Dynamic Errors

Since I’d switched over to Dynamic publishing, I’ve been unable to access the site stats. Dreamhost does some auto redirecting for requests for a non-existant webpage, to get switched over to the Analog page. Normally, this works fine..

Where it runs into a problem, is with dynamic publishing. The way MT does dynamic publishing, is through some rules in the .htaccess file. Basically, if the file really exists, MT doesn’t try and generate the page. But, if the page doesn’t exist, MT tries to generate the page..

You see where the problem lies don’t you? I need to get to a page that doesn’t exist..but MT won’t give me a page that doesn’t exist….it dynamically generates a 404 error page.. Google, was not my friend for this one.. I couldn’t find any reference to the necessary changes to the .htaccess file to restore access to my non existant stats directory. I was however, able to locate something in Dreamhost’s knowledge base (I know.. who’d have thought the answer would actually be where it belongs?) To help out any others who might be having the problem, and didn’t find an answer.. here’s what works.

Add these lines to your .htaccess:

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} ^/stats/(.*)$ [OR]

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} ^/failed_auth.html$

RewriteRule ^.*$ – [L]

And everthing will be all warm and fuzzy again!

MT Licensing Change

In addition to all the spiffy new features in Movable Type 3.2, it looks like Six Apart is also changing the licensing for at least the free version. According to Mena (I say that like we’re on a first name basis or something..I don’t even know her!), all levels of licensing will now be entitled to unlimited Blogs. This is a good thing.. My guess is the other licensing “restrictions” will still be in place (Number of authors, commercial use, that kind of legal stuff), even with the revised licensing, which we won’t get to see until 3.2 is released.

Trust Inspiring (NOT!)

It always makes me feel so, safe and secure when I see articles like this. Makes me oh so happy to know that the department of Homeland Insecurity signed a multi-million dollar, multi-year contract with MickeySoft to use thier software.. and then you get this:

MIAMI, Florida (AP) — Travelers arriving in the United States from abroad were stuck in long lines at airports nationwide when a virus shut down a U.S. Customs computer system for several hours, officials said.

My favorite quote from the article is this one.. and I wonder why no one bothered with the obvious answer:

“The agent was very charming, very nice and greeted us with a smile,” he told The Miami Herald. “It was just an unfortunate thing, but these things happen. Who do we blame?”

Umm… hello? McFly? Anyone home? How bout you blame the software company that writes software with security holes in it large enough to drive a mack truck (or in this case, fly a 747) through??? I’m still waiting for a class-action lawsuit against MickeySoft for all the lost productivity and extra expenses incurred by those people who have yet to switch to a more reliable (and secure) operating system…

It’s Coming

Time to make a run to the Apple Store…

August 23rd The Lego Star Wars video game will hit the shelves! Between this and still needing to get a Mighty Mouse… Apple should end up with a bit of my money in the near future..

For the first time ever, one of the world’s most successful film series meets one of the world’s favorite toys in an epic new video game. Play the whole story of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – three movies in one game!

How can you not want to play that? huh? huh? Unlike Star Wars Battlefront, who’s single player game is … weak (and its not like I really have time for online gaming at the moment).. Star Wars Lego is designed for single player fun and lightsabery goodness! It should provide hours of entertainment for me..

Out of the loop?

Ok.. so I read this article.

Janesville police got a surprise when they responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Ramada Inn, 3431 Milton Ave.

The alleged suspect was dressed as a Stormtrooper, a soldier for the Galactic Empire in the science fiction movie series “Star Wars.”

And I just have to ask… did whoever call this in as an armed robbery live in a cave? I mean… who would seriously think that a Stormtrooper would be committing armed robbery? They serve as the Empire’s poilce force.. and the Empire has pretty good benefits.. so.. its not like he needs the money for dental surgery or something…

Seriously though, In addition to the signs that were most likely plastered around the hotel..I’ve been to sci-fi convetiions before.. and there is no way this guy was the only person there in costume.. you’d have to be a complete moron to think that there was a robbery in place..

(Or.. you work for the hotel or convention, and wanted some extra free publicity)