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After a month, I’ve managed to add quite a few new features to KCA. The plugin now uses tw-sack for it’s Ajax operations. This is in line with Wordpress core includes.

My version checking hack has been improved through the use of the Snoopy class mixed with some Ajax. The new technique means you no longer need to manually check for updates. The use of Ajax means faster load times for the plugin. Now, whenever a new version of KCA comes out, you will be notified - albeit in a subtle way if you have the message panel closed.

The message panel has also been improved with the fade-anything-technique. Now all plugin messages are queued and displayed with a time-stamp. Messages have been given different levels of importance. The message panel icon will be highlighted a certain colour if the panel is closed and there is a vital notice in the message queue.

KCA now has a default.ini file that includes default addon settings that can be imported/restored to the database. Much easier to maintain than if it were hard-coded. In the future you will be able to read/write custom .ini files.

As for the addons, I’ve added more descriptive…descriptions to each addon, to make understanding how they work easier. There have been other improvements to addons as well, such as better word wrapping code in DOM-Tooltips.

The Textarea Resizer has had new features added. Apart from a click and drag handle for resizing, you can now double-left-click to maximise the textarea, or single-right-click to best-fit textarea to screen. There are also new control buttons located on the top right of the textarea that lets you minimise, restore, best-fit and maximise the textarea. (See the comment textarea for a live demo)

There have been many more enhancements to the front-end as well as the back-end of KCA. I am gradually trying to make KCA behave more like a desktop application through the way the interface is designed. Issues I consider important include how “responsive” the interface is, load time and user-friendliness. I hope with each successive version, I am slowly progressing towards these goals. Eventually, I plan for KCA to generate much of it’s code on-the-fly, with much of the processing done by the client through remote procedure calls. I’m happy with the results so far.

Get a copy from the plugins page while it’s still fresh!

Well, just as I was taking some interest in Sony robots, they have decided to scrap one of their most interesting robot products: Aibo.

This was Sony’s attempt at creating man’s best friend in the form of a robot puppy. These little robots, meaning “pal” in Japanese and combines the first two letters of “artificial intelligence” with “bo” from robot, have developed quite a cult following. Many people who are not able to keep or look after a real pet, have adopted the Aibo as their companion.

The unique distinction between the Aibo and other electronic robotic toys is it’s ability to “learn” and develop a personality. Stimuli from surroundings and environment dictate how each Aibo will behave as a mature “puppy”. This gives each Aibo a unique personality and is the reason why fans find the Aibo so compelling as a pet.

However, due to major restructuring, Sony have decided to pull the plug on robot production.

If they do that, then what are they good for? I mean their other flag ship products are also in a bit of strife. I do think Sony have a problem when it comes to customer relations. They tend to treat their customers as potential pirates and thus the “enemy”. That is why they dream up all kinds of weird and wonderful copy protection schemes, even if they could be breaking the law themselves.

There seems to be an over zealous person somewhere high up the Sony hierarchy that has taken it upon themselves to crusade against all software/music pirates. I think if they do a cost/benefit analysis, they might be surprised to find that some of their company policies have been more detrimental than beneficial.

Even though Sony have produced many great products, they seem to be out of touch with customers. As with everything in life, once people feel that the powers-that-be are not listening anymore, they will turn elsewhere.

I’m sure if the Aibo project is scrapped, another company will take up the challenge - maybe Honda?

Articles:

• Sony scraps Aibo robot pet
• Robo-pups created with curiosity in mind

Related:

• The PlayStation 2: Insult to Customers
• Sony Hates Their Customers
• RootkitRevealer (freeware)