Web Biz

I wanted to learn what Adobe AIR was all about, so I created an AIR application with the ColdFusion 8 documentation that utilizes the Ext 2.x library. The application allows you to easily view and search the ColdFusion 8 documentation.  Best of all, no need to be online - everything is stored locally in the sqlite database - so it runs extremely fast. There are still a couple of minor bugs, and I am hoping to make some future improvements to the application, so be sure to check back.

In case you missed Jack’s post, check it out: IDEs and tools for Ext JS 2.0.  He goes over several options that developers have when it comes to using an IDE to streamline their Ext 2.x coding.

Jax commented on my last post regarding the load time of my new homepage.  I definitely noticed the load time increase dramatically after implementing ColdFusion 8’s <cfwindow>, <cfdiv>, and <cfform> tags instead of just using Prototype/scriptaculous with a custom JS/CSS file.  Here is a quick summary of what I found.

I have launched a new home page for my site, which utilizes ColdFusion 8’s <cfwindow> and <cfdiv> tags, along with heavy use of Prototype and Scriptaculous.

One of my primary frustrations with the ColdFusion 8 wrappers for Ext is the inability to specify your adapter.  Why must I be forced to use YUI?

You may not be aware, but some looming changes to the PCI DSS standards are ahead - and might impact your web applications.  Although the mandates set forth by the PCI DSS are optional for Level 4 merchants (smaller companies that you might be working with), you should be familiar with these mandates to ensure your web applications are secure.

A while back I decided that it would be cool to write an Ext CFC that would perform all most of the interfacing between ColdFusion and the Ext JS library.  This was so long ago, that I don’t even remember when I started working on the project in my free time.   I looked at the created date of the file, and it looks like I started this on April 17, 2007 (which might have been before Adobe announced that CF8’s <CFGRID> was to use the Ext library).  Anyways, a fellow ColdFusion programmer, Isaac Sunkes, was asking about using the Ext library without CF8, which brought back the memories of working on this CFC.  So, without further ado…

Some people have reported issues with the ColdFusion extensions for Eclipse provided by Adobe.  There is an update out there that you can download directly from Dean Harmon’s blog.

You heard right.  There’s a new ColdFusion community site provided by Ning and setup by Nick Tong at www.coldfusioncommunity.org.  The site provides several group features all within a friendly interface that is simple and intuitive.  I highly recommend you check out the site, and sign up for an account.  Great idea Nick - very cool!