Sunday, February 12, 2006

SeaMonkey Internet Suite

August 9, 1995 is considered by many historians to mark the birth of the Internet Era. On that day Netscape Communications went public and countless Internet millionaires would be minted over the next five years.

Most early Internet users experienced the World Wide Web for the first time using Netscape's Navigator software. In short order Microsoft launched Internet Explorer and today maintains a commanding lead in Web browser utilization.

Netscape's original concept was to bundle the Navigator browser with other software including Web developer tools. This design package has been resurrected by The Mozilla Foundation and has been renamed SeaMonkey Internet Suite. (Mozilla was Netscape's early mascot and the organization is also the keeper of the open-source Firefox Web browser.)

SeaMonkey 1.0 is now available for FREE public download. It's Web developer tool is called Composer, which is primarily an HTML text editor with support for JavaScript debugging. SeaMonkey is ideal for students and other budget-conscious designers and developers who want to learn the basics of HTML, JavaScript, and CSS and are not in position to purchase industry standard tollkits such as Dreamweaver, which retails for $399.

I used the SeaMonkey Composer tool to edit and upload my Recent Training section of the Web Apprentices Website and it works quite nicely for simple edits.

Designers and developers in training can download SeaMonkey and start practicing with the following FREE tutorials available from WebDevelopersNotes.com:
By the way, Netscape hasn't gone away. Netscape 8.1 is available for download and there are rumors of a Netscape 9.0 version in development.
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Monday, February 06, 2006

Open Ajax Project

Ajax is an evolving set of tools and standards for creating interactive Web applications. The Open Ajax Project is a collaborative of organizations that has been formed to focus on establishing universal compatibility for Ajax among computer hardware, operating systems, and other software programs. A few of the companies that have lent their support to the project include the following:
  • IBM
  • Google
  • Yahoo!
  • Oracle
Ajax is an acronym for "Asynchronous JavaScript and XML." It is a technique used to create a "rich internet application." Web design innovations that can be incorporated into a website using Ajax include the following:
  • updating portions of a Web page automatically
  • checking information submitted (order form information, for example)
  • dragging-and-dropping objects inside a Web browser
Web designers and developers are invited to attend a FREE Ajax seminar hosted by IBM at their Cambridge office. The seminar is Tuesday, February 7 at 6:30 pm. To attend you must register at the PHP Boston Chapter Website.

Since JavaScript and XML are languages used to create this technique, they should also be in the toolkit of every Web designer and developer who wants to stay current on emerging design and development trends. To get started with XML, you can sign up for Introduction to XML, a FREE online course conducted via the HP Learning Center. The eight-lesson course begins Thursday, February 16.
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Saturday, February 04, 2006

Big Demand, Big Pay

Which job-hunting workers are in a solid position to negotiate better pay in 2006? According to CNNMoney.com, in coordination with Spherion, a national staffing and recruiting firm, the most in-demand workers are concentrated in five arenas as follows:

  • Accounting
  • Sales and marketing
  • Legal
  • Technology
  • Manufacturing and engineering

So, what is the one skill that is most in-demand in the technology arena? "Developers who are expert users of Microsoft's software programming language .NET can make between $75,000 and $85,000 a year in major cities when they're starting out," according to the author of this staffing analysis.

Here is a six-step, zero-cost plan to introduce yourself to Microsoft .NET:

  1. Review What is .NET? [FREE]
  2. Complete the Microsoft .NET Tutorial [FREE]
  3. Review Why ASP.NET? [FREE]
  4. Download ASP.NET Web Matrix [FREE]
  5. Take the Web Matrix Guided Tour [FREE]
  6. Complete the ASP.NET Tutorial [FREE]
The average IT worker spends $2,200 on training and education annually and invests approximately 11 hours a week to learn new skills and technologies, according to a recent survey by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). The 12 hours a week you invest (you are better than average) developing your .NET skills will be handsomely rewarded.
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Thursday, February 02, 2006

Boston Market -- February

The Monster Employment Index hit another all-time high in January -- its ninth new high in the last 13 months -- indicating strong job demand. "Online opportunities for white-collar workers in accounting, IT and legal professions surge, demonstrating broad strength in business services," according to a Monster press release.

