This last week we scripted our first Facebook application/page for Daihatsu on behalf of FrontPage Media, they were pulled in at the eleventh hour and both our teams worked tirelessly and were able to deliver the competition in time. We have another Facebook campaign we are working on for Sugar the Agency in Durban.

https://www.facebook.com/DaihatsuSA/app_343779792391018

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There are rumours that the Start Menu will be returned later this year in Windows Blue or 8.1, they have not decided on a name yet, from what I have read it is more like an update as opposed to a full new version of Windows. But I won’t hold my breath that the start bar will be returned the way I like it or even at all. Rumours are just that rumours.

I have also been a bit surprised by the news stating that Windows 8 is a failure, when the sales speak for themselves, it is on par with the sales of Windows 7 at the same time after launch. I think the biggest failure is Microsoft pushing the envelope too far. By only giving the new interface without a traditional alternative was not the brightest move. But I can understand when competing against the original “on the money” thinking at Apple and Google, taking a risk is the right option regardless of the outcome.

My Dad used to always say “Take care of the Knitting” and I think this is where Microsoft took the eye off the ball. They should have focused on what they do best and improve from a position of strength, as opposed to competing at the bleeding edge (cutting edge to tame) of innovation. For me it is like a team sports game, the teams that do the best play to their strengths and not the strengths of the opposition.

What Are your Thoughts on Microsoft OS Direction?

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I am about 80% developer and 20% designer, and Fireworks while not being best at working with bitmap’s like Photoshop or vectors like Illustrator, I could do both in the same package. So instead of learning two heavy weight applications I could learn one application.

For rapid prototyping there is nothing that even comes close to Fireworks. Then translating that Prototype to a web site staying within Fireworks is extremely easy.

It will still be available in the Adobe Subscription, but with no active development path the package will eventually die. Reminds me when I finally mastered Freehand and Adobe gave it the chop when buying Macromedia, this I could understand as having two Vector programs under one roof is counterproductive. But there is no direct replacement to Fireworks so I just cannot understand why?

I will continue to use Fireworks for the next year, while we retool Anomalous to using Photoshop, Illustrator or alternative, even though I am super disappointed that Fireworks will eventually fall away. We have to move forward and with web technologies changing so rapidly we have to use products that are current.

What are your thoughts?

I think I will start to look at alternative software to Adobe Fireworks. I am not holding my breath that I will find it, but you never know. Just like we dropped Dreamweaver and moved across to Notepad++ and Eclipse, you never know what you will find.

What packages do you use?

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The used car section was very interesting we had to incorporate the custom taxonomies and fields, into the WordPress PHP templates, it really stretched our skills have a look at the websites used car section.

It is another push into transforming Anomalous into a development house.

With the interesting work we are doing in WordPress, using custom post types, taxonomies and custom tables. I can see a bigger use for WordPress maybe even using it to drive an Intranet, or maybe a Back Office type application. Pods Framework has really opened so many door for us, the community is very helpful and there are always updates and patches. So watch this space.

Also Africa and South Africa should be getting new Top-level domain by September. So you would be able to get an .africa domain name. I am very excited to get the new domain, as it better portrays the direction we would like to head into, servicing the broader African market. There are other domain like .durban or .capetown that will be available, I can see the benefit of these domains for business operating in these cities, but as Anomalous is based 90 Minutes outside a major metropolitan area the standard co.za domain will suffice.

So finally our office has completely embraced Windows 8. These are my opinions so far:

1. The user interface took me a while to get used too, and too be completely honest I am not a big fan, maybe if I had a touch screen it would make sense. Also the lack of a traditional start menu is a bit frustrating.
2. I upgraded my machine from Windows 7 and the performance increase is noticeable. It is faster and for me this is an important factor.
3. I have moved away from the standard installed apps like the document viewer and replaced with Adobe PDF reader.
4. I use a dual screen setup and I like the fact that the task bar is available on both monitors.

Overall I like Windows 8, maybe not my favourite Windows OS (95 and XP). I have been using Windows since version 2 and if you can remember that version boy have things changed since 16-bit.

Here’s to having a relaxing weekend.

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JavaScript is becoming a cornerstone of our team.I have always been a big believer in training, I try to dedicate about 20% of my work time to learning new skills, when I first started it was a necessary evil, but over time it has become more enjoyable. For years I tried to learn as much as possible, and was always confused about the direction to follow, starting FORTRAN, .net, PHP, C# and anything else I could find. I felt that if I could learn everything then I would have made it, my Wife pointed out that I was being a dork and stretching myself thin.

Last year I decided to focus in on JavaScript, so started dedicating most of my study time to it. I have been amazed how far just focusing on one thing can take one. JavaScript has really grown up over the last couple of years and I can develop front-end, mobile and back-end applications with it. Here is the progression of my training.

1. JavaScript Essential Training (2011) by Lynda.com
2. 30 Days to Learn jQuery by Tuts+ Premium
3. Introduction to Phonegap by Pluralsight (Mobile Development)
4. jQuery Template Fundamentals by Pluralsight (This course introduced me to Handlebars)
5. jQuery Mobile Essential Training by Lynda.com (Mobile development)
6. An Introduction to Node.js by Tuts+ Premium (back-end development)

So where to from here I am by no means a specialist yet, but my goal in the not too distant future is to develop One Page JavaScript Applications. I have not decided on the framework yet, but I have decided on a short list of either Backbone or Ember.

My goal is for Anomalous to be a Leading JavaScript development house. So over the next few years position ourselves to reach this goal.

On another note a great resource that I have been using for many years Site Point is having a special all their products for less than $100, have a look at their special here https://learnable.com/best-deal-ever

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If you are looking for a great Platform as a Service provider, have a look at AppFog, I was able to get a developer account and start creating apps in the real word for a great introductory price of free.

So another step closer to Node development.

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We have also sent two nice quotes out this week for some advanced WordPress work, and will also extend the amount of agencies we do work for. I think Anomalous is reaching a turning point where the need for better agency agreements needs to be drafted.

On a development front my Node.js studying is on track, I have set a goal of 90 days and then be able to deliver client Node.js Applications. It has meant a lot of late nights but I see this as the future of the company. Soon we will be able to deliver front and back end’s all powered by JavaScript, I am super thankful I took an interest in JavaScript a long time ago.

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