Internet through the sky

Hi,

it’s incredible how Internet is in everywhere. After Wi-Fi, WiMax and 3G make possible the internet access in shoppings and airports, it’s time to read your favority blog inside the airplane.

According to American Airlines, their passengers will be able to test in-flight Internet access. At the beginning, just two flights will provide this service: New York – Los Angeles and San Francisco – Miami, both in Boing 7676-200. However, the company have plans to enlarge the service in two weeks.

Passengers will be able to use e-mail, instant messaging, to download video and connect to secure networks on notebook computers or other wireless devices such as smart phones through three wireless access points on the plane. Unfortunately, this service will not be free of taxs. Facing record high fuel prices, American plans to charge $9.95 to $12.95 for Internet service, depending on flight length.

Well, it seems a good entertainment alternative for that long/boring flights and to help in some late job.

–
Fernando

Software Architecture in Practice

Hi,

this week I started reading this book, since software architecture is the computer science’s area that I like most. It’s too early to give my real opinion about it, but it has a very good reading. After the introduction chapters, I was able to understand the real concept of Software Architecture, its business cycle, known as ABC, and what makes a good architecture. So, let’s do it in parts.

Software architecture has emerged as a crucial part of the design process, representing a summary result of a set of business and technical decisions. It is defined as follows:

“The software architecture of a program is the structure or structures of the system, which comprise software components, the externally visible properties of those components, and the relationships among them.“

So, the architecture defines components, their nature, the relationship among them, the significance of each relationship, the significance of the layout and the data and control flow through the system.

After the definition, it’s time to understand the architecture business cycle. Here is how it works:

1. The architecture affects the structure of the developing organization: teams are formed for each software unit; schedules and budgets allocate resources in chunks corresponding to the units.
2. The architecture can affect the enterprise goals of the developing organization: a succesfull system can enable a company to establish a foothold in a particular area.
3. The architecture can affect the customers requirements for the next system by presenting the customer with the opportunity to receive an upgrade system (based on the same architecture) in a more reliable, timely and economical way than building a system from scratch.
4. The process of building the system will affect the architect’s experience for subsequent systems.
5. A few systems will influnce and actually change the software engineering culture.

Finally, the answer that everyone wants to know: What makes a good architecture? Unfortunately, there is no such thing as an inherently good or bad architecture, but a software architecture that fits more or less for some stated purpose. Even so, there is some process/structural roles when creating a system architecture, as described below:

• The architecture should be the product of a single architect or a small group of architects with an identified leader.
• The architect should have the technical requirements for the system.
• The architecture should be well documented.
• The architecture should be circulated to the system’s steakholders, who should be actively involved in its review.
• The architecture should feature well-defined modules whose functional responsabilities are allocated on the principles of information hiding and separation of concerns.
• The architect should never depend upon a particular version of a comercial product or tool.
• The architecure should feature a small number of simple interaction patterns.

Well, I’ve just read three chapters and in a close future we will have a lot of other things to discuss here.

See you.

–
Fernando

Google Code Jam 2008

Hi,

For you who like competitions, this is another big event in computer science world. Different from Google Summer of Code, which envolves the implementation of a new OpenSource project,  Google Code Jam is a challenge to programmers interested in solving algorithm problems, using less time as possible.

Subscriptions to Google Code Jam finish in July 17th and the final round will occur in November 14th, at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View. If you’re in doubt in participating, maybe this information will help you take a decision: Google Code Jam awards involves U$80.000,00.

Some Google’s words:

“Do you enjoy solving tough problems and grappling with technical challenges? Then enter Google Code Jam!

Google Code Jam is a coding competition in which professional and student programmers are asked to solve complex algorithmic challenges in a limited amount of time. The contest is all-inclusive: Google Code Jam lets you program in the coding language and development environment of your choice.

Google Code Jam begins in July and August where you will compete in online rounds against contestants from around the world. The Top 500 participants will advance to onsite competitions at a local Google office to compete against those in their region (Asia Pacific; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and the Americas). The Top 100 will participate in the final round at the Google Headquarters in Mountain View, California on Friday, November 14.

Don’t be left out! Make sure to register between June 17 and July 17, and show your coding creativity in Google Code Jam.“

The good new for this year is the possibility of writing the answer in you preffered programming language. A tool with this purpose was created for google’s developers (using their 20% of work time for personal ideas) and winners of last versions of this competition. Another motivation, isn’t it?

More information here.

–
Fernando

3G iPhone

Hi,

this week is far away from being an usual week for Apple Lover. In June 9th happens the Apple WWDC and a lot of speculations had been done for the secound-generation iPhone.

Apple announced the iPhone in January 9th and besides of its spectacular multi-touch screen with virtual keyboard and buttons, a big number of users claimed iPhone’s internet connection and digital camera.

Does that problems will continue in the second generation of Apple’s main product? According to gizmodo, they don’t.

To solve the internet speed, the new iPhone will come with the third generation of mobile phone standards and technology (3G), which one offers users a wider range of services while achieving greater network capacity. This means: wide-area wireless voice telephony, video calls, and broadband wireless data.

For the camera, new iPhone brings a frontal one wich allows video calls, but no more informations. So, to know if iPhone 2 will also provide users a real digital camera (video, more mega pixels, flash and better motion support) you will have to wait. And so do I.

So, let’s wait June 9th and see another Steve’s show.

–
Fernando

Firefox Download Day

Hi,

one of the most expected announced is the release of Firefox 3 (and iPhone2 at June, 9). And with the realease of Firefox 3, Mozilla wants to make a new Guiness World Record: the software with the greatest number of downloads in the first 24 hours. For that, Mozilla creates the Firefox Download Day and now they need our help. Register yourself on the campaign website and receive by email the official date for the launch of Firefox 3.

Here is what the site says:

“Sounds like a good deal, right? All you have to do is get Firefox 3 during Download Day to help set the record for most software downloads in 24 hours – it’s that easy. We’re not asking you to swallow a sword or to balance 30 spoons on your face, although that would be kind of awesome.

By the way, the official date for the launch of Firefox 3 will be posted here soon – so check back! Join our community and this effort by pledging today.“

Go to the website and join the campaign.

If you are in doubt about the downloading the new version of Firefox, here is some good reasons for doing that:

• New Features: Firefox 3 sets the innovation bar very high with exciting new features, including one-click bookmarking, the smart location bar and lightning fast performance.
• Security: Keeping you and your personal information safe is our top priority. Firefox 3 includes phishing and malware protection, plus our new instant site ID info.
• Productivity: With features like built-in spell checking, session restore and full zoom, Firefox 3 makes it possible to work faster and more efficiently on the Web.
• Customization: Your taste and needs set you apart from the rest. With Firefox 3 you can choose from over 5,000 add-ons that help you customize your browsing experience.

Now, it’s up to you.

–
Fernando