Blog Archive: April 2014

Time-Lapse: Observing the Thriving Ivy on the Opposite Wall

| Digital Photography School | 15 seen

Have you ever wondered how nature changes over time? One fascinating way to witness this transformation is through time-lapse photography.

For three weeks in April 2014, I've been taking photo shoots of the wall opposite to me and observing the leaps of ivy as it thrives. Now, after capturing the growth of this plant over a period of time, I am excited to share the finale of this time-lapse experiment with you.

Time-lapse photography allows us to see the changes that happen too slowly for us to perceive with our own eyes.

In this case, the ivy's growth was captured day by day and compiled into a video, revealing the impressive speed at which the plant has grown. The time-lapse provides a unique perspective on the beauty and majesty of nature.

Time-lapse Day 1

Time-lapse Day 2

Time-lapse day 3

Time lapse day 4

Time lapse day 5

Time lapse day 6

Time lapse day 7

Unfortunately I missed some two weeks of photography here so I got a last photo from April 30, 2014

Time-lapse Day last

Romania: An Overview of its Economy and EU Membership (2014)

| Emerging Markets | 7 seen

Yesterday I took a brief overview of Moldova, and today I'm eager to dive into the neighboring country of Romania.

Romania is a full-fledged member of the European Union since 2007, together with Bulgaria, and is considered one of the poorest countries in the EU in terms of wealth.

With a population of 21.33 million people and a GDP of 169.4 billion USD in 2012, Romania's GDP per capita is 7.942 thousands USD. Although Romania is four times richer than its neighbor Moldova, it is still five times poorer than Germany.

Since becoming a member of the EU in 2007, Romania's GDP has remained unchanged, reaching its peak of 204 billion USD in 2008. While some may not be happy with Romania's decision to join the EU, it is uncertain whether the country would have fared better without it.

According to IMF predictions, Romania's GDP is expected to rise to 288.662 billion USD by 2019, a third more than it is today. Additionally, the expected GDP per capita for 2019 is $13.53, which is about half of the country's current GDP.

It has been 24 years since the fall of the Soviet Union, yet the gap between the rich and poor in Europe continues to widen.…

How to Use Instagram App with GPS Offline: A Step-by-Step Guide

| Blogging | 13 seen

Instagram is a popular photo and video-sharing platform that allows users to post pictures and videos, share memories, and connect with friends and family.

However, one of the requirements of using the app is having an active internet connection. This can be a problem when you're traveling, in a remote area, or simply don’t have access to the internet. Fortunately, there are ways to use Instagram even when you don’t have an internet connection. Here’s how to use the Instagram app with GPS offline.

  • Download maps ahead of time: To use Instagram offline, you’ll need to have access to maps in the area you’ll be traveling in. This means you’ll have to download maps before you leave home. You can do this using a GPS app or by using the offline maps feature on Google Maps.

  • Turn off Cellular Data: To ensure that you only use GPS when using Instagram, you'll need to turn off Cellular Data in your phone's settings. You can do this by going to the Settings app, then to Cellular Data and toggle it off.

  • Use airplane mode: When you’re in an area with no internet, you can use…

    • Adding CAPTCHA to Drupal 7 Webform

    | Drupal Development | 55 seen

    CAPTCHA is an essential tool for preventing spam and malicious attacks on your website. Adding CAPTCHA to your Drupal 7 Webform is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few easy steps.

    In this article, we will show you how to add CAPTCHA to your Drupal 7 Webform to protect your website and improve the user experience.

    Step 1: Install the CAPTCHA module The first step is to install the CAPTCHA module on your Drupal 7 website. To do this, go to the Drupal website and download the module. Once the module is downloaded, log in to your Drupal 7 website, go to the Modules section, and click on the Install new module button. Choose the CAPTCHA module from the list and click on the Install button to install it.

    Step 2: Configure the CAPTCHA module Once the CAPTCHA module is installed, you need to configure it. Go to the Configuration section of your Drupal 7 website and click on the CAPTCHA option. You will see a list of CAPTCHA modules that you can choose from. Select the one that you want to use and configure it according to your preferences.

    Step 3: Add CAPTCHA to your Drupal 7 Webform…

    Discovering the Rich History and Growing Economy of Moldova

    | Emerging Markets | 5 seen

    Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, situated between Romania and Ukraine. Despite its small size and relatively low profile on the world stage, Moldova has a rich and complex history, a diverse culture, and a growing economy.

    One of the key features of Moldova's history is its position at the crossroads of different empires and civilizations. Over the centuries, Moldova has been ruled by a variety of powers, including the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union. This has given rise to a fascinating mix of traditions and cultural influences, with elements of Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian, and Turkish culture all playing a role in shaping Moldova's identity.

