As it was my turn to make a round of tea, a colleague decided to make a use case for the process to make sure all went smoothly. I attach it below so that others can use it and to avoid mistakes.

1. User collects cups (or other drinking receptacles)
2. User places cups* in makeshift tray
3. User descends to kitchen carrying tray of cups
4. User enters kitchen
5. Check kettle for water
   • If no water, fill with adequate amount for available cups
   • If sufficient water present, go to step 6
6. Start boiling the kettle
7. Rinse (wash) cups
8. Prepare tea/coffee for each cup as required
   • 1 tea bag per cup, or
   • 1-2 teaspoons of coffee
9. Add boiling water
10. Add sugar (if required)
11. Add milk
12. Place cups back in tray
13. Return to 4th floor with tray
14. Distribute drinks

Success: All users receive correct drink

Failure: Every other result

*’cups’ refers to all drinks receptacles currently in use

A very useful document, I think you’ll agree.

Following on from the release of version 6 of the MTV API, the (i want my) MTV CFC wrapper has been updated to include three new methods:

• genreAlias
• genreArtist
• genreVideos

Below you can see an example of a return Struct with data from a method call:

And the same data being returned from the method as a query:

The changes now allow you to search and browse information relating to specific genres. More updated information also includes published dates of the videos (where available)

You can download the revised CFC at the riaforge project page: http://iwantmymtv.riaforge.org

Freshly pushed kicking and screaming into the big wide open, the MTV Networks CFC is now available for download from the project page over at RIA Forge: http://iwantmymtv.riaforge.org/

The basic demo page can still be viewed here: http://www.mattgifford.co.uk/projects/MTVN/

If you use it, let me know. It would be great to see what people come up with.

I’ve been keeping myself busy the last few nights having fun creating a ColdFusion CFC wrapper for use with the MTV Networks API.

My main aim was to create a CFC that would bring back as much combined detail for the user as possible, all contained within a structure and arrays within. I am really happy with the results so far, and look forward to working on it to tidy it up, add more features, and release it to the big wide open(source).

A sample of the project CF in action can be found on the project page: http://mattgifford.co.uk/projects/MTVN/.

I can see so many possibilities for this API, and although the wealth of content may not be as great as perhaps perceptions of MTV would have you think, there’s still plenty out there to be useful in creating something fun.

Stay tuned for the release date of the CFC.

Adobe have announced the release of the new suite of design packages, CS4.

I’ve had the opportunity to play around with Fireworks CS4 last week, and love the built in CSS creation when exporting a layout into HTML. Looking at the new features in Dreamweaver CS4, the package will continue to make the life of developers everywhere that little bit easier, with the addition of things like live view editing and deeper integration with Photoshop and the rest of the suite packages.

Flash 10 has also been released today, so update your player to the new version.

Right, I’m off to save up a few hundred pounds to actually buy the damn package…

I am very proud and excited to introduce my first jQuery plugin: GallerificPlus

GallerificPlus is a dynamic photo gallery with built in Lightbox functionality, and originates from the fantastic Gallerific and the jQuery Lightbox plugins.  I welcome any feedback or comments on how to improve this plugin, and a massive thank you to Trent Foley and Leandro Vieira Pinho for their original plugins.

10/13/2008 Update: Released v 0.2

• Added keyboard functions for image scrolling within lightbox overlay

10/09/2008 v 0.1

• Initial working development release, combining the two plugins

I need more coffee.. or a beer.. or both

Today I fell for a really stupid problem, which just goes to show how easy it is to not spot the simple issues.

I’m currently working on a FLEX AIR application alongside two other developers. After importing the project files from CVS and into Flex Builder, the AIR application would not run, and I could not run the debugger either.

The solution, it turns out, was really simple. I was still running Flex Builder 3, and my colleagues were running 3.0.1. The difference between the two was the namespace used in the application descriptor xml file. Version 3.0.1 uses http://ns.adobe.com/air/application/1.1, whereas version 3 uses http://ns.adobe.com/air/application/1.0. A small technicality, but it had us stumped for the morning.

Simply changing the namespace meant that the AIR app would run from within Flex builder. Rest assured, I am now updating to version 3.0.1. Now, where’s that coffee jar…

I’ve been slow getting around to this, but I’ve been having a look at the Papervision 3D library, and how to incorporate it into Flex. Here’s my first sample..

It’s been interesting to learn how to create the wireframes and 3D objects. I’m looking forward to learning more about it and seeing what I can come up with.

I have been getting back into my reading with a new found enjoyment, all thanks to CC, who has been amazing at suggesting some books that I would never normally have read (Empress Orchid, anything by Mitch Albom, and Alan Bennett in particular)

Below are a few of the books I have finished recently. This week alone witnessed the page-turning end of “Friends Like These” (fantastically funny), “The Uncommon Reader” (my first Bennett book), and “Tuesday’s With Morrie”. I would highly recommend these to anyone.

It has begun.

I’ve written a list. A list of things I would like to achieve before I turn 30, and I have started to work on some of the items on the list. The most obvious one, which kind of has an impact on everything else on the list, is to stop smoking.

Financially, quitting would mean that there would be approx an extra £150+ per month spending money. That’s £150+ that could be used towards travel, equipment, bills, paying off debts, savings, car… anything else other than cigarettes.

In regards to my health, it’s the most obvious step forward. Cut out the one thing that is 100% killing me. It’s stupid. I’m not preaching, I’ve smoked on and off for over 10 years now (more on than off, sadly), but why..

WHY do something that you know kills you..?

I had quite before, and for almost three years I felt the healthiest I ever had in my life. I was going to the gym three+ times a week, circuit training, running 15km a week, yoga, body combat classes, swimming. I know the benefits of stopping, but equally I know how difficult it is to stop.

After a rocky weekend of on-off smoking, yesterday I took the plunge, and am focusing on quitting 100%. No half-deals, no “rewards” of a smoke at the end of the day. Full-on quitting. It’s one step closer to the aim of improving life, and the well-being of not only me but others around me.

Bring it on. I’m ready.