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Topics - Ploppy

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16
Tests / BBCode Test
« on: August 15, 2009, 02:57:38 PM »
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17
Forum and Website discussion / Plakias Forum
« on: June 26, 2009, 01:54:27 PM »
Invision have released version 3.0, a brand spanking new upgrade to the forum software.

I'm tempted to upgrade us over the weekend but thought i'd get your reaction.
It is a no cost option whilst we ponder the long term future, i.e possibly moving away from the Invision hosted package and hosting ourselves with other forum software (or even stick with IPB software)

The big downside is that we lose the modifications that we have, i.e Articles, Arcade etc.
Plus it maybe difficult to add them back in as the new forum will be encoded (though the new system uses a new built-in plugin system so we may be ok) and the mods wont exist for a while.

However we will have the new functionality plus of course PM (Personal Messaging) will be back online.


Over the weekend I will probably install SMF on my personal website to give it a trial, i'll give you the details so that you can check it out if you want. (SMF has both an Article system and Arcade mods)

Any thoughts/ideas?

18
Gossip / HDR Photos
« on: March 08, 2009, 02:26:20 PM »
Here is a high dynamic range photo (one under-exposed, one over-exposed and one normal photo merged)



And here is one taken in Lagos


19
Gossip / Time Lapse Videos
« on: March 07, 2009, 08:07:06 PM »
I did a few time lapse photos last year. Can't remember the exact settings but its generally a shot every 10 seconds that are then stitched together into a movie.

Here is the first looking towards the far end

[object width=\"425\" height=\"350\"][param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/4ivlCVFeh6w\"][/param][param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\"][/param][embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/4ivlCVFeh6w\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" wmode=\"transparent\" width=\"425\" height=\"350\"][/embed][/object]

This time out towards the sleeping dragon

[object width=\"425\" height=\"350\"][param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/jJMm5uSpAlw\"][/param][param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\"][/param][embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/jJMm5uSpAlw\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" wmode=\"transparent\" width=\"425\" height=\"350\"][/embed][/object]

Straight out from our Livicon balcony

[object width=\"425\" height=\"350\"][param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Sn62PgT2ndY\"][/param][param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\"][/param][embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Sn62PgT2ndY\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" wmode=\"transparent\" width=\"425\" height=\"350\"][/embed][/object]

Short one

[object width=\"425\" height=\"350\"][param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/jYhDB86aRlE\"][/param][param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\"][/param][embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/jYhDB86aRlE\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" wmode=\"transparent\" width=\"425\" height=\"350\"][/embed][/object]

Even shorter one. Lunch at Kastro, had to rescue camera as it started to rain

[object width=\"425\" height=\"350\"][param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Ciig0vvQ0vw\"][/param][param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\"][/param][embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Ciig0vvQ0vw\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" wmode=\"transparent\" width=\"425\" height=\"350\"][/embed][/object]

20
Gossip / Photos Added
« on: March 07, 2009, 05:08:47 PM »
I've update my online photos and put in some ones from our 2007 and 2008 visit. The 2008 ones are particularly sunset heavy with pics like this:



I've also added some in from last years visit to Lagos and also some wedding snaps.

You can see them all at Ploppy Pics

21
Forum and Website discussion / Latest Forum News
« on: October 01, 2008, 09:50:27 PM »
Well as most of you know the front page was hacked whilst I was in Plakias  

It was the index.html file that was affected. There was me desperately trying to find my backup which is on an external hard-drive I have misplaced  

Then I thought of just editing the file to create a redirect to the index.php file which is ok.
Then I realised that there isn't a index.html file by default anyway  , so it is deleted and all should now be okay for all those who come in by the www.forums.plakias.co.uk URL.

Thats the good news.

The bad news is that we maybe seeing some spam, i've just deleted some.

It is a new exploit that Invision has fixed today. I have applied the patch but I don't seem to be seeing much improvement.

