CGIComments and DotComments

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I’m ba-ack! Miss me?

It’s been rather busy behind the scenes, as I snatch minutes away from work and play to tweak code and add stuff to the site. I’ve just finished a day-long struggle with two different comments scripts: CGIComments and DotComments. My original intention was to use CGIComments for my blog, but it showed a few unsavory kinks which slowed page loading. Finally I opted to give up on CGI and go for the PHP-based DotComments, which I found much easier to handle, and which many of my other blog-friends are already using. It is not without its own share of problems, however, but I got them fixed with a bit of experimentation. So, as you can see, my blog now has comments! Be sure to say Hi to the Sanrio duck.

A lot of code has been cleaned up, with CSS streamlined on older layouts and DOCTYPE declarations added to all pages. Gone is the CGI script which I was using to archive my blog; I opted for a simpler frame-based interface which views old blog entries as unformatted HTML: simpler, faster, more reliable. (I still haven’t gotten down, however, to adding an “ahem” with some protection code for non-compliant browsers.)

New improved links page, and the guestbook has been tweaked and refreshed. As for my portfolio, it’s blank for now, while I design a new one in Flash. Give me a month or two for that, while I consolidate all the pertinent graphic design work.

(Sorry if I’m a bit incoherent in my writing. It’s 3 in the morning, and I haven’t slept.)

Well, it’s good to be back on-line. And just in time, too. It looks like the war has begun.

Lorem Ipsum

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Read about the strange, arcane origins of Lorem Ipsum, the standard pseudo-Latin dummy text we graphic designers use to greek our layouts. Then, get it from here.

Tired, Sleepy, Allergic

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You know what? I’m tired and sleepy and more than a little bit allergic today, and I have lots of work to do over the weekend. I’m going to take a break. See you in a few days. :P

Kirk and Crusher

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It seems there’s some trouble in the future. Captain Kirk and Acting Ensign Crusher aren’t getting along too well. Tee hee! Okay, okay, I’ll stop. I know Uncle Wil isn’t too titillated by continued references to his brief tenure as a Next-Gen-Boy-Genius. Just click here for an entertaining first-hand account of a Vegas Trek Convention, from the lips of old Wesley himself. (Some profanity.)

Christian Blogger Links

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My latest spate of links reminded me that I have been remiss in linking to the blogs of fellow Christians to whom I have been meaning to link for many weeks now, which task I have been putting off for some distraction or another. The omission has been rectified, with the addition of presbytermark, barlowfarms, chinaman’s hat, an expected end, and simply us to my link list. Check them out; there’s some excellent theological discourse going on there, right alongside some engaging personal journaling. I swear, these people will make a Calvinist of me yet if I’m not careful. ;)

An Afghan-American Speaks

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An Afghan-American speaks, showing us the real situation of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan: “starved, exhausted, damaged, and incapacitated.”

New bombs would only stir the rubble of earlier bombs. Would they at least get the Taliban? Not likely. In today’s Afghanistan, only the Taliban eat, only they have the means to move around. They’d slip away and hide. Maybe the bombs would get some of those disabled orphans; they don’t move too fast, they don’t even have wheelchairs. But flying over Kabul and dropping bombs wouldn’t really be a strike against the criminals who did this horrific thing. Actually it would only be making common cause with the Taliban — by raping once again the people they’ve been raping all this time.

How can America serve justice and yet avoid playing into a West-versus-Islam world war scenario, I wonder? Is it possible to commence a “liberation” of Afghanistan, invading without killing, and neutralizing the Taliban without destroying the people they oppress?

(And why do GWBush’s hand gestures look so forced? Maybe he should keep his arms at his sides.)

WTC in Flight Simulator

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Microsoft is removing the Twin Towers from future (and present?) versions of Flight Simulator. I myself haven’t played Flight Simulator since the late 80’s (version 1.0, on our 8088 PC-XT), and I readily admit that back then, I crashed planes of all sorts (from a single-engine Cessna to an F-18 Hornet) into Sears Tower, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and yes, the World Trade Center (often in attempts to fly between them).

I promise: I won’t do it again.

God and 9-11

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Is World War III just around the corner? It’s hard to tell right now, but the fact that all born-again Christians haven’t disappeared from the face of the earth yet can mean only one of two things: (1) this isn’t it just yet, or (2) the “Left Behind” Rapture pretribulationists are wrong. (So go hoot in triumph, you Reformed amillenialists! :) In any case, regardless of whether Rapture theology is scripturally sound or not, it is important to remember: our place will always be to stand firm and hold fast to our faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

If there is no God, why does it matter?

It’s hard to understand, isn’t it, Sharon? How could a good Lord let such a tragic disaster happen? Why would a loving God allow so many innocent people to die so horribly? Such questions arise from even the most devoted believer’s heart in the face of these catastrophes, and I cannot reconcile myself to Falwell’s and Robertson’s unconscionable stand that this is simply divine punishment for the decadence and immorality of modern American culture. Neither I nor any Christian can pretend to have airtight answers to explain the amount of suffering and death that God permits. Undoubtedly that Bible verse I’ve posted in my blog menu may ring hollow in the minds and hearts of those who have lost someone dear in the terrorist attacks.

And yet, I refuse to see God and his love as a mere placebo for “dumb sheep Christians,” as others have called us. I will continue to have faith that he is working towards a wonderful, glorious end for the good of those who love him; not because the statement gives me comfort, and not because I cannot come to terms with the pain and strife of this fallen world; but because it is what our Lord has promised through his Son, Jesus Christ. His words are set in the trustworthy text of Scripture, and his guarantee dwells within us as his Sprit. I will hold to the trust that our Utimate Author is too good to be unkind, and too wise to be mistaken, and what he has promised, he will do.

Many call me an irrational fool for continuing to believe in His promise. So be it, but I will still hold to that faith, because I am confident that even our Lord’s foolishness is still greater than the greatest wisdom of mere men. And as the clouds of a possible World War gather on the horizon, I pray that his grace be with us all. We will need it more than anything else.

Planet of the …

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I had a lot of fun working on the latest layout last Monday, but the horror of the next day delayed uploading for the rest of the week. Take a look now, and I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I enjoyed making it. And get your hands off me, you… ah, forget it.