X-Evolutionist: Spaces stuff

The first day of a three day weekend!

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 15:28:57 GMT

My hubby and I are both off Monday, so we have a well-deserved three day weekend starting today. It's going to be nice to have a nice, long, relaxing weekend with my hubby.

I got my Google search box working, finally. Thanks go out to my good buddy Mark Slack for tech support.

I am having fun searching my own space, so I hope it helps somebody else to find what types of boring things I talk about.

I've added a search feature to my space. Beta Tester wanted...

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:31:55 GMT

I added a feature to search my space. I could use a Beta Tester to try it out, tee hee. It works for me, but would you please test it while you are here and let me know if it works for you?

Thanks!

Lost in translation: Haus von Rufus der Wunder-Vogel!

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:27:09 GMT

I noticed this morning on my Statistics page that somebody in Germany had translated my space. I got a kick out of seeing my "Welcome" module become this:

Willkommen!

Hallo! Mich anrufen „X“.
Für danke
Besuchen meines Raumes!

Haus von Rufus
der Wunder-Vogel!

"Home of Rufus the Wonder Bird" became "Haus von Rufus der Wunder-Vogel!" Just for kicks, I Translated that back into English. It came out to be: "House of Rufus the Miracle Bird!" Tee hee.

This reminds me of something else. There is a fun site called Lost in Translation that will translate text from one language to the next, back into English, then to the next, and so on. It's like playing the game "Telephone" where you start saying a sentence and whisper it to one person, to the next, etc, and at the end of the circle come out with something entirely different.

For example, I just translated

"Spaces is a fun place to hang out."

on Lost in Translation, and it came back with: "

"The station of the work is a place to the friction of the safeguard."

What in the heck?

Try it, it's fun!

My computer is almost back to normal!

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:15:20 GMT

As I said previously, my computer crashed big-time last month. I am finally in a position to get some work done. I am still finding glitches now and then as I use my CADD (computer aided drafting and design) software. It's been tricky getting all my configurations back to normal.

I learned my lesson! I've added a second drive to my computer just for backup. I am regularly backing up my Documents and Settings folder. I never want to go through this again!

I am still using all my computer time for working. I am way behind, and I get paid by the job. Enough said!

I'll be out visiting soon, I hope!

I'm still working on getting my computer set back up.

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:43:13 GMT

Hi Everybody!

My computer crashed big time two weeks ago, and I recently got it back from the shop with a new hard drive. I have to set up everything from scratch. For the last week, I've been reinstalling all of my work programs and files. It's been a nightmare. I work at home on this computer, and I've been going insane trying to recreate everything.

I won't be visiting for a while. All of my computer time is being spent on this big task. THEN I hope to be able to get some actual work done.

Have fun!

Yikes! My computer crashed big time!

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:59:14 GMT

I have been offline for about a week. I'm borrowing a computer to post this. My computer crashed big time, and I've lost everything. It's been a real bummer. The computer is still in the shop.

It took the techs a while to find time to work on it. It turns out that many people in town are having the same problem: Hard drives are getting fried because of all of the thunderstorms here lately.

It's a long story, but I hope to be back soon!

Yikes! My space is in another language today! (Solved!)

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:36:34 GMT

Help help! I can't read my own space today! My space is in another language, for some reason.

I can't even contact the Help page because everything in spaces.live.com is in another language and I can't read it!

Yikes!

Edited to add:

Thank you Dev for helping me with this problem! It's fixed! Yippy!

Thank you to Jodi for my beautiful new banner!

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 13:23:56 GMT

My friend, Jodi, surprised me with a beautiful new banner! We both have fish ponds with lily plants, and she put a wonderful image of lilies along with a dragonfly, which I love! She also incorporated my favorite picture of my parrot Rufus which I posted yesterday!

Thank you Jodi!

I set up my new Guestbook!

Wed, 23 May 2007 23:30:01 GMT

I've been reluctant to set up the new Guestbook that we have with our spaces, now. Until now, my Guestbook had been elsewhere, and it was working just fine. But, now I have a new one.

Thanks Kimmy!

New features added in spaces!

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 13:00:44 GMT

Hi everybody!

Check out The Space Craft, "the official Spaces Team blog". They've added some features here in Spaces Land

(thanks Dreamers for the heads up!)

Congratulations to Dev!

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:31:34 GMT

Dev's space, Hack MSN Spaces, has been named "Space of the Week" in Windows Live Spaces! His space has a lot of great tutorials for customizing our spaces. Dev also set up Hack MSN Spaces Group where users can share tips about customizing spaces.

