$value = Mage::app()->loadCache(‘my_cache_key’);

If the key isn’t found, $value will be null.

To store a value in the cache is almost as easy:

Mage::app()->saveCache($data_to_store, ‘my_cache_key’, array(), $duration_in_seconds);

(The empty array in the call above is standing in for a parameter called “tags” which, to my knowledge, is not used. Someone please correct me on that if I’ve got it wrong.)

echo Mage::app()->getLayout()->getNode()->asNiceXml('', 0);

The layout is just a Varien_Simplexml_Config.  getNode buys you access to the private $_xml variable that holds the root node of the xml document.  Then asNiceXml formats it nicely for the screen.  If you’d rather output to a file (they can be large chunks of xml) supply a file name for the first parameter of asNiceXml and the xml will be written there, too.

Now back to why my block isn’t loading…

In the past I’ve used the general log in mysql.  That can be a great source of information, but, depending on the version of mysql, it can be a pain to set up.  Other times I’ve inserted logging code into various db classes in order to print out queries that are being run, but I always have to find the right place again.  But today I stumbled on this blog entry - http://blog.nexcess.net/2011/04/15/logging-database-queries-in-magento/ that spells out exactly how you can turn on some (as far as I know) undocumented logging functionality that is built right in to the Magento data access layer.  Kudos to the author and thanks for sharing!

We were recognized as one of the 20 Fabulous New Websites For Your Inspiration.

We’re very excited to share this news with you all!

$category = Mage::getModel(‘catalog/category’)->load(10);

$attribute = Mage::getSingleton(‘eav/config’)->getAttribute(‘catalog_category’, ‘myattribute_code’);

$text = $attribute->getSource()->getOptionText($category->getMyattributeCode());

I called our water distributor, and told them about what happened. Not only did the woman sound more shocked than I did about the situation, but she set up an emergency replacement call for tomorrow morning.

In light of the morning’s events, I sent out an office wide e-mail:

Subject:

Do Not Use Water Cooler

E-mail:

Good Morning:

This morning, our water cooler seemed to become a “water boiler” and was heating both water settings, and even melted the water jug that was in there.

The cooler has been unplugged, and a new one will be delivered tomorrow to replace this one, along with a new 5 gallon water jug to replace the one we lost.

Services for the water cooler will be held this afternoon, and the funeral is tomorrow (whenever the [water distributor] guy gets here).

Sorry for the inconvenience.

To honor our lost friend, I felt it only correct to honor it with a proper tombstone.

In lieu of flowers, the iFuel Interactive family kindly asks that you go to your local Starbucks and buy a bottle of Ethos water, where 5 cents goes towards their Ethos® Water Fund, part of the Starbucks Foundation.

]]> http://blogs.ifuelinteractive.com/2011/12/28/water-cooler/feed/ 2 http://blogs.ifuelinteractive.com/2011/12/08/best-youtube-video-ever/ http://blogs.ifuelinteractive.com/2011/12/08/best-youtube-video-ever/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:13:17 +0000 Jacqueline DeVito http://blogs.ifuelinteractive.com/?p=581 The holiday season is in full swing, and I’m slowly getting into the spirit of things. I listen to my holiday radio station on Pandora, and changed my desktop wallpaper to that of various festive winter scenes. Plus, I just bought a lovely dress to wear to my holiday parties, and I’m almost done with all my shopping.

After all the hard work that goes into preparing for the holidays, it is important to sit back, relax, and enjoy the time-honored tradition of putting up Christmas lights on one’s home.

(This is my absolute favorite YouTube video ever!)

Happy Holidays!

As the holiday season quickly approaches, lest we forget all that we have to be thankful for:

“I have too much to be thankful for. I can’t take anything for granted.”
-RN

“Family, friends, food and a new Muppets movie.”
-BS

“Thankful for the people at iFuel (seriously!), a new home, awesome wife, baby on the way and God’s many blessings this year.”
-RW

“I am thankful for my Mom and Dad, they raised me and they tried all their best to make me the guy that I am now. Mom and Dad- thank you very much.”
-NM

“I am thankful for my family, my Lobster, my friends, and my sisters. No matter what hardships we may face, it is important to remember all that we still have.”
-JD

The celebration included: chocolate cake, brownies, and a variety of donuts. Everyone enjoyed the party, however, now everyone wants to take a nap.

Happy Birthday NM!!

This week, we had some special visitors to our office, and they shared with us some lovely artwork on the dry erase board in our conference room.

“iFuel Interactive” by Em™ 2011©

We are very lucky to have this lovely piece of art to enjoy and share with others.