₦airaland Forum

heskeyw: i wl comment only if a beta pikin lectures me on what z web based app. Is it an app dat runs on pc as in .exe i wl comment only if a beta pikin lectures me on what z web based app. Is it an app dat runs on pc as in .exe

A web application or web app is any application software that runs in a web browser and is created in a browser-supported programming language (such as the combination of JavaScript, HTML and CSS) and relies on a web browser to render the application

Link ~> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_application

MissMeiya: Untrue. Nairaland uses CloudFlare.

Yeah but Onavo & CloudFlare are two different things. CloudFlare is more about delivering fast and good websites. Onavo is more about measuring your mobile data and compressing it, so that it can save you money. Im trying to be more of an Onavo than CloudFlare. CloudFlare & Onavo both can be operated worldwide, but the internet bandwidth & speed in Africa (Nigeria) is not the same as in West (US & UK) where CloudFlare & Onavo both have their main consumers/customers.

MissMeiya: You mean like CloudFlare and Amazon CloudFront? Look up content delivery networks or CDN. That's already a thing.

Yeah something like that, but more like Onavo ~> https://www.onavo.com/ Many of these apps are not directed to Nigerian/African market. They are for West-Based customers like USA & UK.

Also as you know, most service providers from Nigeria, Africa to USA & UK are providing service plans with only access to Facebook & Twitter. The Airtel WTF Bundle, and then the Sprint Wireless Bundle and then Facebook's Internet.org App. So I have apps that can help you get more from information by only going to Facebook & Twitter. How do you feel about that? It will save people alot of money.

Basically Im trying to build an app that saves data by compressing at the client stage and then decompresses at the server stage. How many people will be interested in that? ALSO THANKS AGAIN FOR THOSE WHO RESPONDED ON & VIEW THIS PAGE!!! I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

I REALLY WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ANSWERING OR VIEWING THE PAGE. HAPPY MONDAY & TILL WE CHAT/MEET/TALK AGAIN, HAVE A GOOD SUCCESSFUL WEEK AHEAD!!!

maafen: @ bolded ℓ don't know W̶̲̥̅̊hε̲̣̣̣̥я̩̥̊ε̲̣̣̣̥ yόϋ heard this, a lagre number φf nigerians that go online use mobile phones ℓ don't know the actual statistic but ℓ think it is about 70% ãпԃ this is even common knowledge. Fø̲̣̣я today ℓ think mobile based app is it.

Thank you for the correction, I really appreciate this.

francleanflexy: op, first define and critically evaluate mobile based and web based apps clearly stating their merits, demerits and alternatives before i answer

Yes, I stated the difference earlier but to help you out, I will do it again.

a. Native Apps
Native apps live on the device and are accessed through icons on the device home screen. Native apps are installed through an application store (such as Google Play or Apple’s App Store). They are developed specifically for one platform, and can take full advantage of all the device features — they can use the camera, the GPS, the accelerometer, the compass, the list of contacts, and so on. They can also incorporate gestures (either standard operating-system gestures or new, app-defined gestures). And native apps can use the device’s notification system and can work offline.

b. Mobile Web Apps
Web apps are not real applications; they are really websites that, in many ways, look and feel like native applications, but are not implemented as such. They are run by a browser and typically written in HTML5. Users first access them as they would access any web page: they navigate to a special URL and then have the option of “installing” them on their home screen by creating a bookmark to that page.

Web apps became really popular when HTML5 came around and people realized that they can obtain native-like functionality in the browser. Today, as more and more sites use HTML5, the distinction between web apps and regular web pages has become blurry.

c. Hybrid apps
Hybrid apps are part native apps, part web apps. (Because of that, many people incorrectly call them “web apps”). Like native apps, they live in an app store and can take advantage of the many device features available. Like web apps, they rely on HTML being rendered in a browser, with the caveat that the browser is embedded within the app.

Often, companies build hybrid apps as wrappers for an existing web page; in that way, they hope to get a presence in the app store, without spending significant effort for developing a different app. Hybrid apps are also popular because they allow cross-platform development and thus significantly reduce development costs: that is, the same HTML code components can be reused on different mobile operating systems. Tools such as PhoneGap and Sencha Touch allow people to design and code across platforms, using the power of HTML.

