vapourtrails.ca

One of the first plugins I wanted to write for WordPress was a decent spam filter. At the time (late 2004) there were several plugins already out there, but they were all rules-based and I wanted something more adaptive. So I wrote a few simpler plugins for practice and soon abandoned the idea, since I really didn’t get much spam — or even many comments for that matter.

After a seven month absence, I came back here to find over 4000 comments in moderation, most of it spam. It took a week to sort through and clean that mess up, all to preserve the 5% of legitimate comments buried in there. Then after a 2 week vacation, I was stunned to see my empty moderation queue back up to 2700 comments. No rest for the wicked, I guess. (more...)

Has it really been that long? Work has been keeping me very busy, and most of my remaining time has been taken up by various pursuits such as randonneuring (more on that later). But after spending the last week or so cleaning up the 4000+ comments held in moderation here (95% spam), it’s finally time to write a bit.

I’ll start with answering a few questions Erik Pöhler sent my way in the form of a “Stöckchen”: (more...)

Despite all appearances, I am still alive. The last four months have been very busy and I’ve been on the road about 50% of the time. So now I’m taking advantage of the holidays to relax a bit.

I have many stories to tell and many pictures to show. I also have a lot to catch up on. But for now you’ll have to settle for this set from Ruckle Point on Vancouver Island.

Jerome’s Keywords Update:

Thanks to everyone who has sent in bug reports and patches related to WordPress 2.0. I should be able to produce a 2.0-compatible plugin soon.

So much for attempting a triathlon this season — I’m suffering from a neck injury that should keep me from training for some time. That bus driver was right to worry about me. The diagnosis: either torn connective tissue or a damaged facet joint in my neck. Thankfully, it’s much better since the weekend when I could hardly move my head at all. Painkillers and ice have helped immensely.

I think it happened early last week while helping Agnes practice for her lifeguarding certification. She didn’t escape unscathed either and is sporting one — possibly two — broken toes. So we’re in pretty sorry shape for hiking the Chilkoot in two weeks.

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Agnes ran across this on SFGate.com today:

A man cooking in his kitchen was shot after one of his cats knocked his 9mm handgun onto the floor, discharging the weapon, Michigan State Police said.

The article dates all the way back from March but it’s message is still relevant. That cuddly furbull curled up next to you may be a ticking timebomb waiting to go off. So if you leave your loaded handgun lying around the house, make sure you switch on the safety.

And always remember: “Guns don’t kill people, cats kill people.” You have been warned.