Oh.. now I can press a button and make text appear over an image! WOO..
It took about 1 hour to get this working. Actually, let me re-phrase that, it took me an an hour to build and ‘test’ a version of this that refused to run. No errors appeared, it just ran and then exited without so much as whimper. Pounded around in the code trying to find the cause.
In the end, I deleted the entire thing and started over from scratch. Following (what I thought) were the same steps, I re-built the app in about 5 minutes, hit SAVE -> RUN and viola!
What it does:
Upon start up, a photo (from about 15 years ago) for a beer can, yet to be opened appears.
At the top of the can is a button labeled ‘Press Here’.
Pressing the button makes the text “Beer is Good!” appear below the can.
Then, it sits there, tasks completed, waiting to be terminated.
Pretty cool huh? At least I know the steps for including images as a background. And this is great, since I know how to place an image (required for my soon-to-be-coded real app), how to make text appear (but I don’t be using a button) and.. really.. that’s about it.
I’m 77 pages into the 300 page book, 4 apps constructed and soon.. things might actually get interesting.
Well, here it is in amazing glory. The 2nd version of that good old programming stallwort, the “Hello World!” example application.
Now this one took me a bit longer to code and implement, HOWEVER, it’s pure Objective-C, not the hybrid app type that I used in Application #1. App1 was interesting, and fast to build, but it relies upon some pretty big external libraries. Not a big deal for a low-intensity application like I’m building right now, but the QuickConnect based hybrid app I first built comes with that (I think is) is a pretty high price to pay (with a couple of hefty line items)
Every time you start the application, I get an unwanted QuickConnect Family Application splash screen. NO THANKS! I’m pretty sure I could hack around it, buy why bother, for now?
It won’t run from XCode! I can get it to start, but it won’t actually Do anything.
The hybrid HTML based application’s style sheets are partially ignored, things like the background and text colors are not honored, BUT the font family is. Very strange
It’s a MAJOR pain in the ass to debug when you create it in DashCode… ‘deploy it’. Have to monkey around with several files to fill the XCode (Objective C based) language into using files it did not expect to need… it’s all very hacky and more kludgy than I like.
Honestly, with XCode view based building, I don’t think I need to mess around with the hybrid application model at all, at least for now. So.. the application that I built purly in HTML, CSS and JavaScript will be shelved for now. Instead I’m going to re-open my Objective C tutorials and work my way into the project I was working on originally.
It might be a pain in the butt to learn Objective-C, but in the end, I benefit. Question is, do I have the time and will to see it all the way through. I believe so. But until such time as I have the first application built and deployed on my phone.. it’s sort of.. moot. No?
App 3
App3
This one is not a View Based Application like number one, but this is what is called a Navigation Based Application.
Now, ever the hacker, I went beyond the code changes to RootViewController.m suggested in the book, and also had to fix some GLARING errors in the text (did they not have an editor look at this??). Anhow, this is the code that I wrote for the cell builder. The enhancements allow line wrap, and I changed the default font size from 17 to 13.
// Customize the appearance of table view cells.
- (UITableViewCell *)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView cellForRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath {
cell.textLabel.text = @"This is my second Objective-C application.\nDespite the tutorial having MASSIVE bugs, I got it to run!"; // Configure the cell.
return cell;
}
I’m trying to decide if a View Based (winning so far) or a Navigation Based application will be the way I go for the Real Application. The Navigation Based app is a lot easier to get started with, and does not require that rather odd method of linking elements with the fishing line drag and connect method in the View Application.
Still a lot of code to write before I have enough experience to make a solid choice.
App 4
App4 is a derivative work of App3, but this time by simply enabling this little block of code, I get an Edit button and the ‘Delete’ context, if I need it, for the items. Pretty slick. Apple really went out and did a nice job on this SDK…
- (void)viewDidLoad {
[super viewDidLoad];
// Uncomment the following line to display an Edit button in the navigation bar for this view controller.
self.navigationItem.rightBarButtonItem = self.editButtonItem;
}
I’ve always been one that is not at all comfortable relying upon a single source of financial well being. Since the early 80’s in one form or another I’ve owned and operated a business.
Early on I have a little Electronics sales business selling Cell Phones to the well-healed during it’s hayday. It was fantastic. Hardly work, get paid well, and live La Vita Loca.
