PlayBook or Bust – Final Day
It has been a long 9 days, and I have to apologize that I haven’t been a little more regular with updating you guys. I knew that this was going to be a challenge, but I didn’t fully grasp how much of my time and effort it was going to take up to accomplish. For those who haven’t been following along, here’s the brief synopsis.
Last week, I announced here that I had presented myself with a challenge. RIM was offering up a free PlayBook to anyone submitting an approved PlayBook application by today, and my desire for a PlayBook caused an idea to form. I decided to try my hand at it, and attempt to create an app, despite having no experience with programming or development. I gave myself 9 days to do it, setting today as the deadline, as today is the last day to qualify for the offer.
PlayBook or Bust – Update
I’ve been quiet for the last few days, dedicating all of my free time to this project as the deadline looms nearer and nearer. I have been living and breathing the development process for almost a week now, and figured I was due to give you an update.
In my last journal entry, I had mentioned that i had been attempting to jump into the coding process, but had found that my knowledge wasn’t quite up to par for the task I was setting for myself. So I took a step back, unplugged, and hit the books.
PlayBook or Bust – Day Two
Day two of my personal challenge to create an app for the BlackBerry PlayBook in 9 days, and I’m significantly the worse for wear. I spent the day yesterday searching the internet for various tutorials, guides, and basic programming instruction manuals. Surprisingly, the best resource I was able to find so far comes direct from Adobe, and includes a pretty decent walkthrough of some of the basics. I also managed to find a pdf version of a programming manual for beginners, which I converted into an eBook and loaded on my BlackBerry for easy access.
My synapses are fried, and it’s only a matter of time before I start dreaming in actionscript. However, I have found that thus far, I’m retaining and grasping a lot of what I’m absorbing, and have begun scratching out my own pseudocode, with two separate apps starting to take form on paper. After spending four hours last night and another four already today doing nothing but reading theory, my brain is crammed full of possibilities. I sat down today on a knowledge high, attempting to start the process of actually coding, but I have found that translating my grasp of theory into practice is a bigger leap than expected. I quickly ground to a frustrated halt.
PlayBook or Bust – Day one
Today is day 1. I spent the evening last night in the BlackBerry Developer Zone, downloading and installing all the various components required for me to develop an app for the BlackBerry PlayBook. I also sent my request in for my signing keys, and I’m still waiting to be contacted back by RIM as to whether I have been approved as a Vendor.
Setup and configuration took me almost three hours, following the instructions on the BlackBerry website step by step. A little lacking in a few areas, like perhaps telling you that the exe you are going to run is only going to put an iso file on your hard drive for use with VMWare. Kinda missed explaining that step, but got it figured anyway.
Biggest issue I ran into out of the entire process, I couldn’t get VMWare to install. After half an hour of wrestling with it and Googling, I finally managed to get it to install. Turns out the exe doesn’t run on Win 7 SP1, you have to use command line to extract the contents and install via the extracted setup file. A small warning about the compatibility would have saved me some time, but no matter, it’s done. Maybe it’s a form of encouragement, giving you a real sense of accomplishment before you have even coded a single module, because you managed to get everything set up properly.
PlayBook or Bust – A new developer’s journal
Here’s the deal. I have been lusting after a BlackBerry PlayBook since it was first announced months ago. Recently, I have had discussions with some great people on Twitter, via email, and right here on the GSL blogs, which all really kicked off with this article here. One of the main points that has been tossed around the past few days is the availability of apps for the PlayBook on release.
The BlackBerry platform has long been heavily criticized as being one of the most difficult to develop for, and a result many developers have been turned off developing for BlackBerry. In anticipation of the PlayBook’s launch, RIM developer relations had a stroke of genius, opening a program whereby anyone who can develop and submit an application (with some restrictions) to App World by March 31st, and have it approved, will receive a FREE 16GB PlayBook.
Revive or refresh your PC with Jolicloud
If you have a decrepit/obsolete PC, or you just really don’t need all the extraneous Windows functions hogging CPU usage when you only need Windows part of the time, you may want to take a look at Jolicloud. I run it as part of a dual boot on my desktop PC, along with Windows 7.
