Andy's blog o' goodness – php, web stuff, raspberry pi… even blacksmithing!

July 9, 2020

Making a pewter and resin turtle

A little while ago I thought, “wouldn’t it be great to make something out of pewter? I want to play with resin, too. Maybe I can use them together?” You know, the normal every day thoughts all of us developers have, right? Actually, I say that, but developers really are a creative bunch of people. So many of them that...

General Comments: 0

April 26, 2020

Forged a little candle holder

Today I fired up the forge to attempt my first ‘in a jar candle holder’. It came out alright, though I appreciate that I have a lot of technique to figure out. After I was done forging I needed to coat the candle holder. My mother-in-law keeps bees and gave me some wax which is often used to coat metal....

Blacksmithing Comments: 0

April 26, 2020

New Chrome and Firefox Plugin

I use GitHub on a daily basis and for the most part it works for me. However, part of my day-to-day is to conduct code reviews and quite often they are reviews with quite a number of files. Now, it may be a sign of my age or the fact that I just can’t retain any knowledge whatsoever, but when...

javascript Comments: 0

April 26, 2020

Seriously?!

Has it really been over a year since I last posted? Seriously?! Where has that time gone, I ask you! Whatever thief took it, I want it back… please? And where are we in the world? Global pandemic, that’s where! So I hope wherever you are, you’re taking all the sensible precautions, socially isolating, wearing masks, and generally taking care...

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April 22, 2019

Genetic Algorithms and the Mona Lisa

Way back when I was at university (way, way, waaay back) I did some Artificial Intelligence stuff; genetic algorithms, neural networks, and the like. Honestly, though, I really don’t remember much (any!) of it, though I do remember enjoying the genetic algorithms side of things. I haven’t thought about that kind of thing for quite some time, but the other...

Experiments/javascript Comments: 0

March 19, 2019

WCAG colour checker

About five years ago I created a small PHP class that would check the contrast of a foreground and background colour and give a report on whether it was accessible in accordance with the WCAG recommendations (so either AA or AAA compliant). I’ve recently had cause to dig out that script which gave me the opportunity to also create a...

Code snippets/javascript/PHP Comments: 0

March 8, 2019

First attempt at a kiridashi

A kiridashi is a small Japanese knife with a chisel grind and sharp point and it used as a utility knife, scoring or carving. I had some really rusty angle iron kicking around still, so I thought I’d get in a little practice. Unfortunately I still have no forge, so couldn’t try to smith the shape so I went with...

Blacksmithing/Experiments Comments: 0

February 19, 2019

I forged a necklace (2.0)

Had a bit of cut off metal while I was practising drawing down some round stock, and my daughter also asked for a “swirly type necklace”. So I attempted to make another couple necklaces… I personally really like the simple pendant; it’s a little bit rounded on the top, angular on the sides, and it feels quite nice. I’d like...

Blacksmithing Comments: 0

February 19, 2019

Homemade headphone hook

Sometimes it’s nice to get out from in front of the monitor and coding and make something in the garage. One thing I really wanted was a headphone stand because I was tired of leaving my headphones on my desk only for the darned things to get in the way. But then it struck me; I am trying to learn...

Blacksmithing Comments: 0

February 19, 2019

Simple Halloween prop

OK, so it looks like I haven’t done anything for ages, but I have, I promise! It’s just that I suck at remembering to post about it after, even though I have all the best intentions to do so. Intentions will only take you so far, though, so let’s get on with a post of something that was whipped up...

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