Podcast isn't the kind of media I would like to receive, since reading is much faster than listening.

The above image states the only reason I ever tried the PHP Abstract, Cal Evans is giving out free books to blog about it1!
So I picked out 2 podcasts and listened to them...
Oh... cheesy opening...

After hearing the Five Ways To Kill a Software Project. It's mostly about how to not do software project for clients. Some things I definitely want to remember. Not now though. the only client is myself....

The opinionated software one is one thing that's really struck me. I don't mean I'm a person creating millions of configurations for the users, I don't give the users options for configure them because everything I wrote is so delicate2. Sounds like PHP codes for embedded systems. I have the feelings I can never write something suitable for anyone else but me.

The podcast's opening + ending took 1 minute in total, that's quite long compare to the entire podcast. Come on, it's an abstract, extended brief news, cut to the point...

Oh, that reminds me another reason I like reading better. No one can jump though sections in podcast as easy as textbooks.
[Nothing against podcast, I'm just jealous about the people who have a iPod to listening to podcast on the go]

So, I recommend PHP Abstract to anyone who have interest in new(or interesting) stuff in PHP and can find 10 minute on a average week3 sitting in the bus with an ipod.

1. 1. won't it be cool if I can get something not from my book collection
2. 2. configuration for prime spirals and matrix rain effect? Don't think so
3. 3. that's 59.52 milliseconds per average minute

Title :Serializing Objects in PHP
Full Article: http://www.phphacks.com/content/view/34/33/

Recommended to : Beginner PHPer and PHPer just starting OO

Introduction: Object serialization is a technique to turn an object's properties and methods into a string. It is then stored in flatfile or database. Unserialize them will turn the object into the original state and can be processed in PHP. This article from phphacks.com shows how to build a class that can self serialize and unserialize.

Abstract:
To serialize a object, use serialize($object). To unserialize, use unserialize($object). The writer demonstrate the usage by making a simple class that simply store data into file. Then, adding a new function in the original class that allow serialization the object itself by this code serialize($this). The serialized object is then stored into a file. Restoration of the file needs another function. The function called fetch() fetches the file and unserialize it. "$newObj = $objSaver-> fetch();" will create an object that's same as the $objSaver.

Facts from Conclusion:

• Serialization turns a object into string for storage.
• Unserialization restores a string into an object for PHP script to use.
• Self-serializing and unserializing objects can be a root class for all classes that need to serialized.

Editor Comment:

Serialize is a practice quite popular around the OO PHPers. The popular CMS e107 uses Serialized object to store settings in the database.

Title :Introduction to Abstract classes in PHP
Full Article: http://www.phphacks.com/content/view/35/33/

Recommended to : Beginner PHPer

Introduction: An abstract class is a class that cannot(or should not) be instantiated. This is an example of how to create an abstract class by the guy(s) from phphacks.com

Abstract:
Like the introduction said, you only need to ensure this class can't be instantiated. The first version is make an class with a prototype function. The prototype function contains die() command, so when the class it's called, the script simply dies. To improve the code, trigger error is used instead of die. A new conditional test tests if the class called is the abstract class by using a constant _CLASS_. Now this class can't be instantiated by anything other than its subclass. In the final script, a conditional check for the subclass is added. _CLASS_ is replaced with get_class($this).

Facts from Conclusion:

• Abstract class are classes can't be instantiated.
• Use get_class($this) insted of the _CLASS_ constant.

Editor Comment:

What's the point of making a class can't be instantiated? I don't know. I was never in a position where I have to organize a well-structured hierarchy. Will you ever need to use abstract classes? I don't know :) But you could learn something about improving coding though this tutorial

Title : How to display Tabular Data -- a new perspective
Full Article: http://www.webreference.com/programming/javascript/ne/index.html

Recommended to : Any webmaster, Javascripter

Introduction: Nicolas Erlijman showing us a new way to display tabular data without making the table change in size.

Abstract: Normally, a table uses relative size(%) in width can result these 3 problems:
1. cells grow in height: When a field contains too much data
2. ugly scrolling appears: When a field have data that can't be split into different lines
3. Using fixed table values won't solve the problem.
To fix the problems, here are the steps.
1. Use a read only input text controls
2. Get the width of all characters
3. make floating buttons allow user to scroll only one cell

Compatibility: IE 5.5, FF 1.5, NS 8.1, Opera 8.5

Facts from Conclusion:

• Fixed table width is Evil!
• Create a span with innerHTML set to a text, the span.offsetwidth will be the string length
• Don't restrict your mind. There are better interface for humans

Editor Comment:

This is a refreshing idea. I used computer and loved it when I was five. I never thought of this idea until today. I should be ashamed of myself. so should anyone who doesn't read this article.