3G

A radio communications technology that will create a "bit pipe" for providing mobile access to internet-based services. It will enhance and extend mobility in many areas of our lives.

In the near future, mobility won't be an add-on: it will become a fundamental aspect of many services. We'll expect high-speed access to the internet, entertainment, information and electronic commerce (e-commerce) services wherever we are - not just at our desktop computers, home PCs or television sets.

3G services will add an invaluable mobile dimension to services that are already becoming an integral part of modern business life: Internet and Intranet access, video-conferencing, and interactive application sharing.

2G Wireless The technology of most current digital mobile phones Features includes: - Phone calls - Voice mail - Receive simple email messages Speed: 10kb/sec Time to download a 3min MP3 song: 31-41 min

2.5G Wireless The best technology now widely available Features includes: - Phone calls/fax - Voice mail -Send/receive large email messages - Web browsings - Navigation/maps - New updates Speed: 64-144kb/sec Time to download a 3min MP3 song: 6-9min

3G Wireless Combines a mobile phone, laptop PC and TV Features includes: - Phone calls/fax - Global roaming - Send/receive large email messages - High-speed Web Navigation/maps Videoconferencing - TV streaming - Electronic agenda meeting reminder. Speed: 144kb/sec-2mb/sec Time to download a 3min MP3 song: 11sec-1.5min

We are not just talking about "road warriors" who spend their entire lives travelling. It's more a question of supporting new, flexible working practices where employees need access to a wide range of information and services via their corporate intranets, whether they are at their own desk or anywhere else.

Employees who spend some of their working at home. Accountants that carry out audits at client premises. On-site maintenance engineers who need access to detailed instruction manuals, mobile emergency services who need a video link with a hospital or doctor for specialised advice. These are a few situations where 3G will play a valuable role.

Key features of 3G systems are a high degree of commonality of design worldwide, compatibility of services, use of small pocket terminals with worldwide roaming capability, Internet and other multimedia applications, and a wide range of services and terminals.

3G System Capabilities

Capability to support circuit and packet data at high bit rates: • 144 kilobits/second or higher in high mobility (vehicular) traffic • 384 kilobits/second for pedestrian traffic • 2 Megabits/second or higher for indoor traffic

Interoperability and roaming

Common billing/user profiles: • Sharing of usage/rate information between service providers • Standardized call detail recording • Standardized user profiles

Capability to determine geographic position of mobiles and report it to both the network and the mobile terminal

Support of multimedia services/capabilities: • Fixed and variable rate bit traffic Bandwidth on demand • Asymmetric data rates in the forward and reverse links • Multimedia mail store and forward • Broadband access up to 2 Megabits/second

We're likely to see 3G services enter our day -to-day lives in all sorts of new ways: for example, in shopping, especially Internet "mail order" (e-commerce), banking, or playing interactive computer games over the Net.

We'll think nothing of sitting on a train and using a mobile palmtop with Internet browser to log into our bank accounts. While on-line we'll be able to check our accounts, pay a few bills and click on a screen icon to immediately set up a video-conference to discuss our account with a bank clerk.

On vacation, we'll be able to use our mobile palmtops to obtain local tour guides, make a last-minute reservation at a hotel, find and call the nearest taxi firm, and send video postcards. We'll expect location-independent mobile access to a personalised set of services that matches the way we live and work.

Increasingly, machine-to-machine communications will also be enabled and enhanced with future mobile network technology. Domestic appliances will have built-in radio modems to provide remote control and diagnostics. Our refrigerators will have built-in sensors that detect which items need restocking and automatically send a reminder message to our Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). We could even get the refrigerator to send an order direct to our local store. Likewise, vending machines will be able to tell the warehouse when they need restocking.

SmartGWT 1.0: A Q&A with Sanjiv Jivan

Earlier this month, SmartGWT 1.0 was released. SmartGWT is an API for building GWT applications using the SmartClient Javascript component library. SmartGWT was developed by Sanjiv Jivan, the same developer who previously lead gwt-ext development, and subsequently ceased his involvement due to licensing issues.

