Election 2008 Polls

Hi all,

Time to send another very interesting URL.

Rasmussen Reports: Daily Presidential Tracking Polling History

With the 2008 presidential elections coming up, it's nice to be able to track the candidates.

See you tomorrow!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Jan 26 2008, 05:21:26 PM CET ) Permalink

Web Effects

Hi all,

I was just sent a very interesting URL.

http://producten.hema.nl/

Have fun with it. By the way, you might want to turn the audio down a little before you go there.

See you tomorrow!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Jan 25 2008, 07:15:57 PM CET ) Permalink

Something in the Air

Hi all,

There's a buzz in the air. Is it an airplane? Is it a mosquito? No, it's bigger than both of these things. Something is coming very soon, but I can't tell you what. I can only tell you that you'll be pleased when it does happen.

This big event will be surpassed by a much bigger thing in December.

Aren't you curious?

I would tell you, but I wouldn't want to spill the beans, so to speak.

C'mon, take a guess. Leave a comment with what you think it is.

I think you already know.

I'll let you know early next week, but you'll probably already know by then.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Nov 08 2007, 05:10:09 PM CET ) Permalink Comments [2]

Two Years at Sun Microsystems

Hi all,

Today marks the two-year anniversary at Sun Microsystems. While lying in bed this morning, I started thinking about all the things I've experienced at Sun. Here's a short (incomplete) list:

• The release of NetBeans 5.0 (it was released right after I started)
• The release of Sun Java Studio Creator 2.0 (I worked a little on this
• The release of Sun Java Studio Creator 2.1
• The release of NetBeans 5.5
• The release of Sun Java System Application Server 9
• The evolution of Sun Java Studio into NetBeans Visual Web Pack and its release
• The release of NetBeans 5.5.1
• The evolution of Visual Web Pack into NetBeans Web Application functionality
• The complete merging of the Visual Web and NetBeans Web Apps helpsets
• The open-sourcing of NetBeans and Java
• The introduction of Glassfish
• The creation of the NetBeans Community Docs program
• 147 blog entries to James's Blog (including this one)
Sun's return to profitability
• The move to a new location
• The arrival and departure of colleagues
• NetBeans 6.0 Beta 1 and Beta 2
• Lots of great feedback from users

A lot has happened since November 2005, and a lot is still to come.

See you tomorrow!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Nov 01 2007, 12:04:17 PM CET ) Permalink Comments [2]

Congratulations Wade and Tom!

Hi all,

As you already know, some very important elections took place this past week: the NetBeans Governance Board for Autumn 2007. All of the candidates were well-qualified for serving on the board, but two really stood out and were elected by you the community.

Congratulations to Wade Chandler and Tom Wheeler!

The NetBeans Community keeps getting better and better.

See you soon,

--James

Posted by branajam ( Oct 06 2007, 01:11:05 PM CEST ) Permalink

NetBeans 6.0: Translate This!

Hi all,

It's that time of year again. The evenings are getting cooler, snow is beginning to fall, seasonal music is being played in shops, and children are doing their best to do good deeds. You guessed it! It's NetBeans Translation Time.

The translatedfiles.netbeans.org project will start to localize NB 6.0 by the end of this week and more language contributors are needed. Why don't you help translate NetBeans into your language? It's easy to get involved. Just go to translatedfiles.netbeans.org and follow the instructions. It's a piece of cake.

Need more information? Check out Janice Campbell's Weblog to find out more.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Oct 03 2007, 04:55:24 PM CEST ) Permalink

NetBeans 6.0: Changing Database Drivers

Hi all,

I just want to share some more information on database drivers. In NetBeans, after you've right-clicked a driver node in the Services window, you can still change your mind. Look at the screenshot above of the New Database Connection dialog box. Use the drop down list next to name to select the driver you want to use. After you've selected the driver, the Database URL field changes to reflect your choice.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Oct 02 2007, 01:57:31 PM CEST ) Permalink

NetBeans 6: New Database Drivers in Services Window

Hi all,

Download a daily dev build of NetBeans 6.0 and you'll find something very interesting hidden under the Drivers node in the Services window: new database drivers. This will make it even easier to connect to databases in NetBeans, and will make NetBeans an even better development tool.

