Now a days, I see many middle managers with less management skills – because most of them just became managers, based on the experience they got in years – but not really with required qualifications. No – I am not taking about educational qualifications. M.B.A is not a criteria for any managers – it is just an operational knowledge. Here I am listing 5 basic qualifications – which I found from my best managers.
1. Planning Skills
Not just for software projects, but for anything we need a proper planning to avoid stop-points in reaching the goal.
2. Communication Skills
Not just talking, but also listening, understanding and discussing. A very important thing is avoiding bad language.
3. Presentation Skills
It is all about what to say, how to say, what is the sequence of information delivery etc.
4. Pro-active nature
Visualize the case with multiple if conditions – and plan accordingly.
5. Prioritize works
What to do, when to do, which work is linked with what, setting expectations and communicating the same.
Note: Re-post from SiliconIndia Blog
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
6 rules for Mobi development
‘Mobi’ is becoming a techie keyword in software development industry. Mobi means Mobile Development. It can be applications or websites primarily for mobile devices. Many software development companies started their initiatives in this market, and I can see many success stories too. This post is a small ‘must do’ list for all those mobi development teams and project managers.
1. Select your users.
For whom you are developing this application or website. If it is a mobile based social networking website – it targets mostly students and young people. If it is a expenses tracking application – it is useful for a business person who always do travel. If it is a music player – it targets young and adults but need to plan for more options – because there are many music players for mobile available for free. If you want to target techie and managers, try some application which links with existing systems – for example, twitter. Selecting a user or community plays a major role in mobile development, because your scope is fully depended based on the users.
2. Devices selection.
Iphones are different from Nokia feature phones. HTC or Palm devices are having more capabilities as smart phones. There are different operating systems for Nokia, Palm, IPhone, Samsung, etc. Every device is different from other, based on the screen size, depth of pixels, capacity to handle media content, useragents, browser resolutions, and memory management. The Graphic part of the application or website should be designed and developed – based on these points. I suggest going for a mock up design or simple prototype model before entering into actual coding process. Browse the mockup or prototype in mobile and see where you need adjustments, how it actually looks in device – mostly all the screens. There are device detection systems available to automatically modify the screen content based on the devices. But this works only for Mobi Websites – for example Opera mini browser and it’s architecture.
3. Development tools Selection.
You can use .Net, J2ME, Python or PHP. Based on a recent survey PHP is selected a best programming language for mobi website development. For mobile applications J2ME is powerful, but for Windows based Smart Phones I suggest to go with .NET mobile framework. Try to have images with less size. Validate your .css and XHTML with online validation systems to avoid performance issues. The best content management systems are Wordpress and Joomla – try them. Collect required J2ME or .NET controls and packages before you start programming and read the attached support documents for compatibilities. Try to get register in Mobile development based forums and keep in touch with book authors.
4. Development model.
a. If you have a clear scope signoff and agreed prototype (calendar or email app) – go for water fall.
b. If your application is a innovative concept (for example: widget) – go for agile model – because you have to revisit and update your requirements at every phase.
c. If you have detail scope and functional samples (for example mobi site) - try iterative model – so that the application can be developed by adding functionalities in each build
5. Testing Pad
Very important phase in Mobile application development. I suggest testing your application / mobi site with real devices. Thus, you can find the realtime issues like layout arrangement, image loading performance, link switching performance and media play level easily. There are many online emulator applications available, including device anywhere and mobi forge. Iphone, blackberry, nokia, palm, android simulators are also available– they are fine for a quick check. One simple online emulator for mobile websites is here [http://mtld.mobi/emulator.php]. But you get 100% results only with realtime devices.
6. BETA
Release only BETA first. Let the application of website be used by other users, and have a forum or postbox to receive their queries, suggestions and support. This is basically to understand the realtime performance with realtime date and to understand the expected future requirements.
I hope the above listed rules will help you in developing quality mobile applications and mobile websites. Let’s discuss online or offline for all your queries and clarifications.
1. Select your users.
For whom you are developing this application or website. If it is a mobile based social networking website – it targets mostly students and young people. If it is a expenses tracking application – it is useful for a business person who always do travel. If it is a music player – it targets young and adults but need to plan for more options – because there are many music players for mobile available for free. If you want to target techie and managers, try some application which links with existing systems – for example, twitter. Selecting a user or community plays a major role in mobile development, because your scope is fully depended based on the users.
