My new mouse :)

The last few weeks, my old trusty Logitech V100 mouse was not working properly. Specifically, its left button was not so reliable and I have to press it harder than the right button.

So I thought that I should buy a new mouse. I do not particularly like big mice so I thought I should look at Logitech again. I found a new mouse, called Logitech LS1 and I bought it. It is a laser mouse, not too big but bigger than the V100.

What are you doing?

Benefits from reading the "Programming Dashboard Widgets" book

• Learn how to create Dashboard Widgets
  
• Demystify Dashboard Widgets
  
• Debug Dashboard Widgets
  
• Learn useful tools
  

You will also learn:

• the basics of MySQL
  
• the basics of Shell programming
  
• some UNIX topics
  

Every chapter has a rich Bibliography based on the presented topic.

My opinion is that by reading the eBook you will become a better Mac OS X user and programmer.

The eBook describes how you can create Apple Dashboard Widgets using many programming languages including JavaScript, Perl, Objective-C, and PHP. You can buy it here.

Firewire devices that I use

This is the list of the Firewire devices that I regularly use:

• Lacie brick USB2/FireWire 400 hard disk (80 Gb)
• Lacie Rugged USB2/FireWire 400/800 hard disk (320 Gb)
• FireDisk 800-s Unibrain external hard disk (300Gb)
• SanDisk FireWire 400/800 CF card reader

Will the single FireWire 800 port of the new MacBook Pro will be enough for me?

What do you think? What is your opinion?

Note: I do not have a video camera but if I buy one I will possibly buy a MiniDV one.

http://tv.adobe.com/

In case you do not know it: tv.adobe.com

Great resource!

New MacBook and MacBook Pro!

MacBook Pro
+ Impressive Graphics Card
+ Big Hard Disk
+ Improved battery life
+ newly designed trackpad

- No screen type selection (Matte or Glossy)
- Where is the FireWire 400 port?
- I prefer the old MacBook Pro keyboard

MacBook
+ LED backlit display
+ fast graphics
+ aluminum case
+ illuminated keyboard
+ Improved battery life
+ A $999 White MacBook with a slot-loading 8X SuperDrive!!

- No FireWire port

I am not alone!

I have just seen another blog post that says what I have said in my previous post.

"More amazing was how easy it was to do those things. The total amount of code for that project is 150 lines of code that do the work."

I am not alone :)

Cocoa Programming: an opinion

The first thing that I noticed about Cocoa programming is that most of the applications found in Hillegass' book require minimal code writing.

Although this also has to do with the application itself and its logic, it is a sign of how well Cocoa was designed and implemented. It also tells something about Xcode and Interface Builder.

My first Cocoa Application!

Following my previous post, this is the output of my first Cocoa application!

I have to tell you that after a long time I am enjoying GUI programming. In the past, I tried to learn Windows programming but I did not really find it delightful. Now, I am having a great time!

Cocoa Challenge

As you may already read, I am trying to learn Cocoa programming.

I am now facing my first challenge :) It is on page 90 of the Hillegass' book and I am trying to solve it. I will let you know about my progress.

New Apple NoteBooks!

Apple to hold special NoteBook event | October 14.

Core Animation for OS X

Book Publisher: Pragmatic Bookself | End of October 2008 | more information

RubyCocoa book

Publisher: Pragmatic Bookshelf | November 2008 | Link

Becoming a Cocoa Programmer

Recently, I bought the 3rd edition of Hillegass' book "Cocoa Programming For Mac OS X". As I was having a quick look at its contents, I decided to fully read and study it in order to become a Cocoa Programmer. I will inform you about my progress. (Please feel free to write me the tips and advices you may have.)

A small exempt from the book (p. 417)

• "The only way to solidify what you have learned is to write applications. The sooner you start, the easier it will be."
  

PS. I am also waiting for the 2nd edition of Kochan's book "Programming in Objective-C 2.0".

IPython

I am reading the book "Python for UNIX and Linux Administration" and I thought that I should also install IPython that is mentioned inside the book.

Installing IPython on Mac OS X is actually quite easy with the following command:

• sudo easy_install ipython
  

You should also execute the command to load the right Readline library:

• sudo easy_install -f http://ipython.scipy.org/dist/ readline
  

Definitions :)

• Project Manager is a Person who thinks nine women can deliver a baby in One month.
  
• Developer is a Person who thinks it will take 18 months to deliver a Baby.
  
• On-site Coordinator is one who thinks single woman can deliver nine babies in one month.
  
• Client is the one who doesn’t know why he wants a baby.
  
• Marketing Manager is a person who thinks he can deliver a baby even if no married man and woman are available.
  
• Resource Optimization Team thinks they don’t need a married couple; they’ll produce a child with zero resources.
  
• Documentation Team thinks they don’t care whether the child is delivered, they’ll just document 9 months.
  
• Quality Auditor is the person who is never happy with the PROCESS to produce a baby.
  
• Tester is a person who always tells his wife that this is not the Right baby
  

Have a nice month :)