InfoQ had a chance to discuss SmartGWT with Sanjiv Jivan and get his perspective on the new project, comparisons to gwt-ext, and the plans for the project.

What are the main features that SmartGWT supports?

SmartGWT makes the complete APIs of the SmartClient AJAX RIA platform available in GWT. SmartClient is very different from other Ajax libraries in that it provides not only a very complete widget set, but also handles the hard problems involved in building enterprise applications: not just loading and displaying data, but propagating user changes back to the server, and handling all of the consequences of those changes - server validation and other error handling, cache updates across multiple components, etc.

SmartGWT's data-aware widgets - such as Tree, Grid, Calendar and several others - provide complete end-to-end user interactions like tree reordering, dragging events in a Calendar, which automatically generate appropriate server requests to update data with a simple protocol that's easy to customize. This subject is key in understanding the true value SmartGWT provides and a more detailed introduction can be found here.

A few other features worth mentioning:

• SmartGWT supports live grids that not only lazy load rows from the server on demand, but also lazily render columns as the user scrolls horizontally. Most browsers can't handle rendering a large number of columns in tables and the lazy rendering capabilities of SmartGWT grids makes displaying large tables a breeze without a performance hit. The TreeGrid which supports multiple columns, editing, lazy loading of nodes, and virtual scrolling is also very powerful and something that many applications require.
• Adaptive sorting and filtering in grids is pretty neat feature. When the data is filtered down to a number that fits in the local buffer, additional filters applied by the user no longer results in roundtrip calls to the server and data from the local buffer is used. It transparently reverts back to making calls to the server when the the data required to fulfill the request is not in the local buffer. This makes a huge difference in the real-world responsiveness and performance of enterprise apps, by cutting down on trips to the database and giving users instant responses instead
• Relogin: For applications requiring authentication, if a request is made and the session has timed out, SmartGWT makes it easy to implement a workflow where the user is prompted to relogin and on being authenticated successfully the original transaction is resumed without loss of data or context

What is the primary difference between gwt-ext and SmartGWT?

Besides the obvious difference in the actual functionality provided by each underlying library, in gwt-ext, there a is a fair amount of glue code to "fix" inconsistent API's and funky rendering behavior in ExtJS. In working with SmartClient, everything pretty much worked right away. The widget component hierarchy is consistent and object oriented so a direct translation to SmartGWT worked out real well.

SmartGWT also uses the standard GWT 1.6 event API which is much cleaner and flexible compared to its predecessor. As a result users no longer have to deal with listener adapter classes.

Another important difference is that SmartGWT has the full support of SmartClient where users can make feature requests, expedite bug fixes, get support and training and not worry about hitting a roadblock. Additionally, users have the benefit of a commercial friendly LGPL licensed library. Its the best of both worlds.

Having worked with both ExtJS and SmartClient, how do the two component frameworks compare?

ExtJS is certainly feature rich and looks sharp. It was the reason that I started gwt-ext a while ago when Ext was LGPL. However when working on GWT-Ext, there were a lot of corner cases, gotchas, deferred rendering workarounds and inconsistent class hierarchies in Ext where glue code had to be added to "fix" some of these inconsistencies. For example some layouts allow you to dynamically add new components while a couple of key layouts don't support it. Also another key issue is that a good percentage of widget properties cannot be changed after the widget has been rendered, and in some cases users need to set a property and sometimes they need to call a method to accomplish the same thing.

SmartClient has been developed over the past 8 years and it is extremely stable and virtually bug free. The component model is consistent and it is highly dynamic allowing users to change most properties post-render with the changes reflected immediately. It has significantly more functionality and handles server integration really well. If you browse the SmartClient forums, a few things become quickly apparent:

1. You almost never hear that "this feature is not available / supported". Pretty much everything that users request is available.
2. The number of bugs reported in next to zero.
3. You don't find any unanswered questions.

Another thing that you'll notice if you view the source of the samples in their Showcase is that so much can be done with so little code. A master-detail screen that also sends updates to the server can be written with as few as 10 lines of code when passed a reusable DataSource definition.

