Deployment

The application has been deployed. (Yep, we are live!)

The URL is a very modest http://tc786.metawerx.com.au/impulsifly/selectfromcity.htm - I'll look at hooking it up with our domain name next.

There were a few minor issues, but no biggies and Metawerx has been very helpful. Their response time really struck a positive impression.

Just for the record, the changes we made were:

• Logging locations
• Data locations
• Create an 'in process' HSQLDB server to enable external connections (this is the biggest change)
  

Domain Registered

Registered the domain www.impulsifly.com with Crazy Domains, $12 per year.

We are not too sure about the name... I think it sounds Okay, but I just feel we could do better, possibly a lot better.

Backlog

Migrating all posts from old blog:

16 Feb 08 Started the spunkification process. It's exciting and dangerous :). Exciting because there are so much funky techniques that could be introduced into every corner - and dangerous for that very same reason. Whilst Web2.0 is all the buzz, good functional Web2.0 websites are still a minority. This is what we are gonna try to do:

• Dont break basic browser behaviour. ie. If it's underlined, it's a link! Align expectation with behaviour.
• Flow naturally. This is a bit tough, but we'll try to present as much inferred information (as opposed to explicit directions) as we can through color and structure.
• Do the basics well. Dont try to be everything to everyone. Ideally, it would be nice to be known as the one service for everything, but with limited resources it's much better to focus and focus well.
• Be functional. There seem to be some conflict between being functional and being exciting - I am still looking at reconciling the two. But there is no question which is more important, a returning user is worth a thousand times more than someone who only pops in once. I think one example that reflects this is Flash - How often do you come across visually stunning sites, but then dont have a clue where to begin? :)

Oh and while I'm here, I'd like to promote some very nice (free) logos from twotone.

11 Feb 08 Minor bug fix to do with dates and database/server/client locale.

09 Feb 08 Polished up interface. Optimized javascript performance and RPC performance.

03 Feb 08 Completed switch over to AJAX. Added return flight functionality. It took a week longer than expected, but I am very happy with the result. The site affords more flexibility than the traditional paging system. Return flights would not be as succinct without a dynamic page.

19 Jan 08 GWT's Grid layout class is not really doing what the contract says it should be. So I am building my own layout. (Still using GWT though)

18 Jan 08 Major overhaul of the UI. We are introducing Ajax with GWT. What is Ajax? What is GWT? See here

09 Jan 08 The holiday was over alot sooner than I'd anticipated. Major update to layout, More emphasis on structure so that visitors will grasp the data presented quickly.

27 Dec 07 Updated summary layout to show the date row in the middle of the summary as well. This way, you don't have to scroll all the way back to the top to see what dates corresponds with which column.

26 Dec 07 Implemented reverse IP lookup so the drop down box at home page is defaulted to the visitor's location (if recognised). Implemented using a free ip - city lookup database called GeoLite

23 Dec 07 Soooo looking forward to Christmas haha. Updated layout and added a summary for cheapest destinations in the selected period. Have you guys heard of Gund bear? I highly recommend it.

22 Dec 07 Updated the scrapers, a step closer to getting more frequent updates

19 Dec 07 Woot, christmas is here soon!

12 Dec 07 Woot - Woot is Webster's 2007 Word of the Year! Though I must admit I haven't used the word much.