Businesses are actively acquiring technology talent, but only professionals with the right skill sets and requisite experience. One way to gauge the current demand is through a keyword search on specific technology skills at selective online job sites. Beantown Web monitors two sites: BostonWorks and Monster.

Skills sets are grouped into four categories: Tools, Acronyms, Containers, and Knowledge (TACK). A few of the common keywords associated with Web design and Web development jobs include the following:

Note: the numbers in parentheses indicate the number of job postings that list that keyword in the job description. [ First number: BostonWorks.com ][ Second number: Monster.com ]

Tools (software)

  • Photoshop [ 77 ][184]
  • Flash [ 48 ][ 36 ]
  • Dreamweaver [ 31 ][ 57 ]
  • Visual Studio [ 25 ][ 70 ]

Acronyms (languages)

Containers (databases)

Knowledge (certifications)

  • The demand for certified professionals varies by discipline. All things being equal certification helps to distinguish you from your competition. An appropriate certification entry point for Web design and Web development professionals is Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW). For a complete listing of all technology certifications, along with links to the appropriate certification Website, be sure to check out the Web Apprentices Career Center.

A few quick observations:

  • Monster.com consistently lists twice as many opportunities as BostonWorks.com
  • Acronym (language) skills are in greater demand than Tool (software) skills
  • Container (database) skills are in greater demand than Tool (software) skills
Web designers and Web developers who want to advance their careers should focus on one Acronym (language) and one Container (database) and set a near-term goal to obtain additional training and experience. Feel free to check out my "Tour Dates" (right-hand column) for training opportunities in the coming months. You have a choice of attending a traditional "classroom" workshop or beaming me directly into your PC for a "virtual" training session!
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Friday, January 27, 2006

The X Factor

Microsoft is planning a 2006 upgrade to its two flagship products. Windows XP will evolve into Windows Vista and Office 2003 will morph into Office 12. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend a Microsoft special preview of both products. My conclusion: there is one open-source skill that all Web developers should add to their resume this year based on Microsoft's migration strategy.

Both products have changed in substantial ways. However, the most significant change affecting data that begins life as an Office document (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and migrates to the Web will be evident to end users only by the file extensions as follows:
  • Word (.doc becomes .docx)
  • Excel (.xls becomes .xlsx)
  • PowerPoint (.ppt becomes .pptx)

This X factor file format notation is consistent with the recent upgrade of ASP classic (.asp) to ASP.NET (.aspx).

So, why the "x"? Quite simply, all Office documents in the future will be stored as XML files!

If Bill Gates has decided to bet the future of his cash cow Office franchise on Open XML Formats, then it would make sense for developers to learn more about XML data. If HTML represents a core technology during the first decade of Web design and development, then XML appears to be staking its claim to being a core technology for the second decade. Whether you are a Microsoft zealot or detractor, every designer and developer should consider adding XML to their skill set as the Web matures from infancy to adolescence.

To learn more about Microsoft's commitment to XML, access the Office 12 Website and a Microsoft product manager's blog that focuses on Office and XML. You can continue your quest for knowledge at Microsoft's XML Developer Center to learn more about "the language of information interchange."
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Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Boston Wi-Fi Initiative

Global Wi-Fi hotspots have surpassed the 100,000 mark according to a press release issued by JiWire. Many of these hotspots are independent, proprietary and uncoordinated.

Meanwhile, cities around the United States are fashioning a coordinated effort to help its citizens become more productive in our increasingly mobile society. A few major cities that have recently announced plans for citywide Internet access include San Francisco and Philadelphia.

These plans center around providing free or low-cost Internet access via Wi-Fi. Citizens with a wireless-enabled computer can access the Internet via a hotspot.

What about Beantown? Well, the little-advertised Boston Main Streets Wi-Fi Initiative is up and running and delivering FREE Wi-Fi Internet access to the following four communities:

The Boston Main Street Wi-Fi Initiative website explains how to access FREE Internet in these communities.

