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Blogs ยป Archive for November, 2004
Opacity and DHTML
Richard Rutter’s Onload image fades without Flash demonstrates a way of creating a “fade-in” effect for a photograph using dynamic alteration of the CSS opacity property. Opacity isn’t part of the CSS 2.1 specification (although it is covered by CSS 3) so different browsers have different ways of controlling it. Richard’s setOpacity() function provides a cross-browser workaround, with code that handles IE, Safari, Konqueror and Gecko-based browsers:
function setOpacity(obj, opacity) {
opacity = (opacity == 100)?99.999:opacity;
// IE/Win
obj.style.filter = “alpha(opacity:”+opacity+”)”;
// Safari
SysAdmin Manifesto
Brian Jones has listed his ‘perfect world’ wish list from a system administrator’s perspective over at Linux.com. While we all will not agree on all points, he certainly raises some core issues we all deal with or dwell upon.
Much like any other broad-stroke issue, utopia will never be reached, however, the more we find in common as system and web administrators, the more we have a growing common voice. By putting our collective positions into the marketplace, we do help drive some of the innovation that will address some of these concerns.
We are seeing innovations now that attempt to start addressing Jones’ points, including:
- Operating systems that co-exist on networks with reduced levels of complex configuration
- Standards-based organizations gaining momentum, both non-profit and private groups (W3C, Mail Abuse Working Group, ConsortiumInfo.org and more)
- PDA and smart phone makers taking mobile functionality and web-based services to the next level
Rather than crumbling over differences, technologists of all stripes need to find common ground issues and lobby for them tirelessly. It does make a difference. Personally, rather than expending energy on rant sites and griping about what we do not have, I believe we should shift that opining to politicians and their staff around …
Photoshop Troubleshooting
A few days ago, I ran into what at first seemed like a major problem: My Photoshop wouldn’t start. The initial start-up screen would show up, with various plug-ins, fonts, etc. loading as expected, but instead of the familiar grey background and toolbar/palette configurations… nothing. Besides throwing a wrench into my various client projects, I was a bit more ticked off that I couldn’t crop and optimize photos that I had just taken of our friends’ cute baby.
In hindsight, I’m a little embarrassed to say that I should have been able to resolve the problem quickly. The problem was in fact something that I had read about in lots of different Photoshop tutorial-and-tip arenas. The solution was at my fingertips — but partly because this was the very first time anything of the sort had happened to me, and partly because my laptop has a history of strange problems, I at first thought it was a laptop issue, not a Photoshop issue. Thus began a few days of unproductivity; uninstalling Photoshop, reinstalling Photoshop, installing (finally) the newest Windows service packs and updates… to no avail.
I finally sheepishly realized that this was a simple case of a corrupted preferences file. Upon …
Is a web site ever done (and what does that mean for selling web services)?
I’m about to launch a new subscription-based web service (to be announced soon with special offer to Sitepoint readers to beta test it).
In creating this site, one thing has become abundantly clear: A site is NEVER, EVER done. Every time we fix a bug or make a functionality improvement, we see the opportunity to continue to improve. It’s like upgrading one room in a house, and then seeing how every other room suddenly needs upgrading, too.
This is true on complex and simple sites. Every Web design/development customer has constant need for updates and upgrades.
This presents an opportunity and a challenge for you:
The opportunity is clear enough: If you do a good job up front with a client, you should have a long stream of follow up work with that client.
The challenge is one that my vendors are facing: How do you define “done” when a web site is never done? What milestones can you set with a client so that you are both on the same page about when a deliverable is met.
For instance, my business partner and I have constant back and forth with our developers. They think something is done even if it is not ready for …
Get your Java 6.0 builds here!
For as long as open source has been a household name, developers have clamoured for Sun to release the Java platform into the open source landscape. Sun, meanwhile, has steadfastly maintained its stewardship over the platform, playing the part of the benevolent dictator to a tee. That isn’t to say that Sun is unmoved by the continued demands for greater openness in Java, and recent events prove that they are listening!
Just over a week ago, Sun released the source code to Java 5.0 under a new, simpler license for research use. The license defines research use as “research, evaluation, or development for the purpose of advancing knowledge, teaching, learning, or customizing the Technology or Modifications for personal use.”
