First, the updates and points of discussion:

1. Microsoft is suing companies left and right

2. Yes, they (might) own most of the copyrights/patents for the essential technologies in software development.

3. Microsoft has managed to overpower companies that invented or produced a technology that people use and really enjoy, but now has to stop its production because according to Microsoft the technology infringes the terms of intellectual property rights.

Lately, Microsoft is getting better in suing companies - better than improving their own technologies. I understand the scope of intellectual property rights, how it can protect a company and destroy an idea or invention. Let's say that Microsoft has won in most/every IPR case, can this company be able to deliver the technologies they kill?

If they can - good. I'll stop the hate.

If they can't, which apparently is the current situation, then Microsoft is just getting richer, while some of use are getting dumber.

Of course, Microsoft still dominates the PCs and/or servers with their system and application softwares. But if we're going to talk about the web and mobile arena, I think they have failed to evolve together with their target audiences.

Well, Microsoft hasn't really been known as a company of innovation, Apple takes on that job really well. It's like Microsoft is still in beta testing mode after a decade of web and mobile evolution. 

"I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A GREAT THING TO HAPPEN AND I'M STILL WAITING."

Have you used Microsoft's search engine - Bing!? You know the search engine that has a fancy page layout but fails to deliver the results that you really need? I check it from time to time to see if it's still alive. Honestly, I'd rather use Yahoo! than Bing. But, Microsoft was able to buy that system too, probably now they understand what went wrong while analyzing Yahoo!'s source codes and network infrastructures.

Come to think of it, Microsoft now owns two search engines, but most of us are still using Google. They have the money but it seems they don't have the right people to invent the things WE NEED.

Have you seen a Windows Phone powered smartphone yet? My sister bought this huge smartphone - HTC HD7 - and as usual the graphical user interface is great, I was blown away when I first saw it, but when we tried sending files via bluetooth it failed to detect my Android phone. Sure, games look better in Windows Phones but check out the battery life! If you want to last a day while executing multimedia apps I suggest you buy an extra battery or don't ever, ever forget to bring the charger.

How about the fees in Windows Phone development? $99. You'd demand that amount without any guarantee of returns in investment. AND, WORSE HAVE YOU CHECKED THE MARKET SHARE OF WINDOWS PHONES?

As a developer, would you be inspired to create apps because of 10% market share?

Oh, and don't forget the maps...ok, I'll be kind here...it's a work in progress too.

It appears that Microsoft is creating a huge hindrance in reaching the full potential of (technological) user experience, by slowly killing other technologies that they fail to invent or produce.

And that's what worries me, on a small scale. But if you really think about it and imagine the future, you might feel the urge to scream out of frustration.

This is a simple Flash animation I created for my (UPOU) DEVCOM 207 course last semester.

The video contains information about the roles of women in the history of computers, current statistics and possible reasons on the status or participation of women in IT and how to encourage women to become computer programmers.

Gender is not an issue if you really want to pursue a career in (information) technology or other related fields.

Reference: Wikipedia

Here are some customizations for your Virtuemart shopping cart in Joomla.

To make the pop-up notification box more readable (because sometimes the background color is set to light yellow and the text is set to white), edit the following:

file:

path/to/joomla/components/com_virtuemart/themes/default/theme.css

text to edit:

.shop_error, .shop_warning, .shop_info, .shop_debug, .shop_critical, .shop_tip {

background-color:#FAFAD2;

background-position:left 5px;

background-repeat:no-repeat;

border-color:#AACCAA;

border-style:dotted none;

border-width:1px 0pt;

font-weight: 900;

margin:1pt 1pt 1em 1em;

padding:0.5em 1em 1.5em 48px;

color:#000000;

}

To remove the Virtuemart shopping cart logo, when the cart is empty, edit the following:

file:

path/to/joomla/components/com_virtuemart/themes/default/templates/common/minicart.tpl.php

text to edit:

   if(!$vmMinicart) { 

<a href="http://virtuemart.net/" target="_blank">

<img src="<?php echo $mm_action_url ?>components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/ps_image/menu_logo.gif" alt="VirtueMart" width="80" border="0" /></a><br />

}

To remove the "Categories" text in Virtuemart shopping cart, edit the following:

file:

path/to/joomla/components/com_virtuemart/themes/default/templates/common/shopIndex.tpl.php

text to edit:

echo "<br /><h4>".$VM_LANG->_('PHPSHOP_CATEGORIES')."</h4>";

I have just discovered what causes the "Credit Card Type not found" error in VirtueMart.

First problem : the "Credit Card Type" drop down box isn't displaying...this lead me to the 2nd problem, which is

Second problem : A javascript "writeDynaList" function is required, but is not included in your current javascript functions. So where will you find it?...moving on to the third problem

Third problem: the "writeDynaList" is inside the "JURI::root(true).'/includes/js/joomla.javascript.js'", but the javascript file isn't loading. WHY NOT?

The explanation can be found through this snippet of code in your <joomladirectory>/includes/application.php, and string search for this condition:

if ( $user->get('id') ) {
                    $document->addScript( JURI::root(true).'/includes/js/joomla.javascript.js');
                }
}

This means, that the user has to be logged in to load the javascript file.

If you want to force your customers to login during checkout, go to:

Administrator->Component->Virtuemart->Configuration->Global->User Registration Settings

then set the value of "User Registration Type" to "Normal Account Creation"

Hope this post helps you. Cheers!

Shouldn't that be a long term goal?

It sort of comes with the vocation, right?

I'm hoping that the following list would help and/or inspire you somehow.

So here goes...


1. "Do it right the first time"

    Always remember this whenever you build something - especially for big projects. I know there are several approach on how to build or solve something, but what it really means is you should try to give your best (as long as you can), or if you have no idea what is the best approach, research and don't be afraid to ASK!

    Of course there is "no perfect" program and bugs are always expected; but if you managed to minimize the anomalies in your codes, it would save you a lot of time and unnecessary headaches in the long run.

2. Think ahead

    This supplements tip #1 - you have to visualize the end product and the ways and tools to achieve it. Also, create the project in a flexible way wherein code modifications are easy to incorporate.

3. Read on and read good

    I know it's boring and strenuous to read manuals, tutorials, ebooks etc etc, but trust me you will benefit from the long hours and efforts you spent on that ass-flattening thick book.

    Aside from the supplements mentioned above, you should take advantage of the source codes that are freely distributed on the internet, such us, joomla, drupal, wordpress and many more. Download the packages and scrutinize the culture, style and art on how the system was built.

4. Breakdown that complicated process

    It's normal to be overwhelmed by a complicated process, the next thing you should do is to analyze and disintegrate the process into smaller functions, and work on it one by one. I bet by then it wouldn't be that much scary.

5. Programming is in the heart
   
    Like what they say, "Many are called, few are chosen", what would really make you stay and strive to become better at this profession, is your passion and patience, and most of the time, in my case, a kick-ass background music.

6. Practice and evolve *repeat until fade*

    Unlike other occupations, software engineering evolves at a much faster pace, there's always something new on how to build and execute digital operations, in just a matter of months.

    Warning: Slackers would be terribly punished.

7. Self-criticize your work

    I believe that from time to time you should interact with other programmers and have them check your codes, I believe that if the other programmer is not a douche, he/she would teach you on how to do a certain process faster, and that my friend would save you a lot of time. Remember, there's someone who's always better than you at something.

8. Be lazy in a smart way

    In reality this means you should practice reusing your codes and improve ways to "shorten" the lines of your codes while having the same or better output.
    Write your functions in a good way so next time you would be spending less time on creating similar projects.


That's all code warrior, cheers!