| SWIG's Second Summer of Code Posted: 24 Nov 2009 07:11 AM PST
| SWIG's Second Summer of Code Posted: 23 Nov 2009 03:31 PM PST SWIG is a programmer's tool designed to make it easier to use C and C++ code from other popular programming languages such as Python, Perl, Ruby, PHP, Java, and C#. 2009 was SWIG's second Summer of Code, and this year we mentored five projects related to SWIG. All five students were very active over the summer period and produced some great new features. In no particular order: Matevž Jekovec has been busy working at the coal face of SWIG to add support for C++0x, the forthcoming C++ standard. Matevž has managed to achieve close to full support for C++0x. The C++0x Wikipaedia article details the numerous planned new features and Matevž has put together a SWIG C++0x page documenting the new SWIG support for each of these. In summary the enhanced C++ language can now be parsed by SWIG, which in itself is a great step. There is much more than just this though, as most of the information parsed is used to create useful wrappers of C++0x code. The work can be tried out on the C++0x branch which should be merged fairly soon into a forthcoming release. Miklos Vajna has been working on SWIG's PHP support to implement an advanced SWIG feature already supported for most other target languages, but not PHP. The feature is called "directors" and allows cross-language polymorphism - wrapped C++ classes can be subclassed in PHP and virtual method calls work in the natural way, whether they're made from PHP or C++ code. You can read more in the new PHP Director documentation. Miklos made such great progress that we were able to merge this support into SWIG 1.3.40, which was released even before the Summer of Code finished. Miklos also spent some time working on improving SWIG's test suite for PHP, and fixing bugs in the PHP support. Ashish Sharma spent the summer adding support for Objective-C as a new target language. Objective-C is a major language on the Mac OS X platform. This means that now SWIG can be used to generate Objective-C wrappers over C++ code. In particular the wrappers include proxy classes, which preserve the class hierarchy from the C++ code. Ultimately this means that from the user's perspective, proxy objects look no different to objects originally written in Objective-C. Adding a new target language is quite a considerable task and Ashish is keen to add plenty more improvements over the coming months. Ashish's work is in Subversion and can be accessed in the ashishs99 branch. Baozeng Ding has also added a new target language, in this case for the Scilab language, a free numerical computing package. He has coded up support for all the C features: variables, functions, constants, enums, structs, unions, pointers and arrays and also intends to develop it further in the near future. Documentation for SWIG and Scilab can be viewed online direct from Baozeng's Subversion branch. Kosei Moriyama has been working on Perl bindings for the Xapian library using SWIG, to replace some existing bindings implemented by hand. He's achieved almost complete compatibility with the API of the existing bindings (the only real omission is callbacks which are waiting for completion of director support for Perl in SWIG). He has also wrapped features which weren't previously accessible from Perl. You can view Kosei's work online in his Subversion branch. Finally, many thanks to Google for sponsoring the Summer of Code and a special thanks for all the hard work done by the students, mentors and Olly Betts, the co-administrator. By William Fulton, SWIG administrator | |
| Marriott International Inc. enhances its travel agent website Posted: 24 Nov 2009 03:14 AM PST
| Marriott International Inc. enhances its travel agent website Posted: Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has announced the redesign of its travel agent website (<a href="http://www.marriott.com/travelagents" rel="nofollow" target="blank">www.marriott.com/travelagents</a>) created especially for Marriott's global travel agent partners. The newly designed and updated site will offer agents new functionalities based on specific feedback from the travel agent community. These functionalities include the ability to access and view commission statements online, and easier access and booking of Marriott's Fam─Tastic rates. Additional enhancements allow for Marriott's certified Hotel Sales Specialists to create their own user─friendly name and password for easier navigation of the site. The website also allows for Marriott's dedicated Intermediary Partner Care Team to better assist Marriott's travel agency partners through its streamlined design and improvements.