book – Programming the new world

Hello my dearest reader,

You have probably heard about a PHP framework called Zend Framework. If you haven’t, you break my heart.
It is the coolest thing on the block. Already it has been around for a couple of years and has proven its value in almost all enterprise applications World Wide. Some use it as a component library, others use the full stack MVC implementation. If you still not know what I am talking about you have probably booked a one way ticket to the moon and lost all connectivity (despite your smartphone).

What is more is that Zend Framework will be releasing a 2.0 version in the first half of next year (2011). That means within a few months. You will need some guidance because the changes are huge! A complete new MVC implementation, autoloading and plugin broker system, namespaces, Exception handling, backward compatibility breaks and so on. Well, that guidance will be available with a book that will be published shortly after the version 2.0 release.

I proudly present to you the “Zend Framework 2.0 Cookbook”

You will be able to pick it up at all major bookstores near you and of course on Amazon.

The book is being written by me in close relationship with some high key Zend Framework profiles. Every one of us contributes and takes a very close look at the 2.0 framework which should make it THE reference for the 2.0 branch.

Because it is a cookbook it is more targeted to the developer who wants to know how to get something done quickly instead of building an entire application before actually understanding it. You can use it to start
building a ZF application but the target is the developer who already has some knowledge with version 1 and wants to know how to do it in zf2. It tries to fill the gaps in the official documentation and thus works closely
together with that resource. Providing a quick reference and plenty of example codes should help the beginning zf developer as well as the more advanced.

If you want to keep updated on the release of this book, follow me on Twitter, Facebook or this blog.
Soon I will start to publish short tips from the book, already helping you to better understand Zend Framework 2.0

Have fun with Zend Framework 2.0, its release is closer than you think,
Nick Belhomme

Yesterday I was strolling the Fundays at Aarschot. The result was a new pair of pants and a great book written by Jan Vermeiren titled: “Let’s Connect!”. After relaxing with a drink or two in the sun it was ready to go home. I hanged the pair of pants in my closet and made my self comfortable on my couch. I picked up the book and started reading.

Hello there, this is Nick Belhomme and today I am writing my 50 cents on “Let’s Connect!” written by Jan Vermeiren and published by Prenctice Hall.

Maybe you have heard about networking. Maybe you didn’t.

Answers.com has this to say about networking: “An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.”

Please observe that no egoism or selling is involved in this definition. It has nothing to do with hard-selling. But everything about “mutual” assistance and or support. People can achieve great results, fantastic results, but we are only a men or a woman. Isn’t it obvious that you can not be the know all, be all?! It is only when people work together towards a bigger goal that big things can be achieved.

Doesn’t it make sense to contact people who maybe have the answer to your specific need or question? And in return you give them access to your resources.

Receiving is one part of networking, but the other part is even more important: Giving!

By giving without expecting something in return you build trust and a relationship. This is your most valuable resource. It creates opportunities and possibilities. Giving to your network makes you grow individually, spiritually and gives your career wing.

The book of Jan Vermeiren is all about networking. What it is, what it isn’t and how to successfully create or expand your (existing) network. You will read about the traditional networking methods like events, seminars, letters etc. But also about the newer ones like LinkedIn, Ecademy, Xing and Ryze. It will also tell you how to do follow-ups and how to successfully introduce your networking base to each other.

The entire book has some very valuable information and is clearly written. Everybody that is already or would like to begin with networking should read this book.

It took me a couple of hours to read the book sitting on my couch, but it will save me months of doing things the “wrong” way. Because like everything in life there is a certain way you can do things to get them done more effectively. Reading this book is a good start.

Sunny greetings from Belgium
Nick Belhomme

Ps. You can visit: http://www.letsconnect.be for free courses and a free light version of the book.