Working with Drupal views attachments

4 June, 2014 | Drupal Development | 110 seen

Drupal views attachments is a nice feature, which allows us to extend  Drupal views. For example, we can create a featured view and attach to it other view displaying additional information.

One of the reasons I love views attachments is because of I can create a main view and add to it smaller view and offset some items:

With views attachment sky is the limit, you can build for example a restaurant list view and attach to it Gmap style map, displaying both grid view with results and map with all nodes.

Today I wanted to just build a portfolio page, and by using views attachment I achieved following result:

Now its just up to you, to nicely css your views. 

P.S. If you are considering a hosting for your Drupal website check out Bluehost, their shared hosting starts as low as $3.95/mo or read more about cheap Drupal hosting.

Joseph Stalin Declassified

3 June, 2014 | Documentaries | 2 seen

<p><span>A History channel documentary on Joseph Stalin.</span></p><p><span>In this documentary is pictured time how Stalin took the power after death of Lenin. About mass deportations and Stalins plans to conquer the west.</span></p><p><span>Not very objective, but still enjoyable documentary.</span></p>

Georgian Bus - Great way to travel from Kutaisi to Batumi or Tbilisi

3 June, 2014 | Travel guides | 11 seen

At first, when Kutaisi International airport was built (around 2012/2013) there were few transport options to choose from to get at least to the city center of Kutaisi, as it turns out, the city is actually located about some 17km from the airport. Back in the days, there were just taxi services, which was and still is pretty costly (as long as you are not using BOLT)

While you are still figuring out about your next flight to Kutaisi or travel options around Georgia consider Batumi Real Estate Crypto Investment

One way direction from Kutaisi city center to the Kutaisi airport with street taxi cost about 20GEL (price as of 2015). If you are really on a budget you might get from Kutaisi airport to Tbilisi (Didube station) for 10-12 GEL by using Batumi - Tbilisi marshrutka, you can try to catch one, just after leaving the airport building and heading to the highway, which is some 200 meters from the terminal building.

But let's not be greedy - There is a great alternative, called Georgian Bus, which offers cozy mini-buses both to Tbilisi and Batumi, for 20 and 15 GEL (prices as of 2014).

Even more, the Georgian Bus will get you both from Batumi and Tbilisi to Kutaisi airport as well.

Don't get scammed with some Taxi offers for 100, 200, or 300 GEL or even USD. Try the Georgian bus, when flying to Kutaisi.

About Georgian Bus:

Georgian Bus is the first company offering all customers an online ticket bookings system and shuttle bus service from Kutaisi International Airport.

Book online at Georgian Bus or meet Georgian bus staff members at Kutaisi airport.

Batumi Aerial Tram

2 June, 2014 | Tourism objects | 27 seen

One of the must have tourist attractions in Batumi is an aerial tram (cable car) ride. Built back in 2012 these gondolas will take you in a 2,5 km long route at maximum elevation of 252 meters. During you ride you will enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Batumi city.

Best enjoyed in evenings shortly before sunset. At the other end of the ropeway there is nice viewing platform offering scenic views to the city and Black sea.

Ticket price per ride (round-trip): 10 GEL, as of 2016

Futuristic design of Batumi cable car station

Located at the Batumi bay, this station house indeed features futuristic design - but when overlooked from overall city architecture - it' s awful eclectics

Batumi cable car

Batumi cable car station

Cable car system installations is built by Doppelrmayr - an Austrian - Swiss company that manufactures chairlifts, cable cars, gondolas, surface tows for ski and amusement parks, as well as urban people movers and material handling systems. You will find Doppelrmayr in Gudauri ski lifts and in Tbilisi aerial tram as well. 

view from gondola  - construction sites in Batumi

Batumi is on fast track - you will discover a lot of new skyscrapers been built here.

View to the Batumi bay

Aerial view of Batumi

Cable car station and small church

There is a restaurant located where you can enjoy locally brewed beer, wine or just grab a takeaway coffee.

