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Great news today that WordPress 2.8 “Baker” is available to upgrade for my blog. I am running a few WordPress blogs that were currently at version 2.7 so took the plunge to upgrade and noticed a few problems along the way. The following is summary of the problems I faced and the work around I used to fix it.

Please note this fix worked for me on 2 upgrades but does not promise a fix for your own problem, these tips may help you but do so at your own risk! Before proceeding with any of the following please back up your site and database!

The Problem

On previous occasions I used the easy”upgrade automatically” button option with no problem but this time around I kept getting this error in the below image:

I then de-activated all plugins and re-tried the auto upgrade but still got the same error as the above image, this was not making any sense to me so I searched through the WordPress Forum querying terms such as: Installation Failed, Could not copy file, upgrade failed etc. There was one interesting reply on this thread http://wordpress.org/support/topic/277858?replies=10 that suggested accessing your database using phpMyAdmin and repair your tables.

The Fix

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Popularity: 10% [?]

My Pantone Huey monitor calibration system widget

I recently purchased this excellent monitor calibration tool called “huey” from PANTONE® the reason being I was constantly struggling with monitor colour and gamma etc. Having used the Windows based tool “Adobe Gamma” which works to some degree for general calibration but when it comes to editing photos and especially video there was a need to get something that would do the job better so that your colours can be accurate all the time.

Huey (a USB device) was a simple install from the disk and takes only 5 minutes to have it up and running. First it tests the ambient light in your room and adjusts, then it asks you to place the widget on your monitor (it has little suction pads underneath) and goes through a 2 minute process of colour testing, when all is done you replace the widget back in its holder and you can choose an option to have it constantly monitor the changing room light as day becomes night it will automatically adjust your setting seamlessly.

The results are great, my screen colours are now more true and crisp with no gamma haze or overtones there is a confidence knowing what I see is what it is. When it comes to printing this widget really works… no more reds printing as pink etc. what you see on screen will come out on print.

Would I recommend it? Yes for sure its reasonably cheap… I picked up mine on Ebay for about €55.00 including p+p. If you have been having trouble with colours and calibrating give this product a go, you wont be disappointed.

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Popularity: 18% [?]

Click here to view the “Youghal Clock Gate – Live Clock”

I created this flash live clock from a picture of Youghal Clock Gate. If you keep watching the hands on the clock you will see them move in real time based on your own computer’s time clock, it was an idea I had for a while so if you like it you can download the free screensaver.exe version or the flash movie version from the links below.

You are free to use and share these files also there is no malware, spyware or any nasty stuff in any of these downloads, just a bit of fun.

Click here to view the “Youghal Clock Gate – Live Clock”(new window)

Click here to download the screensaver.exe version (1.25MB)

Click here to download the Flash file version zip (66KB)

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Popularity: 12% [?]