Java ME no more?

There has been reports going on lately that Sun Microsystem will phase out it's touted Java ME (Micro Edition) in favor of a more robust offering in Java SE (Standard Edition). According to James Gosling, often called the father of Java, this is not absolutely true as Java ME is continually evolving. Also he added that as mobile devices are becoming more powerful sooner or later Java ME and Java SE will converge.

What is Java ME and Java SE?

Java ME is a collection of Java APIs for the development of software for small, resource-constrained devices such as cell phones and PDAs. [wikipedia] Java SE on the other hand is the Java platform used to deploy portable applications for general use. [wikipedia]

Brighter Sun

I really those two codebase merge. I haven't done any programming (yet) in Java ME because it is a different beast compared to the standard Java platform. And it will be a welcome addition to code mobile and desktop applications under one set of APIs. Maybe one day we could finally realise the true meaning of 'write once run anywhere' mantra, not just for different systems but for different devices as well. And with the open sourcing of Java, things are going to get bright and exciting for Java developers.

Ubuntu Linux 7.10 Released

Last October 18, Canonical Ltd. - the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu - just announced that the latest Ubuntu Linux 7.10 codenamed Gutsy Gibbon is already available for free download. According to the press release, "Ubuntu 7.10 Desktop Edition adds an enhanced user interface, improved hardware support, multiple monitor support and integrated desktop search" as well as "bringing together the best open source and free software available in a stable, robust environment that 'just works'."

This is a great news to all Linux users out there, just recently Canonical Ltd. released Ubuntu 7.04 codenamed Feisty Fawn, and in keeping true to their bi-annual release you can download the latest version of Ubuntu here. I personally had fun ordering 5 Ubuntu 7.04 cds which I promptly gave to some of my officemates, who like me, have been using Linux for quite sometime.

I highly recommend everyone who are open source enthusiast, Linux users, or just brave souls to give Ubuntu 7.10 a spin and see the benefits - first hand - of using Linux.

Leopard coming this October 26!

It has finally arrive, the most anticipated release of Apple's most visually stunning OS to date, the Mac OS X Leopard. After 2 years since the released of the famed, Mac OS X Tiger, Apple has managed to once again up the ante in the OS Wars. I think this year will be a blowout year for all the OSes. Microsoft just launched early this year their 5 years-in-the-making Windows Vista and as Linux OS such as the high-rise Ubuntu began picking up steam in the alternative OS department, Apple certainly doesn't want to be left behind in this year battle of the OS.

Apple boasts around 300 new exciting features in their upcoming Leopard. Ranging from the most obvious revamp of the desktop, to slick applications such as Time Machine and Spaces, to the completely overhauled Finder, great additions such as Quick Look, and to various development tools this will certainly be an anticipated release for the Apple users worldwide.

To all Apple users and would-be switchers, don't forget to line up on the 26th of October at your favorite Apple store. Well I am still hoping I could buy a new Apple laptop with this OS inside by the end of this year.

Davao City will be a WiFi free zone

Good news fellow Davaoenoes - local businesses in Davao City are mulling a plan to make the city a free wireless internet access zone. You heard it right, Davao City will soon be a premier information and communication center much like Singapore. The said project will be the main agenda on the upcoming 6th Mindanao Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Congress on October 23-24.

When I was in Davao last August, I was amazed to find out that most coffee shops within the metro offered free wifi access. This is a great boon considering that wireless internet access nowadays is rampant and offers added bonus to a local business.

If the project will indeed push through, it will be disruptive that telecommunications company might try hard to put the program in the back-burner, just imagine what will happen if VOIP suddenly becomes available for free and widespread.

And if indeed this will push through, Davao City will once again rise to the top. As of now, Davao City has the most comprehensive traffic management system of any city in the Philippines as well as having our own 911 help line, the first outside US and Canada. And with this project, Davao will be put in the ICT map and lucrative businesses will (hopefully) flow in.

10 Years of Thinking Different

This is the full text of the "Think Different" Apple campaign launched last 1997. The video of which always send shiver down my spine. As a history lover, it is always good to note the big figures being shown in that Apple commercial. Although I don't own a Mac, just an iPod, I wish Apple will once again starts to Think Different and cater back to their customer.

Here’s to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules.
And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They push the human race forward.
And while some see them as the crazy ones,
We see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world,
Are the ones who do