Web 2.0

Web 2.0

Possibly one of the most useless phrase that's currently doing the rounds is 'Web 2.0'. I call it useless as the term implies that there is a new version of the World Wide Web available, and that us fools left using the old Web 1.0 should probably catch on and make the switch; fortunately this isn't the case.

The term was coined by O'Reilly Media 2.0 back in 2003, and was popularised by the first Web 2.0 convention in 2004 and then a series of successive conferences. Eventually it become adopted by the wider community however when a customer of mine asked me earlier today to define exactly what Web 2.0 meant I was stuck; hence my sudden need to write this article.

I don't feel bad for not knowing how to define the standard as even Tim O'Reilly, the man who is credited with creating the term seems to describe it in an incredibly cryptic and nondescript way. Apparently "Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the Internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform."

Right, so in English what exactly does this mean? I think the best way I can describe it is to say that Web 2.0 is a term used to describe a website that has increased the overall functionality of the Web; as such, the term can mean different things to different people. Broadly speaking a website that provides new and interactive technologies such as weblogs, social websites, podcasts, RSS feeds and online web services can fall under the Web 2.0 umbrella.

Personally I think that the phrase is a nonsensical buzzword which has been coined for no real reason than the fact that it sounded catchy. Using the phrase in a meaningful way can be close to impossible since many of the core components of Web 2.0 have existed from the very earliest days of the web.

For educational purposes I should really go over the typical characteristics that are used to make up a typical Web 2.0 site and these are as follows:

- Users being able to contribute to the data on a site; Wikipedia is a good example of this.
- An element of social networking such as MySpace.
- Allow users to use applications entirely through a browser. A web operating system such as Goowy which I reviewed several months back is a good example of this.
- A smart and user friendly interface; often based on a new technology such as Ajax.
- An ability for the user to enhance the application or website as they use it.

Our website design company Refresh Creations often gets people touting that their websites are categorised as Web 2.0, but when you delve deeper it becomes apparent that they have simply installed a trivial feature such as a blog to allow them to make this claim.

Personally, I hate buzzwords and have little time for people that utilize them when pitching ideas or sales pitches to me. Therefore it is somewhat unsurprising that I simply don't 'get' Web 2.0 - due to the lack of set standards to what it actually refers to you can end up making the phrase mean practically anything you want it to.

Even after researching this article for best part of an hour I'm still a little bit unsure as to what the phrase actually means and I don't think this is my failure to grasp the concept but rather the fact that it hasn't been correctly, accurately or solidly defined.

by Refresh Cartridges
Keyword : web 2.0

CNC Control

CNC Control

Since we are dealing with CNC machines that do work for us, we need to control those CNC machines somehow. We need to control them for safety reasons as well. If you give a machine improper commands it can easily get out of control and cause harm to you or the part you are machining. We want to give appropriate commands to our machines, at appropriate times so they are not "out of control".

The language that these machines use is called G-code. G-code has been around since the early 60's. There are a number of variations of G-code, but most are very similar to one another. See the previous section for a sample of G-Code.

We will need to use a computer to talk with our CNC machine. Our computer will send signals to our CNC machine. In-between our computer and our CNC machine sits a controller. A controller converts commands into signals that are used to control the motion of our machine.

As these signals are sent out of the CNC controller, they go to either stepper or servo motors. This is how we create motion. These motors drive our various axis on our CNC machine. While we are moving our axis, there is generally a cutting tool of some sort removing material. This is the machining process coupled with CNC.

Here is a brief description of the two types of motors generally used in CNC:

Stepper motors:

Simple design Easy to use Generate torque at low rpm Do not know their position in relation to the program

Servo Motors:

Generate torque at high RPMs Generally need gearing of some sort to be effective More sophisticated Can maintain their relative position, thus, they can be more accurate

CNC Machine Controllers

Controllers generally stand alone near the CNC machine. They act as a translator between your control computer and your CNC machine. Generally, they add quite a bit of cost to a CNC machine as well. Controllers can cost anywhere from $1000-$20,000 or more depending on their sophistication.

by Ivan Irons
Keyword : CNC Control

Overview of Mobile Framework

Overview of Mobile Framework

Why Mobile Framework is needed?

The need to display content on mobile devices continues to burgeon - especially with the seamless extension of enterprise data onto the small screen. As a result, solutions for shortening the content-to-mobile implementation cycle are on the rise. If you want to take your content mobile, and do it quickly and efficiently, have a look at mobile frameworks.

