realmdigital

Heavy Lifting - The Relationship Between Creatives and Developers

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:42:55 +0200

The Digital Edge is a weekly podcast which focuses on the digital world and what is happening with South African businesses in this arena. Digital marketing is rapidly growing in popularity and is being used more often as a medium to reach a large audience.

Our very own Wesley Lynch was invited to be a part of the latest edition on The Digital Edge. Saul Kropman, the host of the podcast questioned Wesley about the state of the Digital world in South Africa and the challenges agencies and developers face when sharing projects. Some interesting and important points were raised and evaluated and a good time was had by all.

Check out the podcast and listen to Episode 56: Heavy Lifting and hear what Wesley has to say. We are always interested in what you think and what you have to say, so send us your thoughts and get involved in the digital debate!

Listen to the podcast now!

�

Awesome free Cape Union Mart presentations

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:24:54 +0200

Although this has nothing to do with web design, software development or anything even remotely IT, I thought it was worth dropping a post letting everyone know about the awesome free presentations Cape Union Mart is offering in the month of March at the new Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre at Canal Walk! See below for more details. Booking essential.

The lineup

2 March (Tuesday): Coffee Adventures

Barista and coffee consultant, David Donde, explores coffees and the art of outdoor brewing with a selection of surprises.

3 March (Wednesday): Inca Trail

All you need to know about trekking the legendary Inca Trail.

4 March (Thursday): Speed Climbing Competition

Join Black Diamond and the WCSCL for a speed climbing competition.

9 March (Tuesday): Tarantula Presentation

Beat your arachnophobia with an informative tarantula presentation.

10 March (Wednesday): Garmin Fitness

Calling all Garmin fitness users! Get to know your fitness unit and improve your workout.

11 March (Thursday): Getaway Magazine

Join Don Pinnock, editor of Getaway Magazine, for a peek into the world of travel journalism.

16 March (Tuesday): Action Outdoor Photography

Join pro action-photographer Greg Beadle for an intro to outdoor photography. Bring your camera.

�

All evening presentations start at 18:15 for 18:30.

To book send a mail to cwac@capeunionmart.co.za with your name and the details of the presentation you're interested in. For more information contact info@capeunionmart.co.za

All presentations are followed by light snacks, drinks and discounted shopping.

Sounds awesome...nice one Cape Union!

�

#brandfail SABC3

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:37:25 +0200

While doing some channel surfing this past weekend, I stumbled across an awesome movie with some top actors that I had never seen or heard of before.

I decided to take a look at the SABC 3 website to check the schedule to get the movies name. For some reason only timeslots from 00:00 to 19:00 were being displayed while the movie I was watching was on after 10.

Realising this was a pretty clear stuff up on the part of the the SABC schedule monkey, I decided to drop the SABC 3 a mail updating them on their latest failure.

I navigated over to their contact page and dropped a mail to their customer service email address, communication@sabc3.co.za only to receive a mail telling me that their public communication mailbox does not exist.

After the SAA domain expiry joke and consistent botch ups from the SABC, it makes me feel that the South African government has no understanding of service delivery in the online space.

What a #brandfail SABC 3

Geek Retreat Project

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:51:19 +0200

Well things are getting back to normality after all the craziness at the Geek Retreat. However this is definitely not to say that all the fantastic things that were spoken about are coming to a halt, quite the opposite actually.

We have been in discussions with Jarred Cinman from Cambrient and decided to create an information form where all the Geek Retreat Peeps can submit their details they want shared, so that everyone can easily find ways to contact others and carry on discussions they had started. This list will also form the starting point of the Africabinary Wiki that is currently in progress, so please indicate whether or not you are happy for your information to be included.

If you have any queries or concerns, please contact us or email us.

Add your details here!

�

Google Android and the Kindle - The Start of a Revolution

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:55:29 +0200

Google is once again at the epicentre of the latest explosion that has hit both the digital and offline worlds. This time it involves the publishing industry and Google�s dream of altering it forever with the Google Books Settlement which has caused a massive uproar in publishing and author circles. This is set to be the biggest change in the book world since the printing press.�

Armed with this information I predict that Google will release a reading device powered by Android that integrates with Google Books. With this, one will be able to read books based on a subscription model where you buy reading time instead of whole eBooks. This idea follows the way iTunes altered the industry by selling individual tracks rather than the whole album. With Google Books obtaining the rights to digitalize millions of books, there is no end in sight. The publication industry has been too set in their ways and now it�s time to embrace change and technology in a way that makes sense for both the publishing sector and the end-users. Watch this space, crazy things are about to happen!

