Google App Inventor: A game changer?

Google made news this past week with the announcement of their Google App Inventor. The idea is simple: The app inventor lets anyone (not just developers) develop applications for Android.

Is this a game changer? I think so. Here are a couple reasons why. First, this is huge for the Android platform. Google just increased their developer base by leaps and bounds. If Google was lagging behind Apple in the app department, they won’t be for long.

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14 inventions that you could’ve thought of

“Why didn’t I think of that?” We’ve all asked this question at one time or another. We see a new product or idea that makes so much sense it’s surprising that we didn’t think of it first.

I think the key to invention is how we perceive problems or inconveniences. Do you get frustrated and complain when something is difficult or inconvenient? Instead of complaining, view problems as an opportunity for a solution. Think about it: If you could find a solution to a common problem, don’t you think others would buy it?

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HTML5 tutorial: Forms are now exciting!

As mentioned last week, we are writing a series of HTML5 tutorials. They will help you learn more about the upcoming HTML standard, what’s new, and how it affects you. The new features in HTML5 will make you more productive and help you create even more powerful web applications.

The first of our HTML5 tutorials focuses on forms. While forms don’t sound very exciting, wait until you see what’s new with forms in the new HTML standard. HTML5 includes features that were formerly only available with javascript! As you will see from the tutorial, forms are about to get a lot more powerful.

You can find the tutorial in our forums.

20 tips for better time management

I love this quote:

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” -H. Jackson Brown

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10 excuses your boss doesn’t want to hear

Some people spend lots of time explaining why they can’t do their job. They might even have valid reasons. But, in the end there are two types of people: Those who get things done and those who make excuses for not getting things done. Which one are you?

Now, I realize some managers make unreasonable demands. They assign impossible project deadlines. They provide limited resources and guidance. In all cases like this, communication is vital. This article in techrepublic.com entitled, "10 excuses your boss doesn’t want to hear", provides some great advice.

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HTML5: Much more than just iPhone video

The talk surrounding HTML5 these days is largely focused on video thanks to Apple’s decision to not allow Adobe flash on the iPod, iPhone, or iPad. However, there is so much more to HTML5 than the ability to play video natively.

In fact, when you really begin looking at the enhancements in HTML5, you realize video playback probably isn't even the most important new feature. Those who work with HTML at all will stand to save a ton of time and be able to do things they could never do before using plain old HTML.

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How to alienate customers and create bad press

The internet is like a bullhorn for your customers. In the past, if an angry customer told their friends and family, a company might lose a few sales. Today, offend a customer at your own risk. Customers have access to social media, forums, and sites like Consumerist or Yelp to air their grievances. One miffed customer can result in many lost dollars.

Nothing drives this point home better than the stories on Consumerist.com. Most of the stories focus on how a customer was mistreated or wronged by a company. However, I run across another type of story with alarming frequency: Customers that were wronged by a company's computer system.

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100 best places to work in IT 2010

Computerworld recently published their annual report of "100 best places to work in IT". The list includes a brief description of each company and why they were selected.

I think the real benefit of this list isn’t the companies mentioned, it’s how they got there. I don’t view this as a list of great places to work. I see companies who know how to attract the best talent.

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The m-Power project exchange!

We have a new announcement that I’m sure our customers will love: The m-Power project exchange! It’s like an app store, but for m-Power. Basically, we’ve created an area for m-Power customers to share templates, user defined functions (UDFs), and external objects with other m-Power customers.

Have you created an m-Power template that others might find useful? Feel free to post it. You might find some interesting templates from others that you could use as well. If you don’t how to create a new template, we’ve posted instructions in there as well.

The goal of the project exchange is to give our customers a way to interact and share their creations with one another. We hope you find it useful!  And please stop back to tell us what good things you are doing with these project exchange creations.

8 ways to keep your best workers on board

The impending NBA free agent signing season has dominated the sporting news over the last month, at least in Chicago. Can the Cavaliers keep Lebron? Where will all the high-priced, high-talent players land? As a Bulls fan, I hope they all come to Chicago. (As a realist, I know they won’t.)

I think this situation is very similar to the business world. Every company has high-performing workers that they hope to retain. The difference between the NBA and business: In the business world your highly talented workers aren’t under contract. They can leave whenever they want. If they do leave, you stand to lose productivity and even money, depending on their responsibilities.

