coding for food

Untappd Voting Script

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 04:44:00 -0700

I haven't really posted on this in a long time - but I wanted to share quick script I wrote regarding around Untappd and it's quest to the win the March Madness tournament which is sponsored by TechStars.

To support Untappd on your blog or website, simple add the following code to your sidebar.

This generated a 200x260 picture that can be seen on website like aboutfoursquare.com.

It's that simple! No go out there and vote!

Thanks,

@gregavola

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New Release: GowallaPHP Library (Now with OAuth!)

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:58:54 -0700

Using Gowalla to find new places is a great idea. What's even better is using the API to build some fantastic applications with their data. I've greated a simple Library that allows you to use the API from Gowalla in PHP - hence the name GowallaPHP. The Library allows to use both Basic Authentication and their new OAuthentication which in the future will allow you to check to in different locations via an API.

It's pretty simple to set up - so more information head over to the Google Code project page (http://code.google.com/p/gowallaphp), and check out some of the documentation, and download the source with examples! Make sure you download Version 1.0 which contains the OAuth and Basic Authentication. Version 0.60 contains only Basic.

Now that you have the tools - what will you build with Gowalla? Let me know! I would love to comprise a list of people using this Library.

If have any questions, improvements, suggestions, comment - hit me up on Twitter at @gregavola.

If you have an issue with the Library - please add it to the issues list inside of the Google Code project page.

Thank,
@gregavola

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My Thoughts on the AT&T iPhone Data Plan Changes

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:28:11 -0700

So I've heard all the people talk about this AT&T iPhone Data plan changes - with them basically removing the unlimited plan and I had a few comments:

The unlimited plan was never really unlimited - it was capped at 5GB
The new 2GB plan - is $25/month while the old "5GB" plan was $30/month.
With these new plan - you are paying $12.50 per month, per GB - while on the old plan - you were paying $6 per month per GB.
Even on the 200MB plan - your paying $15 per month - however $75 per month per GB!
How is this supposed to make Wireless Data more affordable?

I don't have a problem with getting rid of the Unlimited plan - what I do have a problem with is the pricing. $25 per month for 2GB - is WAY worse of a deal then $30 per month for 5GB ("Unlimited"). Don't say your goal is to make wireless more affordable when your charging customers more. Even though you say that 98% of people use less the 2GB of bandwidth - it doesn't matter. Your now charging more than HALF of what you were charging prior to this new plan. That is not more affordable.

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When Will I Be Mayor - 2.0!

Fri, 21 May 2010 16:01:00 -0700

Well, I've listed to your feedback and I've put myself to work build you a better way to check how when you'll be mayor next. In this release we've added brand new features such as:

OAuthentication: - Now you never have to share your foursquare password with When Will I Be Mayor again! This also allows for faster processing times with getting your history. However, this does force you to create an account with When Will I Be Mayor. I hate making new accounts too - however it's the only way. I'm sorry.

Pagination - Some people requested the ability to paginate through their results. Since we only display 10 results per page (due to API limits), you might want to see other checkins at later date. Now all sort options have paginate enabled so you can paginate forever!

Venue Monitoring - This is another cool features that allows your "monitor" venues within When Will I Be Mayor. Every week, we will check to see your progress on getting that Mayorship at your favorite place. We'll inform you of how many more checkins you have to go and the current mayor via email. Just click the binoculars icon at the top right hand-corner of the venue listing, and you'll be all set! You are allowed up monitor up to 5 venues at a time. It's that simple! This way you'll never forgot your mayorship challenge.

New Mayor Algorithm - We've developed a much better algorithm on detecting how many actual check-ins you make actually count toward the mayorship total. That way you'll know exactly how many more check-ins you need!

Real Maps, Yo - We now have real-true, Google Maps in the feed. This was you can move around the map and see where the place actually is! It beats having static pictures!

We also have a brand new theme curiosity of my good friend Tim Mather who redesigned the venue pages to make them look awesome. I'd say it's a big improvement - and I have to tip my hat to him for making this website 100x better.

Go ahead and check the new version out, sign up and let me know what you think!

One more thing - remember to follow When Will I Be Mayor on Twitter at @mayorplease.

Please send all feature requests, bug and defects to @mayorplease on Twitter.

Thanks,

Greg

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Introducing: When Will I Be Mayor?

Wed, 12 May 2010 17:34:00 -0700

Sometimes an idea for a stupid website starts when you wake up. For more of you, you know what foursquare is. For those you don't, I'm not going to waste your time. I was on the this morning, checking into the station and seeing that I had still not taken over Mayorship from my local train to my job downtown. I wished there was an easier way to find how many more times it would take you to take over your favorite spot.

And thus - When Will I Be Mayor was born. It allows your to sign with your foursquare credentials (OAuthentication coming soon!) - and it pulls in your most recent checkins and see how many more checkins it will take to overtake the throne.

So next time you want to see if you will be mayor at your favorite spot - head over to whenwillibemayor.com to try your luck! Are you up for the challenge?

