How Semantic Web Technology Promotes E-learning Efficiency

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Online learning is an emerging paradigm. Having gained success in the wake of social networking and video sharing tools, it is inherently dependent on an e-learning system. 

The World Wide Web or Web 2.0 can be considered as a repository of resources that can be harnessed for educational purposes. Also, tweaks can be added to enhance its efficiency in the learning pedagogy. 

Semantic web is a connotation used to describe protocols that allow machines to decipher the meaning of information present on World Wide Web. Crucial to understand is the fact that web that we use is tailored for human consumption. It is, on a principle level, machine readable but not ‘understandable’.

This represents a limitation of sorts with regards to progress that is being seen in the online education paradigm.

The Need for Semantic Web

Semantic web tools such as Resource Description Framework (RDF), Web Ontology Language and Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) can be used to build a concrete e-learning management model that presents information in a manner a machine can interpret. 

Some online educational aspects have been able to use such informatics to beneficial use. Healthcare is an ideal example of an area where semantic web has been put to good effect. Virtualization has led to heterogeneous data sources emerging, indicating the need for semantic web.

There are some successful models in the status quo that show semantic web can succeed at the data management infrastructure level. Pennsylvania is one of the states that took an early initiative in this regard. It laid down protocols for information integration within semantic web and how it can impact various stakeholders such as educational institutes and businesses. 

This can be seen with the development of electronic health records (EHRs) and how they are advancing the profession of nursing. A specific ‘Semantic Web for Health Care and Life Sciences Interest Group’ was initiated few years back to capitalize on the advancement.

The impact of EHRs and other new technologies can be seen in the accelerated nursing programs in PA, the demand for which has increased in just the last few years. Such programs also focus on decision-making and communication skills, establishing the ever-important connection between improved web integration and better online education.

Benefits of Semantic Web for E-Learning 

Semantic web represents a newer generation of world wide web use, and provides numerous advantages. First of all, it can improve the metadata that is linked with e-learning resources. Secondly, it can also expand the existing opportunities for e-learning customization.

The semantic web integration process presents an adaptive concept of composing new learning materials. From the device point of view, different specialized pedagogical information resources become accessible to all. 

This approach also equips machines with an intelligent learning model, enhanced reasoning and optimal management of learning material. The connection of online resources present on the web and its affiliation with the end user is a unique relationship, which can be enhanced using semantic web. 

Using semantic web, an ontology based e-learning method can be generated. It allows the program controller to add aspects such as student management, teacher management, security management, course management and ontology management. All of these aspects are linearized and fed unique responses based on the connection with the respective user. “Piazza” is a data management infrastructure built on the principles described above. It epitomizes the benefits of utilizing metadata and improving ‘understanding’ of machines.

Conclusion 

Based on the analysis that has been provided above, it is clear that the impact of online learning can be greatly enhanced with the help of optimal web usage. With a large segment of the population looking to virtual tools for enhanced learning, semantic web can offer significant assistance.

RECOMMENDED READ: The Potential of Blended Learning for Steering Education

Please, comment down your questions. 

*by andreascy*  

20 Stories You Must Read This Weekend

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Hello guys, long time no hear!

We've been missing in action for a while because we're finishing up another project, which we'll be able to share with you all soon, but we finally were able to come up for air and share some News with you all. 

We hope you'll enjoy our selection so make sure to click the headlines below and read the full story. Only at THE OFFICIAL ANDREASCY - The essential of news, everyday.

1. Introducing node.js Tools for Visual Studio. Tried ‪nodejs‬? Gave up because you couldn’t use a grown-up IDE? Red Gate started the ball rolling with Visual Node, then worked intensively with Microsoft in Redmond to produce node.js tools for Visual Studio. The early results are just incredible.

2. What Does A Navy Do? Confused about what a Navy - a conglomeration of ships, submarines and aircraft - actually does? Here's a quick 101.

3. Front-end CSS Frameworks. This is a nice tool to compare CSS frameworks.

4. This is how you use Twitter: Nokia hits BlackBerry where it hurts. Ouch.

5. PCB Design and Assembly at Human Resources Head. Want to work as a freelance in the field of PCB Design & Assembly? Doesn't matter if you're already working, it's a chance to augment your income and enhance your knowledge. If it excites you, check out the details and apply.

6. Astronomers in Antarctica find neutrinos from outside our solar system. "The era of neutrino astronomy has begun."

7. Mozilla’s reliance on Google is increasing: 90% of 2012 revenue came from that one source. How is Mozilla such a successful nonprofit? Google.

