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Open Source New Zend Framework is Out
The latest version of the Zend Framework is version 1.5 — their first major update since going 1.0.
We use the Zend Framework for almost of our applications here, and we recommend it to all php users who want to create applications that will scale well, follow an MVC architecture, and will be maintainable in the long run… So… For all applications that are actually worth anything.
You can get it via http at their site or even via svn:
http://framework.zend.com/svn/framework/tag/release-1.5.0
If you are interested in getting started with the Zend Framework, good resources exist, for example:
And their own online Docs are strong too:
General, Open Source Trying the New Drupal Out
Here at Innova, we’re not too particular about what tools we use to get things done. We use our own content management system, and our own development language (phpSprockets, which, by the way is still under development), but we also use some off the shelf solutions, like WordPress or Drupal, based on our clients’ needs and expectations.
So when a new major release of one of these tools that we use comes out, we get pretty excited. Hence, a post on Drupal…
Drupal 6 just came out earlier this year, released with much anticipation and trepidation. I’m kind of a late adopter (usually), but I welcomed the new with open arms.
I’d been following the development, as I’ve been maintaining a couple of Drupal sites, and trying to keep up with patches and upgrades (not that bad, really, averaging a new version about every two months.) Everything is running pretty smoothly, although the stream of modules is lagging a bit behind where I’d like to see it.
If you’re new to Drupal, here are a few pointers –
Start small. It’s tempting with as many modules and themes that Drupal has to just start grabbing modules everywhere and installing them to see what they do. This is a really bad idea. Not only will it slow down your learning process, it will also become a maintenece nightmare — you have to keep up with the patches and new versions (and no, you can’t just svn up or switch them…). It becomes a real hassle, not to mention a drain on server resources.
Get a couple of core modules that you really like and stick with them (Here’s one of my favorites: Markdown with SmartyPants. If your users don’t know Markdown, they are missing out… ). Drupal is extremely extensible (most blocks when you are an administrator will accept php code in the body… once you learn the internals of the database, this becomes very powerful…)
Have some regular housekeeping protocols — not using that theme/module anymore, get rid of it. Keep up to date with the ones you’re keeping. I have had several instances where a client complained about something not working properly, and just updating the module fixed the issue. Lots of things happen between Drupal versions (and minor versions). Keep up to date the best you can.
Keep telling yourself, “There has to be an easier way.” There usually is. Most of the things that people need a CMS to do have been done. If you are really so cutting edge that it hasn’t been done… Write a Drupal module for it, release it, become famous, and impress your friends. You need an AJAX tea timer? I’m sure there is already one out there somewhere…
Open Source .NOT
One of Innova’s stock monologues to deliver to clients is “PHP is an excellent development language.” It’s true: PHP with the Zend Framework is the most flexible and reliable way of creating sites that I’ve ever seen. It’s a win. The reason we have to keep delivering the monologue is because clients – or people who advise clients, such as corporate IT drones – often have an unhealthy respect for Microsoft-based solutions, specifically .NET. At some point in the last ten years Microsoft replaced IBM in the lexicon of corporate uniformity, with obvious consequences for anyone not toeing the line.
For developers, .NET comes with some pretty heavy strings attached. It involves committing to a Microsoft stack, using IIS instead of Apache, Windows Server instead of Linux, a whole bunch of odd Microsoftian applications, wizards, talking paperclips, brown shoes with a black suit, all things that good developers hate. The upside is C#, good library support and excellent performance.
On balance, if we were forced to use .NET we would probably give up and move to New Mexico and raise organic chickens or something; it just wouldn’t be fun.
Enter Mono, stage left.
Culture, Open Source COLUG at Innova Partners (8/25)
This weekend, we’ll be hosting the Central Ohio Linux User’s Group, Saturday from 1 to 3 pm.
Over the past several months, Jim Wildman has been presenting varied topics (MythDora, Xen) and perhaps most significantly… how to recover from a failed install (you mean SELinux didn’t install properly? And the shadow file wasn’t created? Whoops…). This month, it looks like he’ll be continuing his look at Xen.
It’s always a good time, and as always, we’ll have some food ready.
Culture, Open Source php|Meetup: Drupal
We held the php|meetup here last night, and it was quite an event thanks to the skills of Nathan Rambeck, principal for the Rambeck Group, who walked us through some of the basics of Drupal. For the details of the presentation, take a look at the Rambeck Group’s website, where Nathan has kindly made the slides available.
Although the presentation itself was wonderful, not captured in the slides are the questions and answers that were strewn throughout the evening. Several people brought their sites along for diagnosis, and we were able to fix some of the more basic problems while we were here. For all of that, you’ll just have to come to one of the events (the next one will be in September. Stay tuned…)
Among other things, Jay Pipes, community relations manager for MySQL, was here to talk to us a little bit about the upcoming MySQL Camp. Check out their site for all the details on that upcoming event
Innova is slated to host the next two php|meetups, focusing on WordPress in September, then Joomla in October. If they are anything like last night’s presentation on Drupal, it should be a great time.