<br><br>Julius Robinson, Vice President of Global Sales Intermediaries, Marriott International said, “The new design, combined with the innovative functionalities, allows for even more engagement with our agent partners. | | MoT sanctions Rs 3.87 crore for developing eco─park at Thiruparankundram, Tamil Nadu Posted: The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has sanctioned Rs 3.87 crore under its 'Destination Development scheme' for developing an eco─park at Thiruparankundram in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. This was informed by M.K. Alagiri, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers. According to a report in The Hindu, MoT has already released Rs 3.1 crore as the first installment to commence the project. <br><br>Alagiri added that N. Suresh Rajan, Tourism Minister, Tamil Nadu had written to him stating that the project will be executed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department. While 68 lakh tourists visited the Temple City last year, around 30 lakh of them visited the Subramaniaswamy Temple. As it is in the vicinity of Madurai, developing Thiruparankundram will attract more tourists. This development follows Rs five crore proposal of HR and CE Department submitted earlier to the Centre through the state government as the land of the proposed park is owned by the Subramaniaswamy Temple. | | Gujarat govt looks at turning Bhadra Fort and Sabarmati Ashram area into pedestrian zones by 2011 Posted: The Gujarat government is looking at turning the Bhadra Fort area and Sabarmati Ashram area into pedestrian zones, as it has become serious about congestion and conservation issues. This was announced by Jay Narayan Vyas, Minister for Tourism, Gujarat at the third edition of the Gujarat Tourism Summit hosted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recently in Ahmedabad. <br><br>As per a report in the Times of India, Vyas mentioned that Sabarmati Ashram is a big draw among foreign tourists and there have been several plans to turn it into a silence zone by diverting traffic. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has already announced Rs 50 crore project to develop Bhadra Plaza, stretching from the 600─year─old Bhadra Fort to Teen Darwaza, as a walking tour destination. The current congestion at Bhadra will soon give way to a pedestrian walkway and ethnic food restaurants and is expected to become a cultural centre. <br><br>Vyas said, “Gujarat has been achieving significant growth in tourist arrivals since 2005. | | ADB sanctions Rs 315 crore for tourism infrastructure development project in Punjab Posted: According to an IANS report, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned Rs 315 crore (USD 68 million) for tourism infrastructure development project in Punjab. Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab also gave a nod to the project at a meeting held recently with ADB officials in Chandigarh. <br><br>The ADB team led by Ludwig Reider, Senior official, ADB made a detailed power point presentation on the project which will create tourism infrastructure for the Sikh heritage circuit. Reider said that under the first phase of Sikh heritage circuit, ADB will fund the site projects of Amritsar walled city, Golden Temple complex, Ram Bagh area, Gobindgarh Fort, Town Hall, Rose Garden (all in Amritsar), Mughal route, Dera Baba Nanak, Qadian, Hargobindpur and certain other areas. <br><br>Work on the first phase of the project will begin from March 2010 and Rs 40 crore will be spent during first year. The entire project will be completed in five years. Badal said there is a tourism potential in the state as Punjab was a mosaic of religious, historic, cultural, colonial historic and natural heritage. | | Jammu and Kashmir govt announces Rs 150 crore earmarked for heritage conservation Posted: According to a PTI report, the Jammu and Kashmir government has announced that unique cultural heritage of the state will be preserved and linked with Heritage Tourism promotion at a cost of Rs 150 crore. Addressing an inaugural function of the two─day workshop on heritage and science held recently in Jammu, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jammu and Kashmir said that over Rs 150 crore is being spent for restoration and conservation of royal Palace Mubarak Mandi, SPS Museum Srinagar, Bahu Fort, Hari Parbat Fort and other famous heritage sites of the state. <br> <br>He mentioned that 30 monuments have been declared as protected heritage sites of the state, adding that the state government has submitted a comprehensive project report to the Ministry of Culture for conservation of various famous heritage sites and monuments. | | HPTDC to offer 30 per cent discount to physically challenged people in government─run hotels from next month Posted: According to an IANS report, Himachal Pradesh will offer a discount of 30 per cent on hotel room tariff from next month to physically challenged people who opt to stay at any of its 57 economy and high─end establishments. “We are offering a discount of 30 per cent to guests with physical disabilities from December 3, 2009 (World Disability Day) and will continue till December 20, 2009,” said director Subhashish Panda, Managing Director, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC). <br><br>He mentioned that handicapped guests can also pay for two days and stay for three nights. HPTDC will bear the lodging expenses for the third day. There will be no discount on the food and beverages consumed. Earlier, HPTDC had offered special discounts to parents staying at a state─run hotel with a daughter and to people aged 60 years or more. “In both schemes, we got an overwhelming response. So we decided to offer special discounts for disabled people too before the end of this year,” added