New inflection trends

I've noticed some growing inflection trends - perhaps you have, too:

1. Rich Internet Application (RIA) websites - Popping up all over the web. Many new services are offering more content, context search and interfaces, more appealing and flexible presentations, etc. See My Yahoo, Yelp, Scribd, and RedBubble as examples - there are many more out there, too.


2. New object oriented languages that offer comprehensive web and OS integrations. For example, Ruby on Rails, Ramaze, etc., Visual Studio .NET, Java, and C++.


3. New simple but comprehensive configuration management tools: Atlassian, Git, SVN, etc.
   
4. New web development and testing tools. Far too many to list here - it's tough to keep up with everything that's appearing they're coming out so fast!


5. New interface APIs: Android, Yahoo! BluePrint, Palm Mojo, iPhone SDK, etc.


6. New cloud computing virtual servers and storage, making it easier to stage and test on the open Internet: Aptana Cloud, Amazon EC2, Amazon S3, and Zetta.

Despite the economy, it's a great time to be a developer or a tester :)

Interesting article on "The best smartphone OS"

Heads up: Highly subjective! Make sure to read some of the feedback comments, too. Nevertheless, entertaining and enlightening.

http://mobilitysite.com/2009/01/palmpre-vs-iphone-vs-winmo-vs-android-vs-blackberry-fight/

Fascinating websites

In the course of researching various topics, I came across the following websites, which are really cool:

• CafePress - Find that special T-shirt or (better yet) make your own.


• Git and GitHub - A new version control system and on-line open source repository.


• Google Code - Google's on-line, svn-based open source repository.


• RedBubble - Sort of like CafePress, but for graphic artists and photographers.


• Scribd - An on-line publication site, for free and "for fee" docs.


• Yahoo! Mobile - Yahoo! services for your mobile phone.

Enjoy!

How design completes the picture

For a fresh look at how design completes the picture, I suggest visiting the Michael Graves Design Group website. Here are examples of rethinking familiar everyday items in new and innovative ways. As you look at the items ask yourself, "Which would I rather buy? The design I'm familiar with or this one?" I think the answer will reinforce just how appealing and even compelling good design is.

Web paradigm shift

I reconnected with a friend (Rick) from a past job this week and enjoyed reading some interesting musings on his blog.

I think he raises a good question: Is the web is reaching an inflection point, where a fundamentally new direction will appear? Intuitively, the Web 2.0 stuff sure feels like one flag flapping in the wind.

For example, take the evolution from text-based tools in the late '80s to today's browsers. How many people even remember Archie or Gopher anymore?