Javascript (Source Comparison# 4)

Article 1 

"Javascript Questions and Answers"

December 214, 2012

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/programming-and-development/javascript-interview-questions-and-answers/6016?tag=content;siu-container

 Article 2

"Three Javascript Snippets for Your Web Design Toolkit"

September 20, 2012

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/webmaster/three-javascript-snippets-for-your-web-design-toolkit/1944?tag=mantle_skin;content

Article 3

"Poll: How Big of a Project Would You Build With Javascript?"

October 11, 2012

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/programming-and-development/poll-how-big-of-a-project-would-you-build-with-javascript/5912?tag=mantle_skin;content

 Notes

• All three articles are about javascript. 
• Article #1 is about the questions you might be asked when applying for a job as a js developer and how to answer them.
• Article #2 offers some actual code snippets for your library. 
• Article #3 is a poll on how big of a project you would use javascript.
• I like Article #1&2 the best, because I like to code and I learned something from it
• Article #3 is saying that javascript has missing features but those missing features are what makes it appealing. 

Wordpress (Source Comparison #3)

Article 1 

"Wordpress 2012 NZ Patent Loophole"

August 29, 2012

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/australia/wordpress-twenty-twelve-nz-patent-loophole-thunderbird-gets-chat/1331?tag=content;siu-container

 Article 2

"Use Wordpress as a Platform for your Site"

August 14, 2012

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/smbit/use-wordpress-as-the-platform-for-your-website/352?tag=content;siu-container

Article 3

"Make Money Blogging with 5 Wordpress Plugins"

November 12, 2012

http://www.techrepublic.com/photos/make-money-blogging-with-five-wordpress-plugins/6396499?tag=content;siu-container

 Notes

• All three articles are about the uses of Wordpress. 
• Article #1 is about the new theme and a loop hole for patenting software.
• Article #2 is about how Wordpress is more than a blogging platformand has instructions on how to code your own theme. 
• Article #3 is about how to make money with Wordpress.
• I like Article #2 the best.
• Article 2&3 are about how to benefit from Wordpress and Article 1 is news about Wordpress. 

How consultants can stay sane in an IM-crazed world

Article Title

"How consultants can stay sane in an IM-crazed world"

Article Author 

Ken Hardin

Article Publication Date 

November 16, 2012

URL of Original Article 

http://m.techrepublic.com/blog/project-management/how-consultants-can-stay-sane-in-an-im-crazed-world/5235?tag=content;siu-container

Article Summary

This article addresses the ways to keep instant messaging professional and under control in a business situation.

Relevance to the Class 

The information architect is part of a team and communication is an important part of the process. Instant messaging can be a very unprofessional thing so learning how to keep it under control is important.

Key Quote 

"This may seem counterintuitive, but I try to stick with email as long as I can. If a client wants you to communicate via IM, they will suggest it."

Speed Up Development by Slowing Down

Article Title

"Speed up development by slowing down"

Article Author 

Justin James

Article Publication Date 

November 19, 2012

URL of Original Article 

http://m.techrepublic.com/blog/programming-and-development/speed-up-development-by-slowing-down/6014?tag=content;siu-container

Article Summary

This article talks  about how multitasking makes each action take 50% longer and more buggy.  By concentrating on one thing at a time you get better quality work done faster.

Relevance to the Class 

The job of an information architect involves many tasks. This is something for any information architect to keep in mind through out their career.

Key Quote 

" One of the best ways to speed up your development cycle is to stop trying to do so much at once, focus on one task at a time, and do it right the first time."

Html5 or Native App Development (Source Comp #5)

Article 1 
"HTML5 vs. Native: What's a Mobile Developer to Do?"
September 16, 2012
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application-Development/HTML5-vs-Native-Whats-a-Mobile-Developer-to-Do-648997/

 Article 2
"Apps, a continuing debate: HTML5 vs. Native"
August 23, 2012
http://www.finextra.com/community/fullblog.aspx?blogid=6867

Article 3
"HTML5 vs. Native Apps: It Is Not All Or Nothing"
November 16, 2012
http://www.businessinsider.com/bii-interview-html5-is-not-all-or-nothing-2012-11

 Notes

• Articles are about the choice between html5 and native app development. Native apps offer a higher level of usability while html5 runs in the browser and is cheaper. 
• Relevant to class because the technology of mobile app development is one that is being used more and more.
• Article #3 argues that you may use a combination of the 2. 
• Article #1 tells how Mark Zuckerberg and facebook abandoned HTML5 for their mobile app development.
• I like Article #3 the best.
• They all state that both methods have there advantages and disadvantages. 

Kurzweil: Your Brain Will Connect Directly to the Cloud Within 30 Years (Article Review #5)

Article Title

"Kurzweil: Your brain will connect directly to the cloud within 30 years"

Article Author 

Ken Hardin

Article Publication Date 

November 27, 2012

URL of Original Article 

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/geekend/kurzweil-your-brain-will-connect-directly-to-the-cloud-within-30-years/10518?tag=main

Article Summary

This article talks about Ray Kurzweil and his predictions of humans having tiny computers called brain extenders in their head that helps them process information by the year 2030. 

Relevance to the Class 

The article talks about the way the human brain processes information and the way people struggle to structure information even when they have it all right in front of them.. 

Key Quote 

"What makes the internet different is that, unlike newspapers or television, it is interactive. We can determine what we read and how we read it. We are the editors and the filters. We can speak and share our vision with our fellow citizens on the opposite side of the globe without the interference of spokesmen or intermediaries."

Homework Questions

1. What do Goto and Cotler think are some important things to identify when assessing audience capabilities? Are there examples you would add given changes in the industry since the book was published in 2005? Answer: Internet speed, monitor size, browser version, and plugins (back then it was important.)
2. What is scope creep? Answer: The slow migration from a straightforward project to an all out nightmare.
3. What software application do the authors recommend using for project management? Why do they recommend using a different application to deliver project management information to a client? Answer: Time Slice.
4. There's a proofreading error in the sidebar titled "Project Management Applications"—what is it? (Google may help you here.) Answer: Could not find the side bar???
5. According to the authors, can usability testing be conducted using an online survey? Why or why not? Answer: No, usability testing is one person observing the other. Surveys are often frustrating and the response is low and vague.