2. Devices selection.
Iphones are different from Nokia feature phones. HTC or Palm devices are having more capabilities as smart phones. There are different operating systems for Nokia, Palm, IPhone, Samsung, etc. Every device is different from other, based on the screen size, depth of pixels, capacity to handle media content, useragents, browser resolutions, and memory management. The Graphic part of the application or website should be designed and developed – based on these points. I suggest going for a mock up design or simple prototype model before entering into actual coding process. Browse the mockup or prototype in mobile and see where you need adjustments, how it actually looks in device – mostly all the screens. There are device detection systems available to automatically modify the screen content based on the devices. But this works only for Mobi Websites – for example Opera mini browser and it’s architecture.
3. Development tools Selection.
You can use .Net, J2ME, Python or PHP. Based on a recent survey PHP is selected a best programming language for mobi website development. For mobile applications J2ME is powerful, but for Windows based Smart Phones I suggest to go with .NET mobile framework. Try to have images with less size. Validate your .css and XHTML with online validation systems to avoid performance issues. The best content management systems are Wordpress and Joomla – try them. Collect required J2ME or .NET controls and packages before you start programming and read the attached support documents for compatibilities. Try to get register in Mobile development based forums and keep in touch with book authors.
4. Development model.
a. If you have a clear scope signoff and agreed prototype (calendar or email app) – go for water fall.
b. If your application is a innovative concept (for example: widget) – go for agile model – because you have to revisit and update your requirements at every phase.
c. If you have detail scope and functional samples (for example mobi site) - try iterative model – so that the application can be developed by adding functionalities in each build
5. Testing Pad
Very important phase in Mobile application development. I suggest testing your application / mobi site with real devices. Thus, you can find the realtime issues like layout arrangement, image loading performance, link switching performance and media play level easily. There are many online emulator applications available, including device anywhere and mobi forge. Iphone, blackberry, nokia, palm, android simulators are also available– they are fine for a quick check. One simple online emulator for mobile websites is here [http://mtld.mobi/emulator.php]. But you get 100% results only with realtime devices.
6. BETA
Release only BETA first. Let the application of website be used by other users, and have a forum or postbox to receive their queries, suggestions and support. This is basically to understand the realtime performance with realtime date and to understand the expected future requirements.
I hope the above listed rules will help you in developing quality mobile applications and mobile websites. Let’s discuss online or offline for all your queries and clarifications.
Microsoft - Unlocking the potential of feature phones
What is OneApp?
Microsoft OneApp is a new software application designed for feature phones – the phones most commonly found in emerging markets. Many phones in the market today are limited in the features they can deliver; OneApp expands the capabilities of these handsets to deliver new apps and services as well as a great mobile experience.
How do I get OneApp?
At present, OneApp is available in South Africa through Blue Label Telecoms and their mibli service. Microsoft plans to launch OneApp in more countries within the next year.
How does OneApp work?
OneApp has both client and server components. The client is a lightweight application that is designed to run on the most popular feature phones. The infrastructure components of OneApp are deployed in conjunction with partners to easily and quickly roll out a branded and customized mobile application experience powered by OneApp.
How big is the OneApp client?
The OneApp client is very small (150KB) which makes the download fast and easy to install.
What kind of applications and services are included with OneApp?
The exact set of mobile apps and services will vary by partner. For example, mibli will include a mobile wallet, Windows Live Messenger, popular games, and multiple feed readers for sports, news, finance, and more.
What devices can run OneApp?
OneApp runs on most feature phones that support Java.
How do I learn about developing Apps for OneApp?
Software developers can write new apps for OneApp using industry standards like Javascript and XML. The OneApp software developer kit is expected to be available for developers by the end of 2009
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/oneapp/Default.aspx
Note: Re-post from SiliconIndia Blog
Microsoft OneApp is a new software application designed for feature phones – the phones most commonly found in emerging markets. Many phones in the market today are limited in the features they can deliver; OneApp expands the capabilities of these handsets to deliver new apps and services as well as a great mobile experience.
How do I get OneApp?
At present, OneApp is available in South Africa through Blue Label Telecoms and their mibli service. Microsoft plans to launch OneApp in more countries within the next year.
How does OneApp work?
OneApp has both client and server components. The client is a lightweight application that is designed to run on the most popular feature phones. The infrastructure components of OneApp are deployed in conjunction with partners to easily and quickly roll out a branded and customized mobile application experience powered by OneApp.
How big is the OneApp client?