I know that a lot of NetBeans users prefer to use PostgreSQL and MySQL, and having these drivers available is certain to bring relief to many of them. Both PostgreSQL and MySQL are very popular, and add NetBeans' popularity to the mix, and what you've got is a recipe for tasty database dessert.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Oct 01 2007, 06:09:42 PM CEST ) Permalink

Visual Web JSF Backwards Compatibility Kit

Hi all,

A lot is going on in the NetBeans world. Although Beta has been released, work continues to make NetBeans even better. Here is one example of what is happening:

In NetBeans 6.0, JAX-RPC libraries and development support are being removed and placed in a plugin that you can download in the Update Center. It's a part of the Visual Web JSF Backwards Compatibility Kit, which also contains other important things. It should already be available in the daily build, so keep an eye out for it.

Because this functionality are in a convenient module for download, the IDE will be affected if the module is not present. Most of the menus corresponding to JAX-RPC web services will not be present. In some case, the IDE may prompt you to download and install the plugin. Then everything should work fine.

Existing projects with JAX-RPC Web Services or clients will not recognize them unless the plugin is installed.

See you tomorrow!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Sep 29 2007, 02:45:27 PM CEST ) Permalink

NetBeans Governance Board: Vote Today!

Hi all,

Have you voted yet? It's easy to do. Just log into your netbeans.org account, go to the NetBeans Board Elections page and vote.

Here is a list of the candidates:

• Emilian Bold
• Wade Chandler
• Glenn Holmer
• Bayless Kirtley
• David Strupl
• Tom Wheeler

To find out more about the candidates, go to the Candidate Profiles Page.

You can vote for three candidates, but you can only vote once. If you want your vote to count, make sure you submit it by September 30. The results and the new board will be announced after the voting closes, on October 1, 2007.

Need more information? Check out the following web pages:

• NetBeans Governance
• NetBeans Election Process
• Current and Past Board Members

See you soon!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Sep 28 2007, 09:19:57 AM CEST ) Permalink

NetBeans Beta Is Here

Hi all,

The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. NetBeans Beta was released last night. I know that the NetBeans Community is abuzz with excitement, the same is true for NetBeans docs writers. Beta is a turning point for the docs department. This is what Beta means to me:

• The Help is almost done, so I can concentrate more on tutorials. My colleague Joe, who has been doing Web tutorials is leaving Sun as of tomorrow. I'll be taking over some of his responsibilities.
• I can finally take a few days of vacation. I'm leaving for Crete (Greece) tomorrow. Are there NB Community members in Crete who want to meet me? Just drop me a line as soon as you can.
• I'm caught up on my issue in Issuezilla. Now I can fix bugs as they come in.
• I can finally get a little sleep. (Only a little, FCS is right around the corner.

So, don't blame me if you see a spring in my step. Beta is big. And NetBeans is huge.

See you soon!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Sep 18 2007, 05:43:29 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [3]

NB Community Docs Spotlight: George Lantz

Hello Community Members,

The state of Missouri (USA) is called the "Show Me" state. This week, one of its citizens "showed us", the NetBeans Community, a new tutorial. This Missouran's name is George Lantz. George's Using the NASA World Wind Java SDK tutorial is only the first of what I hope will be many contributions from George.

Haven't seen it yet? Shame shame shame.

Just go to the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki. And after that, check out George's Blog.

George is the IT Administrator for a candle manufacturing company. He's also a freelance software/web application developer and occasionally does network consulting. Very fascinated with 3D applications, satellite and GPS technology, and digital mapping, George has a fondness for research and development projects, making something work when your not sure it will or can is fun and challenging.

