John Farrar talks about “CFML Open Source Learning” in this episode of the CF Alive Podcast, with host Michaela Light

Show notes

OLS (Open Learning Server), why another learning solution?

Why coding in ColdFusion?

CFML

Lucee and ACF

Containers let you host CF apps on any cloud ISP (Google, AWS, Azure, Digital Ocean etc)

Micro-services architecture 

Server encapsulation

Vs Monolithic server architecture  

ColdBox

Version 6

cbPromises

cbStreams

cbElasticSearch

Vue.js

SPA = Single Page App

PWA = Progressive Web App

Quick = OO database built on top of your RDBMS

QB = Query Builder

Why OLS

Who will use

Education

Corporate learning

Why

Can port and deploy anywhere

Adaptive instruction - Individual student customized learning paths

Easier course creation because of no need to decide what parts to focus on the most - system gives feedback 

Gamification

RFR - Repetition for retention. Spaced testing. 

Agile learning + Agile instruction

How can listeners help?

CF Open Source in corporate land

jQuery, Angular, React, Vue, Node, and the list goes on. Some corporate types say they don’t like using open source but I have heard of few that do. It’s like saying you would not use VSCode because it is open source but you would use Visual Studio. Perhaps they won’t use Chrome, but they would use Edge? If that makes sense to them, they should do what makes sense. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

Now, Ortus produces solutions like ColdBox, and many other solutions. Their work is open source but they are a commercial company. In fact most open source solutions come from commercially motivated creators. Crowd sourced efforts are a challenge to build momentum but as these solutions break through we find commercial creations can often be a great source of social goodness. It’s amazing how many commercial solutions are free. Over half the internet runs on free open source technologies.

A solution to a problem by definition includes trade-offs - as decisions were made on what to prioritize in this particular solution. 

Why are you proud to use CF?

Investing in server languages is about impact. ColdFusion has been a faithful return on investment technology. I would not say that I am proud of my tools, but rather that the tools have helped me create solutions that serve the end users well.

WWIT to make CF more alive this year?

CF is alive and well, but it has to keep earning it’s place in the market. How can CFML influence it’s future today? Perhaps by being the platform where disruptive technology is built. Results people notice.

What did you enjoy at Into The Box this year?

I have wanted to attend a multi-track virtual conference for years. Who knew this is how it would happen? They used Sococo and it was a learning experience. It was the best virtual conference I have attended by a broad margin. It was also worth the time on it’s own and better than some conferences that I attended in person. Don’t get me wrong because this conference is still better in person. Looking forward to going to Texas for Into The Box 2021.

Resources and Bio

Mentioned in this episode

Progressive Web App CFA episode with Ray Camden 

Microsoft PWA (Progressive Web App) 

ColdBox

cbPromises

cbStreams

cbElasticSearch

Vue.js

Ortus Quick

Online learning resources:

The Nearly Free University and the Emerging Economy by Charles Hugh Smith  

Arbinger:

Leadership and Self Deception

The Anatomy of Peace

Outward Mindset

Nine Lies About Work

Mindset ( The new psychology of success )

What Motivates Me

Story Wars ( CF dead perpetuates the debate )

Fundamentals of Software Architecture book

Sococo 

Listen to the Audio

Bio

John Farrar

John has a passion for understanding which tradeoffs are the right choice vs...