Key Reason to Move to Java 5.0 ... Ocean: A bit of a stretch

I'm browsing through my RSS reader this morning and the Del.icio.us Java posts start coming through as usual. One of them is:

Five Reasons to Move to the J2SE 5 Platform

Looking at the post, reason number one is "Your application already works on 5.0". Then I see it, a subpoint under this section...

New Look and Feel

The Java platform already contains a pluggable Look-and-Feel framework. The addition of the new Ocean Look-and-Feel enables cross-platform applications to switch between Ocean or the native operating system's look-and-feel, without the need to rebuild or recompile them.

The answer to all my problems has been found. Ocean will make the move to 5.0 painless, save time, and get me a beer out of the fridge.

Programming Tools: Refactoring
A look at two open-source refactoring tools, Eclipse for Java and Bicycle Repair Man for Python.

[ 31 Dec ][ News ]: DB Solo Is Built On NetBeans
DB Solo is a powerful database development and management tool for both developers and DBAs. DB Solo has intuitive user interface that allows you to explore and manage your database objects as well as execute your own ad-hoc queries. DB Solo supports the major relational database products available today including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase and MySQL. You can manage all of these DBMS products -- even at the same time -- from a single application. DB Solo runs on Windows and Linux platforms, so you don't have to buy another tool only because you want to run manage your databases from different operating systems.For more information you can either visit the DB Solo website or NetBeans third party page.

Using JConsole to Monitor Applications
JConsole is the Java Monitoring and Management Console, a new graphical tool shipped in J2SE JDK 5.0. This article describes how JConsole can be used to observe information about an application running on the Java platform, with an overview of the J2SE 5.0 monitoring and management architecture and how JConsole plugs into the architecture.

Getting more pie
Addressing fixed resources

Old habits
Keyboard shortcuts lead to lock-in

NetBeans Merchandise
You asked for it... you got it! The NetBeans merchandise shop is now available. Pick up hats, t-shirts, a frisbee, mouse pads and fill up your new NetBeans coffee mug for your morning commute. Wear it, wash it, and jump up and down.

What do you want?
More on this year's JavaOne abstracts

Book Review - Open Source Software: Implementation and Management
The next time someone asks you how to introduce open source into an organization, suggest this book as a starting point.