Category: Digital

Need to wed an eCommerce solution with a Content Management package? Here's one way how: Embedding WordPress into OS Commerce

Interesting development from IBM are help make SOA something both standardized and achievable: 

The software landscape is filled with standards for Web services, but few exist for the more broad distributed computing models such as service-oriented architectures (SOA).

That changed today as IBM, BEA Systems, Oracle, SAP AG and others vowed to create the SOA Programming Model, which includes specifications and open technologies to make it easier for companies to create applications in an SOA (define).

SOAs, which often use Web services (define) as the method for exchanging applications, are all the rage because they allow software to communicate regardless of its different code bases. If done correctly, SOAs allow developers to reuse assets, such as code or services, to cut down on manual coding labor.

For example, a Java-based smartphone might be used to tap into information from a consumer's or employees Windows-based PC, providing the necessary interoperability and security clearance.

For consumers, Web services and SOAs might enable something as simple as ordering merchandise through their televisions. But corporate employees should be able to leverage SOAs to exchange information across disparate computing gear.

No wonder then that leading enterprise infrastructure software makers such as IBM, BEA and Oracle want to open up the SOA pipeline. To this point, the companies have created their own proprietary strategies to work with their own products.

The SOA Programming Model is a break from this closed approach.

What is it specifically? This: 

SCA and SDO include: a Service Component Architecture for business services; a Java spec for implementing SCA services; a C++ specification for implementing SCA services; a Java Service Data Objects spec; and a C++ Language Service Data Objects spec.

SCA and SDO will be available royalty free, and the authors are soliciting industry feedback. Iona, Siebel Systems, Sybase and Xcalia are also founding members of the SOA Programming Model.

Read full article: IBM Devises SOA Programming Model 

Better update your Real software!: 

Digital media delivery firm RealNetworks Inc. late Thursday shipped a major security update for its RealPlayer software to patch a pair of remote code execution vulnerabilities.

Affected software include RealPlayer 8, RealPlayer 10, RealOne Player v1, RealOne Player v2, RealPlayer Enterprise (Windows): RealPlayer 10 (Mac); RealPlayer 10 and Helix Player (Linux).

Read more: 'High Risk' RealPlayer Flaws Patched

Following in the trail of the highly successful Google AdSense network and the recent Chitika, Feedburner has Launched their own ad network.

Today we formally announced the FeedBurner Ad Network, another addition to our expanding suite of services for publishers.The ad network was developed to help publishers monetize content and is backed by the trustworthy subscriber statistics we've been providing for years (well, almost years....18 months...well, a little more than 18 months). A handful of early participants are called out in today's press release, including CIO, SmartMoney, BuzzMachine, PC World, Computerworld and the Gawker network to name a few (naming only a few is better because naming the many would result in a list that would leave you thinking "couldn't they have just named a few?")

Read more at The Official FeedBurner Weblog

Recent stats show Firefox use has soared to 11 per cent while

Internet Explorer slips to 85 per cent. Safari is the third most popular browser after Internet Explorer and
Firefox with 1.75 per cent of users, followed by Opera at 0.77 per cent
and Netscape at 0.26 per cent. 

Safari is also in growth mode on the Mac as IE usage on Mac tumbles.

It also looks like users of Internet Explorer on Mac computers are switching to Apple's Safari because the global usage share is still growing.

Why the continued growth for FireFox? A robust feature set that is growing at a rapid clip is a primary driver. Innovation is alive and well in the FireFox product, and consumers are taking notice.

Read more at vnunet.com

This weekend I installed Ubuntu Linux on an old PC in an effort to create a new platform for my kids to safely access the internet and play Java and Flash based games. I've installed dozens of different Linux distributions over the years. Nothing I've ever used compares to the usability and simplicity of Ubuntu.

Ubuntu includes more than 16,000 pieces of software, but the core desktop installation fits on a single CD. Ubuntu covers every standard desktop application from word processing and spreadsheet applications to internet access applications, web server software, email software, programming languages and tools and of course several games.

I used Ubuntu's standard distribution, but there is also a specialized variant called Edubuntu tailored specifically for the young user. (Too bad I didn't see that when I first did my install!).

Looking for educational software for Linux? Tux4Kids serves up typing tutorials, math games, and other helpful software. For free, of course.

My only gripe in setting up Ubuntu was that it didn't enable 'proprietary' plugins for the FireFox browser such as Java and Flash. After quite a bit of poking around I discovered that installing these plugins is easy through using the Ubuntu's software installer (the Synaptic Package Manager). The trick is enabling proprietary software. Here's how:

After install, open ‘System » Administration » Synaptic Package Manager’. Under ‘Settings » Repositories’ click yet another ‘Settings’ button, and you will see an option to Check ‘Show disabled software updates.’
Click the ‘Add’ button, and check all the checkboxes, especially the ‘Non-Free (Multiverse).’
Check all the binary updates
No you’ll see options to install important Firefox plugins such as Java and Flash. Simply right mouse click on the software to select it component for installation, and click 'Apply.' The rest is magic!

Read more about this amazing software at Ubuntu - Linux for Human Beings.

Are Mac users smarter? Some interesting stats seem to indicate this:

Nielsen/NetRatings said that 70.2 percent of Mac users online have a college degree, compared with 54.2 percent of all Web surfers. That, combined with their longer surfing histories and their greater willingness to buy products via the Web, makes Mac consumers a prime catch for marketers...

Also interesting is the number of home users using a Mac:

Although Apple sales typically represent less than 5 percent of the
overall U.S. personal computer market, 8.2 percent of Americans who
surf the Web at home do so using a Mac, according to the study.

This makes me think that while Windows dominates in the workplace, consumers, given a choice, will pick a Mac more often than you would think.

Read more at: CNET News.com

Podcasting is all the rage. Now comes a way to monetize it:

The founder of Fruitcast, James Archer of Forty Media, saw a problem when it comes to making money with podcasting. You cannot simply connect Google AdSense to a podcast and make money from it, it just doesn't happen. He came to realize that there just weren't any services offering "advertising made simple" for podcasters, so he had set out to create his own.

Read more at: Solution Watch

Everyone needs an occasional photo for use in blogs, PowerPoint presentation, etc. This site lists 10 places you can find high quality, free photos.

If you’re not a camera buff or you simply wish to use other people’s images in your blog, then you might want to look in to free stock photography sites and services.

Read more: Top 10 Places to Find Free Images For Your Blogs

Using Google Maps? Google Maps Mania is a blog that tracks the latest in resources for those interested in using or developing Google Maps 'mashups.'

Google Maps Mania is a blog which tracks these new and interesting Google Maps that are being created by people across the web. There is an extensive categorized list of these maps along the right-hand column. Explore what amazing things are happening in this new online trend by checking back with us often!

Read more: Google Maps Mania