What We Learn from our Kids

My daughter's science project and fellow artist/environmentalist, Amy Lee, lead us to Chris Jordan's Photographic Art website this morning (chrisjordan.com). His images are beautiful, motivational and guilt-ridden. Of course, we viewed his website right after returning from the grocery store - where I forgot my reusable bag and had a Starbucks in a paper cup with a plastic lid. Images such as Jordan's remind us to be more diligent and to keep trying to whittle away at the environmental issues we face in our daily lives.

Image depicts one million plastic cups, the number used on airline flights in the US every six hours. And then a close up.

The Influence of Good Design.

For the last year Pencilbox Studios has worked closely with Kia Motors to relaunch their national Parts and Service Publication —Momentum magazine.  Reader surveys were conducted prior to and after Momentum's redesign to ensure the publication was on mark regarding content and style.  Pencilbox’s Roxann Pope collaborated with Kia to set baseline reader expectations and to gain further insight into the reader's needs. The feedback obtained provided Kia direction for future publications, showed a desire for more issues, and confirmed that good design works— readership was up 54% following the redesign.

Does your blog ping?

Pings are a quick way to spread your blogs posts around the internet. A ping is a notification that is sent to a website. You have probably gotten them before when someone links your blog. There is a long list of Ping services that aggregate lists of new blog posts or website content.

There are several ways to get you URL on these lists. Spending an hour to sign your blog on to some update services will give you an edge on search engine page rank.

In your WordPress blog :  to Settings > Writing >; and scroll down to Update Services. You will see "rpc.pingomatic.com/" in the box. Take a minute and add the below list into the box to bulk up your update notifications.

rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping
blogsearch.google.com/ping/RPC2
rpc.weblogs.com/RPC2
ping.feedburner.com/
api.moreover.com/RPC2
rpc.blogrolling.com/pinger/
bulkfeeds.net/rpc
pinger.blogflux.com/rpc/
services.newsgator.com/ngws/xmlrpcping.aspx'
blogpeople.net/servlet/weblogUpdates
blogupdate.org/ping/
feedsky.com/api/RPC2

For Blogger users, you're SOL for the automatic notifications. It all has to be done manually or through an external service. I hear there is a script in the works to add in.

Changing the Wordpress Language

The Wordpress backend deals with 'Posts' and 'Pages'. For some clients this is too vague, and tweaks are needed.

As an example a site i've been working on recently needed the word 'Post' to be replaced with 'Product'. To do this, we need to create our own custom language file. Unfortunately creating a language file is a pretty complex process as compared to how simple other Wordpress processes can be. It is also not as well documented as other facets of Wordpress. So watch closely!

To begin with you will need a copy of the official WordPress POT file.

Next get yourself a translation tool. We opted for poEdit, which was quick and easy to download and install.

You are ready to start translating!
Open Poedit and use the File/open dialog to open your Wordpress POT file (ensure you change 'files of type' from GNU Gettext catalogs (*.po) to 'all files (*.*) )

Firstly, most importantly, and not well documented:

Go to Catalog/Settings
In the 'Project Info' tab:
change the language team to something new (e.g. Haycroft Media)
change the 'Plural Forms' value to nplurals=2; plural=(n != 1)
(if you are translating to a different language check this: list of Gettext plural forms for the correct setting
Click Ok

Now go to File/preferences and click on the 'Editor' tab.
Ensure that the 'Automatically compile .mo file on save' box is ticked
Click OK

Now File/save as to save
For this example I am saving the file as custom_lang
after saving you should see: custom_lang.mo and custom_lang.po saved in the location you chose.

Now at last we can begin!

Click Edit/find and enter the term you wish to translate (in my case it was 'Post')
tweak the search settings according to what you need and search

The first result I get for my 'Post' example is "Error: you are replying to a comment on a draft post."
Copy and paste this into the translation box and then amend the word post so you get:
Error: you are replying to a comment on a draft product.
Repeat this process until you have finished.

Save again

Now open your wp-config file and amend:
define ('WPLANG', '');
so that it reads:
define ('WPLANG', 'custom_lang');
(or whatever you saved your language file as)

Now create a directory called 'languages' in your wp-content directory
Upload the custom_lang.mo (or wahtever you saved it as) file to the languages folder you just created

Your backend should now display your amended language!

iHOPE Distribution of Donated Goods

Did you know in Orange County, a person earning minimum wage would need to work 141 hours per week to afford a one-bedroom apartment. With this knowledge, Pencilbox Studios supports iHOPE, an organization committed to a permanent solution to homelessness in Southern Orange County. Kathleen Kaiser and her team design and create the marketing materials for the organization while Kathleen also serves on the Board of Directors. Twice monthly iHOPE delivers needed goods to the Capistrano Beach area. Donated goods distributed to the homeless and working poor are coats, socks, shoes, and blankets. If you have goods to donate or would like to volunteer please contact iHOPE at info@iHOPEoc.org or call 949.212.4420

Dates: February 6th size and 20th 2010
Morning shifts: 7:45 am at El Patio Restaurant parking lot, Capistrano Beach
Afternoon shifts: 4:30 pm near San Felipe de Jesus Catholic Church, Capistrano Beach

iHOPE Medical Van

Did you know that Orange County has the highest population of millionaires per capita and a lower than average support for non-profits. Knowing this Pencilbox Studios supports iHOPE, an organization committed to a permanent solution to homelessness in Southern Orange County. Kathleen Kaiser and her team create the marketing materials for the organization while Kathleen also serves on the Board of Directors. iHOPE along with the Illumination Foundation arranges for mobile medical vans to be brought to Southern Orange County.  On February 17 the mobile medical van will be in San Juan Capistrano equipped with: doctors for the uninsured, H1N1(swine flu) vaccines, nurse consultation and referrals, MSI Health Insurance applications, links to housing and employment, social services applications and referrals. If you would like to help, please contact iHOPE at info@iHOPEoc.org or call 949.212.4420



FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Location – Parking lot of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley

One Via Positiva, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Southern California Discovery

It’s a long story (involving a neighborhood block party), but we just discovered South Coast Farms in San Juan Capistrano. South Coast Farms is an organic farm and farm stand that is open Monday- Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sundays 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. The Farm participates in a Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) program. The CSA concept at South Coast Farms is a partnership between local organic farmers and the consumer. Members of the CSA may purchase baskets of seasonal organic fruits and vegetables that are delivered to their homes weekly or biweekly. If it’s fresh and locally farmed, it’s in the basket. By being a member of the CSA you would not only be supporting South Coast Farms but also 5 local farms, the environment and your health. All good. For more information call 949.661.9381. Kathleen Kaiser, Creative Director at Pencilbox Studios, just signed up and will keep you updated.

South Coast Farms

32701 Alipaz St. in San Juan Capistrano