CodeIgniter - A lean, fast and efficient PHP Framework

I had been a web developer myself for several years and over those years I had been developing my own set of PHP libaries, downloading some from other developers, and compiling for my own professional use. Basically, I am building my own set of small framework so I can do more for less time.

Yes, I was able to read about several frameworks for PHP but most of these seem too heavy with features you will most likely not use at all, or very restrictive on how you write your code.

After months of researching and waiting for a better framework, I came across the perfect framework that is a surefire hit for many PHP programmers - CodeIgniter! I definitely love CodeIgniter because of the following general features:

• Very light weight and extremely fast: CI's only got the essential libraries for you to build a web app fast thus it loads and runs fast with very small footprint. I think it is the fastest running php framework available today!

• Flexible: If you have your own set of compiled php libraries, you can simply insert them in the framework as plugin. Extensibility is never a problem.

• Very well documented: One very important factor for me in considering a framework is its documentation and how it is written. CI has a very good documentation that even a newbie php programmer can easily follow on a begin coding productively in no time at all.

• Clear segregation of development roles - the M-V-C Model: You can have a team of programmers and developers working on the same project without 'stepping onto each other's toes'. This means that your development crew can work separately on UI and programming logic. This way, development is efficient and be productive at the same time.

• Broad compatibility: Some frameworks like CakePHP requires command line interfaces (CLI) to generate codes behind for you however, this is not practical if your into shared hosting which most of us are. This feature limits your applications compatibility.

I highly recommend project leaders and programmers alike to seriously, seriously consider this framework. We had been using this and I am proud to say that my programmers are very happy coding with it. Once again, hit your IT bottom lines - efficiency and productivity with CodeIgniter. Happy coding everyone.

Visit the CodeIgniter site here.

Enterprise Software Services on a Shoestring Budget

So you wanted to have a large storage email server, calendar sharing, document collaboration, internal instant messaging and shared contacts list but never have the financial resources to setup one for your small startup business. Many businesses are spending fortunes just to have these enterprise technologies all in aid of workplace productivity and efficiency not knowing that there are equivalent, if not better, alternatives.
For a measly US$ 30 budget, your business can have most of the technology services big corporations enjoy like:

• An email account for up to 200 employees with a whopping 6GB storage plus, your own registered email domain like joe.stariani@acmesolutions.com.
• Unlimited Calendar Services which may be collaboratively shared among co-workers so as not to miss out any important appointments and events. Moreover, your staff can be reminded through SMS or mobile texts.
• Collaborative document management through online document sharing.
• Document workflows.
• Website hosting and design with no programming skills needed.
• Company / department-wide intranet website and
• Knowledgebase

Things to do and you would need:

1. Create an account at http://www.dyndns.org and register a new domain.
2. Register your new domain at Google Apps (http://www.google.com/a/)
3. Follow the setup procedures indicated at Google Apps.
4. Voila! You are all set to go.

Need help?

If setting these services is too complicated for you or just too busy, my services are totally free if your institution is a school, a church or a civic organization. For companies of any size, expenses for travel, meals and insurance are required – nothing more. Training and support are free as well.

A Better Way to Collect Data with Google Forms

One of the many things I included in my Google Wishlist for 2008 is a way to create forms that can be submitted through email. Early this week, Google has realeased its forms generator that is part of Google Spreadsheet. The forms can be designed dynamically and may be published as an embedded application in websites or as forms in emails. All data submitted are stored in a spreadsheet.

With this new feature, It has many functional uses in the office. Some examples are:

1. survey/feedback forms,
2. membership application forms,
3. simple online support tickets,
4. employee proficiency quiz forms,
5. sick/vacation leave forms,
6. purchase request forms, and
7. many many more.

Google Forms is still very much in its infancy (beta version) and still need many improvements to make it ready for the enterprise. For now, simple as it may seem, has very promising future ahead. I beleive that the next step
after this will be a workflow designer.

Turn your single PC into multiuser workstation.

One of the biggest challenges faced by every IT manager is asking additional budget for infrastructure even if it is reasonably justifiable. Even if the budget gets approved, it does take some time before it gets realized.

A case in point is requesting purchases of new PC desktops for new hires. Delaying it is not an option for very obvious reasons – lost productivity hours.

Userful(tm) has provided a solution to such challenges. It turns a single PC into a mutiple workstation. All you need is a dual-head video card, an additional monitor, keyboard and mouse and installing Userful software in your Ubuntu Operating System and voila! Every user works in its own independent session. What's even more amazing is that it runs surprisingly fast even with 512 MB of RAM.

