Managing multiple Maven versions
Lately I’ve been using Apache Maven 3.0 snapshots to test build compatibility on ServiceMix, Karaf and some of the other projects I work on. I’m also using 2.0.9, 2.0.10, and 2.2.1 to replicate customer environments and build servers, so it gets to be a real pain in the ass to change these around all the time. To make my life easier, this weekend I hacked up a Maven version of the awesome setjdk and defaultjdk commands written by David Blevins for Mac OSX (if you’re on a Mac and not using these scripts, you should be). (more…)
TinyOS 2.1 on Sentilla JCreate motes
I spent a little time last week getting TinyOS 2.1 apps to run on the cool little Sentilla JCreate motes and after I asked a few questions on the TinyOS mailing list it became apparent that there were others interested in doing the same. I received quite a few requests via private mail and on the mailing list to post the directions on how I got things working so here you go!!
ServiceMix and OSGi Webinars at FUSESource
If you are interested in ServiceMix and/or OSGi, we have some really interesting webinars coming up, brought to you by some of my coworkers at fusesource.com. Have a look and register for one of the upcoming sessions. Archived webinars are also available.
| Webinar | Date | Register |
| Overview of OSGi Enterprise [agenda] | April 14th, 1:00 PM GMT |  |
| Overview of OSGi Enterprise [agenda] | April 14th, 1:00 PM EDT | |
| Large Scale Deployments & ServiceMix 4 [agenda] | April 23 1:00 PM GMT | |
| Large Scale Deployments & ServiceMix 4 [agenda] | April 23 1:00 PM EDT | |
| Introduction and Demo of Distributed OSGi [agenda] | April 28 11:00 AM GMT | |
| Introduction and Demo of Distributed OSGi [agenda] | April 28 1:00 PM EDT | |
Gumstix Overo Fire == nerdy gadget lust
I have been waiting a while for Gumstix to release a more powerful Overo board with the OMAP 3530 chip, and it looks like the waiting is over. There are three new boards, but the one making me all hot and bothered is the Overo Fire. For those not aware, the OMAP 3530 is a system on chip (SoC)where the CPU, RAM, 3D video and all the other goodies sit on a single chip. The pics on the main web site above don’t do it justice, so here is a pic of the thing next to a AA battery.
So here is my plan… I’m going to get Android running on this thing ASAP. I think most of this work has been done already because the similarly spec’d BeagleBoard already has Android running on it. I am hopeful that the patches are already documented somewhere but it wouldn’t be the first time I have hacked some Linux kernel and driver code. The end goal is to have a sort of home hub or all in one remote console device with a touch screen LCD, VOIP speakerphone, all in one IR remote, 
The possibilities are endless, and I promise to open source everything under the Apache Software License where possible. Should be a fun project, if anyone is interested in helping out let me know.
Apache Directory Studio – Best open source Eclipse RCP app
I just want to say congratulations to the Apache Directory Studio guys on winning the award for Best Open Source RCP Application at EclipseCon this week. Apache Directory Studio is absolutely the best LDAP GUI editor there is. So congratulations to Pierre-Arnaud Marcelot and Stefan Seelman. Nice job guys!
G1 and Android Review
I know that the G1 and Android has been covered extensively over the last month since the official release of the G1, but after using mine for a few weeks I wanted to write up some of my thoughts here.
The first thing that comes to mind is that both the hardware and the software far exceeded my expectations. Now I had never spent much time playing with the SDK or reading blogs before the official release of the G1 but I just didn’t expect anything extraordinary from the 1.0 release of Android and a brand new handset model. I have used other people’s iPhones for short periods of time so I can honestly say that I was surprised at how good the quality is on the G1 handset and the Android software was fantastic for a 1.0 release.
From the pictures I had seen before I bought my handset, I actually thought the handset looked cheap and dorky. In reality I was surprised at how solid and nice the thing turned out to be. I bought the new Bronze color model and it really looks quite nice and has a great feel. Even the flip up screen that reveals the keyboard has a solid feel to it. I don’t exactly like the keyboard and the little “chin” at the bottom of the handset, but they hardly bother me now that I have gotten used to them.
I’m really looking forward to improvements and I think that although the current release is pretty solid, the opportunities for interesting new features and improvements has me excited. I guess I am biased since I am am open source Java developer, but the Android software has a lot of potential when you consider all the people that will be able to find new ways to tweak it. I think there are plenty of people who will be happier working in their familiar Java language than learning Objective-C.
So if you are reading this and have any doubts about the choice between an iPhone or a G1, I recommend playing wih the G1 and giving it a try. You just might be surprised like me.