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Top 10 programming languages to keep you employed

Have you checked out the TIOBE index? It ranks the most popular programming language on a monthly basis based on a number of different criteria.

I visit it every now and again, and the turnover rate is amazing. Popular languages one month may be out of the top 20 the next. For someone looking to keep their skills current and learn a new useful language, the choices are overwhelming. If you start learning a language now, will it still be popular in a year or so when you’re finally good at it? Maybe not.

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Look at what a dumb marketing guy can do

*This post was written by Steve Hansen, mrc’s marketing director*

I just made a web application. It lists major league baseball batting statistics from 1970 to 2009, complete with a chart illustrating the rise in home runs over time. You can sort by all major offensive categories (with the arrows) and drill down within the application by year, division, and team by clicking on the little "+" icons. Additionally, you can filter the whole application by year or team by selecting any of options on the left and hitting "Run Report".  There's a lot of data, but it's very easy to navigate.

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10 best business apps for Android, iPhone

As more and more Android phones are released and iPhones continue selling like hotcakes, we’re only going to see more of both in the business. For those contemplating a switch, but can’t decide between iPhone or Android for the business, I recommend this article.

For those who already use one or the other for business, you’ll no doubt find an overwhelming number of applications to choose from. If you’re looking for the best, here are two different articles listing the 10 best business apps for both Android and the iPhone.

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6 reasons why IT projects fail

A successful IT project is one that is delivered on time, at or under budget, and working as originally planned. According to the Standish group, only 32% of IT projects are considered successful. Believe it or not, that’s an improvement over years past.

Why are most IT projects unsuccessful? I found a nice article entitled "Why IT projects fail" which lists 6 of the most important reasons for failure. I couldn’t agree more with the first point: Lack of user involvement. If your project will be used at all by end users, they must be involved early on. After all, a new system or application that end users can’t (or don’t want to) use is a waste of money.

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Pervasive BI - so what?

I’d like to introduce you to a relatively new concept: Pervasive business intelligence. It’s not some great new buzzword to throw around at meetings, it’s a truly actionable concept that could save time and money for your company.

The idea of pervasive BI is simple: Business intelligence should permeate throughout your business. Real-time data specific to your needs should be at your fingertips all the time. The value is obvious—Quick decisions, increased productivity, better efficiency, etc…

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The hottest new group on LinkedIn

We just created a LinkedIn Group for m-Power. If you haven’t already signed up after reading the first sentence, I’d like to answer a couple questions you may possibly have.

Why should I join?
You can ask questions to other m-Power users, share interesting projects, get m-Power tips and advice, suggest enhancements, learn about new enhancements, tell a funny joke, etc… It’s pretty open-ended, and we’d love to have to you.

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5 reasons to celebrate mistakes at work

According to the late Peter Drucker, those who never make mistakes, never do anything interesting. Yet, how many companies look at mistakes in this manner?

I recently found that quote in an interesting article on positivesharing.com entitled, "5 reasons to celebrate mistakes at work." The article challenges our perceptions of mistakes and suggests that without mistakes, there is no innovation.

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The cost of inaction

One of my first cars was an old clunker. After a few years of driving, it needed repairs with increased frequency. I had a choice: Do nothing and continue maintaining my old car, or replace it with a newer car.

I chose the latter. While purchasing a newer car was more expensive up front, the year-to-year cost of maintenance substantially declined. Besides, the newer car also gave me better gas mileage and functionality, and reduced my chances of breaking down on the road.

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13 tech skills you need in your office

In the past, many companies looked at the IT department as a necessary evil. The IT department kept the computers working, but did little for the bottom line. That’s all changing now.

One of the best ways to save money these days is with new technology. Every day, new technology/software is created that helps companies run more efficiently and cut down on expenses. For example, this hospital just saved a bundle with iPads, which cost far less than other specialized touchscreen tablets already used by hospitals.

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The IT hall of shame

Informationweek.com just put out an interesting list entitled, "The IT Hall of Shame". It lists 10 of the biggest frauds, flops, and foibles in the tech industry.

Most every entry on this list have one thing in common: They cost their respective companies a bunch of money. So, when you look through the list, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” What did they do wrong, and how can we avoid it?

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