Category: Just Saying …

I was alerted to a site called “You Rea Der” (www dot you rea – der dot com ; site url obfusticated – no links from me!) that displays content from your web site (blog, whatever) without attribution. Nor is there a way to ask for removing your site from their list.

It’s like they are using the Tools, Page Source (in your web browser) to grab all of your HTML code, then inserting that code in their web pages, with their web advertising. They have a search engine that will display search results similar to other search engines, but the content is delivered from their site, rather than redirecting to your site.

I suspect that they are generating revenue with their advertising surrounding your content. Even though your content, including advertising, is being displayed, any click-tracking or site visits metrics that you have will not register visits through this site.

But there is a way to fix it, although it’s a bit technical. It will work if you have site hosting that belongs to you (so, for instance, it won’t work if your site is on a place like blogger.com). You will need to have access to your site host’s “Control Panel”.

In the Control Panel, there is usually an application called “IP Deny Manager”. On this screen, you can specify the domain name (or IP address) of the site you want to block from accessing your web site. On my host, the IP Deny Manager explains it thusly:

 “This feature will allow you to block a range of IP addresses to prevent them from accessing your site. You can also enter a fully qualified domain name, and the IP Deny Manager will attempt to resolve it to an IP address for you.”

So, to block access of the evil “You Rea Der” site, I just entered their real domain name on that screen. (Thier IP address to block will show as  168.144.109.7 . )  Now, if you go to that evil site and do a search for “BBQJointz”, you will see search results for that word. But if you click on the search results, you do not see the content of BBQJointz (www.bbqjointz.com) .

So, go to your host’s control panel, look for the “IP Deny Manager”, and add an entry for the evil site. If needed, you can ask for help from your host’s support gang.

Let me know how this works out for you.

Been working on another ‘stealth project’. This one came to mind one evening. Looked for a domain name, found it, then started thinking about how to implement it. Couldn’t sleep that night, so got up and registered the domain name. Then started the build process.

Started out with a ‘wireframe’ of the site design by creating the CSS styles to implement the design. Created a couple of databases, built an input form, then started tweaking from there.

One of the features of the site is a voting process. Looked around the Interwebs for some code, and found one possibility. A day’s worth of work and troubleshooting and still couldn’t get it to work, but found another (and better) solution.

So, the ‘stealth site’ was finished today, just a few days after thinking up the idea. And it’s ready for testing by any of my two (maybe even three) regular readers.

Introducing: “MadBecause.com”. A place where you can easily enter things that are bugging you. And look for things that are bugging other people, with an easy way to vote “thumbs up.down” on each item. Try it out at www.madbecause.com . There’s a few things I want to add, but it’s ready for testing.

Who knows if it will be popular, but there’s always hope. In the meantime, I learned a few more things about programming web sites with PHP and Javascript, plus a bit of Ajax. So even if the site turns out to be relegated to the dim recesses of the Interwebs, it was worth the effort due to lessons learned.

I did some more minor tweaks to this site. If you use FireFox, you’ll notice the shadow effects on the posts and pictures. There is a CSS style shadow parameter for IE, but it doesn’t seem to work correctly, which is why the right and bottom sides of the posts are blank. I need to change the borders to use a graphic image, rather than the CSS parameters.

I also figured out how to change the menu bar background to match the header image background (those blue stripes). Once again, the Atahualpa theme that I use on this WordPress installation has proven to be most versatile. I’ve used that theme for at least a half-dozen sites, and each site looks different, which is easily attained with that theme.

There’s also a new link in the “Posts to Remember” box over there on the right. The tri-tip I cooked yesterday was really excellent — tender and juicy and full of flavor. And it is quite easy to do on a gas grill. Give it a try!

Other than that, today was sort of a lazy day. I really need to mow the lawn, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. Or maybe the next day.

