DIY simple staging server.
While working on Tentacle I needed a simple solution for testing code on a remote web server.
In the past I would work locally and syncing with FTP to the server and then tested off of the remote server, I used SVN for my source control. Within the last year I have started working locally and using Git as my main source control.
This left a bit of a gap in my process where I could no longer test on a remote server without updating it manually by S/FTP or opening terminal and manually calling a git pull.
Open terminal and manually git pull it did break up the work flow a bit so using the Dingo framework I created a very simple Git helper and gave it its own URL something like git/pull.
I then used a Github Post-Receive URL Hook found under admin/service hooks that pointed to my staging server git pull URL, every time I do a push to Github, Github will then automatically fire the URL thus triggering the pull helper.
One little note is that if you check out a dev branch on a staging server and also have a live server you would add a second URL with the same code on that liver server. One push would update both sites.
Just make sure the live server is on the right branch.
If you don’t feel like using a hook then no problem at all. Just call the URL in the browser and you will see the Git pull message.
Say hello to Tentacle!
I have been hard at work building a CMS.
Another CMS you say?
Well yes, There are plenty of good CMS solutions out there, but they all have their strengths and their downfalls.
Drupal is associated with complexity and power, WordPress is associated with Ease of use but can be complicated to leverage it correctly.
What am I trying to accomplish in making yet another CMS?
For one I want to focus on the user. Be he/she a developer, designer, writer or product owner your experience should be contextual, straightforward and above all pleasant.
I wrote a blog post on http://tentaclecms.com/blog/ looking for a few answers to some simple questions a few days ago called “What do you look for?“.
The idea behind the Tentacle blog is to get feedback on new ideas past you guys.
Contact me if you would like to contribute!
Dingo a Lightweight MVC PHP Framework
I have been using a small PHP MVC Framework called Dingo Framework.
Dingo is a Rapid Development Application Framework written in PHP by Evan Byrme. Dingo allows you to create dynamic changing websites easily and quickly.
Dingo is a relatively new full featured framework at a compact size of 70KB, It supports Fancy URL’s, Access Control List, User Authentication, ORM, and simple no SQL database interaction.
Dingo is very easy to leverage, adding 3rd parties libraries is dead easy. The configuration is simple with support for multiple database connections, auto load libraries and helpers.
Dingo is well documented, but a little out dated, You are probably better off checking GitHub for more up to date code.
Try the Dingo TextMate Bundle!
Dingo Framework Bundle for TextMate
I have been hard at work creating a new CMS Concept and have been using the Dingo Framework for quite some time. I even used it in the AddressBook script.
I have added probably every method that Dingo uses. Feel free to modify it as you see fit.
Addressbook Beta
Is coming very soon, Seriously!
I had to do some testing of some other hosting platforms like MediaTemple, Dreamhost, BlueHost, as well as local hosting like MAMP, and XAMP.
All passed the install test. I have added the ability to update your profile information as well.
The Beta will be available for download once I have something to manage bug tracking and download tracking.
Stay tuned!
If you are in a big hurry contact me and I will send you the code.
Adding SASS & SCSS to Sublime Text 2
Lately at work we have been using SASS for our new web app Inkdit. Sass has been a blessing as well as a curse.
Aside from the benefits of SASS we have been using another extension of SASS called SCSS, Read more on the benefits of SASS here.
One Editor that I have been using occasionally is Sublime Text and while it’s not my favorite it is a great text editor.
After manually changing the syntax mode from plain text to CSS on all of my SASS files I had a look for a package. I found that Sublime Text supports many languages and supports some of TextMate syntax highlighting files.
Then I did some hacking and was able to add the SCSS extension with little trouble at all.
Follow these steps:
Preferences > Browse Packages
Download sublime-text-haml-sass from Github and copy the two folders into the Package folder.
Open the SASS folder, Under Syntax’s open up SASS.tmLanguage
Save, restart Sublime Text and Enjoy!
Joined the Mailout Interactive team!
Over the Christmas holidays I was asked if I would be interested in being interviewed for a web developer position at a local company called Mailout Interactive. Most noted for their email communication tools.
It was one of those opportunities that I was not expecting, I had seen the job posting and figured I was under qualified. Lucky for me my personal contacts at MI thought differently about me.
I am just about through week three here and have had a great time. It’s nice to be appreciated and have a good team of people behind me.
I am really glad to have made the move professionally and personally.