SOURCEFORGE -- There are very extensive code libraries at Sourceforge which will help us in a programming assignment. John Handelaar runs his image gallery on some this code. Handelaar's system uses filesystem rather than database-based storage.
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LIVE CURRY -- Formerly from MTV and now a cult figure in iPod land, Adam Curry has released way-alpha source code to an application which allows users to automatically download MP3 audio files from weblogs and other web sites to their iPod. This is cool. Several "shows" are ready for downloading.
CNET -- Macromedia has released its first major extension for Flex, server software introduced earlier this year as part of a drive to expand use of the company's Flash format. The new Flex Builder package is a set of design and development tools intended to help developers quickly build applications in Flex, which has largely been used to create slick interfaces for Web applications.
DIVE INTO MARK -- Funnily enough, my experience seems to parallel Mark Pilgrim. "Most developers are morons, and the rest are assholes. I have at various times counted myself in both groups, so I can say this with the utmost confidence."
SLASHDOT -- Ian Felton offers some interesting viewpoints after looking at changes to PHP/ "At first glance, the obvious changes to PHP are a result of the success of the Java platform and the weaknesses of PHP revealed in comparison. With the release of PHP 5, it's apparent that the developers of PHP and the Zend Engine (essentially a single group) felt compelled to make PHP much more like Java with respect to object-oriented programming. Zend, the Israeli company backing the development of PHP, promises on their web site that "full integration with Java will be closer than ever before." Hmmm, full integration with Java, huh?"
BRICKLIN -- "We need to start thinking about software in a way more like how we think about building bridges, dams, and sewers. What we build must last for generations without total rebuilding. This requires new thinking and new ways of organizing development. This is especially important for governments of all sizes as well as for established, ongoing businesses and institutions."
TINCAN -- Some big players use PHPList to create, capture and maintain an audience. It's a free web application that implements a personalised mailing list manager or customer relationship management system. It is written in PHP and uses an SQL database for storing the information.
BARCODE ART -- Scott Blake coded a very cool set of barcode clocks using code from an Internet JavaScript resource. He replaced the standard digits with his own bar code files to convert time into a hypnotic pattern. The actual numbers take up a considerably small space to leave room for the black and white code to animate.
RUSSELL BEATTIE -- The tech world is talking about Friendster switching from JSP to PHP. Friendster seems to run faster on my E1 connection. It's good to see a large app running PHP because there are lessons in it for our PHP coding with Moodle.
