The first release of XFire is out (1.0-alpha-1). XFire is a next-generation java SOAP framework with such features as:

• A STAX based core processing model.
• Several binding modules to communicate between your code and XML (traditional java module, OGNL/XML mapping, and XMLBeans).
• Intuitive, easy to use API.
• MIT open source license.

To find out more visit the XFire site or get your downloads here.

Thanks again for everyone on the boo dev mailing list.

Joe tries to do backflips for a good cause, so the haus will sponsor him. We're commiting to $15 USD each for the 3 back handsprings (for a total of $45 USD), and a whopping $55 USD if he can perform the hands-free back somersault.

So here I am, now 2 weeks into my 6 week task to learn to do a backflip. This backflip will take place unassisted on some flat grass. However, there was ambiguity in this challenge as there was disagreement about what a backflip actually is and it seems to vary from country to country.

If you are a phone texter and want to keep in touch with hausmates on the run, check out http://txtmob.com. There's a private group called Hausmob, and if it works, could be a great way to keep in touch on the ground at conferences (not like I go to them much). Click here to and add a request in JIRA to get added. (Be sure to leave your txtmob username in the JIRA!!)