Python is so cool

Or maybe I’m just getting excited about programming again. I just discovered django, and have decided that Python is a seriously underrated language. It’s probably as high-level as Rails, only all the cool and successful kids (that is to say, the ones that have been around a little longer than Basecamp. Not to fling mud at Basecamp, but I just don’t think I’d want to fully embrace a framework that’s so-much-more-than-a-framework — because, let’s face it, who had heard of Ruby before Rails?) are using it.

Part of the appeal is possibly the name. Di-jang-go. Di-jun-go. Say it with me (either way). *yells “jumanji” and hopes no-one notices*

It looks unfortunately web 2.0 but no matter, hopefully it’s useful. I remain by no stretch of the imagination a programmer. It’s been too bloody long since I even pretended. Maybe it’s time to start again (only after next Thursday, after writing and researching three large-ish asssessments).

Zimbra kicks some butt by abandoning Web 2.0

I was sure I’d blogged about this open-source AJAX email platform thingy in the past, but apparently not. No matter. They used to be all about their AJAXy web interface (my impression, as is always the case here) but now seem to have dropped that and are running along the open-source-for-corporates track that seems to work so well these days. Checking out their key customers and technology partners would suggest they’re definitely doing something right, and it’s beyond the shininess of their website.

Modest gradients, no shadows, occasional (even rare) curves (logo excepted, but I think the logo sucks/is childish so whatever), and tables for layout.

Oh, wait…

One person, one keyboard, one website

WordPress is about writing on the web. It’s about publishing. It’s not about editing video, it’s not necessarily about content management, it’s not, you know, about building communities of tens of thousands of people. It’s really one person, one keyboard, one website.

– Matt Mullenweg at BlogTalk in Vienna

And he reckons this was with him struggling to stay awake. I didn’t actually think I’d ever end up quoting this guy on my blog, but whatever. It’s a really helpful statement. It’s an uncomfortable statement for me, personally, because I’d love to use WordPress as a CMS for loads of stuff (even though, deep down, I know it would never really scale at all) and WordPress MU for loads more stuff (if it didn’t kinda suck)… but at the same time it’s easier hearing it from the horse’s mouth. There is a certain sense in which this gives an emancipation from product loyalty in certain senses, and another sense in which it gives me a kick to develop/find a decent CMS (framework) from which to launch other things.

I spend half a day looking at forward edges of the avalanch that is the web and want to quit uni and go freelance. (But I’m biased until next Thursday…)

Note for summer

Pineapples explode.

I just got it all over my keyboard, far out. It was good and all (in an I-really-need-to-floss-my-teeth-right-now-even-though-I never-do-that kind of way) but far too juicy for inside consumption.

The world is messed up tonight

Cut down the trees and build more houses whilst shooting dissident journalists in democratic states and ignoring the event as bombs explode in mountains with Tibetans praying to a man as they fall in gunfire (also ignored, this time in the name of commerce). Closer to home (and the Internet), media ownership becomes homogenous, citizen media comes in above citizen justice, flag-theft is confused with flag-immolation in every major media outlet (some make the decision buried beneath sensationalist headlines) and second chances are met with splattered egg yolk, and irrational rampages leave streets of broken glass without message.

On the plus side, I got a free lunch today.