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Blog Entries from January 2008
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Useful Function: Multiple-dimension Array Search
Awhile back I found that I really needed a way to search through multi-dimensional arrays. PHP has the
in_array()function built-in to the language, but I needed a similar function that would search through an array with more than one dimension. I use the following functionin_array_multiple()to get this job done and it works perfectly. It is a very simple function, but it does exactly what it needs to:PHP
<?php
/**
* Multiple-dimensional array search
*
* @param string $needle Value searching for
* @param array $haystack Array being searched
* @return boolean
*/
function in_array_multiple($needle, $haystack)
{
$found = FALSE;
foreach ($haystack as $value)
{
if ((is_array($value) && in_array_multiple($needle, $value)) || $value == $needle)
{
$found = TRUE;
break;
}
}
return $found;
}
?>Now, I cannot remember if I wrote this function from scratch, reworked a function I found somewhere, or simply found this function on a website. It was too long ago when I added it to the functions.php file that I include in every project of mine. Nevertheless, it is a very useful function indeed!
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iPhone Service Updates Only via Phone?
Earlier this month I wanted to update my texting plan on my iPhone, because I had continually been going over my quota each month and it was cheaper just to upgrade my texting plan. I logged into the AT&T website, where with most mobile phones you can easily upgrade your plan and your features online. Oh no, not with the iPhone. I got a message telling me that in order to upgrade my iPhone I had to call their service centre. Granted, the process of upgrading my iPhone via the phone was very smooth and the service representative was very friendly.
I would really like the ability to manage my mobile plan via iTunes. I want to interact as little as possible with AT&T to be honest. However, I at least think, with the whole sort of "high-techness" of the iPhone, I should at least be able to upgrade my mobile plan online. I am not sure if this ability is in the works, but I certainly hope in the future the iPhone can be upgraded online like other AT&T mobile phones.
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Sun Acquires MySQL
Today Sun Microsystems announced its plans to acquire MySQL AB (external link). I am always a bit iffy when it comes to acquisitions of such large, crucial companies, but I do think that this acquisition is a good one. Sun is a good pioneer of open source technology and will offer adequate resources for MySQL to grow in the future.
Sun's acquisition of MySQL will certainly mark one of the most important acquisitions of this year in the technology world. A large number of websites rely on MySQL for their website's database, as does Lowter. I am not sure if this acquisition is a profitable move for Sun, but I think it is a good move for MySQL overall.
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Apple MacBook Air
Today Apple released the ultra-thin MacBook Air (external link) at the MacWorld 2008 conference. The MacBook Air is the thinnest laptop on the market, whilst still retaining a satisfactory display, keyboard, and level of computing power. It is not nearly as powerful - spec-wise at least - as the MacBook, but its speciality comes with its thin design. It is so thin that it fits in a manila envelope!
Apple also released the Time Capsule (external link) (a high-capacity central hard-disk system for system backups for an entire household), an updated Apple TV (external link), iTunes movie rentals, and software updates to the iPhone and to the iPod Touch.
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MacWorld 2008 Speculations
MacWorld, the highly anticipated Apple conference, is set to start tomorrow (Tuesday). As usual, Steve Jobs will give the opening keynote address, which, again as usual, has started up the rumour-mill about Apple's upcoming announcements. Quite a large majority of the speculations are rather far-fetched and are only the crazy dreams of Mac-addicts. Personally, I simply see Apple updating three of their product lines which are in dire need of updates:
Apple TV
I like the concept of the Apple TV, except, as most people would agree, it is missing functionality that would make it a more worth-while product. First, it seriously needs DVR functionality. Simply adding this feature alone would make it a killer product. You could record from your television and sync your recordings between your Apple TV and your computer. Second, another nice feature would be iTunes movie-rentals. Currently, you can only buy movies via iTunes and those are not exactly cheap or good enough quality in my opinion to purchase. However, movie-rentals from iTunes would be cheap enough to justify. With just these two features alone - in addition to the smashing interface from Apple - would make the Apple TV a must-have for the living room.
Macbooks
The Apple laptop line, especially the Macbook, has not had any significant updates for awhile. I do not really have any speculation as to what the updates will be, but I just foresee Apple updating their notebooks in some fashion. Personally, I would like to see lower prices as well.
Cinema Displays
Apple's cinema displays are in serious need of update too. They have not been updated in quite a long time and the gradual price decreases of the current models continually point to Apple releasing a new display line. I would suspect bigger sizes, brighter screens, and perhaps a built-in iSight camera.
Now to sit back and to wait and see what happens! Then, after the announcements are made, I get to wish I had enough money to buy the (most likely) expensive new items. Ah, the joys of MacWorld.
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