Our blog

In the blog of Theandb (definition of blog), we share with our readers the personal view and insights we have on developments in the technology sector. And as that is nowadays quite a broad sector, we set our eyes on many diferent topics and questions facing society. We also post entries on recent developments of Theandb as a company. For us, it is a part of an ongoing collaboration and communication with colleagues, clients and friends.

Silicon Valley or Silicon Beach ?

With our involvement in the creation of transLucidonline, the simple website publishing system for small- to medium-sized companies, through our UK entity Pantha Software, we discovered a little the start-up scene in Sydney. And discovered that there were many more Web2.0 start-ups than we ever imagined, the term 'silicon beach' a very fitting term for this beautiful strip of land we live and work in.

Whereas in Silicon Valley it feels that the same errors as in the first web 1.0 bubble are repeated (buzz, buzz, buzzzzzwords galore, geeky-sounding company names, skyrocketing valuations, ...), the hype ever growing and insiders starting to worry that it's all a little bit of history repeating, i got the feeling from talking to some startups here that things seemed a little bit more grounded overall. Being far away from the Microsofts and Googles of this world and "alone" on a large island can be good when you are trying to build something of lasting value, where long-term goals can have higher priority than short-term return.

Just my 2 cents. Certainly, our office location is not the worst.

Posted by bjoern at 01:34 AM

http compression , a good study

Speed Web delivery with HTTP compression

A great article for a functionality that we, web technologists, should all recommand to implement in our web applications.
We just implemented on a series of 25 web portals (based on Tibco Portalbuilder 4.5.1 / weblogic / apache platform) and gained 40% on page load (various tests including modem based connections).

Posted by agnes at 05:54 PM

Bangalore: Silicon Valley or Coolie Valley?

I copied/pasted this article from a post on the Ryze network 24x7 (BTW, my page on Ryze: here)

Wanted to share this article and hear alternate points of view from my remote colleagues from Tata Infotech in Bangalore.

What's your point of view guys/girls? This article really rips Bangalore programmers apart. As I'm working with you everyday I know you guys are worth a lot more than what is stated here. Could you counter-attack ? I'll post your comments on Ryze (or if you are on Ryze go ahead and defend yourself !)

Posted by agnes at 12:14 PM

AI where the A is not artificial

Amplified Intelligence :: Astrobiology Magazine :: Search for Life in the Universe
Make me think of TechnoGenesys and Echoes of Earth and more recently the movie i-robot... Though this is science in today's world.

Posted by agnes at 12:32 AM

micro-outsourcing

Refreshing article about outsourcing that provides an alternative perspective on the topic:

Outsourcing goes micro-multinational

You certainly got the classic picture plentifuly covered by the media, especially in USA, with its trail of screamers, believers, hardliners and dreamers. The reality though shows that it actually works and happens to be worthwhile for any big corporate. Even if there is a cost and some rules to be respected to benefit from it.
I recently presented in a conference (EIMCA conference, in Brussels) a case about outsourcing. I spoke about the assignment I'm on right now. Consequently I'm sort of immersed in the outsourcing ocean, the indian one actually, on a daily basis :-)
May I share a selection of articles ? I found those worthwhile to provide a context to my case:
General facts about India
Cultural issue
Things to secure success

If you want details on the case study I presented (Web portal development and on-going operation outsourced to Tata) , feel free to contact me.

But that's *only* the big picture , the multinational corporate case. What I like about the Wired article is that it reflects the huge underground potential of outsourcing. Massively beneficial for any business size. Actually Theandb Ltd, our small brand& outfit, might just do that for a non-for-profit-yet development in which we believe but for which we don't have the manpower to push forward. With internet teleworking becomes a piece of cake, especially when all parties are proficient in it. And with all the outsourcing wide-opened pool out there, we found one smart guy that we can afford (low-cost, capable resource)!

Also think about other kind of ... sourcing, like open-sourcing, if i may abuse the language. Look into Zope and offsprings such as Plone and you might sniff new strategies.

Thoughts? Please share !
The A

Posted by agnes at 10:59 PM

MediaGuardian.co.uk | Media | The

MediaGuardian.co.uk | Media | The long conversation

5 years after cluetrain...

Posted by agnes at 01:25 AM