Work that web.

Apple v Adobe.

Big moves have been made in the latest of a long-running tension between the two.

Isn’t it weird that the only 3rd party app that dominates the web is Flash? What if there were none, and the web was mostly open and standards based? I think that is a better web. Apple seems to have stated that Flash has no place on their popular non-laptop mobile devices.

Apple has a chance to redefine the web.

And not only the web. Apple boldly decided to cut out non-native app development on their mobile hardware, such as, specifically, development of apps using Adobe’s Flash. Unfortunately for Adobe sales of their almost-released, abusively overpriced software, apparently Flash app development for Apple mobile devices was a major former selling point.

People will buy it anyway, though, of course. Including myself.

I consider myself a Flash developer but I don’t care if Flash development dwindles. Open or native development is better practice. My fear is that Adobe’s other products that I use frequently may continue to see even less support on the Mac.

For a while Mac has played second fiddle to Windows in the Adobe software department. I had to wait and pay big money for Intel-native CS. I had to wait and pay big money for tabs in Dreamweaver. And for years, Flash performance on my machines was slower than on Windows. Maybe Steve is right again: Adobe has been lazy about supporting Apple.

Now it’s payback, and war. I hope they kiss and make up so my professional software doesn’t start to suck more. Or else maybe it’s past time for me to use different graphics software.

Apple has many competitors, and often the competitors have more features. So is this really a big threat to Adobe? Couldn’t they easily decide to cut off Apple development?

Adobe has many competitors, and often the competitors are more efficient. Apple could produce their own products to replace Adobe’s. That’s already been going on. Adobe’s stuff is just getting unnecessarily fat, and continuing to have a difficult price tag to justify given the lack of necessity for the new features.

Adobe’s influence is diminishing; Apple’s is increasing. This is a very interesting period for web development, app development and graphics software usage. We’ll see who deals the next blow. I’m sure it will affect me.

Redesigned iMacs due as soon as next week? | Electronista.

Yeah this is the sort of rumor that breaks the day after I buy an iMac.  And that’s exactly what happened.  Can I just enjoy one moment of feeling like what I have is “new”?  Goes with the territory I guess.  I’m going to stick with the fact that it is still amazing even if everyone else is looking forward.  And the tech world turns.

I think 10 seconds is too long to wait for a low traffic blog page to load. Don’t you?  Imagine if it was put under any stress.

Page load speed has to be a factor in visitor satisfaction. Nobody likes to wait.

Here’s how I made it at least twice as fast.

First, I converted the header of my theme from a bunch of PHP function calls into static HTML. View source, copy, paste, save.

Then I used Firebug to figure out how long it was taking for each HTTP request to happen.

Then I started turning plugins on and off until I found the right blend of utility and efficiency.  Decided there were a few I could live without.

Next step was installing WP Super Cache. That made the HTML kick out at least 5 times faster after the page got cached.

I am satisfied with the results. There is more I could do.  I could remove the ad.  I could remove PayPal.  I could try moving the scripts to the bottom of the page.  I could move all the images to Flickr.  Maybe next time.

What tricks are you aware of to speed up WordPress?

I just set up SnodCraft, a made-to-order hand-painted wood crafts company, with a blog and I’m excited to see them hit the ground running!  If you want to see some nicely-painted wood decorations, you’ve got to check them out.

I want to keep it up.  Admittedly I’ve faded.  The internet radio show is infrequent, even abandoned.  The blog posts never happen.  And I’m not okay with that. Read more

This is not an ad.  I’m not getting paid.

Bluehost.com – domain hosting – PHP Hosting

Why the switch? Speed. Previous host was unbearably slow, and shouldn’t even be in business any more with performance that bad.  They’ve been a major web provider since the 90′s, and I expected more. Even their own homepage is slow.  Pitiful.

Bluehost will be my 5th hosting service, and so far I am 100% impressed with no red flags.

Server performance is excellent.  After I signed up, a human from the US called me to verify that I signed up.  She asked questions, I said yes, yes, yes and thank you.  Nice.

Keep up the good work and I’ll refer the bajebus out of you.

I saved $2 a month by going here first, then clicking the Bluehost link.

This blog is hosted by wordpress.com.  I am using Bluehost for podturtle.com.

1. You Look Nice Today (comedy, long)
2. TWIT (tech news, long)
3. tech5 (tech news, short)
4. In No Particular Order (comedy, long) or The Bugle (comedy, long)
5. Front Page (headline news, short)

This list is very similar to June’s.

It’s not for a lack of exploring. I subscribed to Podcast Alley’s feed for new podcasts but none have made this list yet.

Some of the podcasts out there would be decent, except the recording quality is poor. I fear for my speakers being blown out by a cough or a hearty group laugh. All podcasters should be using Levelator if no other post-processing is available.

I keep trying to like top podcasts like Keith and the Girl, but alas, I’m exclusively “tech” and “comedy” fan. I did like their site, nevertheless. Funny video on the homepage. Disturbing pictures of tattoos. Told you – I tried.

iTunes has a Jonas Brothers podcast at the top. Who are they? Let me guess. What the kids are doing.

iTunes list has a couple other interesting ones. The Economist. NPR Talk of the Nation Podcast. I’ll try these and let you know.

• Adios Drupal
• New DavidVanVickle.com Design
• New jQuery Tutorials – Mouseovers and File Includes
• MobileMe
• Social Media Evolution
• Old iPhone with iPhone 2.0 Software
• New Native iPhone Facebook App
• Updated iPhone Google Reader
• GPS + Social Media?

Top Podcast Categories and Stats – Most common category is music.

Javascript Keyword or Tag List Delimiter Changer – Ever have a long list of tags or keywords for your story, and each social bookmarking site you submit to needs different delimiters for your tags or keywords? Here you go.

This month was a step away from Mac news (“Mac OS Ken“) and the happy wanderer (“Amtrekker“), and a step toward comedy. I’m still enjoying to the aforementioned, but, for the first time, I was able to skip a few days without feeling naked.

I’ve come to appreciate the comedic work of Merlin Mann and company in “You Look Nice Today”. Someone asked Merlin what podcasts he listens to. That’s how I found “The Bugle”, a new entry into my lineup. It is Merlin month.

The 5-minute news segments are still an easy and worthwhile listen.

TWIT is a mandatory listen for people wanting to know what is happening in tech. Each episode brings great insights.

1. Tech5 – Tech News
2. Front Page – News
3. You Look Nice Today – Comedy
4. TWIT – Tech News
5. The Bugle – Comedy