Is This Really the End for Flash Animation?

Change is inevitable and many of the things we count on today will not exist in the future.

This seems to be especially true in the cyber world, where new technologies are continually being developed to replace old or outdated software.

One older technology that has been refusing to 'go gently into that good night' is Adobe's Flash animation.

Flash has been the animation standard for many, many years and can be found on nearly every computer in existence. (Some research suggests it has been downloaded onto 98% of computers).

According to one article, Flash technology is the main reason sites like YouTube and Hulu have exploded in popularity over the past few years. And the main reason we have fast, reliable access to online videos at all.

But now, after years of fighting to save Flash, Adobe has abandoned plans to continue developing new versions of Flash for mobile devices.

It's difficult to understand why such a popular product has fallen out of favour, but it seems maybe Flash was its own worst enemy. The very fact that Flash was everywhere and used in so many different ways - some of which it was never originally intended for - ultimately led to its demise.

Flash animation is a great way to add movement and life to web pages. It is also used to facilitate streaming of videos on line. Moving characters, changing colours, rotating text, your imagination is really the only limit.

It was so successful that someone had the brilliant idea to build an entire website using Flash animation. The idea caught on and soon Flash websites were everywhere.

One major downside of a Flash-based website is that the search engines can't read the content, which leave Flash websites in the dust when it comes to search engine rankings. That problem has actually been addressed to a certain extent in recent years and the search engines have found ways to read the more of the content on Flash websites, but non-Flash websites are still better for search engine optimization.

Another issue with Flash websites is that they are not easy to edit. It's vital to keep the content on your website current and fresh for both the search engines and for visitors to your website. Outdated content is a sure way to bring your website down in the search engine rankings. With Flash animation sites, very few end-users are capable of editing their own web pages, which means they must pay a programmer every time the website needs to be changed, costing them time and money.

Splash down

Splash pages were a so-so idea that really took a turn for the worse with the addition of Flash animation. A splash page, also known as a splash screen, is a website intro page, rather like the cover of a book. Unlike books, however, websites don't need a cover page! Well, OK, there are certain cases where an intro page has some benefit, such as choosing which language version of a website you want to navigate to.

For the most part, however, these intro pages are either a chance for the website administrators to advertise products or for web designers to show off. The addition of Flash animation took splash pages to a whole new level of annoying as users were often forced to sit through some fantastical animated graphics loop - usually accompanied by an unwanted elevator Muzak audio track - while searching frantically for the 'skip intro' button.

Splash pages aren't so bad if directions for navigating through them are clear and precise.

But if almost everyone who stumbles on a splash page immediately starts looking for the exit, what is the point of having a splash page?

Other common complaints about Flash animation include the following: it slows down page loading and can actually bring older computers to a virtual stand still, especially in combination with dial up Internet service; Flash sucks power and creates security and privacy issues on mobile devices; basic keyboard functions like copy and paste don't work properly on Flash animation sites.

Apple bites back

With all of that, Flash was doing just fine, thank you, until it came up against the power of Apple.

Flash animation is usable on both Mac and Microsoft computers, but it is definitely NOT an Apple product.

That was made abundantly clear a few years ago when Apple made the decision to bar Flash applications from the iPhone. In fact, the Flash animation prohibition became a part of the iPhone user agreement.

Apparently the problem, at least as far as Apple is concerned, is that Flash is not just animation software, it is an application development platform. In other words, by downloading Flash onto the iPhone, users could potentially find a way to download apps, music, videos and games without going through Apple or the iTunes store. This would, of course, cost Apple money. More importantly, it would subvert Apple's absolute control over their users, in terms of their choice of apps, software and programming.

New direction

Adobe put up a valiant fight in support of Flash and even relished the victory of securing a place for Flash on Android and Blackberry mobile devices.

But in the end, Adobe decided they will no longer continue to develop new versions of Flash for mobile devices, opting instead to embrace HTML5 for the future. In fact, Adobe Edge, an HTML5 and CSS3 animation and design software - in other words, an eventual replacement for Flash - has already been in previews since August 2011.

