Rigler Digital Blog

CMS Coming to a Website Near You.

// October 23rd, 2011 // No Comments » // Tech, Web

Article first published as CMS Coming to a Website Near You on Technorati.

CMS which stands for a Content Management System is growing in popularity. The top three are WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. (According to http://w3techs.com/. ) For web developers, you can surprise your clients by stating you need to develop their site in a CMS. It sounds too technical, their response would be, “Whatever, just build my website”.

 

A Look Back at C Programming and Dennis Ritchie

// October 15th, 2011 // No Comments » // Tech, Web

Article first published as A Look Back at C Programming and Dennis Ritchie on Technorati.

Dennis Ritchie passed away October 8th, 2011. Thinking of grade school and doing some C programming. I didn’t realize the importance of Dennis Ritchie’s work. I was just thinking don’t forget the parenthesis, or zeros. Return 0, and that amazing feeling of success when the code is programmed correctly and it works.

But with Dennis Ritchie’s passing, it gives me pause to think how his programming which he stated “C is quirky, flawed, and an enormous success” benefitted computer users everywhere. It was a stable program for other programmers to use and build upon.

This “quirky and flawed” program is the basis for operating systems today. I know I’m enjoying my iOS 5 right now because of Ritchie’s work. His contributions created new industries. Both Steve Jobs and Bill Gates benefitted from his contribution of C programming and the development of UNIX. In the past, stating that you had any skill in C programming would open the door to many entry level jobs. Unfortunately, I was never that good at it. (I’m trying to wrap my head around HTML5 now.)

I don’t use C programming today but it is an integral part of my life. It’s an invention that lies just under the surface or skin rather of apps, OS’s, and influences other developers as well. This invention is not like a light bulb or tangible, it was a new language. Ritchie created a language unique, useful, and much like our own with exceptions and abbreviations. We lost a “Founding Father” of modern day computing and his legacy lives on.

The New Muppets Movie 2011 – Trailer

// October 15th, 2011 // No Comments » // Movie Trailers, Web

Muppets back in action. Check out their new trailer here.

Installing iOS 5 on a new iPad2. Get ready for this.

// October 12th, 2011 // No Comments » // Apple, Tech, Web

I finally got an iPad2 a few weeks ago and it is amazing. Of course I just missed buying a new one with iOS 5 on it. However, Apple just released iOS 5 as a free update today. It’s not that hard to install but it takes time. And more time, get ready here are the steps that I took to get iOS 5:

1. Open up iTunes and if your like me you have 10.4 installed so FIRST update to 10.5
2. Restart and open iTunes with iPad connected
3. Click on iPad’s  symbol on the left. (I know you know this–was this step neccessary?)
4. this will open the screen containing all of info on your iPad – Now click update button.
5. a back up will be made and the process begins – now go make a sandwich or something-it takes about an hour

Ok it’s not just connecting to Apple’s server’s and getting the update that takes a long time.  You need to get used to one word RESTORING. At one point in time you may be thinking I don’t need this my iPad’s great.  Seriously, I’ve just barely scratched the surface of this new OS and it looks awesome.  iCloud, Notifications, it’s worth the time.  I’ll post more as I explore each of these.

Should Your Business Use Cloud Computing? They Already Do.

// October 11th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Tech, Web

Article first published as Should Your Business Use Cloud Computing? They Already Do on Technorati.

Cloud computing sounds complicated and ethereal – doesn’t it? (I picture Lando Calrissian tending to computers in Cloud City for the benefit of us all.) “That’s cutting edge; I need to get my business on the right track and look into cloud computing.” These thoughts can be overheard at most companies. So, what does it mean anyway? I was going to write about a shared network of servers off site. The fact that you can save a ton of money by cloud computing. (You actually can.) However, a much simpler definition of cloud computing exists.

Cloud computing is browser computing. That’s it. You need to open your browser and log in using your username and password. Your company probably already uses different applications of this nature. Think of Google Docs, Basecamp, your Webmail client (Gmail), or an Online File Storage app. This is cloud computing and I’ve been doing it for years. Chances are you have too.

Browser computing or Internet computing. That’s it in a practical nutshell that I can understand. Advantages? It’s much easier to us, computer and software maintenance happens somewhere else, and you can access your documents anywhere a connection is available. Downsides? Well, the flip side of most of these advantages – control resides elsewhere. You are at the mercy of a remote IT staff and the viability of the company. Hopefully, they have a 24/7 customer service department. Security, or rather lack of it, may be a problem if you have documents you wouldn’t want anyone to see. (Hmm, one can already envision future political scandals -”It came from the cloud!”)

Call it what you will, you’ve been doing it for years and it isn’t that mysterious.

Apple iPhone 4S – and the S stands for. . .

// October 8th, 2011 // No Comments » // Apple, Tech, Web

Tim Cook announced a new upgraded iPhone 4. The new iPhone 4S. What on earth does the S stand for and why S.  Yes these details are the minutia that keeps me up at night. Perhaps you are curious too? So after spending some time on the Apple site, I’ve come to the conclusion there are two reasons. First, the installed SIRI your iPhone becomes your own voice activated personal assistant.  Definitely Sci-Fi here, just watch the video as the jogger moves his meeting up.

Or you can find your favorite restaurant.  This feature is great for people who don’t want to spend the time looking on a browser of their phone.  Just talk.  I hope they’ve perfected the technology of hearing requests clearly.  Ever been on hold with an electronic voice saying “Sorry I don’t understand” “Repeat request please”.