Under this license, you can actually get the code for Java’s base classes (not just the standard Java APIs that use them), and the native C code for the Java Virtual Machine on each of the platforms where Java can run. Now developers who have always craved making improvements to the way Java works deep down can get to work. Should their efforts prove worthwhile, I would expect Sun to consider rolling any improvements into the official releases. The license simply …
Developing for Mobile Devices (Open and Proprietary)
Developing for mobile devices may seem pretty straightforward using slimmed down pages. However, as handhelds grow in sophistication and in user base, the demand for more complex web content and even web applications is falling to the web developer.
As I explore this new arena myself, I am starting from a foundation of understanding how the most basic web content executes and appears on these varied devices. I of course have my own PDA, though, as well all know, there is a vast universe of devices as smart phones emerge - and too boot, the platforms range from Palm to Windows Mobile to Linux and other proprietary systems (think Blackberry).
The coming year is also bringing new levels of complexity as these embedded operating systems mature. For instance the Blackberry Enterprise server (4.0) will now interact with Pocket PC devices, and supports XML forms to collect and send data to handhelds as well as into back end systems. Additionally, Windows Mobile 2003 brings new and improved VPN support to smart mobile phones as well as traditional PDA’s running the OS. Thus, intranet and extranet apps may become available and demand may rise from users who can interact from these devices.
When a …
Presentations with s5
One of the Opera browser’s best kept secrets is Opera Show, a brilliant feature which allows the easy creation and display of PowerPoint style presentations using HTML and the CSS projection media type. With s5, Eric Meyer has taken this core idea and expanded it in to a cross-browser XHTML slide show package.
s5 stands for Simple Standards-Based Slide Show System, and uses a combination of CSS, XHTML and JavaScript to turn a simple structured document in to a highly presentable set of slides. Themes are implemented using CSS and the entire package is small enough to allow for easy modification of any individual feature.
s5: An Introduction is a short example presentation which gives a short introduction to the system, or if you want to play on the bleeding edge the s5 testbed shows off the latest features. The system is currently under active development, with Eric’s weblog providing updates on new releases.
How to set your services apart: Two dimensional positioning
The last blogs (remember the case of the inland seafood restaurant) talked about one dimensional positioning: Finding one criteria that matters to customers, and focusing on that to set your business apart. Successful businesses do this by turning a weakness into a strength, building on a strength, or focusing on one thing customers value that no other competitors have picked up on yet. So if you don’t have a waterfront view, focus on the quality and excellence of your seafood menu.
That’s one dimensional positioning.
Now let’s get even more sophisticated. Two dimensional positioning means choosing two criteria that matter to customers, and making sure that your business is the best at both.
To do this, draw a standard graph with an x and y-axis. Each axis represents one criteria that matters to customers. Your business should appear in the upper right hand corner, while competitors should be in less optimal positions on the graph. If you choose your axes (e.g. customer criteria) correctly, you will set your business apart!
For instance, I’m currently working with a software client. In their market, at least before their solution arrived, you either paid a lot for custom software, or you paid a little for off-the-shelf solutions …
Web Log Software Matrix
A portion of a new research report I am working on includes a basic rundown on web log analytics software. During the research process I assembled this matrix of web log analysis software and wanted to make it available for review.
It covers most of the major releases for web log analysis, both proprietary and open source. I am sure there are many open source solutions I am missing - however - here were the basic criteria:
1) Could not be remotely hosted (had to install on local machine or server)
2) Had to show up in a general search engine search for web log analysis or web log software
3) Could not be in alpha or beta modes
Now that the core of this matrix is built, I plan to continue expanding it independent of the research report it will be a part of. If you have some suggestions or updates for this - post them here or PM me.
How to set your web services apart (and answer to case of inland seafood restaurant)
Last blog asked you how you would position a seafood restaurant in a Florida tourist market with no water view or waterfront location. While many of your ideas were good, this restaurant chain chose a simpler solution than what you proposed.
The answer relates to Web Design/Development services because their approach is a common, successful way to position any business (and is one I’ve talked about before in this blog):
Turn a weakness into a strength.
The restaurant proudly advertises the fact that they lack a waterfront view, and focuses instead on the quality of their menu and seafood. Their motto is:
“No waterfront views, just great seafood.”
And they back up their claim with: the broadest and most creative seafood menu around, numerous entries in local food competitions along with awards, and by winning the “People’s Choice” awards every year in the local upscale magazine.
This is called one-dimensional positioning: Choose a criteria that matters to your customers and redefine the market by succeeding on/dominating that criteria. In this case, the market had been focused on spectacular waterfront views. In the meantime, many restaurants with good views sometimes had questionable seafood, something that matters to tourists and residents alike. So there was an opening for …
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