Champion is an online craft store that has just gone live. Champion strives to sell unique hand made crafts to the NZ/Australia market.

Its been quite a challenge getting this puppy off the ground. I tried to write my mark-up as semantically correct and accessible as i could. Its still very much in beta so if you notice any fullon bugs or mistakes please let me know!

Go and check it out, there are some awesome products that are sure to cater for all tastes.

I’ve been on the Web Standards Group mailing list for a while. They often have “meet-ups” in cities and towns. I’m lucky enough to be involved in organising a local event.

I met up with Peter Asquith, a fellow WSG member, today for a flat white. He too is well keen to get something local going on.

The planning of a Auckland Web Standards Group Meeting is now underway - please check back here and on the New Zealand Web Developers Forum for more details.

I maintain the New Zealand Web Developers Forum. I’ve recently moved it over to a new host and along with that I also upgraded to the latest version of the forum software.

Earlier this evening I went back to punbb.org to see if anyone had replied to my month old bug report. I noticed they released a brand new version - what a surprise!

I had to get it, and for good reason. The forum software produces the most beautiful, semantic XHTML. The guys at punBB have put in a lot of hard work, and many hours of front end coding to get it to look and feel so good. I think it may even be the only semantic web standards based forum product out there!

The 9th of January - probably the best day of the year!

I become a year older, a year wiser, a year closer to becoming an adult…or something. Birthdays have never really been a big deal for me; like everyone I like having my family and friends around me. This year my family are all elsewhere, and my friends will be celebrating with me next weekend*. That is the problem with having a b’day around this time of the year - people are either on holiday or still recovering from their holidays. No matter, next week will be a pleasant munting!

My lovely lady has lavished me with many many gifts (1 gift for each day of birthday week):

• Confessions of a dangerous mind (DVD)
• Human Nature (DVD)
• Adaptation (DVD)
• Being John Malkovich (DVD)
• Jenga
• Le Tigre ticket
• A facial

They are all such awesome gifts! Soon my Charlie Kaufman collection will be complete!

My folks bought me a nice tripod that I’ve been making use of something chronic! Having a tripod opens up a whole bunch of new photo opportunities. It’s great!

What birthday could be complete without a spot of self-gifting…uh hum…so I got myself a few things:

• Sunglasses
• Slip-on Vans
• The Donna’s CD
• The Shins CD

Later this evening we’ll be going over to Manda’s mum’s place for a feed. I’ll be sure to take photos, as Rosemary alway makes such good kai!

* Just in case i forget to invite you, the shindig is happening on Friday the 14th Jan at 4seasons. Come around 8/8.30.

I’ve spent the last couple days upgrading to an unsupported ver of WordPress. You can see the full version information in the footer.

The biggest change I’ve noticed (other than numerous UI tweaks) is the way it handles the templates. It’s no longer just one index.php file in the root of the WordPress install - there is now an entire template directory structure and accompanying admin interface. There was talk of the upgrade script for porting one’s current template over to the new system but this feature didn’t seem to work for me.

If you are thinking about using WordPress I would suggest you get the latest nightly build rather than the stable ver, as you’ll just have learn the new templating method anyway.

So far I’m most pleased with WordPress 1.5. It took a bit of a kick start, but its now chugging along just fine, thank you!

By the way - Merry New Year.