Do you have any comments for users on SmartGWT being a wrapper over SmartClient versus being a complete rewrite?

A common misconception that users have is that any third-party library written in GWT magically runs fast, is completely leak free, and renders perfectly on all browsers. As an example a TableGrid written by a third party in GWT from scratch could still perform really poorly, and not display consistently on all browsers. There are obviously several aspects to GWT that helps avoid leaks and such but this does not mean that any third party code written in GWT is 100% leak free. What actually matters is that the framework code is well written and carefully tuned and well tested.

The reality is that SmartClient is fast and stable and provides an excellent base for SmartGWT. In fact, in my experience, SmartClient actually does a better job of solving browser inconsistencies than pure GWT third party libraries. SmartClient offers an accurate and consistent cross-browser layout with an object-oriented skinning system that doesn't require deep CSS expertise or knowledge of browser quirks.

In May you blogged about your decision to step down from the gwt-ext project due to the controversial licensing changes with ExtJS. How has that decision been received by the community?

The community has been very understanding and the other team leaders of gwt-ext have also stepped up and done a great job. Most importantly the community that really grown and its great to see users helping other users.

I've had conversations with the gwt-ext team leads and they have expressed that having an option for users that feel limited with gwt-ext to migrate to SmartGWT is a healthy option. Assistance will be provided to users who are interested in migrating. Ofcourse the gwt-ext project will continue to run the way it currently is.

The evolution of SmartGWT to version 1.0 has been very quick, even assuming you started development in May. Were there lessons you learned in developing gwt-ext that you were able to apply to SmartGWT?

Working on an open source project is mostly about personal satisfaction and the "feel good" aspect of being involved in a project that is of use to several other users. It is also a great learning experience that helps personal development.

On the technical side of things, I was able to apply my learnings during the development of gwt-ext towards SmartGWT while improving upon the common issues faced by the users. I also learned it was very important to pick a project that doesn't involve politics and something that is motivating.

It was extremely distressing to frequently receive emails from the owners of Ext, LLC threating to sue me if I didn't play along with their plans. For instance they wanted me to switch to GPL or else they would find me in violation of their license. Again, no details were provided. I also received another threat where they said that I would hear from their lawyers within 24 hours if I didn't allow them to post on the gwt-ext forum. And this was after I put in a lot of effort building a project which directly supported growth and sales of their own library.

In contrast, the folks at SmartClient have been fully supportive of SmartGWT, providing technical assistance and a safe home for SmartGWT which will be operated under their umbrella. They even wrote a public letter indicating that they will not switch licenses of their LGPL offering. It feels great to be back working on technical stuff with what I consider a superior product.

The top 10 challenges for India

By 2050, India can be 40 times bigger than it is now, but it needs to overcome some tough challenges. If it can implement certain changes, it has the potential to be larger than the United States by 2050, says a global research report by Goldman Sachs on 'Ten Things for India to Achieve its 2050 Potential.'

The report, brought out by Jim O'Neill, head global research at Goldman Sachs, and Tushar Poddar, vice president, research, Asia Economic Research Team, Goldman Sachs India, outlines 10 crucial steps that India must take in order to achieve its full potential.

If India can undertake the necessary reforms, it can raise its growth potential by as much as 2.8 per cent per annum, says the report.

Find out what the 10 key areas where reform is needed are.

1. Improve governance

Without better governance, delivery systems and effective implementation, India will find it difficult to educate its citizens, build its infrastructure, increase agricultural productivity and ensure that the fruits of economic growth are well established.

2. Raise educational achievement

Among more micro factors, raising India's educational achievement is a major requirement to help achieve the nation's potential. According to our basic indicators, a vast number of India's young people receive no (or only the most basic) education. A major effort to boost basic education is needed. A number of initiatives, such as a continued expansion of Pratham and the introduction of Teach First, for example, should be pursued.

3. Increase quality and quantity of universities

At the other end of the spectrum, India should also have a more defined plan to raise the number and the quality of top universities.

