centre{source}
INTERACTIVE AGENCY
Disappointed in Zend
When Andi Gutmans was interviewed by Marcus Whitney on the phpArchitect Pro::PHP Podcast, he stated that there would be some sort of preview release for the Zend Framework sometime in February. It is now March and there was no release that I can find. This is a big disappointment for me.
PHP5 is an excellent language for developing web application, but it is in desperate need of some sort of standard or guidelines for ‘enterprise’ application. The Zend Framework is anticipated to fill this void. In some ways this anticipation worsens the situation. Developers are left worried that starting a big new project without the Zend Framework could be a bad idea, especially since the Zend Framework is hoped to be right around the corner.
Simple eCommerce with Google
It looks like Google is going to enter the eCommerce market. My basic understanding is that Google will be allowing people to upload product information to Google Base and then when Google Payments is released they will be able to set a price for those items and accept payment.
There is no indication of how fulfillment will be handled, but it does sound like there will not be a transaction fee. I would imagine there is also not a need for a merchant bank account.
Zend Framework Preview
Zend should be releasing a preview of the Zend Framework sometime in the next 7 days. At least that is what Andi said in his talk with Marcus.
I am anxiously waiting ;)
Getting Zend Certified
We have started a new initiative at CentreSource. We are getting all of our PHP developers Zend Certified. We have a really talented bunch of developers, but we feel the Zend Certification will serve as an outside validation of our talents and capabilities.
Over the next few weeks I will be posting updates and thoughts about the process. We are all working through the Zend PHP Certification Study Guide. We are having weekly lunches to discuss the material that we are preparing for each week. We are planning for the entire process to take about one month.
Watch Your Files Today
Starting tomorrow the BlackMal virus will start deleting files from infected computers. Usually when I am in need of security related information I check Security Focus first. Here is what they have to say about BlackMal:
The virus is programmed to start deleting eleven different types of files on the third of each month, starting with Friday, February 3. The files will be deleted from a computer’s local hard drive as well as network-attached storage, a strategy that worried security experts enough to warn about the virus.
[snip]
You Need a Blog
Doc Searls has an interesting post today on IT Garage titled The Chronological Web. It takes a little while to get going, but the crux is that most organizations need a blog (if they don’t have one already).
The Static Web and The Live Web are both branches of the Wide Web. But the latter is growing and changing much faster than the former. It’s doing that because it is comprised and driven by individuals. Looking for power curves among those individuals (as we do with “the long tail”) tends to dismiss the unique and inherent genius of each one.
Zend Framework Pre-Release
Zend is planning to release a pre-release of the highly anticipated Zend Framework sometime in February. From what I heard Andi say on the Pro::PHP Podcast at some point there will be CVS access to the Zend Framework project (read-only I am sure).
I am really looking forward to getting to see the progress that has been made. Once the Zend Framework is released I am planning to sit down and give it a thorough review here on the CentreSource Blog. I am unclear if there will be CVS access with the Pre-Release of if that will be later.
Your Privacy Online
There has been a growing grumbling on the internet about big sites like Google storing information about individuals’ usage. Jr Colin posted a well reasoned ballast to those concerns today.
It is worth a read if you are concerned about your privacy online but don’t feel a need to wear a tin foil hat just yet.
Business Blogging
There was a panel discussion in Nashville today about business blogging. I am aware that this is beyond cliche, but I am blogging the panel discussion (thought only pseudo-live because there was not wireless).
The panel was made up of:
- Rex Hammock - President of Hammock Publishing
- Brittney Gilbert - WKRN Nashville is Talking blogger
- Nick Bradbury - Creator of FeedDemon
The discussion started with each panelist giving a brief presentation.
Software Development and Project Management in Demand
I just read an article at ComputerWorld that talks about what Tech Skills are projected to be in the most demand in 2006. The top four skills are:
- Software Developers
- Security
- Project Management
- Help Desk
This can be compared to another article that was published in eWeek this week that listed the top expenditures for IT departments in 2005. The top four IT projects were listed as:
- Application Integration
- Business Analytics
- Enterprise Portals
- Customer Relationship Management