Software Production Management

Few months ago I was developing a project on top of JBoss Portal. Unfortunately, JBoss Portal 2.7.x is a nice Portlet Container but a crappy CMS/Search engine -even when it is supported on Apache’s JackRabbit. However, I was forced to develop a search portlet. It wasn’t easy, and you will probably find that it is not a perfect solution. However I really hope you find this Search Portlet really useful.

SearchPortlet.java

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152

package portal.portlets;
 
import java.io.IOException;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Iterator;
import java.util.List;
 
import javax.portlet.ActionRequest;
import javax.portlet.ActionResponse;
import javax.portlet.GenericPortlet;
import javax.portlet.PortletConfig;
import javax.portlet.PortletException;
import javax.portlet.PortletRequestDispatcher;
import javax.portlet.PortletSecurityException;
import javax.portlet.RenderRequest;
import javax.portlet.RenderResponse;
import javax.portlet.UnavailableException;
import javax.portlet.WindowState;
 
import org.apache.log4j.Logger;
import org.jboss.portal.cms.CMS;
import org.jboss.portal.cms.CMSException;
import org.jboss.portal.cms.Command;
import org.jboss.portal.cms.model.File;
import org.jboss.portal.core.cms.ui.CMSPortlet;
import org.jboss.portal.search.FederatedQuery;
import org.jboss.portal.search.QueryConversionException;
import org.jboss.portal.search.federation.SearchFederation;
import org.jboss.portal.search.impl.jcr.JCRQuery;
import org.jboss.portal.search.impl.jcr.JCRQueryConverter;
 
public class SearchPortlet extends CMSPortlet {
 
  private static Logger log = Logger.getLogger(SearchPortlet.class);
  private SearchFederation SearchService;
  private CMS CMSService;
 
  public void init(PortletConfig config) throws PortletException {
    super.init(config);
  }
 
  public void destroy() {
    super.destroy();
  }
 
  /*
   * (non-Javadoc)
   *
   * @see javax.portlet.Portlet#init()
   */
  @Override
  public void init() throws PortletException {
    this.SearchService = (SearchFederation) getPortletContext().getAttribute("SearchFederationService");
    this.CMSService = (CMS) getPortletContext().getAttribute("CMS");
 
    if (this.SearchService == null) {
      throw new PortletException("Unable to start search service");
    }
 
    if (this.CMSService == null) {
      throw new PortletException("CMS services not available");
    }
 
    super.init();
  }
 
  /*
   * (non-Javadoc)
   *
   * @see javax.portlet.GenericPortlet#doView(javax.portlet.RenderRequest,
   * javax.portlet.RenderResponse)
   */
  @Override
  protected void doView(RenderRequest request, RenderResponse response) throws PortletException, IOException, UnavailableException {
 
    String portalInstance = request.getWindowID().substring(0, request.getWindowID().indexOf('/', 1));
    PortletRequestDispatcher prd = null;
    String operation = (String) request.getParameter("op");
 
    if (operation != null && operation.equals("search")) {
      String queryString = (String) request.getParameter("query");
      if (queryString != null && queryString.length() > 0) {
        request.setAttribute("files", this.getFiles(queryString, portalInstance));
        prd = this.getPortletContext().getRequestDispatcher("/WEB-INF/jsp/results.jsp");
      } else {
        prd = getPortletContext().getRequestDispatcher("/WEB-INF/jsp/search.jsp");
      }
      prd.include(request, response);
    } else if (operation != null && operation.equals("display")) {
      super.doView(request, response);
    } else {
      prd = getPortletContext().getRequestDispatcher("/WEB-INF/jsp/search.jsp");
      prd.include(request, response);
    }
  }
 
  /*
   * (non-Javadoc)
   *
   * @see javax.portlet.Portlet#processAction(javax.portlet.ActionRequest,
   * javax.portlet.ActionResponse)
   */
  @Override
  public void processAction(ActionRequest request, ActionResponse response) throws PortletException, PortletSecurityException, IOException {
    String profile;
 
