Monthly archive: March, 2008
OS Virtualization
I jumped into the operating system virtualization craze yesterday. I needed (really, wanted) a way to run another OS (some company in Washington) on my Mac. I really use my Mac for everything, but, every now and then, it would help to have Windows available. So, after reading as many comparisons and trials as I could find via Google, I took Cnet.com’s advice and chose Vmware Fusion.
So far, the process has been fairly good.
Safari 3.1 Released
Apple has released ver. 3.1 of their (semi) popular browser Safari. As a native Mac user, I prefer Safari over all other browsers. (Well, since it’s the only one I can get on my iPhone, I had better like it.) Apple mentions that this new browser is the fastest available for both HTML and CSS rendering. In addition, they have incorporated support for HTML 5. Now, I have to admit that I have not really kept up in this area. I haven’t really seen the specs for HTML 5. So, I am at a loss here. But, as with many things recently, Apple is trying to bring some new ideas or innovation to the forefront.
As for me, I am looking forward to the new features of HTML 5 that Apple mentioned (however they work). But as for Safari 3.1, I would like for one thing and one thing only. When I click on a link, it would be nice if a new tab was created instead of a new window. On my Mac, I can get around this by clicking with the middle button on my wireless Mighty Mouse. On my work PC, no such luck. That’s one of the main reasons I use Mozilla Firefox at work.
Revised: It seems Apple is also cleaning up some security holes with this version. This is a good thing since many sites have compared its phishing filters to IE 7 and Firefox 2 and found Safari wanting. That is not a good thing if you want folks to accept your browser and use it on a regular basis.It also like the middle button on my PC will also open a tab when I click on a link. It’s nice to get this working, but the default button (left-click) should also do the same, or at least have it as an option in preferences.
IDEs and their limitations
I have been using the BBEdit development platform for some time now. Several years in fact. But, I only came to this after using several others before and during that time. Remember Allaire’s Homesite? I used it. Adobe GoLive, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Eclipse? I used them all. The most recent tryout was given to Panic’s good looking Coda development platform. They all have strengths/weaknesses. No one can be the “Best of” if there is always another feature or process that works in another product.
The real problem is when you have created a site and then want to manage it in another IDE (Integrated Development Environment). If you used the templating features of some tool, they don’t translate into another. Used their “special markup” features? Better hope it’s a web standard. What really makes it hard is when you have someone who is not a hand coder (all of us, proudly raise your hand) and they have only used a WYSIWYG editor. These editors tend to add additional code that may work, but really obfuscates what you are doing. I call it Code Bloat. It’s really ugly when you have to fix these sites.
What’s the best way to combat this? Well, ideally, hand coding. But if that is not possible (and really, why do you have to since you already paid good money for an editor), it’s best to use only strict XHTML. Don’t use any of the cutesy stuff. It may work for now, but someone else may have to deal with it later.
iPhone 2.0 and Lotus Notes
There are rumblings are the Net that IBM may/may not offer Lotus Notes for the iPhone. If I am Apple, I want Lotus Notes on my platform. Now, I have never used Lotus Notes. But, many businesses have invested in this product. Any chance Apple has to bring in the business community to this wonderful (can you tell I have an iPhone) platform, should not be wasted.
The iPhone is a great piece of hardware and software married for today’s IT crowd, business traveler and all-around techno junkie. Why? It is cool, looks even cooler and has great potential. I can take pics (that’s saying something for someone who does not like his digital camera), check the weather and get directions to my appointments. Oh, and it’s also a phone, MP3 player and email capable.
I don’t know about you, but all in a package that is still unpretentious and elegant can not be left behind when corporate budgets and expense accounts are being discussed.
I don’t care what you have to do Steve, but get IBM on the iPhone. You’ll be glad you did.
Hey, I once told my former business partner that I would never want an integrated phone, camera, MP3 player and bottle opener. Then, after seeing the iPhone, I begged my wife like a teenage boy wanting money for a date. If you don’t have an iPhone, be thankful that every other company will have to compete with my experience. Their new offerings will make your life that much better.
Spread the Word
