Minimize Decisions, Maximize Output

Start off 2009 right by changing what you spend your attention on. We have all had a busy 2008 it seems, and 2009 will be no different. Time is becoming more valuable than ever. One of the ways we can all improve on how we save that precious time is by eliminating options. More options create more anxiety and wasted time.

Tim Ferriss has written an excellent article on this matter that I strongly suggest you read: The Choice-Minimal Lifestyle. While you're at it, watch the TED talk "The Paradox of Choice" by Barry Schwartz, shown below.

BetterComments v1.0

I am now ready to test the comment system on other website implementations. Please download the .zip file and follow the steps below to add BetterComments to your site.

BetterComments only requires you to add one PHP call to your page and already have a database setup in mySQL. The rest is taken care of by the script.

1. Unzip the bettercomments.zip file.
2. You should see a bettercomments folder; go into this folder and edit connect.php.
3. Add your own database information to the top of this file and save.
4. Open and edit the admin.php file and replace the top CSS path to the CSS file you use on your website; save the file.
5. Transfer the whole bettercomments folder to your server.
6. Type in the url of your site followed by /setup.php (ex. www.door80.com/setup.php).
7. Create an admin username and password, and submit it.
8. Delete the setup.php file! This is extremely important because if you don't delete it, someone could create a new admin username/password.
9. Add the following code to any page you want to have BetterComments, at the specific location you want the comments to start:
   
   <?php include("bettercomments/betterComments.php"); page_name(yourownvariable); ?>
   
   
10. Make sure you don't use the same page_name() on any two pages, or you will get the comments from the first one on any other pages you add it to. Don't use "login" as the page_name() - that is your admin account table. Only use alpha-numeric page_name()'s (no periods, commas, spaces, etc).

Please leave a comment or send me an email if you find any bugs, if you have any suggestions or if you are having trouble getting BetterComments to work on your server. More updates will be forthcoming, so stay tuned.

Introducing BetterComments

I have been working heavily on a comment system (for blogs or any web page) in my free time over the past couple of weeks. My goal is to create a system that is extremely simple to put into any page without PHP knowledge, and have the database table creation be automatic. As good as Wordpress and other CMSs are, they have a massive amount of bloat to them for most users. These pre-built systems usually contain many functions that you don't need and will never use, especially if you are just looking for comment functionality to hear feedback from your articles.

BetterComments only requires you to add one PHP call to your page and already have a database setup in mySQL. The rest is taken care of by the script.

BetterComments is in a beta stage right now, and I will be providing a version for download soon. There are a few more kinks to work out, and more interesting features to add. BetterComments will be free.

I am using BetterComments for my comments below each post on this website, so give it a try and let me know what you think. Are there any features you would like to see? What are you looking for in a comment system?

Workspace Inspiration

I've always been very interested in different people's workspaces and their choice of equipment. Some go for the extravagant and some go for the simplistic. Try searching Flickr for "workspaces" and see what you get. It might give you some ideas to improve your own.

Here's an example of the minimalist. Very relaxing and peaceful setup, but I couldn't get by without a larger display to hook up to. How about you? Do you have a link to a picture of your workspace or others you have found on the web?