Agile isn't an excuse for sloppy project management or development

Those who have read 37Signals book: "Getting Real" should be well versed in what Agile Development is all about. Basically the theory you can do more with less is the easiest description I have of what Agile Development boils down to. I am warming up to the idea of a development process that is less linear, and more pliable to the demands of a fast paced on demand "Web 2.0" world.

That being said in a recent Dr Dobb's newsletter I read this article on the disciplines of development using Agile methodology.

Google to take on Facebook by more open API

It was only a matter of time before one of the top three: Google, Yahoo or MSN did something with respect to Facebook.

Google is apparently working on opening up its API's for existing services even more than Facebook. See this article for more detail.

Ditch your news section or press room and build a blog!

It still amazes me to see sites launching with a news or press room. This seems like one of the legacy web 1.0 items thats still makes its way into most corporate domains.

Granted if you are a fortune 500 company perhaps you still need your official new release section. However for most small to mid size companys this seems like serious overkill. The "one to many" broadcast approach is clearly over with the rise of social media, web 2.0 and functionality that allows for your users to engage in a conversation with you!

Some blog facts:

• Blogs are hip
• Authentic
• Let you engage with your user = two way conversation!
• Let your users identify with a personality along with your news
• Build Community: They create repeat visits (stickyness) by users
• Content can be syndicated via RSS and email subscriptions
• Build Traffic: Ultra SEO friendly helping to get you found
• They create conversation on other blogs = Online PR +Seeding!
• Cross Sell: Generally they create a lot of referrals back to your corporate site

Recent validation of Linkedin - networking 2.0

I recently had a situation in my day job where more work than we could handle. I needed a qualified group of five internet developers with varied skill sets such as: XHTML/CSS, Flash, .NET, PHP and we needed them quickly.

Formally we would try two things:

• Mine existing freelance resources
• Go to a local staffing firm that specializes in interactive to find the desired candidate(s)

We tried option one, and everyone we knew was committed. Option two takes time and we were under the gun with tight deadlines.

So what do you where you in a bind and need to recruit in a vacuum? Networking 2.0 utilizing your social networks!

Within a few hours of identifying the need I hit my LinkedIn network. By the end of the day I had answers and people lined up to do the work. It was instant validation to me of the power of social networking tools like LinkedIn, and putting my network that i'd built overtime to work for me.

How to filter feature requests on your web application

Yesterday I attended the iPhone Tech Talk conference in Chicago. Many items where covered from requirements, usability, design and application development for the iPhone plaform. One part of the presentation that resonated with me was how Apple approaches development of software applications. Below is an excerpt from the presentation:

Good Design at Apple….

“Comes from saying “No” to 1,000 things to make sure we don’t get on the wrong track or try to do too much.”

- Steve Jobs

Define Your Solution

What problem will your application solve?

• Create an Application Definition Statement
• Summarize the intended purpose of your application
• Let it guide everything you do
• Filter every aspect of your application through definition statement
  

This is also inline with a chapter in 37signals book “Get Real” titled "What's the Big Idea".

Its an interesting approach i'm looking to incorporate into future projects I work on. Often with web project you can get bogged down in features that are outside of the core objective and vision of the site, using this methodology means you can abandon a lot of traditional distracting features before you burn you time and money.

Good user experience can improve your bottom line

I came across the following presentation when I was browsing on Slideshare and it really resonated with me. I often talk to designers or information architects about improving the usability of a web app by simplying things. For instance use more descriptive form buttons - "submit" is vague, include functionality such as breadcrumbs and site search as people expect them to be there etc. Essentially don't make me think!

One thing I often notice with new site designs is they are tested by power users, we know that the logo links back to the homepage, we know how to use utility nav and how to filter results in a datagrid. However the best test i've ever had is my wife or my mom. To be honest if they can't perform a task or find something on a new site chances are other users will have the same problem. Ultimately a bad experience frustrates users and ensures they will give up on your site and go to the next listing on Google.

I encourage you to view the following presentation by Brian Winter from CareerBuilder on providing a better user experience.

