Rails Application and SSL Problem in Internet Explorer

Recently we ran across a very annoying problem when deploying a Ruby on Rails application running under SSL when viewed in IE7. When we loaded the page in Internet Explorer 7 there was a content security error. This made no sense at all as everything was secure, and even when we hard coded absolute links the problem still persisted. What could possibly be causing this problem.

Thinking perhaps it was some random HTTP link sitting in the code, the developers went over everything with a fine tooth comb and could not find the problem. Knowing that a secure content error could be the result of a number of things we broke parts out of the page and rebuilt the page one line at a time until we recreated the content error. Low and behold we found a single JS file that was causing this problem!
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Disposable Email Addresses

So many times on the web you are asked for an email address when you would really prefer not to give it out. There are so many ‘one time use sites’ that once they get your address you are a victim of SPAM forever. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a service that could provide a temporary email address for sign ups? Well there is and they have existed for quite some time.

Enter Melt Mail, a disposable email address service. Now they aren’t the only kids on the block, but I like them a lot.

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Want to Share Your Problems?

After a very bad week, we decided to launch a new site to allow anyone to sign up and post stories about bad things that have happened to them as a result of bad circumstances. Everyone has those days where Murphy’s Law is determined to screw them over, resulting in outcomes that were far from desired. We have called these occurrences – shitcumstances.  These are the times in life when you feel the fates are conspiring against you and nothing goes right, but it is not your fault. Like when you apply a new computer patch only to find out it breaks everything…

When you just need to let it all out, why not do it in an anonymous and public forum.  Tell the world what happened to you and we will share your pain.  With the current economic downturn, there are many people suffering from shitcumstances, we want to hear from you! Sign up for an account and have your grievances heard.
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Warning: Cannot modify header information – headers already sent…

When moving a PHP application between servers or hosts, or updating your PHP, you may run into an error similar to something like this:

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /path/to/site/public_html/config.php:517) in /path/to/application/public_html/somepage.php on line 153

This is often referred to as a PHP whitespace problem, meaning somewhere in the PHP file there is an empty space, usually at the beginning or end of the file.
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Generating Word Clouds

This is a interesting little web application that will allow you to make a ‘word cloud’ out of all the words posted on your web site. Go to http://www.wordle.net to make your own.

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