    String operation = (String) request.getParameter("op");
    if (operation != null && operation.length() > 0) {
      if (operation.equals("ask")) {
        response.setWindowState(WindowState.NORMAL);
      } else {
        response.setWindowState(WindowState.MAXIMIZED);
      }
      response.setRenderParameter("op", operation);
    } else {
      response.setRenderParameter("op", "ask");
      response.setWindowState(WindowState.NORMAL);
    }
 
    if (operation.equals("search")) {
      String queryString = (String) request.getParameter("query");
      if (queryString != null && queryString.length() > 0) {
        response.setRenderParameter("query", queryString);
      }
    }
  }
 
  private List getFiles(String queryString, String portal) {
    List files = null;
    List filteredFiles = new ArrayList();
 
    if (queryString != null && queryString.length() > 0) {
      FederatedQuery query = new FederatedQuery(queryString);
      JCRQueryConverter converter = new JCRQueryConverter();
 
      try {
        Command searchCommand = CMSService.getCommandFactory().createSearchCommand((JCRQuery) converter.convert(query));
        files = (List) CMSService.execute(searchCommand);
 
        // You can filter files if needed by reviewing its path under the CMS
        // structure, by name, or any other criteria that fits your needs.
 
      } catch (CMSException e) {
        log.error("CMS Error", e);
      } catch (QueryConversionException e) {
        log.warn("Conversion Error", e);
      }
    }
 
    return files;
  }
}

I used two JSP pages to support this portlet.

• search.jsp – Search form – the standard portlet view
• results.jsp – Results list page – appears with the portlet MAXIMIZED and displays CMS files that matches the criteria

search.jsp – (WP-Syntax does not support JSP)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

<h2>Search</h2>
<form action="<%=contactActionURL%>" method="POST">
  <fieldset style="border: none;">
    <input name="op" type="hidden" value="search" />
    <input name="query" type="text" />
    <input type="submit" value="Search" />
  </fieldset>
</form>

results.jsp – (WP-Syntax does not support JSP)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

<%@ page import="org.jboss.portal.cms.model.File"%>
<%@ page import="java.util.List"%>
<%@ page language="java" extends="org.jboss.portal.core.servlet.jsp.PortalJsp"%>
<%@ taglib uri="http://java.sun.com/portlet_2_0" prefix="portlet"%>
<%
  List<File> files = (List<File>) request.getAttribute("files");
  if (files != null && files.size() > 0) { %>
<h1>RESULTADOS DE B&Uacute;QUEDA</h1>
  <%
    for (int i = 0; i < files.size(); i++) {
        File file = files.get(i);
  %>
  <h2><%= file.getName() %></h2>
  <p><% if (file.getDescription() != null && file.getDescription().length() > 0) { %><%= file.getDescription() %><% } %><a href="<portlet:actionURL><portlet:param name="op" value="display" /><portlet:param name="file" value="<%= file.getBasePath() %>" /></portlet:actionURL>">Ver m&aacute;s...</a></p>
  <hr />
  <%
    }
  %>
<% } else { %>
<h1>NO HAY RESULTADOS</h1>
<% } %>
<p align="center"><a href="<portlet:actionURL><portlet:param name="op" value="ask" /></portlet:actionURL>">Volver</a></p>

Include the following lines on your jboss-portlet.xml file.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

<service>
  <service-name>CMS</service-name>
  <service-class>org.jboss.portal.cms.CMS</service-class>
  <service-ref>:service=CMS</service-ref>
</service>
 
<service>
  <service-name>SearchFederationService</service-name>
  <service-class>org.jboss.portal.search.federation.SearchFederation</service-class>
  <service-ref>:service=SearchFederationService</service-ref>
</service>

And finally add the following lines on your portlet.xml file.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36

<portlet>
  <description>DESC</description>
  <portlet-name>SearchPortlet</portlet-name>
  <display-name>NAME</display-name>
  <portlet-class>portal.portlets.SearchPortlet</portlet-class>
  <supports>
    <mime-type>text/html</mime-type>
    <portlet-mode>VIEW</portlet-mode>
  </supports>
  <resource-bundle>Resource</resource-bundle>
  <portlet-info>
    <title>SEARCH</title>
  </portlet-info>
  <portlet-preferences>
    <preference>
      <name>indexpage</name>
      <value>/default/index.html</value>
      </preference>
    <preference>
      <name>setBrowserTitle</name>
      <value>false</value>
    </preference>
  </portlet-preferences>
</portlet>
 
<filter>
  <filter-name>JBoss Portlet Filter</filter-name>
  <filter-class>org.jboss.portlet.filter.JBossPortletFilter</filter-class>
  <lifecycle>ACTION_PHASE</lifecycle>
  <lifecycle>RENDER_PHASE</lifecycle>
</filter>
 
<filter-mapping>
  <filter-name>JBoss Portlet Filter</filter-name>
  <portlet-name>SearchPortlet</portlet-name>
</filter-mapping>

It has been a quite long time since I wrote my last post about project management. I even changed the whole look and feel of my Blog to fit (a little bit) closer the things I wrote here.

