Nice samples to (JRuby on) Rails!

If you want to try out how easy it is to build Rails applications with JRuby and Netbeans 6.0 M9 (or newer), check out the following to sampes:

1. Build a Rails based blog in less than 10 minutes, and
2. Flickr on Rails
   

The first one actually took me almost 15 minutes, because my machine crashed (I think it's a bug in my graphics adapter driver from nvidia on windows XP, on a Dell Precision M70, and seems to have nothing to do with Java/Netbeans directly). If you - like me - use JRuby 1.0 instead of the M9 supplied JRuby 0.9.8, remember to put the derbyclient.jar into your JRuby 1.0 folder instead of the folder from the M9 installation ;-) - and if you've ever before heard of a "fist post", this is it:

The next Flickr browser application, is a bit more involved. If you - as I - already have a Flickr API key, it shouldn't take you too long. I got the application up and running in about 14 minutes:

Awesome examples! :-)

technorati tags:jruby, sample, applications, getting started, netbeans, rails

99 Bottles of Beer in Ruby

Open up your JIRB (or IRB for that matter) and run this:

$i=99

def b()"#{$i>0?$i: 'No'} bottle#{'s'if$i!=1} of beer"end
$i.times{w=" on the wall";puts b()+w+", #{b}.
Take one down, pass it around,
#{$i-=1;b+w}.
"}

If you're a developer coming from the Java language, the above example represents unprecedented compactness (compared to the code needed to perform the same task in Java).

Mmmmmmnnhhh - the syntax. I like it!

Actually I don't remember where I found the above example a month ago or so. If you're the original author, I hope you'll forgive me ;)

It's easy to install Ruby/JRuby. But if you don't wan't to waste that 5 minutes of your life, you can run ruby code directly from within this site - clever!:
http://tryruby.hobix.com/

UPDATE: Found this site, showing examples of the above in 1103 different languages and variations - nice place to spend some hours ;):
http://99-bottles-of-beer.net/

technorati tags:ruby, bottles of beer on the wall, jruby, jirb, irb, try ruby

JavaFX interpreter updated

Chris Oliver has updated the JavaFX interpreter, so it now correctly supports binding of local variables, and partially supports correct use of cardinality constraints (such as 0..1, 0..n etc.).

Try it out now, by opening the notorious JavaFX Pad here:
http://blogs.sun.com/chrisoliver/resource/javafxpad.jnlp

technorati tags:javafx, chris oliver, pad, update, binding, cardinality, constraints

YouTube mobile gone live!

Just realized, that the mobile version of YouTube has gone live!

Check it out here:
http://m.youtube.com/

The mobile version of YouTube works perfectly on the Nokia N95, without installation of any 3rd party software. The videos play flawlessly from the pre-installed Real Player. The picture quality is quite nice, although I haven't tried to output the vide on my TV set. Yet.

UPDATE: Only a subset of the videos on YouTube are available in the mobile version! YouTube are working hard to "bring you more".

technorati tags:youtube, mobile, nokia, n95, nokia n95, real player

JavaFX SVG Translator

Chris Oliver - the dude behind JavaFX Script (formerly known as F3) - posted a preview of his SVG to JavaFX Translator. This is sort of a converter engine, that transforms SVG to JavaFX.

Very, very cool work. I know a bunch of guys, that might actually use their current SVG knowledge, to get started with JavaFX using this translator.

It's also possible to view both the SVG and JavaFX code, after translation. The code is not editable, so it's not possible to edit and view the changes. I hope this will be possible in the final version. But the code can be saved, and used from JavaFX Pad.

Nice work Chris!

The screenshot below shows the famous SVG tiger in firefox, and in SVG to JavaFX Translator at the side:

technorati tags:chris oliver, javafx, svg, translator, preview, demo

More VOIP alternatives..

For you VOIP-hungry N95 owners out there (and others as well), I'll just mention these to services, which in their own way are alternatives to both Skype and Gizmo:

1. JAJAH, and
2. Truphone

Both services are installable on the N95, but to be honest, I haven't tried them.

While Truphone seems quite familiar to Gizmo, Jajah is primarily a web based service. Without even registrering, you can enter your own (land line) phone number, and some other (land line) phone number that you want to call, press "Call", and voila - Jajah calls the number for you.

Note: you need to be at your own (land line) phone to try this - but try it, it's remarkably easy and working extremely well.

Gizmo - by the way - have made any call to landlines totally free. Forever.That's something.

technorati tags:nokia, n95, nokia n95, voip, gizmo, jajah, skype, truphone, free calls

Nokia Mobile Web Server - beta!

Nokia just released the Mobile Web Server beta - free of charge.

Technically there is nothing revolutionary to it.
But in a use case perspective, it's impact could be immense.

As the name implies, you basically host your own small footprint web server, right there on your phone. Yes - a small web server, being able to render web pages dynamically. Yup! :-)

Suddenly adding a blog post to your mobile blog, is just as fast as writing a SMS. Or a MMS if you want the post to contain visual media.You write the post, add the picture, and click "Post", and it's posted. No waiting time, because the blog is hosted right there on the device.