According to Sergey Brin, co-founder & president of technology at Google, their mission is to �organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Today, together with the authors, publishers, and libraries, we have been able to make a great leap in this endeavor.� This mindset is one that deserves great admiration, and one that this industry should start adopting. With the release of the Kindle and other digital reading devices, information and knowledge can be accessed in far greater amounts and distributed far easily. This revolution has taken the world by storm with Amazon selling more eBooks than hard copy books on Christmas Day in 2009.

With technology affecting almost every aspect of the world, huge shifts are occurring in almost all industries, with the biggest shift currently happening in the publishing industry. Publishers and bookstores are dying as a result of emerging technologies, but that isn�t to say that books are no longer, they just come in a new format � digital!

Interesting Readings

Geek Retreat Peeps

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:40:38 +0200

We wanted to know just who was going to be at the Geek Retreat, what they do for a living and how we can contact them. So we compiled a list of all the peeps going and thought we would share the love by posting it so everyone can use it!

The Realmdigital Crew are very excited to be a part of the Geek Retreat this year.
Find Wesley Lynch (http://twitter.com/wesleylynch) and have a chat.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Name	Company	Position	Area	Profile
Eve Dmochowska�	Click.co.za, New Media Journal & Internet Guide� - Publications	Founder & publisher�	�Joburg�	http://twitter.com/eved
Heather Ford�	iCommons - Open access publishing	Executive Director�	Joburg	http://twitter.com/hfordsa
Justin Spratt�	VoIP Mobile & Wi-Fi at Internet Solutions - Internet service provider	General Manager�	Joburg	http://www.twitter.com/justinspratt
Guy Taylor�	Cycan - Leadership acceleration and strategic talent management group	Social Technologist	Joburg	http://www.twitter.com/xsyn
Barbara Mallinson�	Obami - A communications platform for SA Schools	Founder�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/barbsMall
Jarred Cinman�	Cambrient - Digital Marketing & web development	Product Director	Joburg	http://twitter.com/jarredcinman
Ivo Vegter�	ITWeb Brainstorm & Confluence Digital Research - Journalism	Journalist and Director�	Joburg	http://twitter.com/IvoVegter
Jack Kruger�	Old Mutual - International financial services	Head of Digital�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/jackkruger �
Heidi Schneigansz�	Quirk eMarketing - Online marketing	eMarketing Producer�	Joburg	http://twitter.com/snowgoosesa
Craig Rodney�	Emerging Media Communications - ICT media communications	Managing Director	Joburg	http://twitter.com/Craigrodney
Darren Gorton�	O'MAGE Holdings - Creative group	Financial Director�	Joburg	http://twitter.com/darrengorton
Brett Haggard�	Hypertext Media Communications - Media consultancy	Owner�	Joburg	http://twitter.com/Brettski
Greg de Chasteauneuf�	Vottle.com - Online business directory	Co-Founder�	Joburg	http://twitter.com/degrumpysmurf
Samantha Perry�	ITWeb Brainstorm - Publishers & media	ICT journalist�	Joburg	http://twitter.com/samanthaperry
Ian Carpenter�	Internet Solutions (IS)� - Internet service provider	Operations Services Manager	Joburg	http://twitter.com/ian_carpenter
Elan Lohmann�	AVUSA Media group - Media & entertainment group	Head of Digital�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/elanlohmann
Catherine Luckhoff	MANGO-OMC - Communications agency	Co-owner�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/Cluckhoff
Catherine Jenkins	SET Recruitment - Recruitment consultancy	Consultant�	Joburg	http://za.linkedin.com/pub/catherine-jenkins/15/707/955
Sheraan Amod	Personera - Personalized web to print products	Co-Founder & CEO�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/Sheraan
Elaine Rumboll	Executive Education at UCT Graduate School of Business�	Director�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/elainerumboll
Dave Duarte	Digital Dream Faculty at Maharishi Institute of Management	Dean & Director�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/Daveduarte
Richard Van Katwijk	Internet Solutions (IS)� - Internet service provider	Systems Engineer�	Joburg	http://za.linkedin.com/pub/richard-van-katwijk/1/991/a97
Willem van Straaten	eConsultant.co.za - Web design & web technologies	Founder & owner	Joburg	http://twitter.com/Willemvstraaten
Tim Shier	BrandsEye & Quirk - Online marketing & ORM	Managing Director�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/timshier
Daniel Neville	Idea Bounty & Quirk - Online marketing & crowdsourcing	Brand Co-Ordinator�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/Danneville
Rob Stokes	Quirk eMarketing - Online marketing	CEO�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/RobStokes
Craig Raw	Quirk eMarketing - Online marketing	CTO�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/craigraw
Devin de Vries	WhereIsMyTransport - Web-based transport infrastructure solutions	Co-Founder & CEO�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/devindevries
Justin Stanford	The Silicon Cape Initiative & 4Di Capital - Evergreen nurture capital company	Co-Founder & Director�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/justinstanford
Allan Kent	AtPlay at Saatchi & Saatchi - Digital agency	Head Director	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/Allankent
Lorraine Fakude	UWC� nursing department	Lecturer & PHD student	Cape Town	�
Rebecca Kahn	SL Magazine - Contemporary youth branded publication	Features Editor	Joburg	http://za.linkedin.com/pub/rebecca-kahn/1/185/283
Steve Vosloo	21st Century Learning at The Shuttleworth Foundation	ICT project leader & researcher�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/stevevosloo
Jason Adriaan	Local List - local only social bookmarking	Owner and Founder�	Port Elizabeth	http://twitter.com/Jasonadriaan
Sam Christie	�	�	�	�
Michael Paskevicius	University of Cape Town - Centre for Educational Technology	Researcher / Techical Liaison�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/mpaskevi
Bruce Snaddon	Cape Peninsula University of Technology	Senior Lecturer�	Cape Town	http://za.linkedin.com/pub/bruce-snaddon/4/166/b28
Jolanda Morkel	Department of Architectural Technology at CPUT	Lecturer�	Cape Town	http://za.linkedin.com/pub/jolanda-morkel/14/37b/711
Hermie Voulgarelis	�	�	�	�
Marlon Parker	Cape Peninsula University of Technology	Lecturer�	Cape Town	http://za.linkedin.com/in/marlonparker
Barry Kayton	Thunderbolt Thinkers - Creative agency	Founder�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/barrykayton
Patrick Kayton	Thunderbolt Thinkers - Creative agency	Owner�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/patrickkayton
Steven Ambrose	World Wide Worx Strategy (Pty) Ltd - Technology research	Managing Director	Joburg	http://twitter.com/ambio
Henk Kleynhans	Skyrove (Pty) Ltd - WiFi Hotspots	CTO and Co-Founder�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/geekrebel
Andy Volk	�	�	�	�
Paul Furber	paul furber consulting cc - Computer software consulting	Owner�	Cape Town	http://za.linkedin.com/pub/paul-furber/0/48b/b69
Stefan Magdalinski	Mocality.com - Online business directory	CEO�	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/smagdali
Kerry Haggard	Words'worth - Publication specialists	Editor�	Joburg	http://za.linkedin.com/pub/kerry-haggard/2/a3/307
Suveer Ramdhani	Telecoms Practice at FeverTreeConsulting - Management consultancy	Senior Manager�	Joburg	http://za.linkedin.com/pub/suveer-ramdhani/2/262/a18
Wesley Lynch	Realmdigital - Online business solutions & development	Founder & CEO	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/wesleylynch
Michael Rowe	Physiotherapy lecturer and PhD student interested in social media to improve teaching and learning practice	Academic	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/michael_rowe
Kat Scholtz	Quirk eMarketing - Education for Quirk	Project Lead	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/KatharinaS
Andrea Broom	Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)	Design educator	Cape Town	http://za.linkedin.com/pub/andrea-grant-broom/6/b4/16a
Peter Flynn	White Wall Web - Software development	Founder & Managing Director	Cape Town	http://twitter.com/pete_f