Panda. | | MoT to evolve Code of Conduct for all tourism service providers Posted: According to a PIB release, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has launched an initiative on 'Safe and Honourable Tourism' which will essentially promote the cause of protecting women and children from the negative aspects of tourism. <br>This is a step towards evolving a Code of Conduct for all tourism service providers and protecting our culture, values and heritage to ensure long term Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in India. <br><br>This initiative was launched recently at a meeting held in New Delhi chaired by Sujit Banerjee, Secretary, MoT and Chairman, PATA India Chapter in association with Save the Children India, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Equitable Tourism Option (EQUATIONS) and NEST India Foundation through the PATA India Chapter for its implementation as it is important and essential to enhance the country's image and add more value to the 'Incredible India' campaign. MoT will also work with National Commission for Women in this regard. | | ITDC join hands with Shelter Group to set up five─star hotel near NSCBI Airport in Kolkata Posted: India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has joined hands with Kolkata─based Shelter Group for a five─star hotel near the Birati crossing, less than a kilometre from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport. The Group, in its maiden venture into the hospitality industry, will provide three acres and foot the Rs 100─crore bill for the 220─room structure. ITDC will lend the brand name Ashok, as well as operational and management expertise to the local partner. The revenue will be shared. <br><br>According to a report by Jhinuk Mazumdar of The Telegraph, work on Shelter Ashok, which will have a swimming pool, food court and other amenities, is likely to commence in February 2010. Its interiors will showcase the folk culture of Bengal, informed Anirban Bhaduri, Consultant Architect of the project. ITDC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for hotel projects of three to five─star categories in Malout (Punjab), Manesar (Haryana), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Jodhpur and Bhiwadi (Rajasthan) apart from the one in Kolkata. | | Etihad Airways to use flight planning solution 'Lido/Flight' of Lufthansa Systems Posted: According to a report in traveldailynews.com, Etihad Airways has announced an agreement with aviation IT specialist Lufthansa Systems, with which the airline will use the industry─leading flight planning solution Lido/Flight. The contract with Lufthansa Systems, which also includes a number of Lido/Flight add─ons and benefits, will see Etihad Airways optimise its operations by significantly reducing its fuel costs and emissions, whilst also benefiting from more efficient flight planning processes. Drawing on its own powerful database, Lido/Flight uses a number of parametres to calculate the optimal route for each flight, which can lead to cost savings of up to five per cent. <br><br>The contract with Lufthansa Systems includes a number of additional add ons to Lido/Flight, including Traffic Flow Restrictions (TFR), In flight Monitor (IFM) and FreeFlight. TFR achieves fuel savings by factoring in the impact of temporarily restricted airways, while the IFM system provides updates on airspace restrictions, airport data and weather and automatically suggests alternative routes to the dispatcher if necessary. | | Baden Württemberg looks at positioning itself as multifaceted 'All Season Destination' in India Posted: With an aim to spread awareness about Baden Württemberg, southwest part of Germany, to the Indian travel trade the Baden Württemberg State Tourism Board recently organised a presentation highlighting Baden Württemberg as a multifaceted 'All Season Destination' in India. The Board also mentioned other the places of interest and potential tourist segments which can be explored in the south western state of Germany. The state of Baden Württemberg adjoins France, Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria, other attractions from this area includes the Black Forest, Lake Constance, the Tauber Valey of the Swabian Mountains and cities like Heidelberg, Baden─Baden, Freiburg and the state capital Stuttgart. <br><br>According to Andreas Braun, Managing Director, Tourism Marketing GmbH Baden Württemberg, “The south western state is the sunny side of Germany with picturesque locations and scenic beauty. The Stuttgart International Airport is well connected to 120 destinations in 30 countries; we're also in the process of negotiating non─stop flights to Stuttgart with Indian airline operators. | | Marriott International Inc. enhances its travel agent website Posted: Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has announced the redesign of its travel agent website (<a href="http://www.marriott.com/travelagents" rel="nofollow" target="blank">www.marriott.com/travelagents</a>) created especially for Marriott's global travel agent partners. The newly designed and updated site will offer agents new functionalities based on specific feedback from the travel agent community. These functionalities include the ability to access and view commission statements online, and easier access and booking of Marriott's Fam─Tastic rates. Additional enhancements allow for Marriott's certified Hotel Sales Specialists to create their own user─friendly name and password for easier navigation of the site. The website also allows for Marriott's dedicated Intermediary Partner Care Team to better assist Marriott's travel agency partners through its streamlined design and improvements.