Linux.com | Bringing Web-based applications offline

The Web 2.0 mantra suggests that you forget desktop applications and embrace AJAXified browser-based apps that you can run from any OS, anywhere, as long as you have a speedy connection to the Internet. But what about times when you can’t get online? Firefox, Opera, and others are looking to make it possible run applications offline, anytime, anywhere.

Long overdue in my opinion. When looking at Google Apps I asked my Google contact about mobile device support and they replied that there were optimised version of the web pages for mobile devices. That wasn’t really what I had in mind. I often work on the train with no internet access, even if I was willing to pay data charges on my mobile phone.

In the meantime, this clever little app called gSyncit provides a way to take your Google Calendar with you via Outlook and ActivSync

What’s your “Linux Whine?� « Robitaille’s Blog

Recently on 43folders.com Merlin Mann asked his predomendately Mac crowd for their best Mac whines. He got 191 comments up to now, some very interesting. I thought that was great idea so I decided to expand it to Linux.

Don’t get me wrong I’m a big fan of Linux but there are still plenty of things that irritate me about it. See my comments on the Computeractive Linux forum about trying to install graphics drivers for an example. It was a good education in not relying on first impressions. The nVidia drivers require use of the command prompt but worked once the correct dependancies had been resolved. Ati was another matter. There is a graphical front end to the installation process but you still have to run a command line script at the end. That didn’t work. And neither did X afterwards. I found the xconfig script and that did get X working again but I’m no closer to a 3D desktop on that computer.

One day, one day…..

rhjr.net » Designing the Obvious available as an eBook

Designing the Obvious is now available as an eBook through the InformIT bookstore.

If you’re just too impatient to wait for a copy from Amazon, or your house is too full of books already to order a new one, give the digital version a whirl!

I think my opinions of this book are now rather clear. Another good reason to get yourself a copy.

Using Md5sums

MD5 Checksums are used to establish the code integrity of software you download. Using the md5sums grants you more security.

Ok, MD5 hashes are no longer watertight but they are at least a good way of making sure a download has not been corrupted. This is a rather good introduction to checking these safeguards for Windows users.

kaizen manifesto » home

Kaizen (pronounced “kigh-zenâ€?) is the time-honored practice of continuous, incremental improvement. In the software industry, it’s the practice of actively improving designs, code, processes, and everything else, continuously, now and forever, to create a complete customer experience. The principles are…

If you have never read Designing the Obvious and you are involved in any kind of programming or webdesign, I strongly recommend that you read this book. This manifeso is a continuation of the principles set out in the book.

What is OpenID?

The Short Answer OpenID is a light-weight, decentralized authentication mechanism that allows you to have one login that you can use anywhere on the Internet. To sign up for an OpenID, please visit any of the following identity providers: MyOpenID , VeriSign Personal Identity Provider, GetOpenID, MyLID, Sxipper

Echoes of Passport here, but with (hopefully) a greater chance of success. Anything that can be trusted and reduces the ridiculous number of usernames and passwords, is worth a go.