Sataplia cave in Georgia

2 June, 2014 | Tourism objects | 59 seen

Sataplia cave together with Prometheus cave are one of the main tourist sights around Kutaisi town, in Republic of Georgia.

I first visited Sataplia cave at the end of May 2014, when my father for the first time visited me in Georgia. I picked him up at Kutaisi airport and before departing back to Tbilisi I decided to take an opportunity and explore this cave together..

At first you will need to have some taxi to get there, luckily I had one. Sataplia cave is located some 18 km away from Kutaisi. 

The entrance fee (as of 2014) in park was 6GEL and was accompanied by English speaking guide

Entrance gates at Sataplia cave territory

Sataplia Cave is located at Sataplia Nature reserve, and to make things more interesting some wise Georgian (I guess former president of Republic of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili and his team), has decided to add Dinosaur footsteps there as well. Nothing impressive about Dinosour there, just some footsteps in stone and some plastic makets of REX.

Dinosaur footstep in rock at Sataplia

I got this feeling that Dinosaur footsteps is just a nice hoax to get there more tourists, but I don't say this for sure.

View to surrounding areas

Sataplia is a very interesting place for Kutaisi visitors. The Sataplia karst cave lies 6 km. North-West of Kutaisi within Sataplia state preserve and is known for its Dinosaurs traces. The specialists think that in this view Sataplia is one of the richest places in the world. Sataplia and the traces of Dinosaurs were discovered by Kutaisi environmentalist P. Chabukiani  who detected there the settlement of the primitive man, together with the footprints of a Dinosaur.

Stalactites inside Sataplia cave
The Sataplia karst cave begins from North and leads to the East. 300m long, 10m. High and 12 m. wide karst cave abounds in stalactites and stalagmites. A spring is winding along its bottom. The air and water temperatures in the Sataplia karst cave are nearly equal ( 12-13 c). There is a speleological museum near it now. The Sataplia karst cave was also discovered by P.Chabukiani. He also took care of the unique forest which occupied 500 hectares and nowadays this forest and Sataplia itself represent the sanctuary. Near the Sataplia Karst cave in Tetramitsa the settlement of a primitive man discovered. There were discovered a wide range of stone weapons and other material which are kept in Kutaisi Ethnographical Museum.

Limestone rock inside Sataplia cave

Google Authorship for Drupal

2 June, 2014 | Drupal Development | 3 seen

Updated: Google seems doesn't takes into consideration Google Authorship markup

I have been many times heard that adding Google Authorship tag to your website will help you in terms of SEO. So I decided to add Google Authorship tag to my blog and observe results.

What is Google Authorship?

Good for authors like you

• Distinguish and validate your content in search results.
• Get more followers on Google+.
• Help readers discover your other content on the web.

Good for the web

• Help users find high quality content on the web.
• Empower them to engage with content authors through Google+.

How it looks like in the Google Search?

How to add Google Authorship to Drupal?

Simple, I used a module available on Drupal: Google Authorship

What's next?

I will use Google Webmaster tools to examine does it really helps in terms of SEO. My understanding for now is that Google Authorship might help improve click through rate, because of your picture next to your post, but maybe, just maybe it might put your content higher in SERP results. It's pretty easy to monitor changes. I will take a data from my Webmaster panel available for time period May 3 - June 2, and calculate existing CTR.

Doing simple math I can calculate what is my CTR in SERP: 907X100/24865 = 3.65. My actual CTR from SERP for now is about 3.65%.

If it will improve dramatically in future, yes, then Google Authorship is cool thing.

I will give you some update regarding Google Authorship's impact on SEO after one month.

P.S. If you are considering a hosting for your Drupal website check out Bluehost, their shared hosting starts as low as $3.95/mo or read more about cheap Drupal hosting.

My online income report - May 2014

2 June, 2014 | Blogging | 6 seen

My online income in May has decreased by $1.88 compared to previous period and in month of May totalled in $6.01.

Average earning last month by day was $0.19, what is down from $0.26 in previous month.

