I have decided to start learning Java. My initial push to learn the language was that I want to develop applications for Google’s Android platform, which is based on Java. After much research and study of the language, I now see a bigger picture. After learning a bit of history about it and seeing all the possible applications, I am absolutely sure this is the right move.

Current Java projects in development for the TMobile G1 phone (that uses Android):

• A twitter client
• An arcade game called “Xelox”
• For Full Sail University: A news feed reader

I will post back demos and information on the development process as it unfolds.

In my recent development endeavors there has been an increased amount of UI design. One of my good friends, (and amazing developer) Omar suggested I try JQuery. He was kind enough to send me some samples of the things he had done so I could get a “taste”.

Now that I have tasted the good of the gods, I am hooked. JQuery is extremly simple to implement and use. The syntax is very friendly and the documentation couldn’t be clearer.

My two favorite UI elements that I have implemented are the DatePicker and the Show/Hide functions.

Let’s talk first about the Show/Hide functions. I used to use CSS to achieve this effect. One of my favorite implementations is, when a user clicks a button, a form area will “appear”. CSS does this really well. However, implementing transition effects like “blinds” is another story. With JQuery, just a couple of simple lines of code and you’re done. Plus, you can even set things like speed and opacity.

The other element I love is a plugin called DatePicker, which is now included in the JQuery UI library. I used to use an old Javascript calendar to allow users to select dates. It did work, but implementing it was always a pain and if someone were to come and debug my code, I would end up having to give them a crash course in Javascript so that they would understand how it worked. With DatePicker there is no guessing. What is even better is that you may have multiple stylesheets for the DatePicker. This feature comes in especially handy when you handle multiple sites. Just load a CSS file of your choosing, load DatePicker and you have a fully customized calendar style of your site. Change the CSS file you loaded and you don’t have to change anything else. You will get a totally differently styled calender with very little effort.

I am still experimenting with the extent of usage of this library. I look forward to seeing the many implementations I know I will use it for.

On a final note: I was fortunate to find this great jquery cheat sheet. It’s great for a nice quick reference. You may download it here.

For Halloween this year our department decided to create a Deathstar for the pumpkin carving contest that has become a yearly tradition here at Full Sail. We didn’t win but we were still very proud of our effort. And since we’re all Star Wars fans, it was just a lot of fun doing it.

Deathstar Pumpkin