Interview with Jakob Nielsen

I just was over at e-consultancy.com and stumbled across an interview with Jakob Nielsen. Neilsen weighs in on AJAX, Flash, RSS/XML icons and his general feelings on usability as it relates to the web. An interesting read.

Humor - Internet crash in Web 2.0 world!

Agile development: Get more done with less - "Get Real" by 37signals

I've just finshed reading the book "Get Real" by 37signals (developers of Basecamp) and i've got to saw its a fairly controversial and radical way to look at developing web 2.0 apps using the Agile development methodology.

My key take aways from the book are you can get more done with less. Less people (superstar developers), no meetings, no information architecture and no web farm to start. I recently met with a client of ours at Hanson Dodge Creative and talked with them about the shift from the web 1.0 brochureware "website" to the fire breathing always changing web 2.0 "web application". Already a developer of desktop applications, his final words where "welcome to the world of software development" which is so true.

Modern day web apps are complex with true object orientated programming and 3 tier architecture:

• Presentation Tier (XHTML, CSS, XSLT, Flash, AJAX)
• Logic Tier (.NET, Web Services, API)
• Data Tier (Database, XML

So yes todays web 2.0 application is becoming more complex to build, 37signals "Get Real" offers a different methodology and approach to breaking things down and building web apps using their Agile method from inception through completion. If you haven't read it already you can read it free, buy the pdf, or book at 37signals site.

The power of community and social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook and Myspace

Lately it seems the shift to community driven websites and social is becoming bigger and bigger, everyone is jumping on the Web 2.0 band wagaon. Whether you look at the success stories of YouTube, MySpace, Facebook or any of the other bigger user generated content (UGC) sites it seems "community is king". I've got to admit I was a late adopter of MySpace and Facebook, but I have been a member on the UK equivalent of Classmates.com known as Friends Reunited since 2001. As someone who's lived in 3 countries: Australia, England and the U.S. Through these sites i've noticed first hand the power of social networks and community first hand as I began to reconnect with classmates and old friends who lived all over the world. My 10 year high school re-union was organized through it… I can’t even imagine the effort involved in doing this prior to the internet!

Now in my professional life one site that has had a profound effect on me is LinkedIn. Again I embarrassed to say I a late adopter, a sales rep from a software company invited me after a pitch and I was on the way to becoming LinkedIn.

In my opinion LinkedIn has become the most important and useful professional community and social networking site I use today. Gone are the days of word resumes, my rolodex full of business cards and costly searches for new hires and vendors. LinkedIn has provided a great platform for helping prospective, existing and former clients keep in touch (networking). Not to mention a great tool for recruitment. Having your LinkedIn profile linked on my blog has also helped in the seeding giving me an SEO lift.

I've been involved in participating in question and answers sessions centered on the internet and web technology. I've also been approached by software vendors, headhunters and job seekers who instantly qualified me as they know who I am and what I do, some of this can be good or bad depending how you look at it.

So if you are looking for a way to build your professional network and get connected with a community that opens up networking and career opportunities today I suggest you to get LinkedIn.

The Media Revolution lead by the Prosumer!

I stumbled across the following video on the Logic and Emotion blog. It lays out an interesting view of what the future of the internet and user generated content might look like. I encourage you to view it:

What professional organizations exist for web professionals?

I recently attended a conference by David C Baker on "Resourcing the Creative Process". One of the items we discussed during the seminar was "what is it about this (creative) industry, that no real standards or professional organizations for people that work in the creative / interactive world" and it got me thinking. My brother in law is a HVAC engineer and his girlfriend an architect. Both of them belong to numerous professional organizations. In many other industries including law, finance, accounting etc there are plenty of organizations professionals can join to increase their level of certification, enforce standards and best practices, provide updates on industry trends, improve overall education and provide them networking opportunities.

So I asked myself the question "What Professional organizations for Web Programmers and Developers?".