Second, the S stands for the new OS5 technology within it. Which when you think the operating system isn’t cool enough, it gets even better.  Ok there are 200 new features with OS5 but I’ll list my top 3, Notification Center, iMessage, and Tab Browsing-(finally) within your iPhone or iPad.  iMessage is great because you won’t have to go through your phone carrier for it. Yes! Notification Center keeps all updates together more organized, it’s similar to a tweetdeck type of service.  Tab browsing iPad user’s know – enough said.

Steve Jobs Tribute 1955-2011

// October 5th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Final Cut Pro, Tech, Web

A true innovator and business leader passed away today Oct. 5th 2011.  I usually don’t jump on a bandwagon and blog immediately about events that happen.  With Steve Jobs passing away today I have to post something.  How many people can you say have actually inspired and changed your life?  It was Steve Jobs and the “Think Different” campaign that changed mine and my wife’s as well.   It’s 1999, we were newlyweds, and didn’t have a lot of money at that time.  I was a production coordinator for Walt Disney Television Animation, and my wife had a small position within a non-profit organization. (Hence, not a lot of money).  However, I had big dreams to create independent films and have my own company.  At the time people were still shooting indies on film.  In fact when I would tell people “no, I’m going to shoot this digitally”, I would get “you got to shoot it on film”.  Or the reaction would be “It’ll look like crap. . .Shoot it on film”.  My hesitation was the horror stories of other independent filmmakers losing their shirt, house, and dog –shooting on film.  Enter Apple, Steve Jobs, and a program called Final Cut Pro.  At first there were whispers about it.  A colleague stated, “My friend he’s an editor it’s amazing” or another, “It’s a game changer” or what I loved is my old cinematographer Vicente Baldwin “EFF..  Avid . . .everyone can make movies now”.  Because what kills an independent filmmaker (other than a bad script) POST-PRODUCTION–this is where you can lose your shirt.  Final Cut Pro and Steve Jobs democratized filmmaking.

So I really wanted an Apple, and I really really wanted to use Final Cut Pro with that Apple.  But let me set the stage for you–we are living hand to mouth in a North Hollywood apartment (bills, student loans). Our dog is a Marley and Me creature called Merlin and we’re stressed- so shelling out a few thousand didn’t seem an option.  It was a Saturday, we were heading to Los Angeles Farmer’s Market driving down Highland in Hollywood and we noticed a large skyscraper with the poster of Apple’s Chaplin’s “Think Different” campaign.  My wife and I both looked at each other and said “we have to do this.”  An epiphany of inspiration (or insanity).  We got an Apple loan the very next day and placed an order for a complete Promax system with Final Cut Pro.  I sold off some Disney stock – and purchased a Canon GL1.  It was hot in its time.

How did this one Saturday of inspiration change our lives? I got the tools to create three independent films.  We both jumped into Photoshop and web design.  My wife became so skilled that she ran her non-profit’s website and created two others while employed there.  She now manages numerous sites and touts her skills were from Apple and lynda.com  I now create industrials all within Final Cut Pro edited on a Apple.

Thank you Steve Jobs for changing our lives for the better.

 

Domain Name Show: Episode 13 TwitFace

// October 2nd, 2011 // No Comments » // Social Media, Tech, Web

Facebook unleashed it’s new layout. Unfortunately it’s so much like twitter the two are blending their features:

1.homepage login.

2.timeline in twitter like friend’s updates on the right

3.Lists, just like twitter you can create Lists on Facebook.

4.Notification of stories like twitter’s new tweets alert.

5. Icon, picture next to username in top right.

Very similar.. is LinkedIn next?

Working your Social Media.

// September 18th, 2011 // No Comments » // Social Media, Web

I’ve been extremely busy which is great and I’ve said it before I love my customers.  Two new sites that I’m working with are TabanMD and RobertTheAgent.
1st there’s TabanMD.  Dr. Mehryar Taban is an oculo-facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon.  He is located in Beverly Hills, and has offices in Santa Barbara and Jules Stein clinic at UCLA.  We recently redesigned his site with the CMS  Joomla! (I’m a big fan of Joomla).  He now has the ability to add or change pictures and text.  However, now that the site is up his main concern is getting noticed and new patients.  Who uses the Yellow Pages?   Google, Bing, or Yahoo are used for finding services today. Time to start working your social media accounts.  The big three social media sites: Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.  I just saw an ad for Sears at the end of the ad they have the three social media icons displayed promptly.  SEARS yes the old catalog store is now participating full swing 2.0.  TabanMD has about 40 fans on Facebook.  I would recommend running some contests and placing a facebook ad together.  Perhaps a deal on botox or latisse, something to draw people in.
Robert Krieger is a realtor in the Erie, Colorado area his site RobertTheAgent.com was not designed by riglerdigital.com but he does use a CMS, WordPress as a matter of fact. This is useful for Robert to add new listings in the Colorado area.  His major areas of selling and buying homes in Colorado are: Anthem Highlands, Broadlands Broomfield, Wildgrass Broomfield, Rock Creek Superior, Louisville, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Superior.  Riglerdigital.com is now handling the set up of RobertTheAgent’s social media accounts.   The main objective to reach at least 1,000 visitors a month to the site.  To achieve success would mean a consistent flow of content and participation to all, ie, the big three.  Success comes with sincere interaction with all fans and subscribers.   This is advice that I myself can use at riglerdigital.com.

Musically Inspired. Team Last.fm or Team Pandora

// July 31st, 2011 // No Comments » // Social Media, Web

If it’s Photoshop, writing, or drawing; I love music. Last.fm and Pandora radio are both my favorite online resource for my fix. Pandora has a unique way of programming.  If I like a track I get more artists of the same. If you choose your “thumbs up” properly you create the best station for you. Last.fm is unique because you get a slideshow of pictures of the artist as the music plays. Hey I’ve always wondered what the band Metric looked like.