8. Kawasaki built a time machine and stole a bike from the future. Take our money. Take it all.

9. GetGoing Nabbed Me Better JetBlue Airfare Than JetBlue. Would you pick a random travel destination if it meant a very budget-friendly price?

10. Coupling Transport and Solid Mechanics Models for Better Puffed Rice. Thermal and mechanical effects in the production of puffed rice are studied by a group who recently presented at the COMSOL Conference 2013 in Boston last month.

11. Winamp is shutting down on 20th December 2013. R.I.P Winamp. End of an era.

12. Natural Gas Sets Off a Distributed-Energy Boom. Different gas-fueled technologies - fuel cells, microturbines, reciprocating engines, and turbines - are now competing for a spot in the basements of businesses.

13. Google's big health care play: Helpouts is all about video consultations with your doctor. And Google Glass will be a great tool as well.

14. Learn to Set a Formal or Informal Table for Your Thanksgiving Meal. Just in case you need a little refresher before Thanksgiving.

15. Troubles, what troubles? BlackBerry and Porsche Design launch the P’9982, a souped-up, ultra-premium Z10. BlackBerry's new sales strategy: Target the rich.

16. The actual probability of Earth going to hell in the next few decades. Pretty good... which is very bad.

17. My Biggest Interview Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them). If nerves take over every time you have an interview, you'll want to read this.

18. 26 Pictures Of Low-Income Entrepreneurs Who Work Extremely Hard. Inspiring.

19. Monitor and Control Your Environment with Ninja Sphere. Monitor all of your devices, your pets and even your energy use with NinjaBlock a futuristic environmental controller. 

20. Biologist finds possible new species in his own nose. Sometimes, great discoveries are to be found right under your own nose... literally!

As always, we’d love to hear what you think. If we’ve missed your favorite off this list, let us know in the comments below and we’ll take a look at it. If it’s any good, we’ll add it in. 

Have a great weekend! 👋

*by andreascy*

What's The Big Deal With Software Bugs?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Just about everyone knows that software glitches can be a nuisance, which is why precision in programming is absolutely essential. While most software bugs may fall into that "nuisance" category, however, software bugs can cause some alarming issues for business owners, web properties, and even whole governments. Consider this: according to a recent Cambridge University study, software bugs cost the economy more than $300 billion anually.

That's a "b," not an "m." $300 billion. Remember the European Union bailouts? Those cost less than half of what software bugs cost in a single year. Food for thought, for sure. And even though individual software glitches might seem like a laughing matter, the fact is, the aggregate of software bugs worldwide are a huge problem. Consider a couple examples.

Manage Your Money 

Shoddy coding and testing are often the reason for software bugs, but research has demonstrated clearly that it's more cost-effective in the long term to spend the money to get it right. Speaking of money - who doesn't love some free cash? In 2011, some folks down under won the proverbial jackpot when they came across an ATM that was spitting out free money. Due to a software bug, the machine didn't recognize the actual account balances of the customers showing up for withdrawals. Wait, did we say an ATM? We actually meant 40 ATMs across the city of Sydney, Australia. Consider that this bug lasted for five hours, and imagine the mess it created. 

Not to belabor the point, but again - wouldn't that money have been better spent ensuring that automatic teller machines didn't spit out free cash as if by magic? 

Glorious Freedom: A Jail Tale 

You do the crime, you pay the time. It's a clever little rhyme used in convenience stores and road signs all over the English-speaking world. Of course, sometimes software glitches can get in the way of this little truism. Earlier this very year, a software bug caused prison cell doors to be opened in a Florida jail. Not just a few cells, either: the glitch affected hundreds. It's also worth mentioning that the cells in question were in the prison's maximum security wing, where some of the most dangerous prisoners in the state were invariably kept. 

The issue was fixed right away, naturally. At least it seemed like it was until it happened a second time in the same week. 

Fortunately, this story has a happy ending (for the prison and the public, not necessarily for the inmates), as the prison declared a security emergency and not a single prisoner escaped. Nevertheless, to think about the damage such a bug could have caused will invariably make just about anyone's palms sweat. 

And the Take-Home Point Is... 

Look, software glitches can be a minor nuisance, but they can also have absolutely disastrous results. Most won't fall into the "fool me once" category of a potential prison-break as outlined above, but with the myriad systems in modern life that depend on solid programming for safety and asset management, glitches are a huge deal. 

These aren't the only software bugs that'll make you double-check your programming. Check out the infographic below for some other insane glitches that caused huge trouble!