Purpose of Mobile framework

The purpose of a mobile framework is to utilize a standards-based architecture that leverages existing IT infrastructure and maximizes return on investment. Such a framework is relatively easily deployed and extends enterprise content to mobile users with both good quality and user experience. The purpose of a mobile framework is somewhat different from actual mobile development tools, which are specifically used to develop mobile applications. Mobile frameworks extend existing applications (such as Customer Resource Management (CRM) to mobile workforces and their devices. Just make sure the mobile framework is truly a mobile framework.

Use of Mobile Framework

You're on your way to a pivotal meeting but the flight's been delayed. You need to notify your client, make some last minute adjustments to your presentation, and figure out the fastest route from the airport to their office. In short, you really need to have your office with you. The answer is MOBILIZE YOURSELF! Explains how to maximize the mobility of the technology you have today--and it provides smart answers about the mobile technologies and services you might be considering.

Mobile framework Requirements/Features

This list will help you identify a mobile framework. Usually, a mobile framework will include the following: A graphical development tool that visually maps complex server logic and data to device resident applications

Flexibility for customization and the ability to incorporate new code (MMAPI, .NET, Insignia) Secure access and user identity

An API extension to let other applications "hook" in Enabling of media (video, audio, images) transformation (Java MMAPI, Insignia Mobile Media Framework)

Ability to provide lightweight technology for mobile agent-based distributed computing (Taco Framework)

Ability to provide for content syndication (Jet speed)

Ability to provide content transformation

Agents for device detection

Asynchronous transactional messaging for guaranteed data delivery and integrity Allowance of true mobile client applications with seamless disconnected and real-time operation Mobility is still a new approach to the workplace. Reaching business systems puts special demands and requirements on access, security, and collaboration infrastructure. This can all be reassured with mobile frameworks.

The name MOBILE is derived from the first letter in each of the six categories that make up the framework.The six categories are:

M the need for mobility O the need to improve operations B the need to break business barriers I the need to improve information quality L the need to decrease transaction lag E the need to improve efficiency

Advantages of Mobile Frameworks

So what's important in Mobile Framework is to get the technologies that take you farther and to

# Learn how to choose, customize, and synchronize notebook computers, Pocket PCs, and other mobile devices

# Evaluate your connectivity options--infrared, wired and wireless LANs, cyber cafés, and more

# Make your e-mail, files, corporate data, and favorite Microsoft Office applications road-ready--and secure

# Do more with less gear--get driving directions, enjoy music and video, even manage your stocks and expenses on mobile devices

# Help your company stay agile with sales automation, ERP, and other applications for mobile employees

# Know how to buy accessories and gadgets that aren't just cool, but solve real business problems

Thus Mobile Framework has a large spectrum of different applications, requirements and features. But we Specialties are concentrating on small part of that spectrum and that is "sales automation, ERP, and other applications for mobile employees"

by Jignesh Padhiyar
Keyword : Overview of Mobile Framework

Database Indexing - An Introduction

Database Indexing - An Introduction

Databases are excellent data storage and retrieval tools, ranging from simplistic tables of information to complex, intricate collections of multiple linked databases. A database is created and named based on the particulars of its application, and stores data in tables consisting of an organized collection of rows and columns. Data may be manually entered into databases, but is more commonly written dynamically into databases by web sites or by connected software applications. Companies often maintain constantly growing databases containing data such as client information, financial figures and performance analyses, for instance, and the ever expanding nature of such databases warrants techniques for streamlining the process of locating specific pieces of information within them. Indexing allows for the rapid retrieval of specified data by queries, and is therefore a powerful tool for databases containing hundreds or even millions of records.

At initial set up, the creator of a database typically defines the primary key, which is a column within which the data in each row is unique. For example, a column containing client last names would not be identified as the primary key, as multiple entries may have the same name. However, a column containing unique client ID numbers could be designated as the primary key. When the primary key is defined, an index is actually created. When data from the column defined as the primary key is requested in the form of a query, the database automatically utilizes this index to quickly locate the requested data. However, the primary key is likely not the only column that will need to be searched for data. For queries that will be used frequently, an index can be added to the appropriate column to speed up the process of data selection. Indexes speed up the process of retrieval while lessening the workload the server must endure to perform the search.

Much like the way the index of a book makes finding a topic easier, database indexes make locating a queried piece of data easier. Instead of flipping through and reading each individual page of a book to locate a topic, you can refer to the book's index and know where to look right away. Likewise, instead of a query asking each record in a database if it contains the information being sought, it can be directed by an index to the appropriate data.

Effective use of indexes requires establishing a balance between an efficient number of indexes and too many. Since indexes take up space, using too many can counteract the purpose by slowing the database down. Indexes may be unnecessary for smaller databases, where the queries can locate data quickly and easily. But indexes are dynamic and powerful tools for optimizing the performance of large databases.

by Stephen J. Richards
Keyword : Database Indexing - An Introduction