21 may

Write Your Own Modal Window Script

**, Browsers, DIY, HTML5/CSS3, Internet, JavaScript

ModalWindow’s are pretty popular things these days. And they aren’t very difficult to do. In-fact, I would have to say that they are easier to do by hand, then to do by JavaScript inclusion. That could depend on how complex of a Modal Window you are trying to make, but take a look at the following script. The number of problems to solve are not that cumbersome. With this, you can click here and get a pop up modal window. You can also add the modal source yourself, that way you can configure whatever HTML you would like inside of it, in this particular example, I am using jQuery DOM manipulation because I have this setup as a plugin for another site that I am working on. Just tag the “modalClick” class to the link and Enjoy!

Example Modal Window Link

  1. <script src="//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.9.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
  2. <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
  3. $(function() {
  4.         $("body").prepend("<div id=‘modalback’ style=‘display: none; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; background-image: url(/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/background.png); z-index: 1001;’></div>");
  5.         $("body").prepend($("<div id=‘modalsource’ style=‘display: none; cursor: pointer; position: absolute; z-index: 1002; width: 374px; height: 329px;’><img src=‘/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/countdown-modal2.png’ alt=‘Your Text’ /></div>"));
  6.         $("#modalback").css("height", $("body").outerHeight());
  7.         $("#modalsource").css("top", $(window).height() / 2 – $("#modalsource").height() / 2);
  8.         $("#modalsource").css("left", $(window).width() / 2 – $("#modalsource").width() / 2);
  9.        
  10.         $("#modalback").click(function() {
  11.                 $("#modalback").fadeOut(‘fast’);
  12.                 $("#modalsource").fadeOut(‘fast’);
  13.         });
  14.         $("#modalsource").click(function() {
  15.                 $("#modalback").fadeOut(‘fast’);
  16.                 $("#modalsource").fadeOut(‘fast’);
  17.         });
  18.  
  19.         $(".modalClick").click(function() {
  20.                 $("#modalsource").css("top", $(window).height() / 2 – $("#modalsource").height() / 2 + $("body").scrollTop());
  21.                 $("#modalback").fadeIn(‘fast’);
  22.                 $("#modalsource").fadeIn(‘fast’);
  23.         });
  24. });

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20 may

Cybernetics with Wrist Watches and Ear Pieces

***, Electronics, Entrepreneurship, Hardware, Mobility, News

FVS6ZRBHGH6Y8FG.LARGEIt was bound to happen. It was projected in movies. It has been thought of in new business ventures. And the technology is getting very close to even more experimental use of Cybernetics. We haven’t quite tapped into the biological implants with every day to day applications and electronics, but we do have people beginning to implant bluetooth microphones in their ears as well as magnets in their wrists to give them some new edge on what today’s current trend is.

Justurn on Instructibles tells us about his Sony Smart Arm that he attaches right onto his magnetic wrist. After visiting a piercing shops to get his magnets in place, he can now put his watch on without any bands.

More and more people are thinking about surgeries, piercings, and implantation to get their technology closer to them today. With today’s technology getting actually small enough, it’s becoming a more and more feasible experiment. Some of us are just a little bit more wild than the others. As for me, I’ll continue to read, watch, and see what others are doing… I do not feel the need to be a guinea pig.

Check out the implantable bluetooth microphone and speaker that was on Shark Tank about 3 years ago:

What will be next? Google Glass might be the first step to modifying glasses for everyone, which does not seem so invasive, but contact lenses to follow, and could you imagine a digital lasik surgery?

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19 may

Patiently Waiting… or Impatiently, Makibox in June

**, 3D Graphics, Design, Hardware, Home Projects, Robotics

I am just taking a line straight out of John’s latest video update on the Makibox. Since February of 2012, I have been blogging about the Makibox, which will be one of the first 3D printers out for less than $500. A pretty amazing feat at that, all started by a couple of Tech Crunch blog posts, along with the kick-starter like page Makible.com, which was made by no one other than John Buford himself. Lots of people went in on the investment and many will be soon seeing the outcome in June. Here is another update on the Makibox project.

John, I say, take your time. There are not any other manufacturers out there offering the same price. Let’s build this thing right and get one step closer to having a portal replicator in our living rooms.

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18 may

Waterproof Phones with the Sonly Xperia Z

News

Phone’s are breaking new limits. Seemless reflective surfaces, close to edge to edge Screen, and even better… Waterproof!! Still with NFC, 4.6 inch screen, full HD. This is what third party developers give to the market. Take a look.

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17 may

Screen Real-Estate – Why You Need 7 Monitors

*, 3D Graphics, Browsers, Electronics, Entertainment, Games, Google, Internet

Like I need to give you all a reason you need another monitor hooked up to your desktop… But just to give you one more reason, watch the videos below.

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16 may

Parking Lot to Hold Your Cash: MSFT, GOOG, AAPL

***, Amazon.com, Apple, Google, Internet, Microsoft, Mobility, News, Stock

aapl-goog-parking-lot

The three major bellwethers in tech, Microsoft, Google, and Apple, some would even include Amazon, pull and push the trends in the tech industry. They dominate in the software on the web, the software on the client machines, the mobile devices, and even the servers that serve all this content. Since last October, we had the unfortunate loss of Steve Jobs, the mecca in revolutionizing technology. And we have also seen a huge shift in the confidence of the markets, especially where it is safe to park your cash, for all of those big wigs out there in the financial industry.