I'll try and keep on top of deleting the spam and the new spam creating members (it is all automatic from the spammer side)

Cheers,

Paul

P.S If you are interested here is the info from Invision:



    We have released an update to IP.Board 2.3.x to  improve the Captcha spam prevention system. IPS has received reports of boards  receiving registrations by "spam bots" which register and post a high  number of spam posts in the forums. These bots are automated scripts which,  depending on your registration setup, can bypass the current Captcha system  included in IP.Board 2.3.x series.
 
  While annoying and troublesome, this does not present a security threat to the  safety of your board's database, member information, or passwords.
 
  Important: You must have the Advanced Captcha enabled in your Admin CP  under Tools and Settings -> Security and Privacy for the system to work.
 
 
  What is Captcha?
 
  The Captcha system is the method by which the software attempts to ensure that  the request to register an account is being submitted by a human and not a  software program. Many web sites and software programs present the user with  random characters on a unique background which can be read, and typed, by a  human but not a software program or script.
 

22
Gossip / Goodies for sale
« on: August 28, 2008, 02:42:38 PM »
I'll think of some tenuous Plakias link... honest!

Anyway, before this goes off to eBay. Anyone interested?

Digital Camera

Casio EX-Z850. 8.1M Pixel
Comes with a 2GB SD card and a mini tripod.

Review here: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/ex-z850.html

Great condition and a great little camera with loads of features.  
Looking for £70 ono.

PC Graphics Card(s)

Gainward Bliss 8800 GTS 512MB. Brand new though did try it for 1 hour. Boxed with all accessories and CDs etc. Comes with Tomb Raider Anniversary game. I have one and it is cracking, playing Crysis at 1920x1200.   £100 (or £175 for two, the other being my current one in my PC)

23
Announcements / German Available
« on: June 27, 2008, 01:01:59 PM »
Hi All,

For our German friends I have added in the German Language pack for the forum.

Obviously it doesn't translate any posts that are in English but it does mean that most of the Forum text itself is in German.

You can find the language drop-down menu at the bottom right were you can also change the 'skin'.

Any request for other languages, please let me know.

Cheers,

Paul

24
Gossip / For Sale: Bits and Bobs
« on: June 26, 2008, 03:58:55 PM »
Probably no-one is interested but I thought I would offer up a few things I have for sale (Please save me from the pain of eBay  )

Item 1
A super dooper lovely Graphics Card to make your 3d games fly.
It is a Gainward Bliss 8800GTS 512MB beauty as found here.
Latest prices found here.
I got a good price on a couple and am willing to share the love, so £125 delivered.
It is brand new and boxed (though I did test it) and comes with Tomb Raider Anniversary game.

Item 2
MS Flight Simulator X Deluxe edition.
Its a PC game unopened and unwrapped.
More info on it can be found here.
£25 delivered.

Item 3
Canon 18-55 IS lens.
OK a bit more specific, you need a Canon Digital SLR to take advantage of this.
Its the new model of the old kit lens with Image Stabilization and much better optics ( review here)
A great light and compact walk around lens and a good replacement for the old 18-55 kit lens.
Used it once to check it is okay. As it came with my camera I dont have a box for it but i'll wrap it up nicely!
£85 delivered.

25
Forum and Website discussion / Plakias Articles
« on: June 26, 2008, 02:47:48 PM »
Hi Guys,

I see Mike has made a suggestion that we contribute more to the article system. He is right, it would be great if we could make it a valuable resource both for seasoned and new visitors.

I'm guilty of not contributing a lot, which will change (after i'm back from Lagos  )

So if you can spare some time to write a few thoughts on that taverna you ate at or that accommodation you stayed at, then it would be much appreciated. Find the relevant article and click the 'Add your comment' link at the bottom.

A link to the article system is found on the menu at the top of the screen (or by clicking Here. )

If the place you wish to talk about does not already exist then please feel free to add a new article (click the New Topic button when in the relevant category). Unfortunately these have to be approved before appearing but I will do this regularly.