Source: Qualitest Group

RECOMMENDED INFOGRAPH: How Google Built Android

Hope you've liked our post, and we'll catch up with you again very soon. Please get in touch if you want to say hello or kindly take a few seconds to share this story. 

Thanks for your time! 💖

*by andreascy*

The Future Landscape of Software Development

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

The advent of laptop computers marked an important milestone in the history of mobile computing. Laptops made it possible for people to bring their work with them almost everywhere they went. The evolution of Palm Pilot-style digital planners further fueled the trend and defined what it meant to "stay connected" while out in the field. However relevant or essential these products were, no technology changed the digital landscape more or pleased consumers as much as those wireless handheld devices put out by the now-famous technology giants BlackBerry and Apple.

Future technology trends are expected to continue to extend the nebulous bounds of the cloud, and further leverage the capacity and reach of the 4G mobile spectrum. Of course, the most impressive and stunning technology trends always seem to spring from unexpected places and are generally the most difficult for industry insiders to forecast.

The Future of Software

Current and emerging trends in the field of software development are being driven by new programming languages and platforms, new development methodologies, updates to core Internet technologies (HTML5), changes in customer expectations, and the unstoppable ascendancy of powerful new mobile computing devices.

Rapidly expanding demand for greater numbers of mobile computing devices has put pressure on software developers to create more mobile applications. Key stories circulating in the industry press seem to concentrate on a shift toward revamping familiar and standard software packages so that they run smoothly and easily on tablets and smartphones. Indeed, future launches of the most popular and time-honored business applications written for the PC are expected to become available for tablets and hybrids in the months ahead. 

More Programming Languages

It should surprise no one in the industry that coders are going to need to know more languages. Today, Java and Objective-C with a little jQuery thrown in account for most of the heavy lifting with respect to building complex software applications and mobile apps. The performance requirements of modern mobile computing devices will create a need for developers who are conversant in such languages as Ruby, Python, Node.js, and certain exotics such as Clojure and Haskell. No examination of this subject could be considered thorough or complete if it did not touch on HTML5 and CSS3, or if it ignored how cross-platform app design is greatly enhanced when developers are comfortable with the development and implementation of bespoke programming languages.

Customer Satisfaction is Paramount

New ways of thinking, along with an increased demand for multi-paradigm solutions are driving the accelerated rate of change in the development process itself. At present, Agile principles many not make one agile enough to satisfy today's consumer because customers today are no longer happy just being satisfied, they want to be delighted. According to Forbes, organizations such as Apple and Amazon have conclusively shown that delighting customers is a worthy, profitable part of the development process.

Finally, other future trends that software developers and engineers can look forward to hearing more about in the months to come include more current philosophies concerning version control systems, where most versions of a product will be staged in the cloud. Other trends to be aware of include the potential for removal of certain highly important open source products from the public domain. If this should occur, developers will need to brush up on alternative database solutions such as MariaDB, SQLite, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.

ALSO OF INTEREST: What's The Big Deal With Software Bugs?

We hope this information has been helpful. 👍

*by andreascy*

Real Life Super Humans Via Robotic Software

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Research for robotic-type suits for the military has been under the microscope, so to speak, since the 1990’s. 

The first actual suit was unveiled in 2002 but it lacked power. As the advancement of technology birthed smaller and more versatile sensors as well as faster microprocessors, many researchers were becoming convinced that a wearable robot - exoskeleton -- should be further considered, developed and perfected; and it has, pending a few tweaks here and there. A compact box on the back of the robot-suit houses the on-board computer and the control systems.

Continued perfection is moving forward; and one research company, out of several, is working under a two-year, $10 Million grant from the U.S. Army. The realization of a motorized human is on the verge of completion. A handful of engineers are on the thresh-hold of fulfilling the military’s fantasy of mechanically-enhanced soldiers that would have the super-human ability to lift equipment weighing 200 pounds as if it were only 30-some ounces.

Using a sensor attached to the wearer’s skin, the exoskeleton detects brain signals sent to muscles. The on-board computer analyzes these signals to determine how it must move and with how much force. 

Medical and Military Applications:

Medical: 

The software that commands artificial muscles, as well as control systems, has applications beyond the military. For those who are wheel-chair bound, the possibilities are wide open and remain extremely tantalizing. Developed technology in the field of robotics software has been eagerly embraced by a variety of medical organizations which recognize and have responded to the need for better mobility beyond the wheelchair. An artificially-intelligent brace is being developed to allow paraplegics and the elderly to walk once again. The technology and mechanics involved very much parallel those of the military counterparts.