This is what George has to say about NetBeans:

"I started using NetBeans a few years ago, mostly off and on. Until recently, I used Eclipse for most of my Java work, only because it has had alot of the market share. I always found Eclipse to be a little klunky and the UI a bit cluttered. Lately, especially after downloading and trying out NetBeans 6.0, I can see myself using the editor exclusively. The new 6.0 has made significant speed increases over older versions. Also, the Ruby on Rails editor is amazing! I have not found a great editor for RoR until now. I love NetBeans mainly because it is so clean. Everything is where it should be and easy to find. It has really made my Java and RoR programming more productive. I actually wrote a blog on this a few days ago."

Ready to contribute something yourself? It's easy. Just go to the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki and follow the instructions. Nothing could be easier (well, eating and sleeping are a little easier).

See you there!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Sep 14 2007, 07:56:11 PM CEST ) Permalink

NB Community Docs: Using the NASA World Wind Java SDK

Hello Community Members,

This week I'd like to take the time to tell you about a new contribution on the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki. George Lantz submitted this beauty of a tutorial, and I supposed that you're chomping at the bits to see it. Well, stop chomping and point your browser to the Using the NASA World Wind Java SDK tutorial. Let George walk you though a very simple Hello World demonstrating the NASA World Wind Java SDK. He explains how to get the WWJ SDK going in NetBeans 5.5.1.

Enjoy it. And while you're at it, be sure to check out George's Blog. There'll you'll find all kinds of interesting stuff. I get the feeling that George is going to a regular contributor to the NetBeans Community.

Great work, George!

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Sep 13 2007, 04:37:33 PM CEST ) Permalink

52 Community Docs Contributions

Hi all,

The NetBeans Community Docs program is really chugging along: 52 contributions and counting. When was the last time you visited the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki?

I hope to see your contribution there soon.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Sep 12 2007, 04:27:48 PM CEST ) Permalink

Amit Kumar Saha: NB Community Docs Contribution Coordinator

Hello NB Community,

The NetBeans Community Docs program is growing, and because of this growth it's time to make some changes. One of these changes is adding a new position to the program: the Community Docs Contribution Coordinator. I've asked Amit Kumar Saha to fill this role. Amit is from Kolkata, India, and has contributed to the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki three times. He has also been very active at searching for new contributors and contributions. Welcome to the NetBeans Community Docs Team, Amit!

The role of the Contributions Coordinator is a lot like my role (Community Docs Manager), but it is on the community side (as opposed to the Sun Microsystems side). Amit and I will be working together very closely to ensure the program continues to be successful.

Amit's blog is also an important tool in helping the community grow. Amit not only blogs about NetBeans, but about the NB Community, contributors, contributions, and other interesting topics. You'll definitely want to bookmark the URL.

If you have any questions about the NetBeans Community Docs program just contact Amit or me. We have the answers, and we can also guide you through the contribution process.

See you soon!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Sep 09 2007, 09:30:30 AM CEST ) Permalink

NB Community Docs Spotlight: Tonny Kohar

Hi all,

Here we go again. It's time for the NetBeans Community Docs Spotlight. If you've been to the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki lately, you'll have noticed that the number of contribution is steadily growing. The only contribution that's missing is yours.

Today I want to focus on another star contributor: Tonny Kohar from Surabaya, Indonesia. An interesting fact about Surabaya: it's on the island Java. Coincidence? You decide.

Tonny is has contributed a tutorial, NetBeans Platform and Most Recently Used files (MRU) that will certainly be a real eye-opener.

Tonny is no stranger to the NetBeans Community. A lead developer at Kiyut, Tonny has written two applications based on the NetBeans platform: Sketsa and Citra FX. Tonny has been using NetBeans since Forte for Java, and this is what he has to say about the IDE:

"For Netbeans IDE, I like the ant based project system, IMHO it is the best project system, since this ant based allows us to do custom projects and the IDE will not hinder us.

For Netbeans Platform, I like the Lookup API, it is very powerful and nice ways to enabled modular / plugins based project. This Lookup API is really an eye opener for me."

You can read an interview with Tonny and his experience with the NetBeans platform on netbeans.org. And then you can follow in Tonny's footsteps by becoming a contributor yourself. Just go to the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki and follow the instructions. Nothing could be easier.

