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Sausage Sizzler - Development Environments |
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| Editorial September 18, 2002 |
G'Day Sizzlers!
Sorry this is a bit late. Between Bram having server problems and me having connectivity problems we were a bit up in the air. I have cut down the length of this weeks issue, because I really like everything that is in it, and I want you to be able to read every article. I did have another SuperTool review that I think it is good too but with Brams review of Trillian Pro (which I love) there was too much to read, play with or try out.
I do not know how many of you tried my recommendation of SpamNet last week but from those of you replied, you are all happy (bar one). I even received an email from the developers, Cloudmark, thanking me for my recommendation. I really like it when we help people! To this date I have still not had a piece of wanted email filtered as spam, although again I admit one reader said that their copy of the Sizzler was flagged as spam. That upsets me as we do everything we can to make sure people can remove their email from this list if they want, and to subscribe they have to confirm their subscription through their email account.
Bram was telling me all about his local test environment, and boy did it make me jealous. I could really use the same set-up. I think that TheMissingElf (a user on our forums) should read this series before deciding what to do with her money, as she discusses here:
http://www.sizzlerforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=857
Finally, in the SuperToolz section I need your recommendations of programs to review. What do you use that you cannot live without? Do you think everyone else could benefit from hearing about it? I will welcome suggestions, and if you actually write up your own little review you may even get a token of my appreciation, when I run it.
Keep on sizzling!
Nathan Allan
Sausage Sizzler Editor
editor@sausage.com
Setting up a local development environment (Part One)
This week I will be starting a 4 or 5 part series on setting up a local development environment and why I feel the benefits are valuable.
Today will be an overview or introduction. Coming weeks will include discussion of hardware needs, software, setting things up, allowing people outside of your LAN to view the servers contents, some tips and notes, and finally a summary.
I may also include opinions and facts as well as useful tips from programmers and system administrators.
Today I'll start with what I do with a local development server and why. First of all, there is the factor of using a development machine. The reason for this is quite simple. You have free reign to design and develop in an environment similar to that of the live web server / database server without causing harm or impeding performance of live activities.
Obviously it does not make sense to spend money hosting a machine that will be solely for development. The main reason I use a development machine locally is for speed of connection. No matter what speed your company uses for its connection it is highly unlikely (unless you work in a data center), that your connection speeds, both up and down stream, pass 1.54kbps. (1.5MB)
Most LANs these days run at speeds of at least 10MB while some run up to 100MB, equipment permitting. Even with "only" 10MB, that is far faster than a T1. I have DSL at home and work. I use a development machine on my LAN so that when testing my time is counted in split seconds, not a few minutes. Likewise, if connections go down, which they do, I can still develop and test.
Having DSL is great. Not only because I can download at high rates of speed, but because I can have my development server connected to the Internet and allow people to browse the development site or sites.
There is A LOT to cover so keep reading. Next week I'll be discussing hardware. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel welcome to write to me or post in the forums.
http://www.sizzlerforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=866
Discuss your experiences with Bram
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Trillian Pro 1.0 XP/2000/ME/98/95 US$25
http://www.trillian.cc/trillianpro/
IM software, a new era?
For those of you that don't yet know, there are A LOT of Instant Message applications on the market. The popular or mainstream products come from AOL (AIM), Yahoo!, MSN, and ICQ (AOL).
There are a few products that offer an all in one instant message client. If you have an account with AIM, YAHOO!, MSN and ICQ, you can install an all-in-one client and deal with centralized messaging. I have looked at a few of them but was not moved enough to even install them. Last year, I was introduced to one application that I have since adopted as my sole IM client - Trillian. Trillian is a product of Cerulean Studios. It can be found at both www.trillian.cc and www.ceruleanstudios.com.
It is an amazing product. What makes it even better is that they have finally reached Version 1.0. Until now they have gone up in hundredths. For example, I started using Version 0.71. They have grown now to a free version of 0.74 and a low cost, professional version, Trillian Pro 1.0. Cost? $25.00. Sure, AIM, Yahoo, MSN, ICQ are all free, but none of them are like Trillian. It's a worthwhile expense. And no, they do not pay me. They don't even know me. I am simply that impressed with the product.
Besides offering a perfect list of features, the basic user interface is very attractive. They have refined existing functionality and added new functionality. I have gone through their web site many times, each time learning something new and being more impressed by this amazing revision to an already great program.
Rather than summarize what they have already done a great job of presenting, I invite you to visit their sites and try their products.
Trillian 0.74: http://www.trillian.cc/trillian/
Trillian Pro: http://www.trillian.cc/trillianpro/
Review by Bram
Sneak Peak? New HotDog Character
This week is a very special Spotlight. For veterans and newbies alike, HotDog HTML editor is undergoing a complete re-write. HotDog 7 will have new code, new features, improved features and functionality. Along with all of this, there is a new "dog" in the house. At this point the character is a draft. Rumor has it that this new dog is well liked among the staffers.
As in the past, however, Sausage places high value with its customers, old and new. Please, come visit the Sizzler Forums, where you can preview the new dog and voice your opinion. Who knows, maybe your suggestion will affect the design!
http://www.sizzlerforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=846
Review by Bram
SiteEngine 3.3 CSS PHP mySQL
http://www.abarcar.com/
Ok so this review is not so much about the actual product, but more for the concept of a Content Management System (CMS).
A CMS can make looking after a Web site child's play. It takes the coding out of the equation for the layperson, meaning that all you really need is a content manager that updates and maintains the content. In my opinion, what you need is an intuitive interface for the administration area, that logically sets out the different components of the site.
Having said that, SiteEngine appears to have the grounds for a good CMS, however they do not seem to be able to market the software very well on their own site. There is a free trial, but no mention of the cost at all for the registered version. There is a demo, which because of the poor design of the rest of the site, I used to work out if the software would do what I wanted.
SiteEngine may be worthwhile checking out, however if any of you have a proven CMS please write to me and let me know. We would love to feature some incoming issues.
Review by Nathan
To read the Sizzler Forums you do not need to be a member.
However to take full advantage of this resource it will only take
you a few seconds to sign up!
- Go to: http://www.sizzlerforums.com
- Read the information and click on the REGISTER button
- Fill out the form
- You will receive an email that you simply reply to
- Hey presto! Your a fully fledged Sizzler Forums member!
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