In 2009, intelligent braces and exoskeletons were used in more than 100 hospitals and welfare centers throughout Japan, with encouraging success. America’s medical arena has followed suit.

Military:

As stated, the military exoskeleton responds to movements of the wearer; and provides astonishing load-bearing assistance over any terrain. The user can support up to 220 pounds and walk continuously at a steady pace and cover over 12 miles without stopping and without exertion. Research is looking into using advanced fuel cells to provide up to 72 hours of continual use without impeding a soldier’s movements in any way.

Overview of Functioning:

Mechanical engineering as well as software engineering combine forces to prompt computer-assisted sensors to control the exoskeleton’s systems. A variety of sensors work in perfect harmony to determine force and position factors. The sensors are connected through the Ethernet to computer processors in each leg and arm joint, which stimulate the actuators which are, simply, mechanical devices that convert energy into motion. This delivers up to 200 kg per square centimeter of force through high-pressure hydraulics. As if that weren’t astounding enough, it should be noted that each joint in the arms and legs has its own processing capability and the joints stay in communication with each other on a constant basis.

While the world is accustom to helpful software applications like file sharing by RLink, this goes beyond the normal realms of technology. With everything in place, the wearer can lift 50 pounds placed in each hand while leaving the arm in a horizontally, extended position for a prolonged period of time with no effort --- Astounding!

*by andreascy*

Science Nation - Printable Robots Designed to be Consumer-friendly, Inexpensive

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Hello guys. Today we'll present to you an interesting project funded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Expeditions in Computing Program. This project envisions a future in which 3-D robotic systems can be produced and designed using 2-D desktop technology fabrication methods. If this feat is achieved, it would be possible for the average person to design, customize and print a specialized robot in a matter of hours. 

Currently, it takes years and many resources to produce, program and design a functioning robot. This project would completely automate the process, from sketches on-demand, anywhere, and with the skill of a team of professional engineers, leading to potential transformations in advanced manufacturing. 

"This research revolutionizes the design and manufacturing of robots, with a profound potential impact on society," says Ralph Wachter, a program director in the NSF Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering. "It would remove barriers to manufacturing robots, making it possible for average citizens to customize and manufacture their own robots to meet their needs. This opens the door to great possibilities."

"This research envisions a whole new way of thinking about the design and manufacturing of robots, and could have a profound impact on society," says MIT Professor Daniela Rus, project leader and director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL). "We believe that it has the potential to transform manufacturing and to democratize access to robots."

The Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, known as CSAIL, is the largest interdepartmental laboratory at MIT and one of the world's most important centers of computer science and information technology research. The lab has played a major role in the technology revolution of the past 50 years. Currently, CSAIL is focused on conducting groundbreaking research in artificial intelligence, computer systems, and the theory of computation, while also tackling pressing societal challenges such as education, health care, manufacturing and transportation.

"Our goal is to develop technology that enables anyone to manufacture their own customized robot. This is truly a game changer," adds engineering professor Vijay Kumar, who is leading the team from the University of Pennsylvania. "It could allow for the rapid design and manufacture of customized goods, and change the way we teach science and technology in high schools."

Check out the video!

Related articles: 
3D Printing Technology - Make things by printing them : How it works
High Tech & Custom Designed 3D Printed Prosthetics
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*by andreascy*

How to Get Paid for Your Talents

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Some things cannot be taught and they come naturally. As you already know, all of us are born with a distinctive set of talents. These talents are singular just like our fingerprints. They are not the skills that we discover or learn throughout the years. Therefore, our talents can also be defined as inborn gifts. For example, the way how your voice sounds can be a talent. 

If you aren’t sure about your natural talents, you can ask from your colleagues, relatives and friends. Then they will point out all the things that you take for granted. The good news is that all of us are gifted with inborn talents and we can use them to make money. Keep on reading this article to figure out how.

Get Paid to Speak 

If you are a person who can speak fluently, you can use it to make money. If you are a good speaker, someone might come to you and request you to speak to their lunch group. If it is a good fit, you can agree the offer and say that your normal speaking fee is $3,000. You can say that it is possible to wave off that fee by educating the audience about the services that you offer. 

This method will assist you to establish value and consider how you prefer to collect it. You need to be careful to communicate effectively in front of the audience to get the best results in return. 

Get Paid to Develop a Product 

This is one of the most convenient methods available out there for the modern world people to get paid for their talents. The development of Internet has created an ideal platform for the modern world people to develop their products and sell them for the people in need. You can think about creating a software product or an online course. If you are developing a product for a client, you need to establish a strong relationship with him/her and develop the product according to the requirements. 

