In July 2010 I finally purchased an iPad 32GB+3G with the intent of developing applications on it. At the time of purchase I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I have heard many people describe it as a big iPhone or iPod Touch. Others have described it as a toy and not a real computer. During the time I have owned it, I have been doing field research. I have been getting familiar with the user interface and user expectations for iPad applications. After all, if you understand how your customers are using their iPads and the Applications they desire then you might be able to meet their needs.
Here’s why I think the iPad is a tool:
- Event Scheduling via Calendar
- Email – Stay connected while your mobile
- Information – access to data via internet
- Mobile library – yes, you can read books, but you can also read PDF files.
- While mobile, you can stay in touch with electronic publications
- Stay informed using the Video & Audio Player (Educational Seminars, Conferences)
- General Business Applications (Presentation, Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Video)
- Vertical Business Applications (Customized or customizable for many specific businesses)
I have barely skimmed the surface of the many kinds of Applications available for the iPad. Can the iPad be used for entertainment? Yes it does and can provide hours of fun after business hours. Does that make it a toy? No it doesn’t. I think it points out the versatility that the iPad has.
What do you think Tool or Toy?
Steps to avoid feature creep
- Create a list of features for the planned product version.
- Some people call this a specification.
- You know you can ship when the planned features are implemented and tested.
- Get product stakeholders approval on specified features before implementation begins.
- The agreement on specified features helps everybody (developers, testers, sales, marketing, customers) know what the product is supposed to do when it’s done.
- Create a feature wish-list to collect suggested future features.
- The key to avoiding feature creep is to prevent the features from sneaking into the existing product specification.
Continue reading →
Posted in Wisdom
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Tagged Wisdom
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If you need to practice on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux distribution but don’t have the cash to play with an official Red Hat version, what are you going to do? You’re going to look for an affordable (FREE) alternative solution. The solution is CentOS, a distribution based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
CentOS stands for Community Enterprise Operating System. To find a quick overview of CentOS, visit the wikipedia CentOS site.
The official CentOS website is http://www.centos.org. Continue reading →
Posted in Review
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Tagged Linux, Review
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Last week I was so caught up in iPhone development that I didn’t watch any of my favorite podcasts on TiVo. This week I finally got caught up with some of them only to find out that one of my shows GeekBrief.TV had been cancelled. I have been watching Cali Lewis for a couple of years now and was sad to see the end of the show. To see the history behind Geek Brief TV visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeekBrief.TV
After a little digging, I discovered that Cali has joined Revision 3 with a new show called GeekBeat.TV.
I wanted to start following the new show. The only problem was Video on Demand didn’t have the show in the lineup. The good news is I have a TiVo HD. TiVo HD has the ability to subscribe to RSS video feeds. All I had to do was manually setup an RSS feed for my show. Here is how I did it. Continue reading →
Posted in Video
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Tagged Video
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I recently posted about “iPhone App reviews” where I wrote about a video podcast called the “Daily App Show“. While I was watching one of my favorite video podcasts “Tekzilla” I came across another video podcast that covers iPhone and Android news and App reviews. The name of the podcast is “AppJudgement” by Revision 3. They also have a youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/appjudgment.
App Judgment takes a slightly different approach to demonstrating the programs. It has the look and feel of a professional news show. I have really enjoyed watching the AppJudgment episodes.
Posted in iPhone
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Tagged iPad, iPhone
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If your career is in transition, here are a few things to ponder:
- You are part of the herd. There are a lot of other people that are competing for that job opening.
- Your weaknesses will help employers thin out the herd. Your weaknesses might make you stand out in the crowd; this is a bad thing and will get you eliminated from the herd.
- Most of your strengths help you join the status quo. It’s important to keep up with the herd. Your survival depends on it.
- Identify your talents that set you apart from the crowd.
- Help the employer visualize how your talents will benefit them in the present and future.
- Keep your skills current. Nobody likes stale food. It tastes bad and is pretty much worthless. If you’ve been employed for a long period of time, your skills might have become a little stale. You might want to have your skills evaluated. Maybe take some refresher courses to sharpen those skills you haven’t used in awhile. Are you up on the latest technology or will the younger competition make your weaknesses visible to the employer? You want employers to view you as quick and agile; someone who adapts to challenges and overcomes adversity.
- Believe in yourself. If you are not convinced that you are capable of doing the job, then how will you convince someone else that you can do it
- Communication is one of your greatest tools. You might be the greatest thing next to sliced bread, but if you cannot communicate your value, then how will the employer know? Spend some time polishing your “Elevator Speech” or 60 second me. Keep it relevant and don’t ramble.
Posted in Success
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Tagged Success
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Father’s Day is this Sunday. I figured it would be a good time to talk about some fathers in my life.
I have had the good fortune of having several excellent father figures in my life. Each have left a lasting impression on my character.
A few things my Dad taught me:
- Be a good provider for your family
- Always give 100% effort in whatever you do
- Never give-up, if it doesn’t work one way, maybe there’s another solution
- How to love others
- Be disciplined
- Loyalty no matter what
A few things my Dad’s Dad taught me:
- Have a hobby you can escape to
- Important things take time
- Be patient, good things come to those who wait
- Enjoy your garden
A few things my Mom’s Dad taught me:
- Always keep your mind active
- Never stop learning
- Vision can become reality
- If you try you can do it
As a father and scout leader, I frequently consider what advice to shared with my kids and other youth.
A few things I have taught my kids:
- Love God
- Love Others
- Love Yourself
- Treat everyone with respect
- Be patient
- Take responsibility for your actions. Don’t blame other people for your problems.
- You need a vision, know your destination before you start.
- Finish what you start
Maybe you have a father figure in your life who has been an inspiration. Share with us here.
Posted in Family
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Tagged Family
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There is nothing like the feeling that comes when you see the fruits of your labor. This year I added iPhone application developer to my expanding list of Information Technology skills. It has been a journey of frustration and elation. I have spent many long hours acquiring the skills and learning complex concepts that only come with practical experience. One of the rewards as a software developer is demonstrating the product for the first time. When the customer sees their idea, captured on a piece of paper, has become a reality it is a truly magical moment. Continue reading →
Many cameras today take Super High Quality or High Definition pictures. This is great for making posters, but not so good when you want to take a picture for a social profile. Most of us have received a great picture taken by a friend that is either too high definition or the picture orientation is rotated by 90 degrees. This post is a tutorial using Microsoft Office Picture Manager to resolve some common photo issues so you can use your photos with Social Networks like Facebook, LinkedIn.
Continue reading →
Posted in How-to
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Tagged How-to
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