<br><br>Julius Robinson, Vice President of Global Sales Intermediaries, Marriott International said, “The new design, combined with the innovative functionalities, allows for even more engagement with our agent partners. | | Marriott International Inc. enhances its travel agent website Posted: Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has announced the redesign of its travel agent website (<a href="http://www.marriott.com/travelagents" rel="nofollow" target="blank">www.marriott.com/travelagents</a>) created especially for Marriott's global travel agent partners. The newly designed and updated site will offer agents new functionalities based on specific feedback from the travel agent community. These functionalities include the ability to access and view commission statements online, and easier access and booking of Marriott's Fam─Tastic rates. Additional enhancements allow for Marriott's certified Hotel Sales Specialists to create their own user─friendly name and password for easier navigation of the site. The website also allows for Marriott's dedicated Intermediary Partner Care Team to better assist Marriott's travel agency partners through its streamlined design and improvements.<br><br>Julius Robinson, Vice President of Global Sales Intermediaries, Marriott International said, “The new design, combined with the innovative functionalities, allows for even more engagement with our agent partners. | | Marriott International Inc. enhances its travel agent website Posted: Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has announced the redesign of its travel agent website (<a href="http://www.marriott.com/travelagents" rel="nofollow" target="blank">www.marriott.com/travelagents</a>) created especially for Marriott's global travel agent partners. The newly designed and updated site will offer agents new functionalities based on specific feedback from the travel agent community. These functionalities include the ability to access and view commission statements online, and easier access and booking of Marriott's Fam─Tastic rates. Additional enhancements allow for Marriott's certified Hotel Sales Specialists to create their own user─friendly name and password for easier navigation of the site. The website also allows for Marriott's dedicated Intermediary Partner Care Team to better assist Marriott's travel agency partners through its streamlined design and improvements.<br><br>Julius Robinson, Vice President of Global Sales Intermediaries, Marriott International said, “The new design, combined with the innovative functionalities, allows for even more engagement with our agent partners. | | Marriott International Inc. enhances its travel agent website Posted: Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has announced the redesign of its travel agent website (<a href="http://www.marriott.com/travelagents" rel="nofollow" target="blank">www.marriott.com/travelagents</a>) created especially for Marriott's global travel agent partners. The newly designed and updated site will offer agents new functionalities based on specific feedback from the travel agent community. These functionalities include the ability to access and view commission statements online, and easier access and booking of Marriott's Fam─Tastic rates. Additional enhancements allow for Marriott's certified Hotel Sales Specialists to create their own user─friendly name and password for easier navigation of the site. The website also allows for Marriott's dedicated Intermediary Partner Care Team to better assist Marriott's travel agency partners through its streamlined design and improvements.<br><br>Julius Robinson, Vice President of Global Sales Intermediaries, Marriott International said, “The new design, combined with the innovative functionalities, allows for even more engagement with our agent partners. | | 'We will look at at least three major Grand Prix events in 2010, especially those in cities close to India' ─ Rajesh Gupta, Vice President, TUI Posted: <IMG height=75 alt=rajesh_gupta_small.jpg src="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/NewsImages/rajesh_gupta_small.jpg" width=65 align=left border=0><b>Rajesh Gupta</b><br> Vice President,<br> TUI | | MoT sanctions Rs 3.87 crore for developing eco─park at Thiruparankundram, Tamil Nadu Posted: The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has sanctioned Rs 3.87 crore under its 'Destination Development scheme' for developing an eco─park at Thiruparankundram in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. This was informed by M.K. Alagiri, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers. According to a report in The Hindu, MoT has already released Rs 3.1 crore as the first installment to commence the project. <br><br>Alagiri added that N. Suresh Rajan, Tourism