The key to success when developing a product is to value the product first and then determine its price. If you do it, you will come across a day where you can charge the premium amount for what you do. Until that day, you should provide something worth for the amount you receive.

Get Paid to Provide a Service

The Internet can also be used to sell your services and make money. You can think about offering a smoking hot deal in exchange of a testimonial video and a full blown case study. 

Plenty of freelancing websites are available for the people who are looking to make money by offering their services. Software developers, content writers, logo designers, website developers and voice-over artists can make a significant amount of money through these freelancing websites by selling their talents.

How to Get Started

Now you have a basic understanding on how to get paid for the talents you have. The next step would be to learn how you can make money by selling your talents for the people in need. Many people who recognize their inborn talents prefer to set up a home based business due to its convenience. 

Before you set up the home based business, you need to rethink your career. In fact, you need to plan your next career move accordingly to stay away from hassle. A wide range of resources are available for the people who are looking forward to start their own home based business. You can simply seek the assistance of those resources and take your time to plan properly. Otherwise, all your efforts would be in vain. 

Once you decide to sell your talents, the next step would be to look for clients who are in need of those products/services. That’s where the freelancing websites come into play. It is the most convenient option available for the people to find clients who are in need of specific products and services. If you join a website like Upwork, you can create your own portfolio for free and apply for job opportunities that are posted by clients. You can also think about selling your good at Etsy. You can become a seller on Etsy for free and list your products for just 20 cents each. Likewise, Fiverr can be considered as the best online marketplaces available for designers, content writers and voice over artists. Fiverr charges a 20% commission from all their sales.

If you are planning to start your own home based business, it is important to pay special attention towards paperwork. That’s because you will need occupational licenses, business licenses, tax registrations and permits from local, state and federal governments in order to operate legally. 

It is better if you can add an insurance rider to the renter’s or homeowner’s policy to stay away from hassle during unforeseen situations. You can simply get in touch with the insurance company and ask for more information about the coverage. In addition, each state has its own rules about insurance. You should also inquire about them from your insurance service provider. 

When you are planning to sell your talents by creating a home based business, you should never forget the IRS. Independent contractors need to pay social and federal taxes based on their income. You will need to take necessary measures to pay off estimated taxes throughout the year. You can visit IRS.gov to get more information about these taxes. You will also have to file local and state business and income taxes based on the location of your business.

Conclusion 

Now you know the best methods available out there to make money by selling your talents. You even know where you should start and what aspects you need to think about during the start. It is up to you to implement them and make a decent income by selling your unique inborn talents. 

KEEP READING: Entrepreneurial Businesses You Never Thought to Start

If you have any comments you are free to leave them below. See you soon.

(DISCLOSURE: This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I only ever endorse products or services that I have personally used and benefitted from personally. Thank you for your support!)

*by andreascy*

Web Design Trends For 2013

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

With technology ever changing and becoming more advanced, each year holds a host of new web design trends. As such, it can be easy to get left behind and end up with an outdated site. 

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, take a look at these new web design trends that are bound to be seen in 2013.

1. Responsive Web Design

Responsive web design is when a website is able to detect the type of device it is being accessed on, and adjust its dimensions accordingly. This means that you won't have to design separate websites to be viewed on different mobile devices, which can be both costly and time consuming.

2. Fixed Header Bars

Having a fixed header bar on your website will allow visitors to have access to its support and navigation buttons without having to scroll back up to the top of the page. This is a simple piece of web design, which can be used on almost any type of web page, but it is surprisingly useful and effective.

3. Large Buttons

Due to the increase in popularity of touch screen devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, large buttons are likely to become a big new trend in web design for 2013. This will make navigating the website much easier for those who are using a touchscreen device.

4. Simple Landing Pages

Simple or minimalist landing pages are set to be a popular web design trend this year. For many, a minimalist design is far more effective and appealing, and therefore may encourage them to stay on the website. A simple design can also help those whose website offers a product, as it strips back all the unnecessary extras and focuses on the product at hand.

5. Social Media Buttons

Social media is big, and it doesn't seem to be getting any smaller. Social media shares are the new marketing and can really make or break your site. As such, you want to make it as easy as possible for the user to share your page on whatever social media site they prefer. If you don't want to clog up your page with buttons for too many different sites, be sure to keep abreast of which social media sites are currently the most popular.