Link ~> http://www.nngroup.com/articles/mobile-native-apps/

MissMeiya: I don't know.



Just kidding. I wouldn't comment if I had nothing to say....

For Nigeria, I would recommend web based apps.

For mobile, you would have to divide your development energy across all the common platforms (iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows), and not everyone uses a smartphone either. You would be inefficient and would cut out an entire demographic.


I don't know why this is on the front page either. You need comments from actual developers. Look at all the dumb comments you've gotten already.

Thank you for your opinion ma'am, I really appreciate it. Thanks once again.

mohammedmagnus: Yeah its a very good idea bro, but one thing you must understand is. One thing is to start-up something innovative, another is for the people to accept such innovations. For example creating such apps, how many africans would be willing to patronise it so that money gets into the pockets of the app makers. Cos you know we all like free stuffs. That's another problem affecting the black race, the ability to accept new innovations and ideas

Yeah I understand sir. I will definitely find a way to pay for it and it will be free for people. My main concern as of right now is getting it to the people in the best way.

Thank you for letting this make front page. What device do most 9jerians/Africans use to browse the internet? Mobile/Smartphones? Desktops/Laptops? Many 9jerians/Africans own more mobile devices/smartphones than desktops/laptops but it seems as if mobile devices/smartphones are only used for chatting. To be more clear, here is what I mean:

a. Native Apps
Native apps live on the device and are accessed through icons on the device home screen. Native apps are installed through an application store (such as Google Play or Apple’s App Store). They are developed specifically for one platform, and can take full advantage of all the device features — they can use the camera, the GPS, the accelerometer, the compass, the list of contacts, and so on. They can also incorporate gestures (either standard operating-system gestures or new, app-defined gestures). And native apps can use the device’s notification system and can work offline.

b. Mobile Web Apps
Web apps are not real applications; they are really websites that, in many ways, look and feel like native applications, but are not implemented as such. They are run by a browser and typically written in HTML5. Users first access them as they would access any web page: they navigate to a special URL and then have the option of “installing” them on their home screen by creating a bookmark to that page.

Web apps became really popular when HTML5 came around and people realized that they can obtain native-like functionality in the browser. Today, as more and more sites use HTML5, the distinction between web apps and regular web pages has become blurry.

c. Hybrid apps
Hybrid apps are part native apps, part web apps. (Because of that, many people incorrectly call them “web apps”). Like native apps, they live in an app store and can take advantage of the many device features available. Like web apps, they rely on HTML being rendered in a browser, with the caveat that the browser is embedded within the app.

Often, companies build hybrid apps as wrappers for an existing web page; in that way, they hope to get a presence in the app store, without spending significant effort for developing a different app. Hybrid apps are also popular because they allow cross-platform development and thus significantly reduce development costs: that is, the same HTML code components can be reused on different mobile operating systems. Tools such as PhoneGap and Sencha Touch allow people to design and code across platforms, using the power of HTML.


Link ~> http://www.nngroup.com/articles/mobile-native-apps/

Which is more feasible? Which is more lucrative? Mobile-Based Apps or Web-based Apps for 9ja or African market? Many people have more mobile devices or smartphones than desktops/laptops but it seems as if people dont use their mobile devices or smartphones to browse. Or how do you feel?

fattbabakay: hw dah 1 take concern me/u ??

It will give us a better view into whether we should make mobile-based apps or web-based apps in order to target the Nigerian market. Or how do u feel?

How is this possible? Does this mean that only about 100,000 to 500,000 people in Nigeria can access the internet? Or does this mean that people dont browse the internet from mobile devices like Android Smartphone? What device do most people browse the internet from? Mobile device or Desktop/Laptop?

Do you think that people will actually use this bundle? Like it is cheap and it is beneficial. Why wouldn't people want to use it?

asalimpo: Dumb marketing.
WTF can b misinterpreted as "What The F*ck"!
Besides,facebook is d premiere social network,so it should come first.
FTW, FWT, better.

