While there are cheaper (and free) apps which achieve similar results, I’m comfortable with the workflow, familiarity and powerful features offered by Adobe software.

My biggest criticism of Adobe has been its software pricing. I welcomed the recent inquiry into Adobe’s local pricing versus USA pricing. At over $1,000 for the full version of Photoshop, upgrades have been too expensive or at the very least, hard to justify. For this reason, I have stuck with the CS2 and CS3 versions of the Adobe apps, for the best part of five years. While these apps have allowed me to get the job done, I have missed out on productivity enhancements, new tools and support for current standards (e.g. HTML5) which are available in the latest versions.

Coinciding with this desire to upgrade my old Adobe apps, I needed to purchase Premiere Pro (at $1,000) for an upcoming online video project. I proceeded to look at the most cost effective means of getting the latest versions of of my existing apps and Premier Pro.

Changes to Adobe’s upsell policy (the ability to upgrade from previous versions for a low cost) and the high upfront cost of the Adobe Master Collection ($4,300 for all CS6 apps), ruled out both of these upgrade options. My final option was to look at the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription service - a monthly membership which includes all the CS6 apps and more.

The standard fee for this service is $49.99 a month, but with Adobe currently offering 40% off for users of an eligible Creative Suite application (CS3 or newer), this reduced the monthly subscription fee to $29.99. A monthly subscription makes good business sense, being easier to afford and justify than a large upfront cost.

If you’re looking to upgrade or buy any of the Adobe applications for work, I’d recommend considering an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. For a fraction of the cost of purchasing Photoshop, you can have all the latest Adobe CS6 apps, future updates and other features of the creative cloud service.

About a month ago, the performance of my notebook computer had gotten to the point that I was considering buying a new one. My notebook is a 2010 MacBook Pro (Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz with 4 GB of RAM). It’s certainly not the latest tech, but after two and half years it should still perform well enough to run current applications. This wasn’t the case, with applications often stalling (or what Mac users would call ‘beach-balling’) and moderate multi-tasking, bringing the system to a halt.

Before getting my credit card out to buy a new computer, I looked at what options there were to update the ‘insides’ of my current machine, to bring about some sort of performance boost. People have always sung the praises of adding more memory (RAM), however, more recently, Solid State Drives (SSDs) have received good reviews, mainly for their high speed and quiet performance compared to traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). SSD is the storage technology commonly used in USB flash drives, smartphones and tablet devices.

I discovered both of these upgrade options were possible on my computer. Though I’m not one to enjoy fiddling inside a computer, there were plenty of online guides that detailed the process of upgrading the RAM and installing an SSD in my particular model of MacBook Pro.

I ventured down to my local computer store (MSY) and picked up a Macbook Pro 8GB RAM upgrade kit ($40) and a Sandisk Extreme 240GB SSD ($176). Following the online guides, I replaced the 4GB of RAM with the new 8GB sticks, swapped the 250GB HDD with the new 240GB SSD and installed the latest Mac operating system (Mountain Lion 10.8) – all up and running within an hour.

Here are links to the guides that helped me complete the upgrade:

• Installing MacBook Pro 13″ Unibody Mid 2012 RAM
• How to Install an SSD / Upgrade Your Hard Drive on a 2010 MacBook Pro

Make sure you do some research, to determine the compatibility and upgradability of your particular computer, before performing similar upgrades.

One month on, I’m very pleased with the performance improvements these updates have made to my computer. The system boots and launches applications in a snap, and runs smoother, quieter and cooler than it did before. All at the fraction of the cost of buying a brand new computer!

12. Google Chrome

Web browser

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/

11. Adobe Edge

Web development suite

http://html.adobe.com/edge/

10. Go Pro Hero 3

Outdoor action camera

http://gopro.com/

09. Clear

List app

http://www.realmacsoftware.com/clear/

08. Pocket

Read-it-later app

http://getpocket.com/

07. Skyscanner

Airfares comparison website/app

http://www.skyscanner.com.au/

06. Pebble E-Paper Watch

Smartwatch

http://getpebble.com/

05. AR.Drone 2.0 Quadricopter

Tablet/smartphone controlled toy

http://ardrone2.parrot.com/

04. Google Nexus 4

Android smartphone

http://www.google.com/intl/ALL_au/nexus/4/

03. Viber

Free talk/text app

http://www.viber.com/

02. Google Maps for iOS

Navigation app

Google Maps on iTunes

01. Apple iPad mini

iOS Tablet

http://www.apple.com/au/ipad-mini/

Now it’s your turn – what was your favourite gadget or app from 2012? Either leave a comment below or respond to me via twitter (@robvnet).

