JavaFX 2 for 2012 and beyond

I haven't posted to this blog in a while but I found a very interesting topic that just would not fit into the microBlogging format of the social media networks (Google+, Twitter), JavaFX 2.

A couple of days ago there were was an interesting article that caught my eye about JavaFX and Game development at Java Code Geeks, JavaFX 2 Game Tutorial Part 5.  After reading it, I spent some time researching JavaFX and learned that version 2 is now pure Java (not JavaFX Script), I see that JavaFX is beginning to gain mindshare and traction for rich client applications and rich internet applications (RIA).


Up to this point in time since JavaFX 1 was released back in 2007, it was just a bunch of background noise in the rich internet client/Java ecosystem. I mostly ignored JavaFX 1 after discovering that it is implemented in yet another scripting language, JavaFX Script. We already have Javascript, ActionScript, and HTML5 which all used some derivative of Javascript. So it made no sense to me to learn yet another scripting language.


JavaFX 2 was released in Oct 2011 with the its signficant change being it is now a 100% Java API.  I was not aware of this until a few days ago... again, background noise in the Java universe.  JavaFX 2.1 was released in April 2012.  The latest release, JavaFX 2.2 was released in August 2012, see What’s new in JavaFX 2.2.


JavaFX 2 is an integral API of Java 7 and is available as a runtime or SDK for Java 6 only on Windows. This in interesting. If you read between the lines of the Oracle JavaFX announcement, they want you to upgrade to Java 7 anyway so this is one hook to get developers to make the move.

After reading the 5 parts of the JavaFX Game Tutorial 6-part series, what is even more interesting is the JavaFX vs. HTML5 for RIA article published in May 201 providing a compelling argument for adopting JavaFX 2 for RIA applications in 2012 and beyond.  It provides a brief comparision with HTML5, Adobe Flash/Flex, Siverlight, and other Java web frameworks supporting RIA.

Now back to JavaFX, a good starting point in the JavaFX path  is the Hello JavaFX 2.0: Introduction by Command Line.

So why even look at JavaFX?  It is most likely the successor to Swing.  It goes above and beyond what Swing offers supporting multi-touch, forthcoming mobile support (iOS, Android), and Rich Client and Rich Internet platforms. This is discussed in more detail in the Integrating JavaFX and Swing article.

Security Enhanced (SE) Android Released

In early January (January 6, 2012) the US National Security Agency (NSA) released the first public ​version of Security Enhanced (SE) Android.  This past week, more articles mentioning it were published such as "NSA Releases SE Android With Better Sandboxing, Access-Control Policies".

SE Android is based on SE Linux (originally released back in 2000) and implements stricter access-control policies and sandboxing.  Applications, processes, and applications are now isolated from each other.  File-level permissions and and individual locking/encryption has been enabled.

News has been circulating for months that the U.S. Army is planning on using Android devices and the first device using SE Android, Dell Streak 5, received accreditation and approval by DISA in October 2011,  "First Android device certified for Pentagon personnel".  The government-issue Streak 5 also includes DISA-approved security provided by Good Technology’s Mobility Suite.

Passive Solar (Photovoltaic) Tracking Systems

While doing more research on solar power systems recently, I discovered the ZomeWorks Track Rack system.  This is a passive PV tracking system that works based on solar heating of liquid inside the rack systems.  There are no complex electronics involved in this very simple design which is described at How ZomeWorks Trackers Work.  The ZomeWorks Track Rack system supports from two solar panels up to twelve and are priced accordingly.

ZomeWorks states that their passive PV tracking system can improve solar efficiency by 25%-40% over a static mounted PV system.  This is impressive.  They also have a few reference articles that have reviewed their designs in their Applications page.  The "To Track... Or Not To Track", HomePower Jun-Jul 2004 article contains an excellent review and overview PV tracking systems (passive, active) and explains how they work in more detail.  The article mentions doing a site survey using Solar Pathfinder device (available for $299) and available software (available for $189) which will evaluate specific locations for this solar potential.

Passive PV tracking systems are more reliable, have fewer components, require very litle maintenance, less accurate in cold/winter months, and are less expensive.  Active systems have electronic components and motors that increase their accuracy, maintenance, and cost.  So the trade-off in accuracy vs. costs and improvement in PV efficiency would require some type of decision analysis (break-even analysis) or other method to determine which one is better for your particular PV application.