    One of the most significant events in recent Moldovan history was the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. This marked a turning point for the country, as it transitioned from a Soviet satellite state to an independent nation. Since then, Moldova has struggled to establish a stable and prosperous society, with political and economic challenges often threatening to undermine progress.

    In recent years, however, Moldova has made significant strides towards greater stability…

    Swords, Scandals, and Swashbuckling: A Review of The Musketeers TV Series (2014)

    | Documentaries | 10 seen

    "The Musketeers" is a historical adventure TV series produced by the BBC. It is loosely based on the characters from the novel "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas, set in 17th century France. The show features an ensemble cast, including Tom Burke as Athos, Santiago Cabrera as Aramis, Howard Charles as Porthos, and Luke Pasqualino as D'Artagnan. Here are some of the highlights of this exciting and engaging TV series:

    Swashbuckling Action: "The Musketeers" is known for its thrilling action sequences and sword fights. The show features impressive choreography and stunts, making each episode a visual spectacle. The Musketeers are known for their bravery and skill, and they never shy away from a challenge.

    Intrigue and Romance: The show is not just about sword fights and battles. It also features intricate plotlines and romantic subplots that add depth and complexity to the characters. There are political intrigues, secret societies, and hidden agendas that keep the viewers guessing.

    Strong Character Development: The characters in "The Musketeers" are well-developed and multi-dimensional. Each character has their own backstory and motivations, and…

    The Shocking Truth About Immigration in the UK: A Review of the 2014 Documentary

    | Documentaries | 17 seen

    In 2014, the documentary film "The Truth About Immigration in the UK" caused a stir in the UK media and politics. The documentary, produced by Channel 4, set out to investigate the impact of immigration on the UK, and the result was a nuanced and complex picture of a controversial issue.

    The film begins with presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy stating that "immigration has become one of the most divisive issues in Britain today." It then goes on to explore the various claims and counter-claims made by politicians, the media, and the public about the impact of immigration on issues such as jobs, wages, housing, and the NHS.

    One of the most striking things about the film is the way in which it challenges many of the myths and stereotypes surrounding immigration. For example, it shows how the idea that immigrants are a drain on the NHS is largely a myth, and that immigrants actually contribute more to the economy than they take out in benefits.

    The documentary also looks at the impact of immigration on the job market, and again challenges the idea that immigrants are taking British jobs. It shows that there is little evidence to support this claim, and that many…

    How Moldova's Visa-Free Regime is Driving Economic Growth and Integration with the EU

    | Emerging Markets | 9 seen

    Moldova is a small, landlocked country located in Eastern Europe. Despite its size, Moldova has a rich history and culture and is home to a diverse population of over 3 million people. In recent years, Moldova has made significant strides towards greater integration with the European Union (EU), including the introduction of a visa-free regime for Moldovan citizens traveling to the EU.

    The visa-free regime, which was introduced in 2014, allows Moldovan citizens to travel to the EU for up to 90 days without a visa. This has been a significant development for Moldova, as it has opened up new opportunities for trade, investment, and cultural exchange with EU member states.

    One of the key benefits of the visa-free regime has been increased tourism. Moldovan citizens are now able to travel more easily to EU member states, and many have taken advantage of this opportunity to explore new destinations and cultures. At the same time, the visa-free regime has also made it easier for EU citizens to visit Moldova, which has helped to boost the country's economy and raise its profile on the international stage.

    In addition to…

    Georgia's Political System: An Overview of its Structure and Functioning

    | Living in Georgia | 59 seen

    Georgia is a small country located in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. The country's political system has undergone significant changes over the years, from being part of the Soviet Union to gaining independence in 1991 and establishing a democratic system of government.

    Georgia's political system is based on a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, with the President as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government. The President is elected for a term of six years and has ceremonial functions, while the Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day running of the government.

    The Parliament of Georgia is a unicameral legislative body consisting of 150 members elected for a term of four years. The Parliament is responsible for passing laws, approving the budget, and overseeing the work of the government. The Speaker of the Parliament is the highest-ranking official in the legislative branch.

    The judiciary in Georgia is independent and consists of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and regional courts. The Constitutional Court is responsible for reviewing the…

    Inject Block In Drupal 7 Node With Block Inject module

    | Drupal Development | 3 seen

    I was looking for options to inject Google Adsense ads into my Drupal blog. There are a few modules and tactics available. But today I found an excellent module - Block Inject.

    The Block Inject module allows for regions to be created and injected in the middle of chosen node types.

    You can create any number of regions to inject as well as select as many node types you would like these regions to be injected in. The blocks you assign to these regions will then appear in the middle of the body field of these node types if the number of paragraphs is bigger than 2.

