Matt RaibleMatt Raible is a Web Developer and Java Champion. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

The Angular Mini-Book The Angular Mini-Book is a guide to getting started with Angular. You'll learn how to develop a bare-bones application, test it, and deploy it. Then you'll move on to adding Bootstrap, Angular Material, continuous integration, and authentication.

Spring Boot is a popular framework for building REST APIs. You'll learn how to integrate Angular with Spring Boot and use security best practices like HTTPS and a content security policy.

For book updates, follow @angular_book on Twitter.

The JHipster Mini-Book The JHipster Mini-Book is a guide to getting started with hip technologies today: Angular, Bootstrap, and Spring Boot. All of these frameworks are wrapped up in an easy-to-use project called JHipster.

This book shows you how to build an app with JHipster, and guides you through the plethora of tools, techniques and options you can use. Furthermore, it explains the UI and API building blocks so you understand the underpinnings of your great application.

For book updates, follow @jhipster-book on Twitter.

10+ YEARS


Over 10 years ago, I wrote my first blog post. Since then, I've authored books, had kids, traveled the world, found Trish and blogged about it all.

The Deck Project

In March of this year, Trish and I decided we wanted to build a new deck and spruce up our backyard a bit. After returning from an awesome Spring Break adventure, we asked my parents to stay and help us start our Backyard Project. In addition to building a new deck, we concluded we wanted some stamped concrete, as well as a house-side garage door so we could admire The Bus when it's done. We sketched out the design we wanted and went to work.

It took several days to remove the old deck. My parents and Trish did most of the work that week as I had a bunch of client work to catch up on. They had to make several trips to the dump to get rid of all the old materials. Then came the wood order from Lowes. We had too much to fit in any of our vehicles, so we rented a truck and picked it all up. By the 2nd week, the foundation was in for the 1st deck and we started screwing in the composite decking.

Dad doing what he does best New Deck!

While finishing the first deck, we hired someone to pour two stamped concrete platforms and install a 2nd garage door. The stamped concrete was done in a couple days, but the garage door took 6 weeks to frame the opening, order the door and have it installed. Both turned out quite nice.

Rock Deck Lookin' Good! New Inside Garage Door

After returning from our summer vacation, I went to work on the 2nd deck and thought I could finish in a couple weeks. It ended up taking over 2 months. I figured out how to most of it from my Dad and the internet, particularly decks.com including the buried post footing, framing around a tree and sloping your deck. The framing and joists took all of August to complete.

Deck 2, Phase 1 complete! Deck 2, Phase 2 complete!

In September, I worked on the steps and had a friend do the electrical work to install lights, which I bought from Deck Depot. This past weekend, I found the time to finish the 2nd deck and make it all look good.

Deck Project Complete!

Thanks go out to Trish and my parents for the old deck removal and 1st deck building, Ted Pepper for his advice, Ric Nepomuceno for his electrical help, and Lowes for all the building materials. While it's a little late in the year to enjoy our new backyard much, I'm sure we'll figure out a way to have many good times on it in the future. ;)

For more pictures, including some night shots, checkout my Deck Project on Flickr.

Posted in General at Oct 15 2012, 10:27:09 AM MDT Add a Comment