Archive

Reviews

HTML5 + Node.js = Marakana Videos That Rock!

September 4, 2011
Javascript, Reviews, Video
Leave a Comment

I’ve no idea how long Marakana TV has been out, but I stumbled across it recently while bumbling about sites with some Google Searches. It seemed cool enough that I decided I’d post a few videos & a short review of the site. If you’re looking for some great material on these topics go check the site out, you won’t regret it.

Ryan Dahl on Node.js

HTML 5 Boiler Plate with Paul Irish

Apache Cassandra: noSQL, Yes to Scale by SriSatish Ambati

If you haven’t seen Marakana Videos I would suggest checking them out. Their site is at http://marakana.com/ where there are forums, more videos, and other great content. Their site focuses on Open Source Training. There are topics ranging from the above Node.js, HTML 5, Apacha Cassandra, and many more on the site.

Beer Dashboard == Kick Ass Awesome!

September 1, 2011
.NET Bits, Ideas, Reviews
Leave a Comment

A good friend of mine, Eric Sterling, has put together the most ultimate Dashboard EVER! A beer dashboard at Bailey’s Taproom. It even has foursquare integration so you know who the mayor is!  Represent!

Bailey's Beer Dashboard

Bailey's Beer Dashboard

He put this together using Silverlight and worked with Jeff & team at Bailey’s to get it rendering perfectly on a giant flat screen. So now when you go to Bailey’s, you can see with a mere glance the state of every beer on tap!

The Oregon Live even had an article by John Foyston posted “Bailey’s New Electronic Beer Menu” on the new “beer screen” (I prefer “beer dashboard”).

Spotlight on HP Open Source

July 30, 2011
Cloud Speak, Conferences, Infrastructure, Reviews
Leave a Comment

While at OSCON 2011 I spoke to a Phil Robb, Bryan Gartner, and Terri Molini with HP. Phil is heading up the Open Source Program Office for HP, which we spoke about.

Context and Clarity: I knew HP was involved in cloud computing to some degree, know they make tons of devices, hardware, printers, and know they are involved in open source. Beyond that I did not know too much about any particular aspect of HP, nor have I ever worked for them. So if I swoon in response to any of their products or open source efforts don’t think I’m just being a shill, because if you know me, you know better! With that, let’s hit on this discussion and exploration of HP.

The first BIG thing that HP announced, that we all learned about at once via OSCON is HP’s signing up to support the OpenStack Project!  This is pretty big news, as OpenStack is a big deal for future Cloud Computing Development focuses on enabling a company versus locking them into a single provider. For those that don’t know much about OpenStack, I’ll be publishing a Spotlight on OpenStack in the near future!

Cloud Computing, Not Just OpenStack

During our conversation, one of the things I really wanted to know about was HP’s efforts around cloud computing without any specific focus. I wanted to know where they are headed, what their plans are, and how they’re currently involved. Of course many of those questions can be answered just by looking at HP’s signing on with OpenStack! Me being the curious type, I wanted more though.

Phil laid out the focus for me with a great quote, “Open Source & Mobile is exceedingly important, and we’re right there with cloud technologies as well.”  As our conversation progressed it is evident that HP has many current inroads they’re making into cloud computing. Some of those include Linux (of course that’s a no brainer! :) ), the LinuxCOE, and other deployment and management software.

Talking to Phil, Bryan, and some other HP Devs and Evangelists we discussed the various approachs HP is taking to get people “cloud enabled”. Their approach is open, as one might expect, and encompasses a wide breadth of capabilities. One of the approaches they have is the distribution of virtual images, regardless of your virtualization software. They’ve worked to provide additional ways to expand and distribute images as necessary.

Web OS, Webkit, and V8

HP also contributes or works with several technologies within the JavaScript Tech Stack including Node.js, V8, and Webkit. They also use these tools extensively in putting together solutions for WebOS or other tool stacks internally. I’m always stoked to hear about more companies and individuals stepping in and contributing even more to Node.js, V8, and that whole echelon of server side js technology.

Other tools, technologies and efforts they’re actively contributing to in some way or another include jQuery, PhoneGap Applications, and others. HP reviews several thousands projects monthly and makes decisions to get involved or contribute in other ways.

