Yo! Gibbon!

An Upgrade to Django {% if %}

I can't tell you how happy I am that someone (SmileyChris) has created a wonderful replacement for the standard Django {% if %} template tag.  Now, while I applaud the objective of completely removing all logic from the view layer, anyone who's ever written a webapp with any level of complexity will know that it's pretty tough to have NO logic in the UI at all.

I can't count the number of times that display logic has gradually made it's way into my business logic in a Django app.  Now that really is wrong.  That being said, I'd rather that that the other way around.  Java in a JSP - surely no one can think that's a good idea, but yet it's possible, and so many people succumb and end up with shitty code to maintain.

Thanks SmileyChris.  Now to go and clean up some code, but before I do, can I make a plea for this to be added to the Django trunk.

Twitter Friend Directory

I just found this slightly weird Japanese site that creates page of all your twitter friends with links to their websites.  It's nothing amazing, but for some reason I like reading down the list and seeing who's blogging, who's got a side project, and who is happy to give their employer some extra publicity.

You can see my friends here:  http://tw.muumoo.jp/snow_gibbon/friends_web
And ChaletPro's list here:  http://tw.muumoo.jp/chaletpro/friends_web

Wonderful Error Message

An error message that makes you smile is a Good Thing.  It lets you know what you've done wrong, but doesn't feel like a telling off. 

This was seen on http://labs.ideeinc.com/multicolr/ (a flickr colour searching tool):

"In accordance with common sense, decency, propriety, sobriety, and the Search Limitations Act of 1729, we respectfully inform you, our dear user, that the number of colours searched upon must not exceed 10. Thank you for your cooperation."

Brilliant.

Sea Kite + Snowboard

There really aren't too many words that need to accompany this clip.  Sea Kite + Snowboard = Fail.

Villars BCV 24H

For the last two years I've taken part in a 24 hour race in Villars, Switzerland (organised by Jacques Villeneuve and Craig Pollock).  We've done pretty well in the past - 54th in our debut year, and 16th last year.  We were hoping for a top 10 finish this year, but unfortunately it's not to be.  It's amazing just how much can happen in a year.  I'll spare you all the details, but I'm sad to say that the bigger team, the one  that held the smaller (snow obsessed) team together, has taken a bit of a weird turn.  The result being, we're not going to be in Villars this year.  It's a huge shame, but I've had an amazing time over the last two years with an amazing group of skiers.  Thanks guys.

Them Norwegen's sure is craZy.

This is a blast from the past, but popped up again today.... Norwegen "tree ski jumping".  It looks like it could do some lasting damage to the soft bits....

Perhaps it should be considered for the 2010 Winter Olympics?

London Freeze

Has London gone skiing event mad or is it just me?  Next on the list is the FS04 Freeze.  I've got no idea what 'FS04' means but the event looks good all the same.  A big air competition, lots of famous snowboarders, lots of famous skiers, and best of all, it's in the shadow of one of London's coolest buildings, Battersea Power Station.

The details, the details.  You can get tickets from TicketMaster.  And whistles are NOT ALLOWED (wtf?)

Soft Launch of ChaletPro

WOO-HOO!  It's been a really long slog, but ChaletPro has finally had it's soft launch!  It seem like an eternity ago that we started on this venture, and there have been times when I seriously wondered if it was all worth it, but now I guess the proof will be in the tasting of the pudding. 

So far the feedback from the chalet owners has been excellent, but really, that stands for nothing unless we appeal to the chalet finding public.  One of our founding principles was that we take user feedback VERY seriously, and try to act on every bit, so if you've got a few minutes to kill and would like to help out, please have a browse and let us know what you think.  Go find some ski chalets people!!!

Chris Davenport at the Royal Geographic Society

Chris Davenport of Warren Miller fame, will be talking at London's Royal Geographic Society on the 17th October.  His lecture is entitled "Skiing the Worlds Greatest Mountains":

"Chris will be talking through some of his most memorable backcountry expeditions accompanied with stunning visuals from some of the world’s most famous peaks. See and hear the story of his personal challenge to become the first ever person to climb and ski all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000-ft peaks within one year."

You can get tickets from Snow and Rock.  See you there!

Details:
7pm, Friday 17 October 2008
Ondaatje Theatre, Royal Geographic Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7

And so it begins!

It's been snowing in Whistler!  It's the first day of autumn, and overnight there have been 5-6cm at the top of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

I'm really starting to feel the anticipation building now.  It's going to be a good season.  I can feel it in my bones!