Juicy and Tender Tri-Tip

After several successful attempts, I believe that I’ve got the technique for grilling a nice and juicy and tender tri-tip. Just ask the family, who have participated (and approved) in this series of experiences. But first, a word about what a ‘tri-tip’ is:

The tri-tip is a cut of beef from the bottom sirloin primal cut. It is a small triangular muscle, usually 1.5 to 2.5 lbs. (675 to 1,150g) per side of beef. In the United States, this cut was typically used for ground beef or sliced into steaks until the late 1950s, when it became a local specialty in Santa Maria, California, rubbed with salt, pepper, garlic salt, and other seasonings, cooked over red oak wood and roasted whole on a rotisserie, smoked in a pit, baked in an oven, grilled, or braised by putting a pot on top of a grill, browning the meat directly on the grill surface before and after the braising. (The tri-tip is still often labeled the “Santa Maria steak”.) Most popular in the Central Coast of California and Central Valley regions of California, it has begun to enjoy increasing popularity elsewhere for its full flavor, lower fat content, and comparatively lower cost. (Wikipedia)

I based my procedure on one found at Continue reading →

Those of you that are observant might notice that I’ve been tweaking the look of things over on the right side. And extra points if you noticed the difference in the background. Idle minds were at work at my house today.

Some research on other design changes was also done today, so things may change here (or at the various other web sites I work on) at any moment.

Other than that; nothing much else happening. We did pick up a 4 pound tri-tip for tomorrow. I put some steak rub on it and wrapped it back up in plastic wrap. I’ve got the grilling technique on tri-tip figured out so that the meat is tender and juicy .. and stays that way after you slice it. Looking forward to that.

Started off with a visit to the doctor for the sore phalanges (big toe). The doc thinks it’s gout, which requires a blood test to verify. Then back home, where the grandkids are staying for the day while their Mom runs in a 150 mile relay (with 12 others) from Logan (UT) to Jackson Hole (Wyoming). She really enjoys running, although I suspect part of it is getting away from the five lively children.

Off to lunch at Mickey-D’s, back home to watch a movie, then off to the neighborhood pool for a swim. Afterwards, another movie at home, along with playing in the back yard. Dinner was lasagna and corn-on-the-cob and garlic bread (and salad). By that time, our visitors from California (my cousin’s wife and other cousin, here for a wedding) had arrived, so much gabbing ensued.

Liam (8) did some poking around in our small garden, and found a cereal-bowl full of cherry tomatoes, along with our first tomato. He also found some peas, which were quickly eaten by his brothers and sister.

And I added a little new feature to the BBQJointz web site (www.bbqjointz.com), a search by zip codes with a radius (5-10-50 miles) option. I hadn’t planned on that feature. I figured that people would know what town they were in, so a state/city search was part of the site. I didn’t think that most people would know the zip code of the area they were going to visit, but my co-conspiritor in this project thought it would be a good idea. So, now you can search for a BBQ Jointz by zip code. We’re getting some good feedback on the site, although not as many reviews are being added at the moment.

The FoodieFeeds site (www.foodiefeeds.com, where you can see the latest post titles from food blogs) is getting some increased traffic. There are some clever food bloggers out there, and some of their food ideas are really good. Interesting place to get some nice cooking (and eating) ideas.

You two (maybe even three) regular readers might remember that I’ve been working on a new ‘stealth’ project. It’s time now to let you in on the secret.  (Drum roll, please.)

It’s been ‘live’ for about 10 days, and getting lots of visits. It’s the new BBQ Jointz web site at www.bbqjointz.com . You can search for a BBQ Jointz in any US/Canada city, and get information about the place. You can add reviews and pictures after a simple registration/login. It’s pretty easy to use, if I say so myself, and will be great whenever you have an itch for some BBQ.

Not many reviews there yet, but some nice pictures on the home page courtesy of my co-conspirator Larry Gaian (the “BBQ Grail” — www.thebbqgrail.com ). He knows BBQ, as you will see from the pictures. (Look for the posts on MOINK Balls on his site — they are yummy!)

Give the place a look-see, and add a review of your favorite BBQ Jointz (or even a Jointz that was less than impressive). There’s a contest with some great (secret) prizes for those that register or add a review.