Sep 01 2011

Web App Architecture

Category: Mobile Computing,Software DevelopmentTeknovis @ 07:38

I came across this very useful high-level introduction to web apps during the week – Anatomy of a HTML5 Mobile App.

This is definitely an area that is becoming very relevant to me!

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May 21 2009

Vodafone Ireland Mobile Website

Category: Mobile Computing,ReviewsTeknovis @ 17:28

I regularly use my PDA to access Vodafone‘s Irish website (www.vodafone.ie). I normally do this using a WiFi connection, and I often do it while I am abroad. The main reason I access the web site is to send free text messages.

However, accessing the website on my PDA is really awkward! Indeed, it is one of the worst web sites that I have ever experienced on my PDA! This is particularly surprising when you consider that Vodafone is in the mobile market!

My reasons for disliking the web site, and in particular the My Vodafone portal, are:

  • The layout of the web pages is not suitable for narrow screens.
  • Some of the web pages rely on JavaScript to provide the functionality.
  • Images are used for navigation and functionality, and no alternatives are provided.
  • Popups are used! Even on a desktop this is problematic since so many browsers now block popups!

Ideally, it would be nice if Vodafone developed a mobile version of its portal! This could be used as a value added service to drive data revenues!

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Mar 09 2009

Online Photo Editor

Category: Digital Imaging,Internet,SoftwareTeknovis @ 23:34

I came across a really nice online photo editor today called Pixenate that is developed by a company called Sxoop Technologies. Perhaps the thing that I find most impressive about it is that it is written entirely in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

The user interface is really smooth, and it is very easy to use due to the helpful tips. There are plenty of editing tools to satisfy most requirements, although some of them seemed to be slow to update the photo. I do not know what caused this, because my CPU was certainly not the bottleneck.  I also really like the way that each time you load the web page there is a new default image to experiment with!

The interface is so nice that I had to include a screenshot (click it to see a larger version). However, this is not a substitute for playing with it ;)

Pixenate Screenshot

Pixenate Screenshot

I am not really clear who are the intended users of the software, because I think that most serious photographers will use desktop applications to edit their digital photos. Perhaps the software would be a good addition to photo printing web sites such as PhotoBox.

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Nov 28 2008

The Technology behind Barack Obama

Category: Internet,SecurityTeknovis @ 14:49

The Register describes some security vulnerabilities in two of Barack Obama’s websites in Congratulations, Barack – Now fix your websites. The most significant security issue that the article highlights is the fact that the administration pages load the Google Analytics JavaScrip file urchin.js. from the Google website. In theory, this means that Google can use this JavaScript file to do almost anything that they want with Barack’s websites. Not a good situation :(

Apparently, many readers did not share the author’s view on this security issue. So the author wrote a follow-up article that provides more details, and opinions of experts from OWASP, in Google Analytics – Yes, it is a security risk.

Independently, it seems that Barack is currently in negotiations in order to continue using his PDA! Apparently, communications devices are banned in the White House, and there are accountability and traceability issues associated with their use! That is an inconvenience! More details about this in Obama tries to stay connected.

Finally, I have heard that a considerable number of websites have appeared that are designed to help the Obama family choose what type of puppy they will get :) Gosh, it must be nice to have enough time to be able to create websites like this!

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Nov 11 2008

Destroying YouTube

Category: InternetTeknovis @ 17:11

I came across a very innovative YouTube page recently containing a video promoting the Nintendo Wii.

The video is Wario Land: Shake It – Amazing footage!

You need to watch the video to the end to see what I am talking about! I presume that the effect is created using JavaScript.

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