Getting a web application off the ground - I'm confused
Really confused.
I find myself getting squeezed between the idea of returning to the 9-5 grind (which does not appeal) and getting weary of the self-employed lark. But I have this one idea which might make some bucks.
It is of course a web application and one that I know would appeal to my clients. Importantly I would find it useful as well. Now like most of you I'm a veteran of using and signing up to web services and have a pile of buzzwords floating around my head, things like java, ruby-on-rails, frameworks, perl, python, oracle, google web toolkit, Microsoft bizspark etc etc etc. But I'm not a web developer and having a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous. I worry about the choices I might make.
I'm also building up a collection of links on how one might proceed but I'm starting to drown in the information. I need clarity.
Links like this have helped - http://blog.huddle.net/developing-a-web-application-on-a-shoestring-budget
To be a little more specific the app is involved in document management so issues of managing versions and backups would be critical. Other than that it's going to be designed for a non-techy audience so simplicity is key. I've done a cool looking mockup and have a good idea of what I want. I know I want to start small, get a few clients to test it and then scale up gradually. And I have precious little money to do this with.
I just wonder if anyone has thoughts on this and what things I should be watching out for.
ta!
I find myself getting squeezed between the idea of returning to the 9-5 grind (which does not appeal) and getting weary of the self-employed lark. But I have this one idea which might make some bucks.
It is of course a web application and one that I know would appeal to my clients. Importantly I would find it useful as well. Now like most of you I'm a veteran of using and signing up to web services and have a pile of buzzwords floating around my head, things like java, ruby-on-rails, frameworks, perl, python, oracle, google web toolkit, Microsoft bizspark etc etc etc. But I'm not a web developer and having a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous. I worry about the choices I might make.
I'm also building up a collection of links on how one might proceed but I'm starting to drown in the information. I need clarity.
Links like this have helped - http://blog.huddle.net/developing-a-web-application-on-a-shoestring-budget
To be a little more specific the app is involved in document management so issues of managing versions and backups would be critical. Other than that it's going to be designed for a non-techy audience so simplicity is key. I've done a cool looking mockup and have a good idea of what I want. I know I want to start small, get a few clients to test it and then scale up gradually. And I have precious little money to do this with.
I just wonder if anyone has thoughts on this and what things I should be watching out for.
ta!
6 Comments
gwiz665The interesting thing is, the simpler it has to be for the user, the more work it is for the developer.
One important thing, I think, is not to lock yourself down to a technology, just because it can do fancy things. Figure out what you want your program to be able to do, at first and in the future, and get as simple a tool as possible to make it in.
StormsingerStep one: make sure that when you ask a question, your potential advisors can -read- it. Dark gray text on a black background is pretty damned close to invisible.
Now yes, I can find ways to read it anyway (highlighting, or changing my background), but if you're going to ask favors, it behooves you to make that favor as easy as possible for the giver. IOW, don't make them work just to figure out what you want.
DeanoSorry Stormsinger, you're confusing me ever so slightly. Unless you've modified this page in some way I posted to Geek and it's using that styling which to me looks like black text on a near white background. Nice and clear here. I know when cross-posting text can look dodgy on some subdomains here but Geek seems very readable.
gwiz665^Don't use the dark theme.
Deano>> ^gwiz665:
^Don't use the dark theme.
I just figured that out
Should there be a custom dark CSS for each subdomain?
DeanoBlimey check out the text colour in the Member stats bit on Geek, in sun-mode;
http://geek.videosift.com/member/Deano
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