The updates to Building Skills in Object-Oriented Design cover some notes on testing, Agility and rework, two ongoing themes that can't be emphasized enough.

There were two small updates regarding testability.

First, creating Outcome instances — for testing purposes — does involve an ugly hack of repeating the payout odds. Since we're …

Don't ask why. I can't explain it without violating a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

However, check this out. Search for NMEA Checksum VB.

• http://www.experts-exchange.com/Databases/GIS_GPS/Q_21413235.html
• http://www.codepedia.com/1/Calculating+and+Validating+NMEA+Checksums
• http://www.codepedia.com/1/Taking+Out+the+Garbage:+NMEA+Checksums …

Many, many thanks to readers who sent in comments, questions, suggestions and corrections.

I've updated Building Skills in Python to correct the errors found so far.

Also, in the process, I've revised chapter 36 a bit.

Back in December, I posted "I haven't written a program in years ..." with a tidy little example, suitable for someone who used to program. The intent was to help them get a quick program written, leveraging their legacy skills using new tools.

And (bonus to me) it helps me to …

I've upgraded my Building Skills in Python to cover the 2.5 release. It didn't take as long as I'd anticipated.

The new features list for Python 2.5 is mercifully short. I did a fair amount of reorganization to consolidate some things that had grown or split needlessly.

Changes …

Here's part of a recent email, subject "Antique Programmer in search of face lift and/or brain transplant as appropriate...". It was from a VP/Director kind of person who'd been away from hands-on technology for a few years.

"I’ve got a new Vista PC with dual drives so …

Since I spend a lot of time on skill upgrades for my clients, my books are oriented around that theme. It's something that I learned from Jim Bullock : there's a Clue Absorption Rate, and you can't exceed that rate. These books are about building skills incrementally.

I've got three Python-related …

I think that learning Java is challenging. You've got to learn the language, object-oriented programming, the libraries and the endless Java Technologies. The Java landscape is crowded with J*tx* and tx J add-ons, where tx is some technology abbreviation; for example, JAXWS, JAXB, SAAJ, JMS, JFC, JCE, JAAS, etc …

Thanks to everyone who attended. See Designing Web Services with the J2EE(TM) 1.4 Platform : JAX-RPC, SOAP, and XML Technologies for more information. Also, check out Dr. Dobb's SOA, Web Services and XML department.

Here's the Micro$oft PPT file: Web Services 8.ppt

Here's the Open-Office file: Web …

Here's the shocking result.

http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/08/language_quiz.php

And I thought I was just arrogant. Now I see that it's worse than I thought.