WebDev3000 » Apache

Adminer

Codrut Nistor — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:47:07 +0000

I hate having to mess with databases, but sometimes there’s no other way around. Sure, I could pay someone to do that for me… but I really don’t trust leaving something I could do to others, and since doing minor tweaking in a database isn’t exactly a gruesome task, I usually do it myself. Unfortunately, using some of the MySQL management tools available in my cPanel proves to be a gruesome task, so finding something better for my simple task is a quest I’ve been involved for quite some time by now…

I just played with Adminer for a few minutes and I must say this little piece of code is exactly what someone fed up with those “fully featured” DB managers needs, since it’s all as simple as 1-2-3! All you need to do is copy the PHP file somewhere on your server, point the browser at it, enter the server/username/password, and then get the job done, nothing more, nothing less!

Anyway, for those who don’t like the layout of this application, a few CSS files are available to change the visuals of Adminer, and I am sure that you can even create your own themes, as long as you have some CSS knowledge…

Requiring PHP 4.3+ and MySQL 4.1+, Adminer comes covered by the terms of the Apache license, but a “Pro” paid version is also available. If you want, you can try the demo first, and then decide if Adminer is the right tool for your database management needs… or not.

Compatibility: any major browser, as well as minor ones… I guess

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dfGallery

Codrut Nistor — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:34:00 +0000

One of these days, I will go out and start shooting. No, I am not crazy – I’ll take pictures, I won’t shoot anyone! Anyway, guns are illegal here, so we’ll stick to a bunch of images being displayed in a browser. Obviously, it’s about a free Flash image gallery, as you can see below…

… and its name is dfGallery, currently at version 2.0. Requiring only the Apache rewrite module with PHP 5+, php_json and php_curl extensions to be in place on your server, this free Flash gallery comes with a bunch of features, like customizable layout (custom themes/PNG skins), Flickr/Picasa gallery loading, AJAX & Multiple Image Uploads, background music… and it doesn’t stop here!

I don’t know what else there is to say, since the official page should say it all. By the way, the test image gallery with 3D chicks is awesome, you really need to check it out… and see how dfGallery works, too, in the process.

Compatibility: all major browsers, as long as you have the Adobe Flash Player installed and working properly

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Rialto

Codrut Nistor — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:59:13 +0000

As far as most people know, Rialto is the most notorious bridge in Venice. If you missed seeing it so far, go ahead and do it, it’s surely an objective a serious tourist must see, but if you’re a programmer… there’s a different Rialto waiting for you, and it’s even much easier to reach!

In our case, Rialto comes from “Rich Internet Application Toolkit,” being a cross-browser, AJAX-based JavaScript widgets library that can be easily encapsulated in .NET, Python, PHP, JSP or JSF graphic components. Its obvious purpose is to make things more straightforward for programmers, allowing development of rich Internet applications without having to write or even understand DHTML, AJAX or DOM code.

Unfortunately, the main target of this library is the corporate environment, so if you’re into designing such Web apps and you need forms, resizable columns, pop ups and so on… Rialto may be the right choice!

Compatibility: I guess that apps built using Rialto should work on any major browser, as long as JavaScript is enabled, and I am sure there’s no serious corporation in this world using Flock, Maxthon, or Google Chrome… or at least not yet!

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Glow

Codrut Nistor — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:16:26 +0000

One day, I think the grocery next to the building I live in will release some JavaScript library. I know it sounds insane, but seeing BBC releasing such a thing is also a big surprise, so why not think ahead? OK, OK, I admit it – a grocery won’t ever get into Web development, but since BBC released Glow… why not talk about it?

The idea behind Glow is to bring JavaScript and DOM project closer to those who see this as a gruesome task, making it all easier by abstracting common tasks, hiding cross-browser issues, as well as providing a set of user interface widgets.

While Glow comes as the first open source JavaScript library from BBC, this isn’t the first such release from the media giant. Covered by the terms of the Apache 2.0 license, Glow is freely available to be used and modified by anyone who feels up to it, and the examples available on the official page aren’t looking bad at all…

Compatibility: any major browser with JavaScript support available

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