Another perspective of PHP as a programming language

Learning PHP wouldn’t be that difficult for beginners, if they have some prior exposure to other programming languages like C, C++ or Java. Most of the coding paradigms like conditional structures. Loop blocks are very similar to that of other high level languages. PHP runs with most of the webservers and run in many top operating systems. 

Ever since PHP is projected as a main stream programming language, it has been considered mainly for developing dynamic web pages. Apart from web applications, PHP is a strong contender for developing standalone applications also. PHP-GTK is a combination of PHP with Gimp Tool Kit (GTK) framework that enables development of standalone UI applications without the need of any webserver. Even more interesting, PHP scripts can also be used for embedded applications development. Unbelievable!, have a look here.

Recent releases of PHP also include support for object oriented programming. PHP provides many inbuilt libraries as reuse components and new libraries are imported easily. These libraries improve the robustness and flexibility of the language. This enables new developers to focus on the application logic rather than worrying about the functionalities. Having good knowledge of the available libraries enables rapid development of applications.

Some File Extensions You Need To Know

File Extension Part
PART is a Partially Downloaded File, a file extension used primarily by Internet download managers, programs designed to speed up and handle multiple downloads. These download managers work on the principle that smaller files take less time to transfer than large ones. The download manager takes one or more files from the Internet and breaks them into smaller data chunks, and then when all of the data chunks have been downloaded, the download manager converts them back into one file again.

File Extension JAD
JAD stands for Java Application Descriptor. This file extension describes java applications, which are distributed as JAR files. JAD is specifically a decompiler of Java as it reads class files that belong to Java as well, subsequently converting them to Java source files available to be compiled once again. JAD file extension is purely a C++ program that works faster than decompilers that have been written in Java. JAD files are used to package Java games or applications that can be downloaded onto mobile phones.

File extension ITHMB
File extension ITHMB falls under the category of image or media files and is a creation of the Apple Inc company. The ITHMB files are utilized by the Apple iPOD and are made up of four images of different resolutions that have been designed to be displayed on a variety of screen sizes. A file extension ITHMB is most commonly a picture files which are in a thumbnail format that is specific to the iPOD. They cannot be read by regular photo programs. When a thumbnail is clicked on, the images are then displayed.

Google Voice Opens Up, No More Invites Required

Google has announced that its Google Voice service would now be available for all U.S. citizens - without the need of an invite.

In a blog post announcing the decision, Google Voice product manager Craig Alker quipped, "We're proud of the progress we've made with Google Voice over the last few years, and we're still just scratching the surface of what's possible when you combine your regular phone service with the latest web technology."

Since the service was launched in U.S., Google Voice has managed to garner a decent userbase of about 1 million users. If you are one of those people who are wondering what Google Voice is all about, let us explain briefly. Google Voice basically gives you a single phone number that can be used to reach you if you have multiple numbers. Google Voice also offers its own voicemail message transcription service.

Google Voice was in the news not long ago when Apple blocked the Google Voice application from entering its App Store saying that it duplicated native iPhone capabilities. This led to the once good friends turn into foes.

Google, don’t be evil on India!

It seems Google has forgotten to follow its `Don’t be Evil’ motto when it comes to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Controversy has once again surrounded search engine giant Google. Strangely, for a second time, it revolves around its depiction of Arunachal Pradesh.

If you browse through Google Maps, the application has at least three different versions on the state either a part of India or China, and a third as a disputed territory. All this despite fact that the north eastern state has a democratically elected government and should so not be an undisputed territory in any case.

What throws up when you open Google India is politically correct Arunachal Pradesh remains a part of India. If you open the Google Maps’ China edition, Arunachal Pradesh would show itself as an undisputed part of China, the whole of it. But when you open the map available on the international edition, Arunachal Pradesh is shown as a disputed territory, a third version on the north eastern state.

Google has reacted to its three different takes on Arunachal Pradesh. Claiming it is only following standard practice to show all disputed regions around the world on its global properties, depict disputed regions as per the claims made by the disputing or claiming nations. Adding it does not in any way endorse or affirm the position taken by any side but merely provides complete information on the prevailing geo-political situation.

“Products that have been localized to the local domain of a region may depict that country's position as per the mandate of their local laws. As in the case of Google India and Google China,” Google said in a statement.

