Display XML code on a webpage

Submitted by Paterico on Sun, 06/13/2010 - 19:20

There are times when you might need to display some XML code on a web page; you may be helping out on a forum or putting helpful bits on your blog. If you add some XML code to HTML, it will not be rendered by the browser and simply vanish. Here's what would happen:

<?xml version="1.0">
<data>
<log>One</log
<entry>4.4444</entry>
<status>green</status>
</data>

Would render like this in any browser:

<?xml version="1.0">

One4.4444
green

Email address obfuscator

Submitted by Paterico on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 14:22

This is a topic often ignored by most web designers and one that carries quite undesirable consequences. An email address on display to the world invites legitimate email as well as a whole truckload of spam - a never-ending torrent of junk emails.

Using a nice PHP function created by Ken Butcher, any mailto: link will be hidden from spambot crawlers but displayed to your human readers. nothing is foolproof, but this will stop some spam as it makes harvesting your email address just that bit harder...

The code is:

<?php
function createMailto($strEmail){
$strNewAddress = '';

Configuring cron jobs on Windows 7

Submitted by Paterico on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 18:13

This is much easier than you may think and is especially helpful to anyone hosting a Drupal site on a Windows 7 machine. It can also be useful if you want to have your local computer initiate a cron run remotely if you're using a shared hosting package.

In order to setup a Windows 7 machine to run cron.php (or any web page you may require) at a specific time, follow the simple instructions below.

Creating a Scheduled Task

Blocktheme Drupal issues

Submitted by Paterico on Tue, 10/13/2009 - 22:02

Getting this to work properly can sometimes be a little frustrating due to the paradoxically simple yet confusing instructions provided.

Here's how to do it properly once the module is enabled:

1. Design your block template and save it as blocktheme-mytemplate.tpl.php in the theme's folder.

2. Go to the blocktheme options and enter the name of the themed block in the following format:
mytemplate|My great template

3. Go to the block you have styled for and select the appropriate option in the blocktheme settings.

Easy as that!

Site as good as complete!

Submitted by Paterico on Thu, 09/10/2009 - 21:10

Well, Paterico v2 has taken a while between projects but, in terms of copy at least, it's as good as complete. I still need to add graphics to spruce up the copy and bring things to life, but the 'improve your website' service on offer is pretty loud and clear.

Thing will continue to improve constantly. Like every website should!