Eclipse Releases First Ajax Platform Based on OSGi

OTTAWA - October 15, 2007 - The Eclipse Foundation today announced the availability of Eclipse Rich Ajax Platform (RAP) 1.0, a freely downloadable Ajax platform for creating and deploying Rich Internet Applications.

RAP 1.0 is the first Ajax platform that allows developers to create Rich Internet Applications (RIA) using the Eclipse component model, based on the OSGi standard. OSGi is a service-oriented, component-based environment that promotes the interoperability of applications and services. Organizations using RAP are now able to create Ajax and RIA applications that are component-based and integrate into existing enterprise systems.

"Using the OSGi component architecture for our Browser-based applications allows us to quickly create and deploy customizable applications, explains Ludwig Neer, CTO of CAS Software. 'The Eclipse Rich Ajax Platform enables us to create components that can be reused and extended by our partner companies. In addition, since Eclipse is open source and a de facto standard, we are avoiding proprietary frameworks, which is a very important thing for our partners.'"

RAP 1.0 includes features well-suited for enterprises that are building a large number of new applications based on Ajax and RIA technologies. These features include:

• The ability to create and deploy RIA or RCP applications from the same Java code base, allowing organizations the flexibility to create browser-based RIA application or desktop-based rich client applications.
• Support for creating Ajax applications based on the OSGi component model.
• Java development tools that tightly integrate with the Eclipse platform and allow developers to quickly develop, test, debug and deploy RIA applications.
• A complete set of frameworks for creating Ajax applications that support scalable user interfaces, complex widgets, databinding and loose coupling for UI elements.

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OSGi technology

OSGi technology is the dynamic module system for Java™

OSGi technology is Universal Middleware.
OSGi technology provides a service-oriented, component-based environment for developers and offers standardized ways to manage the software lifecycle. These capabilities greatly increase the value of a wide range of computers and devices that use the Java™ platform.

Formed in 1999, the OSGi Alliance focused initially on solutions for the Embedded Java and networked devices markets. As a result OSGi technology has been implemented and deployed in products and solutions throughout the world and across a range of markets. Today, OSGi technology also enjoys widespread acceptance in the Open Source community, as demonstrated by the Apache Felix and Derby projects, the Eclipse Callisto, Equinox and Corona projects, OSCAR, Knopflerfish, and others. As a result the core OSGi technology is now increasingly prevalent in the Enterprise, and it is also seen as the key component of a next generation Java Service Platform that enables the dynamic deployment of Web 2.0 services and Mashups.

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Microsoft Search Server 2008

Via Priyo's blog kwam ik de volgende post tegen:

Microsoft Search Server 2008 is launched. Read what Forrester has to say about it...

"...MSSE has a substantial set of capabilities, most notably its
connectivity to many intranet- and Internet-based resources, including Microsoft Exchange, IBM's Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, and even EMC's Documentum and IBM's FileNet enterprise content management systems. MSSE trumps Google's search appliances by offering a stronger set of administration, reporting, and connectivity features, and it can be upgraded to the Microsoft Search Server 2008 (MSS) licensed version that enables multiserver scalability and high availability.
Businesses looking at any enterprise or workgroup search deployment should take note: Microsoft has dealt itself in to the search game and with MSSE is placing good-sized bets that it will build even more momentum in its SharePoint workplace strategy."

Read the full Article here.

With this now we have 3 flavours of Enterprise Search. The table here gives a full comparison of what you get when on what you choose (don't forget the best part - Microsoft Search Server Express is FREE, so if you don't require High Availability and Load Balancing you, this is the Search solution for you...)

Happy Searching...

Bart

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IBM buys Cognos for US$5 Billion

Did you hear the big news today: IBM buys Cognos! So, why is this interesting? IBM has been on a bit of shopping spree in terms of getting a handle on the enterprise content as they did with the FileNet acquisition of last year. Cognos has 25000 customers tracking their business transactions daily! Cognos is roughly a $1 Billion company so IBM got them at 5X as the M&A folks like to say. On one side, this is a great play for IBM and on another it means a bit of interruption for Cognos as customers are always affected by M&As. It is also interesting to see yet another great Canadian company acquired. On the plus side, I saw some nice demos at CTIA 2007 from Cognos linking up to mobile devices like the Berry and Nokia. So they definitely are making nice moves. Let the consolidations continue as long as customers still get access to innovative solutions!

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Introduction to Amazon S3 with Java and REST

Amazon Simple Store Service (S3) is a service from Amazon that allows you to store files into reliable remote storage for a very competitive price; it is becoming very popular. S3 is used by companies to store photos and videos of their customers, back up their own data, and more. S3 provides both SOAP and REST APIs; this article focuses on using the S3 REST API with the Java programming language.

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What is an oustanding authorization?

What is an oustanding authorization?

An outstanding authorization is authorization obatined for a purchase that was made, but the merchant has not collected its money yet. This type of transaction will only show on your account after the merchant has collected its money. In the meantime, the money is held from your account, ready to be paid to the merchant. For example, this may happen for internet or mail/phone order purchases. The merchant may settle the money when they ship the order, rather than on the day the order was placed. In this case, the funds are marked for the merchant and deducted from the balance, but will only show on the account when the bank actually pays the merchant for your purchase. This process could take a minimum of eight days to clear.

What is a pre-authorization hold?

A pre-authorization hold happens when a merchant places a hold on a certain amount of funds on your card to verify that you have sufficient funds to pay for the transaction. As an example, a restaurant may pre-authorize a set amount when you open a tab. In the event that your bill is less than the pre-authorized amount, those remaining funds may be held for a period of time prior to being released to your available balance. Similarly, a car rental company or hotel may hold the amount equal to one day’s rental or stay. Also, please note that gas stations generally perform pre-authorization holds for approximately $50 when you choose to pay at the pump with your card. If, however, you pay for the gas inside, only the actual purchase amount will be deducted from your card balance.

Note: The value of the pre-authorization hold amount may not be available to the cardholder for eight business days.