Open source issue tracking software JTrac

Just thought I would push a message out about this decent Java open source issue management project I stumbled across while researching open source issue trackers. JTrac is great, simple to setup, extensible, clean and friendly. Very easy to integrate with your websites, and to customise. Of course it is using all the best agile technologies, Spring, Hibernate etc etc. I am tempted to use it for my own projects.

Leveraging powerful frameworks

I really feel that I need to give more back to the open source world.. after all I am benefiting so massively from a number of open source frameworks. In my new role, (6 working days in), I am required to set up a web platform which is extensible, efficient, reliable and usable, and using Apache, Cocoon, Dojo and the Hippo CMS I am able to do just that. The job is not over yet, but I am confident that my new company will be very happy with the end product. Thanks to the guys at Apache, Cocoon.Apache, Dojo and Hippo.

So how to give back, I suppose I just need to get more involved in the communities! Provide feedback, ensure any problems are reported, and help to get more exposure for the different projects.

I will be sure to post more on the results of working with these frameworks in the coming weeks.

Dedicated Server with Gentoo, Apache and Webdav

Yep, still loving having my own dedicated server... and this time, I'm going to jabber about the virtues of Gentoo, Apache and Webdav.

I wanted to provide a place where my dad can store and backup his documents, so originally I considered SFTP.. not so easy, I then needed to educate on the nuances of file transfer with some special client application... Webdav steps in here as an easier alternative, drag and drop from a native windows interface.. Windows' own File Explorer.

On Gentoo.. which has arguably the best package management system, 'Portage', setting up Apache with Webdav was easy, very easy, there are plenty of howto's all available with a quick Google search.

So thats use number one for a dedicated server... use number two would have to be my subversion setup with Apache.. no more excuses, I should not be able to lose valuable work anymore.

I also get to make my code and libraries, and for that matter reference works available to me wherever I go if the internet is available. Handy!