STRAVA: The Social Cycling Stats System
The wonderful thing about technology is that it’s always evolving. Things that were not possible or required massive, bulky gear a few years ago, can now be crammed into a tiny device weighing a few grams and not costing mega $$$! Most of this tech, especially in cycling, is developed for the professionals, but then trickles down to the enthusiasts like myself.
Not only are the materials (Carbon Fibre, Titanium, Composites, etc…) used to build bikes and components is evolving, but the technology used to drive and monitor the performance of rider and bike is also changing. Of these it’s the monitoring technologies that are becoming ever more affordable and sort after by the cycling geeks. GPS, heart rate monitoring, power meters; these are all within reach of your “weekend warrior”. Well OK, power meters are still quite pricey, but that may be changing soon…MetriGear?
Database replication ain’t as easy as it looks
In a recent meeting I came up with a brilliant (well it appeared as such at the time) solution to user database replication to easily create a copy of a database based system (SharePoint) at a remote location. Well it’s actually on a ship that has a 2 way satellite link. Available bandwidth is an issue, also we need to ensure the documents are available in the event of the loss of data communications. Sounds simple right? Just replicate the database, connect the system up and it’s all good.
Well, that’s what I thought too. What could possibly go wrong?
ShadowLANs has moved
Well, it’s taken quite sometime, but I have finally made use of some free web hosting I acquired many months ago. 250MB of storage space and 1GB of monthly downloads. Not really that much for a web site, but more than enough for this humble blog.
So who is now hosting ShadowLANs?
I’ve heard good things about these guys and given how smooth the transfer has occurred, I’m sure this is just the start of a fantastic relationship. As always, let me know if anything has broken…
Be careful which button you press…
Oh, just a little tip for the day. Before clicking buttons that could affect a large number of people you may or may not know; think twice, check your work, and if possible get someone else to press that button for you. At least that way you can blame someone else if the sh*t hits the fan…
Tweaking WordPress
So who would’ve thought you can’t just install some software and expect it to work from day one? Well it was working, but then something broke. I’m still trying to work out what, but I’ve been trying to tweak my little server to run a bit better. Before I started it couldn’t handle more than 3 requests/second. Hopeless really. Now I’ve managed to get this to nearly 25 requests/second. Not great, but certainly acceptable.
Anyway, I’ve found some great little guides to help tweak WordPress and my Apache system:
Hope this helps someone else out there…
Update #1: Well that didn’t work too well. Seems that when I publish a post, WordPress sends a message to “Ping-o-matic” wihich then tells a number of other system I submitted a post, so come index it. On a normal web host this wouldn’t be too much of an issue, but this SLAMS my poor little server had and forces it into page-swap hell! So, some more tweaking and I hope I can sort it out… Either that or only publish posts late at night when the server have get slamed without affecting anyone too much.
Update #2: Ok, that fixed it! To help improve performance for Apache and large volumes of traffic turn OFF KeepAlive!! Kudos goes to Patrick from MicroISV on a Shoestring:
Running Apache On A Memory-Constrained VPS
Dealing with Users
I work in IT and have done so for the past 15 years. Yet I’m still amazed by the absurdity of some of the questions I continually get asked. The worst part is that many of these questions come from people who should know better!
How is it that in today’s information age people still don’t have a clue how computers work?
Why is it that MIS support staff are expected to be mind readers an know exactly what is on your screen now and how to fix every problem a user encounters or creates for themselves?
Oh and why do many “highly educated” people still get confused about what a hard drive actually is? No it’s NOT the box that you monitor and keyboard plugs into, it’s a thingy (technical term [sic]) that sits inside that box! <sigh>
Anyone who’s actually worked in the “trenches” of the IT Support Desk know exactly what I’m talking about. Quite simply, its very easy to form the opinion that all users are idiots and should have all sharp objects reformed from their person and said person relocated to a nice quite padded room. Think I’m being too harsh? Try working on an IT Support Desk for a few months! If *YOU* manage to not got nuts and end up in the aforementioned padded room yourself, then you’re either not doing your job or taking too many do-I look-like-I give-a-sh!t? pills!
So to help out the poor buggers sitting on the IT Support Desk, read on and perhaps learn a little. If you already work there…well I share your pain.
Forums Online!
The Forums are ALIVE! Didn’t take as long as I expected. 
That said these forums are empty. Importing all the old forum posts is a HUGE task. I’ll work on this if there’s enough interest, but otherwise I think starting fresh is the way to go. 
Let me know what other topic areas we should create?
Head over now and become involved: Forums
More movement…
Well, I must admit, I’m looking forward to the prospect of building this little site/blog up again. It’s take a bit of a hit due to lack of interest by both myself and those who normally visit. Oh, and the recent server upgrade kinda killed the old site… So instead of trying to fix the old one, I’ve decided to make a fresh start.
In a way this fresh start is much like the rest of my life recently; I’ve made many changes to my life in the last few years (I’ll leave the details for future Posts) and this is one of the last items that was due for a makeover. 
So where are at with this transformation? Well things are coming along quite nicely:
- The Verified comments system using various Social Networks is working as I hoped.
- I’ve sorted out some issues with the iPhone theme (the caching system was kinda messing with things…)
- I’ve got a nice looking theme applied. Still need to work out a logo, but the theme looks nice and fresh.
- I’ve added a little About Blurb. Still need to flesh out the About page.
- Next up…Forums!
Hope you like the changes. For the 1 or 2 people that actually visit.
Progress. Slow but it is happening.
Right, so far I’ve installed the Social Networks plugin so that you people can just sign in to you favourite social network site to authenticate when leaving comments. Means I can see who’s-who, but also so you don’t have to jump through hoops to leave comments.
Next up is getting the Forum system online.
Then I’ll tackle the skin/theme issue…
Oh, and I’ve loaded an iPhone plugin so you can view this site in an optimised format when on the go.
Andy's Posterous
Cycling Tips
WordPress Planet
Crucial Paradigm
New Comments System
Well, the other authentication system for the comments was short lived. I’ve now changed over to Disqus as this cool system allows you to link your comments across Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc… Keep track of your conversations and share your posts.
Took about 15mins to switch over the system. Oh and I don’t force you register to post comments (you can hide behind the anonymity of the Internet). That said I think settings up a Disqus account is worthwhile as then you can see where you are comments, who replies, and can share your replies/comments with the world by linking your Disqus account to Facebook and Twitter.
Oh and the best bit is this site (ShadowLANs) does not store your passwords, emails, or other information. All comments are managed via the Disqus service. Means my little server and link consumes even less bandwidth.