�

Geek Retreat 2010

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:19:14 +0200

I have finally made it into the Geek Retreat 2010 (quite a task I must tell you!) here in Cape Town! Many thanks to Heather Ford and the rest of the team for making this possible!

I am really excited to be spending the weekend with such a fantastic group of people and discussing the latest trends in technology. It is set to be a crazy few days! I will be going with Michael Rowe who is an Old Mutual Sponsor Scholar � check out his website, he is awesome!

We at Realmdigital wanted to know who would be attending the event, so we created a list of all the people attending and posted it on our site. Check out the post on the Geek Retreat People to get better acquainted.

If you are also attending then please come round and say hi, and if you won�t be there then follow the action on Twitter using the #geekretreat tag. I will be tweeting about what�s happening so you can follow me (http://twitter.com/wesleylynch) to keep updated!

See you there,

Wesley

�

Realmdigital End of Year Party 2009

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:37:38 +0200

One of the highlights for most employees is the end of the year function! It is a chance to relax, mingle and get into the party vibe - the perfect way to end off a long year! Most companies put aside one evening of celebrations however the Realmdigital Crew were lucky enough to have a whole day of activities and team building followed by a fun-filled evening braai. It was a day of absolute craziness and competitive spirits were running high, as the teams deciphered clues and traveled around Cape Town on our own Amazing Race! There were some very funny moments, and chaos ensued as the teams competed for the winning title. Well done to the green team (Clint, Shaine and Jacques) for getting the most points!

