etc. in her area, but the printer was away from any other electronic devices--even cheap ones.

So I was just squatting down in front of it, trying to make up my mind on placing a service call to our vendor when it beeped again. Ahhh!

I reached up to the out-basket tray hung on the cubicle wall directly beside it and snatched up a bulky sealed manilla folder. Asking permission from the user to open it, I proceeded to dump a new pager out onto the user's desk--dramatically of course.

She just looked at me puzzled until the pager went off with the now-identified beep.

"OH!!! We were going to mail that out to the owner this week! Are they getting a page already?"

Case solved. State taxpayers money saved.

Word to the wise--turn off all pagers before putting them in a sealed envelope to mail.

Case Two: Simple Encrypted File Transmissions

The corporation where Lavie works is an international company. Often they must send some electronic documents out for translation.

Lavie realized that sending certain unencrypted documents outside of the corporate email network to their translator might be dangerous and suggested they consider looking at encrypted email solutions.

Well...turns out that was a brilliant suggestion that went no-where. Attempts by the managers to set up an encrypted emailing systems between in-house users and a third party on a different email server network were going to be a bit complicated...meanwhile the document attachments continued to fly unencrypted.

Lavie asked me for solution ideas.

I suggested she consider using a file encryption program that was shared by the third-party translator. She could drag and drop the document to encrypt it with a strong password. Then email the encrypted document in the clear to the other party. Then that person--knowing the same strong password could turn and decrypt it. Resending it back when done in the same way again.

Because the body of the email wouldn't include any confidential information, just the attachment needed to be encrypted.

I suggested they experiment with the following file encryption utilities (all freeware!):

Drag'n'Crypt ULTRA

omziff - secure encryption software

Batson Computer Services FreeCrypt

DS Software's dsCrypt

Blowfish Advanced CS - A long-time personal favorite utility of mine--also does free-space wipes and secure file deletions.

Related Utilities

TrueCrypt - creates a virtual encrypted disk within file and mounts as a real disk drive. Indispensable for USB drive users.

KeePass Password Safe - another program I don't leave home without!

Lavie will have to share the common password they use with her manager and IT staff to ensure things are on the "up and up" -- some corporations get nervous seeing encrypted files on their network -- but otherwise it is a simple and elegant solution to encrypted file sharing between parties on two different networks and avoids some of the configuration and setup issues of PGP Encryption solutions.

See you in the skies...

--Claus

The Performancing Buyout, a moment of silence, please...

This item really didn't make the headlines except for a few blogs but since it impacted me slightly I felt compelled to touch on it.

PayPerPost recently bought out parts of the blogging tools site Performancing.

For the unfamiliar, PayPerPost has caused a buzz in the blogosphere with their business model of paying bloggers to write and post about advertisers' products. That's fine and dandy enough for me--as long as the bloggers are up-front about this arrangement and aren't stealthily-made posts. One of the refreshing elements of being a blog-reader is finding more "raw" personal accounts and experiences. Otherwise, if I want a "review" I'll look to consumer-based site I trust. But that's just me.

I came across Performancing a long time ago (OK, just a year ago) when they were offering a Firefox extension for bloggers that could plug into many popular blogging sites. It worked great, could incorporate a spell-checker. and turned my blogging experience into a breeze, easily doubling my posting output.

Then they did one-better and began to offer their Metrics website statistical system for free. This was back when I couldn't get a Google Analytics account and the wait-list looked like it would never be opened to the public again.

I used it for a long time until my Google Analytics invite finally came (hurray!) and I switched. I never felt I was getting an accurate read on the page-view stats with Metrics, but it was better than most other free alternatives at the time and was helpful for a new blogger.

I would from time to time try other blogging tools, but only later would come Microsoft's blogging tool Windows Live Writer (Beta) that led me to finally abandon the Performancing extension for Firefox for good.

According to news reports (PayPerPost Acquires Parts of Performancing) it looks like they will only be picking up the parts related to the Metrics system as well as access to the registered users and the data they generate--not a bad pickup by PayPerPost.

Happily, they won't be collecting the Performancing blogging tool--now re-named and re-spun as ScribeFire.

Good luck guys...

--Claus

01/05/07--UPDATE: Never mind, the deal is off.

Quick links

Just a handful of interesting links I've collected but haven't had the time to expound on...

Comics and Digital Image Tutorials

Retro-look serial Web comic: Johnny Crossbones

How to "antique" images to look like ragged books: How I did it -- by Les McClaine

Photoshop tutorial on creating old color-halftone images: How to Color like a Little Old Lady

Tutorial on how to add a colored element to a black and white digital image: Mono, with a Dash of Colour - Photoshop CS2 Tutorial [Digital Photography School]

Antique Japanese Photos Database

Metadata Database of Old Japanese Photographs in Bakumatsu-Meiji Periods [Nagasaki University Library Collection] - I'm not sure where I picked this one up. But it contains a plethora of searchable "antique" images from Japan. It is an awesome resource for Japanese fans and artists.

