by ratheesh
Getting your website right in ALL browsers
JUN18
Posted in What we're thinking
It's quite normal for a developer to hate Internet Explorer for all the trouble is
causes. However, we've had numerous occasions when a client insists on
having their website to look exactly the same in all browsers (even
on Internet Explorer 6). This pressing issue led us through some extensive research. The
analysis of the data and results were quite amusing to say the least and
for everyone who's still not sure of the answer to the client-boggling
question - Do website need to look exactly the same in every browser,
check this link
by ratheesh
The number of the Beast
APR23
Posted in What we're thinking
Way back in 2001, God was busy making plans for a Firefox release. He had dismantled Internet Explorer 5 and was about to throw it into the Recycle Bin when the Devil came disguised as a developer and bought the remnants of the Internet Explorer 5. And before God bestowed Firefox upon the world, the Devil unleashed the wrath of Internet Explorer 6 upon us.
When Internet Explorer 6 was released in August 2001, it had all the bells and whistles needed for a browser at that time. It had DHTML enhancements, partial support of CSS 1, content restricted inline frames and so on. So it actually started off as a good browser for it's time. The problem is, it stayed that way for almost a decade.
Why we hate Internet Explorer 6
Today Internet Explorer 6 is every developer's nightmare. It lacks rendering consistency and it has limited CSS support. Firefox, Safari, Chrome and Opera supports a majority of CSS3 properties. This means developers can implement cool new features and CSS effects quickly. Because Internet Explorer 6 refuses to behave like other modern browsers do, developers have to incorporate Internet Explorer 6 specific 'hacks' in their code in an attempt to tame the veteran browser. Although this is a popular work-around, it's just not right because it makes the Gods at W3C very angry. Moreover, cross-browser testing and making a website in Internet Explorer 6 is time consuming, which means a developer has to spend more time fixing the site when a client insist on Internet Explorer 6 compatibility.
Will IE9 make a difference?
The final build of Internet Explorer 9 is expected to be released in 2011. All we have at the moment is an Internet Explorer 9 Platform preview rendering engine, something like a simulator showing us what Internet Explorer 9 can do. The test-drive version has done quite well, scoring 100% in a CSS3 selector test. Interestingly, Internet Explorer 8 scored only 60% in the same test. IE9 also boasts of a new scripting engine - 'Chakra', which clobbered the latest Firefox release in a SunSpider performance benchmark test. So things seem brighter for the lower-case E as of now. Will this lead to the much awaited eradication of Internet Explorer 6? Will clients realise that spending that extra money for 8% the internet users is not worth it? Only time will tell.
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by cliff
Curries? No Worries!
APR12
Posted in What we're upto
Recently released 'Curry Kitchen' by Jacki Passmore is a superb book with dozens of curry recipes guaranteed to set your taste buds on fire. All photographs, and there are many, were taken over a two week period by me here at Omega. The staff at Omega enjoyed all the leftovers at the end of each day and it is rumored that Gerard didn't buy food for the entire two weeks!. This book is a great addition to your collection of cookbooks and will enable you to impress all your family and friends with your culinary skills, courtesy of Jacki of course.
by ratheesh
The Good, the Pad and the Ugly
APR08
Posted in What we're thinking
Apart from a name that bears an uncanny resemblance to feminine hygiene products, the iPad seems like its all set to take on the world. Coming from what many regard as the most innovative company in the world, the iPad seemed like a sure winner when it was first announced earlier this year. The 300,000 units sold on the first day comes as no surprise too. But the shiny and sleek device has taken a few serious blows from critics. Nicknamed the iPeriod or the iTampon, the latest installment of Apple has more to worry about than its name.
It can't multi-task. So if you want to listen to music while you're looking at your photos, you might as well sing or get someone to sing for you. The iPad has no USB, so transferring data in and out of your iPad is a bit of a pain. It does not support Flash, so websites offering flash video formats are out of bounds. The LED-backlit screen with In-Plane Switching (IPS) has been praised as 'crisp and sharp'. Unfortunately it is not as power efficient as OLED devices and it tends to be harder on the eyes (compared to the e-ink screen used in Kindle). In addition to the above mentioned, the iPad complaint box includes the fact that it's difficult to hold or carry around, it's slippery, it's heavy and it's missing a stylus.
It is true that the iPad is 3 times heavier than Kindle and Steve Jobs seems to have 'forgotten' to add a few frills to his latest baby. However, what everyone seems to have conveniently forgotten is that Apple never said they're making an eBook reader or a really powerful laptop. So then why should iPad be compared to Kindle or even a laptop. The iPad is a portable eBook reader which doubles-up as a mini-laptop. In fact, it is a laptop with no bells and whistles. Ideal for someone who reads a lot and uses a internet quite often. Although it seems debatable, the $500 price tag is just right, although you could get a Kindle and an iPod touch for that money.
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by Rosalinda
Roz Batson & the little bird
MAR09
Posted in What we're thinking
I am exceptionally fortunate to be friends with an amazing woman, Samantha Bell, who, as a profession, shows people and businesses how to maximize the power of social media such as Twitter. Here is one of her articles with tips for getting started. http://bit.ly/aMBzQT
In October 2009, I did a "deal" with Sam, whereby I facilitated a business strategy workshop for her (more information here) and in return she spent time explaining the concept and power behind twitter. Myself and Neural Networks Consulting have not looked back.
Let me explain why. Twitter is a great tool for you to firstly find out what is being "spoken" about 'out there' in areas that interest you and secondly, promoting your own views and products through conversation.
This is a very important point. Twitter is not a one way feed of information. It is not about sending out a weekly newsletter with "information" for the potential readers. It is about a two-way (or 20-way if you get involved in a twitter party) interaction. Not only do you get to provide your views, products, services to a large number of people around the globe, but you get to converse with them on how they feel about your views, products or services often times providing constructive feedback. And the same goes for you.
I have come across interesting blog articles, like 'Unplan your business' (original article
here), that I would NEVER have found through the usual Google searches. I have interacted with other twitter users in conversations that are of a very personal and deep nature that have improved everyone's understanding of the topic at hand or at least provided a new perspective.
In order to be able to make sure that I keep the brand integrity of our business, I have separate accounts for myself, @RozBatson and for
Neural Networks Consulting, @NNConsulting. My personal account is all about my interests and passions - running, motherhood, women in business, social media, wine and a myriad of other things.
Meanwhile the @NNConsulting account is all about what
Neural Networks Consulting does in the areas of performance based leadership, business strategy, sales and recruitment effectiveness programs. I send out sales tips, leadership blogs, recruitment advice, inspirational quotes, information on our learnings from current programs with some of our clients, strategy tips and theories, and the like.
Here and there I let our followers know about upcoming public programs such as the dates for our next Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner course. I retweet (sending on other people's tweets) blogs I have read that are aligned with our organisation philosophy, quotes I like, links to sites that provide particular services we support. I also get involved in twitter conversations on topics such as leading a strong life, or leading for change, and having a life on purpose.
I have also had many experiences of people retweeting what I have said to their networks creating a ripple effect of influence that cannot be underestimated.
From the statistics, it looks like I have increased traffic to our website which can only be a good thing as we work on improving our online shop and available products.
Twitter is a little world inside the larger online world. The like minded people that you can connect with in 140 characters (or less) is incredibly inspiring and can be a hell of a lot of fun, not to mention brilliant for building your brand and your business.
If you want to talk more about my experience - happy to chat. You can have a read through one of my favourite blogs
here
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