    Download it here: Block Inject

    Here is an example of injected Google Adsense into the middle of content:

    I tried to install the latest dev version, but that broke things up, so I stayed with the alpha version.

    Update: You might try the latest version now (This module have been updated on May 23, 2015)

    If you need help with Drupal modules or Drupal website development - hire me!

    Flickr vs Instagram: Which is the Best Photo-Sharing Platform for Your Needs?

    | Digital Photography School | 57 seen

    Flickr and Instagram are both popular photo-sharing platforms, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

    In this article, we'll take a closer look at the key differences between these two platforms to help you decide which one is right for your needs.

    Flickr, launched in 2004, is a photo-sharing platform that was popular among professional photographers before the rise of social media. It offers more advanced features than Instagram, such as the ability to upload and store high-resolution images, organize photos into sets and collections, and search for images by metadata such as camera type or location.

    In contrast, Instagram, launched in 2010, is a social media platform that emphasizes mobile-first, real-time sharing of images and videos. Its focus is on visual storytelling and community engagement, with features such as hashtags, filters, and Instagram Stories.

    When it comes to image quality, Flickr has the edge with its ability to store and display high-resolution images. Instagram, on the other hand, is optimized for mobile devices and offers a range of filters and editing tools that can enhance the look of photos.

    In terms of…

    Some magic with Drupal, Flickr and Georgia

    | Drupal Development | 8 seen

    Update: Further developments of both tourgeorgia.eu and instagram wall have been stopped. I have created a new Travel Map section instead.

    Since I bought my first Android phone so many new thoughts and ideas has run through my head - I mean in opportunities of development. One of them I already realized - I created my custom Instagram wall, where I'm syncing all my photos taken by phone, and putting them on map. I really like this approach. Update: I have stopped further development of Instagram wall

    When I first landed to Georgia, back in 2011, I wanted to start fresh, not only my life abroad, but to make some fresh start up/project. And I created Tourgeorgia. The idea behind scenes, was to make it a geo tagged. To develop portal, by myself discovering Georgia.

    For example - I landed at Tbilisi airport, lets add this venue to site and so on. To add just those places, where I have been. 

    By now, using my Android phone, I regret I had not it 3 years ago. The things would be far better. But enough regrets.

    So I took my phone, turned it in to geo tagging monster. Registered for Flickr Account. And idea…

    Pushing the limits - Brain power

    | Documentaries | 1 seen

    <p>Nice documentary about our brain power</p>

    Magti 3g internet in your phone

    | Living in Georgia | 16 seen

    <p>Recently I bought my first Android phone, one of the first things I did - I wanted to activate internet on it, I mean mobile internet rather WI-FI.</p><p>Since I'm customer of Magti (Bani) I turned to Magti office on Rustaveli street to change my old SIM card to micro- SIM card by additional 5GEL charge. I was on rush, and I told that I will enable internet later on my phone by myself.</p><p>I then called to Magti info line, to ask for settings for my phone. &nbsp;Girl via phone told me that I can get 100 MB for 1 GEL for 24 hours.&nbsp;</p><p>It took me a while to activate all the settings.&nbsp;</p><p>I will not write down all these settings here, I will reference you to official Magti user guide on that:</p><p>http://www.magticom.ge/internet_setup/eng/android/</p><p>By now, I'm happy I activated 3g internet on my phone, because today electricity has lost in Tbilisi, and I turned my phone to portable Wi-Fi hotspot, and at least I can work. Speed via Magti 3G is pretty awesome.</p><p>I have heard that Beeline offers unlimited internet for 7GEL/month - I will check…

    Import your Instagram photos to your blog using Flickr + Flickstagram

    | Drupal Development | 25 seen

    Recently I bought my first Android phone, and I found Instagram app really useful. What I like the most is it's mapping options, so you can add latitude/longitude auto, if your GPS is turned on.

    Then I wanted to import my Instagram photos to my blog and found some problems with it. As I'm using Drupal as my blogs CMS, at first I headed to Drupal.org to search for some ready built modules, to import my Instagram photos, so I could later use views, for example, to tune things up. There are few solutions provided by Drupal community, but Instagram requires SSL, and at this stage, I'm not ready to enable some Open Source SSL. I just want a solution that works.

    So then I remembered, some years ago, I had built an application with Drupal feeds module, aggregating Flickr RSS feed with location tags (latitude/longitude) - I remember there were involved some Yahoo pipes, to build that stuff. But that time, I was building a much more complicated system. Like parsing feeds for specific locations. This time I want to parse just my feeds and show my photos, both with location enabled and without it.

    Luckily Instagram app allows to publish…