What's it all about, Alfie?

When I started using the Google Visualization widgets, like the AnnotatedTimeLine, I didn't have any Java-based tools and had to make my own to fit into the Tomcat backend of the web app. Not too bad, Google had an API for the server component, and a pretty complete spec for the DataTable, I just had to build it. So I did.

In the meantime, they have built a Java back-end, and while it's possible to use theirs, it's no better than what I have in mine, so I'm sticking with that, and yet they have significantly expanded the spec for the DataTable. I needed to play "catch-up". So that's exactly what I did this afternoon.

Most of the things weren't too hard, but I'll admit I've postponed the filtering and sorting as I just didn't have time for it today, and I didn't think it was going to be something I needed this week. I'll get around to finishing it, I just didn't get to it today.

The rest is pretty well implemented. I've put in some unit tests (where appropriate), and they are working well. I also ended up making a lot of the objects Cloneable so that it was easy to copy these guys. Details, yeah, but that's where stuff like this lives - all in the details. We now have the ability to get limits on columns, distinct values, etc. It's much more full-featured.

But if Google keeps moving, I'll need to have another afternoon like this. I don't see them making a Java version of this, but if they did, I'd certainly look at it. I'd love to find something that's well-built and completely free of my involvement. But until they do, this is what I'm going to stay on top of.

This morning I knew that I needed to get Safari 4.0.4 with a few security fixes and a few nice improvements - like faster JavaScript execution, which always helps. Safari is still my favorite browser on any platform, and on the Mac, it's just beautiful. I just wish they allowed me to have the "tabs in the title bar" that was a feature of the beta several months ago. I really liked that, but can see that there were a bunch of folks that didn't. Hence the option. In any case, it's the thing to do this morning, and then the reboot... ugh... but a necessity.

I was reading the wires today and came across another article talking about the speed advantage of JSON over XML in the serialization/transfer/de-serialization. Certainly, that's no surprise to anyone that's used both of these formats. XML, as it's defined is just not meant to move large amounts of data, and while it's possible to use it for config files, I think it's still a miss there as plists or SQLite is a far better solution.

But what got my interest this morning is the existence of a Google Groups project called touchcode. In this one project, there is a sub-project called TouchJSON that implements the JSON format in Obj-C code. This is cool stuff.

I've done plenty of JSON stuff in Java for the Google Visualization API, but this means that I don't have to mess around with writing an API for all the work on the Mac I might like to use JSON. Again, I can't see it as a valid tool for config files, but for serving up JSON data, this, along with a nice embedded HTTP server in Obj-C would be a great pairing. That way, I could stay in Obj-C and provide JSON data to AJAX clients. Neat.

Not sure why WebObjects got the can, but it did. Sure would be nice to see what (if anything) Apple is looking at for a possible replacement.

This morning I saw that Hulu had updated it's Hulu Desktop client to 0.9.7.2. There are a few nice UI changes, and there's supposedly a nice Apple Remote integration with Mac OS X 10.6.2, but the nicest thing (of course) is that House, M.D. episodes are on Hulu. 🙂

It's just my favorite TV Show.

Thankfully, they have not started charging for viewing content. If they do, I'm not sure I'll be such a fan. Face it, I'm already watching commercials, what more do they need? It's going to get worse than network TV if they do commercials and charge for the views.

This morning I saw that The Gimp 2.6.7 was available for Snow Leopard with a 64-bit build. This is interesting - very interesting. I've always liked the Gimp, but I have to admit that since I've started using Acorn, I haven't used Gimp nearly as much. It's just a tool that's not as "Mac-like" as Acorn, and everything I needed to have done, was do-able within Acorn. But with the advent of a 64-bit build, that makes the Gimp a little more attractive as a tool. I'm not sure I'll use it more, but it's more attractive.

Still... with the bug fixes, it's a good thing to get. If you need logos and titles done, this is a great tool.

I was reading the feeds this morning and came across this little guy, Quiet Read, and thought it might be just the thing I needed to hold onto a few web sites that I might need, or want to hold onto - but not put them in my bookmarks as I wouldn't need them for that long a time.

It's a clever little idea. I might have done the GUI a little differently, but it's an early effort, and if he keeps up with the changes, I'm guessing it'll be very handy to have. We'll see how I use it in the weeks to come.

This morning I noticed that Firefox 3.5.5 was out with a list of several stability fixes - some of which were considered critical. OK, I'll upgrade, sounds reasonable.

I got a tweet this morning from Adium saying that 1.4b14 is out fixing the Facebook problem that popped up yesterday. It's got a lot more in the release, and I'm constantly amazed by the work that's done on this guy, but it's still so useable. I use it every single day. Amazing app.

I got a nice little notice from LaunchBar that 5.0.2 was out with a few pretty serious bugs fixed. It's something I use every day, and while I'm not indexing Services a lot, it's nice to get the memory leaks fixed.

Saw this morning that VLC 1.0.3 is out. Since it's a core part of HandBrake and ripping DVDs, I had to upgrade. I'm a little surprised that the built-in auto-updating is not picking up these changes, but then, maybe they don't consider these to be significant updates.