2005 Hello From Jerusalem
Posting this quick entry to say "hi" from the holy city of Jerusalem (vacation trip, for a change).
2005 WebAssist Database Search
A colleague just forwarded me a link to a page describing WebAssist Database Search, a Dreamweaver extension which generates rather impressive looking search and drill-down interface code against databases of your choice. Code is generated for ColdFusion, ASP, and PHP (as the code supports CF5 or later I am assuming that it does not generate CFCs which is a bit of a bummer). I've not played with this one myself yet, but considering just how many of the apps I run into that are database search front-ends, this one could be well worth $150.
2005 Ted Patrick On Flex
Ted Patrick has posted his thoughts on Flex after having completed his first project for a client. This one is well worth the read.
2005 ColdFusion Documentation In Polish
CFML.pl has posted CFMX7 documentation in Polish.
2005 ColdFusion Powers PalmGear.com
As the owner of a new PalmOne Treo, I've been dropping by PalmGear.com, and was pleased to see that it is powered by ColdFusion and Fusebox.
2005 Report Builder Tutorial: Using Input Parameters
I am working on a series of short Breeze (and Captivate) based tutorials on the new ColdFusion Report Builder. The first on Using Input Parameters is now online. Next one will be on charting. If you have suggestions for future topics, let me know.
2005 ColdFusion Powers Uniden Online
Uniden creates electronics, cordless phones to digital scanners to VoIP equipment to marine electronic and more. Uniden's web site is powered by ColdFusion. Thanks to Tommy Forrest for bringing this one to my attention.
2005 Treo 10 Day Report
I've been using my Treo 650 for a week and a half now, and I'll admit it, I am addicted to this thing. It's not perfect, actually it is rather imperfect, but I can't see myself parting with it anytime soon.
I mentioned some pros and cons last week, and here are some additional comments and thoughts:
Pros: GSM coverage is great (I had problems in Portland last week, but no problems at all in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Las Vegas), GPRS throughput is decent (although that is as much a provider consideration as it is the device), keyboard is decent once you get used to it, IR works well, integrated apps are decent (although not great), and the built-in web browser works very well (except for pages that use lost of JavaScript).
Cons: device is too big to hold next to your ear so an earpiece is a must, it feels sluggish at times (I can make 2 or 3 clicks with no response, and then the screen rapidly changes and catches up resulting in incorrect selections), no "back" button (I am in an app, phone rings so it switches to the phone screen, no one button way to get back to where you were, this one irks me no end), volume is low (phone, earbud, and even speakerphone), Bluetooth is still not quite there (does not always synch, does not publish all data), voice based dialing via Bluetooth just does not work, buttons (even screen buttons) are too close and easily mis-clicked (I have hung up on lots of calls while trying to answer them), battery life is pathetic, and the screen easily scratched (I already have little styles marks on it).
The device is also hanging on me less, the odd things is that it seems to hang more if I don't use the Bluetooth headset (which makes no sense). I installed VeriChat and am not sure that that was wise (somehow this feels more intrusive and distracting than IM on the desktop), may have to remove that.
The other annoyance is that with so many buttons and controls so close together it is close together it is close to impossible to use the device without looking at it. Then again, I find it bulky and it if were less so ... I know I know. I guess if Bluetooth voice dialing worked that would be less of an issue.
So, the bottom line, I am keeping this one. It's not the perfect device, but it is as close to it as I have seen yet.
2005 ColdFusion Powers Amusement Park Sites
Visiting Great America in CA? Kings Dominion in VA? Canada's Wonderland in Toronto? The web sites for these and other Paramount sites are all powered by ColdFusion MX. Thanks to Robert Richardson for bringing these to my attention.
2005 Creating A Telnet Gateway
A CFC that accepts text input and returns text responses can easily be made accessible via Telnet. This is what you'll need to do:
1) Make a copy of /cfusionmx7/gateway/config/socket.cfg (name it telnet.cfg perhaps), and then edit the copy and change the port: port=23.
2) Create a new gateway instance of type "TCP/IP Socket", give it a unique name, point it at the telnet.cfg config file, and at your CFC file.
3) Start the new gateway instance.
4) Use a Telnet client to connect to your ColdFusion server (specify DNS name or IP address).
That should do it.