Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

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Soapbox: USB on Mobile Devices is Frivolous

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On October 16, 2015

In Fulmination, Mobile, Soapbox, Technology

minion_daveI still see articles posted criticizing Apple because they still haven’t added a USB port to their phones or tablets. I don’t understand why there are still people clinging to this pagan belief that mobile devices need to have a USB port. Folks, we are living in a world where our data is stored in the elusive but ultra convenient Cloud. The very concept of a mobile device should be the epitome that embraces Cloud based technology.

I have been using an iPhone since the 3GS and an iPad since version 2 and I have never pined for a USB port to use a thumb drive. Once a tablet has a USB port, it’s no longer a tablet; it’s now a laptop (albeit it thin and lacking peripherals). The fact that Samsung and Microsoft still throws that in Apple’s face is both absurd and ludicrous.

What is easier?

A) insert thumb drive. open folder on thumb drive. copy file to thumb drive. eject thumb drive. plug thumb drive into other device/computer. open folder on thumb drive. Edit file.

or

B) open remote cloud folder. Edit file.

It is far easier and more convenient to use Cloud based storage so you would greatly benefit from learning that methodology. If you prefer that I say it in trite gaming vernacular “learn2Dropbox”

/cheers

minion_keboard_smI could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!

Tech Talk: Apple Event

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On September 10, 2015

In Apple, Tech Talk, Technology

minion-appleThe Apple uber-fanboys waited with bated breath for September 9th. Everyone knew that Apple would be unveiling their next model of iPhone and I think everyone pretty much knew that the Apple TV was finally getting a long overdue upgrade. I know rumors were floating around about the iPad Pro, but I don’t recall if they were ever concrete enough to know, for certain, that Apple would be unveiling it.

I pseudo-watched the live event; by that I mean I watched the CNET live broadcast. Brian Tong and his crew are very entertaining to watch during these big events, especially when Brian is in full nerdgasm mode, which he was during this event.

The Apple Event talked about the Apple Watch, Apple TV, iPad Pro (with Smart Keyboard), Apple Pencil and, of course, the iPhone 6S/6S Plus. There was quite a bit of information disseminated; some of it good, some of it kind of blah. I talk more about each of these after the break.

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Not A FanBoy, Just Pragmatic

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On May 7, 2013

In Apple, General Cogitation, Linux, Microsoft, Technology

quillI’ve been trashing Microsoft quite a bit lately (some of it might be behavioral regression from my anti-Microsoft days). I think a lot of it has to do with how much I dislike Windows 8 and how easily people are blindly being lead to its use like sheep to the slaughter. I think Windows 8 is Microsoft’s worst design idea since adding that damn ribbon to the top of all their Office products.

There I go digressing again.

The truth is, I don’t hate everything Microsoft. In fact I love Windows 7. In my opinion its the best version of Windows. I often joke that it took Microsoft 7 versions to finally get it right. I also spend most of my career working in Microsoft technologies and I enjoy it. I’m pretty good with .NET, so clearly I’m not a hater, I just think that not everything Microsoft makes is gold. I like to remain pragmatic.

At home I not only run a machine with Windows 7 but I also have a Mac Mini and I’m currently building a Slackware (Linux) file server. So when it comes to operating systems, I’m not loyal to anyone. (Ask me about peripherals, however and Logitech will be the only one I recommend.) When I’m asked about phones or tablets, it isn’t a matter of which company is better because they all have their skeletons; I often tell people to try out the devices at the store and pick for yourself. If its an iPad, a Galaxy tablet or a Kindle Fire, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as it meets your needs.

The application of technology to your life shouldn’t be about what the latest gizmo or widget that Company X has created (and marketed with unnecessary gusto and fanfare). The decision to apply technology should be based on if it properly meets your need and if it has the potential for some longevity. The last thing you want to do is buy a device (like a Windows phone that will be obsolete in April 2014, per Microsoft), or implement a technological solution that you will have to replace in a year.