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Introducing: We Are Boston

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 07:38:50 -0700

Being from Boston and in the technology community, I always wanted a way to connect with fellow Locals within technology, photography, film and others. Sure - we have Twitter, Facebook, and Meetup groups - but I wanted to create a simple social community that people could add themselves and show of their talents. I envisioned some like a huge billboard of Boston-area experts showing their talents and the link to their work. And thus - weareboston.org was born.

With weareboston.org, you can add your self to the community, and tag yourself with what you do best and then set your location. Then you can browse the site for other local and perhaps even strike up a partnership or hire them to do a gig. It's all about showing the world the level of talent in Boston.

The idea of this site came from my friend, Tim Mather who got it from Chris Kalani, the original creator of the version of this site for Portland, WA (prtlnd.com). There is also a version for Nashville, TN (nshvll.org) and soon a version for Los Angeles ,CA.

So go check out http://weareboston.org and add yourself to help build the technology community of Boston!

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Improving CodeIgniter's auto_link() function for Twitter Hashtags and Usernames

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:57:28 -0700

I've stared using CodeIgniter's framework to develop all my application with intent of learning more about the MVC frame work. However, sometimes it's hard to implement features that I currently had working without using the frame work. For example - the auto_link() function in CodeIngiter. It's amazing feature that turns string URLs into "click-able" URLs. This made parsing Tweets that much easier - but what if I wanted to parse the Twitter username and Hash tags as well?

Well I wrote this small, quick and dirty script that you can add the auto_link() function inside the url_helper.php file in system/helpers. Just add it in before the "return $str" and you'll be parsing links in no time!

if ($type != 'twitter') { $search = array('|#([\w_]+)|', '|@([\w_]+)|'); $replace = array('#$1', '@$1'); $str = preg_replace($search, $replace, $str); } // Usage echo auto_link("@gregavola is #awesome", "twitter");

Enjoy!

UPDATE: As n0xie noted on Twitter, it is better to extend the auto_link() function as opposed to edited it directly. You can accomlish this by creating a MY_url_helper.php file inside the system/helpers folders and and override the auto_link() function by adding the text above to the orginal function. This way when auto_link() is called, it get overriden by this function you created in MY_url_helper.php.

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PHP Bandsintown Library Release

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:59:00 -0800

Hot of the heals of the application launch of tourmappr, I've decided to release the custom PHP Library that I built to connect to Bandsintown's API services. The PHP library is very straight forward - however is currently in alpha - so it might have some bugs. I've tested with their 4 main API functions - Event Search, Artist Search, Artist Info, and Event Recommendations - and they work flawless.

So if you want to build your own awesome application with Bandsintown - head over to the project home - and download it now! All the documentation is listed in the Wiki pages. If you run into any issues - I ask that you put them in the issue tracker within the project home.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions - let me know and I'll be quick to respond!

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Launch of @tourmappr!

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:58:11 -0800

So it's been a while since I've posted - but I've got some good news on a launch of a new product from Something More Human. If you didn't know - I was in LA this weekend, working with Tim on a new web application, called tourmappr.

What is tourmappr?

Basically it allows you to find out where your favorite band or artist are, and where they are headed. It also displays some cool stats and interesting facts about the tour, and in addition, gives you the option to buy tickets for a select show. You can also share your favorite artist's tour map via Twitter, Facebook or Digg using our nice URL links such as http://tourmappr.com/Jay_Z.

All concert data is provided graciously by the good people over Bands In Town using their API. If you haven't checked them out - I suggest you do - as they have the best concert information on your favorite artists.

Go ahead and check out at http://tourmappr.com and let me know what your think!

Be sure to follow @tourmappr for updates on twitter at http://twitter.com/tourmappr

- Greg

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iPadless

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:35:52 -0800

So, unless you been living under a rock, you know that Apple released their newest "gadget", the iPad. Without going into to much detail that you get from going over their website - I'm just going to go into my thoughts about this release. To be completely honest, I wasn't excited about the "Apple Tablet". I was more interested to see if anything would be released in the iPhone department. Turns out - I got what I wished for - but in the WRONG way. To be blunt, the iPad is a just a LARGER version of the iPod Touch / iPhone. There is no difference. Sure you can tell me that they have eBooks, better performance and blah blah blah - however when it comes down to it - it's just a larger, faster version of the iPhone/ iPod Touch. Here is why I'm little frustrated with this release.

1. NO BACKGROUND APPLICATIONS?

OK - Apple, your trying to market this for people as a middle gap between the iPhone and the Macbook. However - its still running the iPhone OS - which means you can only run one application at a time. Imagine buying a Netbook for $500 and having them you can only use one application at time. I can understand when this happens on the iPhone, because after all, its a PHONE. This is a more than phone - but it still has the restrictions like the iPhone? The hardware can support it - they just didn't add it in - very disappointing. It's a game changer.

