When dealing with database driven websites you probably (like me) use phpMyAdmin to manage and maintain your database(s). Below is a few useful “one-liners” gathered over the years…

Modifying the configuration settings

By modifying config.inc.php in the root directory where you installed phpMyAdmin you can add numerous additional functions and features. All it takes is adding a line or two.

Default theme

$cfg['ThemeDefault'] = 'some_theme';

Link to phpinfo()

$cfg['ShowPhpInfo'] = TRUE;

“Show all” rows button

$cfg['ShowAll'] = TRUE;

Hide databases from the menu

$cfg['Servers'][$i]['hide_db'] = '(test|mysql|etc...)';

Setting the fontsize

if ( !isset($_COOKIE['pma_fontsize']) ) :
    $_GET['fontsize'] = "80%"; # Whatever size you like
endif;

More options are available by browsing libraries/config.default.php which is very well documented.

Blogvaria was unavailable for approximately 10 hours yesterday because my brother was repartitioning the discs on the server. I was going to post a brief post up front but simply forgot about it.

Due to location (NTNU), hardware(Dual this and double that) and software(Linux) the server never fails unless my brother is working on it. A 1Gig connection doesn’t hurt either.

Anyway this is what happened, sorry for keeping you waiting on the doorstep yesterday!

Thomas

Most web pages are made up of HTML files linked to separate image files. Here’s a way to embed an image directly into an HTML file.

A table is created which is filled with large numbers of 1×1 cells. Each cell has a background colour of the corresponding pixel in the image. That’s all it is; just a massive grid of coloured table cells. View the source to see the details.

It might not be useful but the lesson here is to think outside the box. Images and HTML are more interchangeable than they look. With a little imagination one can make small, dynamic and visually appealing content without resorting to Flash or Shockwave.

Read more | Digg story

After many months of testing, developing, and more testing, we have a very solid release available for download. It comes with roughly 80+ fixed bugs and a handful of enhancements for good measure.

Read more | Digg story

BBC-correspondent Alan Johnston set free after 114 days in captivity.

Last night Johnston could finally announce his freedom from the British consulate in Jerusalem. Only a few weeks ago the world received frightening photographs of Johnston with a bomb belt strapped around his body.

Living on bread, potatoes and cheese for the last 114 days he admits he is really looking forward to a nice meal.

Despite the terrifying situation he claims to feel fine both mentally and physically at the moment. He even surprised the press by giving a statement just hours after his release. Only time can tell how he manages to cope with what’s happened.

Since April he hasn’t seen the sun and the kidnappers talked about killing him on several occasions. He was moved several times and verbally abused but never physically. It’s like being buried alive he says.

Hours before the release the kidnappers treated him a bit rough but he believes it was only frustration and anger coming to display. The tiny Palestinian fraction with their own and unique agenda had to give in after massive pressure from all sides. According to Johnston they are in no way representative for the general Palestinian as he’s lived and talked with them for several years.

When asked if he ever lost hope he said: “You must hope that one day, somehow… It was only 4 months. Some has been held hostage for years.”

Brave man, congratulations and the best of luck for the future!