Embiggen.

Thursday 08 May, 2008

Ever have the feeling that something isn’t quite right. Like when Uncle Jim invites you to sit on his lap as he has a “surprise” for you?

You know innately that there is just something wrong with that picture.

In that “hold the phone” vein, here are two closely cropped example images taken from this website, a few moments apart.

fig.1 — before.

fig.2 — after.

The same site, two different text sizes. The image in fig.1 represents what IE6, IE7, FF2 and Safari 3 (tested so far) all decide is “the” size, in this case paragraph text is set to 62.5% to make EM calculations far less taxing.

It’s not just here either, in spite of my sometimes suspect code¹. Half of the Internet appears to have been up-sized. And the aberration appears to be strongest, if not a little random in EM based designs — which as any good designer will tell you is “the” sizing methodology to use for bullet-proof layouts.

So here we have yet another divergence in web “standards”. Only it doesn’t always strike. Not exactly the easiest issue to resolve.

Right now Firefox 3 users must feel like they’re viewing the internet through the bottom of a beer glass. Depending on CSS markup used, it may be larger than life. Not that that is a bad thing, given page zooming finally works. It’s just yet another different thing that has to be considered.

So, hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen. Firefox 3 is set to up the bling and bring us a fresher, bigger Internet — but perhaps just like Uncle Jim, not quite the way we might have expected.

¹ The Lab actually validates, a rare occurrence in these parts.

Feed-a-mator.

Monday 05 May, 2008

One of the less-than-strong selling points for Textpattern is syndication control, or rather, the distinct lack there of.

It appears to be a failing across a great many CMS platforms, in that syndication always plays second fiddle to content management. Granted, I use syndication as a means to prioritise which sites I visit, but that can be problematic if I can’t quickly discern which is worth a quick skim and that which deserves additional reading time.

Do not get me started on the sites that belch content into single paragraph mush via syndication, with nary a thought as to how their readers are supposed to, well, read it. You will neither be the first thing I read each day, or the first place I visit. Continue down that path and I may simply stop visiting entirely.

Being able to present content in a number of useful ways improves the odds of your voice being heard and successfully carrying your message. Which translates to increased visitation. Not an easy task when the default TXP syndication options leave one with little to work with.

However, with some patience and a quick header fix, it’s quite possible to tame the TXP syndication beast. After the application of spanners and hammers to the issue at hand, the following feed options are now presented for your enjoyment.

• The undiluted flavour complete with kitchen-sink feed has had a slight makeover, improving link list handling.

• An all new links feed provides the freshest serve² of light-weight shorts.

Where a link list item occurs, the title directs you to the content referenced. If it was worth quoting, it is worth reading directly. A footnote link back to The Lab is provided for completeness.

If you have subscribed previously, your feed should sport the new features on next update. The changes should be comfortably transparent.

Should something break with either the existing feed, or new feeds, please let me know. I value your time and your feedback.

¹ I tend to visit sites to read content, rather than purely via XML feeds.

² All New! With 70% less fat!

Apocalypso. ∗

Sunday 27 April, 2008

In world full of recycled-candy-pop and generic-blend-techno it is often a complex task to find something different. Granted, whilst my good friend Bill Israel of Tunage has been a beacon of rainbow-coloured light¹ in a beige and grey world, there are rare moments when this author manages to find something unique.

There are a growing number of Australian groups that have captured the imaginations of jaded dance music lovers everywhere with freshly squeezed beats.The Presets definitely belong squarely in that category and their latest release Apocalypso is no exception.

Eleven Magazine have this to say:

“Back with a wicked mix of deranged dirty pop and cool melodies, Apocalypso shines the spotlight on why the Presets are in a class of their own.”

FHM (Australia) heap on the praise:

“Bangin’ choons from Aussie beat makers that will have people going ape-shit at your next house party. A combo of ’80s electro and ’90s techno, this is great if you’re up for a bit of shape throwing – but not so great if you want a cup of tea and a nice lie down.”

With edgy-yet-crystal-clear vocals, thick beats and New Order like influences this album will not disappoint with track-after-track of electro-funk goodness. This is an extremely well-executed album with an almost dirty and raw cut. Track-after-track delivering a broad, rich and crisp soundscape and with such clarity of vocals few demands are ever placed on the listener.

About now one might ask, “where is your rating?” I don’t have one. This is a lab, not Rolling Stone. Music is an entirely subjective and intimately personal experience and rather than give a rating, I will simply point you in the direction of the album and strongly recommend you have a listen.

¹ Tuneage is a must for the music lover and audiofreak alike.