Java Artifact Repository live

I have been annoyed by lack of comprehensive artifact repository in Java community. Perl has CPAN, Python has PyPI, Ruby has Gems and to this moment Java did not have something that would resemble CPAN as Wikipedia put it.

And therefore I wrote my version of CJAR, which is based on Maven repository structure but is not Maven specific and has some additional services available:

- search artifacts by name or content: class names etc.;

- quickly getting information about artifacts – license, bytecode version, availability of javadocs and sources;

- creation of Ant or Maven build file based on selected artifacts;

- jardiff that allows comparing different versions of Jars and see precisely what has changed at class and package levels: new and removed classes, methods, and method signatures;

I am working for SourceLabs and the company supports the service and hosts it on its servers at:

http://area51.sourcelabs.com/cjar/app

It is just a beginning – many things need to be done:

• repository needs to be filled with artifacts;


• POM files needs to be cleaned;


• missed information needs to be put into POMs and MANIFEST files;


• java artifacts needs to be signed by they authors or trusted persons;


• more information should be available about artifacts;
  

Please visit the CJAR site and leave feedback, together we can fill the gap in Java infrastructure!

I happily replaced Mac G4 with GNU-Linux desktops

Got rid of Mac G4 in favor of Linux desktop machines and I am happy. Sure that Mac has sexy look, but it is 3 times slower than my AMD64 3.2G. I typically have tons of applications working locally: ORACLE database and application server, or Weblogic plus two or three projects open in my IDE (IntelliJ-IDEA by the way), plus I start building project(s) by Ant in command window - this works just fine on Linux but Mac simply crawls...

And I do NOT like Mac's UI. Two most annoying things for me:

- there is no simple way to navigate menu from keyboard, I like to see underscored letters and being able to press ALT-something;

- windows resizing by bottom-right corner;

So yes, Mac is definitely way better than Windows, but for what I am doing GNU-Linux is much more suitable.

Another thing that makes two desktops worthwhile: when I have to work at home and need to get things installed on my home machine I immediately spot any inconveniences, documentation cumbersomeness, etc. So, while it add inconveniences to me, it simultaneously improves quality and portability of what I am doing. I wish developers of WebSphere, Weblogic, and OC4J were required to reinstall their products every week at least, then we might see some improvements in the way those monstrosities operate :)

software marketing needs to be changed

Most boring and stupid marketing message in the software industry:

we help you to lower costs.

I do not want to lower cost – I want to increase my profit. I am more than willing to spend money if it allows me to earn more money, or if it makes my life easier somehow.

It is law of business: to earn the money one has to spend money.