• Highest earnings per day: $0.63
• Days earning more than $1: 0
• Lowest earnings per day: $0.01
• Days earning less than $0.10: 13

I'm still using just Google Adsense to monetize my websites

Blog statistics May 2014

1 June, 2014 | Blogging | 4 seen

Last month I expressed hopes to achieve 1200-1500 users this month, unfortunately my hopes were false. My blog traffic experienced growth, but not as much I hopped for.

Compared with month of April, in month of May traffic to my blog raised for 5% and totalled in 1027 users.

By now I'm getting in average 33.12 visitors a day, what is up for 0.62 visitors in day compared with previous month.

In overall it was pretty OK, but I hopped for more.

I'm still hopping to get about 6000 users in month by end of this September/October. Will it happen? It depends - I can keep on relying on organic search traffic, or I can use some paid advertisement options. For now I haven't yes used any paid options. Depending on results at the end of this Summer and my mood - I could and I could not prefer paid advertisement in order to get more traffic.

Unlocking the Potential of Automated Writing with Drupal and AI

31 May, 2014 | Drupal Development | 13 seen

With the advancement of technology and the increasing power of AI, it's becoming possible to automate more and more tasks, including writing. The use of Drupal as a content management system provides a powerful platform for automated writing.

In this article, I will demonstrate how Drupal can be used to generate large amounts of automated writing with the use of Views and custom feed importers.

The process starts with creating a custom feed importer to import geo-tagged data, which is then processed and displayed in Drupal Views. For example, consider the following sentence:

"Potaro in Ajaria (region) is a populated area located in Georgia - about 209.88 km from Tbilisi, the country's capital town."

This sentence was generated using a simple query that was created based on the given information. The query in Drupal Views would look like this:

<b>[title] in [field_region] (region) is a [term_node_tid] located in Georgia - about [distance] from Tbilisi, the country's capital town</b>

It's important to note that the creation of this query involved more than just the simple example shown above. In order to achieve this, a custom feed importer was created to import the geo-tagged data, and various modules, such as the Location module, were used to process the data and display it in Drupal Views.

The use of automated writing in Drupal can have far-reaching implications for various industries, including the news industry. For example, the ability to generate automated sports news would greatly reduce the amount of time and resources required to produce and distribute news content. This would allow news organizations to focus on other important tasks, such as investigative journalism, and provide more time for journalists to pursue in-depth reporting.

Of course, it's important to note that the use of automated writing does not necessarily mean that the quality of content will suffer. The technology behind Drupal and AI is constantly evolving, and the potential for high-quality automated writing is increasing. In the near future, it's possible that we may see a reduction in the need for human writers, as automated writing becomes increasingly sophisticated and capable of producing high-quality content.

In conclusion, the use of Drupal as a platform for automated writing provides a powerful tool for generating large amounts of high-quality content. Whether it's used for news reporting, sports journalism, or any other type of writing, the potential for automation with Drupal is enormous. The future of writing is rapidly changing, and the use of AI and Drupal will play a major role in shaping the way content is created and distributed in the years to come.

Note: This article has been rewritten by an AI language model.

Georgian railway offers free WiFi

30 May, 2014 | Railway / Bus / Ferry | 296 seen

Update: Georgian Railway still (2016) offers free Wi-FI (at least in the Tbilisi - Batumi line), but it is slow because most of the passengers have tuned their devices (laptops and mobile phones) to online video streaming services making this a very bad internet browsing experience.

Once I noticed a dude opening torrent sites and downloading movies (most probably piratical)  - while browsing YouTube meanwhile.

For some serious work - Wi-FI offered by Georgian Railways (it's Geocell actually) - is not an option - and if you need a stable internet connection while on the trip - I highly suggest using 3G/4G - personally I'm using Magti 3G internet which is - cheap and fast most of the Tbilisi - Batumi route.

There are places en route where no mobile networks are available and Wi-Fi neither.

Coffee bar Palms Batumi

30 May, 2014 | Restaurant reviews | 12 seen

Coffee bar Palms is one of the oldest coffee places I know located in Batumi park between Hotel Intourist Palace and Seaside Boulevard. 

Here you can order scramble and delicious Turkish coffee for breakfast for reasonable price.