So the real upside is, that you don't have to wait for the post to be "posted" on your blog, over a not-always-too-fast wireless connection. Sometimes even using obscure and slow add-ons. And you don't have to pay for uploading the photo etc... NOT!

Not - because the downside to all of this is of course, that you need to pay for uploading it, each and every time a new visitor wants to take a look at your post.

With the current sky-high rates for up- and downloading using 3G/4G services, it's not that attractive not to be able to control the cost of your next bill. But for Wifi-enable devices - such as the delicious Nokia N95 amongst other Symbian S60 devices, it's not less than a revolutionary new way of doing mobile blogging.

Furthermore you can share your calendar, and your friends can send messages to you from you mobile site. And this is only the beginning! :-)

Yes - the mobile server is for S60 devices only - not for other mobile phones. Perhaps someday a Java version will show up.

technorati tags:nokia, n95, mobile web server, symbian s60, nokia n95, mobile, calendar, sharing

CodeGear announces Ruby On Rails IDE

CodeGear recently announced, that their Ruby on Rails IDE will be available later this year (Q3 more specifically).

They mention that their RoR IDE will be the "first real IDE for Ruby on Rails development". I will question that, with a rather huge question mark: What about Aptana IDE (formerly known as RadRails)? Netbeaans 6.0? IDEA 6.0?

Well, if you want to participate in the beta programme, you can apply by sending an email by clicking here.

A 4 months old comparison between Netbeans 6.0, IDEA 6.0 and RadRails can be found here:
http://tnlessone.wordpress.com/2007/02/28/ruby-rails-ide-comparison-idea-netbeans-radrails/

technorati tags:codegear, ruby on rails, netbeans, idea, radrails, aptana, comparison

Stereo headsets for your N95

Symbian-Freak recently posted news about new stereo bluetooth headsets from Nokia, which works with current Bluetooth 2.0 compatible phones:

http://www.symbian-freak.com/news/007/06/nokia_add_three_new_bt_headsets.htm

For all you N95 (or Nxx) users out there who love music, but decent cables, you definitely should consider those. I don't use my N95 that much for music, so for now I'll be using my cabled version ;)

technorati tags:nokia, n95, bluetooth, stereo, headset

Nice JRuby/Netbeans intro

Somehow I managed to overlook this nice introductory article about JRuby and Netbeans 6.0 from java.sun.com:

http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/scripting/jruby/

If you're still new to all this JRuby stuff (like I mainly due to time restrictions) consider myself, read it. It has lots of nice tips'n'tricks in it.

technorati tags:jruby, ruby, netbeans 6, java, sun

Add AIM & MSN buddies to Gizmo

3½ hours ago, The Gizmo Project announced that it is now possible to add AIM and Messenger contacts directly to your Gizmo contacts (with Gizmo version 3.1.1.285).

As far as I can see, this new feature is only available on the Windows version og Gizmo, because the other builds (for Mac version 3.1.1.220, Linux version 3.0.1.70 and mobile phones version 2.0.0.56) haven't been updated yet.

But stay tuned, because it would be quite puzzling, if this feature isn't soon available for new builds for the other platforms as well.

technorati tags:gizmo, update, windows, import, msn, aim

JRuby 1.0!!

Blurghz.. While we held our housewarming party all saturday - at 30 degrees centrigrade and absolutely no wind - the JRuby team announced JRuby 1.0!

Congratulations to you guys, both the team members themselves (Charles Nutter, Thomas E. Enebo, Ola Nibi) and you other guys!!

Once again, grab the gem, use for new developments and use it for testing your current ruby/rails applications.

technorati tags:jruby, ruby, jruby 1.0, charles nutter, thomas e enebo, ola nibi

Free webcam software for the N95

I just found this announcement on Symbian Freak, mentioning the free WWIGO software (Webcam Whereever I Go). It lets a Series 60 2nd and 3rd edition sSymbian phone work as a high quality webcam, using Bluetooth for connectivity to the PC.

I wonder when it will be possible, to use the camera as a webcam, when using the phone stand-alone on a WiFi or 3G connection, without the need of having a PC next to it! :-)

For now, it works with Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live! Messenger and YouTube/Grouper.

It's also possible to use the phone for recording videos using the (faster) PC as storage medium.

Clever little application - can't wait for it to be stand-alone compatible with something like the upcoming skype (??) for mobile phones, or the already existing Fring! :-D

technorati tags:n95, symbian, wwigo, webcam, mobile, messenger, youtube, grouper, skype, fring, nokia, nokia n95

JRuby 1.0.0 RC3 released

Yesterday the JRuby team released the final release candidate for JRuby version 1.0.0.

The announcement can be read on Thomas Enebo's blog:
http://www.bloglines.com/blog/ThomasEEnebo?id=28

And on Charles Nutter's blog:
http://headius.blogspot.com/2007/06/jruby-100rc3-released-and-this-is-it.html

This is quite an announcement. The journey towards the first major goal of JRuby will soon be over. Go on, get the RC3 release, crash test it, and give the guys feedback if you find anything of interest:

http://dist.codehaus.org/jruby/

technorati tags:jruby, 1.0.0, rc3