I’d take a number of odd jobs during that time, driving computer mag tapes around Silicon Valley, installing car audio systems, systems administrator for a large multi-national corporation, Y2K mitigation for a number of organizations (not the least strange of which was the California Department of Corrections).
At any rate, as I said, I’m not one that’s comfortable with a single source of income, so I’ve been investigating business structures to determine what my next organization will look like.
I have plenty of experience being the President and CEO of a corporation, having ran one from 2000 to 2006. The structure offers a lot of advantages, such as dividing income between corporate tax concerns and personal tax concerns. Corporations also have the advantage of having ownership interest in other organizations. But there are also some disadvantages, not the least of which is very strict requirements and regulations on annual meeting, IRS and state tax filings, additional book keeping to track basis and stock ownership (plus managing different classes of stock).
I was really more of a burden than a blessing to myself, which is to a large degree why I terminated operation in 2006 and became a W-2 wage slave.
Since that time a number of interesting ideas have popped into my head. One of which are some software product ideas for the iPhone.
My intent at this point is to move forward on development of 2 concepts. One of which will have a pretty limited market, the other, I hope, to have a much wider market, and is a type of social networking application. The second of which I hope to see wide spread usage. The plan, is for the first app to fund development of the second. That is the plan.
Before I cut my first line of code, I wanted to know what type of organization I wanted to create. I need to have my business licenses in place, before I complete the Apple Developers Contract. They are quite clear that it won’t be approved for any shoddily / hastily created pseudo-company.
I’ve done some reason on the Secretary of State’s website, checked a few of the fee structures, and such, but my primary source of research on the business organization from has been from the book “LLC or Corporation – How to Choose the Right Form for Your Business“. Author is Anthony Mancuso, Attorney.
It’s not a long read, about 250 pages, which I spend the last 5 evenings digesting. It’s rather repetitive, which was a little frustrating for me, initially. However, having completed the book I can understand at least one reason for it’s repetitive nature. If anyone were to pick up the book and *not* read the entire thing (why would you do that, well, sometimes I’ve been guilty of poaching the parts of books I need without taking the time to digest the entire tome) they would still get the frame of reference required to get useful information on the topic of interest. I’d say, it’s a modern writing method for the more ADHD nature of our society. In the end, it’s worth dealing with the repetitiveness. It has it’s place.
Another helpful part of this book is extensive use of examples. More than once I’d read the example 2-3 times to really grok the point, and that was very helpful. The last chapter is also dedicated to some ‘real-world-ish’ examples of business formation decision making. All in all, it was well worth the $25.00 price tag.
So, what did I decide to do? Well, an LLC is the type that I’ve decided to select for a number of reasons, but the primary ones I’ll list here:
Simplicity of formation
Limited personal liability for company debt
Pass-through tax advantages (this sword cuts both ways though)
Fewer operational requirements (no board of directors, meetings, etc.)
Simpler tracking of each owners basis in the company
So, with my new company name selected, and my form of business decided, it’s time to move forward with foundation of the company.
You know I’ll be sure to post information on that once the State registration has been completed any my licenses granted, EIN number acquired, and finally the domain names registered.
I noted this a couple of weeks ago, that I was starting to play around with foursquare, the mobile social networking tool. It’s primary advantage is as a Smart Phone app. I, of course, prefer the iPhone 3GS (aka The Oracle) platform for my mobile networking, blogging and just plain monkeying around.
One of it’s features, is the ‘Stats’ page. It gives you a rundown of how often you’ve used the app, what cities you spend the majority of your time in, how many check-ins you average on each day of the week. Anyhow, here are my stats (as of this morning). It’s just and example.
My foursquare stats - Easter Sunday 2010
But, it turns out that it’s much more than a neat tool for big-brother to keep an eye on your travels (frankly, they already know where you phone is 24×7, heck, they can even turn on the microphone and listen to you without you’re knowledge, so you tin-foil that types can just simmer on down), I’ve found that it’s one of the most useful, real world source for finding places and things to do, while traveling, or just putting around your local area!
The way it works is very simple. Using the geoLocation capabilities of your smart phone (now I’m assuming your phone is actually smart.. and can do this) it will show you venues nearby that people have entered into the system. But the real benefit comes for the following three neat features!
iPhone foursquare app - Nearby Venues
1) – Displays nearby locations
Based on your location, it will display all sorts of businesses, parks, eateries, medical facilities, you name it.
