I’ve been doing some work on the [[OPML Editor]] / [[metaWeblog]] integration provided in [[wordpress.root]]. So far, I have what I think is a better outline renderer (kind of based on the old [[HALO]] renderer and [[docRenderer]]) which uses the structure of the outline to format html headings and other things. I’ve also updated the software that saves posts to do weblogUpdates.pings to the various ping servers (like rpc.weblogs.com). This feature is configurable per blog, and the pings run in the background so you don’t have to wait for them to finish.

Why am I doing this?

Well, I find that I love [[MarsEdit]] for doing blog posts for comments on various articles I read in [[NetNewsWire]], but I don’t find that I like it as a writing tool. For writing, I really need an outliner (wouldn’t [[Dave Winer]] be proud [[:-)]]).

Eventhough the [[OPML Editor]] feels a bit klunky by today’s user interface standards, it’s still the only tool I can think of that allows me to open up the hood and rewire the engine if I feel like it. So, that’s exactly what I’m doing. The hacker in me loves this.

When I finish with these updates I’ll find a way to get them to [[Dave Winer]] or up on the opml editor support site somehow so others that are interested can take advantage of these changes.

Other changes I’m considering

• Better multi-blog management (I maintain more than one blog, and opening up the object database and modifying a variable just seems so… so… blech [[:-)]]).
• Better category menu support. Right now the right-click menu gives a list of categories for exactly one blog. If you have more than one blog you have to reload this menu.
• Right-mouse button setting of item attributes
• Right-mouse button to define HTML block types in OL attribute instead of special text
• Anything else I can think of.

A few thoughts about this year’s [[Masters]] tournament

• Another year, another [[Masters]].
• No [[Tiger Slam]] this year
• All hail **The King*’! It was great seeing [[Arnold Palmer]] back at [[The Masters]], which, as the starter and chairman of Augusta said, is where he belongs.
• Hopefully [[Jack Nicklaus]] will follow suit and be there as the ceremonial starter in the future. Wouldn’t it be great to have Nicklaus, Palmer, and Player, the big 3 of their day, reprise the roles of Snead, Nelson, and Sarazen, the original big 3?
• I miss the days of old when there was no rough and the pros could make attempts at insane shots when the got in trouble. Now there’s just enough rough to make those sorts of shots so difficult that they don’t try them much, and if they do, they fail most of the time taking away the opportunity for a thrilling result. If you’ve ever read [[The Spirit of St. Andrews]] by [[Dr. Alister MacKenzie]], you’ll know that those changes are completely against his whole philosphy of golf course design. Note to [[Augusta National]]: Change it back. We need more insanely great shots!
• I don’t have any problem with the increased length of the course. The players are now hitting clubs into the par 5’s that players like Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan had to which keeps the course from becoming obsolete.
• I don’t know what you need to do [[Tiger]], but you gotta figure out a way to stop losing your drives to the right. That cost you the tournament.
• Congratulations Zach! You zigged when everyone else zagged and now you have your green jacket. Given your post-victory interview in Butler Cabin, I’m sure this was the ultimate Easter celebration for you and your family!
• That eagle by [[Tiger]] on the 13th hole was magnificent
• The bogey/bogey finishes by [[Tiger]] on Thursday and Saturday were not
• If only Tom Watson had taken his time a little bit on the 18th on Friday, he would’ve been there for the weekend
• How many putts did [[Tiger]] attempt where the ball burned the edge of the cup as it rolled by? Had those fallen, he’d have finished at least 5 under for the week.
• This applies to golf broadcasts in general, not just [[The Masters]]. I wish the director of the broadcast would take a look at some of the great footage from years past when the camera didn’t zoom in tight on the ball throughout its flight. By backing off and showing us a wide angle shot, we can see much more of how the shot is behaving: is it hooking or slicing? is it flying low or high? What about the effect of the wind? C’mon guys! We know you’re great with the camera work, but stop trying to ”’show”’ us how great you are. Let us ‘*see** what’s going on with the shot!