Unfortunately, no information is available detailing the scope of the rollout to other communities or the timeframe for completion. Hopefully, it won't take as long as The Big Dig.

In the meantime several search engines are available to help you find a hotspot in a specific location. A few of these services include the following:

In addition, eating establishments such as Panera Bread (30 locations in Massachusetts) offers FREE Wi-Fi access. So, now there is no excuse for not being productive on your lunch hour!
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Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Web Applications for Dummies

As discussed in the November 10 issue, Microsoft "Sea Change", the shift to Internet-based software and services has begun and Web developers with the right skills should benefit from this "sea change."

Enter a new competitor: Salesforce.com. This company created one of the most successful Web applications -- software programs that are not installed on your desktop, but rather, are available for use on the Internet. Their customer relationship management (CRM) Web application competes with software products at a fraction of the cost. Typically Web applications like these are rented for a monthly fee, as opposed to purchased for a one-time price.

SalesForce.com has officially launched AppExchange, its Website for providing a common access point and development platform for many different kinds of Web applications. The company's goal is to become an on-demand business application development platform -- one that developers think of first for building applications.

One popular software program has already been transformed into a Web application -- Adobe's Acrobat for creating pdf files. While this application requires a subscription fee to use, here are four promising applications that can be used for FREE:

You can give these and many other Web applications a "test drive" at the AppExchange Website before deciding to activate the application.

Want to learn more about Web applications? Simply download a white paper (pdf). Better yet, Salesforce.com would love to have you develop your own Web applications and make them available on AppExchange. They have even created Salesforce.com's AppExchange for Dummies to guide you through the process. A FREE copy will be mailed to you! All you have do is register and in no time you can enter the world of Web application development.
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Thursday, January 12, 2006

Best Companies to Work For

FORTUNE is out with its annual list of 100 Best Companies to Work For. Six of those companies are either headquartered in Massachusetts or have a large office in the state. They are as follows:

If your goal in 2006 is to change employers, why not work for the best? A more comprehensive listing of Best Places to Work is available from the Boston Business Journal. Three of the employers -- Brigham McCutchen, Bright Horizons, and Genzyme -- appear on both lists.

A few of the benefits that elevate an employer to Best Company status include the following:

  • Health care
  • Child care
  • Work-life balance
  • Telecommuting
  • Sabbaticals
  • Unusual perks
The best way for worker to be attractive to a Best Company is to set goals to become a Best Worker at your current company. Here are three things you can do to improve your employment prospects in 2006:
  • Identify one way in which you add value for your current company -- either by generating revenue or reducing expenses -- and then document your performance.
  • Issue a press release about a recent award you've won for your superior performance -- every one of the six Best Companies have posted press releases about their FORTUNE award.
  • If you don't have a personal Website to post your press release, build one!
When you are ready to begin contacting companies, the Web Apprentices Career Center stands ready to help with your efforts.
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Friday, January 06, 2006

Microsoft's Major Competitor

Bill Gates went on record this week when asked which competitor he is most concerned about. His response:

"The biggest company in the computer industry, by far, is IBM. They have the (sic) four times the employees that I have, way more revenues than I have. IBM has always been our biggest competitor. The press just doesn't like to write about IBM."

What are the implications of a Microsoft vs. IBM battle for 2006 and beyond? And what does this mean for Web developers?

The Web continues to expand and the tool kit that Web developers need to be proficient in keeps growing with it. Case in point, e-commerce continues to outpace economic growth in the United States. This Holiday season witnessed a 25% increase in Internet sales vs. the previous year. And the Top 400 Retail Websites are not the only beneficiaries of this Web development trend. As we saw in Outlook 2006, Part 2, small and medium-size business (SMB) leaders want to use their Website to market their products, paying particular attention to sales leads and online sales.

Web developers who can help SMB leaders grow their revenues should do well in 2006. Both Microsoft and IBM have tools available to help these businesses. We've read about Microsoft .NET tools for Web developers. But what does IBM offer Web developers in terms of tools and training?

