Robot.Floss

When you build iMovie projects, the program copies all of the imported assets in to a directory specifically for that project. However, if you import a new file with the same name as an existing file, the import will not be updated in the project.

Example:

1. You have a video and add a narrative called “My Narration.mp3″ that is 1:00 long saved to your desktop.
2. Later, you edit the MP3 on the desktop and add 15 seconds to it bringing the length to 1:15.
3. If you delete the narration from the timeline in iMovie and import the new version of the MP3 from your desktop, you’ll end up with the old copy that is 1:00 long, not the 1:15 version.

In other words, the original file you imported isn’t replaced, which makes sense to me as I can imagine scenarios where a user might accidentally change a file. The problem is iMovie never tells you that the assets haven’t been updated.

Here is what should happen:

1. iMovie should compare the two files and determine if they’re different
2. If the files are the same, it should prompt you that no updates have been made to assets
3. If the files are different, it should prompt you to overwrite the original asset or to add the second asset in to the project (and it should automatically rename the asset for you)

Popularity: 8% [?]

Update (Feb 26th, 2009): The current version of the Xanga Importer is version 3. The code and instructions have been updated for WordPress 2.9.2. If you experience problems please let me know and be sure to indicate which version of WordPress you’re using!

Note: For those of you looking for a way to import Xanga posts in to WordPress without reading techno mumbo-jumbo, then scroll down until you see the heading “Downloading and Using”.

Fixing the Xanga Archive Importer

I’ve used Xanga since April 2003, so when I started up www.popeonabomb.com as a mirror to the blog, I of course wanted to import Xanga posts in to wordpress. I looked around for solutions, and eventually I discovered the Xanga Archives Importer (list at the WordPress).

I imported my posts, and I noticed that the Importer failed to properly handle some comments. Specifically, it decided that the majority of comments were Anonymous. I started poking around, and I discovered the problem only existed for posts from mid-June of 2005 and newer. The import code determines the author of a comment by the URL embedded in the comment. During June of 2005, Xanga changed the way they linked to a commenter’s blog.

Prior to mid-June of 2005, the URL had the format: http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=the_users_name

After mid-June of 2005, the URL has the format: http://www.xanga.com/the_users_name

The import code hasn’t been maintained in a while, and when it encounters a comment with the new URL format, it fails to distinguish the name of the commenter. The name isn’t found so the import decides the comment is anonymous.

I am not sure why this bug had never been addressed. I found 5 versions of the original code (with the last update occurring to the original on May 13th, 2007) and each contains this error. And the error has been around since 2005.

Either way, I updated the code. Now if a comment is found to be anonymous, the code will attempt to process the author’s code using the post-June of 2005 URL format. Since Xanga does allow anonymous comment, if the author is still found to be anonymous, it is presumed to be an accurate result.

Downloading and Using:

Note: The importer requires that you have a premium Xanga account. If you do, then download an archive of your blog. (When logged in to Xanga, go to the private view of your site, and from the settings menu choose “Webblog Archives”)

1. Download my latest version of the importer here (Verison 3).
   If you need, you can download my original update to the importer here.)
2. Extract the PHP file, and upload it in to the /wp-admin/import directory.
3. Your Xanga archive comes in a zip file, extract the contents to a folder on your desktop
   Note: You cannot upload the zip file itself, so be sure to extract the contents!
4. In WordPress go to Tools -> Import -> and from the list choose “Xanga”
   Earlier versions of WordPress may find the option under Manage -> Import -> and select “Xanga”.
5. Click the “Browse…” button and select a Xanga archive .HTML file to upload
6. Click “Upload and Import”
7. The posts will be imported and you’ll be told how many posts and comments were imported.
   Note 1: If you accidentally upload the same file twice, don’t worry – it won’t upload duplicates
   Note 2: It does not currently upload the title of the post – the post will be titled with the date. I hope to update this soon.

Viola.

Popularity: 72% [?]