App review some crazy apps

“Why would i do that”, there are many apps that are so innovative and out of normal line, that you wonder. Anyways here is my list of some amazing apps that i have come across.

voki.com
Vocalize yourself, this web site offers flash based talking characters that let you record stuff and then send it across to friends. There are multiple ways in which you can record, either using the in-build typer or you can call a number and record yourself.
Why would i do that: Unless i really want to impress my friends with an out of the way wish, or maybe send a wish in a different language :

shopalize
THE joy of shouting out to the world, what i just brought.
Why would i do that: I promise my first ferarri will be listed out there until then its for shopoholicks and the neat bargainers.

unpackd
How often do you not know what’s in the box. Well maybe when its a gift from someone. unpackd collects information about what everybody found in the box.
Why would i do that: Am really happy about something i got. But with needs for registration and all that i still wonder why.

pictogame
Definately an addictive experience. Pictogame lets you upload your pics and convert them into some amazing games and puzzles. And then invite friends to a fun with the pics.
Why would i do that: Its the fun part of the games themselves. Maybe a popular thing already in the teenage generation.

For the readers:
if you wish to add any other applications that are out of the normal, please let me know by adding a comment to the post

web 2.0 App reviews

For someday’s now i have been out researching web application to help plan my pet project. The research helped me a learn a lot of fabulous things of how people are today building applications.  These are  differently way apart from the  anything  i have seen before both in quality and variety. So why not share more of this stuff on the blog!

Quick JavaScript Prototyping

The usual hickup designers and user researchers face in wake of validating interface design is getting an environment that will behave like the actual application. Until now i used to think this was almost impossible. Imagine data getting transported from one page to another seemlessly. The most we could do was use xml to display large chunks of data and thats about it.

Enter hidden frame technique and arrays!,
I was in a class room listening to all the jargon in AJAX, when someone wrestled the word hidden frame to my dormant brain. They said hidden frame was the in thing before ajax was on the sunrise. Ahhh…. the concept, use a frame to retrieve and send data while the visible frame provides the reassurance of one major metaphor (). So the next time somebody posed the challenge of sending one form values to the next, i considered looking at a hidden frame.

The problem definition: we need a prototype that functions Like the actual application. One complete medical apps that can take patient details across the prototype and give the idea to stakeholders how the thing is going to work.

Approaches used, sending variable through url etc etc. The most decent solution. An uncompromising tinge of HIdden frame scripting supported by the almighty javascript and yes the arrays. Its so easy to retrieve and display values this way. And now that i have learnt i would like to share. I am off developing a prototyping framework that can make sending data across forms a child play. Cheers to myself.

The story so far..

In my few years of professional life i have crossed many domains and fields. Each time acquiring newer strengths and capabilities that complement my role as a communications professional. I began my en devour with Graphic design including advertising and tough ass multimedia and elearning. This gave me strong understanding of corporate branding, conceptualization and eye pleasing photoshop work.

That was not enough so i travelled and got deeper into interaction designer. Learning the ropes of usability and user experience. This paid handsomely as i got to design some really cool application ground up. from Internet to desktop to mobile apps. That was all hunky dory when the vicious technology pulled me in its wake. I consulted for small apps design. But remain awfully short of ever programming even a little bit on my own.

Now i am again on the footsteps of change, as i proceed towards javascripting. It was tuff, crazy and not so cool a thing too do. looking at how +++ and — makes sense never apealed to me, though logic did. As usual i was put in a spot and got a hang of it. And now i feel all so cool looking and code and for the first time writing some elegant stuff all on my own.

Okay the sense in writing this post. I am going to write a few post on scripting, cross browser coding, coding complainces etc etc …

Do development lifecycles complement Usability Methdologoies

Just a thought, usability methodologies provide the design input, and essentially find place in between requirements gathering phase and database realted design in normal software life-cycles.  Since usability processes are iterative and time consuming, most people try to provide an instant karma kind of approach. Which basically kills most of the ROI benefits in the software implementation part. On the other end we also have problems with  deadline driven implementation of methods – which have a high risk of failure – given the quality of work needed or the iteration cycles normally needed.

Richness for rich internet applications

Smart web apps have been around for a long time, these are hyper markup pages that perform like desktops. Now we have rich internet web apps that do more, these make asynchronous communications possible. But besides these with apps being developed in flex and ajax, we need certain pointers that can define what would be richest in rich internet applications, and here it is,

• Web metaphor,
• Offer innovation or mock desktop,
• Score high on usability metrics,
• Have all browser based functionalities or provide a work around,
• Rich UI possibilities, and
• User Multi-tasking functionalities.

Web Metaphor
Web metaphor has reduced many possibilities due to page constraints, technical feasibilities etc. With adoption of rich internet application a considerable change can be introduced,

• Multi-page metaphor

• §Interaction design

• Navigation

»Offer innovation or mock desktop
RIA based designs should offer functionalities that are not currently not feasible with web applications. These could include features such as drag and drop, prompts, invoking pages etc.

» Score high on usability metrics
RIA applications bring with them abilities of direct manipulation and instant feedback. With these inherent capabilities Usability metrics should improve in applications.

»Support all functionalities in web applications or provide a work around
Web applications have abilities such as back button etc to make changes to earlier content or locate path. Based on app review all such functionalities should be provided in the RIA application or a work around should be present to accomplish the tasks.

»Have rich design/ graphic possibilities currently not available in web applications
Web applications inherently have limitations such as web colors, use of gradients, image sizes and font limitations. RIA and flex applications should be exploited to this end in providing highly visual applications.

»Multi-tasking possibilities
Due to asynchronous possibilities RIA applications can be effectively used for multi-tasking. In web based apps this type of functionality was difficult to maintain and create.

Philosophy and Methodologies

All great ideas and ideals begin with philosophical insight to create somethign better. Developing software is never a philosophy, designing website is not a philosophy. Developing more efficient software or making more usable designs is. Similarly doing something is not, but doing something with a certain defined intent is. This gives us a headstart into ISO, Usability, CRM and so forth.

The problem with philosophies taking shape of realistic working guidelines is. These cannot be implemented unless you understand what these are all about. In simple words if you cannot deduct what the theorem said, your following all the steps might produce a completely different results. Especially in a dynamic environment.

And hence we have strings of faliures, softwares that were designed to boost productivity just about do a mediocre job, processes that were designed to improve businesses just become a bottleneck. Take the human and creative element out and you are suddenly spiralled in confusion.

So whats the right balance and the right way to make it work. The only worthwhile example i can think of is GE and six sigma. And maybe Wipro and Six Sigma.

Re-engineer the engineer

Probably the most fantastic thing to happen to me!, yeah blogging on WordPress. I just love the way you can type and type big!!!!