Lately I’ve been trying to find something to occupy my time, while doing something that I find fun. One thing I enjoy doing is tearing apart code/scripts and piecing them together to do what I want and need. So out of the blue a couple weeks ago I thought of the idea to use a domain I own, http://nerf.tv, for URL shortening. I did this mainly for myself, but I am happy for anyone to use it.
So I had this idea in my head, but I am really no programmer. So I started searching Google to see if I could find a way to do this with what I had to work with. After searching and searching I stumbled upon urlShort, an open source GPL source code for doing just what I wanted. I quickly downloaded the code and in no time had it installed and doing what it was supposed to.
But as I stated earlier I wanted (want) something that I can toy around with and do experimenting on. So I dug right in tearing apart the code and making changes. One of the first thing I did, and I am doing, was trying to put everything into CSS and make it so it is easier for me to change the design if I want. Then I had to messed around with changing the bookmarklet to be the way I wanted. As of now I am pretty happy with the changes I’ve made, but want to do some more.
Today (or maybe yesterday) I started working on adding tracking for clicks on the shortened URLs. I was able to get it up and working, but it is not the prettiest looking yet. If you visit http://nerf.tv/track.php you will see exactly what I mean. The plans are to make either a login system or another means so users (mainly me) can track only the URLs that they create and want to.
For now I will be doing this while I still try to think of other things to do. One I did a bit of was try to help a stream I watch, 4 Player Podcast, change over their podcast RSS feed so that they can host it themselves or use something besides their current host (which hasn’t updated in weeks). I may write a blog post on exactly what I did, but have to admit I am afraid of being picked apart by people telling me there are easier ways and what not.
I also want to redo the theme here! (Oh boy I need to slow down and stick with one thing 
)download daybreakers
