I just recently released a new OSS project called jixedbar, a jQuery plugin that stick/fix a Div element on the bottom of a page/website. Inspired by Facebook’s fixed app/menu bar, the code is based on the jstcky (deprecated project) but with improved codebase, features, and written as a jQuery plugin to maximize the use of jQuery’s rich features.

Here’s a quick demo: http://ryan.rawswift.com/sandbox/jixedbar-0.0.2/demo/

You can get the Beta release from Google Code Project Host, either by downloading the archive file or through Subversion (SVN) repository.

Send your comments and suggestions to rawswift at gmai dot com.

Cheers!

EasyPHP on Windows 7

Apache

I am accustomed in using EasyPHP on a Windows platform. Installation, running, and configuring it is always a breeze (on Windows XP that is). Recently I’ve installed Windows 7 RTM on my MSI notebook and installed EasyPHP 5.3.0, though the Installation goes flawlessly but then when I launch the stack software, Apache wouldn’t start.

I turned off the firewall but no luck. So I did a search on google, again no luck with Windows 7 specific solution but I found one for Windows Vista. I tried it anyway, then BAM! It worked! I finally got Apache to start, tried opening the local default web and it worked perfectly. Here’s the error message and how to fix it:

Apache cannot be runned: another Web server use the Web port
or port is blocked by firewall.

1. Click the EasyPHP icon beside “Apache” button.
2. Click “Configure” then click “EasyPHP“.
3. Uncheck “Check server’s TCP port before starting” then click “Apply” button and then “Close” button.
4. Click “Apache” button and then click “Start“.

That would fix the “Apache cannot be runned…” problem.

MySQL

Got the Apache server to work but after I closed EasyPHP and run it again, I’m hit with another error message:

Unexpected end of MySql... See log file?

Now it’s from MySQL. After a few head scratching and inspection. And then it hit me! I figure that must be a permission problem. So I changed my user’s permission for the EasyPHP directory and Viola! MySQL finally start. Solved the MySQL problem. Here’s what I did:

1. Go to “Computer“, open/view Drive C, then double click “Program Files (x86)“.
2. Right click on “EasyPHP5.3.0” folder then click “Properties“.
3. On “Security” tab click “Edit…” button.
4. Select the user that you are currently using.
5. Under “Permissions for Users” box, tick “Full control” on “Allow” column.
6. And then click “OK” button to apply the changes.

Now you’ll be able to start MySQL server by clicking “MySQL” button on EasyPHP dialog and then click “Start“.

Hope this helps!

Yesterday, I bought my new shiny notebook to replace my old one. It’s an MSI CR400. Its the first in a new series called “Classic”. It’s a 14-inch elegant looking notebook with Intel Core 2 Duo processor, NVIDIA GeForce video card, 4GB memory, and comes with 250GB SATA hard drive. Bought it for just 29,999.00 Php ($624.99).

Here’s the complete spec of my notebook:

Loaded it up with Ubuntu 9.04 (jaunty jackalope).

If you are a PHP developer, you know that code refactor, code completion, and code assist is a very essential features that you’ll want to have on an IDE and Adobe’s Dreamweaver couldn’t give that to you. Don’t get me wrong, I love Dreamweaver, actually I’m still using it (on my Windows desktop) for HTML and web design mockups and it’s still one of the best HTML editor out there but that’s about it, an HTML editor, nothing more.

Have you ever tried Aptana? Well you should! If you’re a Web developer, building the next biggest, greatest, and newest application of the future then Aptana will be a great tool for you. It has code refactor, PHP code completion, code assist, FTP, SFTP, and SSH support and it’s FREE (Aptana Community Edition)! Plus it also has support for Ruby (Rails), Python, Adobe Air, and other language or platform. But wait there’s more! Ajax libraries (jQuery, Prototype/Scriptaculous, Adobe Spry, Dojo, etc). And if you’re a code version control freak, no worries! It has CVS, Subversion, or Git plugin support.

Enough with the promotion! Cause I will not get paid even doing so. But if you want an IDE with tons of support and features then Aptana is one of the best out there. Especially their code assist feature, it’s a top-notch. Aptana’s code completion for PHP’s common methods are default, you’ll have to install PHP plugin first to get this feature and for Aptana to recognize PHP codes and files.