The reason is simple, I changed my job. I resigned from my previous Account Manager position at Studiocom (an interactive and digital WPP agency). It was difficult to leave that position (and such a great team) but it was a required decision from a professional perspective.

So I moved to a new position as Product Developer at Torrenegra Labs. I’ve been working at Torrenegra Labs for the last two months on a new business development that I’m sure will make me better person and integral Project Manager.

I’m currently learning about their management methods and of course and because I’m a techie guy, I’m looking at their code too   – they have create their own PHP Framework on top of CakePHP, including JSON and SOAP Webservices and other cool stuff – I’m pushing hard to share most of those nice CakePHP extensions back to the community. You should take a look to their great product once it gets released – check Alexander’s Blog – The Making of LetMeGo.

I’ve been setting all the things to start a new huge initiative but also learning about their framework, coding style and development methodology (a.k.a RRapido). I’ve take the time to know the people -the most important asset on this and every company. It has been an inspiring time and now its time to rock-n-roll.

Starting next week, I will be in charge of my own top secret project that I’m pretty sure will shake the market -as it happens for most of the Torrenegra products (like Voice123 and for sure LetMeGo). It is an exciting time for me, and I hope you enjoy the future posts about the project progress.

I bought a new desktop computer like a week ago, a nice desktop PC with a beautiful 22″ screen. The truth is that I was looking for an iMac 24″, but unfortunately here in Colombia it could be have an overprice of USD$500 ~ USD$1000. So as you can tell it could be a trip to U.S. with an iMac on your baggage. I talked to some of my friends and coworkers asking for somebody to bring it, but it wasn’t possible this time -at least shortly.

So I bought a nice computer with Windows Vista Home Premium -as usual and some useless stuff like a remote and MediaCenter. I tried it few days and Vista did its magic -slowing down the newest computer even faster than I thought- so I moved to Windows 7 (64 bits version) -Oh Yeah it is like Windows Vista but better (like G.M. TV commercials with their cars).

A week ago, and after doing a realistic evaluation of my computing needs I decided to switch to Ubuntu 9.04 (64 bits version) and mount a VM with Windows XP Home to keep testing on Internet Explorer 6.0. It was a HUGE improvement in performance – I just remembered D.O.S. days when programs run immediately after being called. Ubuntu offers a lot of advantages in compare to Windows, but obviously we are so attached to Microsoft pseudo-world that just thinking on the switch could be a nightmare. I will not debate on architecture, security or speed. I’ll say this as clear as possible. If you do not have to use MS products like Exchange, or you do not have to use speciallized software that runs on Windows -like AutoCAD or Adobe CS4- you can just switch without fair, it will be the reinvention of the computer processing performance.

There are a lot of Linux Distributions in the market -like Ubuntu- but I have to say that Ubuntu is for soft-users and not hard-crazy linux fans. Ubuntu is nice, is really REALLY REALLY easy to install and if you aren’t sure about replacing your desktop with it, you can try Wubi -it installs Ubuntu as a Windows application -WOW!

Just to clarify, I had been using Ubuntu and other linux distributions for a long time (Fedora is another one) but it is the first time I decided to switch to Linux WITHOUT a Windows partition. My wife -who is a dentist- hates its portable due to its response time, and I did all the normal-not-so-risky tasks to speed up its XPS 1210 (that used to be mine) with Windows XP Home Edition, today we had our first class about linux and she is so happy about the speed and performance, and also the virus/crappy-sw situation that isn’t a critical issue on Ubuntu (Linux) so she is thinking seriously about moving to Ubuntu her portable too.

