Now that All Macros support stripHTML and clipLength attributes, Seth suggests an update to the way of generating "items" in the RSS file. I've updated http://duncan.smeed.org/rss/jotter.rss - documented at http://duncan.smeed.org/1521 - to use the new attributes in my macro call.

Thanks Seth!

via HtP - ZapMedia ::: Product - The ZapStation...

...allows you to enjoy your media assets through your TV and Stereo system while sitting on your sofa, instead of sitting in your desk chair in front of your PC. So whether you are using DVD, CD, Windows Media, or MP3 formats - whether you're watching TV, or listening to Internet radio - the ZapStation brings an unparalleled, in-control experience.

Aspects of the ZapStation are almost identical to a final year project I supervised last year. I'll have to let Jamie know!

Mark Pilgrim Investigates OPML and is not impressed:

So as far as I can tell, OPML is XML that isn't really XML, has (but doesn't use) a DTD that isn't really a DTD, and can only be properly defined as "whatever Userland's tools happen to accept at the moment".

Here ends my one and only foray into OPML.

I've just been watching the (rerun) coverage of the Scottish Women Curling Team winning the World Championships. See BBC SPORT | OTHER SPORTS | Scotland take world title for details.

I finally got round to scripting IE to use BBEdit as the 'source viewer'. I'm using a combination of a Studio Log: Script Snippet that takes the source of the front window in Internet Explorer and opens it in BBEdit and the latest version of DragThing to bind the AppleScript to a keystroke (F11). If I wasn't a registered user of DragThing I'd be tempted to use Key Xing to do much the same thing. Works like a charm.

Edd Dumbill - O'Reilly Network: iBooks Love Linux

This article tells the story of why I switched to Mac hardware, and how the installation process went. It includes some handy hints and tricks I picked up along the way and, finally, my verdict on the hardware.

This is a great article with lots of good info about installing Debian GNU/Linux. Well worth the read,

Edd's final verdict:

All in all, I'm exceedingly happy. The iBook feels, both inside and outside, as though it was designed to be a whole. It is a pleasure to work with: so much so, that I'm considering replacing the Windows PC on my home network with an iMac. Modem troubles aside, the iBook makes a fine platform for running Linux.

Responding to John Robb, Re: Email, IM, Weblogs

I believe greatly in the value of weblogs when they're done properly. Outlining is also something I believe in but it's application in collaboration requires some serious infrastructure which currently is not in place in Radio. Hopefully it will be some day. Until then, I see Instant Outlines as unorganized weblogs authored in an outliner.

Unsurprisingly, I agree with Jim. Conversant gets quite a few mentions by Jim so no surprise there either ;-) Jim is also looking for feedback. It's too late tonight so I'll sleep on my comments. All I'll say now is that my experience of Instant Outlining, as it's currently implemented in Radio, has left a lot of doubts about how worthwhile it is.

Another milestone - the previous message was the 2500th posted to Duncan's Jotter!

David Davies' Radio Weblog

Starting to explore some educational collaborations with Raymond Yee and David Carter-Tod. We have several things in common but one of the strongest right now is our use of Userland technology such as Manila and Radio.

Will you join us? We're looking for individuals working in further or higher education who are using these tools who'd like to join a team that will develop Manila in particular but also Radio into an engaging suite of learning tools. Please get in touch. We'll use either an existing forum to discuss these issues or create a new one.

I've just found out about this and have expressed my keen interest in being involved in this initiative. I have met David at a workshop in Newcastle. He's a really good bloke who's done some amazing things with Manila. I'm looking forward to the collaboration. Hopefully, I'll be able to apply some of the lessons learnt, and tools developed, to Conversant.