10 BEST PRACTICES FOR WEB FORM DESIGN

Hola guys... while doing my task at office, I found this interesting tips for designing web form. This tips are given by Luke Wrobleski .

1. Path To Completion - Use progress indicators to communicate scope, status and position
2. Label Alignment - Use right, left or top alignment consistently
3. Helps & Tips - Help visible & adjacent to a data request is most useful
4. Inline Validation - Provide direct feedback as data is entered
5. Primary & Secondary Actions - Avoid secondary actions if possible and align primary actions with inputs fields for a clear path to completion
6. Actions in Progress - Provide feedback when an actions is in progress
7. Errors - Clearly communicate an error has occurred: top placement, visual contrast
8. Unnecessary Inputs - Look for opportunities to remove unnecessary inputs
9. Form Organization - Take the time to evaluate every question you ask and ensure your forms speak with one voice
10. Gradual Engagement - Try to avoid sign-up forms

Read the details elaborations here .

Change Project..Finally...

Salam everyone,
Finally after 2 years i involving myself on the development,warranty and maintenance of BHEUU system, i finally has been assigned to join the JPJ REVAMP team at Cyberjaya. This is the on of the biggest project for my company for the year 2010/2011. I started to work at cyber on Dec 2010. My first assignment (like usual) is to help my colleague on their report problem. Here, they're using iReport 3.7.5 (current relase v4.0.1). The last version iReport that i used (for Labuan FSA) report is v3.0.0. And of course at first i'm shocked because the iReport interface and 'way to do' is slightly different. Anyway, the new(v3.7.5/v3.7.6) iReport version has its own strenghts and a better function than v3.0.0.

A part from that, i also has been assigned to do an applet application to perform the pre-printed receipt printing (using printer Wincor Nixdorf). The requirement is quite complicated and user expectation is nothing but perfection. This can help you guys through the development http://java.sun.com/developer/onlineTraining/Programming/JDCBook/advprint.html, but in my case, i would rather use Doc and send it direct to default printer as the receipt must be printed using the custom made font for JPJ. Here is the reference :
http://java.sun.com/printing/whitepaper.html

Well at last i finally completed the task and now looking forward for a new task (System Design Document(SDD) as well as learning HP TRIM and IBM BAM(monitoring tools)..)

IDE Integration: DSpace and Netbeans

Salam and hi everyone,

Today i'm gonna write about my experience checking out DSpace source code using netbeans and try to make the it up and running on my local. My primary reference is this : Duraspace. Its the best guide you can find to help you to get DSpace source code and how to make it runs on our local.

Of course i have other references. They are like below:-
a)How to Guide : Tips and tricks for managing common DSpace chores.
b)DSpace manual.

There you go!! You have all the references needed, now what you need is a bit knowledge on java framework / web based project structure. B4 you start you may need this softwares :-

a)Netbeans IDE : I'm using v6.9
b)Apache Tomcat : I'm using v5.5
c)Apache Ant : I'm using v1.8.1
d)Apache Maven : I'm using v2.0.11
e)PostgreSql : I'm using v8.4
f)jdk : I'm using v1.6.0_20

All softwares above are free. Currently DSpace also capable of using Oracle database instead of PostgreSql. Perhaps because of the demands of using an oracle database.

If you follow the steps on the primary reference carefully you may end up successfully.However, you have to make sure that at the end of every steps you have correctly follow the step by doing some test. I several time failed to understand the instructions and caused me a disaster.

Below is my snapshot on the netbeans with DSpace source code.


Don't give up easily, its easier if you understand what are the steps for. You may ask me if you get stuck. Anyway, good luck!! c ya :)

WebService Using JBossWS

Salam guys,

Recently i've been asked by my boss to research on webservices for the current project. The current project is using jboss 4.0.5 GA and my boss gave me this very helpful website :

The Code Project. After struggle for few weeks i finally able to test the webservices. Hopefully i'll be able to do the webservice task for the project (ITS DAMN DIFFICULT!!).

Previous post i wrote a bit about proposing DSpace to my company. With help from my collegue i finished the presentation slide. This time more on business model rather than technical. There are 5 business model types that i can think of from DSpace and of course its all have a good potential especially here in Malaysia and world overall. I was thinking, what if they like my idea? What if not? Hmm.. Well, all i think now is give the best out of me and pray that whatever happen there must be a good reason behind it.


So, wish me luck and hope that everything goes well..

Selamat Hari Raya

Salam everyone,

1st of all i would like to wish to all muslims a very happy hari raya and maaf zahir & batin. Perhaps, somehow my writings had hurt someone's feeling. So, back to work story (even though i'm still in the holiday's mode). Recently, i propose DSpace with 'added element' to my company. I can say that the council like the idea but due to lack on business explaination, they ask me to do a re-presentation after raya. Well, its such an experience (selling idea to all CTOs in the subsidiary company). Its also a good exposure to my knowledge in presentation and public speaking skills.

Its been +- 2 weeks since i helped LOFSA project. I responsible in turning 'complicated' report into 'reality'. We use iReport to develop reports and certainly when it comes to open source software, it has its limitations. Similiarly, goes to iReport, it has many functions such as subreport, group, crosstab and much more. However, not all report's structure is 'can do' with iReport. So when it comes to 'toooo complicated' report, you might need to use database views to help you simplified the query in your report. Anyway, i must give a credit to JasperForge for their great effort in developing such a great BA tools available for industry. If you have any questions on iReport please leave a comment here, i'll try my best to help.
Well, that's all for now. Perhaps on the next post i can write about stored procedure, shell scripting and cronJobs. Till then, take care :)

Digital Library OR Institutional Repository?

Salam guys,

I have been thinking for quite some time, what is digital library and what is institutional repository? How are they differs from each other? So, i come out with a quick research and found this in wikipedia :-
1) "A digital library is a library in which collections are stored in digital formats (as opposed to print, microform, or other media) and accessible by computers. The digital content may be stored locally, or accessed remotely via computer networks. A digital library is a type of information retrieval system." - taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_library

and

2) "An Institutional Repository is an online locus for collecting, preserving, and disseminating -- in digital form -- the intellectual output of an institution, particularly a research institution.

For a university, this would include materials such as research journal articles, before (preprints) and after (postprints) undergoing peer review, and digital versions of theses and dissertations, but it might also include other digital assets generated by normal academic life, such as administrative documents, course notes, or learning objects." - taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institutional_repository

So, from the above definition i can say that the different between DL(DIGITAL LIBRARY) and IR(INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORY) is depends on its contents and its purpose. When it comes to the large community we use DL and as for smaller community we use IR. Let me give an example, In Malaysia, we have libraries, so whenever you want to digitize all the books/newspapers/magazines/journals/articles etc and put it online we call it DL. However, universities/colleges/institutional etc may develop an IR for their thesis/paper work/journals/articles etc.

Haven't said that, both DL and IR shares the main development purpose that is to preserve the digital assets and to make it accessible by the targeted user. Thus, you can call it either DL or IR and its still means the same (well, at least to me).

:)

Service Provider @ DSpace

Salam everybody,

In recent post, i wrote about the growth of DSpace and i told about a new page they have that is Service Provider. Well, a few days ago i wrote an email to DSpace and ask them if i am qualified to become the Malaysian Ambassador. They responded and i am very thankful to them as they put my blog inside their page. This will make people all over the world (especially Malaysian) to have 'DSpace Resource' nearer than ever. I will put myself on 'hardworking' mode to study and 'contribute' to DSpace community or at least to DSpace user to be. Here take a look at this page Service Provider and try to find my name there!! :)