KludgeHack

School begins, habits must change
29 September 2007 in Personal Experience | Comments (9)

With the start of the new school year, new classes must be taken, and needless to say begin new adventures.

This semester I’m having a major turnover. My programming class is going to be restricted only to Java code (OOP). As if that wasn’t enough changes, I’m also changing my current OS to linux (Ubuntu to be more specific) to really ease the pain of using Eclipse.

Its not my first time using Linux, but its certainly changed since last time. Ubuntu choice was really made in a instance of a second, being one of the most popular distros. I must say, they are really becoming more and more similar to Windows (witch is a good thing).

After installing in my laptop and desktop computer I was surprised to discover that most (80/90%) of the hardware was supported. Two years ago, this number was just plain fiction.

Another feature that astonishes me in Ubuntu (not exclusive) is the visual integrated apt-get/dpkg. The simple process to get any software you need, its just incredible. This is the kind of stuff, no other (proprietary) OS will ever get this good.

But every software have its flaws. In my fist impression, the cons are:

• Full builtin NTFS support (I’m already installing ntfs-config for this);
• The still missing proprietary software you really miss from Windows (VS.NET, Office, iTunes, Flash, etc.);
• Better games;
• Even better driver support. e.g: It supports the builtin laptop volume changer, without supporting the sound board (no sound);

For now, the pros overcome the cons.

But as a programmer, none of this matters most than a good development environment.

In this subject, I was already sure the python, gcc and java support was going to be enough for the time being. What I didn’t expected was how easy I got Mono full installed and ready for developing. Joining this framework with the new MonoDevelop IDE, can most probably make the best developer environment in linux (at least for managed code).

I must say, for a package based on a Microsoft product, they sure do a lot better on deploying that MS. I still hope MS finds a more suitable way to get their framework deployed.

So much more could be said about my new environment. As so, in the following times, I will be focusing more on Linux/Java developing. I will also keep my WPF content, because I find this technology of immense value that no other platform was capable of competing (even java with its swing + substance + nimbus can match this).

By the way: For really cool java user interfaces this (curious-creature) blog its just amazing.

Parallel Processing
16 September 2007 in Microsoft & Programming | Comments (2)

The October 2007 issue of MSDN Magazine was recently released and can be downloaded at http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/07/10/default.aspx.

This edition seems to be focused on Parallel processing, a subject well spread around the web this days. Pooled Threads, WPF Threads, Parallel LINQ, Parallel Performance, etc.

The one article I find special interesting is the Parallel Processing: Optimize Managed Code For Multi-Core Machines. Introduces the Task Parallel Library (TPL) and shows some simple ways to real improve .NET code for multi-core systems, without to much change in the code.

There’s also another article focused on WPF, explaining how to easily use the UI thread and the Dispatcher to build a more responsive application.

Its a good read, if you’re interested.

Nerd Work, the best kind
13 September 2007 in Fun | Comments (0)

(click to enlarge)

Looks pretty cool for executable code…

(source: VB Team Blog)

My new iPod brought a new world attached
11 September 2007 in Links & Personal Experience | Comments (4)

I’ve never been the kind of guy that buys anything just because of its popularity. Being in a need for a new music player, I’ve decided to try an Apple player. I really don’t have a need for display, as so, I bought a new iPod Shuffle orange.

After some use, I have so much good to say about it, as bad. Resuming: I like a lot of the design, and the usability of the device. The bad part, iTunes lock-in (disgusting) and some of its particularities (the only way to see the battery status, its through a green light that corresponds to 30%-100%?).

All in all, I can live with it.

The thing that most surprise me, was Podcasting. I’ve been avoiding this for a long time, mainly because the only usable way, was to listen in the computer (which sometimes doesn’t worth the time).

With the iPod + iTunes solution, podcasting subscription is a very simple process. I can now enjoy great podcasts like .Net Rocks! and Livro dos Porquês (Portuguese) wherever I am.

Needless to say, this isn’t something only for iPod owners. But if you own a iPod, you will get the process so much easier.

Free controls for Windows.Forms
6 September 2007 in Programming | Comments (0)

The Krypton Toolkit is a free package from the Component Factory that offers several improvements to the Windows Forms providing the Office 2007 palette to all the components you use. You can easily customize so it uses your own color palette.

As any professional tool, this comes with full documentation and some samples.

You can download the latest version here. Also, keep checking their blog for news.

If you want to customize further you can have a look at their paid professional package: Krypton Ribbon. Although its not free (99$), its definitely worth the money.