Category Archives: UX

BuildMobile: The Future of WebOS

Not very long ago when we were planning the launch of our humble magazine BuildMobile, which you are reading right now, the content strategy included coverage of the nebulous WebOS mobile operating system. Come launch time, there wasn’t enough traction to include it in our platform categories, but we were hopeful for the future. WebOS in 60 Seconds WebOS is a mobile operating system based on the Linux Kernal Initially developed by Palm and first released in January 2009 Acquired by Hewlett-Packard in April 2010 for US$1.2b WebOS uses a “card” UI with a left-to-right flick for app swithcing, flick up for “off” The WebOS broswer, called simply “Web” is based on the WebKit layout engine WebOS “Synergy” feature integrates information from many cloud services into a single list Devices include the Pre , the Pixi and the Veer phones, then the HP TouchPad HP announced in March 2011 that WebOS would run within Windows by the end of 2011 On 18th August 2011 HP announced it would discontinue operations for WebOS devices Potentially even more HP TouchPads will be made and sold at a loss Web Standards based Native Apps A feature that was full of promise, and partly responsible for the underdog adoration WebOS attracted from developers worldwide, is that web technologies like HTML, CSS and Javascript are first class tools for developing native apps for the platform, with full access to hardware APIs like the camera. Continue reading

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DesignFestival: The Fold Exists but Does it Matter?

Digging around the web will unearth a heavy bias against the fold. “A rule of thumb that kills innovation.” “Used by people who don’t know what they’re talking about.” “A concept introduced by someone who is a moron.” “The fold is bogus.” “The fold is a myth.” “The fold is a silly thing that clients like to focus on.” “There is no fold.” There is even a web site called thereisnofold.com . This is not an issue that lacks for opinion. What is the fold and what do we know about it? Continue reading

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DesignFestival: Creating Meaningful Site Search by Challenging Assumptions

Thumbnail The role of search in your site can be a hot topic. Sometimes there is pressure to make it a giant bandage to cover poor navigational structure, and other times it’s included just because “every site needs search.” Let’s look at three pervasive myths about search and two questions that will help us create a strategy unique to every site. Misconceptions About Search Myth #1: Site Visitors Prefer to Find Information With Search Researchers have worked to combat this myth and have found that site visitors’ behavior does not naturally trend toward search first, even when searchers know exactly what they’re looking for. Continue reading

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How to Make WordPress Easier By Removing Widgets, Meta Boxes and Options

ThumbnailIn Craig’s latest WordPress tutorial he explains how to write a custom plugin which disables update notifications and removes unnecessary dashboard widgets, page and post meta boxes. Continue reading

Posted in clients, CMS, open source, PHP & MySQL Tutorials, PHP Tutorials & Articles, plugin, Software Tutorials, UX, Web Tech, WordPress plugins, WordPress Tutorials & Articles, Work Smarter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on How to Make WordPress Easier By Removing Widgets, Meta Boxes and Options