Looking forward to your contribution.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Sep 05 2007, 03:26:48 PM CEST ) Permalink

Community Docs: NetBeans for Eclipse Users

Hi all,

The purpose of today's blog entry is to draw some attention to something that is going on at NetBeans Community Docs. Wade Chandler, a member of the NetBeans Dream Team, has put together some tips & tricks for former Eclipse user who have switched to NetBeans: Netbeans for Eclipse Users. A great thing about this wiki doc is that other NetBeans user can add to it. Several already have. You have to check this out. Or why don't you add to it?

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Sep 04 2007, 02:10:22 PM CEST ) Permalink

Taming Tomcat Part 4: Tomcat Properties

Hi again,

I know that for a lot of you out there, using Apache Tomcat is a vital part of the NetBeans experience. And I'm sure that you know that there are changes in the way you work with Tomcat in NetBeans 6.0. I've already addressed some of these changes in earlier blog entries. Today I'll take about Tomcat Properties.

In NetBeans 6.0, you manage a server's properties in the Server Manager. To get there, do the following:

1. In the Services window, expand the Servers node to view the Tomcat Web Server nodes.
2. Right-click a Tomcat Web Server's instance and select Properties from the contextual menu.

The first thing you see is a series of tabs, each addressing a different aspect of the server. I'll break these down for you.

Connection Tab

• Catalina Home. The location of the server installation.
• Catalina Base. The base directory for the Tomcat Web Server. You can set this property when you add a Tomcat Web Server to the Server Manager. If you set a base directory, then that is where the Tomcat configuration files reside. One reason for specifying a separate base directory is to allow more than one user to use the same server.
• Credentials of an exiting user in the "manager" role .
• Username. Specifies the user name that the IDE uses to log into the server's manager application. The user must be associated with the manager role.
• Password. Specifies the user's password. See the explanation for the Username property above for details.
• Server Port. Specifies the number of the TCP/IP port that the server listens on. The URL for a web application that is deployed on the server is derived from the host's URL and the server port, such as http://localhost:8086.
• Shutdown Port. Specifies the port number on which the server waits for a shutdown command.
• Enable HTTP Monitor. If selected, this checkbox enables the HTTP Monitor for web applications executing on the Tomcat Web Server. Restart the server in order for the change to take affect. The HTTP Monitor is useful for debugging web applications.

Startup Tab

• Use Custom Catalina Script. Specifies whether to use custom Catalina script or not. This is unchecked by default.
• Force Stop. Specifies whether to use the force shutdown (shutdown is followed by the kill command). This is unchecked by default. This function is disabled on Windows.
• Debugger Transport. Specifies whether to use shared memory or socked based transport for debugging. Shared Memory is default on Windows, socket on other systems. Shared Memory is enabled only on Windows.
• Shared memory Name. specifies the shared memory name. This function is enabled only on Windows.
• Socket Port. Specifies the socket port number.

Platform Tab

• Java Platform. Specifies the Java Platform the server will use.
• VM Options. Specifies the Java Virtual Machine options.
• Use IDE Proxy Settings. Specifies whether to use the IDE proxy settings.
• Use Security Manager. If selected, this checkbox enables the Tomcat Web Server to be started with the -security option. The security policy implemented by the Security Manager are configured in the catalina.policy file, which is in the Tomcat home directory's conf folder.

Deployment Tab

• Deployment Timeout(s). Specifies the length of server timeout(s).
• Enable JDBC driver deployment. Specifies whether to enable JDBC driver deployment. This is checked by default.

Other Tabs

These tabs list the classes, sources, and Javadocs associated with the server instance.