Kimono Collections

Fall Hitoe Kimono--Kasuri and Fall Hitoe Kimono--Komon (via Japan Now & Then blog) - Lavie and Alvis have always wanted an authentic Japanese kimono. These are Fall designs, but are still very pretty. I've always admired the ability of the Japanese ladies to be able to wear these more traditional styles without batting an eye amongst the "modern" fashions on the street. One more cultural element of Japan I respect.

PS2 Game Guide Walkthrough's

GamePressure - The best site I have yet found on game guides including

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Game Guide
• LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

Manly Personal Care

How to get that perfect shave - (Today, Weekend Edition - MSNBC.com)

As a kid, I remember Mom had a tin of various art supplies, ink pen nibs, clay sculpting tools, etc. It had a plaid design. In it (for some unknown reason) was an old-time safety razor (minus the blades). Its existence always puzzled me as Dad was a "modern" blade user. Mechanically with the flip-up blade lids, it was fascinating as a young boy. I want to say it was her father's but I don't know for sure. I see they still carry safety razor blades in the stores, but I am unable to find a safety razor to use them locally. I have heard they work great (and with a quality blade--better than the multi-blade cartridges). I want to try one and see as my facial hair is very thick and though I like a clean-shaved face (so does Lavie and Alvis) I must shave every few days (Sonny Crockett a-la Miami Vice style) so my face doesn't look like hamburger meat. I've tried every other product and technique without success (even electric razors) but cannot safely shave daily. I guess I'll have to order one on-line.

ClassicShaving.com

e-Barbershop (men's refined shaving and grooming toiletries)

How to Be a Gentleman - Amazon.com - Every man should have this. My brother got me this for a gift one year in honor of Mom's aforementioned father. This is priceless book to me for lots of reasons. Grandpa was the consummate gentleman...you would have never known he was a commended old-school F.B.I. "G-man"...or then again, maybe that gave it away.

Ask Men.com: 25 Things Men Should Know How To Do - Not listed, but I would add - purge a pc of malware.

--Claus

Tortilla Soup, for families on the fly!

The most favorite menu item for Lavie and Alvis when we dine out at any of our local Mexican restaurants is the humble tortilla soup.

They both order it with more liquid than vegetables.

I've tried numerous pre-packaged tortilla soup mixes, but none deliver what we are used to in the restaurants...they are all too thick and "beany".

So a month ago, I chanced across PBS's America's Test Kitchen when they were preparing their own version of tortilla soup (recipe here if you don't want to register). As I watched them make it my brain was analyzing the ingredients and preparation method. The result was very close to what the girls like but seemed to take a great deal of work...and for this post-workday cooking dad, that was too much work. But....if I was clever and took some tips from Rachel Ray...maybe....

Thus was born Claus's 20-minute Tortilla Soup recipe which has become a staple in our home.

Ingredients:

1 10 oz. container of Kroger's fresh black-bean salsa. (in the produce section)

1 32 oz. carton of chicken broth. (I prefer to use organic for better flavor and quality)

16 oz. of water (more or less to taste)

1-2 packages of pre-packaged and pre-cooked diced chicken breasts.

1 16 oz. jar of chipotle red salsa (I use the Arriba brand).

bag of tortilla strips chips. (I find ours in the organic food section of the grocery store)

Preparation:

To a medium-sized stock pot, add the chicken broth. I then add about 1/2 a carton (16 oz.) of water to thin it out a bit. Add more or less water to your taste.

Next add the full container of black bean salsa. This works great as the base as it contains whole black beans, diced onions and tomatoes, a few diced jalapeno's, and whole corn. It is all pre-done for you and adds the perfect amount of vegetables.

Next add the chicken pieces. If your family likes meat, add two packages. I usually get the pre-cooked/packaged kind to save cooking time...but I have also made it with fresh chicken breasts I have diced up...just be sure to simmer long enough for the chicken to thoroughly cook. You may also have to skim some protein foam off the top if you use fresh uncooked chicken.

Now add about 8 oz. (half a jar) of the chipotle salsa. (More or less to your taste). The first time you make this you may want to add just 1/4 of a jar and work your way up.

Bring to a boil...then reduce to a simmer for about about 15 minutes (longer if you are using uncooked chicken!).

Serve with tortilla strip chips and Mexican or Spanish yellow rice on the side.

Diced avocados are great in it as well.

Easy and yummy!

Serves the three of us for about two days. Even better the next day.

I don't know if you will have as much luck finding these specific brands (like in Nicki's Kitchen currently holding court over in Japan), but you can probably find easy substitutes for everything. Just don't substitute away form the chipotle style salsa. Get another brand, but its the fire-roasted pepper flavor that gives the flavor body to the soup. Nothing less will do!

Cooking for Engineers

Although I chose not to join in the family occupation by becoming an engineer, my brother and dad are none-too-shabby cooks in their own rights, and it's fun to tease them as engineers.

So this site Cooking for Engineers has a ton of greatly logical recipes and tips that engineers would feel right at home with, and non-engineers can even enjoy.

And who could beat their recipe flowcharts? Priceless!

Spatulatta

Great videos from some of the most kawaii kids you will ever run into -- Spatulatta: Cooking 4 Kids -- and they earned a 2006 James Beard Foundation award to boot!

Have fun in the kitchen!

--Claus