If you would like to see a new category please let me know.

As time goes by I will add links into articles for the Plakias Map. And vice versa I can add review links onto the Plakias Map.

cheers,

Paul

26
Announcements / The Plakias Arcade is open
« on: January 12, 2008, 05:30:27 PM »
Yes the Plakias Forum Arcade is open.

OK so it won't appeal to all but if you want to spend a few minutes playing some simple games, this is the place to go.

All your efforts will be saved so you can see how you fare against other members.

You can go to the Arcade via this link.

If you would like to see any particular type of game appear please let me know.

Have Fun!

Paul

27
Holiday Companies / Nikos Kazantzakis
« on: October 06, 2007, 01:50:40 PM »
Sorry if you came here expecting some high brow discussion of this fine Cretan authour's works.

Nope, its a whinge about our favourite airport  

I see Mandy, Chris, Graham and others have mentioned their experiences this year so I thought I would consolidate here.

Going Out

Flying with First Choice (after XL cancelled flight) from Gatwick North (rats, more time for transit jobby). We get there about 2 hours 15 mins before and went straight to check-in desk, hurrah. Through security quickly which gives us time for a few 'proper' beers and a cardboard burger in the Wetherspoons.
Flight smooth and on-time.
One bag popped out at Heraklion quick enough but then waited 20 mins for the next. Last year we were dead lucky and both came out immediately.

Coming Home

It is bad enough that you are on your way home to rain and a 15 degree temperature drop but first you have to endure you all know what.
Taxi got us to the airport just under two hours to go, damn, transfers were already there. Two queues, eenie meenie minie mo (sp?), yep we picked the slow one  People who arrived 30 mins after us in the other queue were getting through before us.. Lots of grumbling going on around us (people aren't at their best at 3am with nothing to look forward to!).

Then of course you have to take your luggage and queue again to have it scanned, when did they start doing this? Last year?

Anyway by the time we had done this they were already announcing final call for our flight. Security was ok and we were almost the last to get on plane but with 40 mins to departure time. Everyone on, shut doors and then... oh look more waiting, 30 mins waiting for our alloted time slot.

Flight OK, landed on time. Parked up at a remote stand (pilot said to cabin crew 'unfortunately we are at stand 145'). Luggage trucks arrived, buses arrived. No steps. 30 minutes we wait for those ( i was all for jumping or testing the chutes  )

Don't get me started on passport control (bags were already stacked by carousel by the time we got there)  or wait for transit or missing half hourly train by 2 minutes.

 Right that is enough moaning, sorry everyone and thanks for listening. (Hey it is my birthday, a year closer to being a very grumpy old man!)

Cheers,

Paul

28
Forum and Website discussion / New User Validation changed
« on: September 14, 2007, 10:03:56 AM »
For a while we have been using 'Admin Validation' for users joining the forum. This requires John or I to manually approve registrations. We did this because of the Spam we were getting.

To be honest I was cr@p at the beginning but have recently kept on top of registrations with most getting a response within 12/24 hours.

However I have noticed in the last few months that I have not needed to reject anyone and we have not had any spam.

Therefore I am going to set it back to 'E-mail Validation' which coincides nicely with me being away for 2 weeks (I wonder why?)

Let me know if you notice any spam.

Thanks,

Paul

29
Forum and Website discussion / Forum Statistics
« on: August 13, 2007, 01:38:47 PM »
The link for the forum statistics is back again up on the menu top right.
The smiley count doesn't seem to work but everything else should be ok.

Paul.

30
Announcements / Admin problems
« on: August 11, 2007, 02:17:45 PM »
Not sure what happened but I cannot get into the Admin Control Panel. So until I get this fixed I cannot do things like approve new registrations, change passwords etc.

Have Invision on the case so hopefully wont be too long.

Thanks.

Paul

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