However, to paraphrase the great Winston Churchill, "this is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end. It is, perhaps, the end of the beginning..." for Flash.

Flash is still widely used to facilitate online video streaming and it still exists on the vast majority of computers around the world so there is no danger of it disappearing into the ether anytime soon.

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To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade: The Advantages and Risks of Changing Up Hardware

We are at that point in technology when we have the tools and capacity as well as confidence to create our very own computer. With spare parts and all those good stuff, all you need is technical know-how and you can build your own computer with the speed and power that you need. However, it is really not that easy. It is very crucial to know that if you mess up your computer for the sake of an upgrade, you might end up spending more than what you could actually hope for. The question now is if computer upgrades are good or bad and if you should even consider this option than buy a readymade one?

There are some people who take upgrading as a very good exercise of their technical skills and capacity to build or enhance a computer. That sounds ideal but it requires skill so if you are a regular user without any knowledge about adding components and stuff for your computer, it would be best to have an expert do it for you.

Upgrades, to some extent can either be DIY or professional level. DIY is if you are just replacing whole hardware like monitors or maybe an entire new CPU. Maybe you want a new hard disk drive. This is probably the easiest upgrade that you could ever do. In some cases, like with regards to chips and cards and doing some software upgrades, it takes a professional in order to identify the risks, recognize the problems and ensure that the computer is working well.

Some people have conservative takes on computer upgrades. Let's face it, not all repair experts and technicians are brilliant or honest. You will see problems like haphazard installations, replaced parts or maybe even utter downgrades instead of downgrades. As you can see, it is not just about the items. It is really all about the entire system and how it will actually work for the needs and demands of the consumers. Sometimes, even if the intentions of the technician or computer owner are good, the results of the upgrade can ultimately be terrible disasters or impending disasters in the long run.

In all these things, it is necessary to take some time and ponder more about the aspects of computer upgrades before investing your money on expensive parts and fees. Here are some very useful, practical and easily implemented tips to give the real score regarding upgrades.

If it is not broken, there is no need for fixing.
Just because you have so and so computer and someone advertises that they can uplift it to become a great computer, you will just deliver your computer and pay the price. One thing to save you money and disappointment at the end of the day is that if it is doing the things you do regularly quite brilliantly, the there is really no reason to upgrade the computer. Sure, new features may have better aspects but what about the other features? Especially for software, they offer great graphics and added features but are they really worth the cost of the upgrade?

If it is broken, there is no need to fix it, either
It is like adding a new side mirror on a battered car. Or maybe a new battery for a poor running engine. It does not make sense and could potentially affect the overall functionality of your desktop. If you really must, fix the problem first. Upgrade will not fix the issue. For software, there are also some programs that can be added to make the computer run faster but be aware that some of them can cause the computer to get damaged even more.

However, that is not to say all kinds of upgrade are bad. If the purpose of the upgrade is to add better security like antivirus protection then so be it. Maybe a component is already becoming a nuisance just like bad keyboards or an ineffective speaker. Upgrading the hardware can be great. In some cases, upgrades can be great investments in the future as they can boost functionality to get things done in a shorter period of time.

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Stumbling Blocks in Voice Identification Technologies

While a forensic expert has the skills to properly match a recording to the person, computers still have a long way to go. Existing voice identification software programs continue to deal with several problems that hinder it from recognizing the speaker, making it ineffectual as a biometric tool. Here are a few of those obstacles.

Stress

Under extreme duress, a person's speech patterns change. His pitch rises, his intonation changes, and his volume increases. As he gets more frustrated or angry, all three factors escalate higher. Voice identification is especially difficult if his usual intervals between words have changed. This is why it's important to be calm and clear when using voice-activated commands on a mobile phone.

Illness

A cold or cough can dramatically change how a narrator sounds. Even voice identification experts will have to exert extra effort to recognize somebody whose stuffy nose hinders them from properly pronouncing their n's and m's. A scratchy throat from excessive coughing will fool voice identification software in the same way. Vault owners who are easily susceptible to the flu should always have an equally secure backup routine in place should their primary speech recognition systems fail.

