Non-Tech Computer Encyclopedia - Solve ASAP!

Posted by Merrin

If you are tech savvy and have a knack for explaining terms concisely in a way that anyone can understand, then you could win $100 in RecoEngine’s Non-Technical Computer Encyclopedia challenge. The challenge closes tomorrow, March 9th, but there are no solutions posted yet; if you’re quick, you could snatch up that prize! 

The challenge is to define the following terms in one or two sentences “as if you were explaining it to your non-technical mother”: processor, RAM, CDRW, DVDRW, Blu-ray ROM, Blu-ray RW, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB flash drive, operating system, magnetic hard drive, solid state hard drive, video card, wireless card (A, B, G, N), LCD screen, and LED screen.  

This encyclopedia is going to help all of us non-techies (yes, that includes me) come to grips with the endlessly baffling world of computer lingo.

Interview with NYC BigApps Champs

Posted by Merrin

On February 4th, Victor Sima and Steven Lao took home the Best Overall Application Grand Prize ($5,000) and the Data Visualization Award Grand Prize ($2,500) in the NYC BigApps competition. Their app, WayFinder NYC, will give you the nearest and best directions to NYC subway and NJ Path stations on your Android phone. 

Victor (a programmer and developer who has been living in NYC for seven years) and Steven (a Hong Kong-born, Texas-raised graphic designer who has been living in NYC for five years) have helped each other out on past projects, but this was their first full-on collaboration. The app, Victor says, “started out as a tech demo for augmented reality.” Once that basic functionality was working, “we kept building on it to become a full featured application.”
 
Just a few weeks after their big win, these two took some time to answer a few questions for me.
 
M: How did you conceive of this particular application?
 
S: Most of my friends, even seasoned New Yorkers, have some sort of subway map app on their phone. It just seemed like a new and innovative method, something that could be useful to people living in and visiting the city.
 
M: What did you each contribute to the project?
 
V: I wrote all of the code, and Steven created all the graphics and user interface. It’s a small team, but we both stick to what we are good at and it worked out.
 
S: As a graphic designer, I focused on the visuals and overall graphic look of the app. I think our separate roles and ways of thinking helped give an outsider’s feedback on what the other was working on. Vic would tell me if graphics and menu layouts weren’t intuitive, and I would give him comments on the usability and overflow.
 
M: What was the biggest developmental challenge?
 
V: Probably creating the augmented reality software from scratch. Also learning how to make the app as fast and responsible as possible. You can only fit so much data and processing power on a phone.
 
M: Were there any aspects of the application that changed significantly during development?
 
S: I’m extremely proud of how the app turned out. There have been some major updates as we’ve learned things along the way. Changing the main navigation from text to icons was an example of us working out how to make the app more accessible to non-English speaking users.
 
M: Do you have any plans to expand development?
 
V: We released the Vancouver version on February 12th just in time for the winter Olympics.
 
S: There’s also been requests for an iPhone and Blackberry version, which we’re discussing.
 
M: Do you both now have an encyclopedic knowledge of the New York subway system?
 
V: I do a lot of freelance work from my home in Brooklyn, so I don’t travel out to Manhattan as much as I should. I admit, I do end up using my app to navigate areas I’m not familiar with.
 
S: If I didn’t know the subway system before, I do now!

ChaCha Challenge

Posted by Merrin

ChaCha, the free mobile answers service, is offering $17,000 in prizes to the three developers who create the most creative and useful app in their Developer Challenge. The solution deadline is March 31st.

With its database of over 400 million questions and answers, ChaCha can solve all of your head-scratchers – from a list of herbs that complement sweet potatoes to the total amount that the United States has donated to Haiti since the earthquake – within minutes, either over the telephone or via text messages. The successful developers will be recognized on Chacha.com, which is visited by over 35 million unique visitors per month.

Applications must be developed using either the Quick ChaCha Answers API or the Top ChaCha Answers API. Solutions will be judged according to three criteria: creativity and strength of the idea, quality of the implementation, and reach of the application as judged by the number of legitimate API calls. The Grand Prize is $10,000, the Second Prize is $5,000, and the Third Prize is $2,000. All competitors should read the full and official list of rules, and the winners will be announced on April 9th.

NYC BigApps Winners Announced

Posted by Merrin

The big event has come and gone! Last night, at the IAC building in New York, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced the NYC BigApps winners. $20,000 will be shared among the 13 prize-winners as follows:

Best Overall Application

Grand Prize ($5,000): WayFinder NYC (provides nearest and best directions to NYC subway and NJ PATH stations)

Second Prize ($2,500): Taxihack (allows users to post live comments about NYC taxis and drivers)

Third Prize ($1,000): Big Apple Ed (provides detailed information about NYC schools)

Honorable Mentions ($500 each):

Actuatr (simplifies opening up data to developers)

NYC Way: 30+ NYC iPhone Apps in One (bundles various useful,                   location-aware resources)

PushpinWeb (provides platform for public data to thrive)

Trees Near You (helps you learn about trees on NYC sidewalks)

UpNext 3D NYC (provides an interactive 3D map)

Investor’s Choice Award – Grand Prize ($2,500): NYC Way: 30+ NYC iPhone Apps in One

Data Visualization Award – Grand Prize ($2,500): WayFinder NYC

City Talent Award: New York City Parks and Recreation Online (lets you discover parks and recreational opportunities)

Popular Choice Award

Grand Prize ($2,500): NYC Way: 30+ iPhone Apps in One

Second Prize ($1,500): Bookzee (provides a location-based library book search)

To read about these apps and to find links to their websites and video demonstrations, you can visit the Application Gallery. The New York Times coverage of the event notes that San Francisco and Washington are now also trying to “tap into local talent and encourage city specific app development.” Some NY1 video coverage can be viewed here.

Congratulations to all of the winners, who will be invited to dinner with Mayor Bloomberg. Even so, the real winners are NYC residents and visitors who may benefit from these terrific innovations.