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Category: Life: Work and Techy

Facebook: Copyrighted Content

December 23, 2008
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I’ve just answered a post on LinkedIn where somebody asked (in the “Casual Games” discussion group):

“There is a hacked flash version of one of our games listed as an application at facebook. I could not find any real support contact information at the facebook website. Just FAQs and canned responses. Do you know anybody working at facebook whom I could contact in this matter? Thank you!”

As I think this may be an issue I’ll have to look at in the future, I’m copying my reply here:

You’ll probably be best sending them a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) request as detailed on http://www.facebook.com/copyright.php and their form on http://www.facebook.com/copyright.php#/copyright.php?notify=1 . (See also http://www.facebook.com/help.php?topic=copyright )

As long as you provide the full details requested (including detailing the exact URL the content can be found: “A page on your site…” isn’t detailed enough to be an official request). Basically, if the DMCA is sent and is correctly detailed (see http://www.blogherald.com/2008/08/04/dmca-safe-harbor-part-two-the-dmca-checklist/ ), then Facebook may then become liable for any penalties for copyright breaches from 14 working days from that point (as, by notifying them via a DMCA complaint, they then lose the “safe harbour” provision for user generated content).

If the content is hosted by a third party (which may be difficult to tell if it is integrated using the FBML canvas frame method: if it’s integrated via an iFrame, it should be easier to tell: if you want assistance, feel free to contact me with the page on Facebook and I’ll try to help), then you can also contact the third party webhost/ISP for assistance.

e-Commerce: ClickCartPro making all product ids safe

December 8, 2008
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Basically, in ClickCartPro product “identifers” can not have spaces, commas, full stops or brackets in them (basically only the letters A-z, numbers and underscores) and they have to be a maximum length (I’m not sure what the exact maximum is).

If you are maintaining an “established” store (i.e. one with products) where a number of products are showing up on the front end, but when you try to “Add to cart” they don’t appear in the cart then this is probably the problem. To “fix” it (this is more a work around), run the following UNREVERSABLE MySQL code (i.e. make sure you have a backup before hand):

create table temp_replacetest(id varchar(250),hash char(32));
INSERT INTO temp_replacetest (SELECT id,md5(id) from gbu0_prod);
update gbu0_prod,temp_replacetest SET gbu0_prod.xprod=replace(gbu0_prod.xprod,temp_replacetest.id,temp_replacetest.hash) where temp_replacetest.id IN (gbu0_prod.xprod);
drop table temp_replacetest;
update gbu0_prod set id=md5(id);
select id,xprod from gbu0_prod

This will set all product ids to be md5 hashes which, since they only consist of 32 numbers or the letters a-f, are “safe” to use as product identifiers.

e-Commerce: Changing the VAT Rate in ClickCartPro (UK Edition)

December 5, 2008
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If you are using the UK edition of Kryptonic’s ClickCartPro ecommerce system (sold by Greenbarn Web) and you still haven’t updated the VAT rates in it to take into account the reduction in UK VAT on the 1st of December from 17.5% to 15%, then here’s how to do it.

To change the VAT rate in ClickCartPro from 17.5% to 15% (or vice versa), just login to the admin panel (normally via http://www.example.com/admin.php ) and select from the left hand menu “Commerce: Orders and Checkout” (it should be the third option down) and then “Manage EU Tax Rates”. You’ll probably see three rates “High Rate”, “Low Rate” and “Zero Rate”. If you select “Update” next to “High Rate”. In the “EU Tax Rate” box, you should see the current rate of VAT being shown and be able to adjust it to 15%. Click “Submit” and it should take immediate effect.

Work: Still working flat out!

November 5, 2008
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Sorry I haven’t been blogging much – the work hours at my new startup are only meant to be 9.30 to 6pm, but once you take into account 30 minute commutes and the fact we never finish at 6pm (7pm tonight) means I haven’t got much time to blog… But it’s certainly an exciting role and we’re still recruiting! So if you are a Flash Game Developer looking for a Permanent role in London (W1W/Great Portland Street area) or you are a Teacher specialising in Maths looking for an exciting and challenging role building an interactive learning system – get in touch via [email address removed] before the end of November!

I must admit to get this role I turned down an interview at MTV for Paramount Pictures and, within the last 48 hours, I have had to say “no” to the BBC three times (twice for a permanent role and once as a contractor!).

Anyway, I’m going to spend 20 minutes just writing some blog posts so I can set them to publish in the future… Keep visiting and live long and prosper!