April 2011
The Cloud has an Address – 43831 Devin Shafraon Drive
Like a magician making a card miraculously appear in your shirt pocket, cloud providers create the illusion your applications and data are everywhere and all it takes is a browser or web service to make them reappear anytime on any device. This week the illusion was spoiled by an Amazon network event, and for 36 […]
Virtuous Cycles: Complex Systems Build Themselves
Some of the best views of the New York City skyline are from the BQE near the Kosciuszko bridge. It confounds me how a population of hominids built this wonderfully intricate metropolis. Layers upon layers of tunnels, pipes, electronics, the diverse topography of buildings and bridges. It’s awe-inspiring. Our ingenuity as a species is impressive, […]
Using Code and Working Software to Inspire others
Successful programmers and technical architects are well known for their ability to deliver rock solid applications, however, it’s their ability to inspire that’s most prized at R/GA. Good programmers execute, while great programmers inspire. In his book, Sketching User Experience, Bill Buxton highlights the importance of sketching as a technique for putting “experience front and […]
Learn more from QR Codes
At R/GA we’ve been using and promoting QR codes for years, and it’s nice to see them gaining traction in the mainstream marketplace. You’re seeing them more and more in print advertising, on packaging and on outdoor signs and you’re also seeing increased reports of QR Code usage. When a consumer sees a QR code, […]
Software Seedlings
It’s spring in New York and my windowsill is covered with young seedlings. It’s not easy to tell the difference between the arugula and the brussels sprouts because seedlings are not simply smaller versions of mature plants. Instead, they have generic looking “seed leaves” that pop out like an umbrella and jump start the growing […]
Postcards From The Edge
On April 28, Will Turnage will be hosting the closing keynote at AppNation SF called “Postcards From The Edge.” In this session we’ll be talking about the future of mobile products, and you’ll get to see me wearing a light up, Android powered Arduino skull shirt/. Visit the AppNation SF website for more information about […]
8 Lines of Code
I’ve been driving for about 20 years and I’m ashamed to say that I still have only a rudimentary knowledge of the internal workings of a car. I’ve compiled a mental list of important considerations, though — just the simple stuff that prevents real harm. For instance, I know that when jump-starting a car you […]
