Spring Configuration Refcard
I ran across a link to the DZone Refcardz in a JavaLobby newsletter last week. The idea of reference cards (think laminated cards of formulas for chemisty, physics, etc. that you see in stores) for some of our more commonly used Java tools sounded like a good idea so I went and took a look. I signed up without giving away too much personal info and requested all of the cards (4 total right now). I then got e-mails (one per card) that gave me a download link for the pdf.
With that said, the Spring Configuration refcard by Craig Walls is very good. Craig mostly covered the XML configuration and namespaces but also includes a section on the annotations related to these. The really important part is that these are all now in a single place, not broken up in the book or the user docs. There are 8-pages and the overall card is professionally done with good coloring and highlighting of the information. In the future, I’ll be using this as a reference aid in the Introduction to Spring course that I teach at CCCCD Continuing Education department.
My only problem (a very minor and personal one) is that they didn’t put page numbers on them anywhere. Usage of a refcard is best when it is right at hand and I’m old-school enough that I like some things on paper and while the layout of the information is pretty much self-contained by page; page numbers are easy enough to add.
UPDATE: The commenter’s are correct in that there are pages numbers. The just didn’t print for me due to printer settings.
So go take a look for yourselves.
Matthew Schmidt said,
May 20, 2008 @ 12:30 pm
Hi there. I’m glad you liked the cards and we appreciate any feedback. In the PDF, did you see the page #s at the top of each page (2-8)? They may not have printed properly on your personal printer if you printed them out and that piece could have been lost.
Please send me an email at matt at dzone.com and we’d be happy to send your group a few printed Spring ones and a few for your class.
Thanks,
Matt
Jill said,
May 20, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
Someone just forwarded me this link. I’m responsible for the Refcardz program at DZone, and am so glad to see you like them. In particular, the Spring Configuration Refcard. Thanks for passing on the word about them.
Also, I wanted to ask about the page numbers on the Refcardz. There are page numbers included at the top of each page. When you download the Refcardz, are they not showing up for you? If so, then we need to adjust the design a bit so that they do.
Thanks,
Jill
Andy Hoffman said,
May 21, 2008 @ 4:07 pm
Mea culpa. I rechecked an yes there are page numbers on the PDF, top center. My printer kept a 1/4 inch border around the outside since I didn’t size to print area, they were cut off. Though I would recommend that the page numbers be moved down some so they are not on the edge.
Lori said,
July 15, 2008 @ 7:38 pm
Is it Eric or Andy who is teaching the Intro to Spring course at CCCCD Continuing Ed?