IBM has made a major commitment to open source standards and supports PHP as their primary Web development language. Here are just two FREE online tutorials available at the IBM Website:

In addition, as the Web development arms race between Microsoft and IBM continues we will begin to hear more about emerging techniques such as Ajax & Atlas. If you'd like to position your skill set near the front of this digital arms race you might want to consider learning more about these techniques. And IBM wants to help you. On Tuesday, February 7 at 6:30 pm IBM's Cambridge office will host a seminar with the following somewhat cryptic title:
The seminar is FREE and is being coordinated by the Boston PHP Users Group. Registration is required.
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Sunday, January 01, 2006

IT Recession -- 2007

The next IT recession is scheduled to begin in 2007. Over the following three years the job market for IT specialists will shrink by 40 percent.

Forrester Research and the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) announced its inaugural US Tech Sector Index in December. The new quarterly benchmark is based on 11 measures of IT demand, supply, and the strength of US-based IT providers. Findings reveal both moderate increases and declines in various indicators over the coming year. A mild downturn is expected in 2007 followed by the next wave of tech innovation and heavy IT investment starting in 2008.

According to separate research conducted by Gartner, Inc., the job market for IT specialists will shrink 40 percent by 2010.

This does not mean the demand for tech skills will decline. It simply means the nature of tech work will change. IT "versatilists" will emerge replacing IT "specialists." An IT "versatilist" will be charged with fueling business value and will gain experience through multidisciplinary assignments.

"Today's IT specialists must focus on a rapid and intentional expansion from technical specialization to business competence in order to position themselves as tomorrow's business contributors," according to a Gartner representative.

This shift in work competencies is just one of six trends presented as part of a Gartner Special Report entitled "Gartner's Top Predictions for 2006 and Beyond."

According to Gartner the IT profession will split into four domains of expertise over the remainder of this decade:

  • technology infrastructure and services
  • information design and management
  • process design and management
  • relationship and sourcing management

For a complete description of these four areas of practice access a recent Gartner press release.

Web developers should set specific goals in the first half of 2006 to improve in the following three areas:

  • upgrading technical skills
  • expending contacts within the industry
  • seeking out opportunities to develop business-specific skills that affect the bottom line
The downturn is a year away. Plan now for next year's recession and position yourself for the opportunities that await beyond.
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Friday, December 23, 2005

Outlook 2006, Part 2

Four out of five small and mid-size business (SMB) leaders expect an improvement in business over the next six months. This same percentage plan to invest in technology for their business. These businesses provide approximately 75% of the new jobs added to the U.S. economy.

Here are a few findings from a survey of more than 1,000 SMB leaders:

  • 83% strongly agree that the Internet helps them run their companies
  • 22% currently make use of the Web as a marketing tool
  • 43% of non-Internet marketers plan to begin using the Web as a marketing tool over the next six months

"SMB leaders planning decreases in online activity are virtually non-existent," according to a representative of AllBusiness.com who commissioned the study. A press release of the first SMB State of the Union study is available for review.

In another study released earlier this year SMB owners were asked how they measured the success of their Website. Here are the responses:

  • customer and prospect comments (54%)
  • site activity, traffic and number of visitors (48%)
  • sales leads (36%)
  • online sales (24%)
  • efficiencies of internal processes, such as faster payment processing or fewer phone calls (21%)

A press release of Interland's Summer 2005 Small and Medium-sized Business Barometer is available for review.

Opportunities abound for Web developers to help SMB leaders grow their business. The results of these two studies indicate that business leaders are not looking for Web designers, they are looking for problem solvers who can help them market their business through the innovative use of Web-based technology. Here's a three-step strategy to consider:

  • download a graphical presentation (pdf) of the SMB State of the Union study
  • share this information with any current or prospective clients
  • open a dialogue to discuss how you can help the business owner measure the success of their Web efforts using the five criteria listed above
Small and mid-sized businesses have moved beyond "brochureware." Make a New Year's Resolution to continue to develop skills that will position you as a business partner who can help solve problems with the creative use of technology.
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Thursday, December 22, 2005

Outlook 2006, Part 1

Corporate IT hiring continues at its strongest pace in the last three and a half years. Overall, 13 percent of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) at large companies plan to hire staff during the first quarter, compared to just one percent who plan to decrease staff. This net 12 percent gain matches last quarter and is 33 percent higher than a year ago at this time.

