The Drupal project I’ve been working on for the last year involved some fairly heavy file processing, with lot’s of validation.

To simplify the code I made extensive use of Exceptions, I didn’t create that many different Exception classes - but I made sure that any errors which affect the flow of the logic were handled by Exceptions.

Phonegap is an open source compatibility layer for mobile development.

It provides access to common mobile functionality such as geolocation, sound, contacts etc via a JavaScript API

I just came across this http://zoomsplatter.blogspot.com/2009/01/so-phar-so-good.html

In that same way that you can package up a java application into a single archive file (a jar) and run it directly from that file - you can now create a php archive file (a phar) !

I came across this PDF slideshow from a talk on optimising PHP, it’s well balanced and fairly thorough overview.

Tucked away at the bottom of settings.php is the following comment.

I have just got the new gphone, the G1 which is a collaborative venture: google provide the OS, HTC make the hardware, T-Mobile provide the netwwork, and loads of software is written by many people - and made available via Google marketplace.

While a few things feel a little beta still; on the whole it all hangs together very well indeed.

When you want to see what svn update is about to do you may try

svn update --dry-run

But this doesn’t work.

For most of 2008 I’ve been working on a large Drupal installation (around 10 developers,  something like 100 custom modules, 17 languages, split over 2 sites).

This all adds up to a lot of updates, and schema changes.

I have far too many books, both technical and diversionary, I read a great deal online, and still find myself printing a lot out: so I’ve been interested in the new generation of ereaders.

The devices seem pretty good, certainly the text is very clear, capacity and battery life are reportedly great.

There are many great services online that can help build fantastic websites at little cost.

In particular Google maps and you tube offer facilities that may not otherwise be available at no financial cost.