Tom Doyle :: TALK

While installing the latest version of Typo3 4.2.1 on a new server, we encountered a strange issue.

For some odd reason the Install page was blank. After much searching we found that it was in fact because of the php memory limit. Luckily we were able to change this in the .htaccess file by simply adding the following line to it:

php_value memory_limit 32M

Typo3 needs 32MB of memory to run.

I hope this helps some frustrated Typo3 developers who have had the same issue!

Only a few days now before the eTolling system comes into place. Since I posted my opinion(s) on the options available to the casual user of the M50, I’ve had a lot of questions regarding the video registration solution offered by eFlow.

To be completely honest, I know very little about it. However, I’m told it’s very simple. You simply register your registration plate on the eFlow.ie website and provide either your bank account details of credit card information. Each time you pass the M50 toll, your bank account/credit card will be deducted €2.50. There are apparently no additional charges for this.

In the short term this seems to be the cheapest solution for the casual user, since there are no set up charges. TollTag.ie in the long run is probably cheapest in the long run for the casual user, although it will take 85 trips through the M50 toll to make back the €30 registration fee (they give you €4.40 free credit).

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In May this year, Microsoft launched a new service to the World called Windows Live SkyDrive. Formally known as Windows Live Folders, the service offers users the ability to upload, store and share files in their own file storage area. I just recently became aware of this and decided to try it out.

It seemed for sometime that it was just way too expensive to choose an online backup solution. No-one seemed that interested.

Online backups just make so much sense though and should not be overlooked. Why have a tape drive or external hard drive backup that you either have to remember to change tapes or take a copy off-site every night. Isn’t it much easier to schedule your computer to do it to a remote location without any interaction from a human? It makes so much sense, of course until you see how costly it could get.

Nowadays, companies offering online back-ups are becoming more and more popular. It was obvious that someday it would be requirement with all the information people want to store, from music to photos. A typical hard drive nowadays fills to the brim pretty quickly.

So what does Windows Live SkyDrive offer as a solution?

Well from a space size, it’s pretty darn good. 5GB of free space.
The user interface is really simple and easy to understand. It allows you to select files for public and private viewing. you can also download a simple program that allows you to easily upload files in a drag and drop fashion.

From a backup point of view, is it any good though?
So far I fail to see how I could possibly use it as a backup service. Its biggest downfall is the fact that you have to drag files individually to upload. You can’t for example drag a folder onto it or else you get an error.

Most online backup solutions offer you a decent piece of software that will allow you to not only schedule file uploads but will also check to see what files have changed rather than uploading everything again.

So for now, Windows Live SkyDrive just isn’t the solution for me. But! I pity anyone trying to make a business out of this, because I’m sure it won’t be long before Microsoft will launch a backup tool that can be used with Windows Live SkyDrive.

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I was highly critical of Colm & Jim-Jims new show on 2FM that took the place of dinosaur DJ, Marty Whelan when it first took to the airwaves last year. In terms of entertainment, I don’t think much has changed, however, I can’t really comment entirely, because I’ve switched them off completely. The only place I got to listen to them over the past year was sitting in a dentist.

It’s great news for them to hear that they have regained massively the losses they incurred when they took over the show last year. The latest JNLR figures show that their show is now achieving 202,000 listeners nationwide. That shows an increase on previous estimations of up to 20,000 new listeners (official figures say 19,00).

202,000 listeners is still a fair bit lower than their peak with FM104, which is a bit disappointing considering that they are now a nationwide show. You could put this down to the shows airing time, but with a show that had so much going for it, I would have expected a lot more success.

The much anticipated Florentine Centre in Bray, Co. Wicklow has been a controversial development for sometime now in Bray. Not only did Bray Town lose a huge amount of parking space for the last few years, it has also been an incredibly ugly eye sore for the town of Bray.

In recent months there has been the announcement that Ballymore simply don’t have the shillings to complete the project, stating that major investors had pulled out of the project. So only last week they announced that the site will no longer be a host of shops and apartments, but will now have two shops and a replacement car park.

