nimbletoad blog

Nimbletoad unveils caimeiju.com, a powerful web-based research tool built on the open source Content Management System Joomla!, utilizing the JoomlaWorks K2 content creation component and JPGraphs Object-Oriented PHP Graph creating library.

By integrating these tools, we were able to develop this site for our client Language Media Agency at a fraction of what proprietary technology would have cost. Caimeju.com shows the power CMS systems have beyond a basic website. Open source CMS systems, like Joomla! can be used to build dynamic web applications that stand along side some of the best proprietary software on the web.

By using JPGraphs, we were able to render statistical graphs on the fly in PNG format, allowing for a much faster display of the community data. Users are able to access the information without the constraints or need to install proprietary tools such as Adobe Flash on their web browser. Caimeiju.com is one of the most robust real estate tools that can be viewed on smart phones such as Apple’s iPhone and RIM’s Blackberry. Users of the iPhone and other smart phones can view the site and graphs without waiting for Adobe Flash to be available on their devices.

Caimeiju.com is a landmark real estate research tool, targeting Chinese Real Estate buyers in the US market. Caimeiju’s community data spans 1700 California cites, with plans to expand service to additional regions in the future.

Leave it to open source to keep-up with the latest and greatest. With the release of Firefox 3.5 Mozilla has kept pace with what today’s websites are dishing out. With websites becoming more more and more like full applications the need for speed and power is apparent. So Firefox 3.5 got a power boost with the brand new TraceMonkey JavaScript Engine. TraceMonkey allows JavaScript code to render on par with native code according to Mozilla’s VP of Engineering Mike Shaver.

Another important update is that Firefox 3.5 supports the new specifications for HTML 5. Eventhough HTML 5 isn’t slated to be finalized for another year it’s already being implemented by the latest browsers. Because of HTML 5 support Mozilla has used another open source brethren, Ogg, to replace proprietary video viewing solutions. This means no proprietary plug-in is needed to view video or listen to songs online if you have the latest version of Firefox. Website publishers can place video as easily as any other graphic and it will play smoothly in Firefox 3.5.

Here at Nimbletoad we like to see our favorite internet browser isn’t daunted by the proprietary competition! Innovation always inspires us to look for ways that we can become more nimble.

For a full review of Firefox 3.5 latest capabilities visit webmonkey

Although FrontPage has been out of development since 2006 many people still use it despite the headaches and limitations. Microsoft’s replacement software, SharePoint and ExpressionWeb are even more complicated and designed to only work well with other Microsoft programs and servers. When we show people our open source solutions it is like the blinders have been lifted. Web development built on open source frameworks frees clients of the proprietary shackles and allows their web presence to flourish freely.

Open source CMS such as Joomla, Drupal and WordPress have become powerful web development tools because of the freedom of instant collaboration. Developers can construct websites with the peace of mind that they will work while still being able to customize the design to fit the clients aesthetic. Not to mention the infinite possibilities for customization with independent PHP programs one can develop to plug into these CMS sites.

Functionality first, design second. This really is what we want in everything, the only exception to the rule is art because the aesthetic is it’s function. Today websites are focusing on functionality first because frankly we don’t have the attention span for the theatrics of an all Flash site. We have become a society that is plugged in everywhere and connected virtually at all times. That is what makes the worldwide community of idea sharing and collaboration known as open source all the more important. Open source allows our websites, blogs, and social networking to operate across all our media gadgets. Proprietary programs just don’t have the functionality, freedom and speed we need in today’s media market. ###

“People now understand what we stand for — the participatory and open Web…” John Lilly, CEO of Mozilla, made this statement in Wired Magazine during an interview about his Firefox strategy and how he has made a successful business out of what started as an open source project.

“Instead of relying on individual brilliance, we rely on enabling a network around the world, like Wikipedia does,” Lilly continued.

This really struck home when I read this since this is the same idea that we stand for at Nimbletoad [not to mention, our favorite internet browser is Firefox]. Integration and customization are two of the most important reasons we support the open source community – they directly effect our clients. Because of open source products, we are able to provide custom-tailored solutions, while increasing turnaround time and cost effectiveness. We fulfill our clients’ specific website needs with seamless integrations which makes for better user experience. Customization for better user experience is also a reason that John Lilly said Mozilla supports open source.

There is great controversy over the use of open source though, mainly dealing with economics. Opposition to open source says that it is damaging to the market of commercial [proprietary] software. Standish Group reports have even shown a significant drop in the proprietary software industry, estimated at $60 billion per year lost; however, what they don’t show is the creation of several new market opportunities that are the result of the open source community.

Wikipedia lists a few:

• Providing support and installation services; similar to IT Security groups, Linux Distributions, and Systems companies.
• Using the software as a stepping stone to sell a higher-end product or service; e.g., OpenOffice.org vs. StarOffice.
• Cost avoidance / cost sharing: many developers need a product, so it makes sense to share development costs (X Window System and the Apache web server)

Not only are these markets created, adding to the economic benefits of open source software, but there are also other important benefits that cannot be overlooked. Security and defects are greatly reduced by being able to see source code and having thousands of developers working towards a solution. Studies have shown that that open-source software does have a higher flaw discovery, quicker flaw discovery, and quicker turn around on patches.