Perhaps other web frameworks come with similar powers, but of late I’ve been bowled over by Ruby on Rails’ routes. In Rails, routes are how a request like “GET http://dx13.co.uk/blog/2008/01/07/Routing-in-Rails” is processed into a method call in the Rails application. It’s more powerful and flexible than anything I’ve worked with before in its domain.
Learning about routing in depth has taught me several methodologies and idioms used throughout rails, making it seem far less magical than it felt originally. Getting intimate with some portion of your chosen frameworks allows you to see into the minds of its creators in a way nothing else will, granting insights otherwise missed. This insight makes the workings of the framework more intuitive, meaning you can begin to work with the framework rather than merely in it.
I was looking around the Apple Online Store earlier today and discovered an impressive feature I hadn’t seen before: live chat with a store employee.
You can buy three different English keyboards at the Apple store:
I was trying to find out which was the proper keyboard to buy for a UK layout. The description on given on each product’s page is identical, leaving me none the wiser. I wanted to be sure I’d get the correct one, as sending items back to online stores is a chore. I was wondering how I’d find out.
This evening I was looking into the online services offered by the Inland Revenue as I believe I may have to file a tax return this year. I hoped I’d be able to do it online. As it happens this is possible, via the standard username and password combination.
More intriguing was a link to login using a digital certificate; a potentially far more secure authentication method than a username/password pair.
Two short lists of my most used Mac applications, in no particular running order.
Four applications so shiny and useful I’ve parted company with money.
1. [Coda](http://www.panic.com/coda/) --- an integrated website development tool, second to none.
1. [WriteRoom](http://hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom) --- a full-screen text editor I use to write all my weblog posts.
1. [Transmit](http://www.panic.com/transmit/) --- a top-quality FTP client.
1. [Hazel](http://www.noodlesoft.com/hazel.php) --- a small personal assistant I use to do chores, such as keeping the mac mini's iTunes synchronised with the laptop's. I've bought copies of this for both my macs.
Both Coda and Transmit are from Panic, who really do make rather good software.
Apple are going to provide DVD rental through iTunes. Both the Financial Times and New York Times are carrying a story describing how Apple and Fox have signed a deal allowing Fox’s films to be included in the service; one presumes a single leak provides the bulk of both stories.
I’m not sure how I missed this post which describes a dozen or so suggestive strings inside the current iTunes package, given my previous musings on the topic of film rental via iTunes.