Survey results are part of a quarterly national poll of more than 1,400 CIOs at U.S. companies with more than 100 employees. Details are available from Robert Half Technology.

Microsoft Windows (NT/2000/XP) administration expertise and SQL Server management continue to be the technical skills that show the strongest demand.

In addition, CIO magazine's fourth annual State of the CIO survey finds that one trend that continues is the pressure on IT executives to drive business innovation with technology. CIOs say the skill sets needed are less technical (i.e. programmers) and more analytical and managerial (i.e. strategists and project managers). In fact, project management is at the top of the skills that CIOs value most.

Based on these two surveys Web developers can get the attention of large company CIOs by focusing on three areas in 2006:
  • Upgrade your database skills by adding SQL Server to your technical skill set
  • Develop one new project where you can document helping solve a business need though the innovative use of technology
  • Document your project management skills by delivering this new project on time and under budget by working as part of (or ideally by leading) a team

Fortunately, developing technical expertise need not be expensive. Microsoft offers a SQL Server 2005 Express Edition available for FREE download. In addition, Microsoft also offers nine FREE online courses to help you develop SQL Server 2005 skills!

With a working knowledge of SQL Server and ASP.NET you can develop and manage a Web project that is database-driven and demonstrates the innovative use of technology designed to help solve a pressing business need.

Once complete, CIOs would love to hear about your solution. To help put you in touch with technology officers, Beantown Web has introduced a new service called Web Apprentices Career Center. In particular, check out one-click access to the largest 25 publicly-held technology companies in Massachusetts which are listed in the Boston Globe as the High Tech 25.
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Sunday, December 18, 2005

Java -- What Happened?

Java is a Web programming language developed by Sun Microsystems in the mid-1990s as a potential antidote to Microsoft's operating system domination. However, today's Web landscape appears to be shifting in ways that disadvantage Java.

An article in BusinessWeek reveals that the next generation of Web application developers are leaning toward open-source tools featuring LAMP (Linux~Apache~MySQL~PHP) and Microsoft's .NET technologies.

According to a Sun executive Java remains a mainstay of large, complex corporate applications. For example, IBM's WebSphere technology is based on Java. The technology also has a strong presence in cell phone and mobile game programming.

So where should a Web developer focus his/her energies in 2006? Java? LAMP? .NET? At least one of these three competing skill sets needs to part of your Web development toolkit. And LAMP and .NET appear to be the rising stars.

Full disclosure: Last Thursday I attended the Boston leg of Microsoft's worldwide Launch Tour 2005 along with 2,000 other (mostly) middle aged white guys. The day-long geekfest featured marketing presentations, a box lunch and product givaways, all FREE! Not aware that Microsoft was on tour? Check out a Special Edition of the READY Launch Tour 2005.

Can walking away with fully functional copies of Microsoft's Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005, as well as training vouchers, influence my view of the future of Web development? Most likely. That demonstrates the power of Microsoft's marketing muscle. But, facts are facts; and Beantown Web will continue to present a fair and balanced view of training and career opportunities for Web Developers in the greater Boston area.
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Friday, December 09, 2005

Predictions 2006

Disruptive technology shifts will shape the IT industry in 2006, according to a report released by IDC. The company's annual predictions are designed to identify and highlight key trends and pivotal choices facing the IT industry in the year ahead.

Two of these disruptions are as follows:
  • The Open Source Effect - 'open innovation' in IT product and service development
  • The Google Effect - online delivery of IT as a service

Web developers should position themselves now to capitalize on these disruptive effects. Both of these trends involve Web development technologies.

