SD Times On The Web

Altova introduces entry-level XMLSpy
XMLSpy 2008 is a simple XML editor for viewing, validating and editing an array of file types. Code completion, XML file indenting and well-formedness checking are some of the features built into it.
8/27/2008 3:00PM EST

Nexus sucks in Maven repositories
Sonatype's Nexus offers a free single point of control for enterprises using large numbers of Maven repositories. Installing it in a network allows it to take the spot of previous Maven management systems.
8/27/2008 12:59PM EST

Microsoft's Midori to sandbox apps for increased security
The Midori project, Microsoft's effort to design a post-Windows, next-generation operating system, is projected to offer memory access control, to protect against privilege elevation attacks and to enforce least-privilege computing.
8/5/2008 11:05AM EST

DevExpress focuses on user accessibility
XtraReports Suite Version 2008 vol 2 has been adjusted to make it easier for end users to understand the contents of reports. Also, new calculation functions have been added.
8/26/2008 4:20PM EST

Microsoft maps out migration from Windows
Internal documents reveal that Microsoft is carefully mapping out migration strategies to move customers from Windows to a new legacy-free environment. Virtualization and a composite application model that permits applications to be hosted by both OSes are keys to the strategy.
7/31/2008 12:45PM EST

Jive makes collaboration even more 'social'
New profile search functions and e-mail capabilities give the newest version of Jive Software's Clearspace collaboration product more of a social-networking feel, company executives said.
8/25/2008 4:17PM EST

Microsoft's plans for post-Windows OS revealed
A componentized non-Windows operating system is in the works at Microsoft, one that could eventually phase out Windows. The OS features asynchronous-only architecture built for task concurrency.
7/29/2008 1:15PM EST

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Apple drinks Microsoft's milkshake
Microsoft still dominates the market, thus making it the most attractive choice for budding developers. But recent moves from Apple to its Macintosh and iPhone lines have made it an upstart competitor to Microsoft's position in software development.

Zeichick's Take: Apple ascendant
For a few hours last week, and again this Tuesday, Apple's market capitalization exceeded that of Google's. That's astounding, when you consider that Google has been superlatively hyped non-stop over the past few years and has been branded as the destroyer of newspaper advertising, the big threat to Microsoft and the ultimate power on Planet Earth.

Protocol Buffers: Reinventing the past
Despite XML's widespread use, companies are still looking for faster ways to transfer data across systems. Google's Protocol Buffers, which the company has been using for years in its own technology, may be the best solution available.

Guest View: The rise of IT Specialists
In the old days, those who worked in IT were separated from the business end. But as the structure of IT has changed, so have the roles within IT, and it is now necessary for businesspeople and IT workers to work as one.

Sometimes SOA works, but mostly it does not
Although SOA involves using technology to achieve company goals, it is driven by the actions of people. Maintaining an office culture that is creative, thoughtful, intelligent and open to SOA is most important factor in implementing SOA.

Short Takes: Talking conferences
We take a look at some of the conferences coming up, including a brand new one, the SharePoint Technology Conference. Also, a word on bloggers and Kevin Johnson, and IBM Rational has a grammar checker for code.

The Oracle-BEA Tango
Oracle's plans for BEA products came as a relief for users with products from either company. For the time being, both lines of products will be maintained as is, which keeps the flexibility available for Java developers.

Zeichick's Take: Microsoft's Mojave Experiment only proves that Windows Vista demos well
I'm unimpressed with Microsoft's so-called "Mojave Experiment." This marketing campaign from Redmond wants to change perceptions of Windows Vista by getting people to admit that it's not as bad as they previously thought after viewing hand-crafted demos of its coolest features.

Selling SOA requires big-picture view
In order to sell SOA to an enterprise, one must keep in mind what is expected from embracing it and to make sure that those expectations are met.

Zeichick's Take: LinuxWorld: It's about the phones, data centers and penguins
While some call it the March of the Penguins, this week's LinuxWorld conference is a sign of how far Linux has come. It's mainstream, at least in the data center. Nobody need ever apologize for installing rack after rack of Linux servers.

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EMBEDDED NEWS

Wind River unveils test automation framework
Due by the end of September, Wind River Test Automation will include collaboration tools as well as data collection and planning features. The company says that special builds and additional test harnesses won't be required.