We captured some photo's of the Realm Crew running around and then relaxing after the busy day, so take a look, we are sure you will enjoy them!

End of year function pictures

Web 3.0 Series - Part 2

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:24:58 +0200

The Intelligent Web

According to Allan Cho, an Internet savvy web blogger, the next decade of the web is based on a combination of artificial and human intelligence. Although artificial intelligence is generally received with much scepticism, this aspect could dramatically improve our online worlds and remove the hassle of digging through mounds of irrelevant information.

The artificial component will draw on the human element using social sources to retrieve information that is personalized and relevant to the specific user. Google currently provides a generic search function, where users receive the same results for a particular phrase or keyword.

In the near future, search engines will produce individual results for each user by �understanding� the user�s context. An expert should get different results to those received by a beginner.

Allan Cho says Web 3.0 is far superior as it utilizes the following tools:

Natural language search and processing
Machine-based learning and reasoning
Intelligent applications

Effectively it will draw on the social bookmarking and media sites of Web 2.0 but eliminate the human manipulation that currently alters the result in a negative way. A user-tailored web is on the horizon!

The Semantic Web

The semantic web is the appealing component of Web 3.0.� For the first time ever, the web will have the ability to realize what the data actually means. A search query will no longer be a string of random words that are matched up to the highest ranking pages. Instead a phrase will have inherent value and results are derived from understanding the full question.

Nova Spivack, Web 3.0 evangelist and guru explains that the web and search engines in particular will be able to �understand infinite pieces of information� by �connecting chunks of data�. The semantic web focuses on the human ability to be synchronized with the digital element on a much deeper level.

Spivack identifies two themes that will ensure the progression from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0:

Present/Timeliness
Personal

The �present� factor ensures information and data are considered relevant depending on how recent it is. Realtime search will be taken to a whole new level.

The �personal� factor refers to a shift from the social rankings of data to understanding a user�s needs and requirements and capturing information based on preferences.

These two themes will greatly affect the current web model and turn the Internet into your very own personal assistant. The more you use it, the better is understands your needs.

The Virtual Web

A smaller contributing element to the arrival of Web 3.0 is the implementation of virtual worlds. 3D web has already started to infiltrate the user experience with sites like Second Life, which creates a digital world reflecting real life. The aim of this virtual manifestation is to encourage a more connected and integrated user experience where all material objects are linked to your online world.

Web 3.0 Today

There are still many debates as to what exactly Web 3.0 will entail and how far into our lives it will reach. Whether or not you believe that in a few more years you will be living a life through a virtual web, Web 3.0 has already started and is gaining strong momentum. The Semantic Web is a very real development and it�s happening now.

You might also be interested in these readings

�� http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/

�� http://www.twine.com/

�� http://webtrends.about.com/

New Realm Platform Design

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:10:24 +0200

As with all things on the web, styles and designs constantly change and evolve to create new trends. People have become accustomed to these continuous changes and therefore it is important to keep things updated and in-line with consumer expectations.

With that said, we at Realmdigital decided it was about time to give our proprietary software, Realm Platform, a bit of a face lift - just to keep it funky and fresh and most importantly user friendly. The latest UI updates have really inspired us to get Platform looking top-notch, so we will continue to make tweaks here and there to ensure that any experiences with our software is nothing short of awesome!

Check out the latest Realm Platform UI Designs and let us know what you think!

�

Interview with Desmond Windt

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:21:28 +0200

Realmdigital is proud to have some really awesome clients that love what we do as much as we do! Desmond Windt, Business Development Manager of iKapa Tours and Travel has been a client of Realmdigital for quite a few years now, so we decided to have a chat with him to get his view on Realmdigital and Realm Platform.

Visit the iKapa Tours and Travel website so see their new functionality and design.

What was the objective for creating the new website?

The objective was to bring our online presence and brand in line with our above the line marketing efforts and current image. It was also to provide our clients with an effective, easy and accessible showcase of all our products and service offerings and naturally convert them into an income stream.

How has the site enabled you to achieve your objectives?

The new website has met all our objectives from design to functionality. The design has captured all our brand objectives and the Platform backend functionality as empowered us to activate even more products and service options than we had originally anticipated.

How have unique visits to the website improved with the new website?

There has been an impressive increase in unique visitors since the launch and with every newsletter, press release and special offer there is a spike in visitors.

What value did Realmdigital add to the project?

During the brief and website development Realmdigital constantly advised on added functionality and updates on developments which were been completed and available.