Conclusion

No matter what kind of website or websites you run, it is imperative that you keep up with web design trends so that your site looks fresh and remains relevant. Think about incorporating one or more of these hot new web design trends into your existing design.

CHECK ALSO: 10 Serious Usability Mistakes, You Must Never Do

We keep on top of industry developments and we hope that this article will make web designers try out different styles. Let us know what you think.

*by andreascy*

Bringing Different Website Elements Together

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

When business owners set out to create a new website, they usually have their own vision of what the site will look like and its purpose, but not the different parts and pieces required to make it happen and do well in search. 

To create a successful website, great graphics, content, programming and knowledge of search engine optimization must unite. What the business owner doesn’t realize is most IT people specialize in one of these areas and don’t know much about the others.

The Disconnect

You can have a website with the most spectacular images, but if your home page is done all in Flash, the search engines won’t be able to read it. Your programmer is all about function and probably not very good at design. He’ll give you 50 sort options for your products, but doesn’t realize he’s creating thousands of pages with duplicate content. SEO people understand some of what the other guys do and can explain to them how to do what they do to better optimize the website, but neither the programmer nor the graphic designer is too happy about it. The programmer doesn’t understand what difference it makes and the graphic designer thinks your suggestions will ruin the design. The SEO guy cares most about the content, the keywords, internal linking, code, crawl errors, etc. None of these issues are obvious to anyone else because they are not obvious when looking at a webpage. Each person in each specialty contributes an important part of the website, but all these aspects must co-mingle.

Executing a Good Website from the Onset

If you hire someone who is only familiar with one area, you can’t expect all the elements were taken into consideration. Often, the SEO person enters the scene later and there is more work to fix the issues with the website than if they had been addressed during the developmental stages. Often, the biggest hindrance is money. You’re better off with a simple site design that is well executed than a fancy one with all kinds of problems.

If a company can offer you all these services together, you’ll have a website that’s set to go when it launches, but maintenance with the same amount of integrity is important. If the company that creates your website only specializes in certain areas, you can hire someone to create optimized, quality content and provide that to your web designer, but you still have other web issues to be concerned with.

The only way to know what you’re getting is to ask. It will cost you more to go back and fix than to do things the right way initially.

Have you read this?

Be sure to leave your feedback. We'd like to know what you think. :)

*by andreascy*

How Long Does it Take to Build an iOS or Android App?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description: 

How long do you think it would take to go from concept to store submission for a native iOS or Android app? Include everything from spinning up servers, to managing users, to integrating with social networks, to developing a protocol for versioning, to wireframing, designing and polishing your UX.

While the question isn’t as timeless as “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?” (spoiler alert: 3481), it is one that’s very dear to our community of mobile app developers. The duration obviously varies with the complexities and increased functionality of the application to be developed.

Progress Kinvey - a mobile Backend as a Service startup - put this question to 100 mobile developers (43% enterprise, 57% individual). Based on this survey, they came up with an answer: about 18 weeks, the same amount of time that it takes to build 1.3 Boeing 777 airplanes and to drill 3 3,000 foot oil wells. 

This infographic depicts how much time developers will spend on each component of their native apps front - and backend. Check it out...

Source: Published by Progress Kinvey

Joe Chernov, VP of Marketing at Kinvey says:

"Backend functions accounted for 10 weeks, with data storage, data integration and versioning accounting for the biggest blocks of time (13 days each). The UI represented the bulk of the eight weeks of frontend development. On average, developers felt it would take about 40 days to wireframe, design, develop and polish their app’s user interface."

"73% of developers surveyed agree it would take a week or less to enable offline usage and data synchronization, yet a core backend feature like integrating data from third-party APIs yielded a wider range of responses. In fact, nearly as many developers (25) anticipated data integration would take a month or more as those (29) who said it would take three days or fewer."

Many of the aspects listed, especially the back-end aspects and 3rd party data integration, are of course not unique to a particular mobile platform or even to mobile platforms in general. So the 18 weeks would only apply if you had no previous targeted infrastructure across all these areas.

Conclusion

While the above infographic doesn’t purport to be the definitive timeline for app building - after all, it’s based on the development of an MVP-quality app and it doesn’t take into account the approval process - it was intended to be a conversation starter. 

So to that end, how long do you think it would take to build v1 of a native app? And do you think time requirements frontend items are easier to plan than backend components? 