I'm on vacation today and tomorrow, so I'll see you on Monday.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Aug 30 2007, 10:47:25 AM CEST ) Permalink Comments [2]

Importing Legacy Projects in NetBeans 6.0

Hi,

Last week, I blogged about the evolution of Sun Java Studio Creator to NetBeans 6.0. One thing I've discovered while working on this evolution is how much work is involved. I'm not talking about just for software engineers and documentation writers, I'm talking about for users as well. You get used to a product and someone comes along and turns your project into something else. What about the projects you created using Java Studio Creator and Visual Web Pack? Before you start gathering the pitchforks and torches and start assembling the mob, I have something to say. You can take those project (we call them Legacy projects) and migrate them to NetBeans 6.0. So put that pitchfork and pick up a pencil. We've got some migrating to do.

Before we get started, here are two very important links to find out more about importing legacy projects:

• Tips for Migrating Java Studio Creator 2 Update 1 Projects to NetBeans
• Tips for NetBeans Visual Web Pack Applications to NetBeans

To import a legacy project:

1. Import the settings from a previous version of the IDE (Go to to Help to instructions)
2. In the main toolbar, choose File > Open Project.
3. In the Open Project dialog box, browse for the project.
4. Click Open Project Folder to open the project in the IDE.

   The IDE scans the project classpath.

5. Expand the project's node. A progress bar appears in the bottom right tray, displaying "Updating Legacy Project".
   The project is updated. Database drivers and connections from all previous NetBeans and Java Studio Creator
   installations are displayed in the Databases node in the Services window.
   • Note: If the legacy project requires database connections that are not available in previous releases, then these required connections will not be available in NetBeans 6.0. The Resolve Data Sources will open, guiding you through this process.

Connecting to a Database

For Visual Web projects that use databases, you must connect to a database before opening pages in the Visual Web Designer and before the application can access data from it.

1. In the Services Window, expand the Servers node, right-click the server you want to use, and choose Start.
2. After the server has started, expand the Databases node, and then right-click the node of the database you want to use and choose Connect.

   The IDE prompts you to enter a password for the database.

Resolving Data Sources

For Visual Web projects that use databases in NetBeans 6.0, you must resolve all data sources before opening pages in the Visual Web Designer and you attempt to run the application.

1. In the Projects window, the project node is red and displays a badge when there is a missing data source. To resolve a data source, right-click the project-name node and choose Resolve Data Source Problem.
2. In the Resolve Data Source(s) dialog box, select the database name from the list and click Add Data Connection.

   The Resolve Data Sources dialog box opens, displaying data sources that do not have a database connection.

3. Select the data souce you want to resolve and click Add Connection.

   The New Database Connection dialog box opens.

4. The database information should be filled in automatically. Check to make sure all information is correct.
5. If the JDBC driver for the database used is not set correctly, click the Driver drop down list and choose Add driver to navigate to the location of the required JDBC driver.
6. Click OK.

   The driver and database connection are registered in the Services window. The badge should disappear from the project-name node in the Projects window. and the project-name node should return to black.

Good luck with your project!

See you soon.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Aug 27 2007, 05:17:11 PM CEST ) Permalink

Community Docs: Native Ruby on NetBeans 6.0

Hi again,

Amit Kumar Saha has contributed his third tutorial to the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki: Native Ruby on NetBeans 6.0.

Here's a screenshot from the tutorial:

In his tutorial, Amit acquaints you with native Ruby development on NetBeans 6. (Native Ruby here means of-course "Pure" Ruby.)

Amit has been very active in the NetBeans Community. Isn't it time you became more active? There's a lot you can do. Just go the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki get started.

You can't spell COMMUNITY without the YOU.

See you there!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Aug 24 2007, 03:55:38 PM CEST ) Permalink

Visual Web Changes in NetBeans 6.0

Hi all,

Today's blog entry is informative in nature. I know that there are a lot of you out there who have followed the evolution of Java Studio Creator, one of Sun's most popular software projects.

Java Studio Creator presented developers with a neat, drag & drop way of designing web applications. Its WYSIWYG Designer Editor made it a snap to set things up, bind components to data, and create a nice looking and functional web app. But the times they are a changin'. I'm sure that you've been following the software's transition into NetBeans. It goes something like this:

Sun Java Studio Creator >>> Sun Java Studio Creator 2.0 >>> Sun Java Studio Creator 2.1 >>> NetBeans Visual Web Pack 5.5 >>> NetBeans Visual Web Pack 5.5.1 >>> NetBeans 6.0

I know you're wondering where the Visual Web Pack is in NetBeans 6.0. It isn't. Hey, wait! Don't panic! Visual Web is no longer a pack because it has been fully integrated into NetBeans. It now a feature of NetBeans 6.0.