The advantages of doing such set-up is clear and I have enumerated them below:

• Saves on electricity bills,

• lessens equipment purchases,

• maximise resources, and

• improve workforce productivity.

Userful comes in different liceses. 1) A FREE 2 user license and 2) paid multiuser, annually renewable licenses. Try the first option in your office and see if it works for you.

10 Things You Should Do After Installing Ubuntu On Your Laptop

I recently installed Ubuntu Linux 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) on my laptop and it went without a hitch. This OS is very responsive, relatively easy to use, very stable and has a remarkable user support. Ubuntu is undoubtedly an excellent alternative to MS Windows XP/Vista but new users coming from these operating systems may still find the transition quite drastic because of some minor annoyances:

• the menu on the top window,

• 'ugly' system default fonts,

• the Ubuntu brown theme isn't quite aesthetically appealing, and

• mouse 'skips' everytime touchpad is accidentally touched.

I have outlined some suggested things to install and configure to make Ubuntu experience feels “homey” for users coming form MS Windows XP/Vista. These suggested changes will absolutely make them go wow and not switch back to old Windows.

1. Install CompizConfig Settings Manager

   Compiz is one of the first compositing window managers for the X Window System that uses 3D graphics hardware to create fast compositing desktop effects for window management. The effects, such as a minimization effect and a cube workspace are implemented as loadable plugins.

   See Instructions

2. Install Emerald Windows Decorator

   Emerald is the sister project of beryl, and while they don't require each other to run, they are developed in parallel so they may work as close together as possible. Emerald project is a window decorator that provides the borders to your windows normally provided by Metacity or Kwin.

   See Instructions

3. Install MS True Type Core Fonts

   This package allows for easy installation of the Microsoft True Type Core Fonts for the Web including: Andale Mono Arial Black Arial (Bold, Italic, Bold Italic) Comic Sans MS (Bold) Courier New (Bold, Italic, Bold Italic) Georgia (Bold, Italic, Bold Italic) Impact Times New Roman (Bold, Italic, Bold Italic) Trebuchet (Bold, Italic, Bold Italic) Verdana (Bold, Italic, Bold Italic)

   See Instructions

4. Install Gnome Main Menu Applet

   A better alternative to Ubuntu's default drop-down menu. Clean, organized and it can get you around different applications within just two clicks of a mouse.

   See Instructions

5. Disable Synaptics Touchpad While Typing

   For many of us, our laptop touchpads get in the way of our typing quite often and can actually cause us to highlight or minimize things we didn't intend. So, this will help to alleviate that by making a small delay in the response of the touchpad after typing.

   See Instructions

6. Install & Configure WiFi Radar

   WiFi Radar is a utility for managing WiFi profiles. It enables you to scan for available networks and create profiles for your preferred networks. At boot time, running WiFi Radar will automatically scan for an available preferred network and connect to it. You can drag and drop your preferred networks to arrange the profile priority.

   See Instructions

7. Install Java Runtime Engine

   The Java Runtime Environment (JRE), also known as Java Runtime, is part of the Java Development Kit (JDK), a set of programming tools for developing Java applications. The Java Runtime Environment provides the minimum requirements for executing a Java application; it consists of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), core classes, and supporting files.

   See Instructions

8. Install TimeVault – A Version Control and File Restore

   By default, Ubuntu system doesn't provide a way to restore directory or file changes. Creating a backup of files and directories of files and restoring back to a specific version is a requirement every desktops should have. This is much like Mac's Time Machine or Microsoft's Previous Version.

   See Instructions

9. Backup and Restore Your Ubuntu System

   Should you encounter problems on your Ubuntu system it is always wise to provide a way to restore your system to it's last working state. This guide provides a practical approach to setting-up one.See Instructions
   

10. Know Where To Get Help
    
    Ubuntu's got lots of support. There were times I had problems on my installation and immediately searched the forums and voila – most of the things you need answered are there. If you need a more immediate support you can always go to #ubuntu IRC channel. Those guys there has been very helpful. Here's a link if you need some support:
    Ubuntu Forums: http://ubuntuforums.org/
    IRC Channel: Simply download the Hgnome chat and go to #ubuntu channel
    
    

NB: These are a compilation of resources on how to outfit your Ubuntu Installation for laptops. Different users have different requirements but this is, I believe, are the essentials for common laptop users on Ubuntu.