External Noise

Forget about asking for help along a busy street if the toll-free number directs you to an interactive voice response system. Your words are likely to get caught in between the honking cars and revving engines. The good news is technological breakthroughs in voice identification are now enabling the software programs to separate out different sound waves to isolate human speech.

Developing Vocals

As a person ages, his vocal chords change. One concrete example can be attributed to puberty wherein a boy starts out with a high-pitched voice that becomes an almost inaudible squeak before going down to a baritone level. This makes it challenging even for voice identification experts to recognize a 20-year-old man's voice ten years ago.

Recording Quality

Background din aside, the reverberations from a recording can affect the quality of voice identification as well. These echoes are caused by the sounds bouncing off nearby surfaces. This phenomenon is what makes recording studios particular to acoustics and noise-cancelling microphones.

In no way are voice identification software programs and biometric systems on a par with the real forensic experts. As an emerging technology, the former has made several achievements in the past few years but they are still a long way from being considered a total success.

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A Step By Step Look Into 3D Printing

3D printing is a pretty interesting form of manufacturing technology that is already starting to change the way that we look at creating things, on any scale. Whether you are a part of a huge marketing firm, or you are a consumer working out of his or her garage, you can have access to 3D printing. What can this technology do? Well, frankly, it can create things. These things that are created range from toys, to complex parts for machinery, to character models, to jewelry, to whatever! 3D printing can create virtually anything. Before I jump into what it can make, let's discuss what takes place when it comes down to creating a print through 3D printing.

In order to use this manufacturing technology, some form of a blueprint is required. This means that a n artist, designer, engineer, or whomever will have to create a model on the computer. This model will be made through some form of 3D software. This software might be Maya, Autodesk, Solidworks, Blender, or whatever.

So an artist will work to design a 3D model, and then when the piece is finally designed, we will have the blueprint. After this is made, throwing the design into the printer I required. 3D printers will create pretty much whatever you'd like to have them create as long as enough material is available, the printer Is large enough for what you want, and you're using the right style of 3D printing for that said job. This is very powerful for designers, artists, engineers, et c, but what does 3D printing actually entail.

3D printing is sort of slang for additive manufacturing, or the layer by layer creation of various objects through a layer by layer process. For 3D printing to work, there have to be a few things. Like I mentioned earlier, a designer of some kind will have to create a 3D model of the part you're looking for. After that is done, this model will then be sent to the manufacturing facility, where it will be put into a printer. The printer technician essentially presses go, and the print starts! Layers of material will be laid down on top of this build tray, and after a certain amount of buildup, you'll see a final product come about. This is great, as the layer by layer process used in3D printing allows for the creation of some seriously unique products and images. This gives the beneficiaries a lot to work with. There is almost too much that these printers. Various materials come into play when thinking about 3D printing. Some materials feature mechanical properties, such as stainless steel or Inconel. Others offer ceramic capabilities,. Others offer things like full color from within a sandstone ZP150 printer. The possibilities as to what can come out of a 3D printer are pretty endless. There are so many options! If you're considering purchasing a printer, leasing a printer, or using a 3D printing service, it would be good idea to check it out - this technology is pretty neat!

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It's Okay, Rely On Technology to Make Work Easier

It's almost overwhelming how reliant and dependent our jobs and our lives have become on technology. Though, technology is there to make our lives easier. Can you say it hasn't? The ever so often technical difficulties that happen may provoke you to say it's made some days at work horrible; but for the most part, we can all relish in the fact that we love technology. It allows us to locate a place we've never been to with our phones or have meetings with Japan without leaving the office. On a more local level, the Internet has cut MRO costs and made commodities easier to track.