Now in my sample image here, you see an number of medical facilities, primarily because I was near the hospital when I snapped this screengrab (another thing that the iPhone is amazingly adept at doing). The list can be fairly long, or pretty short. It all depends on how densely populated the area you are in is, and how many locations people have added to the system. Even out here in the sticks, I’ve found a lot of places entered into the system, presumably by developers, since almost all of them had no previous visitors when I checked in.
2) – Tips and things to do
Now, this is the one I find the most useful! Using this, in places that I’ve been frequenting for years, I discovered some NEW businesses and interesting things to do (or eat/drink) at them. I see this as a great way to explore a new town, or even the one you live in.
Traveling, not familiar with the area? Why not try foursquare to see if you can get some good tips from the locals on things to do (or things NOT to do), places with deals, specials, whatever. This is my favorite and most used part of the app.
Now a nice bonus feature is the ability for businesses to add ‘Specials’ that will pop up on the screen that you can unlock. For instance (sorry, no screen shot here, maybe when I get into the office tomorrow I’ll add that one) the hotel next to my work offers a free coffee in the morning and a $20 off certificate on a future stay, simply by checking in there using foursquare and showing it to the barrista in the lobby! See, you really can get something for (nearly) nothing!
iPhone foursquare app - ToDo List
3) – ToDo lists
This is sort of an extension of Feature 2, but I think it’s useful enough on it’s own to be mentioned.
It’s another neat feature that comes in handy for a traveler. Did you hear about something cool to do on foursquare (a tip) and want to recall it next time you are in the area? Mark it as a ‘To Do’ and it will show up on your list. Simple as that.
“Big Deal!”. you might say,“I can do that with a notepad!”. True enough. BUT, you use the foursquare website to poke around in another city location, look at the tips and remember the ones you think sound interesting, by simply clicking and adding to your ToDo list. And guess what, when you are in the local area, the relevant list items are right there at your fingertip. Seems easy enough!
Final thoughts for today – monitization
Being the semi-paranoid data geek I am, what I don’t get about this application, is how the developers and the operator of the website make their money. I can see where a business might pay a little to offer a deal, but how much $$$ is there, for foursquare, in that? I don’t know. Now I also wonder if they are using this neat pile of data they are collecting on your, and re-selling that to potential marketeers! That would be my biggest concern. And one that I’ll be looking into soon.
For now, it’s fun little app. And honestly, it sort of encourages me to get out of the house more and explore places, looking for things people suggest in the tips.
Unless you are one of those tin-foil hat types, you might check it out.
AT&T promised us MMS by the end of summer. Well, they clearly missed that date because it’s already fall!
BUT.. they did get it released to us, TODAY.
Some people have been reporting very slow downloads of the Carrier Updates (the iPhone itself has supported the feature since iPhone 3.1, just not for us in America stuck with AT&T). But once the update downloads and installs, you will need to reboot your iPhone to get the feature working.
What does it look like when you have iPhone MMS? Well, a new camera icon appears on your MMS page.
iPHone MMS is finally here! Attach a photo from the library, or take one on the spot.
Click the icon, and you have the option of taking a photo or using one from your iPhone photo library. Attach to the message, type your text and viloa… welcome to 2006! It’s been so long it’s almost novel again.
Now if only AT&T would quit screwing us the really great feature they plan to block forever, ‘Tethering’. Might as well just jailbreak the phone.
Starting on Memorial Day (2009) my cool, very functional and reliable iPhone, started to piss me off.
While on a motorcycle ride that day, I was unable to receive any signal at all. My phone kept showing ‘No Service‘. Traveling with a few other AT&T (non-iPhone users) I found that they had a full 5 bars of AT&T signal. Great. My phone is doing something very strange. Even when I arrived home that evening, the phone was still showing ‘No Service‘. It was not until the next morning that my phone was showing a signal again. I wrongfully thought I was out of the woods.
A few weeks later in Canada, the phone did the same thing; ‘Searching…..‘ and finally ‘No Service‘. Yet everyone else in the group had plenty of access to Rodgers Cellular in Canada. The most unfortunate part of the experience was that my ATM card had been turned off by Bank of America (another sore point) while in the middle of my trip! Cutting me off from money, and to top it all off, I could not call them with my non-functional phone!!!!
Next morning, phone was showing a full signal, and I was able to get a hold of those jackasses at Band of America and get my ATM card re-enabled.
