Robert.Hodgen.me

Over the weekend I spent some time moving all (my live websites) over to my mac mini running Mac OS X Server. I’m replacing a GoDaddy VPS not because I wasn’t happy with it but just for a change a more control. The mini is located at home and this is a proof of concept for me. I’m using DynDNS.com to update the DNS records every time my dynamic IP address changes.

So far these are the domains I’m hosting at home:

• roberthodgen.com
• hodgen.me (all subdomains like robert.hodgen.me, apps.hodgen.me, etc.)
• osx411.com
• swapitapp.com

If I create any new websites I’ll probably add them to the mac mini.

So Apple has decided to feature my latest application for iPhone and iPod touch, Swap It. This is the second time Apple has featured software that I’ve written, albit this is the first time in iTunes.

Swap It Featured in iTunes

It is currently under the New and Noteworthy category, which is highlighted on the App Store page in iTunes. It’s also visible about half way down on the iPhone’s App Store app under Featured.

For anyone who’s reading my blog but hasn’t yet heard of Swap It, read more about it at SwapItApp.com. Swap It is my take on pasteboard sharing for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Like I previously mentioned, Swap It was approved by Apple earlier and it just went live in the App Store a few minutes ago. Be sure to check it out in the App Store http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=333177120&mt=8. It costs 99-cents and I hope you’ll check it out, and should you purchase it that you’ll enjoy it.

I finally got my MacBook Air back from my local Apple store after it broke on my way home from WWDC in Chicago. Of course I had a ton of optimized code on there from the conference so I was sorta “out of business” for a week without any code (plus I’m lazy and don’t want to redo work I’ve already done). I can definitely say that from now on I’m keeping several backups of all my important files.

Anyhow, expect an update to my tip calculator for the iPhone and iPod touch, Calcutipr, fixing some issue 3.0 introduced to the App within the next day or two.

WWDC 2009 Entrance

I’m back home after a week of traveling and sessions at Apple’s 2009 World Wide Developers Conference. WWDC was just as fun as it was last year and in my opinion more informative. The sessions I attended at WWDC added greatly to my knowledge of the iPhone SDK and the rest of the Mac development cycle. I attended this year’s WWDC courtesy of Apple’s Student Scholarship Program.

After leaving San Francisco late to catch a red eye flight to Chicago, I got stuck in Chicago for all of Saturday. That was alright though, I got a chance to head downtown Chicago and grab a bite to eat at Carson’s (a great rib place). Oddly my MacBook Air broke (or stopped turning on) in the hotel my last night on the road. Luckily my MacBook Air is being fixed at my local Apple store under the warranty.

Check my Apple-related blog OS X 411 for more pictures from WWDC 2009.

So after taking two flights from Tampa to San Francisco (which departed at 6:00AM Eastern and about Eleven hours worth of travel) I’ve arrived in San Francisco for Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference 2009, or WWDC 2009 for short.

WWDC09 Panorama in Lobby (Level 1)

Above is a panorama I took in the lobby just after picking up my badge for WWDC  2009. A larger version can be seen here.

I’ve registered for WWDC and ready for the keynote early tomorrow morning (can anyone say 5:00AM?). Like last year I plan to live blog the Keynote on my Mac blog OS X 411, simply follow the home page for live updates.

WWDC 2009 Badge

It’s official, I’m going to WWDC 2009. Several days ago I was awarded the Student Scholarship for WWDC 2009, just today I booked my hotel so there’s not turning back now… WWDC here I come.

Like last year, I plan to live blog the keynote providing I get good enough seats (here’s hoping for 10th row again like last year!) for my Mac blog OS X 411.

Most of all I’ve got to say I’m looking forward to attending the sessions and labs Apple is doing, last year I was looking to learn about the iPhone, this year I’m hoping to do more with the iPhone (and of course Mac). I’ve also got to say I’m glad to have the ability to watch WWDC 2008’s sessions on iTunes for free via last year’s student scholarship (which rocks) and this year’s.

It looks like WWDC 2009 will be my second WWDC, again courtesy of Apple and their Student Scholarship program for College Students.

WWDC 2009

Last year WWDC was fun for a friend and myself who went together, this year it looks like it’ll just be myself going. Just like last year I’m very excited to be attending WWDC and hope to learn a great many more things about developing for the iPhone and Mac. This marks the second consecutive year that I have received the Student Scholarship from Apple (and hopefully not the last).

My first public iPhone/iPod touch application is now available in the iTunes App Store. My first app, “Calcutipr” is a simple and free Tip Calculator for the iPhone platform. It is the first application that I have polished enough to be ready for distribution.

I haven’t been working on it long, but after rewriting it a few times to mess with different ways of making it work I’ve gotten it to the point it is at now. I plan on updating it and adding new features to it as I come up with ideas for implementing new features.

Give it a try, its Free and you’ve got nothing to loose! iTunes Link.

I’ve almost finished my first iPhone application. I’m working on testing it for bugs, adding a few extras and in the process of submitting it to Apple. Within the next week it should be on the App Store providing all goes well.

Check my blog for updates, release and more info…