A programming language can best be learned only through examples. If you are person who is already familiar with a programming language and want to learn another language, for getting used to the language syntax and basic programs, the examples would suffice. If you are that kind and want to learn Java the site “Kode Java” could be handy. It contains lots of examples on different areas of Java.

Wondering what it means? I got to know about the “Plain Old Web Server” through the Ajaxian post “POW: Excuse me sir, you seem to have a server in your client“. POW is a Firefox plug-in that can run a server on the browser. I installed the extension and tried playing around with few HTMLS’ and JavaScript, gave a cool feeling of running a web server on the system.  But why does one need a web server to run on the browser? Here is a copy paste of copy paste from Ajaxian.

The Plain Old Webserver uses Server-side Javascript (SJS) to run a server inside your browser. Use it to distribute files from your browser. It supports Server-side JS, GET, POST, uploads, Cookies, SQLite and AJAX. It has security features to password-protect your site. Users have created a wiki, chat room and search engine using SJS.

This version includes:

• Documentation to show you how to build a Server-side Javascript program.
• File uploading code
• SQLite interface for easy saving of persistent data

Really useful and handy.

Every time when we add a new server to our environment the first thing that administrators (me when I was managing) was to set a strong password for super user ids. Not for our own servers but also when we host our applications on 3rd party hosting solutions provider. Not only that even if we have to give temporary access to users we need to give a strong password that cannot be remembered easily. Usually what I do is look at the objects nearby me, look at the digital clock on my computer, put some combinations, write down in a file and put it in a secure folder (so that I can look at it next time when I need to access the server ) and set it up. First it takes some time to think of this password and next is I definitely need to look at the stored password next time when I have to access the system, because I am very poor in remembering passwords. For administrators and anyone who want to generate strong passwords and also remember it easily here is a “Strong Password Generator” online. The site generates a strong password and also gives help on how to remember it.

Ruby Quiz is an online weekly programming challenge for Ruby developers. Join the mailing list and get the questions emailed and also the solutions that users post. I think it is a great way to learn Ruby as one not only can participate and test his abilities but also get to know the solutions that others post.

Linux Reality is a cool pod casting site that explains the UNIX/Linux basics as well as some advanced topics. For those who have really wanted to get hands on to Linux with basics then Linux Reality is one stop that one can use and bookmark.

For those of you designers looking for some CSS tips and techniques here are “53 CSS Techniques” needed for designing cool web sites.

Refer other useful resources.

The Ajax Cookbook has lot of very useful JavaScript tips when working on web 2.0 sites that requires cool rich user interface and nice Ajax features. Check it out.

This post is part of the Useful Resource series.

As far as I know, ever since Rails came, there seems to be a flare for learning things using a video tutorial. With more online space and high network bandwidth, having something demonstrated using video and audio seems to be not only catchy but gives a feeling of attending a class. tubetorial is a cool site that has video with audio tutorials not just technical but just any other topic as well. As I was checking out “How to Create Web Pages With HTML“, I was just thinking, I wished I had access to tutorials like this when I started off my career. It actually saves lot of time, money and effort and that saving could be used to learn more

Happy Friday.