Plenty of motor management software has made industrial engineers' lives easier at work. Simply by connecting to the Internet, there will be all tracking and storing information on equipment and machinery components at your fingertips. Since Wi-Fi is available basically anywhere, it's not hard to monitor returns and cut pointless inventory and repair costs. It also helps cut wasteful time. By that I mean that we all hate making reports or find them tedious.

One feature of equipment management software is built-in reports. They help you schedule preventative maintenance that helps determine stock levels, tracking failures and causes of those failures. Understanding the causes of failures will help prevent future ones. Data storage that is unlimited is unheard of. Having this feature increases efficiency at work, such as maintenance schedules or prevents break downs.

Not that any of us want 24/7 accesses to our jobs. For those in steel mills, paper mills or pharmaceuticals, they could benefit from having 24/7 accesses to their reports and data storage; if they need to make a quick change, they could do so from home. There is a hidden luxury in this capability of management software. It's technology once again making your job a little easier. If real life had software that could anticipate potential failures, I would own it; having it at work would suite too.

Think of the ways technology helps you. It's almost disgusting how much. It's been five years since Apple introduce the iPhone to the market. In hindsight that doesn't seem too long. Seeing a flip-phone now seems ancient. All I'm saying is that it's a fact we have to accept: technology is only advancing. Lean on it a little at work. Some days are hard enough to wake and actually drive to work. Might as well let something else do a little more work.

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Hiring on the Rise Within The Technology Industry

Not only is hiring in the technology industry on the rise in general, but also the methods that companies are using to bring in the top technology talent across the country. It makes sense that companies would need to use cutting-edge technology to find those technology savvy job candidates: the use of cloud computing, web 2.0 and recruitment software programs are becoming commonplace to discover and land the top echelon of tech job applicants.

Cloud computing may be a marketing buzz word nowadays, however, the actual technology has a strong foundation that can lead to easier and more efficient hiring pathways within technology companies. Recruiting and applicant tracking technology that utilizes software 'in the cloud' is more easily accessible by a company's hiring managers and recruiters from wherever they are. In addition, cloud computing technology is secure: applicant and candidate data that is stored in the cloud is protected from getting accidentally deleted or destroyed like on traditional servers housed within a company headquarters.

Although large tech companies are known to have 'war-chests' of capital used to launch new products as well as helm hiring initiatives, the past few years of economic recession have seen these companies exercise an unprecedented level of restraint in spending. In the final quarter of 2010 and the start of 2011, however, these large tech companies are beginning to open their funding pathways again to prepare for a new generation of incoming technology stars.

The uptick in hiring within the tech industry bodes well for technology heavy areas like Silicon Valley in the Bay Area, which is known as a breeding grown for both tiny internet startups as well as tech behemoths like Google and Facebook. As the economy normalizes, large web companies are likely to start more heavily competition for the best engineers on the market. Utilizing cutting edge recruitment software to land applicants will likely be one of many strategies that Silicon Valley tech companies utilize.

An unprecedented amount of college and post college graduates are entering the workforce with degrees in engineering and programming that will be invaluable to tech companies around the world. In the end, the future success and competitiveness of these companies will depend on the young recruits they hire within the next decade. These are the individuals that will slowly move up the ranks and end up in decision-making positions within these companies, essentially deciding the fate of them.

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Surviving Economic Crisis in Yacht Building

Yacht building industry is struggling with economic crisis all over the world. Every related business is trying cost cutting ass a happy medium to avert decrease of profit and keep adequate financial results.

The main question arising is how to do that? Decreasing workers salary is out of question as in effect company could lose most skilful employees, which would probably lead to worsening product quality, losing clients and market share. Moreover the biggest competition being far east industry European minimal wage laws would not make it possible to get salaries low enough to compete with them.

A lot of western yards try to outsource production to less developed countries. In the beginning difference in salaries and worse labor environment allow to produce cheaper thus generating more profit. Unfortunately with time product quality is dropping significantly or workshops demand more money, as life expectancies start equaling between both countries. What is even more dangerous company can loose clients who wish to cut off the middleman and buy directly from the yard.