To enable PHP Code Assist in Aptana, follow the simple instructions below. This will be useful if you have classes and methods that you want to be visible all over your project.

Code Assist will only work locally which means your source file must be in your local drive (not on a remote). But there’s a workaround for this, and we’ll get to that later on.

This is how to enable PHP Code Assist:

Local Projects

1. Click “Project” tab (found on the left panel of Aptana environment).
2. Create a new project (right click, New -> Project…).
3. (on New Project window, under Aptana Projects) Select “PHP Project“.
4. Click “Next” button, type in your project name then click “Finish” button.
5. Select and right click on the newly created project and click on “Properties“.
6. Select “Project Natures“.
7. Tick “com.aptana.ide.editor.php.phpnature (PHP Nature)“.
8. Then click “Ok” button.

Remote Projects

If your working with remote files (remote server or hosted site) then steps are different but almost similar to the above.

1. Click “Project” tab (found on the left panel of Aptana environment).
2. Create a new project (right click, New -> Project…).
3. (on New Project window, under Aptana Projects) Select “Existing Hosted Site“.
4. Click “Next” button, type in your project name then click “Next“.
5. Choose or create a new remote location (FTP or SFTP) then click “Finish” button.

   Please note that the source file needs to be downloaded into your local drive, so choose “Yes” in the Download prompt/window. Be patient and wait for the download to complete.

6. Select and right click on the newly created project and click on “Properties“.
7. Select “Project Natures“.
8. Tick “com.aptana.ide.editor.php.phpnature (PHP Nature)“.
9. Then click “Ok” button.

After doing the changes in the source file, you can use the “Smart Sync” feature of Aptana to synchronize your local and remote source files. Another cool feature of Aptana.

Hope this helps!

Microsoft has just opened its gate to public for its Windows 7 RC 1, earlier than everyone thought. The latest version of Windows 7, that is for testing purpose. Here are a few Windows 7 tidbit the you can expect on the latest version:

• A few UI tweaks (look and feel) and additional functionality.
• A media sharing options for Windows 7 called Remote Media Streaming.
• Windows XP emulation. Need I say more?
• Starter Edition for little lappie (netbooks).

Hurry and download it now! The RC version will be available at least through July 2009 with (almost) unlimited product keys. By the way the RC version will expire on June 1, 2010. Download and read the rest of the instructions from Microsoft’s official Windows 7 download and instruction page.

Enjoy!

Microsoft Visual C# Express

For the past couple of days, I’ve been learning C# language. Thus far, I really enjoy learning C#. Actually after an hour of reading articles/posts and sample codes on the Internet, I was able to dive in and create a simple application. No, not that “Hello world” app, but a useful app for me.

Building Windows application was not new to me. 3 or 4 years ago I’ve built an enterprise application for a medical company using Visual Basic, version 6. I have a lot of fun building that application. Well, it’s an Inventory system, not an average inventory system but a real mind boggling system that will really turn your brain upside-down. What really makes it complicated is the integration of the company’s Business Model. We try to automate everything but within the Business Model there are a lot of complicated processes that will surely twist your brain. But anyway I’m trough with it, solved the problems, and release it just in time. What I am proud of is the result application, which is a very stable and efficient enterprise application. 3+ years running without a glitch, imagine that!

Anyway, I really like C# language. Coming from Visual Basic, C, and PHP, I haven’t had the hard time learning it. I you have the same programming background as I am; surely you’ll be able to learn the language in no time, especially if you’re into OOP paradigm. If you’re a Java developer then transition will be swift.

The first thing to remember before diving right in is in C# language “Everything is an object.” If you’re into OO then you’ll know what I mean.

Don’t worry how messy your codes will be. Just built it! Refactor later! The most important thing right now is for your app to work. Hey! Nobody gets it for the first time. Unless you’re me, right! Haha enjoy and happy programming with C#.

What’s the taste? Sweeeeettt!

