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IBM developerWorks Podcast Interview

I’ve been interviewed for IBM’s developerWorks podcast, this time answering questions about my Designing a Scalable Grid series.

Hear the podcast: IBM developerWorks : Blogs : developerWorks podcasts blog

Read about Designing a Scalable Grid part 1
Read about Designing a Scalable Grid part 2

Computerworld I/O Blogcast: Gears of War

Joyce Carpenter at ComputerWorld has interviewed me again, this time talking about Gears of War.

You can here the audiocast by visiting Computerworld Input Output: A new approach to recruiting developers in China; Gears of War review. You may also want to read my post-mortem review of GoW, Martin MC Brown: Gears of War gameplay post mortem.

Interview with Arnold Robbins, Maintainer of Gawk

I interview Arnold Robbins, maintainer of Gawk and author of Linux Programming by Example: The Fundamentals about his book, Gawk and how maintainers like me are kept in check.

Here’s an extract:

LP: Do you think there’s a need for such low-level programming guides?

Robbins: Yes, I do. It’s wonderful to program at a higher level of abstraction, such as what Java and Python give you, or in a different way, what the shell gives you.

But there are times when you’ve got to get as close to the metal as you can, and that calls for C or C++ and direct system calls. Besides, I think it’s kind of neat to see the clear relationship between the way the Unix system calls work and the semantics made available at the shell level (I/O redirection, piping), and that in fact it’s not really such difficult dark magic after all.

Read the full article

Interview with Tom Jackiewicz, author of Deploying OpenLDAP

My first article for LinuxPlanet is an interview with the author of Deploying OpenLDAP, Tom Jackiewicz. The book is an excellent guide to using and abusing the OpenLDAP platform.

As well as the contents of the book, I talked with Tom about the uses and best environments for LDAP solutions, as well as technical requirements for OpenLDAP. We also have a little discussion about the complexities of the LDAP system.

You can read the full interview.

New Book Review Blog

I have a new blog totally dedicated to hosting book reviews and interviews.

It takes the place of the books blog I had at LinuxWorld, which is obviously now defunct.

The new site, The Writers Perspective will host all the reviews and interviews that conduct each month, as well as links and information on reviews and interviews that I have published elsewhere, such as Free Software Magazine.

There are four entries up there now - quite a few interviews are currently pending. Probably best to add the feed to your favourite reader

Unix Advanced Visual QuickPro, Chris Herborth

Unix Advanced Visual QuickPro is a step-by-step guide to configuring the finer points of your Unix machine from file sharing, Web sites, and e-mail through to virus scanning. I talk to the author and long-time friend, Chris Herborth, about the book and the future of Unix and Linux gaming.

Let’s get the important questions out of the way first. Are you a bearded sandal wearing Unix guru?

I’d consider myself more of a very advanced user and experienced programmer, although I do have a moustache/goatee (I think that’s called a Van Dyke), and I do love to wear sandals when weather permits. I don’t look anything like rms or esr.

This is your first book, but not the first time you’ve been involved in the process. Could you tell us how you got involved in the project?

Read on…

Beginning MySQL Database Design and Optimization

Getting the design of your database right has a huge impact on a number of issues. Primarily performance, but it can also affect other areas like the flexibility of your database and how it integrates with the application-level solution, such as PHP or Perl, that you’re using.

Beginning MySQL Database Design and Optimization by Jon Stephens and Chad Russell covers the whole gamut of database design from choosing the right data types to the right database type and index. I talked to the authors about the book, MySQL 5.0, and database design.

This book has a slightly different feel to it than other MySQL titles I’ve read recently. Can you tell us what the primary motivation for the title was?

Read on…

Exclusive LinuxWorld Magazine Interview: My SQL Network

The MySQL Network is a new service operated by MySQL AB to help companies use and deploy MySQL technology in their applications. It bundles up a number of different components into a single chargeable service and includes certified copies of the MySQL binaries, online and phone-based support, full access to the MySQL KnowledgeBase, and updates and notifications of new releases.

The MySQL Network is a new service operated by MySQL AB to help companies use and deploy MySQL technology in their applications. It bundles up a number of different components into a single chargeable service and includes certified copies of the MySQL binaries, online and phone-based support, full access to the MySQL KnowledgeBase, and updates and notifications of new releases.

Unlike the free MySQL, where organizations are expected to deploy and use the database on their own, the MySQL Network offers assisted setup and support either directly or through a number of MySQL partners.

I spoke to Zack Urlocker, vice president of marketing for MySQL AB, and Sami Akbay, senior director of marketing for GoldenGate Software, Inc., a MySQL Network partner, about the MySQL Network and how it will be supported and used by corporations.

Read the full interview.

Unix Advanced Visual QuickPro

Unix Advanced Visual QuickPro gives you the steps you need for the next stage of using various parts of your Unix installation. Not just focused on one Unix flavour, the book looks at BSD, Linux, Mac OS X and the Windows-compatible Cygwin extensions. It also covers the mechanics of setting up your machine for printing, email, web sites (including PHP) and other administration tasks.

I’ll admit, I tech edited the book, but that just gave me even more of an opportunity to read it all in depth. It’s definitely worth a read, even if you think you know a Unix flavour, this book will tell you how the other flavours handle it. Chris has been in the industry for years - including behind the scenes on many books (he tech edited two of mine, not to mention being a good friend) - and I’m hoping this isn’t the last book he does.