Minister, Tamil Nadu had written to him stating that the project will be executed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department. While 68 lakh tourists visited the Temple City last year, around 30 lakh of them visited the Subramaniaswamy Temple. As it is in the vicinity of Madurai, developing Thiruparankundram will attract more tourists. This development follows Rs five crore proposal of HR and CE Department submitted earlier to the Centre through the state government as the land of the proposed park is owned by the Subramaniaswamy Temple. | | International Focus: Discover Paris: The chic business district Posted: <IMG height=80 alt=241109_df_small.jpg src="http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/NewsImages/241109_df_small.jpg" width=100 align=left border=0><b>International Focus: Discover Paris: The chic business district</b> | | Etihad Airways to use flight planning solution 'Lido/Flight' of Lufthansa Systems Posted: According to a report in traveldailynews.com, Etihad Airways has announced an agreement with aviation IT specialist Lufthansa Systems, with which the airline will use the industry─leading flight planning solution Lido/Flight. The contract with Lufthansa Systems, which also includes a number of Lido/Flight add─ons and benefits, will see Etihad Airways optimise its operations by significantly reducing its fuel costs and emissions, whilst also benefiting from more efficient flight planning processes. Drawing on its own powerful database, Lido/Flight uses a number of parametres to calculate the optimal route for each flight, which can lead to cost savings of up to five per cent. <br><br>The contract with Lufthansa Systems includes a number of additional add ons to Lido/Flight, including Traffic Flow Restrictions (TFR), In flight Monitor (IFM) and FreeFlight. TFR achieves fuel savings by factoring in the impact of temporarily restricted airways, while the IFM system provides updates on airspace restrictions, airport data and weather and automatically suggests alternative routes to the dispatcher if necessary. | | Baden Württemberg looks at positioning itself as multifaceted 'All Season Destination' in India Posted: With an aim to spread awareness about Baden Württemberg, southwest part of Germany, to the Indian travel trade the Baden Württemberg State Tourism Board recently organised a presentation highlighting Baden Württemberg as a multifaceted 'All Season Destination' in India. The Board also mentioned other the places of interest and potential tourist segments which can be explored in the south western state of Germany. The state of Baden Württemberg adjoins France, Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria, other attractions from this area includes the Black Forest, Lake Constance, the Tauber Valey of the Swabian Mountains and cities like Heidelberg, Baden─Baden, Freiburg and the state capital Stuttgart. <br><br>According to Andreas Braun, Managing Director, Tourism Marketing GmbH Baden Württemberg, “The south western state is the sunny side of Germany with picturesque locations and scenic beauty. The Stuttgart International Airport is well connected to 120 destinations in 30 countries; we're also in the process of negotiating non─stop flights to Stuttgart with Indian airline operators. | | AAPA calls on governments to review policies and taxation that constrain long term development of carriers Posted: The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) carriers have been battered by the full force of the global recession over the past 18 months, with airline revenues taking a double hit from both declining traffic and lower yields. Although there are some tentative signs of a fragile recovery led by a number of dynamic Asia Pacific economies, airline revenues remain under severe pressure. Despite strenuous efforts to cut costs, many airlines are still suffering heavy losses. In addition, carriers still face a host of challenges to their long term viability. Government interference and inefficiencies in the areas of taxation, environment, air traffic management infrastructure and passenger facilitation, place a tremendous burden on the industry, which need to be addressed urgently. AAPA has agreed on a number of important resolutions at its year's Assembly of Presidents meeting in Singapore, which concluded recently. Each of the resolutions calls for a fresh approach from governments and regulatory agencies in providing more freedom and efficiency for carriers to help build a stronger and more sustainable industry in the long term. | | Canada introduces Express Business Visas for Indians Posted: According to a PTI report, Canada has announced a new liberal Business Visa regime for Indian businessmen to catch up with other industrialised nations in boosting trade with India. The Express Visa service offers multiple entry Visas to applicants. The new Visa regime was recently announced by the Canadian government in Toronto close on the heels of the visit of Stephen Harper, Prime Minister, Canada to India. Under the new system, Jason Kenney, Immigration Minister, Canada said that applications from Indian citizens for Business Visas will be cleared within 24 hours. | |
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