As half the world knows by now, I write and maintain the Help for NetBeans Web Applications. I have to admit, it has been a challenge to merge Visual Web and traditional Web apps. The fist challenge was how to refer to the "functionality formerly known as Visual Web Pack." So far I've used the "Visual Web JavaServer Faces framework application" shortened to "Visual Web JSF framework application" (which isn't a whole lot of shortening). Another option is "A Web Application with Visual Web functionality." I've made up a list of possible names:

• Visual Web JavaServer Faces Framework Application
• VWJSFF Application
• VisWebJavServFacFram Application
• Application based on Java Studio Creator functionality
• Fred

I have to say, after dealing with this problem, I'm inclined to use the last name: Fred. Imagine these great Help steps:

• Right-click the Fred node and choose Clean and Build.
• Choose Run to run Fred.
• Click Debug to start debugging Fred.

I'm beginning to think that this might work.

See you tomorrow!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Aug 23 2007, 06:40:24 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [3]

Tutorials Needed

Hi all,

The Community Docs Wiki Wish List is the place to go to get ideas for tutorials. As I write this, there are a number of potential tutorials just waiting for the right writer to come along. How do you do it? Here's how:

1. Go to the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki.
2. Go to the Community Docs Wish List table and choose the tutorial you'd like to write.
3. Remove the item from the table and add it to the Community Docs in Progress table with your contact information.
4. Write the tutorial. Become a hero.

There are lots of tutorials to choose from. Here is a short list:

• Adding JavaHelp for standard projects
• Creating Modules: How to add support for Refactoring
• Using the Tapestry Framework With NetBeans
• Using Facelets with NetBeans
• Tag Library development in NetBeans
• Accessing MS Access/MSSQL from NetBeans
• Porting Eclipse Plug-ins to NetBeans

And I also have a special request from a NetBeans Community member. He needs a tutorial about Simple Authentication (form based) against a DB. Any takers? The first one to write a good tutorial for him and submit it to the Community Docs Wiki gets a NetBeans T-shirt.

The race is on.

See you soon!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Aug 20 2007, 01:51:11 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [2]

Installing Netbeans on Debian 4.0 "Etch"

Hi,

I'm back again with yet another NetBeans Community contribution: Installing NetBeans 6 M10 on Debian "Etch". This is another fine contribution by Amit Kumar Saha of India. Amit leaves no stone unturned with his detailed instructions.

Isn't it time you started "unturning" a few stones yourself? Just go to the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki and start "unturning" those stones.

See you soon!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Aug 16 2007, 02:54:11 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]

Installing NetBeans 6 (M10) on You Ubuntu Feisty 7.04

Hi again,

Once again, I'd like to tell you about a fantastic contribution made by a NetBeans Community member. His name is Lee Tambiah and he is from the United Kingdom.

Lee has put together a tutorial showing how to install NetBeans 6.0 Milestone 10 on the Ubuntu desktop. Let Lee guide you through the process step by step.

Wouldn't you like to make steps toward becoming a contributor? Just go to the NetBeans Community Docs Wiki and make your mark on the NetBeans Community.

Bye for now!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Aug 15 2007, 04:42:23 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]

NB 6.0 Page Fragments Flash Demo

Hi all,

I put together another Flash Demo today: Using Page Fragments. It's based on the NetBeans Visual Web Pack 5.5 tutorial Using Page Fragments. It works fine in NetBeans 6.0. The tutorial is a lot of fun, try it for yourself.

The Flash file is rather large, so be patient while it loads.

Watch it here.

In the future I'll be making more of these, and I'll try to keep the file size down. Let me know what you think.

Have a good weekend.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Aug 10 2007, 05:15:37 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]