Smartphone / app development

[Old Greg]

Is this just a static set of pages, like a catalog, that needs updating infrequently? If so the coding should be minimal and you'd just need some HTML pages created initially.

Yes.

Home page
3 filters which combine to take to 48 pages each with text info and 0 to 10 links to further pages.

Infrequent (once or twice a year) updates, but important.

[DimPrawn]

If you do decide to go down the native application route, and need to target Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, you might want to look at Xamarin - Build cross-platform iOS, Android, Mac and Windows apps with C# and .NET (formally known at Mono Touch).

[Old Greg]

Well, three months on, I seem to be making some progress. Taught myself to write some basic HTML and CSS by hand so I would have half a clue. Am now using Adobe Dreamweaver CC which is not the cheapest option but is pretty good for beginners who do want to learn a bit of HTML / CSS etc. Have built have my site (or half of what I need to pitch it) and am looking into web-hosting, which seems to be a requirement if I want to put a little icon on the smartphone.

Thanks for all your help again. It's kinda fun, but really hard for a middle aged gent who's never written a line of code before. But it's just starting to click now.

[MPwannadecentincome]

Well, three months on, I seem to be making some progress. Taught myself to write some basic HTML and CSS by hand so I would have half a clue. Am now using Adobe Dreamweaver CC which is not the cheapest option but is pretty good for beginners who do want to learn a bit of HTML / CSS etc. Have built have my site (or half of what I need to pitch it) and am looking into web-hosting, which seems to be a requirement if I want to put a little icon on the smartphone.

Thanks for all your help again. It's kinda fun, but really hard for a middle aged gent who's never written a line of code before. But it's just starting to click now.

Good luck - but before you invest too much in producing a fully working model have you got any clients to help shape what will be useful or not?

[Old Greg]

Good luck - but before you invest too much in producing a fully working model have you got any clients to help shape what will be useful or not?

I am really investing my spare time (on the train) and <£200 of Ltd funds in expenditure. I have a client in mind. I know they have a business need as I have PM'ed three of their projects in which this need has been identified, but they are not pursuing it for various reasons. I have significant expertise in their very very niche area of business and an excellent relationship with the senior leads in the business. It is worth a punt I think, and I'm not too worried if it doesn't come off as it's nice to learn something new.

[d000hg]

Good on you for learning something

[Old Greg]

Good on you for learning something

Thanks. I am expecting to learn why Plan B's are a bad idea.

[darrylmg]

You're going to need some ipsum content.
Just search ipsum on Google.

If you need someone to QA it, let me know.
I've got a Samsung phone with Android 4.1.2 and a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 running Android 4.2.2.
Oh yes, there's lots of versions of these things, and lots of screen sizes, so a good range to properly QA would be a good idea.

Maybe the other CUK members can offer some other models, versions and operating systems.

Hope you've got your costing model worked out, because that's going to make the difference. The functionality can be worked out and content created, but the cost is what your client will be looking at. Does it save them money...

[Old Greg]

You're going to need some ipsum content.
Just search ipsum on Google.

If you need someone to QA it, let me know.
I've got a Samsung phone with Android 4.1.2 and a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 running Android 4.2.2.
Oh yes, there's lots of versions of these things, and lots of screen sizes, so a good range to properly QA would be a good idea.

Maybe the other CUK members can offer some other models, versions and operating systems.

Hope you've got your costing model worked out, because that's going to make the difference. The functionality can be worked out and content created, but the cost is what your client will be looking at. Does it save them money...

Thanks Darryl. The economics of it from the client perspective stacks up extremely well - they get a great return on investment. The real question I think, is whether I am offering them something competitive compared to what they would pay elsewhere.

Thank you for the offer - I may take you up on it

[DirtyDog]

You're going to need some ipsum content.
Just search ipsum on Google.

I use Bacon Ipsum - Bacon Ipsum | A Meatier Lorem Ipsum Generator

Mmmmm