First AppEngine Deployment

I got my first app up and running Google AppEngine (GAE) this week. Overall the experience was pretty good. The only hangup was that it took a while for the app's indexes to build (over an hour). But after that, everything is humming.

I will do some more lengthy write ups in the future about the application and the experience, but for now I'll summarize:
AppEngine + Django = Nice.

Speaking of Dropbox

Speaking of Dropbox... you can use it as a host for a static site.
http://andothernoise.blogspot.com/2009/05/using-dropbox-as-host-for-static.html

Get Dropbox

Dropbox is a free, ridiculously easy service for syncing files across computers. If you use more than one computer regularly (e.g. desktop, laptop, office) it will painlessly keep files in your "dropbox folder" on each system synchronized.

How it works:

• Install the executable (it stays in your sys-tray)
• Select your "dropbox folder" on your system
• Drag files into the folder
• Booyah, you're in sync
  

You can even browse, download, and remove files from the web-based interface. They've done it right.

If you're not already using it, it's definitely worth checking out. Use this referral URL and we both get extra space:
https://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTczMDMyNzk

Linked In

My LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bennybeta

Ubuntu 9.04, Django, Google AppEngine

Today's tasks:

• Upgrade to Ubuntu 9.04 (done)
• Get Django 1.0 working on Google AppEngine (done)
• Work on Feed aggregator for Flex After Dark (in progress)

Ubuntu 9.04 Is Here

Ubuntu 9.04 is here! I plan to upgrade to Jaunty Jackalope this weekend. Last time I upgraded from 8.04 to 8.10 it took a few hours, but mostly for the downloading. Overall it was an easy and pleasant experience. I'm looking forward to trying out the latest version of Ubuntu and Gnome.

If you're still using Windows... why? Do yourself a favor and try out Ubuntu. You can download it, put it on a CD/DVD and try it without having to install it. You'll thank yourself (and the thousands of developers behind Linux).

Haystack with Whoosh Support

Haystack is a pure-Python library for adding search to your Django application. It has support for Whoosh as well. I'll be looking into this as a possibility for Flex After Dark's search functionality.