Have a great 2013!

I recently started getting into responsive web design (RWD) for a new project at work. RWD is the creation of a single website which adapts to provide an optimised browsing experience across a range of devices. A more detailed definition of RWD is available from wikipedia. For people  looking to create their first responsive website, here are 10 tips to help you get started:

Analytics

If you are making an existing website responsive, look at the web analytics of the website to see what browsers, devices and screen resolutions are used by people accessing the site. This information will help you make key design decisions.

Tools

What you need first is a pencil and some paper, then a code editor (such as Notepad++ or Espresso) and Firefox (with the Firebug and Web Developer plugins installed). Running a local server (e.g. XAMPP) can make testing easier.

Wireframes

Start sketching the interface layouts. The more time you spend getting the wireframes correct on paper, the less hassles you’ll have when it comes to coding and implementing the interface templates.

Mobile first

Design the mobile layout first. This ensures you start with the basics, then add the other interface elements right up to the largest layout. Put your mobile user hat on – what content or functionality does a mobile user need when accessing your website?

Breakpoints

Determine the points (in terms of horizontal resolution) where the interface transforms. This should be based on the design itself and while keeping in mind the devices that access the website, don’t determine the breakpoints purely by the resolutions of devices you are targetting.

HTML5 support

HTML5 is supported in most modern browsers, however in order to support Internet Explorer prior to version 9.0, use the HTML5 Shiv script.

CSS3 Media Queries

CSS3 Media Queries make it possible to deliver a set of CSS styles based on the size of the browser. For example, your stylesheet could be setup with the following media queries:

/** global styles for all screen sizes **/
…

/** styles for large sized screens only **/
@media screen and (min-width: 960px) {
…
}

Media Queries in older browsers

To enable CSS3 Media Queries in older browsers (specifically Internet Explorer v6-8), include the respond.js script.

Meta Viewport

Adding a Viewport Meta tag to the <head> section ensures the website will size and scale as desired for mobile device browsers. The following code is a good starting point, with this document from the iOS Developer Library explaining what each element does.

<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no">

Testing

At its simplest, testing can be achieved by dragging the browser window by its vertical edge, so the web page resizes through the different breakpoints and applies styles based on the media queries. Further to this, you should install a test server (e.g. XAMPP) on your computer so you can test the website on device emulators via http://localhost/mysite and devices via http://computerIPaddress>/mysite.

Got any beginners tips or even questions regarding responsive web design, feel free to leave them in a comment below. Thanks! – @robvnet

Firstly you need to find out if your customers are using social networks. You know who your customers are, but do you know if they are using social media? Search for conversations about your products, or for locations of users to see if they live near your business. Also look at your competitors and other entities in your industry, to see if they have a following on social networks. Basic research like this will indicate if your audience is there.

Next, include social media in your communications plan. This ensures the objectives in your plan can be delivered by the activities you’ll be conducting through social networks. Therefore you’ll be utilising social media with purpose and strategy.

Any activities you conduct through social media should add value to your brand and provide benefits for your customers. You should be listening to what people are saying about your business, brand and products. Gauge their needs, wants and problems. Then engage responsively, with solutions, offers and content, which may assist or be of interest to them.

When a customer talks about your business or products on social networks, keep in mind this is in the public eye. You’ll need to be ready to deal with criticism and negative feedback, in a responsive, respectable and accountable manner. Here lies an opportunity to provide a helpful response and turn a poor customer experience into a good one.

Finally, social media takes time and effort, so make sure you are well resourced, with the people, knowledge and direction so it can be done properly. Going in half-baked will be noticed by your customers very quickly and will do your brand more harm than if you weren’t using social media at all.