@asalimpo, do you think that people will use the wtf bundle? Like its cheap, why wouldn't people use it or want it?

The WTF bundle gives you unlimited chatting on WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook and BBM - the most popular social networking sites/apps on your mobile phone.

This bundle was designed for customers who spend most of their time on social networks and love to stay connected with their friends and family on the go and every moment.

You don’t need any other bundle to get social and stay connected.
Dial *990# at N200 to subscribe to the monthly bundle
Dial *991# at N100 to subscribe to the weekly bundle
Dial *990*0# to check balance

Link ~> http://africa.airtel.com/wps/wcm/connect/africarevamp/Nigeria/Home/personal/Internet/Services/wtf-bundle

Entropy is a programming language about giving up control. All data decays as the program runs: each value alters slightly every time it's used, becoming less precise. An Entropy programmer needs to abandon the pursuit of precision which most programming demands—often working against years of habit—in order to program effectively. Any output from an Entropy program will be approximate, and the more the data is accessed, the more random it will become. The programmer has, at best, a short window to get his/her idea across before the program corrodes.

Link ~> http://andrew-hoyer.com/experiments/entropy/

The WTF bundle gives you unlimited chatting on WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook and BBM - the most popular social networking sites/apps on your mobile phone.

This bundle was designed for customers who spend most of their time on social networks and love to stay connected with their friends and family on the go and every moment.

You don’t need any other bundle to get social and stay connected.
Dial *990# at N200 to subscribe to the monthly bundle
Dial *991# at N100 to subscribe to the weekly bundle
Dial *990*0# to check balance

Link ~> http://africa.airtel.com/wps/wcm/connect/africarevamp/Nigeria/Home/personal/Internet/Services/wtf-bundle

You can learn coding both from interactive platforms, and also from books – whichever you find most appropriate and easy to learn from. But, sometimes that’s not good enough, and we want to practice new things.

Link ~> http://codecondo.com/coding-challenges/#pe

This site tries to gather open-source reimplementations of great old games in one place.

Link ~> http://osgameclones.com/

GitHub has recently announced its third annual Data Challenge—a competition involving visuals and prose celebrating GitHub’s data. Contestants have produced a variety of cool projects in the last two years, and we’re really keen to see what they will come up with next. Heck, we’re also entering the competition ourselves!

What if you have a killer idea for GitHub’s Data Challenge but no money, servers, or programmers at your disposal? We have the solution—you can sign up to Xplenty for free, process the data via our visual editor, and run it on a cluster without any installations or code. Let’s look at a sample project to see how it’s done.

Link ~> https://www.xplenty.com/blog/2014/08/enter-github-data-challenge-without-coding/?utm_source=Link%20Share&utm_medium=hackernews&utm_campaign=github

The dates have been announced for the 2015 Facebook Hacker Cup contest and registration is now open. All the online rounds will take place in January 2015.

Link ~> https://www.facebook.com/hackercup

Operating system refers to the collection of softwares that manages hardware resources of a computer and provides collective services to the user. Different types of Computer Operating Systems refer to the collection of various softwares. Every computer possesses an operating system to run other programs present in it.

Nowadays operating system has become very popular as it can be found on several devices ranging from personal computers to cell phones, particularly the smart phones. For example, almost every smart phone uses newest android operating system.

Link ~> http://www.elprocus.com/different-types-of-computer-operating-systems/

A long time ago, developers wrote assembly code that ran fast and light. On good days, they had enough money in their budget to hire someone to toggle all those switches on the front of the machine to input their code. On bad days, they flipped the switches themselves. Life was simple: The software loaded data from memory, did some arithmetic, and sent it back. That was all.

Today, developers must work with teams spread across multiple continents where people speak different languages with different character sets and -- this is the bad part -- use different versions of the compiler. Some of the code is new, and some may be from decade-old libraries that may or may not come with source code. Building team spirit and slogging through the mess is only the beginning of what it means to be a programmer today.

Link ~> http://www.infoworld.com/d/application-development/15-technologies-changing-how-developers-work-247917

There's a lot of hype surrounding new programming languages, databases, and the like. I've always been curious about which technologies are actually in use, and whether great startups use different technologies than no-so-great startups.