Coffee bar Palms in Batumi

Interior made from Bamboo tree

The bamboo furniture and decor create a cozy and inviting ambiance that makes you feel right at home.

The menu is diverse and caters to a variety of tastes and preferences, making it the perfect place to grab a quick bite or spend a leisurely afternoon.

The staff at Coffee bar Palms is friendly and welcoming, always making sure that their customers are comfortable and well taken care of. They take pride in their coffee and are passionate about ensuring that every cup is made to perfection.

One of the best things about Coffee bar Palms is its location. It is situated in the heart of Batumi park, surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful flowers. This makes it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature while sipping on a delicious coffee. The park is also a popular spot for families and children, who come to play and have picnics on the weekends.

In conclusion, Coffee bar Palms is a must-visit for anyone looking for a quality cup of coffee in Batumi. With its warm and inviting atmosphere, delicious coffee, and prime location, this coffee bar is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Discover the Top 7 Reasons to Visit Batumi, Georgia

29 May, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 5 seen

Batumi is a charming coastal city located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea in Georgia. It is the capital of the Adjara region and is known for its stunning beaches, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. In recent years, it has emerged as a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the top reasons to visit Batumi.

One of the main reasons to visit Batumi is its beautiful beaches. The city boasts a long coastline with many stunning beaches, including the popular Batumi Beach and Gonio Beach. These beaches offer crystal-clear water, soft sand, and plenty of sunshine, making them ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.

Batumi is known for its unique architecture, which is a blend of different styles, including Gothic, Baroque, and Ottoman. The city is home to many beautiful buildings, including the Batumi Boulevard, the Alphabet Tower, and the Batumi Sea Port, all of which are must-visit attractions for architecture enthusiasts.

Another reason to visit Batumi is its delicious cuisine. The city is known for its fresh seafood, which is a staple in many of its traditional dishes, such as chakapuli, satsivi, and khachapuri. In addition to seafood, Batumi also offers a variety of other dishes, including meat dishes and vegetarian options, all of which are sure to delight your taste buds.

Batumi is a city with a rich and vibrant culture. It is home to many museums and galleries, including the Batumi Archaeological Museum, the Adjara State Museum, and the Batumi Art Museum, all of which showcase the city's history and culture. The city also hosts many cultural events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Batumi International Art-House Film Festival and the Batumi Jazz Festival.

Batumi is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including the Batumi Botanical Garden, which is home to more than 5,000 species of plants from all over the world. The city is also a gateway to the nearby Kolkheti National Park, which is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers.

Batumi has a vibrant nightlife scene, with many bars, nightclubs, and casinos. The city comes alive at night, offering visitors a chance to dance, drink, and socialize with locals and other tourists.

Batumi is a great destination for families with children. The city has many parks and playgrounds, including the 6 May Park and the Batumi Dolphinarium, which is home to dolphins and seals that perform shows for visitors.

In conclusion, Batumi is a charming coastal city that offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, rich culture, delicious cuisine, and a vibrant nightlife scene. With its stunning beaches, unique architecture, and family-friendly activities, it is the perfect destination for those seeking a memorable vacation experience.

A Beach Lover's Guide to Batumi: Where to Swim, Sunbathe, and Relax in the City

28 May, 2014 | Travel guides | 444 seen

Batumi, a beautiful city on Georgia's Black Sea coast, is a popular destination for beach lovers looking for a relaxing vacation. With its warm weather, crystal clear waters, and stunning scenery, Batumi has everything you need for a perfect beach getaway.

In this article, we will explore the best places to swim, sunbathe, and relax in the city, as well as the best time to visit.

The best time to visit Batumi is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is warm and sunny. During this time, the water temperature is perfect for swimming, and the beaches are lively and bustling with activity. However, keep in mind that this is also the peak tourist season, so the beaches can get quite crowded.

Batumi Beach is the most popular beach in the city and for a good reason. It's located in the heart of the city, making it easily accessible for tourists. The beach is well-maintained, and there are plenty of amenities available, including sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, and changing rooms. The water is clean and perfect for swimming, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby where you can grab a bite to eat.

