Stephen Downey on July 6th, 2006
Here is an interesting artice from Jeff Friesen discussing how to interact with a USB device using java:
Java and USB by Jeff Friesen — Want to use a USB device in Java? Some with native abstractions, like mass-storage drives, work as you'd expect, but many devices like webcams and game controllers are simply invisible to the Java programmer. Jeff Friesen looks at two APIs that expose USB devices to Java, then shows how to build a Java USB implementation of your own.
Currently, Java does not officially support USB but Jeff discusses how you can use thirdparty APIs as well as his own API. Readers may also be interested in the Bluetooth JSR.
Stephen Downey on June 15th, 2006
I came across this handy web tool for converting image files into icons. There are also tips for adding the icon to your website. I gave it a go with my Passion Development logo and it worked great.
Stephen Downey on May 30th, 2006
Well, I have been pretty busy lately hence the lack of blogs. Passion Development is up and running, well the company anyway. I still have a bit of work to do on the web site.
So why did I decide to start Passion Development?
In the last few years I have seen a lot of changes in the Software Development industry in Ireland. Companies are constantly down sizing their product development departments, in favor of short term projects developed by contractors. Gone, are the years of large product development departments that suffer from the quiet periods between projects. In today’s software industry, if you are not adding value you are simply a cost.
It is my aim to use the skills that I have developed to add value to my clients.
I asked a friend of mine, Wendy Kavanagh of dynamo to design a logo for me that emphasized my passion and love for the work that I do. I could not be happier with the finished product. It is made of an very abstract p and d. Thank you Wendy for all the hard work. Now, If I only got to work on the content for the Passion Development Website, she could work magic charm on that too.
Stephen Downey on February 23rd, 2006
Ever since I studied a module in Concurrent programming in my Masters I have been fascinated by thread programming. Growing up many moons ago as a junior programmer I was always lead to believe that threads are a bad thing and can lead to some very serious problems.
This can be true if you are not aware of some of the principles of thread programming but in the right hands they can be a very useful tool in a programmers tool kit.
One argument that keeps raising it’s head is that Synchronization is a big hit on performance. Brian Goetz has discussed this in an article of his entitled Java theory and practice: Urban performance legends. The first urban legend that he discuses, is this very topic. It is interesting to see that some programmers may compromise their programs thread safety for what they perceive to be faster code.
I have been looking on Blogger for a way to categories my blog entries, if anyone knows how to do this with Blogger can you let me know, via the comments.
Thanks
Stephen
Stephen Downey on August 10th, 2004
Since I am studying for the Java Certificate Exam,
I thought I would share some of the good resources I found.
Books
Sun Certified Programmer
Websites
Great Mock Exam
Java Programmer Exam Simulator
Directory of Certifiction related sites
Stephen Downey on August 9th, 2004
A colleague of mine gave me this link to Java tips which is pretty good, I also have the book recommended
Effective Java and it is a great source of Java advice. I would really recommend reading it as a source for code refactoring tips.
I applied for the part time masters I am planning on starting this year.
It has the advantage of completing it in a calendar year. Can’t wait to get back into study mode again.