Let’s not play any games here, Apple is on a downward tear, since the loss of Jobs. I would be as bold as stating that Apple’s stock is not declining because of their services and products, but because of the confidence in their leadership, and the security of their shareholders. Even today, Microsoft is considered a parking lot, to hold your cash. Financial 101 for massive scale investors, always stay invested in something. And Microsoft is that someone.

But with the emergence of Apple over the 2000 to 2010 time period, many have been leaving the MSFT parking lot and heading over to the AAPL parking lot. What do you do with all this cash, you park it in several places. With the uncertainty of Apple now, it seems that the new parking lot exists at GOOG. Look at the graph above, there is quite an astonishing relationship between Apple and Google’s stock. It it because of profit, product lines, or performance? Many will speculate that Yes, that is the reason. But I would go as far as to state that as people once used the MSFT parking lot, who then moved into the AAPL lot, there is a new direction to the GOOG lot.

10 year duration possibly? Should you hop on now? I cannot answer those questions, this is a tech blog, not a stock one.

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16 may

Massive Extended Battery for Samsung Galaxy S3

**, Android, Electronics, Mobility

With the Galaxy S4 coming out, I honestly don’t think I’ll be making the switch. In-fact, I may be going double down into the Galaxy S3. About to travel, I’m worried about battery life, until I found this. a 7000mAh Extended Battery full extended battery with a protective casing. This sucker will literally let you use your phone all day long for 5 days straight, providing the charge you need for taking pictures, listening to music, Google Navigation, and more, all while on the road.

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15 may

What is More Important When Finding an IT Job?

***, Companies, Rants

itcert020711c

What is the most important thing when looking for an IT professional? Or to reverse it, when looking to get a job, what are the most important criteria to provide? It’s almost like real-estate, location, location, location… But in IT, it is experience, experience, experience. It costs a lot of money to grow an IT professional. And then once you have grown that IT professional, you forget to pay them for that growth, so they jump ship and you have effectively purchased the growth of an IT professional who no longer works for you. So the new trend is to simply hire the ones that already have the experience.

Experience comes with demonstration of growth, proven projects, live and living websites that are still accessible today, accomplishments, ability to be agile and to adjust / learn several different programming languages, and the utmost important: The Ability to Communicate these Accomplishments and Prove Experience.

What most people do not realize is that, certificates do not equal experience. Passing a test does not make you an expert. You must prove and provide working examples and real professional work in that space. That is the gold of what IT professionals need. Are you reading my blog? Guess what, this is my personal exploration, research, demonstration website. That is why you do not see Ads on the side and requests for donations. Because this blog builds my level of research, understanding, and technical know-how, all while continuing to practice my ability to communicate it.

The other piece that I wanted to bring up was the matter of education. I solely believe that having a Bachelors in Computer Science, Engineering, or something scientific is absolutely required before entering the upper tier of Information Technology. Anything beyond a Bachelors is easily offset with experience. But that single standard of a Bachelors degree is highly sought after by recruiters and screening professionals. Not to say that it isn’t impossible, but it is highly recommended. As you can see by the image above, it’s one of the lower factors required.

Prestige of college / university, no one could care about. Not unless you are working in an atmosphere that breeds that culture, such as Financial institutions, or high brow Ad agencies, typically, not even important. Prestige of previous employers I would have to beg that this can be a huge advantage and gain as it further demonstrates your experience, but only if you have had the opportunity to prove and create live products.

At the end of the day, here’s how I order my priorities: Experience, Self-Motivated / Drive, Reasoning Skills, Communication

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14 may

“Samsung to Unveil 5G by 2020″, Wireless, and 4G

***, AT&T, Cloud Computing, Internet, Mobility, Rants, Samsung, Verizon

Samsung to unveil 5G by 2020, nearly 7 years away. Here is the sign of where technology sits today and what needs to be improved before we can achieve the next step in Wireless growth. Wireless internet has been a very popular subject. With the expansion of 3G into many populated areas in the United States, one can get access to email, streaming media, and the web very easily. With 4G, we’ve noticed the saturation of major cities. And along with 4G, we’ve noticed the adaptation of 4G primary internet connections.

4G as a primary internet connection is close, but not perfect. Conditions such as rain and heavy cloud cover cause difficulty in establishing internet connectivity. But it is a major step in the right direction. Today, you can get 4G primary internet connections up to 8 Mbps.

Alternatively, many will opt to use their wireless phone as a tethered internet connection. This method allows the full bandwidth allowed by 4G, which can reach close to 56 Mbps. Soon, advancements will allow close to 150 Mbps. The draw back on the phone tethered connections comes with the limit on transfer amounts.

4G Internet vs Phone Tethering are simply an issue of contract disputes. Companies such as Clear, Virgin Mobile, and others simply pay the larger companies, such as Verizon and AT&T to piggy-back off their exiting networks, and their existing 4G access points. Therefore, the drop the total allowed speed to 8 Mbps and give priority to the phone’s that are on their networks.

Even with a potential 5G, we are simply counting the numbers, 5th generation. Reaching out to the internet at 1GB to 10GB wirelessly will be amazing. And with the supposed lower cost to roll out compared to hard fiber lines, there may be some serious competition. All that said, this is more just a Public Relations announcement. 5G will be here soon. First, 4G needs to get a lot better.

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12 may

Installing Solar Panels with Hak5

*, Electronics, Hardware, Home Projects, Solar

Hak5 took on a new project. Installing Solar Panels.

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