Javascript differences between Firefox and IE

Impressive Webs has a very useful article on javascript differences between Firefox and IE.
They mostly relate to getting and setting DOM properties, using straight javascript.

I use jQuery, so most of those differences disappear regardless of the browser used.

Nonetheless, it is always good to be aware of such issues.

Well done guys!

ps: Comments and/or links to this article are most welcome!

Open Source Build Automation and Installer/Wizard Development Toolsets

Below is a list of handy utilities for developing application installers/wizards.

These tools combined can be used to build enterprise grade system configuration applications to automate those tedious deployment and configuration tasks.


Nullsoft Scriptable Install System:


Nullsoft Scriptable Install System (NSIS) is a script-driven Windows installation system with minimal. NSIS has risen to popularity as a widely used alternative to commercial and proprietary products like InstallShield.


http://sourceforge.net/projects/nsis/
http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Category:Plugins




Windows Installer XML - WiX:


The Windows Installer XML (WiX) is a toolset that builds Windows installation packages from XML source code. The toolset supports a command line environment that developers may integrate into their build processes to build MSI and MSM setup packages.


http://zelenkov.com/twix/download/



Build automation/scripting:


Nant
NAnt is a free and open source software tool for automating software build processes. It is similar to Apache Ant, but targeted at the .NET environment rather than Java.


Other:


SuperOrca
An MSI Editor from Microsoft. SuperOrca may be used to examine and modify an MSI database.


Free Windows Installer Designers:
http://www.innosetup.com/isinfo.php
http://www.advancedinstaller.com/features.html

FastCopy - a neat (fast!) copy utility

FasCopy is a smart copy utility that copies files very quickly. It also supports file moves and deletes.
It is clever enough to detect whether the copy is from and to the same HDD and uses a different copy strategy accordingly.

As stated on its web site,

Diff HDD	Reading and writing are processed respectively in parallel by another thread.
Same HDD	Reading are processed until the big buffer fills. When the big buffer filled, writing are started and processed in bulk.

Please visit the home site for more info.

FileMenu utility - handy Windows Explorer extension

This handy utility will add a number of useful functions to the Windows Explorer window, as shown in the image below.

Some of the functions I like are:

• Command line from here
• Copy to ...
• Move to ...
• Copy Path (very handy!)
• Change time
• Run with arguments
• and many more
  

Please visit the home site for more info.

The DSLR saga goes on!

... and just when it all looked like it was settling down (read: I'd stopped telling everyone about what my DSLR was going to be...again and again, see my blog entry), a new one pops up on my radar and I have to start all over again!











(drum roll please!)

Canon EOS500D

Here's a brief look at the vitals:
- 15MP (more than enough!)
- RAW format
- ISO 100-3200 with expansion to 12800.
- 3" LCD with 920k pixels! Yes!
(btw, when are we going to go metric with everything?! What's with this 'inches' thing????)
- 1080p video at 20fps (up to 4GB or 29m:59s)
- 720p video at 30fps (up to 4GB or 29m:59s)
(note that for either of the above, the camera cannot focus continually while recording. Hmm, does this make video recording on the 500D as useless as teats on a bull?)
- Expected price: US$799 for the body.

All I need now is a good lens to cover 28-450mm (in 35mm terms).
Still looking for that one.

For in-depth info on this camera, head over to DPReview or DCResource

Antique, Vintage and Handmade Woodworking Tools

[Update March 2016: The site is no longer in operation]



I never thought I'd see the day that I'd be impressed by tools that did not have a version number on them, let alone that required me to use anything other than a keyboard! (and risk hurting my hands!!! Gasp!)

My nephew restores and sells antique, vintage and handmade woodworking tools and we've just finished his web site.
The site is all about woodworking and related vintage, handmade tools.




I must say, I am very impressed with the quality of the photos he's taken, not to mention the final look of the tools.

There are tools there that are an absolute mystery to me!
What on earth is a Wooden Plane??? I thought that was what the Brits flew in WW2!

What about a Myrtle Spindle Turning Pack???
What version is it? Does it have a USB port?
When is its next service pack coming out? Does it run under Vista (well, does anyone care about vista?)

Woodworking tools are another world altogether!
Though I enjoyed putting the site together, I got a headache from trying to figure out what they all do.

I think I'll stick to my keyboard and *software* tools!

Best of luck Luban!

ps: IE6 sucks!
pps: Many thanks to the jQuery guys; it is one of the best tools I've come across for quite a while.
ppps: Smarty for PHP is one cool tool! Check it out.
pppps: Did I say IE6 sucks? Thank the gods for Firefox and Opera kicking Microsnuff's backside and forcing them to update that most pathetic, bug-ridden piece of software!

jQuery file upload plugin

I have been using jQuery for quite a while now and I still consider it to be one of the best tools for javascript development. There are bigger js libraries around, as well as ones that offer more eye candy but i still find the simplicity, easy-of-use and power of jQuery, extremely useful.


I have seen an explosion of component becoming available for jQuery (sometimes, it is too hard trying to catch up with all the new ones that keep coming out).


One component I have always wanted, is a multi-file upload dialog that also offers visual feedback. There have been a few but they never did seem to hit the spot for me.
Now, there is a new one, called jQuery file upload plugin, by Ronnie Garcia, that seems to have got all the right answers.


Visit Ronnie's site and have a look at it.


If you enjoy what you see, leave Ronnie some feedback of appreciation.

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