Remember my goals for 2009? One of the goals was: Finally changing / update my template. Today, I'm proud to release this template, giving Marcofolio.net a totally new and unique look.

I already had my template designed November 2008, but never had the time to convert it to HTML/CSS. I was really lucky to be the winner of a PSD to XHTML contest on CrazyLeaf. The guys from Feathercode did a real good job at converting my PSD to a nice XHTML page.

Since I'm using Joomla!, I still needed to transfer this XHTML to a Joomla! template. It took me a while, but it's finally here: the new template for Marcofolio.net is placed in the wild!

Changes from the previous theme:

1. Header/Footer (Didn't you notice?)
2. Typeface
3. Now added a live Twitter feed
4. Made use of some fun jQuery
5. Advertising spots are now through BuySellAds - Just $40 each!

Just check out the new Marcofolio.net that got a new, colourful, grungy, abstract new look.

It's been a while that I got a chance to write another post here. Currently, I'm really busy with school/work (just got a "job" at InfoSupport - love it!) which takes a lot of my time.

When my classmates and myself wrote the Getting Groovy in an SOA Study, we added some cool programming quotes that was a real addition to the report. When searching for those inspiring programming quotes, there were loads of others that are really funny (and true) where I (and probably many more) can relate to.

Here are two of my favourite programming quotes:

“ Java is to JavaScript what Car is to Carpet. ” - Chris Heilmann

“ It's hard enough to find an error in your code when you're looking for it; it's even harder when you've assumed your code is error-free. ” - Steve McConnell

Check out these other 25 to see if you can relate!

Six months ago, I've started researching a fairly new programming language called Groovy together with a couple of my classmates. Our task was to investigate Groovy, Grails, and their position in a SOA environment (Remember I wrote a review about the SOA Symposium?).

Looking back at the research, I must say I really love Groovy. It's an agile dynamic language for the Java Platform with loads of cool stuff. I'm planning on making some Groovy/Grails tutorials, just to show others how strong this programming language is.

More information about the paper:

• Written in English (By dutch students, so please forgive any spelling mistakes).
• A total of 74 pages
• Explains many aspects of Groovy, you could use the first couple of chapters as a cheat cheet for Groovy.
• Pretty nice styled and easy to read

Simply download and read the document if you're into SOA, Groovy and/or Grails (or want to learn it), a Java Programmer and want to learn something else, or another programmer that wants to learn another (fun and very cool!) programming language!

I want to thank Bart van Zeeland, Youssef Elmessaoudi, Gaya Kessler and Jaap Mengers for being my colleagues during this research. I'd also like to thank Rody Middelkoop and Sander Leer for lecturing us.

You can also read more research papers from fellow classmates about Spring & OSGi and Webservice Transactions (Dutch).

2009 is already up and running for a couple of days, but 2008 was a year that not many people will forget (for whatever reason). During the expensive Christmas holidays, there were two Comment2Win articles on Marcofolio.net: People were able to win some amazing prizes simply by leaving a comment. A couple of people responded and left a comment - Now, maybe they're one of the lucky winners.

I listed all the valid comments (that were submitted in time, left their email and were not spam) and placed them on Random.org. The comments on top are the ones that can call themselves the lucky winners!

Webdesign Prizes

1. Sonali Agrawal - One icon package from IconGalore
2. Valerio - One logo design from LogoAngel
3. Ole - One website template from BuyTemplates

Flash Banner Prizes

All five Flash Banner winners (Todd Budnikas, Priyan, Dulcenegosyante, Vanessa Richins, Enrico) will receive a 1 year Premium Plus package, worth $149 each from the amazing BannerSnack.

Kids are outside already playing with fireforks as the end of 2008 in near. Bloggers are rolling out their best blog posts from the past year and I would to do the same, just like I did last year.

2008 was for me the year that:

• I placed 136 articles online.
• Marcofolio.net gained 700 RSS subscribers.
• I wrote a couple of awesome Joomla! extensions.
• Marcofolio.net received over 2000 comments.
• I learned some jQuery.
• I was selected #2 top blogger under 21.
• I learned (and made tutorials for) CakePHP.
• I started to use Twitter.
• And much, much more!

What was 2008 for you?

Favorite articles from 2008; Both based on personal interest, usefulness and hits:

• 60 ridiculously useful tools for your blog or website
• 15 stunning motion typography videos
• Graffiti art to boost your inspiration
• 22 signs you're NOT addicted to design
• A parallax illusion with CSS: The Horse in Motion
• 7 tips to optimize Joomla! security
• [Inspiration] The beauty of 3d typography
• Breathtaking dual- and widescreen wallpapers
• Unique website for your Twitter updates Reloaded
• Time wasters: 15 addictive Flash games
• Dynamic Flash Logo Scroller with Links
• Mass Twitter Action and Retrieve Script
• Royal design blogs that can't be dethroned
• Best of the Best: 2008

What is your favorite article?

If you're lost, you could always check the sitemap, listing all the articles.

Goals for 2009

• Finally changing / update my template.
  Working on it for some while now, can't finish it.
• Reaching 2500+ RSS subscribers
  End of 2007 I had 400 subscribers.
• Finishing my new project.
  It's a secret for now - be prepared.
• Remembering: Quality above Quantity.
  Past year I placed some articles online "just to post", not thinking about the quality.
• More CSS / jQuery related articles.
  This is pretty interesting and fun to do.
• Getting in touch with Adobe Illustrator

I you would like Marcofolio.net to focus on other stuff, please let me know!

That's all for now. I have nothing left to say except to wish you a safe and joyful new year's eve and I hope to see you back (with all your fingers) in 2009!