Let us know down below.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Mobile App Security Threats To Plan For

As always, I'll catch you next time. 💖

*by andreascy*

Five Software Development Trends To Watch Out For In 2013

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Current Technological Trends 

Technology has never been static. It is a work-in-progress, a discipline that responds to the needs and demands of the people who use it. The constant evolution is so fast that some people might be overwhelmed with all the changes and find it hard to keep up. For software developers, being left behind on the current technological trends is a huge no-no. Software development, in particular, is a very dynamic field. The rise of semantic web (billed as the future of the Web, aka Web 3.0) and the improvement of IT opened up whole new paths for software engineers and developers to take. 

Here are some of the trends in software development that are expected to take hold in the software industry in 2013:

Agile Methodologies

Building software from the ground up is an unpredictable affair. Requirements change from time to time, and release/testing cycles can become uncontrollable. Because of its irregular nature, managers and teams working on the creation of software are now using agile methodologies in the software development process. Instead of the usual "waterfall" approach to development, agile methodology involves dividing the work cycle into repeating intervals called sprints or iterations. This method keeps things flexible; it gives teams a chance to constantly revisit and revise the projects they are working on without decreasing productivity.

Using (and Mastering) Multiple Programming Languages

IT and web technologies are constantly expanding. For example, there are lots of applications and software that work on an interoperational level among a multitude of platforms (like PCs, smartphones, and tablets). It is necessary for a software engineer to be able to create a product that can be accessed from these different devices and other access points. Using multiple programming languages can be a huge boost in developing software for interdependent web technologies. Modern scripting languages like Ruby on Rails (ROR) or Python can also make software development easier.

Cloud Computing

More and more businesses are embracing cloud computing as an integral part of their day-to-day operations. Cloud services and software aid in making business processes more flexible and convenient for business owners and their clients. This means that the demand for software that use cloud technology are at an all-time high.

Mobile Technology

The number of people who use mobile devices is steadily increasing. The value of mobile ecommerce is expected to hit $10 billion by 2013, according to a study by reportlinker.com. These gadgets have almost replaced the standard desktop PCs and laptops that people use for their daily computing needs. Android, Windows Phone, iOS, Blackberry OS and other mobile operating systems are the new battlegrounds for software developers. Providing consumers with software and applications on these platforms is highly essential to the future of IT and software development.

Location Based Computing

The integration of GPS into mobile devices has resulted into the popularity of apps and web services like Foursquare and Facebook location (Former Places). This phenomenon shows the great appeal of location based software among consumers and businesses. The burgeoning technology already shows great promise; there are various developments on its application in the fields of education, health and entertainment.

RECOMMENDED ARTICLE: The Future Landscape of Software Development

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*by andreascy*

Software Development Classes - A New and Dynamic Frontier

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Software development has become increasingly popular over the years, and is one of the most lucrative careers you can get into if you have the needed skills. A strong background in a math-related subject, analytical skills and strong communication and leadership skills will put you on the fast track towards becoming a stellar software developer. Let's take a look at what goes on in your typical software development class. 

These classes are typically conducted in institutions of higher learning or accredited institutes. They can be offered in your run-of-the-mill bricks and mortar type of class, or conducted online. Once you're registered, you'll be introduced to the world of computer applications and their usefulness in the real world. Computer programming has to do with creating code for applications that seek to help human beings make their work more efficient and accurate. 

The software development class typically covers aspects such as:

- Object-oriented programming

- Database creation

- Logical and arithmetic analysis of design

- Web scripting

- Software development cycles

- Ethical impacts of software development and application

To be Considered a Software Developer

For you to be considered to be a fully-fledged software developer, formal training is more or less required given the competitiveness of this career choice. There are numerous industries you can land in, and some of these include video game design, software development, hardware manufacturing, as well as working for major ecommerce websites.

It helps to have a degree in computer science, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. If you have any training that touches on math, software development classes will be accessible to you. This is because coding requires you to understand many mathematical principles, as well apply logic and principles of probability to predict the behavior of a computer program even when it's at its conceptual level.

Software Development Consultant

A software development consultant can work as a freelancer and serve a number of clients at the same time. One area that is seen as lucrative and carries a lot of potential is mobile development. This is because of the proliferation of mobile phones and their accompanying software as well as the numerous platforms available to the end consumer. With products such as the Apple iPhone and Android-based mobile phones, software developers find themselves in a domain that needs their services day and night.

After finishing your software development classes, be prepared to be thrust into an industry that will expect you to work more than 40 hours a week, and possibly weekends as well, depending on the stage at which a software engineering project is at. Software development, unlike software programming, seems to have escaped the vagaries of outsourcing. According to market opinion, software developers' skills have been in high demand, and the department of labor predicts that this sector will grow by up to thirty percent in the next ten years. Lastly, you need to be aware of the different certifications that you'll need to take for you to achieve career progression. These include Siebel, Oracle and SAS. The world is poised to up its ante when it comes to demand for software developers, so taking classes will put you at the right place to benefit from this windfall.

