I’ve been an iPhone user for about 1.5 years now. I’m mostly happy with it, but I’d kinda like to write applications for it. The problem, though, is that the iPhone uses Objective-C (and I don’t consider writing web apps the same thing as writing an iPhone app ; ). Enter Google’s Android. I can use my existing Java knowledge to write applications for an Android device, giving me a much smaller learning curve. The question, then, is which device should I get? There are several available, unlike the iPhone, so the choice can be difficult.

Recently, I ran across 6 of the Best Android Mobile Devices, which has a pretty nice run down of six different devices, not all of which are phones. The problem with this particular comparison, was that each phone was on a different page, making comparison more difficult as I had to switch tabs a lot. My solution, then, is the table below. Inspired by the link above, though taking most of the data from the devices’ product pages, I’ve compiled the following table. Obviously, this isn’t every Android phone on the market. I took the three listed in the article above, and added one other phone that I’ve been considering. Hopefully this table will be helpful in those looking at these devices. (more…)

Popularity: 9% [?]

As a “computer guy,” I get asked to help with all things computer-related. My church’s web site is no different. I was recently asked to help set up a new site. Since my time is limited and they need to get things going without waiting on me, I thought I would document my process for them, simple as it is. It occurred to me that it might be generally useful, so here it is. If I was wrong about that, please feel free to keep surfing. (more…)

Popularity: 7% [?]

If you are a member of a JUG (or happen to run one) and would like to be able to join the Java Community Process (JCP), you now have two options. For US-based JUGs, you can affiliate yourself with the new umbrella JUG-USA. According to Van Riper of the Silicon Valley JUG and the coordinator of the JUG-USA effort, all you need to do to be affiliated with JUG-USA is promise to link back to the JUG-USA Map and let him know. As an affiliated JUG, you have access to the JCP, including JSR submission as well as Expert Group membership, through JUG-USA. If, however, you’d like to have your JUG become a member directly, which is currently the only option (that I know of) for non-US JUGs, you can follow these directions (thanks, again, to Van Riper):

If you want to do this, it is actually quite easy to do and the process is fairly well documented here for organizations joining the JCP:

http://jcp.org/en/participation/membership2

You simply follow the 6 steps listed on the page above. Since JUGs are being given special treatment with organization membership fees waived, two of these steps are a bit fuzzy. I had a chance to talk to Patrick Curran at the recent JCP Birthday Party to clear up the fuzziness though. So, follow the 6 steps with these two clarifications:

A. You can skip step 4. You should not initial *any* of the listed “Process Cost Sharing” choices on page 3 of the agreement. There is none that apply to our special situation.

B. For step 6, you do need to fill out *both* sections on page 11 of the agreement. Even though your JUG membership cost will be zero, Patrick indicated that they will need the “Accounts Payable Contact Person” section filled in. However, that person won’t be receiving a bill or the bill will have an invoice amount of zero.

Once you have completed the agreement, you follow the instructions on this page to either FAX it or mail it to the JCP Management Office for processing:

http://jcp.org/en/participation/membership_submit

That is all there is to it. As a point of reference, my individual membership agreement was processed in just two days time after faxing it in. It is possible that organization memberships will take longer to process than that. If you do not get confirmation back within a week, I would contact the JCP Management Office to check on your membership processing.

The Oklahoma City Java Users Group, Inc. will be utilizing both methods.

Popularity: 8% [?]

In a recent discussion, the fact that I have AT&T U-verse came up. I was asked what my thoughts on it are, and I promised a blog about it. This entry is the somewhat belated fulfillment of the promise.

First off, for those that don’t know, U-verse is, as best as I can tell, their answer to cable television. With the full package, which we have, you get a digital phone line, digital television, and high-speed internet all over fiber. Since the cable companies are offering telephone, it seems the phone companies are now offering television, with everyone in on this internet thing. For the impatient, the punch line here is that it’s a nice, but not perfect, offering. Let’s jump into the details. (more…)

Popularity: 20% [?]

I may have made a mistake, but I’ve joined 2007 and hopped on twitter.  You can follow me here, or view my latest updates in the sidebar.

Popularity: 18% [?]

I’ve been meaning to say something about this for while, now, but I have been a bit busy, and was finally beaten to the punch by Alexis Moussine-Pouchkine over at The Aquarium. Before I go any further, go read Alexis’ article, paying particular attention to the “real #1 winner” link. Go ahead. I’ll wait… (more…)

Popularity: 17% [?]

From time to time, someone, trying to cut through all the hype and spin, will attempt some sort of statistical analysis to determine which web framework is “winning.” The results are almost always disappointing, and not because I don’t agree with the outcome, but because the methodology is so flawed. The most recent attempt I’ve discovered, noble as it is, is no different.
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Popularity: 31% [?]

The third and final day of the Rich Web Experience has come and gone. (more…)

Popularity: 22% [?]

Day two of RWE turned out to be as good as the first. (more…)

Popularity: 19% [?]

Today, I’m attending No Fluff Just Stuff‘s “The Rich Web Experience” conference in San Jose. Having had a great experience with NFJS’s Greater Oklahoma Software Symposium, I have high expectations for this conference, and, so far, I’ve not been disappointed. (more…)

Popularity: 16% [?]