One project done, next one just getting started.
Problem:
Both me and my friend David are used to Windows environments and all the graphical convenience that comes along with it. When switching over to GNU/Linux we have both discovered the lack of satisfying FTP clients for the platform. The convenience just is not there any more. Either you have to give up your freedom to click what you like to download or upload, Or you have to struggle trying to install applications using meters of text to help guide you through the process. But even worse, If you still want that same feeling as in windows, you have to struggle with emulation through Wine to get your old friend from windows to work.
There is of course some alternatives that are not so hard to install and quite user friendly. But instead they lack support for such obvious things as TLS or SSL. This is somewhat standard now-a-days as people become more and more aware of the security issues and absolute threats against their systems. This does not leave many options left when it comes to usability.
Vision:
The decision has been taken to try to produce an FTP client that is platform independent, free for use and free to alter and redistribute. Most likely the GNU GPL license will be used, or an equivalent to it, to support the legal issues when releasing the application. The language of choice is Java because of its platform support, which basically supplies the possibility to run the application on any platform.
The plans are as of right now quite abstract, but the goal is to have the first stable version out somewhere around late fall 2007. More specifically have the first release of the software around Dreamhack Winter 2007, to represent the school with our creation.
Why Free Software?
Why not, really? Money is something that rolls in when you work. This gives a better platform for the CV later in life any how. I would rather see the application getting used by someone for free, than getting ripped and released.
Why Java?
Platform independence and general knowledge about the language. Free software gives you the possibility to do what you like with the software. So why not aim at a language that is commonly taught in schools around the world, and give as many people as possible the freedom to play with the software?
Any new cool features?
We will try to if not in the first release, but later on, give the ftp server a web-interface for searching and administration. This should of course come with authorization, and be fully customizable since its free software. So if all goes well there will be some sort of apache integration and a java-applet utility to administer the software remotely. And these are just the basic ideas. Stay tuned for more.
//Niklas
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The last days of the project
The project is now about to end.
What do we have? An DMS that works like an ftp client but with revisioning, tags and comments for all files. Well OK, not really. It is a SVN client in bottom, but looks more like a ftp-client. The GUI is based on SWT (www.eclipse.org/swt/) , and the SVN integration is done using SVNKit (www.svnkit.com).
It has been hectic over these last few days, since me and Philip pretty much have been alone implementing everything. All the others have been working on the final report and have implemented a maximum of one class and/or method each. All of which have contained errors or awful code. I really expect our supervisor to give us two better grades for our work into this project. Fact is that without us they would be stuck with a GUI right now. Nothing more than a GUI. Personally I would not be very pleased to see a GUI with out logics if I was our customer. Still there is some stuff left to do. About 5 months of work, one drop-off, one complete idiot, and 5 guys who still try of which 2 can actually produce code that works. I'm impressed by how we went from the Adrian spiral of doom, to a 90% working application in 2 weeks actually. It makes me proud to see how it turned out. I don't know what the idiot is thinking though. First he tried to get me to write code for him that he could say was his, of course I declined his moronic idea. Now he wants to implement something just to be able to pass the project. Although I can't believe that our supervisor will pass him since he did not do jack-shit up until this week. Now all of a sudden he tries to save his ass, by all means necessary. When this project is over, I am NEVER working with this guy EVER again. I don't care much for him as a person either. Not that he means any harm, but trying to make me cheat with him because he wants to regain 5 months of hard work in 5 days is just a slap in the face. I hope the supervisor returns the favor.
As a side note I went to see Richard Staalman hold a seminar today here in Gothenburg. Man that guy can talk. It was really interesting actually, since I did not know that much history behind the Free software foundation. Now I would say it is a really good thing they exist. His ideas about the Copyright laws is really interesting as well.
What do we have? An DMS that works like an ftp client but with revisioning, tags and comments for all files. Well OK, not really. It is a SVN client in bottom, but looks more like a ftp-client. The GUI is based on SWT (www.eclipse.org/swt/) , and the SVN integration is done using SVNKit (www.svnkit.com).
It has been hectic over these last few days, since me and Philip pretty much have been alone implementing everything. All the others have been working on the final report and have implemented a maximum of one class and/or method each. All of which have contained errors or awful code. I really expect our supervisor to give us two better grades for our work into this project. Fact is that without us they would be stuck with a GUI right now. Nothing more than a GUI. Personally I would not be very pleased to see a GUI with out logics if I was our customer. Still there is some stuff left to do. About 5 months of work, one drop-off, one complete idiot, and 5 guys who still try of which 2 can actually produce code that works. I'm impressed by how we went from the Adrian spiral of doom, to a 90% working application in 2 weeks actually. It makes me proud to see how it turned out. I don't know what the idiot is thinking though. First he tried to get me to write code for him that he could say was his, of course I declined his moronic idea. Now he wants to implement something just to be able to pass the project. Although I can't believe that our supervisor will pass him since he did not do jack-shit up until this week. Now all of a sudden he tries to save his ass, by all means necessary. When this project is over, I am NEVER working with this guy EVER again. I don't care much for him as a person either. Not that he means any harm, but trying to make me cheat with him because he wants to regain 5 months of hard work in 5 days is just a slap in the face. I hope the supervisor returns the favor.
As a side note I went to see Richard Staalman hold a seminar today here in Gothenburg. Man that guy can talk. It was really interesting actually, since I did not know that much history behind the Free software foundation. Now I would say it is a really good thing they exist. His ideas about the Copyright laws is really interesting as well.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Summerholidays vs. Punkroutine
Soon enough I will work again, only for the summer, but I will make some money at least.
The project time is coming to an end, and as it looks now, it's going to be hectic during the final stages. The first draft of the final report has been created more or less. Some people still don't know how to write proper documentation. And some of the retards don't even know what the hell we are doing after five months. Still don't know why these people attend the damn education in the first place. It's surprising that they lie to themselves and think that they are cut out to do this kind of work. Pisses me off.
At the moment I am attending a lecture in Quality management. This lecturer most hold the world record in "The most boring lectures ever". She only reads straight of the slides and do it in such a monotone way it could make a hamster on caffeine fall asleep.
What is this project I was mumbling about? We're creating a DMS (Document management system) for a local casino. So far, one guy has quit, two guys are retarded and do nothing, one guy can't code but can produce documents and the last three can at least code somewhat.
Well, now. Break.
The project time is coming to an end, and as it looks now, it's going to be hectic during the final stages. The first draft of the final report has been created more or less. Some people still don't know how to write proper documentation. And some of the retards don't even know what the hell we are doing after five months. Still don't know why these people attend the damn education in the first place. It's surprising that they lie to themselves and think that they are cut out to do this kind of work. Pisses me off.
At the moment I am attending a lecture in Quality management. This lecturer most hold the world record in "The most boring lectures ever". She only reads straight of the slides and do it in such a monotone way it could make a hamster on caffeine fall asleep.
What is this project I was mumbling about? We're creating a DMS (Document management system) for a local casino. So far, one guy has quit, two guys are retarded and do nothing, one guy can't code but can produce documents and the last three can at least code somewhat.
Well, now. Break.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)