Blog

On Twitter

Submitted by Ross Kendall on Tue, 07/04/2009 - 1:12pm

Well I feel like a bit of a luddite waiting this long to join the micro-blogging bandwagon, but I finally have. I guess I found all the hype a bit off-putting.

I am now on Twitter @rosskendall

Also, since I'm an Open Source (and open-data) fan, I have also signed up on Identi.ca - identi.ca/rosskendall
(the two accounts are linked, so all identi.ca posts end up on twitter)

Since I am usually short on time to write proper blog posts, I actually find micro-blogging suits me well. It is also a great way to keep up-to-date with things I am interested in - and pass helpful things on.

I'm going to keep my twitter posts focused on web-development, including: Magento, Drupal, programming (Perl and PHP), design, SEO, etc. I find trivial personal comments a bit distracting, especially if there are lots of them, so I won't be making them myself

An Open Source Alternative to Dreamweaver?

Submitted by Ross Kendall on Fri, 20/02/2009 - 1:32am

I just received an email asking me just that.

I see on your site you mention about open source software like open office etc, can you recommend an opensource web design software that competes with dream weaver etc?

Well, here's my thoughts...

There isn't really an open source equivalent to Dreamweaver, but if you are after a desktop based WYSIWYG HTML editor then Kompozer is probably the better of the alternatives.

parrot.org Website Launches

Submitted by Ross Kendall on Thu, 04/09/2008 - 5:29pm

Parrot - speaks your language

Those who are 'into' the Perl programming language will know about the mammoth project to re-design Perl for Perl 6. Part of that was to develop the Parrot Virtual Machine - a next generation VM specially designed for the unique needs of dynamic languages (in particular Perl 6).

...well, it's been quite a few years now, but I really feel that things are starting to come together. The launch of a shiny new website for Parrot at parrot.org is another thing that helps to confirm this. (As a side note, it's good to see the site running on Drupal, although I doubt they are using PHP on Parrot just yet.)

Mozilla Firefox Aims to Set World Record

Submitted by Ross Kendall on Fri, 30/05/2008 - 12:21pm

Download Day - English

If you are not using Firefox yet, now is definitely the time. Go check it out, even if it's only for the groovy world map!

If you use Firefox 2 and are wondering why would I be interested in Firefox 3, have a look at this quick video screencast overview.

openSUSE 11.0 Linux on the Way

Submitted by Ross Kendall on Fri, 16/05/2008 - 4:10pm

I have been using SUSE Linux (now openSUSE) on my desktop and laptop computers for a number of years now, and have always found it to be a better desktop that's more to my liking than other Linux distros (although I am more comfortable with Redhat on servers).

While at first I was a bit skeptical, I think Novell have done a great job with openSUSE, and each new release offers numerous improvements.

Magento 1.0 released! - Open Source E-Commerce Evolved

Submitted by Ross Kendall on Mon, 31/03/2008 - 10:08pm

Magento Ecommerce

If you haven't heard of Magento yet, it is now time you should. The web based Magento software is a next-generation e-commerce system that puts previous open source 'shopping carts' to shame.

I have been putting the beta versions of Magento through their paces for the last 6 months, and while it is still early days, I am thoroughly impressed.

The version 1.0 release is a significant milestone, which I'm sure will make waves.

Go check it out: www.magentocommerce.com

What the flock?!

Submitted by Ross Kendall on Thu, 17/01/2008 - 2:01pm

I had heard of the Flock web browser before, and even downloaded and had a play with it, but since I'm not a seriously networked blogging geek it didn't grab my attention.

openSUSE 10.3 (Linux) Goes Gold

Submitted by Ross Kendall on Sun, 30/09/2007 - 10:41pm

Quite excited about this! openSUSE 10.3 is ready to go, having had the goldmaster release announcement made yesterday. It is not supposed to be available for public download until 4th October, but for those who know where to look downloading has begun.

Need Some Office Software? (going cheap)

Submitted by Ross Kendall on Thu, 20/09/2007 - 4:17pm

When it comes to office productivity software (word processor, spreadsheet and presentation programs) lots of people only know about Microsoft® Office - Word, Excel and PowerPoint (or perhaps the useless Microsoft® Works that came bundled with their PC).

Well, if that's you, I'm glad to be able to inform you that there is a growing number of 'office' suites, that not only provide a good alternative to Microsoft® Office but are also absolutely free!

In the last few days there has been a new release of the increasingly popular OpenOffice software (version 2.3), as well a an announcement from IBM, making the Lotus Symphony office software available for free download!

My Own Radio Station!

Submitted by Ross Kendall on Thu, 07/06/2007 - 4:58pm

If you haven't heard of it - Last.fm is a social-networking website for music lovers. It keeps track of music you listen to and suggests other music you might like, and links you to other people with similar listening habits.

One neat feature is that it creates a personalised internet radio station, using tracks that you have listened to. I must say, I think my radio station rocks!

Have a listen and let me know what you think...

Pages

Subscribe to Blog