madteckhead’s blog

Fulled only by muesli and an apple and a poor nights sleep. I set out around a very chilly Tuebingen in search of the perfect job. I even parted with my beard in an attempt to appear more ‘respectable’. After a few hours it became apparent that a higher level of Germen language would be an extremely useful trait. I did try and sell my abilities as a native English speaker and various other traits, however my search so far has been unfruitful.

Having a couple of hours before my German lessons, I returned home to find an idea waiting for me. Why don’t you add a ‘Tip Jar’ to your blog? And so it was that several hours of (frustrating) work latter, I was the proud owner of yet a blog with little ‘Make a Donation’ buttons all over it.

I found this links useful in the process:

http://www.peeniewallie.com/2005/07/adding_a_paypal.html 

I’m using Wordpress blog software and was amazed at how no one actually said where to put the code snipit Paypay gives you. It would be nice to have a FAQ explaining this for noobs (new people). I’m not a graphic designer, but I have a fairly good understanding of the concepts and it still took me hours of fiddling to make annoying blips and blops vanish. I now am content with the feeling of  satisfaction that only comes from doing things the hard way.

Tracking URL’s in Paypal Tip Jar code snipit
During my many hours playing with the Paypal button code I noticed that it uses external links for two images. You would naturally expect one image, for the button, but the second is actually a 1 by 1 pixel that are commonly used for tracking hits to a page. Both images also used the secure http protocol, which as I understand it circumvents some client browser settings when set to not to load images from external sites.  This sort of information gathering tool collects mass amounts of data which, when cross analysised for trends gives Paypal a huge database of intelligence about shopper behavior online . This information we can only assume is used for … well whatever Paypal wants.

Having a streak of anti-establishment in me, I decided to remove the link to the 1 by 1 pixel image and see if the button would still work. No problems.

Then I decided to save the button image on my local server and change the button url to point to it. This means that on a normal page load no images or requests would be sent to Paypal. A request would only be sent if the button is actually clicked. This setup also has the added advantage of reducing page load time, as no external images are being fetched. Perfect.

Now, if there were just some way I could test the PayPal Tip Jar to see if it works without using my own account…

Now the laptop is up and going with a new screen; the next project is to install Linux as a secondary operating system. I have a few constraints here that make this situation unique:

1) My hard drive is full and therefore can’t be repartitioned; furthermore it seem like apple has limited the availablility of tools to enable dynamic repartitioning. Thus limiting the options available for transisitions to other operating systems.
2) I have no OS X reinstall CD with me. So even if I could part with all my data; erasing everything would not enable me to maintain a copy of OS X.

My options as far as I can see are to purchase and install a new, higher capacity hard drive. (Funding pending) I’m opting for a Seagate 2.5”, 7200RPM, 100-120Gig drive because they are reliable coming with a 5 year warranty to back them up. The last thing I want in the middle of a deadline, is a hard drive crash! I’ll also be purchasing a Firewire case for the current 60Gig drive; this should enable me to boot from the external drive if I run into problems and will double as a backup location after 100+ Gig drive is bootable.

I’ve found a guide for removing the hard drive here:
http://www.faqintosh.com/risorse/en/guides/hw/ibook/g4hd/

And some instructions for dual booting the iBook here:
http://www.intuitive.com/blog/ubuntu_linux_yellowdog_linux_and_mac_os_x_all_on_one_powerbook.html
and here:
http://www.philroche.net/archives/osx-and-ubuntu-dual-boot/

I’ll keep you posted of my progress… Note: I’ll have to find some cash for the hard drive first though.

Ellie has left me… at least until Friday. Her German course had organised a week long trip to house that has been donated to the University about 100km away. May not seem like anything interesting but this week long break is the first since … I can’t even remember! We have been side by side for 20,000 km and 3 months. Got to make you wonder; What will happen?

I still haven’t really developed any close friends of my own here yet. I’m sure it will happen but I have been finding myself thinking ‘how do you make friends again’. I went out with some Italian’s from class last night (and there friends) for hot chocolate – Wow, those Italian’s can they speak fast! They commenteds that coffee and hot chocolates are much better in Italy. I mentioned having the whole class over for dinner later in the week; they seemed enthousitic. From what I can gather there are thousands of students coming to Tubeingen for the first time this month to study. Most of them are probably first years students, but there has to be a sizable portion that are international students about our age.

Whopping photos collection: We might actually do something with them!
I’ve been thorough all the travel photos and come up with a short list that I will a) get printed and b) put on the online shop we are setting up. The plan is to find a printing technique that is sustainable and print the photos on various materials. Most likely canvas, and recycled paper, we might also make some post cards. While I haven’t done much market research yet, I am planing of selling slightly more expensive items; that are superior in quality. Would love to know any ideas you have. Comment here or email me.

I invite you to visit & rank our favourite photos at:

www.madteckhead.com/gallery/

Job hunting -> throw me a frikin bone!
I had a look through the jobs available in Tubingen today and the list doesn’t seem promising. Usually they require a reasonable level of German, and most jobs were not part time. This prompted me to search for online jobs; that is jobs that can be done over the internet, data entry, web design and the like. This also seems like a dead end; as the time taken to sift through all the scams has been equated to taking longer than finding a regular job. So tomorrow I’ll be having a shave, to get rid of that rough traveller look, and make my way for the local job agency. Fingers crossed. If friends and family in Australia have any work available; or can recommend myself for a job that is suitable given my circumstances it would be much appreciated. (I have a resume and references available on request.)

Here is my latest German homework describing my dream dwelling:
Meine Traumohnunm ist in die Blau Berge, in der Nähe of die Großstradt, Sydney, Australien. Meine Traumwohnung ist 120m2 groß und kostet AU$600 oder 350 Euro Miete (alles eingerechnet). Mein Traumhaus hat ein groß Balkonö Er ist in der Winter Sonne. Sie auch hat Sechs Zimmer; eine Küche; zwei Bedezimmer mit Toiletten; ein Amtsyimmer; ein groß Wohnzimmer offen mit Küche; und eine Wäscherei. Er auch hat ein Gemüsegarten. Natürlich der Traumhaus hat behaglich Möbel. Ein Badezimmer ist für meine Freundin und mich. Ein Badezimmer ist für Gäste.

Gute Nacht,

Nathan

p.s. It just started snowing!