So if your business isn’t ready for social media, don’t sweat it. Take the time to assess if your business is the right fit. Then when its the right time, make social media part of your communications arsenal.

A few months back, I was fortunate enough to meet Mr Wally Sievers, Managing Director of Suburban Taxis, in Adelaide. He showed me a demo of the new Suburban Taxis iPhone app, which allows you to book a taxi, get fare estimates and find your nearest taxi rank.

First, you need to register with Suburban Taxis, and then log into the app. The interface isn’t overly intuitive, but you eventually find your way around. The app relies on the GPS built into the iPhone to provide its core features. The ‘iHail’ function allows you to hail a taxi from your current (or nearest suitable) location, with the press of a button. Alternatively, if you don’t require the taxi immediately, you can enter in the booking details to make your request.

By far the neatest thing about this app, is the real-time feedback you receive for a booking. You can see when your booking has been accepted, track your taxi on a map as it approaches your pickup location and receive an email notification when your taxi is nearby. This feature spells an end to waiting outside, longer than you should, for your taxi to arrive.

This free app is now available from the iTunes App Store, with an Android version in the works.

 The Good

• An innovative way to book a taxi.
• Easier than calling or using the website to book.
• Watching your taxi head towards you on the map, is simply cool!

 The Bad

• Interface and overall usability could be improved.
• Push notifications would work better than email notifications.

Conclusion

This is a great innovation from Suburban Taxis. There are a few aspects that need polishing, but this app works and has done the job, each time I’ve used it. I have switched taxi companies, as a result, and will continue to use Suburban Taxis, thanks to this app.

Rating: 4/5

The device itself is small and simple. It contains two high definition TV tuners. On the rear, there are sockets for ethernet, antenna and power. On the front there are LED indicators for power and each tuner, which are handy for knowing when one or both tuners are in use.

The HDHomeRun is very easy to setup, first by connecting it to the router, antenna wall socket and power adapter, then installing the device driver on any Windows, Mac or Linux computer. The HDHomeRun works with a number of TV/Media applications. I chose to use Windows 7 Media Center on my PC and Elgato EyeTV on my Mac. Within minutes of running through the setup on each application, I was able to watch High Definition TV, over my wired and wireless network, concurrently on both Windows and Mac computers.

As an added bonus, the HDHomeRun allows live viewing of HD/SD channels and any saved recordings (from your Mac computer running EyeTV software), via the EyeTV iOS app ($5.49) for your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. The EyeTV Netstream offers the same functionality, plus direct streaming of SD channels (a Mac is required for HD channels) to iOS devices. Just keep in mind the Netstream ($300) costs nearly double the price of the HDHomeRun ($170), for an otherwise functionally identical product.

 The Good

• Quick and easy to setup.
• Excellent quality HD video, no stutter or lag over Wireless N.
• Watch and record concurrently, even across two different computers.

 The Bad

• Requires the antenna wall socket and router to be in close proximity.
• Bundled software is rubbish. Use Windows Media Center (free) or Elgato EyeTV ($106) for Mac, instead.

Conclusion

Having used several USB TV tuners on both Windows and Mac, the move to a network TV Tuner has proved a success. Performance and reliability are largely dependent on the network quality and TV reception, but provided both of these boxes are ticked, the results will be excellent.

Rating: 5/5

• Very few people (who I know) are on it.
• Why do I need another social network?
• There’s a lack of third-party app integration.
• It’s not public yet; access is by invite only.
• Bugs still need to be ironed out. At the same time new features will be added.
• Google’s track record with social network services isn’t great (e.g. Buzz, Wave)
• The CBF factor i.e. Can I really be bothered?

However there are things I like about Google+:

• The clean design.
• The ‘circles’ concept of grouping connections.
• How it takes and combines the best features from Facebook and Twitter.

So I’ll probably join up soon, but for now I’ll sit back and watch how it evolves…

Have you signed up to Google+? What do you think of it and where do you think it’s heading?

Determine your goals

It helps to remind yourself why you are doing this. And if you’re not sure of your goals or they aren’t working, it’s time to re-establish them.

