Website evaluation scorecard

Sometimes the best tools are the simplest :-)

I had to review some websites recently for usability, correct implementation, and security. Naturally, I thought there might be some open source tools or perhaps a scorecard to assist the process. Surprisingly, I didn't find much in either category. So, I decided to create a simple spreadsheet template that can be used to evaluate and compare websites in a consistent fashion.

The Website Evaluation Scorecard is available for download at sourceforge.net

JMeter - A very handy tool

I suppose some techies will laff when they read this, but I'm getting a first-time intro to JMeter and it's COOL! It's an open source tool, from Apache, which allows the test engineer to codify HTTP and other protocol requests, issue them to a test server, save the responses, and validate them vs. one or more assertions. Since it's written in Java, it runs on Windows or Linux nicely, too.

The UI is a little clunky and you have to make sure to Save your configuration changes before starting a run (it doesn't prompt you to do so), but it provides a lot of testing capability and flexibility.

Amazing robots

Check out the specialized robots from Olin College. The robofish variants are amazing!

Cisco's Networking Forecast

Cisco has published an interesting forecast on network growth and traffic evolution for the next decade (2009 - 2013).

The Semantic Web evolution

Some interesting sites that highlight developments towards the semantic web:

• BetterDot
  
  
• Microformats


• W3C Description


• Radar Networks / Twine


• Nova Spivak's Blog

Keeping product love alive

I saw this interesting lead-off quote, from Jeff James' SharePoint Everywhere article in the June Windows IT Pro print issue:

Microsoft's approach to the SharePoint market has hit pay dirt by focusing less on next-generation feature sets and more on providing solutions that customers truly need.

I think it's important for tech companies to realize this. What led customers to falling in love in the first place is important to keep in mind, too. It's easy to focus on flashy new features and lose sight of the day-to-day functionality that brought customers to the product in the first place. That stuff often remains "pay dirt" and keeping it alive and well is an important consideration, too.

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.