Thank you for checking out our article. Comment down below your thoughts. Stay tuned! ;)

*by andreascy*

How Google Built Android

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

While Google will always be known primarily for their search engine and advertising platforms, the Android operating system has been a tremendous success. While multiple phones available from all cell phone companies, the Android platform has a larger user base than any other smart phone platform. How did they build Android?

Android is based on the Linux kernel. In addition, Google implements many of the tools used by Linux. As a result, those with a background in Unix and Unix-like operating systems feel at home when dealing with the internals of the operating system. In addition, Linux is open source, so the source code of Android will always be available to the public and to developers. 

Google also decided to create its own bytecode for Android. Using the Java language and Java bytecode, Google allows developers to use the most popular programming language in the world for creating Android apps. The use of Java makes Google an easy platform for companies to target. 

From: BusinessMBA.org

*by andreascy* 

10 Serious Usability Mistakes, You Must Never Do

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Usability relates to the user experience and satisfaction, which means to measure the satisfaction level when user visits your website. 

To have more satisfied and happy users, you need to develop and design an interactive interface. Let us have a quick discussion on the mistakes, which you must avoid on your website :

Breaking the Web Design and Development Rules

The major factor of the failure of every website is its inappropriate development. If you develop your website incorrectly or poorly then the user experience will be worst. Development of any website majorly focuses on its design. Users always expect logos to appear on the top left corner, header in middle, and search option on the top right corner. These are the standards, which are provided to each designer and he needs to follow them. If he will ignore those standards, then it will definitely create hassle in future. 

Pagination Used for the Wrong Purpose

Dividing content in many pages is called pagination. All those websites undergo pagination, which have lots of items i.e. gallery pictures, shopping cart, etc. Displaying too many items on one single page would leave a bad impact on the users. Instead of this, using the relevant pages i.e. order products page, product descriptions page, and much more is advised. 

Insufficient Padding and Margins 

Lack of sufficient padding and margins leave a bad impact on the users. You must provide users with visual comfort, which would surely let them spend a lot of time on your website. Basic CSS Box model can help you a lot in this regard because proper use of this CSS model would guarantee that your spacing would never interfere with any of your content. These little things must never be taken lightly. 

Duplicate Page Titles 

Page titles are texts we write within <title> tags. Creating generic title and then reusing it in the whole website is not recommended. It always leaves a poor impact on the usability as well as SEO standards of your website. Therefore, always use unique and attractive titles for your website.

Confusing Menus 

This refers to all those sites, which allow users to interact using various menus in different ways i.e. obscure menu titles, confusing menu structure, and improper use of menus. Remember, nobody likes to find a ‘contact us’ option in finance page. 

Content that is difficult to Scan 

To make your website more usable, you cannot only depend on the good design but you need to have a good copy too. Copy relates to the content available on your website. Along with design, you must provide users the text readability to process information. This is an essential part of maintaining usability.

Broken Links 

Broken links always give a bad user experience because they always create 404 Not Found Error for the visitor. That is why websites should be monitored regularly to avoid the broken links. 

Non Functional Buttons 

An awkward moment when you click any button on some website like submit, enter, signup, etc. and you get an error, this is broken or invalid database error. Moreover, you would be further teased by realizing that your data won’t be saved and you need to enter it again. This is one of the most basic usability flaws, you should avoid because this will push your users away from the site. Therefore, keep proper testing and maintenance of your website because the more you test, the more you will explore.

Extra Loading Time 

Humans cannot wait more than 6-8 seconds and if your website is taking more time to load, then don’t expect the visitors to return to it. This includes removal of unnecessary plug-ins, heavy flash usage, and much more. Therefore, try to focus on satisfying your customers instead of annoying them.

Presentation Through Pop-Ups 

In many cases, when the users visit the website, they have to turn on the pop-ups to view the content. It is never recommended to have them on any website because the users will always hate using those websites, which comprise of unstoppable pop-ups. It annoys them too much by constant interference and wasting their valuable time.

Final Words 

People usually do these mistakes and the user has to face the serious problems. You should avoid them for better usability and to enhance facilitation for the users.

READ ALSO: Web and Software Dev - Metro Icons by Orphydian

Now it's your turn... Are you making these web design mistakes? Let me know down below your thoughts and ideas. 

*by andreascy*