Drop by Dev's space and take a look at his tutorials, and feel free to join the Hack MSN Spaces Group. I hope to see you there!

I'm still working on my space.

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:10:27 GMT

Mark Slack posted on his space how to add scrolling text and buttons with rollover capability to our Sandbox Gadget. (Thanks, Mark!) The Sandbox Gadget, a relatively new option, can run Java Script, in addition to html.

I really like what can be done, but I have two problems with the Sandbox: First, it says "Sandbox". That's a bummer. You can't turn it off like with the Custom html Module. Second, you can't have it wide and on top like the Custom html Module where my banner and blue buttons are. What I would really like would be to have my banner and blue buttons just like they are, but have them be rollover capable and add a scrolling message. Oh, well, I'm dreaming again.

Thanks go out to my hubby who knows Java Script and adapted Mark's instructions for my exact needs. Thanks, Sweetie! xxx ooo xxx!

Edited to add:

The Sandbox seriously needs to be bigger! I redid my buttons, but I don't like them. I can't fit what I want to say in the area available and have it big enough to read. I want the Sandbox to be wider so you can use it across your space, but it only takes up half of the width of my center column. So, I have to keep it on my side column where it is too teensy to be of much use to me.

Rats!

My space is under construction!

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 03:16:15 GMT

I've been putting in some buttons with roll-overs in my space. I haven't quite figured out what I'm doing yet, but I'm having fun, anyway! Look at the buttons in the module called "Sandbox" to the left. I'm doing the buttons per Mark Slack's tutorial. If you visit Mark's space, you'll see how nice his buttons look.

Thanks Mark!

Edited to add:

Well, Rats. Mark told me I need to make my buttons narrower. That's what I get for not asking in the first place. Check out the bottom right corner of my space to see the buttons. I'm putting them there while I decide what to do.

My Soapbox on MSN Videos!

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 14:06:36 GMT

I signed up for Soapbox on MSN Video per Dev's recommendation and I've put up a few videos. This new feature has a blog with more info, and it tells how to show this in our space in the October 6, 2006 entry. Check it out!

I'm usually really afraid about sharing personal information on the web, but the video called My First Video of Rufus has a conversation between me and my hubby. So, if you want to hear my voice, listen quick before I get scared and take it off!

Edited to add:

Well, bummer, it doesn't show on my space. It looks just fine in my Windows Live Writer software. Well, here's a link to my Soapbox on MSN Video page.

Be aware of the Spaces Code of Conduct

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:58:39 GMT

Hi everybody,

I have learned first hand that Spaces has a zero tolerance policy on at least some violations of the Code of Conduct: (http://spaces.live.com/coc.aspx ) We all agreed to this Code when we got our space.

I accidentally came across a space that was blatantly in violation of the Code of Conduct. It was listed in the "Updated Spaces" module and the title was very blatantly obvious. It was advertising hard core pornography and phone sex and had a lot of porn photographs. I clicked on the Report Abuse button and reported it. Later that day, I got an email from Microsoft Customer Support thanking me for letting them know about it, and saying that the space had been deleted. It actually was gone!

Before you jump down my throat for being a prude, please realize I am risking what you think of me to pass along this information. I'm not a vigilante who is going to go around looking for violations and turn in people. That's not what this is about.

All I'm saying is that if you put up content that is against the rules your space could get deleted without warning. They say this in the Code, and now I know that they are dead serious when they say it:

"Termination and Cancellation

Microsoft reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to review and remove user-created services and content at will and without notice, and delete postings or ban participants that are deemed objectionable."

I'm still working on my space

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 18:12:26 GMT

The Windows Live Writer has spoiled me. Therefore, I'm redoing a bunch of stuff. Why? Because I can! I love being able to format text quickly and easily.

Thanks Mark Slack!

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 21:33:21 GMT

For those of you who do not know, Mark Slack has a really great space with a gazilion tutorials for how to do things in Spaces. His info has helped me to learn a lot. See the "How To" list on the right side of his space.

For instance,

How to add a custom html module to your space to add a banner and buttons like I have here.
How to add a tweak UI module to your space to change the colors of your text, links, etc.
How to add a full width banner to put an extra wide banner across the whole space width.

Personally, I haven't tried the full width banner yet. He advises against it until you test it first. Here's My Practice Space so you can see what I've tried.

I found out something tricky today!

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 12:53:37 GMT

Yesterday, I found out something by accident. I was playing with my practice space revising my full width banner. (Click here for Mark Slack's code for full width banners). I wanted to put it back the way it was after I played with it. Well, I I accidentally left some text saying "Original" above the code for the full width banner. How did I know? Because I saw the word "Original" on the bottom of this space, not in a module!

