Mar/Apr 2012
From the Inside: March/April 2012
The user interface is changing again. Oh, Bother! Not again, but it is true. I expect to see a major change in the Business UI and applications within the next year.
Hey Good Looking! Using Google Visualization
Using Google Visualization It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true, then a more modern version might be, "a picture is worth megabytes of data." Not only does the modern user demand access to their data from anywhere, they want to be able to see, visualize, and quickly understand what that data is telling them in order to spot patterns and trends. Google Visualizations can provide you with this ability at a very attractive price — free.
Creating MultiValue Data-Aware Web Elements
Many modern web applications make use of the Model/View/Controller approach. As described in this article, InterSystems Caché's Zen components make use of this approch. Find out more about this method of web development and how Zen can reduce the actual amount of programming required to produce a rich user experience.
Rolling Your Own MultiValue Web Connector - Part 2
Users demand access to their data from a variety of devices, many of which are web-enabled. Continuing from the last issue, part two of this series completes the picture in a simple, low-cost, effective way of providing access to your MultiValue data from web applications.
The Rock and the Hard Place: Parallel and Agile Development - Part 2: Agile Practices 2
In today's world, users demand with new solutions to problems and changes to existing solutions faster than traditional software engineering methodologies can produce them. The old tried and true methods simply do not work anymore. So what are we to do? Just write code for whoever screams the loudest? Agile practices help provide a balance between planning, communication with users, and doing just what needs to be done to get the next piece of functionality accomplished.
Business Tech: How to Win with Social Networking
Many companies and professionals recognize the value of using social media to reach out to both existing customers and new prospects. Unfortunately, unless you have given careful thought to your use of these tools, the effort can backfire and have exactly the opposite effect of what you desired. Don't let social media become "social blunder."
Tech Tip: Browser-based Output
Most people in the MultiValue community agree that green-screens are our death. But you might be caught in the transition from past millennium to current millennium re-work. Your users are still stuck with antiquated green-screens but desperately want newer ways of viewing things. Now there are many fine, modern, MultiValue reporting options out there. But maybe, for reasons outside of your control, you are not able to purchase them just yet. Well, take heart, for there is a dirt-simple technique that can provide your users with at least a smidgeon of what they really want.
Clif Notes: We Are Not In Control (But We Can Be In Charge)
When it comes to application development, we are no longer in control. Frankly, we never really were. But today it is almost impossible to continue the illusion. It used to be that we — the information services professionals — did everything for the users. (Some would say "to" rather than "for.") After all, the way we saw it was that users were ignorant. Not only did they not know what they wanted, but they were not versed enough in the mysteries of Data Processing to even know what they needed. But we, the priests, knew what they needed and how best to deliver it. And if the applications we delivered did not match the way they worked or the procedures they used, well, they were doing it wrong. (Sounds a bit like Steve Jobs initial reaction to the antenna problems on the iPhone 4 doesn't it?) Forget the fact that few of us in Data Processing had ever been a shipping clerk, an accountant, or a warehouse manager; somehow we thought that we could design applications that would bring order to the chaos. Just a little bit of hubris, don't you think?
International Spectrum MultiValue Conference 2013 Recap — The Most Sought-After Information
There were a variety of sessions presented at the 2013 International Spectrum Conference. We thought it might be interesting to take a look at the "Top 10" attended sessions to see if there was any pattern that might indicate what topics attendees were most interested in this year. The results may surprise you. (Or not.)
Parallel and Agile
Parallel and Agile
PHP CONNECTOR
PHP CONNECTOR
Tech Tip Code Example
Tech Tip Code Example
