Archive for the 'Technology' Category
How is your website built?
I recently had a discussion with Mhairi about a possible project. Mhairi had a client who wished to add a blog to her site and she asked if I could provide her with a quote. Unfortunately, the website was built with ColdFusion and thus I told her that I wouldn’t be able to work on it because I’m simply not familiar with ColdFusion. Mhairi was a bit confused at first and unsure why the code should matter.
The Tech Map of Vancouver
Following the launch of techcouver.com a few weeks ago, the folks at Techvibes received a lot feedback and requests from Tech companies wishing to be added to the map. Working in collaboration with Cameron we just launched a new version of Techcouver which uses a flash application to display the companies. The flash application allows you to zoom in on the map and is easy to update using an admin interface. We’ll be adding the names and websites of all of the companies who have asked to be added in the next few days, so keep your eyes out for change.
Why can’t mobile phones be like pantyhose?
I ended my day with a drink at Fiddlehead Joe’s tonight with a very good friend of mine. The conversation started of course with talk about the iphone which finally went on sale today in the states. My friend, being a non-techie, hadn’t heard of it and didn’t know why I was so excited. I must confess, I’m not into gadgets. I never paid any attention to the blackberry or the pearl, but after seeing David Pogue’s videos on the New York Times, I thought the iphone looked pretty cool. Having said that, I’m not sure that I would wait in line for several days and pay $500 for one. Sure it’s cool, but Apple isn’t known for their phone technology. I’m putting my money on people having lots of complaints and regretting waiting in line in the next few months.
Of course the problem with technology is that even if the software engineers and designers make them all cool and sophisticated, most of the people I know have no clue how to use them. I’m lucky that my phone is old enough that it doesn’t have a camera. I only learnt how to text message a few weeks ago and sending a message longer than “Yes, count me in” takes forever.
At the latest Massive conference in Vancouver, I spoke to a Rogers representative and asked him if anyone was working on a phone for the average Joe like me. You know a phone that just calls people? His answer of course was no. Why would anyone want to work on that, it’s just not sexy. Why does everything with technology have to be sexy? Pantyhose aren’t that sexy and companies still make them. Women need plain old boring pantyhose and mobile phone users like me would love a phone that is plain, boring, easy to use and just make phone calls. Am I the only one that thinks this?