Py-Stones update

There is a new version of py-stones at my googlecode page today. I fixed the input-line bug and changed the interface some, so check it out.

Serving with OS X

The project of the week is setting up a true unix web/email server using OS X Leopard. (groan) Well, I have my reasons for wanting to do this. I am struggling right now but here’s what I have so far. Guides will follow for the stuff that works.

• complete dns setup using named – this was relatively simple since a good install of named already exists on your mac. what’s necessary is creating some configuration files for you domain(s) and setting it up as a service at bootup.

and… that’s it! Everything else is topsy-turvy. It seems like Leopard was put together with the intention that SQLite would handle all the database work (goodbye MySQL!) with php and apache compiled to suit. Now this is great if you’re a Ruby Rails fan or if you’ve never heard of wordpress, let alone countless web email or cms suites. But if you want to deploy a stable, standard cms you’re really out of luck.

Of course you could use OS X Server (if you have an extra US$499 lying around). But then you have to deal with de-coupling some services, like named, from their pre-configured settings and the server admin gui. As far as I can make out, the kernel isn’t any different for low-end server use from regular OS X. 

However, you do get a bunch of server applications pre installed which are a real headache to try and compile yourself. Some of these are imap, pop, apache, mysql… the list goes on. Right now it looks like OS X versus Server comes out as Headache A versus Headache B. It certainly isn’t out-of-the-box-no-IT-department-required-as-advertised.

Book Magic 1.5 released

I finished a new release of Book Magic yesterday! It’s been a little while since I’ve spent any time with the project, but it seemed time to give it an upgrade. The new release is Leopard friendly, featuring a new GUI. This is primarily a cosmetic upgrade before I add some new features. The old GUI was way too cluttered. Everything is organized under a toolbar now.

It’s so Leopard friendly in fact that I’m having trouble making it play nice with 10.4. Something is requiring coregraphics… well, I’ll be debugging again it seems.

Check it out!

Py-Stones .9a

This is the first alpha release of a python game called py-stones. It is a stone-matching game for python supporting terminals near you. Need a game to lighten up those commandline moments? Look no further!I have created the project webpage using googlecode. You can look there for updates, downloads, etc.. I’m working on a wiki for game rules as well, so check it out. As with other releases, py-stones is GPL, so share and enjoy!

Well, that’s pretty stuffed

After a coordinated screwup between myself and Macupdate, the launch of the new Bookstar has been completely stuffed up. I’m not sure how long it will be until it gets released corrected. I’ve sent several emails to the supposed contact email for MacUpdate, but no one answers. What happened is that the entry for Bookstar (which was fine) was smished together with the new listing for Book Magic. So now I am down one software listing and up one completely wrong listing. Thank the maker Moviestar’s listing wasn’t trashed while they were at it.

So I keep sending the occasional email saying, hey remember me? You combined my applications into a hybrid which doesn’t even exist!! Well, they haven’t answered. The lesson here is never trust MacUpdate when you’re using a free developer account. I’m moving it all to SourceForge.