GDownloadUrl("address.xml", function(data) {
...
)}

Notice the bold area. “address.xml” is the file that contains all the xml data that has been collected and organized. I can pretty much download the file by entering in my address bar:  http://root url/address.xml. Voila, I have basically ripped off someone else’s data to be used as I see fit. Perhaps to create my own map!

I personally do not want to expose the location of my data file and allow others to download it.  To get around this issue, I have implemented a simple solution.

Rather than “address.xml”, I have created a new separate .php file. Let’s call it address.php. In that file, I check the referrer information to ensure that the request comes from the proper location. If it does, write the xml contents. If not, redirect them somewhere else.

<?php

    // prevent direct linking to xml files

 if($_SERVER['HTTP_REFERER'] != '') {

          $xml_string = file_get_contents("xml_location/address.xml");

        echo $xml_string;  

 }else{    
     // redirect them somewhere if they try to direct link to this page
      header( 'Location: http://www.google.com' ) ;

 }

?>

For the Google map, replace xml file with php file

GDownloadUrl(“address.xml“, function(data) {  to:  GDownloadUrl(“address.php“, function(data) {

Simple as that. So if a curious viewer decides to enter “address.php” into there browser, they won’t get any data, just be redirected to some location you decide on.

There are also other ways to do this but IMO this is probably the simplilest and most effective.

1. Pizza. The original take out food and still stands the test of time. The only real changes are that there are more “gourmet” varieties around with special cheeses, breads and weird combos of meat and vegetables.
2. Wraps/Pitas. I remember when they were so popular after a night out at the bar. Exteme Pita, Mega Wraps and clones started to pop up everywhere pitching healthy eating. They seemed to kind of die out but I guess people realized that you could buy the ingredients at a grocery store and make it exactly the same at half the price.
3. Sushi. Enough said. So many out there it’s hard to tell which one is good.
4. Asian Fusion. Add chicken, noodles, peanut sauce with big plates and you have a new restaurant.
5. Salad Places. Nothing better to capitalize on trendy Toronto then healthy $10 salads!
6. Burritos. Burrito Boyz is the king right now, but the service sucks and it’s not worth a 45 minute wait.
7. Shawarmas. It’s almost a revival to the old wraps/pitas trend but with one huge difference, hummus.

So what’s the next trend? Rotis? Poutine?

Why should you do this even though you don’t actually utilize any programming on the page?

• Browsers cache pages. if a returning visitor comes back to that same page and you’ve made some changes to that page, that person may not see the change. They will only see their saved cache version. Yes there’s meta tags and tricks to try to get around it but it’s not guaranteed and not a very elegant solution. Server side scripting pages always serve up the latest content because when viewed because at each call to the page, the
• Don’t pigeon hole yourself. You never know when you may actually use some scripting on the page. If you suddenly need to add some scripting in the future, you’ll have to delete that page and create a brand new one.  Say goodbye to any links you’ve established with the client-side language pages.
• More powerful, flexible and gives you room to grow and learn. Similar to the above, it just gives you more options. Simple as that. It can also inspire you to learn some programming and more creative/advanced techniques in regards to web development.

In my opinion, creating standard client-side .html pages is basically useless nowadays and prevents your site from growing.

Special thanks to freddie.ca who inspired me to post this.

To get your $50, simply play one raked hand in a real-money ring game – or buy in to a tournament or Sit & Go – before 23:59 (ET) on January 31st. Then it will be yours to keep.

No problem there! I’ll get a game in this week and then I’ll try to focus some attention on it. Let’s see what I can do with a $50 bank roll. I’ll keep you all posted on the progress.

Unfortunately, the settings that control which email notifications get sent to you were lost. We’re sorry for the inconvenience.

To reset your email notification settings, go to:

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When Classmates.com told user Anthony Michaels last Christmas Eve that his former school chums were trying to contact him, he pulled out his wallet and upgraded to the premium membership that would let him contact long-lost fifth-grade dodge-ball buddies and see if his secret crush from high school had looked him up online.

But once he’d parted with the $15, Michaels learned the shocking truth: No one he knew was trying to contact him at all. Classmates.com’s come-on was a lie, and he’d been scammed.

Now he’s suing for being unpopular…oh and lied to. It’s been a while since classmates.com has been in the media circuit so I guess any news is good news?

Interesting news about classmates.com, one of the original social networking sites that just about everyone is a member. Problem is that no one I know has become a paying “gold member” so they can actually do anything on the site other than look at profiles. To me, classmates.com has become kind of a joke and made a huge mistake in not employing a free advertisment based business model like myspace.com or facebook.com as it still holds onto the subscription based revenue model. It does claims to have “40 million registered user” which I am not sure if I believe.

I have lived in an apartment/condo for the last few years and have noticed a few annoying elevator moments that I am sure you all can relate to, in no particular order.

1. Heavy breathers – You just walked to the elevator from your apartment door so why are you breathing so deep and loud?
2. Close stander or weird facing direction stander – I guess people don’t understand the concept of personal space or know the rule of “face the direction of the elevator door”. It’s just creepy especially when they stand facing you!
3. Cell phone users – Self explanatory, worse when they are the loud talking type.
4. Overly polite but no common sense guy – There’s always some guy who maybe wants to impress everyone by holding the elevator door when exiting (like its going to close on people) and in doing so, actually end up blocking people from leaving since they are in the way. Use your brain buddy.
5. Too much Perfume/Cologne – Okay maybe I’ll excuse it on a club night, maybe. But not on a normal day. Your in a 5×5 box, it’s already stuffy. Now we have to be soaked by channel no 5.
6. BO guy/girl – See #5
7. Dog owners who don’t leash their dogs – I own a dog but at the same time, I know not everyone loves dogs and probably don’t want one jumping on them. Have some consideration!
8. Lazy people who get on/off at the 2nd floor – Unless you are 80, walk it down the stairs. Nothing more annoying then coming from a top floor and suddenly have to stop at the 2nd floor!
9. Hitting the already lit button – Haven’t you seen Speed? I guess they think the elevator needs reminding?!!?
10. The rusher – The elevator is about to close and some guy who rushes in and hits the elevator button  thereby holding up everyone else who is already in elevator. Take it easy, get the next one. But then again, it is Toronto.

Have anymore?

And for the 23rd straight year, the Rogers Pumpkin Patrol will be going out along with them to ensure they don’t get into anything too scary. The safety guardians gave an annual preview of their handiwork at Toronto Police Headquarters Friday, revealing there will be 150 vans and 300 employees fanning out across the GTA on October 31st to keep an eye out when your kids don’t.

It’s a great service but what shocks me is that it’s in it’s 23rd year! Seriously??!!? It’s the first I’ve ever heard of it and I am still young enough to remember going trick or treating.

They’ve set up a blog too but it probably won’t be updated too often but gives you a different perspective from the “other side” of things.  http://daenaandgabetravel.blogspot.com/