Version 1.2 of the Simple Wakoopa List plugin has been launched!

This update ensures that any returned RSS feed addresses are in a valid XHTML format (saving you from the dreaded validation errors!).

Full details can be found on the plugin’s dedicated page.

A couple of months ago, I talked about improving the search facility built into WordPress. However, soon after, I also mentioned problems I was having with the plugin Search Unleashed.

Sadly the plugin is no better and I’ve had it disabled all this time.

The friend that I originally researched this all for reported, however, that Search Unleashed was not reporting by relevance after all. Since then I’ve seen details on Better Search, an alternative plugin that (supposedly) does provide relevance-based results. I’d try it out and report back back but after my initial activation, I deactivated it again. Rather than build upon your existing search template, it uses its own. So, by default, the search page doesn’t even look like your theme – you have to start the layout, etc, from scratch. That’s not something I’d like to do unless I really wanted to use the plugin. And I’m not that fussed.

But if anybody else does give it a go, please let me know!

If you haven’t spotted already, I’m tinkering (again) with the blog layout.

In particular, I’m working on the design at the bottom of each post. This is also extending to the pages with, and for the first time, the ability to leave comments on them. And after writing a new plugin (coming soon!) for which I’ve learnt all about using custom fields, I’m using them to suppress adverts and comments on specific pages.

Oh, and I’ve done something (reasonably) clever with one my plugins. YARPP (Yet Another Related Posts Plugin) is good but the fixed number of recommendations per post was causing me problems – lots of related posts for a short entry was looking like overkill but, at the same time, large posts were looking a little, erm, lacking. However, the number can be overridden so I’ve updated the plugin call to vary this depending on the blog size. It’s not 100% accurate but, hey, it’s better than it was before.

Here’s the script…

$post_len=strlen($post->post_content);
if ($post_len<1000) {
    related_posts(array('limit'=>2));
} else {
    $max_posts=floor(($post_len+2000)/3000)+2;
    related_posts(array('limit'=>$max_posts));
}

As you can see, it’s quite simple. If the number of characters in the post if less than 1000 then it default to a maximum of 2 related posts. It then goes up by 1 at 1000 characters and then again every 3000 characters.

As time has moved on I’ve become more and more impressed by my Aspire One. Yes, there are more powerful and bigger versions on the market, but they come at a price premium. For the money, I think the Aspire One was the best choice¹.

However, I’m using it less at home as my main PC has been moved to the dining room but, conversely, more at work and as my employers clamp down more and more on non-work usage of the internet, etc.

Anyway, I’ve compiled some useful software and sites specifically for the AA1, which I think might be of interest…

a1ctl
“a1ctl is a program able to control the fan speed of the Acer Aspire One netbooks, and do some useful other things.” Those other things include controlling processor speed and reducing hard drive noise. An excellent piece of software that I use myself.

For this or the next application to work you may need to install the MSCOMCTL file.

AA1 Fan Control
This installs a desktop “widget” from which the AA1 fan is controlled based on current temperatures. I tried this and although it worked well, a1ctl does the same function with others as well.

Aspire One Backup
“AA1BACKUP is a backup solution for the Acer Aspire One based on free and open source software. It makes an exact copy of the drive, bit for bit, and therefore works with any file system, partition table or operating system. And to emphasize its operating system independence it can be installed from either Linux or Windows.”

Forum wise, I’d recommend bookmarking AspireOneUser.com. Also, macles* is a useful blog dedicated to AA1 users. From here, for example, you can find a set of manuals to download, including a service manual.

Obviously, don’t forget Acers download page, where you can pickup the latest BIOS and drivers.

1. stick that Dell! [↩]

The April edition of What Satellite (and Digital TV) magazine includes a step-by-step guide on how to upgrade the hard drive in your Sky box, using Copy+.

Next month, they’ll be talking about +Extract.

All of which is great publicity for this fantastic bit of software.