If you're looking for a quieter, more secluded beach experience, Mtsvane Kontskhi Beach is a great option. The beach is located on the outskirts of the city, and it's surrounded by beautiful greenery and forests. The water is crystal clear, and the beach is relatively uncrowded, making it perfect for those who want to relax and soak up the sun.

Sarpi Beach is located near the Georgian-Turkish border and is one of the most picturesque beaches in Batumi. The beach is surrounded by stunning cliffs and rock formations, and the water is incredibly clear. There are plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas available for rent, and there are several cafes and restaurants nearby.

Gonio Beach is located a few kilometers from Batumi and is one of the most family-friendly beaches in the city. The beach is relatively shallow, making it perfect for children to play in the water. There are plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas available for rent, and there are several cafes and restaurants nearby where you can grab a bite to eat.

Kobuleti Beach is located about 25 kilometers from Batumi and is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Georgian Black Sea coast. The beach is well-maintained, and there are plenty of amenities available, including sun loungers, umbrellas, and changing rooms. The water is crystal clear, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby where you can grab a bite to eat.

In conclusion, Batumi has a range of beaches to suit everyone's preferences, and the best time to visit is during the summer months. So, pack your sunscreen, grab your beach towel, and head to Batumi for an unforgettable beach vacation.

Exploring Tbilisi and Mtatsminda: A Day of Adventure with My Dad in Georgia

27 May, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 8 seen

Back in May 2014, my dad came to visit me in Georgia and also celebrate his 60 birtdhay, and we had an amazing time exploring the country. One of our most memorable days was when we went on a walking tour of Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia.

We started the day by taking a ride on the metro to Avlabari and then hired a taxi to take us up to Sameba, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. From there, we walked down to the old city and explored the historic streets and buildings.

Next, we headed up to Narikala Fortress, an ancient citadel that overlooks the city. The views from the top were breathtaking, and we spent some time admiring the panoramic views. We then made our way to the nearby Mother Georgia monument, which towers over the city and is a symbol of Georgian national pride.

After taking in the sights at Mother Georgia, we headed down to Rustaveli Boulevard, one of Tbilisi's main thoroughfares. From there, we caught a bus to Mtatsminda amusement park, which is located on top of a hill overlooking the city. We took a funicular down to the Pantheon, a famous cemetery where many famous Georgians are buried, and then walked back down to Rustaveli Boulevard.

All in all, we walked at least 8 kilometers, but the experience was well worth it. Tbilisi is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture, and I'm so glad that my dad and I were able to explore it together.

Georgia Turned 96: A Personal Account of Celebrating Independence Day

26 May, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 11 seen

On May 26, 2014, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the celebration of Georgia's Independence Day in the heart of Tbilisi. The day marked the country's 96th anniversary of independence, and as a foreigner visiting Georgia, it was an unforgettable experience.

I was joined by my dad who visited me in Tbilisi, and we decided to venture out and explore the city on this special day.

We made our way to Liberty Square, where a military parade was scheduled to take place in honor of the occasion. As we arrived, we were greeted by a sea of people, all eagerly waiting for the parade to begin. The atmosphere was electric, with music blaring and crowds cheering as Georgian military personnel marched by in their uniforms.

The sense of national pride and unity was palpable, and it was an incredible sight to see so many people coming together to celebrate their country's independence.

As the parade ended, my friend and I wandered around the city, taking in the festive atmosphere and enjoying the sights and sounds of the day. We stopped for a traditional Georgian lunch and shared stories about our experiences in the country. My dad, who had visited me from abroad, was struck by the warmth and hospitality of the Georgian people, as well as the country's rich history and culture.

Looking back on that day, I realize how fortunate I was to witness the celebration of Georgia's Independence Day. It was a reminder of the country's resilience and determination in the face of adversity, as well as its commitment to building a better future for its people. 

Here are few Instagram photos from that day

and here is one Instagram from Rustaveli avenue:

What else can be added here? Sakartvelos Gaumarjos!