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Ipad – Who it’s really intended for & why it’s going to succeed

Posted: January 28th, 2010

Yesterday Apple finally unveiled their tablet PC called the iPad to the world and it was met with (mostly) negative feedback. After watching their conference it suddenly became clear who they were aiming the product at. Something I think the majority of people have missed. Read on…

I’ve got an iPhone

I use my iPhone everyday. It’s my device of choice for quickly checking on-line content, reading RSS feeds, listening to music and posting messages, links and pictures on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Yes, my iPhone is a gadget I could not live without. The iPad doesn’t do anything major that my iPhone can’t do except present me with a bigger screen. This is the thinking of almost all website writers who have posted their opinions on the new device. However, I think they may have all missed the point.

So come on then – Who is iPad for?

A few years ago Nintendo released the Wii. A console that is still outselling it’s competitors every single month. The Wii doesn’t do as much as the Xbox 360 or PS3, yet it still dominates sales. This is because Nintendo made a console that non-gamers could use and enjoy just as much as traditional gaming fans could. It was removing the barrier of entry (the controller and interface) that has made the Wii so simple to use and so popular as a mainstream device, not just as a gaming machine.

iPhone – Ok, so what about the iPad. Apple said it fits in somewhere between an iPhone and a Macbook laptop. iPhones have a small screen, and whilst you can browse the web on them in a much better way than on most other mobile devices it’s still only on a small screen. The browsing experience isn’t as good as viewing content on a laptop or desktop PC.

Laptops – A laptop such as the Macbook is an awesome piece of kit. However, it needs to be operated in a traditional way i.e. with a mouse/keyboard. Users need to learn how to use Mac OSx. They need to know how to apply updates, install software, manage their disk space, back up data and lots more. This presents a barrier of entry to non-technical users.

iPad and who it’s really for

This is the point where we finally begin to see who the iPad is for. It will be a more mainstream device than a dedicated PC or Phone. It will be for all those non-technical people that don’t know how to use a laptop/desktop, but want to carry videos, books and music around with them.

A real-world example
Recently my mother in-law had a play around with my wife’s iPod Touch. She loved it, she told me it was so simple to use because you just touched the screen to operate it. She’s not technical at all, she’s constantly asking us for help with things on her mobile phone, but she was able to pick up and operate the iPod Touch without having to provide instructions.

She also uses the internet on a desktop PC. She gets by surfing the sites she knows about, but doesn’t really venture further. With a device like iPad she would find browsing the web, viewing pictures and videos on-line a lot easier because all you have to do is touch the screen.

Apple have created a device that can be used by non-technical people just as well as it can by technical people. It’s true that it doesn’t provide any major new features that can’t already be done on other Apple devices. It’s also true that it’s lack of multi-tasking and a camera are omissions that have been highlighted by the technical writers online a lot. However, to the people this device is primarily aimed at that won’t matter. They won’t even know what multi-tasking is. They will simply have a device that just works and does what they want it to do.

It’s a brilliant move. I’ve read more than once from many ‘experts’ that the iPad will be a flop, that it has no place or no real use. That’s because they’re looking at it from their own point of view and not looking at everyone else in the world that doesn’t possess the technical knowledge they have.

Final Thoughts

I too was unconvinced at first about it’s place in the market, having thought about it though I was compelled to write this article. Mainstream is where the device is heading, and that, as we’ve seen from Nintendo, does not equal failure.

Article written by Ian Hazeldine, Managing Director of Yellow Circle Web Solutions Limited

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The importance of keeping your web browsers up-to-date

Posted: September 16th, 2009

modern-web-browser-logos

Over the last few years we’ve visited a wide diversity of clients and completed a large range of different web projects. When talking to clients we always try to assertain their current level of computer knowledge and then talk to them on that level so that they understand what we’re saying and where we’re coming from. One thing we’ve noticed over time is that some clients are either still using old, outdated versions of web browsers or, in an even worse case scenario, weren’t even aware that updated versions were available.

Reasons you should you keep your browser up-to-date?

There are  many reasons that you should keep your web browser up-to-date and we’ve listed some of the more important ones below.

  • Security issues (very important) – older browsers tend to have more security vunerabilities than newer ones as development is no longer on-going for that particular version. That means that if a hacker finds a security hole in the older version of the browser then that hole will not be patched as the developers don’t support it any more, therefore the security hole remains and your details and system may be at risk as a result of it. Of course, you should always ensure that you have good anti-virus and firewall software installed on your PC too, before you go online.
  • Modern websites may not display properly (very important) – a good web developer will provide alternate coding for older browsers if their client requires it. However, some of the more modern websites contain visual effects and layouts that may not be supported by an old version of a web browser and the pages may not display properly to customers and users viewing your site if the developer hasn’t accouted for this. We always ask clients about the different browser versions their site needs to support before we write a single line of code for a project. You should be aware that not everyone does this and just because your site looks correct to you, it may not do to other people viewing it. Always encourage your users to upgrade to a modern web browser to ensure they’re safe and your site is being presented in the correct way.
  • You may be missing out on great browsing features – newer versions of web browsers usually contain some new features that will simply never be found in the older versions. These features may be something like in-built rss feeds, or browsing in privacy options, plus a whole range of others. Basically you’re missing out on a better web experience if you’re still using an old program.
  • All of the popular web browsers are free to download and use – there is absolutely no charge at all. You can protect yourself online, see web pages as they’re meant to be viewed and take advantage of better features all at no cost to you.

How do I update my browser?

