So, I finally got round to scrapping my old domain and shifting everything across to this site. I’ve spent what seems like hours, days and weeks re-designing my site over and over… finally settling on something which should be simple enough to evolve and grow with time.
It was quite a trip down memory lane to dig through all the old bits, deciding where they could logically sit within a new format. Looking back at what you have done in previous years really makes you realise how much you are able to seemingly expand your knowledge without realising.
A couple of years ago when I set up dovelop.com I had only just started to play with server side languages. I built dovelop using Dreamweaver MX, relying heavily on the built in ‘Server Behaviours’. Now I look back at the code with embarrassment, not quite able to believe that I thought what I had produced was in any way acceptable.
I guess that to the untrained eye it would have looked suitably complicated and clever, but now, with a better understanding of languages like ASP and PHP I can see why fellow developers like Drew McLellan are such advocates of hand written code.
In many ways it boils down to change. To write a snippet of code yourself, taking that extra time up front reaps benefits in the long run. You understand the code, then later you come back and change it for another purpose, understanding more and more as you go. Although tools like Dreamweaver are undoubtedly great for getting started, they hinder development if you rely on the ‘unchangeable’ built in behaviours.
I guess the theme here is change. Learn how to change things, change is good.
A few months back I bought a ‘network MP3 player’, my first purchase of this kind, the idea being that it would replace my old Yamaha multidisc CD player (Which regularly refuses to eject the CD tray completely, making nasty grinding noises as it does so).
The device that I opted for was the ‘Slim Devices‘ SLIMP3 Player. I placed my order through a UK distributor and within less than 2 days the unit arrived complete with appropriate cabling. Before running the 20 metre network cable from upstairs office to downstairs lounge I plugged the unit in for a quick test. Everything worked, the player connected to the network and detected the SlimServer (The PC on which I had installed the Server software).
Now, regardless of the fact that the unit, server software and customer service was stunning, there was one thing which was holding me back from being blown away by my little SLIMP3, I had to drill through one internal wall, out through an external wall down, and then back through the external wall again to get the network cable to the lounge. Now, I ‘could’ have set up a wireless LAN connection, but I didn’t. Now that the hard work is done I couldn’t live without my SLIMP3, and now I hear that they have released the ‘Squeezebox’, a SLIMP3 player with an integrated wireless LAN and standard Ethernet connection… bliss.
Now if I could just convince my wife that we need another network music player… :)
Mirashade are a rapidly expanding, highly creative ‘media solutions’ company based in Reading, Berkshire (UK). We work in 2D, 3D, web, print, CD-ROM, DVD and Broadcast, so you’re sure to be kept busy with a broad range of dynamic and challenging projects.
We are currently looking for a new media developer with plenty of initiative and drive who can work as part of a team. Creative thinking coupled with an interest in current design issues is a must.
On a daily basis this role job would focus on supporting 2 new media developers and 2 graphic designers. The majority of work will be web based, although there is also the opportunity to work on CD-ROM based projects and as such experience in this field would be beneficial.
The ideal candidate will have at least 1 years commercial experience using HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and be happy to learn more about languages such as ActionScript and Lingo. Experience with the Macromedia Studio MX suite is an absolute must and a basic knowledge of Macromedia Director would be a plus.
Salary dependant on experience. If you’re interested, then email me at work:
What this means for developers is that any site which you have built using ‘plug-in’ technology such as Flash, Windows Media Player, QuickTime or Real Player will act differently.
Every instance of plug-in content will prompt the user to click an ‘OK’ button in order that the plug-in can execute content. On some sites this will have a huge impact, other will not be affected.
Macromedia has identified some early workarounds, but these require significant changes to existing site code.
You can find out more about these solutions here: http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/activecontent/
On Thursday last week I finally ordered a SLIMP3 player from Slim Devices after months of dribbling. It arrived on Friday morning, on Saturday I enrolled the help of my Father in law to drill the required holes for the LAN cable, and now it’s all up and running.
