JDocs 2.0 Beta - Now with AJAX
JDocs has as long and storied past as any site in our network.  When Rick and I built JDocs several years ago, it provided a one stop shop for the API documentation of a plethora of Java APIs and let the community comment on everything from packages right on down to fields of classes.  Unfortunately, it had several problems that made it difficult to maintain and bring in line with the latest and greatest Java language features. 

Fortunately, the story doesn't end where we last left it almost 2 years ago.  For the last year, we've been working in stealth mode to build the next generation of JDocs - Java API documentation combined with AJAX and Wiki.  This time we've built in support for all the latest Java language features, we've included the Java SE documentation (yes, it's there to stay), and we've got a versioned wiki system on nearly every facet of the system.  In addition, we've already released a rudimentary Eclipse plugin, and we've got code that we're trying to clean up and push out for both NetBeans and Eclipse. 

This time around, we've made two decisions that are big departures from our last go round.  First, we've ditched the old frame based JavaDoc style by default with a fancy AJAX tabbed view.  This view lets you quickly navigate through the documentation and includes a source view for all the open source projects (including Java SE).  If you're more comfortable with the "Classic" look, you can easily jump back to that style and the system will remember your preference next time you come back. 

The second major departure, and perhaps the most important, is that we've offloaded the task of keeping the packages current to the package maintainers.  If you want your API documentation kept up to date at JDocs, all you have to do is register your API with our system, we verify you have permission to actually control that API, and then we send you a key.  With this key, you're able to run an Ant task (and soon a maven task) and upload a file that the task generates to JDocs.  The system then takes care of sticking all the data where it belongs and handling the versions.  Straightforward and it helps take out the middleman, keeping the gears spinning smoothly.  We're proud of our team, led by Karthik Abram, and we hope that you'll send us your feedback and ideas on how we can improve the system during this initial beta stage. 

Rich Web Experience 2007
These days, rich Internet applications and AJAX are all the rage.  With Adobe AIR, Microsoft Silverlight, JavaFX and the plethora of JavaScript libraries out there, where are you going to go to get in-depth access to all the right people?  The Rich Web Experience, that's where.  Put on by Jay Zimmerman and his team from the No Fluff, Just Stuff Symposiums, the lineup of speakers and the giveaways (a Wii to every attendee?) are second to none.  If you check their website now, you can get in on the early bird discount for the show in San Jose on Thursday Sept. 6th through Sat. Sept. 8th.  I'll be doing a case study on DZone at the show on Friday afternoon at 2:30.  I look forward to seeing some of you there. 

Taking notice of DZone
Every time I turn around it seems like another site is including DZone as a place to post their articles, reviews, and blog entries.  Each day, more and more people realize that Digg isn't the place to go for developer content and that DZone gives you that laser focus into what you're looking for.  For our part, we've got some neat improvements that should be available in the next week or so at DZone that help give it a more personal and friendly feel along with just a little finesse.  With your help, DZone is now one of the biggest social bookmarking sites on the web.  Thanks to all of you. 

Upgrades Imminent - Grab Your Hard Hats
Of all the facets of my role at DZone, upgrades are the things that stress me out the most.  I always have a hard time dealing with the associated downtime and dealing with large databases and large amounts of file system data.  This week or next, we hope to finally accomplish two major upgrades that have been a long time coming.  Over the next few days we're going to finally be applying an upgrade to JavaForge that brings it inline with Intland's latest version.  This new version should be much more stable and should add some nice features including true anonymous access and in depth wiki support throughout the application.  In addition, we hope to add another 2GB of memory to the machine, giving it plenty of headroom.  

After the JavaForge upgrade is complete, we hope to complete a much needed JRoller upgrade.  This one is turning out to be quite a beast.  We're many versions behind on the Roller software, and even though we've done a lot of work to help stabilize the current version that we're running, the latest version has many improvements that our users have been clamoring for.  If you experience any extended downtime over the next two weeks, it's likely because we're working on the upgrade.  With a little work, we hope that both these services can be much better than they are now.   

Until next time,
Matthew Schmidt
matt@dzone.com
AIM or Yahoo Messenger: MattSchmidtJL