New project in final stage

As all of you that used or use the Apache Derby Database know, there is no well known GUI for interfacing with the database. I'm working on a project that uses Derby database as embeded database and I needed to create, test the structure and the data inside .. so that was the beggining of developing a simple user interface for using Derby as a network database server, creating databases and a simple front end for issueing SQL commands.
In a couple of days the "product" will be ready to be published as open source project.

JToaster

Have you really missed in your java applications the animated box rising from the bottom of the screen with a notification message (like guifications or yahoo messenger) ?
If so, JToaster is the swing solution, and best of all is free and opensource !

Stopped Clock Blog

When it comes to real appreciation, this is one site you can visit often..I really recommend it.
You can find here nice piece of information about graphics and user interface tricks ... real nice ..and pleasing for your eyes.
From here you can discover the icon set of OpenOffice or Gnome 2 or one interesting free editor Inkscape.
There will be followups about me using Inkscape.

Java Splash Screen in Mustang

For a GUI developer in Java a splash screen was one of the "facilities" that demonstrates the quickness of java .. because even the splash screen was appearing with a delay of some seconds. Yet, the time is changing .. and Mustang is about to bring new possibilities.
Some nice article on an interesting feature !

Automated GUI Recorder for Eclipse Platform

The article provides an overview of using a GUI recorder and playback tool that is developed under the TPTP test framework. This tool allows users to record GUI actions in the Eclipse platform and play them back to verify the functionality of their product. It is meant to allow Eclipse developers to automate regression tests that often require many resources to perform repetitive tasks to verify basic functionalities.

For developers of SWT and JFace applications it's a interesting feature .. all Eclipse platform developers should be aware of it. And it's a nice introduction in Test and Performance Tools Platform Project.

Opera 8.5 is free !

I'm very happy to see that Opera released a new version 8.5 of his browser without any ads and payment requirements. It may become my browser of choice because of the speed and features combination. The Windows installer is small enough not to bother you with dowloading it .. :)
I'm not an advertiser but I'd like to hear your comments and reviews ..

Eclipse 3.2 M2 Released

Here are good news for the users of Eclipse IDE .. especially for those who like to do experiments and enjoy the last features of the platform..
Really, enjoy !

TrackIt

TrackIt: "TrackIt is the first open source, web based project tracking tool designed from the ground up to provide maximum flexibility, customization, and most importantly, usefulness to the developer."
Looks nice .. worth a try..

Resources for user experience designers

Just for a moment back in front of the computer .. I found a new interesting user interface references ..
Check this out .. it's really valuable..

2 Weeks off :)

I'll be on vacation 2 weeks from now and my access to internet will be difficult to none ...so "see you" in 2 weeks with some fresh news and brand new ideas !
All the best from a lucky wonderer !

Last before vacantion

The other day I was talking with a colleague about the user interface of the Designer of IBM Document Management System and his attention was attracted by the custom JMenuBar with gradient and a picture ... so today I'm presenting you my implementation. You can specify the color of the gradient and the image that is scaled to the JMenuBar height.
For future improvements I'm waiting for some feedbak !

Web Content Management System

Magnolia CMS version 2.1 has been released, and even better has open sourced it. Most notable new features:
* full I18N support - delivered with 15 major languages
* native search
* import/export of XML based data
* supports several JSR-170 compliant repository implementations, including the Open Source implementations "Jackrabbit" and "Jeiceira" as well as commercial alternatives.
* improved performance through 70% reduction in number of nodes compared to Magnolia 2.0
* simple war-file drop-in deployment on any J2EE container
* run as many Magnolia sites as you like within a single J2EE container for cost-effective hosting
* choice of two leading cross-browser rich-text editors - Kupu and fckEditor
* vastly improved module mechanism to provide for flexible and easy extensibility
Worth a try .. isn't it ?

Change of image :)

You, my old visitors, couldn't miss the change of image ! :)
I hope you'll see that as a improvement .. still I'm waiting for your feedback

Digging into Java Web Start

Digging into Java Web Start: I found this article interesting for the Pack200 support description (for Tomcat at least) .. I'm tempted to use it in production .. some customers will be happy for sure ! :)
For those of you who deploy Java Web Start using Apache Web Server here is some stuff for you JWS on Apache Web Server. Enjoy ... and deploy !

Ergosign - Company website ..

This is the kind of information I would like to have in front of my eyes every day...I noticed the style in site's web design, their projects gave me an impression of their well done work ..
They have the experience that makes my say "If I were interested in developing a product I would count on their expertise". And it's not advertising, I really like very much their work.
It's interesting though that I discovered a lot of companies or consultants covering the User Interface and Usability issues established in Germany .. just one example: Karsten Lentzsch(JGoodies web site).

EclipseZone - SWT: How to add an icon with a popup menu to the system tray

SWT: How to add an icon with a popup menu to the system tray: The code in the article is a simple SWT app with a systray icon, and a popup menu with an item to exit.
Interesting, if you considered SWT for developing the GUI for your next Java application.

HTMLSource: HTML Tutorials

If you are a beginner in HTML editing .. or not, you might be interested in the stuff I found on this site .. nice presentation, cool information. Enjoy !

Capivara - Java filesync

Capivara - Java filesync: "Capivara is a two pane file manager with support for SFTP and FTP servers. Capivara is not an ordinary file manager because it adds synchronization features like comparing timestamps or SHA-1 hash values."
I was attracted by the declared ability to synchronize two folders .. I must recognize that.

MiG Calendar Component

MiG Calendar Component: If you are looking for a Java component to have a calendaring application done or a booking one .. this is the place to start searching ..
At least you can be inspired by the clean look and feel and the flexibility of this component(s).
Nice product .. proved by previous experiences like Wing Flight Planning System.

Quaqua Look And Feel

Quaqua Look And Feel: The Quaqua Look and Feel (Quaqua) is a Java implementation of Apple's Human Interface Guidelines (AHIG) for Mac OS X. It only works on Apple's Macintosh Runtime for Java. Quaqua is focused on fixing minor bugs and glitches in Apple's implementation of the AHIG as well as providing enhancements that make your application fit nicely into Mac OS X.

I wish I had a Mac to use it .. :(