Javax.comm Jar for Windows MIA

It seems that Sun has removed the Javax.comm jar file for Windows from their site (no comment). Anyway, for those Windows developers out there, here's a link to it.

From 101 Geeky Things to Do With Your PC: Number 11

Ok, I'll admit it. I'm a computer geek. Not only that but I also hold a ham radio license. My callsign is KG4ZNV. Recently I downloaded a program developed by Simon Brown, HB9DRV called Ham Radio Deluxe. Using this program, I can control my Yaesu FT-817. For the uninitiated, the FT-817 is handy little portable radio that covers 160m - 70cm bands.

Anyway, while playing with the software I found out that it could be used to remotely connect to the radio via the Internet. The geek that I am, I decided to try it out. All it took was connecting the radio to my webserver's serial port, loading a copy of Ham Radio Deluxe, and setting some configuration parameters for security and ports and I was in business. The only problem, I needed a way to stream the audio back and forth between the computers.

No biggie really. My webserver is set up with Darwin, Flash Communication Server, and JMF. I started to use one of those options to create a live streaming setup. And then, I came across a simpler solution: Skype. I set up a Skype client on my server with an auto answer option. I also set up a Skype client on my laptop. Using a mic adapter from Heil, I was able to connect the microphone to the line out jack on my webserver and connected the speaker to my webserver's mic jack. Now, I can use Ham Radio Deluxe on my laptop and Skype to connect to my ham shack when I'm away from the house...ok I confess...I also use it when I'm elsewhere in the house via a wireless network.

Geeky huh...

Interesting Poll on Java Coders

Geek nirvana...programmer paradise...whatever. Developers and those who manage developers have been looking for the "right" software development process for as long as there's been software to develop. Whole segments of the software industry have been built around the latest development process. A recent Java.net poll asked the question: What term best describes your software development process? The most popular answer: No process (cowboy coding).

Truthfully, is anyone surprised by this answer? I'm not. Most development shops do not have the time or resources to adequately enforce a software development methodology. The ones that do are usually seen by those they serve as being slow to deliver solutions. Any of the established processes (XP, Waterfall, etc.) can and do work as long as things run smoothly. Introduce a problem that has to be resolved in the middle of the night, and most of us will revert to what we know best...do whatever it takes to fix the problem. In other words, no process.

Borland To Drop JBuilder

Those of you who've read my Java articles know that I'm a big fan of Borland's JBuilder IDE. Recently, though, my open systems development manager Nick vanMaarth has been working on me to switch to Eclipse. Personally I have nothing against Eclipse...it's just I've been using the JBuilder IDE for a long time and don't want to learn something new. Well it seems that Borland has helped Nick push me to start using Eclipse. ComputerWorld has recently reported that, as part of its new strategic direction, Borland is selling off it's development tools such as JBuilder and C++Builder. Don't be surprised when my next Java articles feature examples developed using Eclipse.

Click here for more on Borland's stated direction.

Ajax in Action

I just finished reading Ajax in Action by Dave Crane and Eric Pascarello. I was surprised to find that I'm already incorporating pieces of Ajax into sites I've developed...I just didn't know what I was doing had another name. And, if you're like me, you've been attempting to create rich (fat) client interfaces into your web applications using CSS, JavaScript, and DHTML for some time. The book's examples involving these concepts will be very familiar to you.

I particularly enjoyed examples involving the XmlDocument and XMLHttpRequest objects. The authors did an excellent job of explaining the use of these objects within the Ajax framework...some of you may object to my calling Ajax a framework, but that's how I categorize it. Crane and Pascarello also do a good job of tying Ajax into the MVC pattern. Another bonus, for me at least, was an introduction to the X library of JavaScript functions for handling JavaScript across multiple browsers. You can find out more about the X library at cross-browser.com

If you're looking for a good book on Ajax, try Ajax in Action. It's money well spent.