Around that time, I was intrigued by XSLT and the ability to write a post once, then transform it into different versions based on client (e.g. HTML, WAP, etc). However I ended up using and embedding Livejournal quite soon after that, so never did create what would probably have been an XML monstrosity.

For gordonchristie.com, I’ve recently been using Squarespace, and it works very well. However it is somewhat overpowered for what I need, and is quite expensive. It also has no mobile version.

I’m instead using Octopress for blogging, on a Linode host. I’ve heard good things about it, and it has nice features (in particular, the mobile first, responsive web design).

I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs.

The name of my company is Chillypea.

Chillypea is my professional identity - in addition to development and consultancy, I have some pretty nifty stuff coming up that I hope I can share with you soon.

The biggest addition is a healthy dose of extra data from the good folks at mybustracker.co.uk. Stop directions are now shown on the map, and stop names are no longer truncated.

Also included are some fancy new iPhone 4 retina display graphics. In app graphics are all enhanced, and there’s a new sharper icon for iPhone 4 and iPad. No longer will you have to keep a fuzzy icon on your home screen!

Oh, and the EdinBus bus has some new livery to match Lothian Buses’ new paintwork in “madder” and white.

Behind the scenes there’s some new database generation code thanks to Niall Scott, which will make updates in future much faster. (Niall has an Android bus tracking app you should check out if you’re that way inclined)

More is in the works for EdinBus.. Watch this space!

It’s a pretty big transition, but this is the work I love. My work on EdinBus and other projects outside of my full-time job have been very fulfilling.

I’m glad to have the opportunity to do what I love for a living.

The website will be updated shortly with more information, but in the meantime if you have any queries about potential projects or availability, please email “me at this domain” and we can discuss it.

So far I’m genuinely impressed. A few iPhone only applications need to be updated (such as EdinBus!) but the whole thing works very seamlessly.

Air Video is great, as is LogMeIn Ignition. Instapaper is lovely, too. I’m very pleased with Twitteriffic. Hoping for a version of MarsEdit at some point.

Just some random thoughts:

The iPad is fast. The only thing I saw slowing it down was very large webpages, and even that didn’t slow it down much.

The screen is brilliant. It’s clear, bright, and has a surprisingly large viewing angle. Glass screen is a fingerprint magnet, but cleans with a quick wipe.

It’s got a fair bit of heft to it. It feels like a solid single piece. Feels good in the hands.

We spent all evening playing with it continuously and the battery dropped about 20%. Bodes well for all-day usage.

EdinBus looks silly at 2x on the large screen. Might need to investigate a universal app.

The virtual keyboard is better than I thought it’d be. I saw the owners typing pretty quickly, and I wasn’t far behind in speed. Landscape keyboard was easier than portrait (my hands aren’t quite big enough to use two thumbs on the portrait keyboard, but I saw others doing so with ease).

A fair bit of time last night was spent with four or five people sat around a table, with the iPad flat on the surface. It was surprisingly usable in that position. Played a couple multiplayer games that way. Screen rotation is smooth and fast, too. It’s awesome showing someone something by just flipping the pad over in your hands.

The applications I saw were mostly quite well thought through UI-wise, especially those from Apple. Popovers are great. Some UI bits were a bit clunky, but I suspect that situation will improve now developers have their hands on actual hardware to test.

I was sincerely impressed. It’s the right size and form factor to use for several situations where a full-size laptop might be awkward (e.g.plane/train/bus seat, or in bed).

I was planning to get one at the end of April; now I am impatient for it to arrive.

This is actually a special sign that speaks times, being tested at the council right now.

Had a very productive meeting with the council and an Android developer, Niall Scott, who is working on an Android bus tracking application for Edinburgh. I’ll post more about it when it goes live.

I’ll add more to this later, but for now it’s a better page than the previous one…

This may come as a surprise to those of you that know me. I’ve never really done running. The closest I’ve come is a few slow sessions here and there on a treadmill.

My fitness has improved over the last year or so - I’ve been doing a combination of swimming, general stuff at the gym (mostly the elliptical cross trainer) and experimenting with the various classes at the gym. Let me tell you, BodyPump is a very strange (and loud) experience.

After a bit of research, I found a training programme that seemed useful, Couch to 5K. It seems to have gained a bit of traction for getting people who haven’t really done any running before out onto the streets and jogging.

And it seems to be working. I started just after Christmas, and every second day since then, I’ve been out running and walking for about half an hour each time.

I’ve been using the Podrunner Intervals podcast to keep on track. It’s excellent because it doesn’t announce times or pace, it just plays an upwards tone when you have to speed up, and another when you have to slow down.

I’ve also been using the RunKeeper app while I run - it keeps track of my route, pace, and shows me nifty stats on my running in general.

Tonight was the end of week 6. I just finished running 25 minutes without stopping, and I was only moderately shattered at the end of the process. Sunday will be the start of week 7, during which I will run for 25 minutes every time without stopping. That increases to 30 then 35 minutes in week 9.

At that point, I have to try to figure out what my next step is. There are two options, Gateway to 8K and Freeway to 10K. I think I’ll probably go with the 10K version.

Right now I’m feeling reasonably proud of my progress. I’ve not even talked about the Great Scottish Swim which I’ve also entered…

This site will serve as my place to talk about some of the things I do, namely:

• Software Development - both professionally, freelance and as an entertaining hobby.
• Exercise - I’ve been doing more of this lately, and I’ve been trying to apply geekiness to keep myself on track.
• Cooking - related to the previous item, I’ve been trying to become a better cook. I’ll write a bit about the things that I’ve learned.
• Geekiness - interesting things that I find.

There are many things I still need to do, including sorting out a theme. For now though, it’s more important to make a start.

I’ve read enough of these first posts to know that what I plan may not end up being what is here. But this is the first step to finding out.

I hope that you enjoy reading.