Allocate the right amount of time

I haven’t had the time to blog, cos it was taking too much time to do it! The key is to fit the task into a timeframe that works for you and allows you to achieve your goals.

Cut back on what you’re saying

One of my main issues with writing posts, was that I was trying to say too much. Posts should focus on a single idea. Save the additional ideas for other posts.

Don’t aim for perfection

When you rewrite one of draft posts four times and you’re still not happy with it, you know your a perfectionist and you know you’re in trouble. Why? Cos you’ll never hit the publish button! Yes, this happened to me. Beyond grammar, spelling and good flow, so long as the post makes a point and presents the idea, that’s all it needs to do. It’s just a blog post after all, not an award winning novel.

Make it your preference

There’s probably a dozen other things I’d prefer to do then churn out blog posts. The fact is, if I stick to these rules and achieve my goals, I’d expect blogging to become easier, enjoyable, rewarding and eventually. one of my preferred pastimes.

What has stifled your pursuit to blog and how did you overcome it?

Last year, when the first iPad was announced, I declared it an iFlop:

This year, when the iPad 2 was announced, I ordered one soon after launch day. And three weeks later, I was the owner of an iPad 2 …

With over 15 million iPad 1 units sold, I was clearly wrong. The iPad is no iFlop. But the sales and the hype alone weren’t enough to make me order a piece of Apple slate. So what else has changed that has made me take the leap?

• I wanted an eReader and it’s the best eReader available, in many respects. With a range of quality apps for different reading purposes, nothing else I have seen in the past year has come close.
• The hardware improvements, including slimmer design, faster processor, cameras and a gyroscope.
• The evolution of iOS with multitasking, folders and many other improvements.
• The addition of personal hotspot mode on the iPhone 4, allowing for seamless sharing of the iPhone internet connect when using an iPad. Put simply, I didn’t need a 3G iPad and separate data plan.
• Though I am a fan of Apple products, I’m not really a sucker for hype. But I needed to see for myself why the iPad is considered magical!

After a month of using and owning the iPad 2, I consider it to be a great choice for:

• Reading eBooks, PDFs and web content.
• Accessing social media.
• Entertainment, such as watching TV shows and movies, and playing music and games.

The simplicity and portability of the iPad makes it ideal for consuming content and in many instances, it’s better than a computer for these activities. And if you are thinking you don’t need an iPad cos you already have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, any of the above-mentioned activities is a different experience on the larger iPad screen. It is both easier and so much more enjoyable than on the smaller screen iOS devices. But when attempting anything beyond these basic tasks, the shortcomings of the iPad become apparent. The main areas where this could be improved include:

• Productivity – apart from email, web and taking some notes, the iPad is no workhorse. Even with apps like Keynote, Pages and WordPress to get you started, you’ll inevitably find the need to move to a Mac/PC to finish the task. And being productive usual requires working with files …
• File management – while this has improved over the past year with apps like Dropbox, the iPad needs a proper file manager app, a USB port (for connecting flash drives) and the ability to natively mount it as a drive when connected to a Mac or PC. Moving and using files on the iPad isn’t easily accomplished like it is on a computer.
• Form factor – Apple claims the iPad 2 to be 33% thinner than the iPad 1. For that shaving in size, I would have expected the iPad 2 to shed more than 80 grams of weight. At 600 grams, it is heavy for a handheld device. Add a protective case and it becomes even heavier. While it is fine to use on your lap or on a tabletop, it can be awkward to hold when you’re lying down or holding it in your hands for long periods. An 8″ iPad with a lighter body would be more ideal, but if Steve Jobs is to be believed, it won’t ever happen.

Blending a powerful hardware package with the slick iOS interface, some of the iPad apps do deliver a magical experience. Where it’s at now, the iPad is far from being the perfect tablet device due to its limitations for getting ‘real’ work done (unless of course you are part of the Gorillaz).

I see people in their suits, walking around town with their iPads and can’t help but feel the trendiness of the device dictates over its true usefulness as a work tool. For me, the iPad is a nice to have, fun to use, novelty device which is great for content consumption. Maybe when it gets some productivity enhancements, I’ll be able to take it more seriously.