So how to survive? Technology seems to be the only reasonable option. As cutting salaries is not the best idea, replacing workers with machines seems to work pretty well. The quality is as high as we planned, tolerances can be smaller allowing to decrease material wastage, they are never tired or sick and the speed of production is increased. As always there are some drawbacks. Better educated thus more expensive staff will be required, however in lower quantity. Initial capital is also much higher so the investment risk rises. And there must be production going on - without constant sales upkeep can become a serious problem.

Time for some practical solutions. Lets start with design/naval architecture/engineering office.

First of all a good project management program is essential. It will allow to plan and execute complicated projects while still having control over amount of work already done and keeping the deadlines. It will cut cost by allowing just in time production management, estimating labor-consumption and checking if workers speed is adequate. Easy workers accounting is a positive side effect. There is a lot of free applications ( such as Navalplan) as well as paid ones available on the internet - only open mind of the board is required.

Second thing a good CAD system is required uniform throughout the company. And good does not necessary mean expensive. A lot of very expensive software is bought because some years ago there was no real alternative. But this changed now. You can have a reasonable 2D/3D software for about 1000EUR/license with many available plugins ( for example Rhinoceros 3D) including specialized marine plugins and workshop support software. Some of them are of course paid, some are free. Why CAD system is so important? Because on the shop floor nobody should have to think. Documentation should show every information that is needed, everything should be in its place and within tolerance. 3D design helps to avoid many mistakes and errors and in fact speed the design process making it cheaper as well. The necessary thing is design process automation. Automatic generation of 2D drawing from 3D model is essential. Many programs support makros or even scripting ( for example IronPython scripting in Rhino) providing a tool to make easy, repetitive and time consuming processes take several seconds requiring only several input values (for example linesplan creating script for Rhinoceros can save multiple working hours executing in less than a minute). Creating models and details database while from first look appearing as a waste of time saves significant amounts of work an time. Automation has another advantage - less errors.

Third thing calculations software. If company is making designs from scratch it is essential. It saves hundreds of manhours and nobody is going to deny that. Hydrostatics, stability, strength, stress analysis, EU certification all require a lot of time that can be saved if proper software is used. Standalone or plugin does not matter as long as it gives reliable results.

There is a lot of places on the shop floor where money can be saved.

First of all is keeping tolerances and guarding consistency with design. Changes on this stage are rather costly and require wide check with design drawings and corrections. The best practice is to make everything well in the design stage and then just execute the plan. Giving information about changes and feedback to design office if absolutely essential. A lot of time and cash can be lost if changes are made only on the shop floor, mainly because further design details will need to be corrected or prohibit the intended change to be carried out thus requiring reversing of the works already done.

Tolerances. Very often builders forget about tolerances, especially in early building stages when keeping them is most important. If there are big inadequacies made in beginning nothing will fit in later. Big structure dimensions tolerances cause using CNC machines obsolete. There is no sens to make a 0.1mm tolerated ply cut when someone will have to fit it with angle grinder. So tolerances should be kept low from the beginning.

Using machines better then mentioned before angle grinder is also very important. First of all quality. There is no way superior quality can be achieved using hand-held tools. This is 21st century CNC milling machines are nothing fancy. If company cannot afford one yet the job should be outsourced. A lot of carpentry workshops have one so finding a supplier shouldn't be a problem. It won't be much more expensive, and it will allow to keep the tolerances low and give a good finish effect. If you are working with steel - laser cut or waterjet is an answer. It would be grate to make molds with CNC machines but it gets quit costly for now.

For composite boats vacuum bagging is minimum, infusion is right. Better quality, higher strength, lower weight, lower time required, lower emissions, better working environment and good marketing possibilities makes it worth. Significant amount of time and funds must be put in to it to make it work.

Measurement techniques were always a problem in yachtbuildng due to small enclosed spaces and a lot of curvatures. Regular tape measure wont make the job as not many edges are straight. Total station can be quite effective in early stages of construction, however later it will become obsolete. Photogrametry is promising in conjunction with right CAD system.

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