Web Tools

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ASP? (Application Service Provider), how does it work?

http://www.howstuffworks.com/asp.htm



ASPs are companies who sell and distribute software and software services
through the World Wide Web. Through cost sharing, the same way you
already share the "cost" of a jet-liner when you buy a commercial
ticket, software ownership is dramatically reduced with ASP's.
Instead of purchasing a large complicated application, like Oracle
or SAP, ASP's purchase and maintain the program and "share" the
application with "paying users."
The four basic features of an ASP are:

1) The ASP owns the Software
2) The ASP owns the servers and equipment.
3) The ASP makes the Software available on-line.
4) The ASP Bills either on a "per-use" or "periodic" basis.

With the cost of owning software continually growing, ASP's will
continue to be a cost effective solution, especially to startup
businesses. This is especially true of large complex applications.
Last but not least is the cost of maintaining large and complex
applications. In companies where applications may be distributed
over a number of desktops or laptops, the cost savings can be multiplied.

For more information about ASP's and how they work, check the
following links:

http://www.trginternational.com/HTML/giotto.htm
http://www.softwaremag.com/archive/1999dec/AppsOnTap.html
http://www.aspindustry.org/
http://www.aspnews.com/


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ColdFusion, like ASP (Active Server Pages) but easier?

ColdFusion is a programming language you can use to write dynamic webpages.
Rather than relying on static HTML, ColdFusion builds pages on the fly.
ColdFusion pages contain very little text, and rely on information from
other applications. For example ColdFusion can obtain information from
databases or spreadsheets.

ColdFusion is easy to use and makes it a natural option for web developers
who need to add some pizazz to their sites, but don't want to build a
complicated ASP application or time consuming Flash Presentation.
ColdFusion works on both Microsoft servers and Unix based servers.

Easy to learn and easy to use, ColdFusion has claim to many awards;
"Internet net Best," "Codie Award," "Info World Electric," "Internet World's
Best of Show," and "Web Techniques / Web review web tool awards" are among
a few. Adding ColdFusion to your web programming bag of tricks will pay off.
Look into some of these links for more information:

http://universalclass.com/i/technology/computerprogramming/classes/2230.htm
http://www.infopac.com/webhosting/cdf-faq.htm
http://www.granitewebdesign.com/support/kb/17.1.html



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(MS) Exchange Server.

What is an Exchange Server?
Microsoft's Exchange Server is the software version of a post office. To read your
e-mail you need only to find your e-mail URL, so you wont need to understand all
of those mysterious SMTP codes. Exchange supports Eudora, Netscape and Outlook
Express. In these modes, referred to as :POP and IMAP, Exchange is simply supplies
email to your computer then you are use a browser to view it. Exchange also
supports MS Outlook 2000.


Advantages of Exchange?
* Web based
* you can access email from any computer
* Ease of use, full attachment support
* Compatible
* Eudora, Netscape, MS Outlook Express using POP or IMAP
* Support of Outlook 2000
* Powerful, easy to use windowing interface
* Full access to email from any computer with web access
* Complete calendaring and address book features


If you are looking for a total e-mail solution, that is easy to use and transportable,
try MS Exchange Server systems and accounts. Check with your Internet Provider, you
may already have access to your e-mail in ways you don't know about.
For example http://maillink.prodigy.net is a web based e-mail account system.
As A Prodigy member you can check your mail from any computer, using their web based
mail solution.


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Java Applets? What are they and how did they get here?


What is a Java Applet?
A Java Applet is a small application which runs in a browser
(provided the browser supports Java). The applet is written with
Sun Micro Systems "Java," an object oriented programming language.
To run the applet users must put the '.class' file and related support
files (if required) in a directory on the web server. On your HTML
document you execute the applet by invoking the Applet tag.

Here is an example:


The "related" files eluded to earlier consist of the import statements,
class statement, member variable declarations and the class methods.
What this means is, you will need to read the source code and any
"read me" files to understand how to use a particular applet.
To briefly explain in general terms, I will discuss each of the general
related files contained in applets.

First the "import statements." import statements reference Java
packages and classes that are used by the applet. A "Class statement"
defines the class as a public subclass of the Applet class. All applets
must be a subclass of the Applet class. A subclass is just a way of
using the code already available for a class and adding more code to it
(this is where some of the object oriented nature of "object oriented"
programming starts). Member variables are defined within the class.
Member variables are available for use by all methods of the class.
Most "read me" files you find with Java source code will discuss, in
full detail the member variables. Finally, A method is a program
structure consisting of variables and statements that can receive
parameters and may return one value.
Now that you know a little more about Java Applets, here are a few
links to find free applets:

http://javaboutique.internet.com/
http://www.babbage.demon.co.uk/java.html
http://www.ezebox.com/



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You might want to consider MySQL.
http://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/0-7537-8-6580620-1.html


MySQL is a fast and reliable database application, and for most users
it is free of charge. A point to consider before diving into MySQL
(even at the usual /home/free/cgi-bin/util/sitebuilder cost), is the inability to handle some more
complex database issues. Some basic shortcomings are the inability
to handle referential integrity, stored procedures, and sub queries,
to name a few. If you are not concerned with the more esoteric operations
of database application development, then MySQL may be the answer for you.

Advantages of MySQL over, say, Access, are at least as intriguing as the
disadvantages. First is the price: at /home/free/cgi-bin/util/sitebuilder you really wont have anything more
invested in trying MySQL than the time spent to install, learn, and try it.
This leads to the next benefit of MySQL, the short learning curve. Because
MySQL does not do all of that "fancy" Access stuff, learning it is easier.
Ease of development may lead you to higher creative endeavors, and as far
as creating more MySQL applications, this is not a problem either, as MySQL
is highly scalable and compatible with many interfaces.

MySQL's advantages outweigh its few limitations, and is worth learning
if only to add to your resume. For more information on this product follow
the links listed here:

http://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/0-7537-8-6580620-1.html
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10142-108-46501.htm