January 2012

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Wow!  What a great turnout!  It was so nice to see all the familiar faces, and some new faces too!

We kicked off with a great impromptu talk on “free code reviews”  – and why we don’t do them.

After introductions, we began discussing consuming SOAP services.  We discussed options for generating classes to map the wsdl’s, or use existing php libraries for talking with the services.

Other discussions:

  • Installing/using binary extensions like the db2, oci, compiling your own php, etc.
  • What options would a developer have in ZendFramework to implement ACL down in the model (despite it being not the best idea)
  • How does Symfony2 use the Reflection class to read annotations
  • For security audits, how important is it to upgrade to the latest PHP version?
  • How do you inspire the younger generation to become developers?  Maker Culture? Gaming? CodeAcademy?  How to find that thing that is exciting to kids (with a walk down memory lane as to what inspired us)?
  • Michael O’Connell came to tell us that Digital Evolution Group is looking for PHP developers.  You can apply online at http://bit.ly/zPf8s1

Lots of great discussions!!  Hope to see you all next month!

New year, new site, happy Dan

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Welcome back…again.

KCPug.org has been around since 2001 (I think) and I am pleased to release the fourth major iteration of our site. We have many plans for new tools, pages, and information–but for now, I focused mainly on data migration.  You will find some placeholders looking for feedback, etc.  You may even spot a custom widget or two.

What you will find is any active user accounts, stories and story comments (sorry, no forums).

I still plan to post how I did the migration…there isn’t much in-depth xoops to wordpress migration information out there and when you see my ugly sql of doom, you will probably see why.

I’m fairly new to WordPress, so if you have any tips, ideas, or ah-ha moments, please let me know.  I certainly look forward to seeing you all again in this wonderful new year.

November meeting location

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I just got the official word that our usual location has changed it’s business hours and will no longer work for our 2:30pm gathering area.

Instead, the fine folks at The Commons – a local Co-working space in Overland Park has offered to host us this weekend. HUGE thanks to Andrew of The Commons for sharing their space!!

So, come on down, see their new digs and let’s talk some PHP (as well as discuss options for our new future home).

More about this weekend’s place:

http://thekccommons.com/

Saturday, November 19th at 2:30 pm

7932 Santa Fe Dr.
Overland Park, KS 66204
Find on Google Maps

Even If you aren’t able to make it, feel free to suggest some great ideas for our future spot.

Things I have heard we are looking for:
* Easier access from Downtown, Lawrence, and Johnson County
* Quiet enough for discussions, but not “too dead”
* Good variety – Coffee, beer, tea, maybe snacks
* Projector would be nice for sure
* More “hangout” less “classroom”

Woah, sorry about your RSS feed. :-)

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Well, the good news is–I’ve actually started (actively) working on the site migration to WordPress! But, if you subscribe to this site from our RSS link, you may have gotten a little flooded this weekend.

I was looking into ways to migrate the content. While I didn’t go the RSS route, I did tweak our current feed. And, let it ALL out I think.

Anyway, I have a procedure for migrating users who have posted anything, ever as well as the posts. I’m most likely going to move comments over-just not yet sure about our forums though.

My plan is to get the base system up with a modestly simple theme. Then, as a group we can shape it’s direction and watch it grow. Hopefully I’ll have more to update at this weekend’s meeting!

Dan

September, 2011

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I hadn’t been able to get to my laptop since our meeting this weekend, so please fill in details below that I miss.

But, here is an update from our User Group meeting this weekend:

Book Recommendations

Bryan and John recommended some top notch books on Development and OO
Code Complete
CleanCode
Pragmatic Programmer

Remote / Freelance / CoWorking styles

We had some great discussions on enjoying the workday free of the cubicle. We talked briefly about some co-working options and Noah suggested Dan look into the Enterprise Center of Johnson County at 87th and I 35.

Tools of the Trade – Windows edition

We have noticed a possible surge in windows-laptop-based development again. Dan mentioned two tools that have come to save his sanity recently:
SMTP4Dev – A local-only smtp server / email mail viewer
mdesktop – fast, clean and light virtual desktops

John Kary – Building a first-class API with Symfony2 and Doctrine’s Behavioral Extensions

John Kary walked us through an application he is building for managing links. The project is centered around building a first class API to get, put, post and delete the links as needed by whatever front end client.

He walked us through the tools he was using to test the API (I think he said JAX-RS), but also drilled into his code.

The system used Symfony2 as well as the Doctrine2 Behavioral Extensions.

It was not only fantastic to see how behaviors were being leveraged to make cleaner, more easily testable code–but also to see some PHP 5.3 in real life! :-)

Thanks John for the excellent talk!

Daycamp4Developers Giveaway

Congratulations to Our newest member–Andrew! Andrew “Won” our DC4D#3 giveaway. Enjoy the presentations, Andrew!!

There was much more, so if I missed a topic that was near and dear to you–PLEASE add as a comment below!

See you next month!

PHP|Arch opens its library to new subscribers Aug 29 – Sep 3rd 2011

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I saw this in a tweet from @Remi_Woler this morning, and am probably going to get a subscription tonight:

http://www.phparch.com/2011/08/this-week-only-subscribe-and-get-every-phpa-ever-published/

$44 / yr alone is a great price–their issues always have a few stories I want to read. Now that they are throwing in their entire digital library of back issues–that just makes it even more enticing.

I know I don’t seem to have the time to read either, but it’s certainly cheaper than dragging my backside to ZendCon this year.

Happy reading!

KCITP Summer Happy Hour

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Help KCITP celebrate their 3 year anniversary!Just a note to share word about this KCITP happy hour event I’ll be going to. Join us from 5:30 – 7:30pm on Wednesday, August 3rd @ The Waldo Well.

From their site:
_QUOTEC

In addition to helping to celebrate this milestone, our happy hours are a great way to come connect with your fellow geeks and talk about the latest in technology trends.

Find a mentor! Meet a business partner to help you execute on that startup idea you’ve always dreamed of!

Build new connections!

More information and registration / RSVP info on their site:

http://www.kcitp.com/2011/07/19/kcitp-summer-happy-hour-help-us-celebrate-our-3-year-anniversary/

KCITP Career Fair – 2011

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Looking for a new Job? Our friends (ok, tweeps) at @KCITP are hosting a career fair at JCCC this month!

June 21st from 10am – 2pm @ JCCC

They have 9 participating companies: Cerner, DST, Commerce Bank, Sprint, Digital Evolution Group, Perceptive Software, Red Nova Labs, Multi Service & SMG.

These companies are hiring for:

- Mid/Sr level Software Engineers w/ one or more of these languages: PHP/.NET/C#/Java/Perl
- Mid/Sr level DBAs: SQL Server and/or Oracle
- Systems Engineers
- Security Analysts
- IT Project Managers / Business Analysts

…..and more!

Details can be found here, including registration & requirements: http://www.kcitp.com/2011/06/01/kcitp-job-fair/