When I’m making a recommendation, to me, its more important to find the right solution that best meets the needs of the consumer or client. I won’t recommend something just because its the latest buzz by Microsoft or Google. It has to be the best option, above all other potential solutions because that’s what the customer ultimately wants.

/cheers

The MMO Times: OMG! Change Your Profile Image!

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On March 29, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIssue 69: PAX East is over and thus the news slows down. I mean all the great new information was already unveiled last weekend so there isn’t much to talk about that will usurp all the residual buzz. I tried to put together a few articles for your Easter weekend.

The first SWTOR expansion has an official release date (and don’t forget that this weekend is another double XP weekend), a new Turbine title related to the DC Universe, Runescape 3 and Neverwinter news and more! Check it out!

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App Development Dry Spell

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On October 24, 2012

In Programming, Technology

When I was working my way, diligently, through a book that explained app development I was really enjoying it. Now that I have finished that book, long ago, I am constantly finding myself in a dry spell. Now that I know how to develop iOS apps, I don’t know what I want to develop. Apple keeps releasing iOS updates and new devices with new dimensions. I feel like I keep falling farther and farther behind with each new iteration of the iPhone/iPad/iPod.

It’s rather ironic, really. In a post I made a while back to other aspiring iOS developers I strongly suggested that while you are training yourself on the technology to start working on ideas of apps you want to develop. It seems I did not heed my own advice, as I’m still stuck in a rut. It’s really unfortunate because now I think I may have to go back and review several of the chapters from the book to remind myself how everything works again.

I feel like the pressure is mounting not only from the additional devices and new formats but also because I have officially purchased my developer license from Apple. I feel pressure now to develop something that I can market and hope to earn back the money I spent on the license. I feel like I first need to perhaps develop one or two free apps just to get the ball rolling and then move into trying to sell an app.

Anyone have any app ideas out there, no matter how small, that you wouldn’t mind tossing my way?

Developing for iOS

By

On June 20, 2012

In Apple, Programming

So I have completed reading a book, cover-to-cover, on iOS development (as an aside, I highly recommend Head First iPhone & iPad Development) and now I am faced with the next big challenge: ideas. I have hit a dry spell in my efforts to develop apps and that is figuring out what I want to develop. I’ve thought about just developing random apps that don’t have a lot of functionality just to spark some ideas. Generally if I start on a small project I usually think of more features along the way.

My advice for anyone that is also just starting to develop iOS apps (or apps for any device) is while you are in the process of learning how to do it, start thinking about what you want to develop. I suggest this for a couple of reasons.

  1. You might find some neat trick or tool that could be very useful for the app you want to develop. Make sure you explore all the possibilities of that control or tool so you know its limits and how to implement it. Sometimes the best part of programming is extending a control to make it do things beyond its normal intended functionality.
  2. Its important to have some ideas to start building on immediately after you finish any kind of tutorial or technical manual. Unfortunately since I took such a long break between finishing the labs in the Head First book to trying to start my first app that I have forgotten a great many things to get me started. I will probably go back and revisit several chapters to refresh myself.
  3. It’s ok to re-invent the wheel. Just because there is an app out there that already does most of what you wanted your own app to do, create it anyway. I once had a professor that said to always re-invent the wheel because you might be able to do it better.
  4. Make a plan and set some deadlines for yourself. If you are already a programmer then you know what its like developing as a professional. You have a project manager (and perhaps a product owner) that is setting deadlines and expectations. Become your own project manager/product owner. Commit to a timeline and a set of features you want to have completed as your first iteration.
  5. I would think about setting up some kind of version control for yourself, especially if you plan on submitting any of your apps to the Apple Store. There are quite a few free version control solutions out on the Internet for you to use and XCode provides an option to use Git when you create a new project. If you want to read up on version control a bit, check out this website/book: Version Control by Example.

Hopefully my dry spell will end soon and I will be back in the zone writing iOS apps. You can be sure that once my app is approved to be on the Apple Store that I will be telling you all about it here. In fact I will probably create a new section on the site for each app I develop.

I hope someone finds the things I have said here to be useful and it helps you with your iOS development endeavors. Good luck!

Cheers!

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