Ext JS Blog - » IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0

No Comments Written by steve on February 1, 2008 in Development.

Jack Slocum over at Ext JS posted a list of IDEs that work well with Ext today that I thought I would pass along. I personally use the Spket eclipse plug in and couldn’t be happier with it.

Ext JS Blog - » IDEs, plugins and tools for Ext JS 2.0


New Years Resolutions for Coders

No Comments Written by steve on January 3, 2008 in Development.

Wired has a great list of New Years Resolutions for coders.  A few of my favorites:

  • I will realize that design patterns are a guide, not a religion.
  • I will bother to research the security issues relevant to my work.
  • I will recognize that not all programs are self documenting, and that this is why comments were invented.
  • I will contribute to an open-source project because they need my skills, not because I like the project.
  • I will go back and do something interesting with all my failed, half-finished projects.
  • I will write ten lines of code everyday for someone I love.
  • I will finally pay for all of the shareware apps that I use daily. No, really.

New Years Resolutions for Coders | Compiler from Wired.com


Use Groove Salad To Block Out Noisy Distractions

No Comments Written by steve on December 27, 2007 in Lifehacks, Development.

SomaFM independent internet radioI recently invested in a nice pair of noise canceling headphones to help counter the general clamor of my office environment. They’re great for your basic droning office noises, but conversations taking place around me can still break through my little white noise barrier, and don’t even get me started on ringing phones… I’ve tried several different types of ambient noise/music to compliment the headphones, but most just leave me feeling sleepy. Music from mp3s and sites like last.fm or Pandora can be just as distracting as conversations, if not worse. So what’s a developer in need of a little quiet and concentration to do? Among all the options I’ve tried, Soma FM station Groove Salad stands out above them all. Yes, the station plays mostly ambient music, but most of it is up-tempo enough to stave off the drowsies without being overbearing. If you’re looking for a solution to help combat noise in your office, give it a try and let me know what you think.

Groove Salad