The Open Source Effect refers to the increased use of open-source (free) Web technologies, standards and techniques such as PHP, XML and Ajax. IBM is one vendor that has embraced the use of open-source standards. The company demonstrates its commitment to PHP, for example, by posting a free online tutorial for developers to access, along with a list of links to additional open-source resources.

The Google Effect refers to the development of Web-based applications that go beyond static, HTML-based Web pages. Microsoft is one vendor that has acknowledged this "sea change" and has upped the ante with the release of its Web application technology, ASP.NET 2.0 and development tool sets, Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition.

Which ever direction you choose -- open source (PHP) or vendor-specific (ASP.NET) -- now is the time to position your Web development career for anticipated growth opportunities in the New Year.

A press release detailing additional IT trends is available at the IDC Website. A detailed report is also available (registration required). The report is entitled IDC Predictions 2006: It's Gut-Check Time, As Disruptive Business Models Gain Traction. IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology and telecommunications industries.
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Saturday, December 03, 2005

Boston Market -- December

The Monster Employment Index for the month of November jumped to an all-time high indicating broad growth in online recruitment activity. One sector that registered a significant increase in online job availability during the month was "computer and mathematical" which saw a significant spike in growth indicating higher demand for IT professionals, according to the report.

December is an excellent time to begin planning for 2006. If you want your career to take a different TACK (a change in one's course of action), then December's Boston Market analysis can help.

This month we'll explore four segments of the Web technology marketplace -- Tools, Acronyms, Containers, and Knowledge. If you are considering a career upgrade in 2006 you should improve your technology skills in the following four areas:
  • Tools (software)
  • Acronyms (languages)
  • Containers (databases)
  • Knowledge (certifications)

A keyword search of job openings posted at BostonWorks.com indicates the following (number of job posting in parentheses):

Tools (software):

Acronyms (languages):

Containers (databases):

Knowledge (certifications):

  • review the July 24, 2005 issue of Beantown Web for detailed analysis of technology certifications

As you can see, knowledge of Tools (software) can only offer double-digit job opportunities. However, expertise in certain key technology Acronyms (languages), such as SQL and .NET, can expand your opportunity base to triple-digit possibilities. And Container (database) expertise can offer the greatest returns of all.

If you want your career to take a different TACK in 2006, focus on the AC part of the opportunity market by developing your language and database skills. AC will provide the electricity to light up your career opportunities in The New Year.
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Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Salary Guide -- 2006

"Recent gains in IT employment activity, teamed with a shallow candidate pool, are fueling competition for highly skilled individuals," according to a representative of Robert Half Technology (RHT), which recently released its 2006 Salary Guide.

According to the guide the three top high-demand specialties, along with the average starting salaries for these job functions, are as follows:

  • IT auditor ($67,000 to $94,250)
  • lead applications developer ( $72,000 to $98,250)
  • network security administrator ($67,500 to $94,750)

Additional job functions and average starting salary ranges are as follows:

  • business systems analysts ($58,750 to $84,750)
  • data analysts/report writers ($54,000 to $71,250)
  • developers/programmer analysts ($55,250 to $86,750)
  • project managers ($72,750 to $99,250)
  • quality assurance/testing managers ($67,250 to $88,250)

"Lead applications developer" is the job category that most closely resembles "Web Developer." Salary.com provides the following job descriptions that relate to "lead application developer":

Continuing education is the key to career advancement and programming skills and database expertise continue to be rewarded in the marketplace.

Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis, conducts its survey annually based on an in-depth analysis of thousands of job orders managed by the company's U.S. offices. A press release is available for review at the RHT Website where you can also request a free copy of the 2006 Salary Guide.
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Monday, November 21, 2005

Ajax & Atlas

November 20 marked the 20th anniversary of Microsoft Windows. During the first decade of Windows, programs such as Word and Excel improved and evolved into a suite called Office. The second decade of Windows featured Internet access and connectivity to all Office applications. So, what will the third decade bring?

Well, one concept that is evolving is the interactivity of Web technologies designed to create even richer Web applications. The name for this emerging concept -- Ajax!

