Topic awaiting preservation: Java forum recommendation?

I'm within a week of embarking on a pretty important project. It'll be simple: just taking client input and combining text and uploaded graphics using PDFlib to create print-ready output. But in the interest of building a powerful foundation for unlimited later complexity, I'm going to be using elements of J2EE (not sure exactly how much yet).

The project needs to come in complete and flawless by the end of December or heads will roll. Mine, my boss's, everyone's. Each time I hit a roadblock, I'm willing to throw money at it until it goes away. I plan to just go on a really good Java forum with my problems, and say "look, I have $20 for whoever gets me through this. Want $20?" Imagine it as Experts Exchange only with real money.

My question is, do any of you have forum recommendations?

Cell 1250 :: alanmacdougall.com :: Illustrator tips

I don't know why you think you would need to use J2EE for this. It doesn't sound like that complex of an issue here. For $20 you are not going to get a solution that will scale forever. You need to be more specific on this, are you looking for a web based application? You make it sound very easy in that it "simply take client input." Well what input and what does it do? Combines graphics how?

I could offer you a solution to your problem if more information were made available. As for a forum to visit, that I am not really sure about. You might think of trying http://www.craigslist.com where you can post a classified asking for assistance. The problem is that $20 buys maybe 30 minutes of most developers time, and making it flawless isn't fun.

I could approach this in many ways but unless you are able to elaborate on the project I don't think help will be that easy to find.

webmaster*N*O*S*P*A*M*@flrba.com send me a mail if I might be able to further help you.

[This message has been edited by WarMage (edited 11-22-2003).]

Well, I feel pretty confident about designing and coding the project -- the kind of assistance I'm talking about is more like solving specific roadblocks, or figuring out specific obscure problems. The project I'm working on right this instance IS simple: the client will use a standard web form to upload a JPEG in one of a few standard resolutions, and he'll choose a font and type in some text, and I'll generate press-ready PDFs. But eventually, it could end up involving... well, that's the problem, I don't know. Possibly a client-side rich design applet, for instance. Possibly a full-scale application for use on the factory side, to keep track of orders. Possibly some sort of catalog-and-custom-order application for clients around the nation. So I'm feeling kind of paranoid about laying the most capable foundation possible.

Most of what I want, I can probably do with plain ol' JSP (or PHP, but Java technologies are my only option at the moment) and client-side applets. The main reason I'm going to set up an application server along with Tomcat is that a) I want to be ready for absolutely anything, and b) I can. Reason B is less spurious than it sounds! I have the chance to learn a hot technology and get paid for it.

As for the money, I guess it's a bad idea in a way... people will give excellent advice for free, if they feel like it (see basically any forum in the Asylum); or they'll give excellent advice for big bucks. But once I introduce a relatively small amount of money into the equation, the people who are there for the love of the game might quit caring, while the people who want money won't find such a pittance appealing. A better idea in concept than in execution, I guess.

The kinds of questions, I might add, weren't going to be "here's $20, tell me how to make it" -- they'd be "this specific method of this object is doing X, when it should do Y. The API docs say Z. What's wrong?"

I appreciate all your input, by the way. This is an important conversation for me. If I succeed, this project could mean a lot to my career; and at the very least, it'll be paying my bills for a while.

Cell 1250 :: alanmacdougall.com :: Illustrator tips

[This message has been edited by Perfect Thunder (edited 11-22-2003).]

Well if it could be of help to you I wouldn't mind supplying you with specific advice. I have given you my email address if you send something there I will get back to you with an answer.

The problem here for designing for expansion should be easily solved by separating the GUI from the underlying functionality. It could also be improved by making as many different functions for everything you do. Start simple.

1) public ObjectType getVar()
2) public ObjectType transformVars(var1, var2. ...)

Good luck.

Why dont you sign up at developer.java.sun.com, the JSP forum has been really usefull for me, brilliant search features, and if you need to get a question answered quikly, you can assign 'Duke' dollars. (What type of animal is Duke?)

The poster has demanded we remove all his contributions, less he takes legal action.
We have done so.
Now Tyberius Prime expects him to start complaining that we removed his 'free speech' since this message will replace all of his posts, past and future.
Don't follow his example - seek real life help first.

Ah, okay. I'm already signed up there, so I'll bring my problems there first thing off.

Oh, and everyone who told me J2EE was overkill is right. I've been studying more about JSP and J2EE, and I honestly don't need the immense power J2EE brings to the table. It would be like killing an ant with a sledgehammer: the tool is heavy and hard to get moving, and the target is laughably small.

Cell 1250 :: alanmacdougall.com :: Illustrator tips