The second book in my series of reviews is AJAX and PHP by Cristian Darie, a book that takes us on a journey through a now MUST when you develop web applications. If you are developing anything on the web platform page refreshes are a thing of the past, integrating AJAX is now a standard. This book will help give you the basics on the interaction between AJAX and PHP. This book covers the nitty gritty of JavaScript and their implementations, not using a JS Framework like Prototype.

This book will give you a great background in how AJAX functions work in most of the popular frameworks and allow you to build great Web 2.0 application without the need for them. The last chapter however does talk about Drag and Drop using script.aculo.us which is built on Prototype.

Some things that can be helpful in this book however include, using the Document Object Model, DOM and CSS, Charting using SVG, and AJAX RSS Readers. Good book overall if you are looking to build apps without frameworks. Nice job Packt Publishing

This is dedicated to the effort to get Derek Gallo to update his site.

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Most developers are very set in their ways in terms of what applications they use to develop software, for me its Eclipse, TextMate and VIM. But those aren’t the only tools that we use in order to get through the entire software development process. For awhile I had been looking for a tool to replace my old standard of Microsoft Visio. I had been using Visio since before it was picked up by Microsoft. Well I am proud to say that I have found a company that produces GREAT organizational software, The Omni Group produces 3 of my new favorite applications: OmniOutliner, OmniGraffle, and OmniPlan. OmniGraffle is the application that replaces Visio for me. It allows me to draw very complex but elaborate and professional diagrams. Just like in Visio, objects snap together and it allows me to have an ever changing diagram so that I can think on the screen. If you are a Mac user please check it out, download the demo version and see what I am talking about. The next piece of software that I have really taken a liking for is OmniOutliner, which actually is bundled with most new Macs. I have started taking notes in meetings with this product. This probably isn’t its only use, but it is far superior then using some text pad and having totally unorganized thoughts in a text file. The last application is the one I really haven’t started using much of but am pretty sure I will get a lot of use out of. OmniPlan is the replacement for Microsoft Project for us Mac folks. Most Mac users are aware that Visio, Project and Access are not available for the Mac, so OmniPlan steps in an allows for Project Managment/Planning with their product.

Not only are these products very helpful for organizing software projects, but are also helpful for organizing any other facet of your life, and they also bring the creative look and feel to your work that you would expect out of a product on a Mac.

A personal update really, it was a very nice weekend. Went to a fraternity event, saw Pink Panther 2, made some good meals, cleaned the garage up. I really do have some of the best friends a person can ask for. My sister keeps on commenting on how great they are, just figured I’d let everyone else know that! Another big week coming up at NFi Studios lots to do, but after a nice relaxing weekend, I am ready!

For anyone who is a fan of Twitter and a user of a BlackBerry here is an app that is a must. TwitterBerry from Orangatame Software is a well refined BlackBerry app for all of your tweeting needs. The 0.8 version adds TwitPic functionality, which is great for people who take pictures with their phones! This makes gives me a similar user experience with my BlackBerry that some of my co-workers with iPhones have.