Ajax is an acronym for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. It is not software. It is not a Website. It is not a development tool. Rather, Ajax is a Web development technique that relies on several of the following commonly-used Web technologies:
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript
  • XML

Internet users typically interact with a Web server by clicking a button or a link and this "event" triggers a request for a new page. Ajax techniques allow a Web developer to create a dynamic environment for the user that bypasses this "round trip" request for information.

To see this technology in action visit Google Suggest. Simply begin typing your search request and watch as the Web server dynamically offers suggestions (without requesting a new page) based on what others have been searching for.

Microsoft likes the technology so much it has incorporated support for Ajax in its latest upgrades of ASP.NET and Visual Studio 2005. Microsoft refers to its implementation of Ajax techniques as "Atlas."

To learn more about this emerging technology access an Information Week interview with Microsoft's Atlas product manager. In addition you can access an Atlas Quickstart Tutorial at Microsoft's Atlas Website. You can also review a non-Microsoft overview of the evolution of the Ajax from Adaptive Path.
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Thursday, November 10, 2005

Microsoft "Sea Change"

Microsoft nearly missed the Internet party and was "blindsided" in 1995 when Netscape launched its Navigator browser. The unanticipated dawn of the Internet Age forced Bill Gates to issue his famous internal memo entitled 'The Internet Tidal Wave' that redirected Microsoft's development efforts to focus on Web-enabled products.

Fast forward 10 years and imagine a world without the Internet! What will the next 10 years bring?

While nobody knows, Bill Gates is not leaving the future up to chance. His latest company-wide e-mail, referred to as 'Sea Change', is being compared to 'The Internet Tidal Wave' in terms of impact on the company's strategic direction. And this 'sea change' has a direct positive impact on the demand for IT professionals with Web development skills.

The 'sea change' refers to the shift to Internet-based software and services. "This coming 'services wave' will be very disruptive," according to Gates. And with relatively little fanfare Microsoft announced plans for Windows Live and Office Live, two Web-based offerings that aim to help the company compete with Google and Yahoo, companies that are already seeing success with such Web-based offerings.

Whether you are a fan of Microsoft or not, history has proven that betting against Bill Gates is not a wise strategic decision. If the marketplace is indeed moving rapidly toward Internet-based software and services, then it makes sense to develop your Web skills accordingly.

Web developers in training have two primary skill-set options:
The Web services train is leaving the station. In ten years you might just look back and be glad you purchased a ticket and climbed on board today.
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Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Boston Market -- November

The demand for Web Developers continues to outpace the demand for Web Designers by a rate of four to one in this month's analysis of the Greater Boston technology job market. Batson Computer Services provides a nice overview of the difference between a designer and a developer.

Monster.com provides the following listings (number of opportunities in parentheses):

Two key skills distinguish Web Developers from Web Designers:

  • database knowledge and expertise
  • programming knowledge and expertise
Database training opportunities for November include the following:

Programming training opportunities for November include the following:

Databases and programming are two Web Development skills you can learn today that will help you reap financial rewards tomorrow.
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Wednesday, October 26, 2005

WebAwards -- 2005

The WebAwards for 2005 have been announced. The awards are coordinated by the Web Marketing Association which was founded in 1997 to help set a high standard for Internet marketing and web development.

Entries were judged on the following seven criteria:

  • Design
  • Innovation
  • Content
  • Technology
  • Interactivity
  • Copywriting
  • Ease of use

The four WebAward levels are as follows:

  • Best of Show
  • Best of Industry
  • Outstanding Website
  • Standard of Excellence

Web developers can use these award-winning Websites to benchmark design standards and to stimulate design ideas. Beantown Web will launch a new service next month called "How Did They Do That?" These periodic postings will focus on a single site, deconstruct an interesting design idea, and show you, step-by-step, how you can incorporate the design concept into your work.

So, let's take a look. The Best of Show (overall winner) award went to National Geographic - Inside The Mafia.

Listed below are the Best of Industry award winners in 92 industry categories:

Additional winners in the categories of "Outstanding Website" and "Standard of Excellence" can be identified via searching the WebAwards Website.
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