Hello 'tinternet!
» 24/01/2006, 19:28:09 / / / Subscribe
Well after my previous entry about the Arctic Monkeys they went straight in at number one in the UK Charts heh. Now perhaps the record industry will accept that free music online doesn't affect the sales of records. The Arctic Monkeys literally gave all there tracks away on the net for FREE well before they even got a record deal and both tracks they have released so far have gone straight in at number one. Also they had already SOLD OUT on there tour before they released anything in the charts and why? Well because people had ALREADY heard them on the web. I'm not sure if the people at record empires realise it yet but, hello? The web and music sharing is about the cheapest way to market a band EVER. The Arctic Monkeys again just proved that beyond a doubt.
Bad Hair
As you can see by the below picture, I require a hair cut. I'm just not used to that sort of thing having had either dreads or a shaved head for all of my adult life; bah!
Geek Stuff
I've been sorting through a lot of my source code recently and I think I might start to give some of it away. Just simple things that I have found never-ending value from because, well, they just make life that much easier when you're trying to develop a web based application, site or function. A lot of folks don't use classes when they write PHP because it is quite high level stuff and not for the faint of heart when it comes to keeping a grip on a 150,000 line project with 30 classes, 10 extended ones and a nice chunk of Mysql using objects thrown in to really liven things up. The problem is that you tend to write functions which is a great way to code but most of the time very few of those functions will ever make it out of the project you are writing them for because they just don't suit anything else; including database connection handling and query building. If you get in to the habbit, or already are in the habbit of writing functions that deal with this sort of thing a top tip from me is to create a class out of it. Given the fact that there is really only one proper way to connection from to a database it makes sense that if you do multiple projects at any one time that you'll reuse the code so why not make it in to a nifty class and just drop it in where you need it. People have been enjoying OOP (object orientated programming) for quite some time and I often see lots of the scripts on the net with the same function calls repeated a billion times when you could just be using something like....
$this->connection
instead of...
mysql_connect($host, $user, $pass);
Makes for much easier to manage code and also splits things up nicely so that you don't feel lost. The amount of lazy programmers that I come across that open essentially dozens of connections and don't test to see if one is already open is astounding, no really. So anyway, over the coming week when I am taking a 10 minute break from doing freelance work I am going to get some of this stuff together and write a small tutorial on the basics of classes. Hopefully it will be of some use to someone? In the meantime go and read about it at www.php.net/class.
People:
Mal! - Kev! - Bumble! - Neil!
Technorati: arcticmonkeys php mysql geek
Comments:#1. mal
25/01/2006, 01:35:33
25/01/2006, 01:35:33
Woa! You had dreads... that is so hot! (sorry bumble)
I've always wanted dreads - but I think that looks a bit odd on a chinese girl....
Oh well, can always dream. 
#2. skeddy
25/01/2006, 08:53:44
Get a hair cut hippie ! 
The Artic Monkeys way of thinking isn't all that new, but it does go to show that it can work. I hope *plug* Mr Smith can enjoy the same success later on this year too.
It's a damn good Album by the Artic Monkeys - had not head of them until you pluged them, thanks !
#3. tek
25/01/2006, 10:09:51
Mal, why yes I did! I had them for a long time (down to my ass). I shaved them off when I went to Goa and although it was a "new skin" thing I fully regretted it about 30 secs after I had shaved them. However since coming out of the "oh shit my dreads, they're gone" mental ward I just have kept it short out of ease. I want my dreads back but you have to go through the OMG wtf is that wig stage which is where I am, which is what I really hate.
I think you should just have dreads and be the Chinese trend setter! 
Skeddy, "Get a hair cut hippie" I used to love to hear that phrase along with hedge monkey, tramp, tree hugger all the time and I used to laugh my ass off because the watch I wear is probably more expensive than the nylon shell-suit, burberry cap, Nike™ trainners and wannabe-G gold chain they were more than likely wearing at the time. However you're right, it does need cutting! 
Nah its not new but the way in which they went about doing it was refreshing to say the least! I'm sure Mr Smith will get to where they want to be, I like some of there stuff!
Glad you like the album. Mardy Bum will probably be the next single since it is already getting Radio play! 
You can download a LOT of there live stuff here 
#4. skeddy
01/02/2006, 23:12:57
What do you prefer from a band ? A recorded version of their track, or a live version ? I'm a 50/50 guy it has to be said. If you looked at Mr Smith, 10 Feet Under is better live than recorded. However, Linkin Park - Recorded tracks are much better. I've not had the chance to listen to the live tracks from Arctic Monkeys yet.
And can I just also add - Robbie Williams - Live. Every time.
*dies of embarrasment*
#5. tek
02/02/2006, 09:30:26
Both to be honest. Love to see live bands but I appreciate that much more can be done in a studio!
*ignores the robbie comment*
#6. bumble
05/02/2006, 20:23:35
at Mal sites looking great btw!
tek
#7. skeddy
07/02/2006, 08:48:57
Just looking at some of the BT names people have on their devices. Strange, strange people !
Shame you can't overwrite their name when you jack them.
Mind you, it's more than likey in the works. Imagine that - going into work the next day after taking the company laptop to the pub and getting jacked. Log into your local network as [something obscene but funny]
#8. tek
09/02/2006, 08:37:58
Indeed they are. When I was out last weekend I was getting lists of over 100 names (was out in busy pubs/bars/clubs) and some of those were hilarious!
No BT doesn't allow that and never will but what some undisclosed mobiles can let you do is whats called a bombjack where you set a calendar date and BT that to them, the handset simply accepts it and the owner is not even aware! You can imagine the amusement of that at 4am on Sunday! 
#9. skeddy
14/02/2006, 19:55:45
London to LA train - 15 people bluejacked with my web address. MobiLuck pwns.