So you’ve now decided that using an up-to-date browser is the right thing for you, so how do you go about getting the latest version? Just click the download links below.

Internet Explorer – Download Internet Explorer (PC Only)

Firefox – Download Firefox (available for PC and Mac – this is the browser we recommend you use on PC)

Safari – Download Safari (available for PC and Mac – this is the browser we recommend you use on Mac and it’s usually installed as standard on Macs)

Opera – Download Opera (available for PC and Mac)

If you’re using Windows XP or above then you should ensure that Automatic Updates are turned on so that you always get the latest updates for your machine, including browser updates. If you’re working on a Mac, then you you can use the Software Update feature in the Apple menu to obtain the latest programs.

Final thoughts

We hope that you’ve found this article to be useful. The next time you’re having any web design work done, whether we’re doing it for you or another company is make sure they’re aware of your web browser requirements and build your site accordingly.

Of course by that time you’ll already be using a safe and modern web browser, right?

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Ten ways to keep fit and healthy when you’re a web designer

Posted: August 31st, 2009

Designing websites for a living is great for making money and getting yourself a rewarding career. However, hours sat at a desk building your websites for clients means it’s not so good for keeping fit. A couple of years ago I absolutely ballooned in weight through lack of excercise and proper diet and so I decided enough was enough and took up weight training. I didn’t join a gym or anything expensive like that, instead I bought myself a set of dumbbells and a bench and began working out at home after work.

2 years later and I’m still at it and feel a lot better for it.

With that in mind I thought it might be useful for other web designers to highlight some simple, fun and (quite) inexpensive ways that you too can keep fit and still do what you love to do for a living.

1 .Buy a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit

Ok so I know I said that we would be looking at inexpensive ways to keep fit, and the £179.99 for a Wii isn’t cheap money, and then you’ve got to pay for Wii Fit on top of that (another £70)  but it can be inexpensive if you use it regularly over a long period of time when compared to a monthly gym fee or health club membership.

In addition to weight training I use my Wii and Wii Fit for cardio workouts and let me tell you, if you do about 30 minutes of exercise you will work up quite a sweat (and burn off calories). In addition to the cardio activities Wii Fit also has an excellent selection of Yoga exercises, as well as some games, all designed to get your whole body moving. Nintendo are set to launch a sequel to Wii Fit this winter called Wii Fit plus, which will offer new exercises and activities. You can find out more about Wii Fit here

2 . Go for a run

Right, that’s enough with the expense now, back to simple and effective techniques and nothing can be simpler than going for a run around your local neighbourhood. Running has many benefits for your body including losing weight, giving you healthier lungs, lowering your blood pressure and even better sex (according to scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health). Read more about running here

3 . Get on your bike

Biking is fun and is great for cardio work, so why not cycle to work one day? It will be healthier for you and you won’t be sitting in rush hour traffic. I used to be into cycling in a big way and we’re currently developing a cycle sportive website for a client who is promoting local events in the Staffordshire and Cheshire areas. Read more about cycling and the health benefits

4 . Buy an exercise dvd

So we love to look at screens all day because we’re web developers, that much we know already. Well how about looking at a screen and doing exercises at the same time? Although keep fit DVDs are mostly aimed at women, men can benefit from performing the exercises too. There are many different exercise DVDs available and most of the time you can get them for very little money. Play.com has a large selection take a look; play.com fitness dvd top sellers

5 . Eat sensible food and smaller portions

This is probably the simplest thing to do to help you keep in shape. Just eat less. I used to have 4 slices of bread when making a sandwich. After seeing how large I’d become a couple of years ago I decided to eat my food more slowly and have less of it. I now have just 2 slices of bread and still feel as full. So the next time you make a meal think ‘do I really need to have this much food on my plate?’ Chances are the answer will be no. More information about eating smaller portions can be found here

6 . Take the stairs not the elevator

If you work in a large office building with several floors it’s so easy to just hop in the elevator and push the button. However, that’s not going to help you stay in shape. Taking the stairs regularly can help build up stamina, raise your heart rate and increase blood flow, all good things for burning calories. Check out this article about taking the stairs

7 . Go for a walk with your significant other

My wife and I enjoy going for walks together. This is not a routine or something set in stone, this is just something we do from time to time that we both enjoy. We get fresh air, a chance to talk and be with each other and some exercise all at the same time. Plus, it costs us absolutely nothing.

8 . Weight training (light weights)

As I stated at the beginning of the article I myself weight train 3 times a week. I’m not huge, I’m not looking to bulk up (I started for quite the opposite reasons). Weight training using light weights is a great way to build strength, tone your body and increase your stamina. A set of dumbbells is all you need, which you can pick up for less than £30 at Argos. There are many different exercises you can perform with just a set of dumbbells so your workouts will be varied and interesting.

9 . Swimming

A visit to the local swimming pool after work won’t cost you much at all and will provide you with a great cardio workout. Swimming tones the body strengthens your heart muscles and improves the delivery of oxygen to the different parts of the body. Read more about the benefits swimming provides

10 . Eat more fruit and vegetables

We’ve all heard how we should ‘eat your 5 a day’ when it comes to fruit and vegetables, but more often than not when you’re working on a web design project with a tight deadline you haven’t got the time to prepare fruit and veg, it’s much easier to shove something into the microwave. However, by not eating these foods you’re missing out on essential vitamins your body requires. Next time you’re shopping at the supermarket buy some apples, or bananas or any other fruit you like and take some with you to work. Fruit can be a delicious and healthy alternative to a chocolate bar from the vending machine. Some top tips about eating 5 a day can be found here

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