Openwave's client business sold to Purple Labs
Announced June 30, the deal puts US$30 million of Purple's cash into Openwave's hands. Purple intends to expand its presence in the mobile software business while Openwave will focus on its network-based services.

Microsoft reveals next-gen Windows Embedded
With a release to original equipment manufacturers due before the end of the year, Microsoft is previewing the successor to Windows XP Embedded, which includes features such as the latest versions of Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player.

Palm developers get device-testing service
A new service from DeviceAnywhere allows users to manipulate a virtual Palm phone as if they were actually holding it, allowing them to test a device without exposing design features.

Nokia's mobile road map still hard to follow
Until Nokia's deal with Trolltech closes, developers will have to wait to see what Nokia's long-term plans are. Qt has been examined as a possible lead platform for making applications on Nokia phones.

UIQ update ships
The newest version of the handset OS should allow device manufacturers to expand their product lines. The goal is to increase UIQ's penetration into mass markets.

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TEST & QA REPORT

ECLIPSESOURCE

Playing Catch-Up With This Week's Report
Last week saw the debut of the uTester Community, which puts software testers in touch with organizations in need of application testing services but lack the staff in-house.

EdNotes: Ganymede Around the World
Two of the winners were from the United States, two were from Brazil and four were European. More than 600 of you participated in the Ganymede Around the World Contest, and gave your reviews via blog, message or in a recording to the Eclipse Foundation, in exchange for a chance to win one of eight prizes, which included free passage to an Eclipse conference.

Software Testing: The Stepchild of Innovation
Few would disagree that R&D efforts have given rise to countless technologies. But when it comes to research and development budgets, software testing often gets short shrift.

Eclipse-a-Palooza: August 27, 2008
Piggy-backing on the Ganymede Around The World Contest, I've cherry-picked some of the better Ganymede-related (English-language) blog entries for this week.

A Peek Into China's Tech Sector
As the world turns its attention to the 2008 summer Olympic games in the northern Chinese city of Beijing, I thought it would be a good time to share the story of Brian Schwartz, a western journalist granted rare access to one of China's offshore development centers in the eastern city of Shanghai.

Classic Tips: Yes You Can! (Access Classes of One Plug-in From Another)
I was once asked the same question three times in the period of a single week: "Can classes in one plug-in access classes in another, and if so, how?" This question seems to crop up more during RCP development, but the answer is the same for building any plug-in.

Open-Source Tools: Asked and Answered
I asked and you answered. Many of you wrote in about my column two weeks ago titled, "Functional Testing Tools, the Open Source Wave," in which I described open-source alternatives to commercial test products contained in a Forrester research report. Thanks to each and every one of you for taking the time to write, particularly those to whom I didn't have time to reply personally.

EdNotes: UML Creator at EclipseWorld
World-famous computer scientist Ivar Jacobson will deliver a keynote at EclipseWorld 2008, which takes place Oct. 26-28 at the Hyatt Regency, Reston, Va. His afternoon speech is one of two keynotes on the opening day of an event considered one of the leading conferences for enterprise Java developers using Eclipse.

Software Is Deployed, Bugs and All
More than 40 percent of all software applications are released with between one and 10 critical defects. And managers are fully aware.

Eclipse-a-Palooza: August 13, 2008
In May of 2007, I suggested that Googlipse sounded like something you might get from kissing a jellyfish. Maybe some others did too, because the project fizzled.

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RESOURCES

Bug Tracking Keeps Software Fixes On Course
Here’s a test: Can you list all the issues your software team is working on now? Can you sort them...

Principles of Agile Architecture
The benefits of Agile methods are becoming more obvious and compelling. While the most popular practices were developed and proven...

SPECIAL REPORT

Best practices? Or bestest practices?
In developing software, an incremental approach and focus on constant improvement are parts of consistently successful best practices. These techniques force coders to be more diligent, which in turn raises the quality of programming.

Zero tolerance for bugs
Static analysis provides a thorough examination of code, allowing testers to see problems and descriptions of their impact on security. Drawbacks include false positive/false negative issues and a lack of a consistent implementation.

Bugs gone bad
A wide variety of bugs can cause problems for your system. Here is a list of types of bugs and exploits that companies should keep an eye out for.

Modeling gets a human touch
UML has undergone much criticism throughout its existence, but recently the tide has turned in its favor. Now UML is modeling human functions and tasks, making it easier to work with.

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