Sometimes all you need to do is web-based, whether it be some simple surfing, research, or even writing a blog post like this one. At times like this, I really don’t need access to Photoshop, Angry Birds, or even my various installed games. All I need is internet access. Or, you might have a dusty old laptop that is sitting in a closet, but barely runs Windows XP. You can’t bring yourself to get rid of it, so why not make it useful again with a lightweight OS, capable of turning it into a functional web-based PC again?
Display your geek pride with free GSL mobile, tablet, and desktop wallpapers
Geek Shui Living’s mission is an obvious one. We report news and reviews regarding all things tech. It’s who we are. It’s what we do. Of course, we would be nothing but a lonely website lost in the vast reaches of cyberspace, if it weren’t for valued readers like you.
As a small token of our appreciation, we recently created a Downloads page where you can take your pick of original GSL wallpapers for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. So whether you have an iPhone, BlackBerry, iPad, PC or Mac, you’ll have a GSL wallpaper that is sure to raise its cool factor exponentially.
Visit the Our Downloads page to get yours now!
Limited edition “GSL Not Stickers” officially (not) available on GetGlue!
If you’re a Twitter or Facebook, you may have noticed (via someone’s annoying check-in) that GSL is now included among the indexed topics of GetGlue, the now famous service responsible for reviving the lost, sticker collecting child from our past. To be honest, it took some ingenuity to get it done, considering Tech News sites aren’t generally mentioned on any of the sites currently supported by GetGlue’s Firefox and Chrome browser add-ons. We’re pleased, though, to say we did it. After a little less than three weeks, we’ve had 32 visits, 32 likes and 84 check-ins from friends of GSL who recognized the name and checked-in just to show their support.
Those who read GSL regularly know that we’re not your conventional, geek-related news website. No, we tend to take things and make them bigger (or sometimes just more complicated). After getting added to the service, GSL sent an email to GetGlue asking for guidance on the process of requesting a GetGlue sticker to reward fans who check-in. Unfortunately, they informed us they are currently only partnering with film, television, and music companies. We gave it a good effort. That’s the end of that idea, right? Of course, the answer is no. This is GSL. We chose an alternate route. That’s right. We made our own limited-edition stickers and decided to send them out ourselves. How do you get one? The simple rules await you beyond the break.
Highly anticipated “Banned iPad 2 Promo” hits the web
As usual, it didn’t take the the good people over at JLE Productions to put together one of their iDevice spoofs. This time, it’s about the iPad 2, of course. Titled the “Banned iPad 2 Promo”, it is destined for the same infamy previous productions like “Banned iPhone 4 Promo” and Banned iPad Promo received in 2010.
One thing is certain. It doesn’t matter with what Apple comes up. These guys will find a way to turn it into something that will help us take all things Apple a little less seriously and have a good laugh. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a Charlie Sheen reference and a few “Winining” remarks. Anyway, enjoy it on this relaxing Friday because next Friday, it’s all business…if your business is waiting in line for the Apple iPad 2.
Geek Shui Living Super Bowl XLV Challenge: Enjoy the game and support the Red Cross
Over the past year or so, I’ve established an informal tradition via my personal Twitter account. I’ll ask if anyone is interested in a friendly wager to benefit charity, on big sporting events. These aren’t bets where money changes hands between people. More accurately, they are pledges to donate to the Red Cross. It’s a simple concept. I pledge $20 in the name of Team A. Someone else pledges $20 in the name of Team B. Whomever pledges on the losing team donates the money electronically, via the Red Cross website.
If I recall correctly, it started with the olympics and continued on through the World Cup. Most recently, I upped the ante and asked for five “pledgers” from both sides. What was the result? At the end of the game, a total of $120.00 was donated, in between six people. This last iteration got me thinking. Could I leverage the social media aspect of Twitter to make it bigger? Could I get more people involved and make it an amount that could make a significant difference in at least one family’s life? Well, Super Bowl XLV is upon us, and I have come up with a plan. The key to its success, though, is getting charity-minded people like you involved. Please read on because here is your chance to make a difference, while enjoying the camaraderie of social media and the big game.