4. Control inflation

Although India has not suffered particularly from dramatic inflation, it is currently experiencing a rise in inflation similar to that seen in a number of emerging economies. Thea authors of the report think that a formal adoption of inflation targetting would be a very sensible move to help India persuade its huge population of the (permanent) benefits of price stability.

5. Introduce a credible fiscal policy

6. Liberalise financial markets

To improve further the macro variables within the GES framework, the report believes that further liberalisation of Indian financial markets is necessary.

7. Increase trade with neighbours

In terms of international trade, India continues to be much less 'open' than many of its other large emerging nation colleagues, especially China. Given the significant number of nations with large populations on its borders, the Goldman Sachs report recommends that India target a major increase in trade with China, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

8. Increase agricultural productivity

9. Improve infrastructure

Focus on infrastructure in India is legendary, and tales of woe abound. Improvements are taking place, as any foreign business visitor will be aware, but the need for more is paramount. Without such improvement, development will be limited.

10. Improve environmental quality

The final area where greater reforms are needed is the environment. Achieving greater energy efficiencies and boosting the cleanliness of energy and water usage would increase the likelihood of a sustainable stronger growth path for India.

The Goldman Sachs report adds that not all these 'action areas' can be addressed at the same time, but in coming years progress will have to be made in all of them if India is to achieve its very exciting growth potential.

Using GWT-Ext in Eclipse

Using Eclipse to develop your GWT-Ext code helps you utilize the built-in tooling available with the IDE and access the myriad plugins which Java developers swear by. Together with Cypal Studios' GWT plugin for Eclipse, developing GWT-Ext applications is a breeze. Let's get started with designing a simple page with a static titled panel and some inner text. This simple tutorial explores the configuration of your project and simple but useful features of Eclipse.

Using GWT-Ext you can develop Rich Internet Application like the one seen below

How to install Netbeans in Ubuntu

I'm used to use Netbeans 6.1m but find it quite lacking compare to Eclipse. After that, I settled with Eclipse for quite some time. Just last week, I happen to bump into Netbeans website and see Roumen's Ruby Flash Demos: Ruby on Rails in NetBeans (Part One)
Advanced Ruby editing features in NetBeans (Part Two).

After seeing the flash demos, I said, "Wow! Netbeans has improved tremendously. " So I decided to install it. Below is the steps:

1. Go to http://wiki.netbeans.org/wiki/view/MilestoneDownloads
2. Download Binaries and sources
3. Choose Netbeans version: 6.0 and Build Type: Daily, click continue
4. Choose the latest build, usually the one on the top (the product type is IDE)
5. Then download the linux installer (around ~45MB)
6. When the download completed, make the installer executable
chmod +x netbeans-6_0-daily-bin-200703151900-linux-15_Mar_2007_1900.bin
7. Then execute the installer by typing
./netbeans-6_0-daily-bin-200703151900-linux-15_Mar_2007_1900.bin
8. A graphical installer will appear, just follow the steps in the installer. It's damn easy that I can click cleck all the way to the end.
9. After installation completed, you'll find Netbeans under Application | Programming | Netbeans 6.0 Dev
10. Run it. When it fully loaded. Choose Tool menu and then Update Center.

11. Choose "Check the Web for available Updates and New Modules" and then click Next.
12. After it complete download the latest update available, choose Ruby on Rails Project support under "Available Updates and New Modules".

12. Click add button to include module that you've chosen. After you satisfied with the selection, click next to initate the installation. Get a cup of coffee while the downloading and installing happen.

13. After download completed, choose next and then choose finish. A dialog box will ask you whether to restart IDE and continue working. Choose restart IDE.
14. When the IDE restarted, choose the File | New Project, look for Ruby. If your installation is OK, you'll get the options as in below pic:


15. The installation has been successful. Do view the two flash demos I mentioned earlier to know further how to develop the Ruby and Rails applications under Netbeans.

Update (19th March 2007):
The easiest way to install Ruby and Rails is to choose Ruby under the Features module. It'll installed both Ruby and Ruby on Rails and all the dependencies.

##Known problem:
1. Netbeans not yet fully support running Rails outside JRuby as mentioned by Tor Norbye in his blog
2. There is no way to run 'script/console' yet.