An interview with me from CFUnited 2009 was released today from CF Conversations.

It spans a wide array of topics including:

• Making project management work in an organization
• Open Source software
• Managing a software business
• Railo, OpenBD and Adobe ColdFusion

It starts out with a brief intro from Brian Meloche on things that he’s been working on then soon after moves into the interview.

Railo has released the latest version of their open source ColdFusion Mark-up Language (CFML) engine. Along with the new release, Gert and his recently expanded team have launched an excellent set of websites. The websites clarify the company’s identity.

The first site, http://www.getrailo.com focuses on Railo as as a commercial enterprise that publishes a high-end open source product and CFML platform. (This is where the old www.railo.ch redirects to.)

The second site, http://www.getrailo.org focuses on the community that uses and builds on the Railo platform.

A third site is in the works that It will contain documentation, guides and user generated content.

The sites and the release itself are still technically in beta. But Railo, and were Gert has taken it, remain a very exciting technology and expanded platform for both the ColdFusion community and for the world of Java developers (see the Why Railo page).

There have been a couple of great get-togethers in the ColdFusion, Flex and Adobe user group communities in Michigan.

The month started out with a combined holiday party of the Mid-Michigan ColdFusion Users Group and the Michigan Flex Users Group in East Lansing. It was a complete geek-out fest. Pizza, beer, MAX 2008 recap and important debate on topics such as the killer app of 2008 and wish list for apps for 2009 ( a favorite: Road Rage 2009 -first person shooter game for GPS). Thank you Rick, Nick and Randy for putting it together.

Last night, the Detroit Area Adobe User Group met for an informal holiday gather. Lots of pizza, a download of MAX 2008, talk about Papervision, CF, Bolt and big excitement for FP10 on mobile. There were several younger developers just getting into Flash, Flex and ColdFusion. Thank you Terry and Mike, the co-managers.

Now Michigan has settled into a Winter storm with tons of snow, cold, shoveling and outdoor activities. The two get-togethers were a nice way to wind down the year in the User Group communities and set the pace for a fun, educational and inspiring 2009.

I’m happy to announce that Vertabase 4.5 launched today (official press release).

This is the biggest launch of our project management software to date.  It includes a totally new interface and tons of great new features. 

It was built entirely with a rich internet application approach powered by ColdFusion.   To me this means:

1. An intuitive, immersive user experience
2. Enabling quick visibility and access to information
3. Facilitating sharing, data portability and data visualization
4. Integration with the user’s eco-system.

You can see how Vertabase 4.5 adheres to these principles in the 2 minute Quick Tour.  To read about specific new features check out the Vertabase 4.5 Release Notes.

Along with the version, there’s a new, searchable video learning center and we added customer support via instant message using Skype (search for Vertabase Support).

We’re getting ready to launch the latest version of Vertabase project management software.  As always, before a launch, I spend time writing down the message behind the software.  When we release a new version its not just about adding new features. Each release encapsulates our specific approach to technology and its application to managing projects.

This time around, it struck me how intertwined our approach is with the continued development of rich internet applications (perhaps because of MAX) and how core ColdFusion has been to the evolution of RIA’s and to our product.  In putting the message down on paper/pixels I hope to describe why ColdFusion is so powerful for rich internet application development.

From the very beginning, we’ve relied on ColdFusion for the external releases of our professional product.   The main reason at that time was the speed at which we could build a high-grade web-based application.  The first wave of RIA development, remember, was getting applications to run on the web. There were numerous “thin client” approaches that would serve desktop applications over a network. But that was simply changing the deployment/delivery method of accessing the same old software.  Web-based applications were fundamentally different.

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Here is pdf of the presentation I gave at Adobe MAX CF Unconference on Project Management and Time Management.

The main theme is that having great information before, during and after a project are the keys to a successful project. That information gives you a basis for good communications and good management (of your team and client expectations). The presentation then discusses how time tracking can be an easy habit and powerful tool for generating great information.

Its been a whirlwind week and I haven’t had a chance to blog about three other events that took place this week in the world of Vertabase. Here is a summary.

1. Vertabase Project Management Software -we publicly launched the pre-release version of Vertabase 4.5. Clients are already using it and raving. Here is a link to the full release notes (on the pre-release).  Some significant changes are:

• New interface, new look and feel
• Resource Calendar view of projects, tasks, resources, etc. across calendar days and weeks
• Change request system with change logs
• Faster timesheet entry
• Enhanced MS Excel import for even faster template and schedule creation.

We launched the next version of the Vertabase site to go with it and a new Vertabase Video Learning Center.

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Where to start? It all happened so fast. In the blink of an eye the MAX BOF Session on CFML Language Development came and went. But what a great session.
First off, thanks Jason Delmore (Adobe), Adam Haskell and Matt Woodward (OpenBD), Gert Franz (Railo -who wins the pulling an all nighter to participate award) and Sean Corfield (CFML Advisory committee -graciously agreeing to speak).

And of course, everyone who participated in person and online.

About half the meeting got recorded on Acrobat Connect right here

Here is a recap of the first half from my recollection. I would invite speakers and participants to add in their recollections as well.

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The schedule has been confirmed for the CFML Language Development Bird of a Feather (BOF) session. It will be at 9.30 pm on Monday night.

It is right after the Meet the CF Team BOF which will be at 8.30 pm on Monday and in the same room.  So its double the fun -without having to leave your seat!

Among the participants at the CFML Language Development BOF will be:

• Jason Delmore - Senior Product Manager, Adobe
• Hemant Khandelwal - Engineering Manager on the CF Team
• Gert  Franz from Switzerland via phone - Railo Main Man
• Matt Woodward (tentative via phone) -speaking for OpenBD Steering Committee

And many other illustrious names from the CF Community.   

I’m still taking suggestions on topics. If you have any, send them in or post them below.   Hope to see you there.

I’ve been asked to host a birds of a feather (BOF) meeting at MAX on CFML Language Development.

The session will cover topics related to the future evolution of the CFML language itself (ColdFusion Markup Language).  UPDATE: The session will be on Monday night, at 9.30 pm in room 2008.

I’d like the the session to address the needs of

• the CFML Community -including CF developers, Blue Dragon users and Railo users;
• developers who are thinking about using ColdFusion and;
• CIO’s, CTO’s and entrepreneurs who are researching development platforms.

To that end, I’m looking for input on:

1. Specific topics you’d like discussed
2. Concerns on the future of CFML
3. Wish list for CFML’s direction and
4. Specific speakers you’d like to hear from at the meeting.

Post your feedback here or email me at mark@vertabase.com. 

Even if you can’t make to MAX, send me your ideas. I’ll be posting the session online afterwards.