PolarLava::Blog

In my continuing effort to battle (mostly trackback) spam, I've implemented Akismet spam blocking using PHP5Akismet.  This is now running on this blog and will be in the next PolarBlog release as a configurable option.

—2/7/2007—
OK, Apparently I lied.  PolarBlog hasn't really been on a serious hiatus as I've managed to do a few things in tandem the past few weeks.  As such, I will be releasing PolarBlog V1.10.0 in the coming weeks.  One of the key features is the additional spam blocking of Akismet in addition to the recently added RBL system.  Since this addition and building up a reasonable RBL keyword block list, I get virtually no spam posted to the blog.  There are two caveats to this new feature; 1) You must be running PHP5 and 2) You must sign-up with WordPress.com to get an API key.  So if you meet the PHP5 qualification, want to get a head start and only intend to use it with PolarBlog, select the "Just a username, please." option.

Additionally I've added another email notification option that only sends notification on comments and trackbacks that have not been flagged as spam.  Although I've been getting flooded with spam on this blog and it's not being displayed, I was still getting a ton of pointless email.  Problem solved.  There are also a handful of bug fixes too!

After this release I likely will be spending less time on PolarBlog.  But note, moving forward things will probably become more PHP5 centric.  I've maintained PHP4 compatibility for over a year now even though I made the switch to PHP5 back then.  The time has come for you to do the same.  If your current hosting provider doesn't offer PHP5 or is reluctant to do so, might I suggest A2 Web Hosting.  This is where I'm hosted and they have been very reliable and more importantly (to me anyway) very responsive to support requests.

PolarBlog V1.9.1 has been released.  The primary purpose of this release is to address some issues when performing a new installation and update some ambiguoities in the documentation.

Enhancements

• Added prevention of deleting topic when there is only one defined.
• Updated documentation to better explain $config['blogs'] section.
• Limit search to 50 matches.

• RBL keyword check occassionally throws warning while searching.
• Syntax error in config.php.dist due to missing comma!!!
• New installs fail under PHP5 because of no topics.

• None

A coworker pointed out this article about a common downfall in the software development world.  I'm guessing if you are involved in software as a professional, this article will ring a bell with you.  :)

PolarBlog V1.9.0 (Bloodhound) has been released.  The major focus of this release is the addition of Entry Trackbacks, Topic specific RSS feeds, and numerous bug fixes.

Enhancements

• Entry Trackbacks
• Added individual topic RSS feeds.
• Deprecated ENTRY_LINK and ARCHIVE_LINK, now lang file entries.
• Made display of ENTRY_LINK and ARCHIVE_LINK more consistent with other look and feel.
• Comment JS validation now uses language file to support localization.
• Added basic user management (password hints/change).
• Added "Display Disabled" notice to comment/trackback emails.
• Added Entry insert/update status message after action.
• Only load PHP Mailer at point it's required for notifications.
• Added custom X-Tracker to email header in notifier and POP3 poster.
• Added CHARSET to POP3 entry poster.
• Changed RBL Admin Listed IP's URL link text so table better fits in window.
• Added Comment Display Disabled listing to RBL Admin.
• RBL blocked comment replies no longer mailed to commenter.
• Added IP whois lookup to RBL Admin and comment admin view display.
• Future dated entries now show future dated display disabled.
• Updated XMLRPC class.

Some of you might be wondering why you haven't seen may new entries on my blog in the past month or so.  Well, here's why…I've been plugging away in what little free time I have working on a new version of PolarBlog.  And now I believe it's at a point where I can start running it on my site to work out any issues while I work on the documentation and such before releasing it.  The goal is to release this before the end of the year if possible.

The first major change in this release that you can see is the addition of sending and receiving Trackbacks on entries!  As anyone who has been following PolarBlog's development knows, this is a feature that I've wanted to implement for quite some time.  Well, it's finally here.  And now that I've done so I wonder how much I will really use it. (!)  Time will tell, hopefully others will find it useful as well.  Also in the release you will now notice the (optional) RSS feed icon next to each topic.  That's right, you can now get a feed of just my software development, beer or whatever topic and not be bothered with updates to things you don't care about.

Other things you can't see but are in here, include RBL comment text checking (not sure how I missed doing that before!), basic user self-management (a requested feature), disabled comment management within the RBL management (to deal with the stupid spammers who just won't quit), a number of smaller additions to make like easier for admins as well as a number of other annoying bug have been fixed.

You can see a more complete list —albeit raw, by viewing the PolarBlog Changes file.