AssertionError

I have recently come across JBoss RESTEasy. This is a new Java framework for implementing RESTful web services. Just like the name says, it is really easy. Having also done some work with Restlet, I must say that I prefer RESTEasy. This will be a quick tutorial to show you how to implement a very basic web service in RESTEasy. Read more »

I found this great tip to run programs in the background from a terminal. I used to find myself with up to ten different terminals running everything from servers, scripts, and batch tasks while I work. This is really a hassle, for each time I want to do something in the terminal I have to find one that has finished the task it was running or open a new terminal. Since I have found the jobs command, this has made my life so much easier. Read more »

A message on the Cape Town SPIN discussion list yesterday morning pointed me at this post by Jacques van Niekerk at MIH SWAT about hiring talented programmers in South Africa. Jacques is concerned about the dearth of “rock star” programmers in South Africa, especially Web programmers who “bleed binary and breathe HTTP”. While I agree that programmers like this are especially rare in South Africa, I’m having trouble with the some of the reasons he gives for why this should be.
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I recently stumbled upon this article: Using Firefox With Your Computer to Access iPhone Sites

This article shows you how to set your user agent in Firefox to that of the iPhone’s browser. This is a great way to test the websites you create for the iPhone on your computer and will no doubt shorten the code>test cycle.

I recommend that you get the User Agent Switcher extension for Firefox. You can set up the iPhone agent and easily switch back and forth between the different agents.

I have been really busy the past couple of months. We have decided to move down to Cape Town from Johannesburg to live near the ocean as my wife has been having problems with the pollution up in Johannesburg.

Along with the change in scenery we also started a new company called Codewave. We are still testing the waters (excuse the pun), but all seems very positive at the moment. This whole week consists of meeting after meeting with prospects. It is all very exciting and I eagerly anticipate the challenges that lies in wait for us.

I hope to keep you all updated on how this business venture goes and also the lessons I learn as time goes by.