Strategies for upgrading webapps?
Calling all software developers! Garrison and I need some help...
Here is the scenario. We have to maintain a bunch of production web applications, most of which use Zend Framework. When we have created a new version of the application, we need to deploy it to production in as simple of a way as possible. We have automated the file version of this by using Phing to export the tag out of SVN, copy old config files, set write permissions in the correct place, etc. However, the database manipulation has happened manually and we are looking for strategies on how to automate this.
We came up with an idea to write a custom migration library which will execute php and sql files, but it seems like a problem that has to be solved better by someone else. Anyone have any tips? Anecdotes? Strategies? Anything to help us get going in the right direction would be much appreciated. I'd even buy someone a beer or two 
Speaking at TEK·X
I had announced this on my twitter feed, but I thought it warranted a blog post of it's own. I have been asked to speak at TEK·X, an awesome conference for PHP professionals. My talk, "Lean Mean PHP Machine" was accepted! Flippin sweet! Here is the description of my talk:
Implementing software development “best practices” can be a challenging feat, especially if you are in a very small team of developers. Little to no budget, stress to just “get something out”, and lack of understanding from management of what you really do means you have to make sacrifices, right? This talk will give you some insight on accomplishing your goals of being a top-rated development shop, even if you are an army of one. From justifying those best practices to utilizing free services to hiring additional help, this talk will run the gamut of running a software development shop at a small scale.
Speaking at a conference is a great responsibility and honor, but then I took at look at who the other speakers are and I was immediately humbled. So many of the other speakers are the movers and shakers in the PHP community. Hell, some of them actually helped write PHP. As soon as I saw the speaker list, I instantly got nervous. But a few reassuring words from my friend Keith Casey helped. I am just thankful that people like Keith and the rest of the TEK·X organizers are willing to give me a shot to share what I have learned about working with PHP in a resource starved environment.
So if you are a PHP pro and want to get involved with a great community, consider coming to TEK·X in May. Knowing (of) most of the speakers, and meeting most all of them at one time or another, I can GUARANTEE that you are going to get your moneys worth.
Looking ahead to 2010
I typically suck at making and keeping new years resolutions. I've never felt that making resolutions really changed anything, except for the first month or so of the year. As a perfect example, check out your local gym during the month of January...then go back in March. There will maybe be a quarter of the people there.
While I don't like resolutions, I do find that with a new year, it is good to reflect back on the previous one and evaluate where you are and what you want to accomplish in the new one. In an effort to keep myself honest, I figured I would record my goals for the new year here, in no particular order.
Grow My Business
2009 was an interesting year for AmberCube. We had a few clients, made a little money (enough to buy Garrison and I new computers), and joined some new ventures. The economy certainly affected our profitability, but I believe our focus wasn't as strong as I wanted it to be. My hope for the new year is that we can increase our client base and grow the business. Hopefully that means additional income too.
Advance Professionally
I accomplished a good bit at NC State in 2009. I lead the initiative to get the NC State Mobile Web up and going, helped a lot with the social media identity of the university, and started managing some part-time employees. I got more involved with the tech and social media communities in the Raleigh-Durham area, participated in BarCampRDU, and met a lot of great people. While all that is great, it's not enough for me. I'd like to establish myself more at the University and get to a level where I can feel like I make an impact. I'm not sure I can do that in my current position, but that doesn't keep me from trying. I already know that 2010 will bring an increased responsibility for me as I will be participating on the Campus Communication Committee, focusing on web and social media communications. And we are working on some really exciting projects for the mobile web presence. 2010 will certainly be busy, but my goal is to make it pay off professionally.
Travel More
Erin and I have talked about it a lot, but this year is the year. We have gone a few places since we got married (San Francisco, Memphis, Jamaica for our Honeymoon), but we have always wanted to go bigger. Our plan is to try to make it to Europe this year. I really want to go to Italy and Paris, so we are going to make it happen. We have been saving up money for 2+ years to go, so this is the year we are going to do it. Planning has already started Oh yeah, and on the back of traveling, I am planning on buying a Digital SLR camera before making any big trips. That means I'll need to learn how to use the thing properly too.
Lose some bad habits
This is the obligatory "I want to eat out less, work out more, be healthier" one, but I need to add it to the list. We got into a bad habit of eating out several times a week, which is not only expensive, but un-healthy too. I worked really hard a few years ago to lose a lot of weight, and I don't want all that hard work to go to waste. To help me, I found a great website/iPhone app to help me called dailyburn. It will help me track my food and workouts, set goals for myself, and accomplish what I want to in 2010.
Explore more
Erin and I love to try new things, so 2010 will hopefully be a year to explore new things. Food, wine, beer, places, things to do. I want us to live while the living is good. Part of this is travel, but a lot of it has to do with what we typically do on the weekends. Lately, it has been sitting around in front of a computer, which is pretty lame. I hope the new year provides us with a kick in the butt to get out, experience all the great things Raleigh has to offer, and spend more quality time together.
Get more involved with the PHP Community
Warning...Geek speak to follow! I really love the PHP community. I swear, it is the greatest thing since sliced bread for a developer like me who has to operate on no budget and a tiny staff. I have recently joined the Zend Framework project, finally signing my contributor license agreement! That means I can start helping with documentation and the monthly bug fixes. I have also been invited to speak at TEK-X in Chicago in May. I am really excited about the opportunity to speak at my first professional PHP conference as an on-the-agenda speaker. I have done un-conference sessions before, but this is the first for-real one. I am nervous and excited, all at the same time. There are a few more conferences that I will be submitting papers to as well, so we'll see where that takes me...
I think that is enough stuff for the new year. Hope everyone has a wonderful, productive and exciting 2010.
For your reading pleasure…
Follow me on Twitter...
- In Charlotte to watch the SoCon tourney with the family. 4 days ago
- Sounds like #igniteraleigh was a rousing success. Hate I couldn't be there with you guys! 1 week ago
- Thanks to everyone who sent condolences. Today was tough but my grandma is hanging in there are so are we. 1 week ago
- Tough ending to today. My Grandfather passed away tonight unexpectedly. Gotta go pack for a trip to Newton. :( 1 week ago
- More updates...
Connect with me...