Reminders and things to-do:

1. Download Visual C# Express from Microsoft website. It’s FREE!
2. Read a lot of samples and article/post on the Internet. Here’s a couple I’ve found (Though I haven’t read them, It might come useful to you.)
   1. Introduction to C#
   2. Learning C# by example
3. Think of a useful project to do. Plan it and build it!
4. While building your app, spent the time to refactor your code. You’ll be saving yourself from a lot of headaches when your app turns into a monster code-base.
5. Always think OO!
6. Continuously improve your processes.

Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope

Just finished downloading Ubuntu 9.04, code-named JauntyJackalope. Its latest public release made its way yesterday April 23, 2009 PST. Though I haven’t yet installed it but judging by the couple of reviews that I’ve read, this version is kinda promising. I use OpenSUSE on my development desktop and I’m not planning on dumping it anytime soon. To be honest, I’m not really a fan of Ubuntu distro. I had the chance to try it years ago, 4 or 5 years ago, I think but after a week or so, I returned to my good ol’ FreeBSD. I guess it’s the brown theme that made me hate it. And yeah! I use FreeBSD as a desktop! Sounds geeky huh? But that was years ago, I am now using OpenSUSE distro for my desktop and it makes me feel just right. But with the latest release of Ubuntu, thing might chance!

I read a couple of reviews regarding Jaunty Jackalope and the reviews was good, it is fast, slick as Windows 7 or Mac OS X, new features/notification, EXT4 file system support, boot time improvement and updated applications.

The next release will be code-named Karmic Koala or 9.10 which will be on October 2009.

Elive is an Operating System built on top of Debian GNU/Linux, customized to offer users eye-candy OS experience with minimal hardware requirements.

The video below uses Enlightenment 17 on top of Elive and a special version of Compiz called Ecomorph to achieve the eye-candy effects.

Download: http://www.elivecd.org/Download/e17-compiz

Here’s the scenario:

You have this really cool idea of an OSS project and you have already coded some of its source, though not stable enough for release you’d decided to create and uploaded it on Google Code repository to track the development history. “Trunk tree should only have the stable source”, with this in mind you’d decided to create a branch directory (/1.0) and upload your unstable source in there. After days of hacking and cracking, you finally have a source candidate for the trunk tree. So, how do you copy your candidate branch to the empty trunk?

Remember that when you create a new project on Google Code, your initial repository will already have a branches, tags, and trunk tree.

Using “svn merge” will not do, because you still have an empty trunk.

But how about “svn copy“?

> svn copy https://your-project.googlecode.com/svn/branches/1.0 \
   https://your-project.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/

That wouldn’t do either. Yes it’ll copy all the files and directories inside the “/branch/1.0” directory but it’ll include the “/1.0” directory. Meaning the end result will be “/trunk/1.0“.

https://your-project.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/1.0

You don’t want that, do you? Remember that Trunk directory should always contain the latest and stable source. So the “/1.0” directory will be inappropriate. What you wanted to achieve in your project repository tree, is to look like this:

• /svn/branches
  • /1.0
    • source.file.1
    • source.file.2
• /tags
• /trunk
  • source.file.1
  • source.file.2

Solution

The way to do this (without temporarily deleting the trunk directory) is to first, checkout the candidate branch, change working directory and import.

1. Checkout the candidate/stable branch:

   > svn co https://your-project.googlecode.com/svn/branches/1.0 branch-1.0
   > cd branch-1.0
   

2. Import to the empty trunk:

   > svn import https://your-project.googlecode.com/svn/trunk \
      -m 'Stable source from branches/1.0, revision 26.'
   

Pros: Quick and easy, without deleting the current trunk tree.
Cons: What happened on the branch (history) stays on the branch.

Got another solution? I’d love to hear from you.

Got a new project started at Google Code. It’s simple called “jstcky“. It’s a framework written in JavaScript and uses jQuery library that stick or fix a menu/app bar at the bottom of a page. It is inspired by Facebook’s fixed application/chat bar. Please checkout my post on how to fix an element/bar on the bottom of a page.

The project is still undergoing development. So, bugs may crawl and few functionalities as of this time.

I’ve already upload the jstcky codebase on Google Repository under “branches” tree. So do check it out!