2. BUT I HAVE A iPHONE AND A MACBOOK....

Image from humedini on Flickr

Then you have no need for it. Seriously - if you need a bigger screen - use your Macbook. On the go? Use your iPhone. The iPad would just collect dust - no need for it.

3. FLASH

If you claim that device is going to be used by the casual user, on their bed or couch, and your browsing experience is the best - then you NEED flash. I can understand there is no flash on the iPhone - because its a phone - but according to you Apple - this is more than a phone. It's going to create GAPPING holes in webpages. If your browsing a blog and they have embedded content from an online video, your out of luck. My guess is that this has to do with battery life - but it's pretty embarrassing when you see a "plugin" error show up when your doing the demo at the Apple Event on NYT.

Of course some of these appear to software fixes - which might come in play later on with new updates - but there is not excuse to release a good solid baseline product.

So, will I be ordering this device? No. I can spend a lot less for a coffee table book, which is where the iPad would sit. C'mon Apple - make us happy and show us the new iPhone, or perhaps iPhone 4.0?

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Love What You Do

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:00:00 -0800

I've been watching a lot of TV lately, because of the football playoffs, and time and time again, I've seen these Blackberry commercials, featuring random people dancing and signing - with the catchy song by the Beatles "Love is all you You Need". If you haven't seen it - here's an example:

My issue, is that all of these commercials HAVE NOTHING to do with the BlackBerry phone. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty biased toward the Blackberry (being a heavy iPhone user), but at least their commercials actually spotlight the phone itself. If I was a regular user and didn't know what the Blackberry symbol was, I might not even associate these ads with them. Sure, they are catchy, but they need to drill down a point that actually relates to the phone. In this example, you have a new band that needs to break through with a new song. They finally do it in the end of the ad, but what does it have to do with Blackberry? Does anyone else view this commercial from these view-point or is it just me?

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Introducing: shrtcuts.org

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:44:00 -0800

There was a time when you wanted to figure out how to something better. Usually that involved you searching through numerous Google sites to find out the shortcut to do a certain activity on your keyboard. It took time and when you finally found it - it didn't work. Introducing shrtcuts.org - a nice easy way to learn new and helpful shortcuts that will help you do things better. If you have a shortcut that you want us to write about - send us a message @shrtcuts. Enjoy!

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Early Christmas Present - Javascript Relative Time

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:36:00 -0800

So today - instead of shopping and getting in the holiday sprit - I coded. Why? Well because its fun. I ran into an issue that I though I would share. Currently - I'm working a social networking site than run their own home grown Twitter Application. I wanted it to be in a real time - and adjust the timestamps as it performs an AJAX call to see if there any new messages.

I searched near and far for the best javascript relative time - but I couldn't find the best one that I liked. Finally - found one done by Tutorialize, that they used for a Twitter Ticker. I changed it a bit to be able to display the correct date in the format that i wanted and edited the number of days allowed to be displayed before it reverts back to the regular timestamp.

So behold - a early christmas present from Santa "javascript" Claus - I hope that you find good use for it. It's a bit scrappy - but I would like to hear your comments and feedback.

Merry Christmas!

// usage var rel = relativeTime("Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:45:33 -0800"); // returns "One Hour Ago" // code function relativeTime(pastTime) { var origStamp = Date.parse(pastTime); var cDate = new Date(); var currentStamp = cDate.getTime(); var difference = parseInt((currentStamp - origStamp)/1000); if(difference < 0) return false; if(difference <= 5) return "Just now"; if(difference <= 20) return "Just Seconds ago"; if(difference <= 60) return "A minute ago"; if(difference < 3600) return parseInt(difference/60)+" minutes ago"; if(difference <= 1.5*3600) return "One hour ago"; if(difference < 23.5*3600) return Math.round(difference/3600)+" hours ago"; if(difference < 1.5*24*3600) return "One day ago"; var days = difference / (1.5*24*3600); if (days <= 10) { return Math.round(days) + " days ago"; } else { var dateArr = pastTime.split(' '); var t = dateArr[4].split(":"); var time_format = ""; if (parseInt(t[0]) > 12) { var a = parseInt(t) - 12 time_format = dateArr[2] + " " + dateArr[1] + " " + a + ":" + t[1] + " PM"; } else { var first = ""; if (t[0].substring(0, 1) == "0") { first = t[0].substring(1, 2); } else { first = t[0]; } time_format = dateArr[2] + " " + dateArr[1] + " " + first + ":" + t[1] + " AM"; } return time_format; } }

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Launching of greg.in

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:58:00 -0800

So the past couple of days - I've been pretty bored - so I decided to create a stupid website. Something that was so dumb - that no one would use it. Well - today, I launch that service - greg.in. It's not really a service per say - but more like fun productivity decreases.

The site is called greg.in - and it basically puts my picture into anything you can imagine.

Like i said - its pretty simple and stupid - but it hella fun making it. Go ahead and try it and search your favorite topic and see what happens!

I hope you enjoy. Feel free to leave a comment or catch me on twitter, @gregavola, and leave some feedback.

- Greg

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