I had to go to bed after that, but first thing this morning I got up to see what else can be done. Well, a LOT can be done! I did a draft blog post in Windows Live Writer and put the html code for it above the full width banner code, and I found out that you can format text, put links and even add pictures!

Check out the bottom right corner of my practice space.

Never mind my ranting about the photo feature of Windows Live Writer!

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 13:29:44 GMT

Elaine called my attention to the Windows Live Writer's ability to post a picture from an offsite storage location, such as photobucket.com, which I use. Go to "Insert/Picture from Web..." and add the URL. Apparently, it works great, because there's my picture!

My first blog entry with Windows Live Writer

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 15:38:43 GMT

This is a test!

I just heard about Windows Live Writer in one of the "Space Shuttles" of The Space Craft team blog.

Here is the new blog about it:

http://windowslivewriter.spaces.live.com/

According to what I'm reading about it, it's a WYSIWYG blog composer tool. Your text and pictures can be added and edited in a more user friendly fashion. It's just a beta for now, but I just downloaded it now.

One thing I like already is that it lets you do right click cut, copy and paste, which you cannot do in a blog entry.

Oh, wow, I just put in a picture at random (some crocheted animals I made) and I didn't have to use a bunch of html to resize it. I just dragged it. And you can link your picture to something easily, again with no html code.

Hmm. I couldn't figure out how to define a custom color, and I couldn't decide which of the standard colors to use. I'll play again tomorrow.

Oh, wow! It's got spell check! OK, time to post this now.

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

PS:

Is the picture still there? The blog pictures were added to a new blog album automatically. I removed the album, but I'm not sure it makes the images disappear, too. Just in case, I replaced the picture of Rufus, above, with a picture from Photobucket. I left this one as a test)

Edited to add:

Thank you, Elaine, for telling me this picture was a red "X".

I edited this entry to link to pictures offsite. I talk about why in my blog entry called "Another picture of Casper the Friendly Fish". I'm not very happy with the "insert picture" feature.\

The statistics page is back!

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 13:32:04 GMT

I don't know about you, fellow spacers, but I missed the statistics page. Welcome back, statistics!

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

Thank you Elaine!

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 00:25:30 GMT

I have such great friends! Elaine just sent me a new image for my space:

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/X-Evolutionist/X-Evolutionist_banner.jpg

I have a lot to choose from!

Clarification: I got two wonderful banners in one day. I have one from Jodi up now, and will will put the one from Elaine up at another time to come.

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

Thank you Jodi for my new banner!

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 21:02:22 GMT

Jodi had made me a beautiful banner shortly before the switch to Live Spaces. Now, it was too small for the center column. She just made me a new one. It is very beautiful, hmm?

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h319/X-Evolutionist/xbannerwhitewithleaves.jpg

Thank you Jodi!

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

My first blog in Windows Live Spaces!

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 23:23:04 GMT

Today is the day that we in Spaces have been looking forward to! Everything looks different including my color scheme, and where are all my flowers?

Maybe they aren't quite finished.

So far, Customize won't work for me. I want to peek in and see what modules have been added.

Yay! Customize finally opened! I added the Friends Module!

Have fun with you spaces everybody!

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

More info about the coming of Windows Live Spaces

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 14:33:12 GMT

Hi everybody!

It's been way to hot for me to go outside and play, so I've been spending time on the internet looking for news. I found this today:

Here's the blog of one of the "Space Shuttles" listed on The Space Craft (http://thespacecraft.spaces.msn.com/):

http://mozatwork.spaces.msn.com/

His profile says he is the "Group Product Manager, Spaces". Anyway, in yesterday's blog he has links to some recent interviews about Windows Live Spaces you might want to check out.

I'm looking forward for the big switch to Live Spaces so I've been trying to find out information about it.

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

Who else is looking forward to Windows Live Spaces?

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:55:02 GMT

Hi Everybody!

I came across some news this morning:

Check out Mike Torres' Space. I first found his blog linked on The Space Craft (http://thespacecraft.spaces.msn.com/), and I check it out now and then. I knew he worked for Windows, but this article says he is the "Lead Program Manager for Windows Live Spaces". In yesterday's blog he links to a recent interview he did about Spaces: Here's his blog:

Torres Talking
http://mike.spaces.msn.com/

X

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

The Space Craft has no news. Dang.