“So, if you’re using Windows and want to ditch it, click here to begin a less stressful life”

IMPORTANT NOTE: I decided to write this post when a friend of mine sent me a link to a post who has the same title of this one. Thanks to Gregory Ferenstein for such inspiring post -I did’t move to Linux because of his post, but I makes me feel like “I’m not alone, I’m not just a crazy guy that hates Microsoft, I’m not a linux fanboy… we are just right about Windows: it sucks!“

Colombia is a country full of high qualified developers, designers and in general, great web builder experts. However something is going wrong with those lucky guys that work for companies who have offshore contracts. After few months or even years of great work, people start feeling comfortable as well-paid workers and then suddenly and without notice, quality sense of work and care about details fade away. Why? I’m not sure, but I will do my best trying to discover the reasons through this post -and this is because I’m one of those lucky guys working for great company, but I REALLY do not want to start feeling comfortable, and  I REALLY REALLY do not want to start losing my tiny sense of quality and responsibility.

Feeling comfortable about having a job is not bad at all, even more these days during this crisis time, but is it really enough? Dedicated workers stand out from others because they do not feel comfortable, they are always looking for opportunities of doing great and better things. When this comfortable feeling grows more than it should, workers start forgetting that they are in Colombia, and start asking for foreign benefits and privileges, and they even believe that they deserve them. And that’s wrong, that’s totally wrong. It is not bad at all to get few additional benefits, however, it doesn’ t mean we should take them for granted, we are still working in Colombia.

One of the amazing transformations of Colombian workers is: once we get used to a job,  we believe we can decide our own duties and decide what to do and when. Well my friends, most of the time and all around the world, bosses decides what must be done and when. So WTF! I really can’t deal with that, it piss me off. Job is responsibility, it is not about doing “favors” to the managers, it is about to do what it is supposed because you are getting paid for that. It is not because you want, it is because you have to -and I’m talking about legal, non-extra activities of course, but just to point that out.

Another endemic attitude is to look for responsible when there is no other guy doing the job. I will no get into this because… do I need to? A variance of this behaviour: people start doing EXACTLY what they were asked, even if managers are expecting a little support. They perform as machines, they do not evaluate and therefore there is no added value. If there is a misspelled word on their assignment description, they do not fix it, if there is something that requires some additional work or a little of analysis, they will try to delegate it. But, hey! keep in mind they are great developers, keep in mind we are not talking about junior resources. So why they decide to do that? Maybe I just pointed it out, it is because they do not want to assume their responsibility.

This comfortable behaviour is surrounding me for a little while, and I will say NO. I do not want to become one of those lazy but great workers that decide to keep their jobs by giving up their abilities. I will do my best tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. Not sure what it means but probably I have an idea.

There are several things nobody told me before I became PM. Most of these things are deeply related to my background knowledge, but probably, even if you do not work on the same field I work, you will find these tips useful.

1. Project Managers are responsible for all the work they do not execute. WTF? Back in the school you could say: Hey! I didn’t do it! It wasn’t me! – But now you are forced to assume any responsibility of the work that has been done by others -on your team of course! “Solution doesn’t work”, “There are several bugs”, “It doesn’t fulfill the client expectations” -It doesn’t occur often if you do your homework, but, it happens at least once so you have to be prepared. Fail is natural to human condition. Are you prepared to fail? Are you ready to get over it and assume the responsibility for others code? -from a coder perspective it could mean kill someone!
2. Project Managers should say client Yes/No and When. Coders aren’t forced to do that -that’s why PM’s estimate. Does it sounds familiar to you? “I’m doing ok with code, it will take like, uhmmm, uhmmm, uhmmm, -then silence- then a value plus extra time for them”.
3. Project Managers will use email clients, office productivity tools including spreadsheets -a lot of spreadsheets- over the lovely IDE -oh man, that sucks. Even the useful textedit… how I miss you?
4. Project Managers will have to say at least once “No” and get mad with their bosses while they are Gold-Plating the clients. The awful thing is that once bosses do that, PMs will have to assume again the responsibility to deliver the new extremely-simple-to-do addition while also have to listen the complains of the team.
5. Project Managers will solve problems between team members. I do no like democracy (democracy is for small cities and countries where  their ability to decide and vote is supported by a deep and clear perspective of the community and its future). PM is only one guy, he/she listen, process and decide -NICE!!! no voting, no democracy.
6. Hands-on Project Managers will also deliver the projects. It means most of the time, deploy to servers, and do a “lite-end-user qa”.  Not your case? YOU ARE SO LUCKY!
7. Project Managers will receive more money -it is not always the case, but here in Colombia, IT IS the case.

If you have any additional thing your mom didn’t told you about PM, feel free to post it as a comment.