Remember in August this year, Google Earth came in for sharp criticism in India for what Google subsequently described as a mistaken use of Chinese script to mark areas in Arunachal Pradesh. “Earlier this week, as part of routine update to Google Earth, we published new data for the Arunachal Pradesh region that changed the depiction of certain place names in the product. The change was a result of a mistake in our processing of new map data,” said Google in an earlier statement.

Nine Flaws in Google Wave

Google Wave is the latest buzz to hit the internet shores. Recently, the Web search giant sent out 100,000 select invites for a limited preview for the app that it claims to be the future of all internet conversations. What Wave does is to integrate e-mail, instant messaging (IM), collaboration, Google maps as well as search. Wave's most striking feature is said to be its speed. It lets users transfer data, pictures and files realtime and also facilitates collaborative editing.

Though it is still too early to pass a judgment on Google Wave, most users feel that there are still many issues with the application. From missing features to complexities in usage, the list seems long. eWeek's Clint Boulton has listed a few gripes that users have from Google Wave. Here's bringing to you the nine things most users didn't like in Google Wave.

Where is the killer app?

Don't believe the hype, writes Boulton. According to him, Wave is not the new killer Internet application. The app is not a replacement for Twitter, FriendFeed or Facebook.

Google Wave may be instant messaging and distributed editing in real time-collaboration on steroids, but it is surely not the new Twitter.

Chaos prevails
Google Wave is total chaos! Boulton writes using Wave seems to be like preaching to the choir, with multiple writings at the same time and several cursors zipping across the screen. According to him, "Instead of the one-to-one communications mode of IM, Wave is many-to-many."

Too confusing
Mastering Google Wave is not easy. "Because Wave is so confusing, it will take some time for people to learn how to use it. This isn't like Twitter, where you can pick up and just run with it," writes Boulton. Users will have to show patience as reading, grokking and working in Waves is sure to take time.

Mastering Google Wave is not easy. "Because Wave is so confusing, it will take some time for people to learn how to use it. This isn't like Twitter, where you can pick up and just run with it," writes Boulton. Users will have to show patience as reading, grokking and working in Waves is sure to take time.

Lacks `social' features
Boulton finds Google Wave `socially inept'. Unlike social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and others, users can't see profile biographies or real names, or even manage Wave users and group them. "It's one, big free-for-all. This wouldn't work for a project management effort," writes Boulton.

No draft mode!
Users decry lack of draft mode in Google Wave. It' like a jungle out there, where everyone is typing at the same time. Users need a draft mode in Google Wave so that they can type without people seeing them. "This will eliminate the distracting cursor pulses," says Boulton.

No permissions
It seems it is free for all as no permissions are required! Yes, in Google Wave anyone can become your Wave contact. For, there is absolutely no permission required. Anyone who has your user ID, can add you to Wave. And, as Boulton writes, "That needs to change. There need to be permissions."

Regulator missing
Still wondering about the lack of requisite permissions in Google Wave? Here's another miss to add to your concern. Once a Wave is released, there is no control over it, no one to manage it. May be, Wave can do better with some Wikipedia-type editorship, adds Boulton.

Document format is XML, not HTML

Some users have also taken the issue that the document format in Wave is based on XML, not HTML so everyone can display it. According to Boulton, "This will make it more challenging for developers to build other presentation layers on top of the Wave platform."

Windows 7 Starter: No 3 app limit

Microsoft Corp, the world’s largest software maker, plans to remove a restriction on the basic version of Windows 7 that would have limited users to running only three programmes at a time. The announcement, made on the Redmond, Washington-based company’s blog yesterday, eliminates one of the most significant differences between Windows 7 Starter Edition and pricier version of the operating system. Customers will be able to run as many programs simultaneously as they like, Microsoft said.

“These changes will make Windows 7 Starter an even more attractive option for customers who want a small notebook PC for very basic tasks, like browsing the Web, checking e-mail and personal productivity,” Microsoft said.

Windows 7 Starter is designed for cheaper PCs, especially small notebooks or so-called netbooks. Microsoft plans to offer several versions of Windows 7, and Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said in February that the company would make sure that consumers could “trade up” to pricier versions. Windows accounts for 28 percent of Microsoft’s $60.4 billion in annual revenue.

Windows 7 Starter edition will still lack features in the other versions of the operating system, such as the ability to play DVDs, use more than one monitor, or change desktop backgrounds and window colors, Microsoft said.

Microsoft plans to start selling Windows 7 by the year-end holiday season.