The OneApp client is very small (150KB) which makes the download fast and easy to install.
What kind of applications and services are included with OneApp?
The exact set of mobile apps and services will vary by partner. For example, mibli will include a mobile wallet, Windows Live Messenger, popular games, and multiple feed readers for sports, news, finance, and more.
What devices can run OneApp?
OneApp runs on most feature phones that support Java.
How do I learn about developing Apps for OneApp?
Software developers can write new apps for OneApp using industry standards like Javascript and XML. The OneApp software developer kit is expected to be available for developers by the end of 2009
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/oneapp/Default.aspx
Note: Re-post from SiliconIndia Blog
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Nokia Mobile Phone with Linux OS
The world's largest handset maker, Nokia unveiled on Thursday its first phone running on Linux software, aiming at improving its offering at the top end of the market. The focus of cellphone business has shifted to services and software following Apple and Google's entrances to the market in the last two years. Nokia also unveiled a new Solutions business unit, which aims to better tie together its phone operations and new mobile Internet services offering.
To read more in detail… visit here…
Source: http://ciol.com/Developer/Operating-System/News-Reports/Nokia-unveils-its-first-Linux-phone/28809124236/0/
Note: Re-post from SiliconIndia Blogs
To read more in detail… visit here…
Source: http://ciol.com/Developer/Operating-System/News-Reports/Nokia-unveils-its-first-Linux-phone/28809124236/0/
Note: Re-post from SiliconIndia Blogs
Monday, April 5, 2010
Microsoft Windows Phone 7
Microsoft finally introduced its Windows Phone 7 Series Smart Phone, after Google and Apple’s success in Smart Phone market. Windows Phone 7 is based on Windows CE 6 Kernel – Just like its ZUNE HD Portable media player.
The Hardware:
1. 800 X 400 WVGA Screen: Includes a 3.7” capacitive touch-screen
2. Hardware buttons for ‘Start’,’Back’,’Search (Using BING)’,’Camera’ and ‘Power’
3. 1 GHZ CPU
4. Finger based Device content Navigation
5. WI-FI, GPS, FM-Tuner and High Resolution Camera
The Software:
1. The UI is based on interfaces of the ZUNE and Windows Media Center
2. The Home screen is based on series of “tiles” that bring surface dynamic content – updated in real-time.
3. People – Aggregates the contact list with social network friends list
4. PHONE and SMS
5. Email – supports outlook POP mail
6. Pictures – Local phones and online photo albums
7. Games – XBOX live functionality
8. Browser – IE
9. Calendar – integrated with outlook
10. Me – aggregates all social media and XBOX live content – to update Social Networks.
The Music and Video brings ZUNE experience to access music and video collection. The IE on Windows Phone 7 is much more similar to Safari on the IPhone with support for multi-touch controls such as zooming.
The App Store – Just like Blackberry and IPhone, Windows Phone 7 will have an APP Store available at launch. As a Kick start, Microsoft is in demo with few apps including Ebay, NetFlix etc.
The Hardware:
1. 800 X 400 WVGA Screen: Includes a 3.7” capacitive touch-screen
2. Hardware buttons for ‘Start’,’Back’,’Search (Using BING)’,’Camera’ and ‘Power’
3. 1 GHZ CPU
4. Finger based Device content Navigation
5. WI-FI, GPS, FM-Tuner and High Resolution Camera
The Software:
1. The UI is based on interfaces of the ZUNE and Windows Media Center
2. The Home screen is based on series of “tiles” that bring surface dynamic content – updated in real-time.
3. People – Aggregates the contact list with social network friends list
4. PHONE and SMS
5. Email – supports outlook POP mail
6. Pictures – Local phones and online photo albums
7. Games – XBOX live functionality
8. Browser – IE
9. Calendar – integrated with outlook
10. Me – aggregates all social media and XBOX live content – to update Social Networks.
The Music and Video brings ZUNE experience to access music and video collection. The IE on Windows Phone 7 is much more similar to Safari on the IPhone with support for multi-touch controls such as zooming.
The App Store – Just like Blackberry and IPhone, Windows Phone 7 will have an APP Store available at launch. As a Kick start, Microsoft is in demo with few apps including Ebay, NetFlix etc.
Just added myself to the http:...
Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #chenn #blogging #painting #cooking #travel #literature
Friday, April 2, 2010
Interesting article of the wee...
Interesting article of the week : Restructuring ? put strategy first #in http://bit.ly/a72PB6
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