I'm started looking both at national and international organizations for Web developers and programmer. None of them really offered all the attributes I was looking for, but here are the ones I managed to find:

• International Webmasters Association
• American Association of Webmasters
• Interactive Web Development Association
• HTML Writers Guild
• Guild of Accessbile Web Designers

There was an interesting one in Australia called "Port 80" but that has morphed into the Australian Web Industry Association. Content Management Professionals comes close, but is a little restrictive as I wanted a organization for professionals in this industry that goes beyond content management. Most of these organizations cater to Designers, Webmasters and System Administrators but not towards the Web Programmer / Developer.

Sure Microsoft has MSDN and MCAD certifications and other organizations offer similar programs. But I was looking for an organization that is platform-agnostic, and devoted to the people that do all the Web 2.0 wizardry these days. The hunt continues....

Podcasts, way better than books on tape!

When I used to work in computer sales in Australia I had a crazy boss that used to subject me to audio tapes / cd's while we would drive in his car. Tony Robbins, Zig Ziggler and Tom Hopkins where all his favorites. He would tell me that this is the best way to learn when you are have no one annoying you and your mind kind absorb whats being said.

So it got me thinking most people these days put up with at least a half and hour commute to work every day, whether it be car, bus, train or bike. Generally I zone out and listen to the radio but I really get nothing out of it and the content is becoming increasingly, well crap. So following my old bosses advice I feel I could use my hour plus commute more effectively each day and i've decided to use Podcasts, my Ipod and the AUX jack on my car radio to broaden my knowledge and education in the field I work in. For those who don't know what a podcast is essentially its generally a free broadcast of audio or video that can be downloaded to your portable media player and then played back at your convenience. The content available via Podcasts is amazing, and grows everyday. They exist in just about every category or field of interest you can think of, and come in all shapes and sizes. :)

Here are a few of the podcasts I currently subcribe to:

• O'Reilly Web 2.0 Summit Podcasts
• Diggnation
• The Web 2.0 Show
• the .NET magazine
• boagworld.com: web design podcast

Each night I dock my Ipod in my craddle, eat dinner and then return to see its filled with fresh brain food. I create my playlist for the following day and voila i'm all set "get my learn on". If I ever get tired of Podcasts, I can always switch to the vast array of audiobooks available on Itunes! :)

Joost Beta - dubbed "The Youtube Killer"?

I just signed up for Joost beta today and i've been added to the list of users waiting inline to get a glimpse at this new internet service. It promises DVD quality video over the internet while offering fun and interactive content. Some are dubbing a "Youtube Killer"

If you haven't heard about it I suggest you head on over to their site and check it out.

Web App Project Management & Workflow Holy Grail? Part 1

Building web apps is getting harder and harder. When you build a desktop application whether it be for a PC or a Mac you know what the platform and environment allows. In this 2.0 age of web development where technologies change frequently based on industry demand, timelines get shorter and costs need to be controlled. It is becoming increasingly difficult to control and manage a project timeline and costs with so many moving parts.

I've done a lot of research on a software package that could control things from end to end. Call this the web development and project management holy grail? The following are some of the requirements I think an all encompassing solution needs:

• Permission granted access / user rights to system functionality
• Workflow Management (Interactive real-time)
• Assist with budgeting and estimating
• Document Management (Proposal, Strategy, Architecture, Sitemap, Wireframes, Concepts)
• Centralized Content Management / Data Warehousing
• Real-time Project Plans
• Milestones
• Team/Task Assignment (who's doing what)
• Versioning of project documents (Check in/Check out)
• Code Library / Shared Assets
• Group Communication and discussion / Feedback
• Bug Tracking (Tickets)
• Quality Assurance and Testing
• Deployment between environments
• Technical Infrastructure Management
• Source Code Protection
• Centralising Server Architecture (FTP/WebDAV etc)
• Faciliate Deployment - Pushing files/databases between environments (Staging/Production)

It must be said no amount of software no matter how good can fix a disfunctional environment with no process or guidlines in place, where team members are disfunctional and kaos rules. You've got to have a system in place before you can start refining it! So let assume you have a process and some guidlines but your projects are growing in size and scope and its time to move on from static project plans, excel documents and email... whats next? I will delve into some system options more in Part 2.