MySQL AB Recognizes AJAX-Powered Event Calendar Eventfinder as a Reference Client

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Thursday, July 6, 2006; 06:54 AM

MySQL AB, developer of the popular open source database, has given recognition to Eventfinder by including the New Zealand events calendar as a reference client.

Eventfinder recently re-developed its website to cope with burgeoning traffic and increase flexibility for launching new features, using state-of-the-art programming technologies and best practices. Some of the features use AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) technologies. The site uses real-time validation during registration, allowing the user immediate feedback for incorrect fields, avoiding the repeated cycle of submitting the form only to find errors have been made.

"We're stoked MySQL has recognised us, especially considering we're one of only two New Zealand companies used as reference clients," said Michael Turner, Eventfinder chief executive.

"It just goes to show that New Zealand companies can compete on the world stage from an application programming perspective. We've always had the talent here, but have lacked the international recognition other countries receive because they tend to be more visible," he said.

Other clients referenced by MySQL in the media category include globally known organisations such as Associated Press, CNET and Wikipedia.

Eventfinder has also received positive feedback from Zend, key contributors to PHP, an open source web scripting language that, according to NetCraft, has surpassed Microsoft's ASP as the most popular scripting language for the web.

"Zend has given us great support, better than we expected considering the time-zone differences between our offices," said Turner. "It helped that we used Zend Certified engineers who had an established relationship with Zend."

Eventfinder has an ongoing development and support contract with Nerds Inc, an Auckland-based web development firm with two of only five Zend Certified engineers in New Zealand.

Managing director of Nerds Inc, James McGlinn, said that "for web applications, MySQL is head and shoulders above the rest, and not just because it's open source. It's faster and more responsive, and once the right frameworks have been put in place is easier to develop with than proprietary database servers."

Due to the exposure from the MySQL client profile, Eventfinder has been inundated with overseas traffic. "Our normal traffic from overseas has been around 10%, mostly from people looking for events in New Zealand using search engines like Google. In the last two weeks that's nearly doubled, and that's a direct result of links from MySQL and international technical journals like PHP Magazine," said Turner.

Eventfinder is currently working on providing free RSS feeds for its event listings.

"We've had a lot of calls from overseas tourism operators wanting an RSS feed so they can put New Zealand events on their website. Considering what's happening in the local press lately (such as The Independent article on priming the tourism pump) we're working overtime so we can provide this to local tourism operators and regional councils.

"Providing free RSS feeds has always been part of our strategic vision," said Turner. "If we didn't use best practices with our server and application stack, we wouldn't have a hope of providing these services performance-wise."