This is of course the web you are currently viewing. Previously, I had developed it as simple static HTML. Now, I am using Java Servlets, which are Java classes that work inside a Servlet container to provide web services for JSPs. I am developing the web using Eclipse as my IDE. Also, so that I may manage the looks of the web, I am making heavy use of CSS; you can even click here to see the project page with a different style sheet. Be sure to check out how I use AJAX for my on-line Slideshow.

This web is actually deployed on Ubuntu Linux within a VM Server residing on a Windows XP machine. I used the Aptitude package manager to install Java, Ddclient, and Tomcat. DDclient is a dynamic DNS Linux client that works with Easy DNS, my personal choice for dynamic DNS. Finally, I deployed the WAR file using a share to my virutal server, and voila, you have ZachCalvert.com.

For obvious reasons, I can't go in to too much detail on how projects are coming together, but I'll go over some of the technologies that are finding their way into our projects.

First, I've used AJAX for a web system that serves as an example web interface to our live VeriFlood. The web is basically an example for customers in how to properly interface with with VeriFlood's broker interface. The same web project was being built using Tomcat and Java Servlets.

I'm also a part of a two man team developing a very powerful flood research application using RCP. The project will have high impact on the success of distributed processing initiatives, increased floor productivity, and current sales initiatives. I can't wait to see it completed, and I'm sure my bosses can't either.

One of my recent tasks has been to get Tomcat classloading to play nice with Eclipse classloading. I really can't go into too much detail about why this is important, other than the fact that we want a web project, deployed in Tomcat, to be able to take advantage of Eclipse's plug-in facilities. I had to hack up some of the Tomcat source code to build a modified classloader for Tomcat. It was a fairly interesting little problem to solve.

In my spare time, I'm spending quite a bit of time researching different technolgies. Currently, I'm researching AJAX. I think it is a very hot topic and for very good reason. For me, it will become quite a powerful tool combined with my use of Java Servlets. I'm also playing a little with VM Server, Ubuntu Linux, and MySQL.

I know that some day I want to start my own business, and I'm hoping that the contract work I pick up on the side will lead to a large assortment of business opportunities. Honestly, the only reason I haven't gone the direct route is that I haven't found anything inspiring that I could devote myself to. I've thought about using AJAX for building a templated style business system, until I looked at Yahoo's small business system. I've thought about getting involved in a video game, either on my own or with a coworker, but that space is such a hit or miss environment. However, I have faith that one morning I will wake up with an epiphany, one of those ideas that makes you think, "of course.. it's so obvious".