Fortunately, AngelList offers some self-reported data about technology usage. For example, you can see that Robinhood uses Python, Django, and iOS while Secret uses Java, Go, Python, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS, iOS, and Android.

Link ~> http://codingvc.com/which-technologies-do-startups-use-an-exploration-of-angellist-data

Nice. Plz continue.

At GeekDad we are committed to helping you raise geek generation 2.0, and we believe few things that you do are more important than reading to your kids early and often. The social science is in, vocabulary is a major predictor of cognitive development in your children. Reading to them is a great way to get them using the language centers of their brain. Plus some of the best times we have had with our children have come while watching their eyes glisten as Harry looks in the Mirror of Erised or listening to their giggles as they discover the joys and absurdities of Shel Silverstein’s poetry. Reading aloud to your kids can be a blast.

So what books should geeks be reading to their kids? What books are essential to the geek experience? Well, that depends on the parent, and that depends on the kid. Some kids can handle the long slog to get Frodo to Rivendell where The Lord of the Rings finally takes off and becomes a rollicking adventure; many kids (and adults) cannot. So rather than creating a single list of recommended books, we decided to let members of the GeekDad team create the list of books which they enjoyed reading to their hatchlings as they progressed through their beta period. Consider these the staff picks at your own personal geek library:

Link ~> http://archive.wired.com/geekdad/2013/03/67-books-every-geek-should-read-to-their-kids-before-age-10/?pid=1185&viewall=true

I’ve recently become totally obsessed with API design, I think in part because I’m about to embark on some projects that I really want to nail the API for developers on, and partly because part of my work life is implementing GPGPU compute APIs for clients of my company Codeplay.

Link ~> http://sheredom./2014/08/10/how-to-design-api-function-that-creates-something/

The Thrill-Seeker
If you’re a thrill-seeker, then you procrastinate because you actually get a rush from completing things last minute. You feel that you thrive under pressure and you love the adrenaline you get from handing in work in the last possible minute. But are you accomplishing your full potential when you’re spending so little time on your projects?

The Avoider
The Avoider runs away from the discomfort of going through with a task that either is unpleasant or has high stakes. Avoiders are almost always too focused on what others might think. They run away from fear of failure or sometimes even fear of success.

They would much rather have others think that they lack effort rather than ability. They often try to make themselves feel better by running away from the task and not putting in any effort. Does “I wasn’t even trying” sound familiar?

The Indecisive Procrastinator
The Indecisive Procrastinator simply can’t make a decision. Usually, this is a result of the fear they will be blamed for a negative outcome. This type of procrastinator runs away from responsibility. After all, if they’re not making a decision, the result won’t be their fault.

The Perfectionist
Perfectionists set such high standards for themselves that they become overwhelmed. This type of procrastinator might even get started on work, which the other kinds of procrastinators usually have a hard time doing, but they fail to finish when they can’t meet the unrealistic expectations they set for themselves.

Because they can’t do something perfectly, then nothing gets done at all. Cue cycle of anxiety and shame.

The Busy Procrastinator
Busy procrastinators are just too busy to actually get down to the bottom of their to-do list. Everything seems equally important and they can’t decide what to do first. Choosing only one task would mean that the others won’t get done. Just like in the case of the Perfectionist, the Busy Procrastinator might actually start some of her work, but will fail to finish it. What this type of procrastinator needs is a big dose of prioritizing.

Link ~> http://blog.sandglaz.com/5-types-of-procrastinators/

Welcome to Python Practice Book.

Link ~> http://anandology.com/python-practice-book/index.html

p5.js is a JavaScript library that takes the core ideas of Processing and brings them to the web. The first public beta of this open source project has just been released.

Like Processing p5.js has the goal of making coding accessible for artists, designers, educators, and beginners. It provides users with facilities that can be summed up as "Programming for the Arts". In particular, it makes it easy to draw shapes, to add mouse interaction to your drawings and to generate sound.

Link ~> http://www.i-programmer.info/news/167-javascript/7621-p5js-bringing-processing-to-the-web.html