According to my recently received Nokia Developer Newsletter, Nokia has agreed to release the source code for its Python for Series 60 (S60) software to the open source community through SourceForge. This follows last year’s launch of Python for S60, which lets developers develop software for S60 mobile devices in Python.

This seems like an interesting turn of events to me. I know Nokia is also working on a Perl for Symbian project as well, so it would appear that this is merely the latest in a series of events aimed at making the S60 a more attractive and diverse platform for developers. One day I’ll actually make time to properly play with some of this cool mobile technology!!

A quick search of SourceForge suggests that the PyS60 project seems to be this announced project. Unfortunately, it currently has no sourcecode, or indeed any files, available for download. The Nokia Open Source site similarly has a Python for S60 page setup, but no source code available yet. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the software to match Nokia’s release though – if anyone else has already located it, please leave a comment!

Ok, so if you’re a software engineer looking for new challenges in 2006, here’s a great opportunity for you. My research team within the CSIRO ICT Centre (the Information Delivery team) is seeking to recruit a highly competent, motivated, and energetic software engineer to our Sydney laboratory.

You will contribute to software engineering, R&D and commercialisation activities within our small but highly productive team carrying out leading-edge research in the area of information engineering and the development of advanced search and delivery technology. This role will have a particular focus on mobile phone and PDA technology.

A degree in Software Engineering or a related discipline is essential; an honours degree or higher qualification would be an advantage, but not essential.

We need you to demonstrate excellent programming expertise in at least Java (preferably other languages too), familiarity with Web services, and preferably have exposure to mobile phone or PDA software development platforms. The development
projects underway need you to work on both research prototypes and on commercial products. Your willingness to provide technical support, an ability to write high quality documentation, and a capacity to talk to customers are important.

Finally, you should enjoy working in teams, be honest, trustworthy, and ethical, with an ability to contribute creative ideas to our projects.

For further details, selection criteria and to apply for this position, please visit: http://recruitment.csiro.au/asp/job_details.asp?RefNo=2006/63

If you have any questions about this position, please post a comment here, or feel free to email me (Andrew.Lampert@csiro.au).