I’ll be honest in that I used to find programming languages which involved a very compact looking syntax somewhat scary to think about. It is hard to interpret shorthand-style languages. However having got to know the syntax and general mindset required to program in Prolog I now find it quite straightforward, and dare I say [...]
Archive of posts filed under the Opinions and Observations category.
Making AI accessible
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about AI and how it can be applied in different spheres of computing. Surprisingly despite the usefulness of logic and AI techniques, languages like Prolog are often neglected by developers.
Interestingly SWI-Prolog has many libraries making it pretty much ready for use in a distributed environment, and it wouldn’t seem [...]
Prolog and artificial intelligence
Time I think for a bit of variety. I’ve recently started lectures on the subject of artificial intelligence and AI programming, and I have to say I find the whole subject thoroughly interesting if somewhat mind-melting if you think about it too much. There are applications for intelligent systems in the spheres of business and [...]
Deliberating as to whether AJAX is actually a future-proof term
After thinking about my previous post for a second I realised that it is questionable as to whether it is really appropriate to use the term AJAX for many of the new ‘Rich Internet Application’ (RIA) platforms. All this jargon is harmful to the general perception of such technologies due to their inaccessibility to the [...]
ThinWire for AJAX development
ThinWire is an AJAX platform I’ve only fairly recently discovered, and feel unlike many others, worth a mention. The trouble with many AJAX platforms is that they tend to not offer a full package in terms of customisation and extensibility. My current favorite is GWT-Ext for its sheer versatility due to the server side code being pure [...]
Petition to save MySQL or damage Oracle-Sun merger?
A very quick post as a response to this petition hailed elsewhere as a righteous thing for open-source database MySQL:
http://www.helpmysql.org/en/petition
My take – brilliant; put yet another spanner in the works delaying Oracle’s acquisition of Sun and therefore jeopardise all of Sun’s products including Java which put simply seems to me much more important than [...]
Function seems to follow form
I remember some years ago that the graphical environment offered by windowed operating systems seemed an immensely rich and interactive experience. The Windows Icons Menus Pointer (WIMP) model opened up the world of computers to an even more diverse range of users. Even more people who probably didn’t have a real need for computing started [...]
Google Wave: google frustrated with Internet Explorer?
It seems google developers have been having major problems getting their new Google Wave web collaboration software to run in IE. Ignoring all the possible business motives , I’d just like to make a few comments about the actual technicalities of this.
Firstly any web developer worth their weight will know that Internet Explorer is indeed [...]
Current systems analysis techniques + outsourcing to skilled people != (not equal) to success
An interesting topic of conversation has come up in our systems analysis course module about the choice of developing bespoke in-house solutions, outsourcing, and purchasing solutions.
Ultimately the evidence (empirical and anecdotal) seems to point towards the fact that outsourcing work does not in fact save money in the long-term! Shock horror!
The main reason cited for [...]
Systems analysis distilled
Following on from a recent post of mine about the appropriateness of some systems analysis and design approaches to today’s computing challenges, I have drawn a diagram that is an attempt at doing exactly what I believe is the only way forward for systems analysis – distilling it into a more scalable and relevant solution.
Essentially [...]
Is a framework really a solution?
At the risk of procrastinating other work and becoming a chronic poster, I’m going to go for a second one today.
Following on from my previous post discussing the merits and woes of particular IDEs, an overriding theme which runs through my dislike of the .NET framework is the fact that it is a framework. Taking [...]
Visual Studio Express editions are better than full Visual Studio…?
The benefit of writing a blog is that every once in a while you don’t have to be entirely objective in your writing, so as a caveat to this post – that is exactly what I’m going to do.
For a long time I’ve harboured the opinion that Microsoft’s development platforms are not as accessible to [...]
The problem with system analysis and design approaches
In the process of studying formulated analysis and design approaches relating to modern business information systems (IS) a clear problem presents itself; dealing with the varied nature of information systems in the currently rapidly developing computerised process improvement industry.
In short, stuff has changed an awful lot in just the last 5 years in development of business [...]
Considering language and writing style in technical articles
One thing I’ve been thinking about a fair bit lately and trying to develop is an appropriate and concise writing style for this blog, and other technically themed articles. I believe my choice and usage of language is generally reasonably good, but I still read back over some of the things I have written and [...]
Back to the land of academia
So, the summer is over. I’ve completed my period of work in the wacky world of software development and enjoyed my time spent there thanks to the good people who decided to take me on. I’ve learnt a lot, and achieved a lot in a twelve week period.
I travel back to university tomorrow to enjoy [...]
The targeted internet advertising debate
A recently reported story on the BBC news website discusses the issues related to targeted internet advertising. A few weeks ago I made a post about my opinion of internet advertising and stated that:
adverts that are for products I have no interest in or products that I in fact dislike the very idea of, are [...]
Are you offended by internet advertising?
I think I’m having a change of heart about these animated adverts adorning websites such as Microsoft’s Hotmail & MSN, Yahoo, AOL etc. Just to clarify I’m talking about legitimate ads here, as opposed to adware which is even more frustrating.
I used to think that they are no problem, support a website, and to be [...]
You can’t just wish yourself to success
A fleeting thought of mine developed into something i pondered for at least several minutes tonight, and rather than fall asleep and have it disappear into the ether I thought it might be interesting to discuss it here!
I see a common trait amongst people that wish to run their own business and float an idea [...]
Business software systems – a broad eye opening view
Briefly, the area of work I’m currently involved with has already provided me with a shifted perspective on software development challenges in larger business environments. Some of the issues involved include:
Giving consideration to integrating the new system with existing systems
The complexity of some processes that to the end user may look like a simple action. [...]
Is the buy to let market really suffering?
I’d just like to make a mini-rant about a news item today stating that buy-to-rent landlords are suffering in the recession. I question the accuracy of this statement when you look at the cost of renting student houses. I understand that some amateur property developers might not be doing so well at the moment, but [...]
