Programming Links for February 22, 2009

Kimberly Blessing: The Seventh Grade: So when I keep hearing about this crucial sixth/seventh grade time period for young girls, I can’t help but think back to my own experience around these grades. I didn’t lose interest in computers (or science or math) in seventh grade, but I was certainly separated from them. As time went on, I had less time to pursue those interests myself, and in some cases I was discouraged from pursuing them.

codeartisan: Websites are also RESTFul Web Services: if you design a RESTful web site it is also a RESTful web API.

code zen: Announcing EspressoReader (alpha): A desktop client for Google Reader: I am excited to finally announce the alpha release of EspressoReader. EspressoReader, in its current incarnation, is a desktop app for Google Reader.

Props to my co-workers in the first three reads (and a download – go forth and try out EspressoReader!), now on with more…

defmacro: The Nature of Lisp (absolutely a must read – this piece has influenced me on a project and will probably have a growing effect on my work down the line).

Code Monkeyism: Scrum is not about engineering practices: Scrum is not about engineering practices, it’s about management.

zack’s home page blog: One month with Emacs and counting – Part 1 – the Debian Vim package maintainer moves to.. Emacs!

The Daily WTF: Programming Sucks! Or At Least, It Ought To:Obviously, a lot of us – me included – enjoy writing code. But should we?

Honda: The Power of Dreams – Failure: The Secret of Success – a terrific must see video.

The Fishbowl: The DOM Stigma: Java is a strongly and statically typed language with a Smalltalk-style object model. Javascript is a loosely and dynamically typed language with a prototype-based object model. Force them to share an apartment and you’ve got an instant sitcom.

pyDanny: Naming conventions thoughts for Pinax and Django (they are using Django at NASA!)

Adam Bien: A Good Architecture Is All About Probability – Or It Is Sufficient To Be Good Enough: Many J2EE architectures were entirely exaggereted. The were intended for all, even very uncertain, cases. The result were many, dead, layers with lot of transformations and indirections. This introduced additional complexity and obfuscated the actual business logic and missed the point. The problem were generic, stereotypical architectures, which were developed once and applied to every possible use case. Even a guestbook was developed with at least 15 layers :-). So keep it small, keep it simple, and focus on the essential cabatilities of your application.

Aaron Swartz: Non-Hierarchical Management: Most guides on management are written for big bosses at big companies, not people starting something new who want their team to be as effective as possible. (Hi, startup founders!) So herewith, a guide to effective non-hierarchical management.

Fast Company: They Write the Right Stuff: And that’s the point: the shuttle process is so extreme, the drive for perfection is so focused, that it reveals what’s required to achieve relentless execution. The most important things the shuttle group does — carefully planning the software in advance, writing no code until the design is complete, making no changes without supporting blueprints, keeping a completely accurate record of the code — are not expensive. The process isn’t even rocket science. Its standard practice in almost every engineering discipline except software engineering. Plastered on a conference room wall, an informal slogan of the on-board shuttle group captures the essence of keeping focused on the process: “The sooner you fall behind, the more time you will have to catch up.”

nextthing.org: Fun With HTTP Headers

Morethanseven: Example of using XMPP on App Engine (via IMified)

digital inspiration: Single Google Query uses 1000 Machines in 0.2 seconds

Tech President: Why the White House’s Embrace of Drupal Matters

One thought on “Programming Links for February 22, 2009

  1. Hi Karl,
    I see you write about events around Philly. I’m not sure if you would be interested in this press conference but I thought I would pass it along.
    Angela

    —————
    The glamour of Italy is coming to Philadelphia, and we would like to kindly invite you to meet authentic “maestri artigiani” (master artisans) coming to attend the Flower Show to showcase their one-of-a-kind products. The Philadelphia Flower Show transports visitors to the Italian landscapes and gardens that have inspired artists and poets for centuries. At its center is The Piazza, the heart of the Italian community. It is where commerce takes place, young lovers steal a kiss, a family shares gelato, and grandparents discuss politics. the Piazza is Italy. Samplings of Italian treats will be offered daily in this new, cozy place where authentic Italian-made products such as pasta, cookies, chocolate, canned tomatoes, clothing, and ceramics will be for sale. The Piazza will also be located at Show Bridge and represents a unique opportunity to shop directly from the manufacturers.

    TUESDAY, March 3, 2009 at 11 am
    Room 110 of the Convention Center (West Entrance)

    Meet the Italian institutions and companies coming from abroad to showcase their services and “Made In Italy” products in The Piazza section of the Show: gourmet food (taste the difference)., exquisite leather products, fashion items (how do the designers get inspired, what would be trendy next spring), jewelry, travel (explore regions off the beaten path) and so much more. Along with the participants of The Piazza, the Consul General of Italy, Luigi Scotto, will be attending. A tour of the Flower Show will follow.

    Please consider attending and feel free to call me with any questions.

    MEDIA ADIVSORY

    CELEBRATING ITALIAN CULTURE IN PHILADELPHIA AT THE PIAZZA

    What: Exclusive, one-of-a-kind imported goods from Italy, to be featured at The Piazza during the Philadelphia Flower Show.
    Artisans of Italian gloves, ties, leather goods, jewelry, Italian fare and of course glorious food! Exquisite furniture, shelving and lightings on display (Artemide, Minima, Callegaris). Italian Consul General in Philadelphia, Luigi Scotto
    Director for North America of the Italian Tourism Board, Riccardo Strano. Representatives of the Tourism Board for the Lazio Region

    Where: Room 110 Pennsylvanian Convention Center (12th Street and Arch), at the Flower Show

    When: Tuesday March 3, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    Italian products are unique and original, inspiring fashion worldwide. This year’s Philadelphia Flower Show attendees can scoop unique novelties in the marketplace “The Piazza”. In Italy, the Piazza is the heart of the community, where commerce takes place, young lovers steal a kiss, a family shares gelato, and grandparents discuss politics. At the Piazza, attendees will have the opportunity to encounter producers and artisans who will be showcasing their products for the first time in the United States. You might recognize some of the products featured, as the same carried in boutiques in the famous Piazza Navona in Rome (Rome’s 5th Avenue), or on La Dolce Vita backdrop, Via Veneto. Some others are more likely from Piazza dei Martiri and Via dei Mille in Naples… So this Spring you don’t need to travel to Italy to experience the best of the craftsmanship that makes the Made in Italy an icon appreciated worldwide: just visit the Flower Show.

    Samplings of Italian treats will be offered daily in this new, cozy place where authentic Italian-made products such as pasta, cookies, chocolate, canned tomatoes, clothing, and ceramics will be for sale. The Piazza will be located at Show Bridge and represents a unique opportunity to shop directly from the manufacturers. For additional information, photo opportunities and more, please contact Daniela Puglielli at 908 803 3809.

    # # #

    About the Philadelphia Flower Show
    The Philadelphia Flower Show, the oldest and largest indoor show of its kind, is produced by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and presented by PNC Bank. PHS has more than 15,000 members throughout the country, offers hundreds of gardening programs year-round, and is considered the nation’s leading authority on urban renewal through greening. Its Philadelphia Green program has served as a model for communities throughout the country. For additional information and tickets please visit http://www.theflowershow.com

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