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 13:41:41 GMT

As I said a few days ago, I added the RSS feed for the MSN Spaces blog, The Space Craft (http://thespacecraft.spaces.msn.com/), to my space. (See module to the right). I had been checking that space frequently for news about the big switch over to Live Spaces and the RSS module saves me a trip over there. I noticed yesterday that they added a new blog entry, but no word yet about Live Spaces! I sure hope we hear something soon!

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

I added the RSS feed for The Space Craft

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 13:38:07 GMT

I've been checking The Space Craft (http://thespacecraft.spaces.msn.com/) often for news about Windows Live Spaces. Now, I don't have to go to that space each time. I just have to glance at the RSS feed module on my own space. If the heading has changed, I will notice right away! It has said "Windows Live Spaces is coming!" for 20 days.

RSS is a nice feature, but I never had a use for it until now.

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

No new info about Windows Live Spaces yet.

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:44:55 GMT

I've been hoping to hear more news about Windows Live Spaces. I'm looking forward to the big switch that is coming soon. I just checked the spaces blog (http://thespacecraft.spaces.msn.com) and the last thing they said was on June 23rd. I hope we hear something soon!

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

Thank you Jodi for my new banner!

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 19:40:26 GMT

My friend Jodi made me a new banner!

Thanks, Jodi!

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

Another new siggy!

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 13:38:34 GMT

I forgot to show off another siggy that my friend Jodi made for me:

This is my favorite picture of Rufus the Wonder Bird. Thanks, Jodi! (http://gardenandthings.spaces.msn.com/)

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

Thank you Jodi!

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 14:39:47 GMT

Hi Everybody!

My friend Jodi (http://gardenandthings.spaces.msn.com/) gave me a surprise yesterday. She made me a signature image for my forum posts. Isn't it pretty?

Thanks, Jodi!

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

Space maintenance success story!

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 16:24:06 GMT

Hi Everybody!

Well, the space maintenance I did to make my space load quicker has helped. I want to thank Elaine for her head's up that my space was loading slowly. Thanks Elaine! (http://lelaineh.spaces.msn.com/PersonalSpace.aspx)

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

Space maintenance.

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 23:52:31 GMT

Hi Everybody!

A friend told me today that my space was taking a long time to load and making the computer crash. So, I've been streamlining it this evening. I've removed my sound file and most of my pictures. Hopefully, this will help the space load faster. I would appreciate comments about whether my space loads better, now.

Thanks!

(Please leave comments to me in my Guestbook. Thank you!)

I saved my space.

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 21:54:31 GMT

As I said earlier, I've had to restore my space to its "stock" condition because it was unstable. I'm in the process of recreating the lists I had to delete. But, now, I can only add one type of list, the book list. Blog list and custom list just turns into a scrap that I have to figure out how to get rid of.

I can deal with just using book lists, I'm just happy I can have lists again!

I will be playing it safe for the time being......

Serendipity

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 14:46:28 GMT

I had to delete most of my lists yesterday. They were phantom lists that could not be shown on my space. Everything I tried to show just showed scraps of the list. I deleted all of my lists that were not showing on my space.

But, I got a consolation prize! I deleted my book list, and then later on when I went to recreate it I found out that you can show pictures with the books now. Plus, the new book list format went quicker for populating my list.

That was a very serendipitous discovery!

Anyway, I've just about gotten my space to "stock" condition now. I'm going to keep it that way for a while. I'm a big chicken.

Back to basics

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 15:30:03 GMT

As my blog earlier today says, I'm getting my space back to "stock" condition as I've been having problems with it. I've taken out my html toy. Here's the wonderful banner that Scott,

http://spaces.msn.com/luvvbuzz/

made for me. I'll be putting it back up in the time to come.

Thanks bunches, Scott. I really love my banner!

I'm going to take off my music.

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 14:56:54 GMT

My space seems to have become unstable and unpredictable. My lists have gone blewey. (see the bottom right corner of my space).

I'm going to take out some of my customization and get back to basics. One thing I've decide to do is to remove the power toy that is playing the music.

Here's my blog about the music I've been playing:

http://spaces.msn.com/x-evolutionist/blog/cns!25A0033DD834DD1D!643.entry

"You'll Never Walk Alone" is playing and available to download on Al's site if you want to hear it after I remove it from my space.

Thanks, Al, (http://members.aol.com/fssalhb/) for letting me play your beautiful music!

Please Sign My Guestbook!

Sun, 15 Jan 2006 16:17:16 GMT

Please Sign My Guestbook.

I'd love to hear from you! Just add a comment below. I check this page often and I read all my messages.

If you ask me a question, make sure you have a message in your blog so I can respond with a comment. Otherwise, I'll answer it here hoping you will check back.