But signal problems continued back in the US. Finally, mid June I got to the AT&T store and explain what’s happening. This is the same sort where I purchased the phone. They insisted that the first thing they needed to do was swap out the SIM card. How that could have any impact on the battery problems I was also having, I was suspicious, but thought maybe it would help with the signal issues. Didn’t do a damn thing.
Returning to AT&T store a couple of days later, I find out that they *cannot* perform any sort of hardware swap, exchange or, really anything beyond a SIM card swap on the iPhone. My options were to wait 2 weeks for a phone to be mailed (no go.. my work requires that they be able to contact me 24×7), -OR- drive 30 miles from work (Tacoma), to the outskirts of Seattle, to the uber-geek Apple Store, buried in the South Center Mall. I hate malls. After a VERY frustrating 3 hours there, I finally had the phone swapped out, got on my motorcycle and headed to the ferry. It’s then I really noticed that I had not ‘3G‘ network. :/ Not a big deal, I was certain I would have it when I arrived here, where I always have 5 bars of 3G. Turns out, it never did.
When I had some time to waste, I headed back to the AT&T store to get my network issue resolved. After 1 hour in the store, I found that they could do nothing, would not even swap the SIM this time.. and they were sending me.. (ta da..) BACK to South Center, or wait 2 weeks for yet another phone.
Yesterday I decided to make a day of it, and go out to South Center to swap out he iPhone yet again. I won’t go into what a cluster it was because nobody told me I needed an appointment the first time, but this time I was prepared, made an appointment at 2:40PM, drove the 70 miles from home to South Center Mall (I hate malls). I arrived at my 2:40 checking time, and within 5 minutes I was in front of a ‘MAC Genius’ (snicker) and they started the diagnosis process. This one quickly recognized that I’m not your garden variety tech moron, looked at me and asked in a hushed voice ‘Well, if you did all the reset tests already, and would just like a new phone, I’ll do that instead of spend 30 minutes doing all the tests’. Bingo! I’ll take the phone. Before it was 3:00PM I was out the door with at FULLY FUNCTIONAL 3G 8GB iPhone. All covered under the original 1 year warranty on the phone. Which is good becaue I was have seriously freaked out if the phone I bought last year was not under any sort of warranty!
This morning I finished ‘rebuilding’ my phone. Upgrading to iPhone version 3.0, restored all my contacts, bookmarks and photos. AND the 3G is still working. I’m now, a happier camper.
But it sure was an odyssey in frustration. And the AT&T corporate store is as useful as a screen door on a submarine.
Easter Egg Alert: Every AT&T hotlink goes to a different non-AT&T website. There are some interesting stories in there.
I was very excited to download and update my iPhone to the latest and greatest version 3.0. It has a lot of great new features in the updated, including cut & paste, network tethering (use your iPhone for mobile 3G internet), and something that is a real pain right now, MMS (Multimedia Message Service — an extension of SMS, which aka ‘texting’).
This would have been all well and good, IF AT&T had gotten off their asses and updated their network in time to support them! What is most unacceptable, is that EVERY other network provider in the world, supporting iPhone equipment, supports these features!
Here is a quote from AT&T:
“We will be offering a tethering plan and MMS for the iPhone,” Mark Siegel, AT&T’s spokesman, said by phone. “But we haven’t announced a date.”
“We plan to offer a tethering plan, but don’t have an announcement to make at this time,” the spokesman said. “We absolutely will offer MMS on iPhone 3G S and iPhone 3G with 3.0 upgrades in late summer once we complete some system upgrades that will ensure our customers have the best experience with MMS. These upgrades are unrelated to our 3G network.”
They have quite an excuse fest ramped up. I don’t buy it. AT&T has simply, again, shown it’s lack of vision and it’s “Were the Monoploy – tough **** attitude”. If only I had a choice for iPhone provider networks, I’d be gone yesterday.
Hey AT&T; You are lucky you are the only game in town.. for now!
Oh.. now I can press a button and make text appear over an image! WOO.. 
While on a motorcycle ride that day, I was unable to receive any signal at all. My phone kept showing ‘No Service‘. Traveling with a few other 
A few weeks later in Canada, the phone did the same thing; ‘Searching…..‘ and finally ‘No Service‘. Yet everyone else in the group had plenty of access to Rodgers Cellular in Canada. The most unfortunate part of the experience was that my ATM card had been turned off by Bank of America (another sore point) while in the middle of my trip! Cutting me off from money, and to top it all off, I could not call them with my non-functional phone!!!!