How has the backend system enabled users to perform tasks and changes to the website?

Tasks are performed very effectively and efficiently. Platform is such an easy to use system and one can learn all the basics in a matter of hours.

How is the website more effective than before?

We are able to upload more products with much more detail including images than before. We also have a dynamic newsletter and news module which works very well. There is much more useful functionality than before.

How does it enable users to effectively navigate the website?

The site is much more easily navigable and also enables the user to add products under multi listings without a complicated process.

What feedback have you received from customers or end users?

When we launched the site in May we received excellent feedback from clients and suppliers. They commented on the freshness and user friendliness of the site as well as the up market look and feel.

What feedback have you received from within your own organization?

Our staff are very proud of our new site and use it daily to gather information and download content which the use in their tour itineraries.

What cost saving have been made in the management of your website?

We no longer depend on a Webmaster to load content, images etc. We are pretty independent and masters of our own destiny.

Any other comments?

Our site is by far the most advanced portrayal of information and products in the travel and tourism sector. The site is very modern, has clean lines and a welcoming presence. Our clients have commented on its simplicity and easy to navigate front end. The site layout has been well thought through and provides a platform to expand on functionality and effectiveness.

This site is an encouragement and will lead the way for others in the tourism sector to follow.

New Realm Domain Pictures

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:29:01 +0200

My document title

We finally have pictures of our old and new offices. We are super excited about the whole new "Realmy" feel and are sure everyone will fall in love with our revamped image instantly!

More pictures will follow once the offices have a little more life and a lived in feel! Keep your eyes peeled....

Old Offices

New Offices

The Realm Domian has Moved!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:07:23 +0200

We have officially moved into our new offices and we couldn�t be a more excitable crew!! We absolutely love our new office space with its new design, bright realmdigital colours and awesome new chill room; it really is a fantastic Realmy haven!

It was quite a daunting job gearing up to move all our worldly possessions across the road, however all desks, computers and networks were transferred in just two days! Quite an amazing accomplishment! We are now all settled in and really feeling the new Realm vibes. If you are in the area then come pop in for a coffee and tell us what you think of the new and improved Realm space.

We are still in Frazzitta Business Park in Durbanville but now you will find us in Unit 16A. So come say �Howdy�!!

Check out some new and old Realm Domain pictures!

Web 3.0 Series - Part 1

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:37:01 +0200

Web 3.0 � The Internet is speaking to YOU!

Ever wondered how quickly the internet evolves and how different it will be in another 20 years? How much more can technology transform our lives?

Introducing the exciting emergence of Web 3.0 � The Semantic Web!

Imagine performing a search in Google where you phrase an entire question as you would to a person. Google then analyzes the question in its entirety and produces results by drawing a connection between relevant data and the question, as a human would.

This is the future of the internet - a far more personal and intelligent web than ever before.

What is Web 3.0?

The internet is a constant development that progresses in roughly 10 year cycles. Each decade focuses on a different aspect of the web, essentially alternating between back end and front end development. A short overview of the preceding developments reveals how far the internet has advanced.
�
Web 1.0 (1989 - 1999)

This was the basic platform of the internet as it is utilized today. The goal of Web 1.0 was to make enormous amounts of knowledge available to a large audience. It was a collection of static documents meant for information purposes rather than interaction. Home pages, informational web pages and company profiles characterized the first web development.

Web 2.0 (2000 - 2009)

The second generation of the web saw a large shift towards social elements and collective intelligence. The improved user interface encouraged relationships to form and a platform for communities to be heard. Blogging, social networks and social media distinguish this decade. These tools increased the amount of interaction a user has on a web page and enabled social content through conversations and the amount of value added. Search was a major contributor to Web 2.0 and changed the way the internet is used with web page rankings and relevant content schemes.

Web 3.0 (2010 and beyond)

The approaching phase will focus once more on the back end system of the internet, with search functionality at the centre of this evolution. According to web experts and engineers, Web 3.0 will provide the internet with a brain, and essentially make the web smarter and more connected. Every aspect of a person�s life will be digitally linked with the web taking the persona of a personal assistant.

The new web will know about our lives and habits in far more detail, and using this information will gather and connect relevant and appropriate material. Essentially it will know when we are performing a task on a digital device, be it a laptop or mobile device and will suggest a wide variety of supporting documents, photos or web pages that are related to the task at hand.

The �inherent intelligence� in Web 3.0�s framework will achieve this and is what the next installment is all about!

You might also be interested in these readings:

�� http://internet.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_web_30
�� http://calacanis.com/2007/10/03/web-3-0-the-official-definition/
�� http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_Web