In press release from the Bray Chamber of Commerce, they announced that they would have the car park in place by Christmas. Yippee!!

So I guess all we have to wait on now is the development of “Bray Town Centre” - of course another objection has been placed, so that is on hold until November at least.

Anyway, here’s the press release from the Bray Chamber of Commerce:

“Bray & District Chamber welcomes the commencement of work by Ballymore on the Florentine site this week. Bray Chamber representatives met with officials from Ballymore on Tuesday 5th August. The purpose of the meeting was to call on Ballymore to publish in detail their proposed plans for the Florentine Centre in particular plans regarding Car Parking on the site.

In the course of the meeting Bray Chamber received assurances from Ballymore that the Car Parking facilities would be reinstated in time for the Christmas period with work commencing week 11th August and work on the two new Shops facing onto Bray Main Street, starting on 18th August.

Bray Chamber understands that this is phase 1 of the initial development and are aware that full development of the original plans won’t go ahead. While this is a disappointment, Bray Chamber will continue to work with all concerned to ensure an appropriate development will be sought for the site.
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In the meantime, Bray Chamber President, Mr Eugene Finnegan has stated that the prospect of having 240 new parking spaces in the heart of the town centre and available for Christmas, will be an exciting aspect to the promotion of Bray as a Christmas shopping destination.

Bray Chamber and representatives from Ballymore have agreed to meet on a regular basis.”

Less than 3 weeks now before the toll loses its barriers in favour of the new eTolling system. I’ve already voiced my opinion on eFlow.ie and from the responses I think it’s quite clear that not many people are happy with this situation.

So let’s welcome TollTag.ie - before I compliment them on their service, I have to firstly complain about their terrible and non user-friendly website. Who ever designed / planned this website should be shot! They are clearly offering a superior service for a casual user of the M50, yet their website doesn’t reflect this. eFlow are getting plenty of air play in which they are making out that they are the “cheaper” alternative for the new system. However, it is simply not the case.

TollTag.ie offer us casual users the ability to use the toll for just €2.20 - a staggering €0.80 cheaper than eFlow. They are able to achieve this by adding the additional 20c for an administration fee as opposed to eFlow’s €1 per month.

Now in black and white, that may sound dearer in the long run for an administration fee, but for the casual user it really isn’t. Your credit never expires and top ups are as low as €10.

So I reckon this will be the option I will be going for - rather than trace around the country trying to avoid the toll!

EDIT: Ok it seems I’m not being 100% clear. The above post relates to the “Pay as you Toll” option from TollTag.ie - There is a €30 registration fee for this account. However, there are no monthly fees and no minimum topup charge.

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Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Ronaldo finally announced publicly yesterday that he plans to stay with Manchester United for another season at least. Commenting on his reason for wanting to leave Man United he said:

“I am going to say something here that I’ve never told anybody: if we hadn’t been European champions I probably wouldn’t have even thought about going to Madrid”.

He went on to say, “After we’d won the Champions League I felt that in five years I had helped win everything there was to win. We’d won the Premier League twice and I’d won a host of individual awards, including the best goalscorer in the Premier League, Champions League and in Europe. So I felt that maybe I needed a new challenge”.

As much as I respect anyone who aspires to be the best they possibly can at their chosen profession, the way Ronaldo handled it all leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth. The five years he talks about, were 4 years where his club, in particular manager Alex Ferguson, stood by him when everyone else thought he was a poor excuse for a footballer. Not many people rated him as a true and true footballer. Yes maybe he could dazzle with his silky skills, his football brain just didn’t seem to be there.

However, last season was his best yet - we don’t even have to mention his goals. As an all round player, he really showed how well he has matured under Alex Ferguson. But as any true professional will tell you, “you are only as good as your last performance”.

So Ronaldo may think he has nothing left to prove, but I feel he has a lot still to do. He needs to show that this season, he can be as consistent as he was in the last. Just like all the great football heros you can think of.

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