Archive for April, 2006
How to Turn register_globals Off
April 3rd, 2006For those of you trying to install Gallery 2 onto your webserver to display your photo albums, Gallery will complain if a certain PHP variable, — named
register_global
— is not disabled, for security reasons. When I encountered this, I was about to email my web hoster to ask them to disable it, but then I found out how to do it myself. Here are two options:
I have to give credit to this site for telling me how:
1) You can turn off register_globals on your account. Create a file named php.ini that includes this line:
register_globals = Off
and dump it into your root folder
2) If that doesn’t work, try the .htaccess way. Simply add this line to your .htaccess (create the file if it doesn’t exist):
php_flag register_globals off
Which method works depends on how your host sets it.
Malibu Seafood
April 3rd, 200625653 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 456-3430
If you want to escape the crowds and trendiness typical of most LA restaurants, and also want to eat tasty fresh seafood, take a short drive to Malibu and take a seat at Malibu Seafood. There is no indoor seating, however once you’re there, sit outdoors and enjoy a great view of the nearby ocean while trying one of their many fish & chips plates, steamed shrimp, or awesome clam chowder.
Be prepared, for this is not a fancy restaurant but rather a no-frills seafood stand, with patio seating. Anyway, after you stuff yourself, you can also walk across the parking lot and take a nice mini hike in the woody hills…and then return for a post-hike seafood snack.
Thai Fried Rice
April 16th, 2006This is a quick and simple recipe for Thai fried rice that I put together from a few separate recipes. The only thing I have to say is make sure your stove gets hot enough!
- 3TB oil
- 1/2 lb. chicken
- 1 egg
- 1tsp fish sauce
- 2tsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1tsp Thai curry paste
- 1-2 cups of sliced vegetables
- 1 cup rice
- 1 lime
- Pinch of ground pepper
- Place a wok or pan on the stove and turn up the heat as high as possible. Once it is fully hot, add the oil, then add the chicken and stire quickly. If the chicken starts juicing up, the stove isn’t hot enough. It should be hot enough so that things are smoking.
- Remove the chicken and add the egg into the wok. Scramble it quickly. Then either move it to the side of the wok, or just remove it.
- Add the fish sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and paste. Then add the vegetables. Then add the rice and the chicken back. Stir quickly.
- Add freshly ground pepper and the lime. Be sure to add them, as they add lots of flavor.
New Laser Printer
April 23rd, 2006
No longer able to tolerate the inkjet printer at home, mainly because of its runny ink, I decided it was finally time for a laser printer. I went to CNET, the best place for reviews of electronic products, to start an extensive search of laser printer reviews. But then I remembered I didn’t have the luxury of picking the printer with the best reviews, since I was limited by money and by what local stores carried. In the end I chose the HP LaserJet 1022. Once I’ve had a chance to use it more, I’ll write back with a slightly more detailed review.
***REVIEW UPDATE***
This LaserJet is actually a great printer. First of all, it’s fast. It takes less than 8 seconds from hitting the “print” button to having the document in your hand; the paper just flies from the tray! The output is excellent, especially with text. I haven’t printed many graphics-heavy documents, but ones with mostly text and some graphics will come out great. Its low price tag (<$200) makes it even better.
The only downside I can think of is that it is slightly noisy, which for me isn’t an issue, but I can imagine it being a little annoying for some other people.
So unless you place this printer next to the head of someone sleeping, the HP LaserJet 1022 is a great low-cost laser printer.
20 Ways to Better Health
April 26th, 2006Taken directly from Men’s Health, here is an interesting and helpful list of 20 small changes you can make in your life to be a little healthier and more fit. Everyone can afford to incorporate at least 5 of these changes into their daily routine.
1. DECORATE YOUR PLATE
A 14-year study found that men whose diets were highest in fruits and vegetables had a 70 percent lower risk of digestive-tract cancers. How to reach your quota: Never eat a meal that doesn’t contain a vegetable or fruit. And no, fries don’t count.
2. DRY-BRUSH YOUR TEETH
It cuts tartar by 60 percent and also reduces the risk of bleeding gums by half. Use a dry, soft brush to scrub the insides of your top and bottom teeth, then buff the outer surfaces. Rinse, spit, and brush briefly with toothpaste.
3. NEVER SKIP BREAKFAST
A survey of more than 2,000 people who lost an average of 67 pounds and kept the weight off for more than 5 years found that 78 percent ate breakfast 7 days a week.
4. EAT MORE PASTA
Two to four servings of tomato sauce a week can cut your prostate-cancer risk by 34 percent.
5. JUDGE CHOLESTEROL WITH CONTACT LENSES
A diet full of fat, protein, or alcohol weakens your tears’ ability to block cholesterol from adhering to the lenses. This results in cloudy deposits. If your diet is destroying your contacts, just imagine what it’s doing to your arteries.
6. GO FISHING ONCE A WEEK
Eating one serving of fish per week can halve your risk of a sudden fatal heart attack. The secret ingredient in fish is omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is especially high in them.
7. PROTECT YOUR ERECTION WITH BLUEBERRIES
They contain compounds that improve circulation, and they’re loaded with artery-scrubbing soluble fiber. Eat your berries fresh or in a smoothie three times a week.
8. REQUEST THE CHILEAN RED
To reduce your risk of cancer, drink red wine from Chile. Chilean cabernet sauvignon is 38 percent higher than French wine in flavonols, which are antioxidants that plunder cancer-causing free radicals.
9. LEND A HAND
Men who do volunteer work at least once a week have half the death rate of those who don’t.
10. CRUNCH AWAY BACK PAIN
Seventy-five percent of all lower-back problems can be prevented by building your abdominal muscles. Aim for a dozen crunches every day.
11. ORDER THIN-CRUST PIZZA
It has a third fewer calories than thick-crust pie. Blot the cheese with a napkin to cut even more fat.
12. SKIP THAT SECOND CUP
The caffeine in 2 cups of coffee adds 16 beats per minute to your heart rate.
13. SAVE YOUR MARRIAGE
An unhappy one increases your chance of getting sick by 35 percent and shortens your life expectancy by 4 years.
14. EXERCISE DEPRESSION AWAY
Exercising for 40 minutes can reduce stress. In fact, studies show that working out on a regular basis can be as effective as taking antidepressants like Prozac.
15. FALL ASLEEP WITH CHERRIES
Cherries and cherry juice are concentrated sources of melatonin, a popular over-the-counter sleep aid.
16. PUT A SHOE ON YOUR PILLOW
It’ll determine whether your pillow supports your head and neck adequately. Fold the pillow in half and put a shoe on top; if the pillow springs back, it’s okay.
17. “KUR” YOUR FATIGUE
If you wake unusually early, dampen a towel with cool water and lightly wipe your arms, legs, and torso, then go back to bed. The body is very warm when it comes out of REM sleep. Back in bed, the body heats up even more. The result is a deep, restful sleep and more dreams. Called kur, this technique is standard at European spas.
18. RAISE YOUR REARVIEW
To prevent slouching (and the resultant lower-back pain) on long drives, tilt your rearview mirror up a bit. That way, you’ll have to sit up to see the cars behind.
19. TAKE VITAMIN E AND ASPIRIN DAILY
Researchers have found that this antioxidant-and-blood-thinner combination can reduce arterial plaque by 80 percent. The benefit of the two treatments together is so great that it may help men prevent atherosclerosis even if they can’t lower their cholesterol levels.
20. HAVE A BANANA
The potassium it contains can lower blood pressure. One per day is all it takes.