Summary

HP is a major contributor of several major open source projects. They contribute actively and are involved actively, making a positive impact to the community and projects themselves. HP’s ongoing efforts with cloud computing is continuing to grow, and with the recent boarding of the OpenStack train they’re in line to make some major steps into the cloud computing world. Overall, I’m impressed, to HP & the teams there, keep up the good work. You guys and gals are kicking ass!

The Good Parts, Patterns, and a Cookbook of Javascript

July 20, 2011
Javascript, Reviews
1 Comment

I’ve been asked recently about some books to learn/get updated on/figure out this new found JavaScript craze, so here’s my first three suggestions… :)

JavaScript: The Good Parts by Douglas Crockford

I started reading JavaScript: The Good Parts by Douglas Crockford a few months back. I’ve been slowly making my way through the book and wanted to add a few notes, thoughts, and maybe even discuss some of these “Good Parts”.

It seems, even with all the great things happening around Javascript, there are still tons of issues and concerns around using this as a primary language for full stack development. There are concerns around maintainability and other issues also. I like Javascript, but I keep getting that sinking feeling like it is the next realm of “Visual Basic”, which hasn’t held so well throughout the years. If Javascript is going to become the next Visual Basic, I want to be ahead of the curve on the chaos that will surely ensue, and be aware of the signs of poorly designed, poorly built Javascript “Death Marches”. The last thing I want to do is to walk into a shop that has created its own demise through technical debt in Javascript, which I can only imagine could be exponentially worse than a mess in Java or C#.

JavaScript Patterns by Stoyan Stefanov

This book I’ve just picked up, not even started, but decided it is a must have after reviewing the contents. With the concerns of JavaScript kind of being the new “Visual Basic” (and really, not in a language sense, but in a mort sense) when I saw Chapter 2 hits upon “Writing Maintainable Code”, “Writing to be Read”, and “Minimizing Globals” along with a host of other interesting sections I had to spot for this book. JavaScript has and will continue to be in desperate need of good developers who focus strongly on readable, maintainable, simple, and usable code. So far there is a large contingent out there that either don’t pay attention, try to generate everything under the sun, or just simply write crappy code that is completely unmaintainable (or even readable to start with).

JavaScript: The Definitive Guide by David Flanagan

This book is kind of the “bible” of JavaScript. The first edition came out years ago and, in all honesty, I think I’ve seen the book on about every single web developer’s bookshelf I’ve seen. I bet it shows up on those with no bookshelf, but is loaded on a Kindle, or other eBook Reader for those electronically enabled web developers.

I’ve probably seen at least every page of this book, not particularly having read it from beginning to end. This book is full of information regarding JavaScript including all the nooks and crannies of the language that you may or may not want to delve into. Either way, if you write JavaScript even a little, you should have this book somewhere near.

Windows Live Microsoft Word Document UX vs. Google Docs UX

July 18, 2011
Reviews
9 Comments

Before even getting to the point of writing a document, there are very distinct user experiences (UX). I have my own preferences, but I am very curious what others think.

When somebody decides to create a new Microsoft Word Document in the Windows Live Site on their Skydrive they’re presented with this interface.

Windows Live Skydrive Microsoft Word Document

Windows Live Skydrive Microsoft Word Document (Click for full size image)

To start typing in the prospective document you much choose your security, enter a document name, and save the document.  It assumes that you absolutely want a unique name, will have a document viewable by the entire Internet, and that you have to save it just to start.

In Google Docs though the approach is entirely different.  When you create a new Google Document you are presented with the actual document interface as shown.

Google Docs Interface (Click for larger image)

Google Docs Interface (Click for larger image)

Google Docs assumes that you want to immediately start typing your word processor document. It also assumes you may not know what you want to name the file, nor that you even need to actually save it, until you of course start typing. At that time the document starts to automatically save. It also assumes that this is your document and you don’t want the entire world to be able to view the document.

So I’m left with questions:

  • Which interface do people really prefer?
  • Do people prefer to start typing immediately or filling out the three pieces of information like the MS Word Doc requires?
  • One appears to allow for immediate productivity for the document creator vs. the other one. Is that just my observation or do others see it that way also?
Please let me know your two cents, I’m truly curious about which UX works out better for you.
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 3,712 other followers