Javascript Alpha Background PNG Fix IE6

Want to fix the background PNG 24 Alpha image of an element in IE6?

Here's how I do it

function FixIEPngBG(elmnt){
if ((navigator.appVersion.indexOf('MSIE 6')>-1) && (document.body.filters)){
bkg = (elmnt.background? elmnt.background : (elmnt.style.backgroundImage? elmnt.style.backgroundImage : elmnt.currentStyle.backgroundImage));
bkg=bkg.replace('url(', '');
bkg=bkg.replace(')', '');
while (bkg.indexOf('"')>-1){
bkg=bkg.replace('"', '');
}
elmnt.style.backgroundImage="url(images/blank.gif)"; // has to have a background image otherwise it wont be recognised on drag.
elmnt.style.filter="progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='"+bkg+"', sizingMethod='scale');";
}
}

Linux Ready For The Desktop

As most people working in IT will know, requests from friends, colleagues and family to rescue dead PCs come with the job.
Recently I recovered data for a colleague. The data was recovered from a dodgy windows XP machine (not even sp2).
Rather than try to fix the dodgy XP installation, I recommended the owner of the PC try Ubuntu.
Ubuntu comes with CD burning software, open office suite, firefox, email software, pretty much everything a basic user would want.
Anyway, I received a text message today saying that the PC actually worked better with Ubuntu than the dodgy version of XP!
The soundcard had never worked under XP and it worked perfectly with Ubuntu.
Not only this, every peripheral attached to the machine worked perfectly too.
All they had to do was transfer their recovered data to the Ubuntu machine and then they had a perfect installation.
Maybe I will be ditching my XP installation for Ubuntu (as soon as my 24track firewire mixing desk is supported).

Ask a Ninja

Rather than sit there reading my blog, why not check out www.askaninja.com.
If you ever wanted to know a ninjas view point on any subject, or you need a tricky question explained by someone with lightening reactions, then this is the site for you.
I thought it was hilarious - especially the explanation of Pod-casting.