Jerome Locson

If you’re into web development or blogging, you surely know these two Open Source web applications I am to talk about - Joomla and WordPress. I have been doing web programming since 2001 which I turned to be an offshore freelance web developer, worked in an I.T. firm in Manila, then came back home to finish my studies but still doing I.T. Consultancy/Web Development and blogging of course. Let me just say that I help write and code the web.

Okay, going back to business now…

WordPress was the first web application I installed when I got my own domain name. I was setting up a blog site that is. WordPress is a blog and publishing platform that you can install in your personal websites if you have a domain name or sign-up a WordPress account for free as a sub-domain of WordPress.org. The advantage of having your own domain name is that you can tweak your WordPress platform according to your preferences. You can even design your own theme or layout, install plugins, and even convert your WordPress to a CMS (Content Management System). Yeah, but that would include some programming. I’ll teach you how later, just keep posted.

Common to many hosting packages is that they have a number of ready-to-install applications over CPANEL which they usually call it Fantastico. CPANEL is your web-based control panel to manage your website. And, installing WordPress is easy as 1-2-3, just follow the steps and your blog will be up and running.

Screenshot of WordPress over CPANEL

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I guess I’m not.

The 12th Philnits Certification Exam will be on October 19 , 2008 and it’s barely less than 2 months of preparation. Again, I borrowed the set of reviewing materials from the ADZU CS Dept. Chair, Ms. Ebony, but then today I realized that I have so much things to do aside from this certification exam which will give me the opportunity to work in Japan. Nevertheless, I decided to take the 13th Philnits Exam by next year, April 26, 2009. This will give me ample time to prepare — to finish my thesis, focus on my work loads, and basically taking things by priority. By the way, I already took this exam twice but failed. Maybe it’s not yet for me to pass… haha! or simply not prepared enough to take it. I don’t know… it was that difficult that few only passes this exam. And if you pass, you’ll fly high for sure.

Anyway… it’s our midterm exam week and I have not taken any exams yet. I’ll do my short review tomorrow since it’s holiday (National Heroes Day). And hopefully I can pay my account balance on Tuesday so that I can acquire an exam slip.

I finally received my WordCamp Philippines Camper’s Pass last week from Migs, one of the organizers of WordCamp Philippines 2008. Now, I am really in!

Preparing myself for the event, I rushed to book my flight and finally have my round-trip ticket from Zamboanga to Manila and vice-versa. I purchased the Cebu Pacific flight since it’s cheaper than Philippine Airlines. By the way, Cebu Pacific is one of the sponsors of the event… better support them. Haha!

The event, WordCamp Philippines 2008, will be on September 6, 2008 at the College of St. Benilde Campus. But I am taking the flight early Friday, September 5 and will be back Monday afternoon. I am planning to visit some places in Manila, do some serious food trip and meet some friends. I plan to visit Manila Ocean Park, SM Mall of Asia, Intramuros, Roxas Boulevard, Rizal Park, and Chinatown.

Manila here I come, yet again! Hehe…

Yes, I am back. But I was never away actually. I was around and online but did not have enough time to update my blog. I was just so busy with some business, school and personal stuffs for the past 2 weeks. And, it was really very hectic and stressful one. Here’s some updates…

I had a series of meeting with our Project Director who visited the city for a business trip. He says he loves Zamboanga and it is his second home. I am glad to hear it from him… and he’s not from Zamboanga. He spent 2 weeks in Zamboanga City before he went back to Manila for a talk yesterday at The Japan Foundation.

August 15, 2008… it was Friday morning when my mom woke me up around 6am… saying that Wyatt was already dead. Yes. Wyatt, my Labrador puppy, died due to some parvovirus infection. Prior to his death, I brought him to the clinic to get some vaccines and medication but still, during that week, he refused to eat and drink. He was dehydrated. And on Thursday, August 24, he vomits blood and his stools as well. I was so worried and took care him very well. But, he did not survived. It was just not right, I thought. But it was just right for some reasons. After hearing my mom saying Wyatt is dead, I rushed and prepared myself to bury him at our backyard. I just miss Wyatt… for a month of stay with me, he was loved by my family. He was treated special, like a baby.

On the other hand, still a very busy week…. our meeting continued for another week. Stressful that is but rewarding since it went well, we were able to deliver things for our Project Director’s presentation yesterday at The Japan Foundation. w00t!

A noticeable attitude my colleagues observed with me during this week is that I am distant with them. Yes, I prefer to be distant with them for now… “I just want to be alone for now”… that was my status message over YM… if not… “I am better off alone”. Nothing personal but I really need myself being alone… I am trying to get myself back… in order, weighing priorities, going back to basic. I felt disoriented. I felt wasted. But I am still me… it is just the serious of me that I am now. Just don’t make fool of me… I am not always good, I can be furious when the situation calls. Just kidding…

Food trip, of course! When I am stressed out, I do serious food tripping. I usually do food tripping alone, I tend to visit restaurant, cafes, and fast foods… it just relieves me. Pizzas and cappuccino over Mr. Bean Cafe at Catribo complex are the best, with matching Cali. Also, I love shrimps… deep fried, gambas, sinigang, tempura? All my fave.

At school, I am doing fine. At work, I am doing fine as well (I hope).

See yah!

Haha. This is a funny video from Paris Hilton, trying to just make some fun over the internet…

Today is the opening of the much awaited event of the year, The Beijing Olympics 2008 Games. China, as the host country, decided to launch the opening at this very day…. August 8, 2008 (888). As for some Chinese people, 8 is a lucky number, it is an infinite number without end. Well, I do not know about it.

Olympics won’t be an iconic event without the Official Mascots. You can read the story of Beijing Olympic 2008 Official Mascots at http://en.beijing2008.cn/spirit/beijing2008/graphic/n214068254.shtml.

Aren’t they cute… and I am lucky enough to have 2 of them, Beibei and Jingjing keychains. My friend Al, who’s working in Shanghai right now, handed that to me and my brother when he came home last summer for a vacation. I own Jingjing and my brother owns Beibei. Here’s a picture of them:

Yeah! I am having a contest here… and this is my first one.

I will be giving away the following prizes:

The Ultimate Winner will have:

• 1 Year Domain Name Registration; winner can choose his/her own top-level domain name (.com, .org, .net).. just let me know what domain name you prefer and I will give it to you…
• With your new domain name, you will also get 1 year hosting package with the following specs: 100MB web space, 1GB bandwidth, MySQL/PHP supported and many more…
• Also, I will help you setup your domain name with hosting so that you can go live and use your prizes.

Other minor prizes:

• 1 winner of 1 Year Domain Name (remember that there is no hosting with it)
• 1 winner of 1500 EntreCard Credits.

Mechanics:

To join the contest, you must do the following:

1. You need to write a blog post, in your blog of course, why you should be the ULTIMATE winner of this contest.
2. After which, you need to submit a comment in this post with the following format:
   
   I’m the Ultimate Winner! [http://www.jeromelocson.com/complete blog posts link/]
3. All validated entries will be notified via blog comment in your blog post entry.
4. The contest is open to all from August 8, 2008 (888) until September 8, 2008 (7PM). This is a month long contest.
5. Winners will be announced by September 15, 2008 (7PM). And be notified by blog post comment in your entry post.

Join and win! More contest soon… See yah!