Twitter continuously leads the way as a successful social media platform for businesses, but let’s face it – the one major difference between Twitter and other social media sites such as Facebook, is the length of posts you are allowed to Tweet. For some users, this has helped simplify things when creating a post – allowing them to Tweet info that is direct and uncomplicated. However for many – the 140 character limit can be particularly frustrating, especially when you feel you’ve got a lot more to say.
Recently it has come to light that hidden within Twitter’s Android app is a “Tweetstorm” feature, allowing users to post what can be seen as a thread of tweets continuing on from a discussion or theme. To do this you simply need to post a tweet, and then continue to post replies to keep the thread going.
The screenshots depicting the “Tweetstorm” were posted by a Twitter user under the false name of Devesh Logendran. After being tweeted by The Next Web’s Social Media Director Matt Navarra, the images have since gone viral and are now trending across major tech news sites. The pictures show the posts split up as individual tweets posted as a thread, with the end showing a longer “tweet count”.
So, should Twitter make plans to scrap their current character limit? Does this current restriction put off those new to Twitter? Or do shorter posts help businesses get more direct messages across to their audiences?
Despite being largely talked about across the world of web, Twitter has refused to make a statement on the finding of the feature. So keep your eyes peeled and hopefully in the near future the adjustment will be made usuable on all of Twitter’s mobile platforms. In the meantime, users will have to look to Storm It on Android and iOS to create Tweetstorms of their own.
Being a women that works in tech is a constant challenge. I’ve faced plenty of obstacles that have been thrown in my direction, just to work in an industry that is predominantly male-orientated. But why should this be so? With statistics showing women are outperforming men in nearly all sectors in the tech field, why should we be constantly put off from studying in an area we undoubtedly excel in? Deloitte recently released figures stating that as many as 70 per cent of women in the UK with a Science,Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) qualification aren’t currently working in their chosen industry. This is a reality that just should not be so, and so much of the hard work young women have put into their employment or education is being wasted.
Unlike many, I’ve been determined enough to not let these predictions get in my way, and have spent the last few years taking on the tech industry myself. At 22, I started my degree. Beginning later than most, I’d spent some time debating the type of career I was interested in. Having studied in English, Chemistry, Biology and Art and Design, I opted for a BA Hons Degree in Creative Media Practice & Journalism. Despite a lot of thought going into my degree choice, throughout the entire process I was constantly being told I would not make it in this industry, that my degree was pointless and I would be lost in a sea of unemployed graduates once finished with my finals. Yet at age 26, I’ve been lucky enough to pull through with an upper second class degree, a longstanding portfolio and jobs in my chosen industry before officially graduating.
With men accounting for such a large percentage of jobs in the tech industry, it can be tricky competing for the same role, despite some of the most famous leaders in technology being female. The list of women who have braved the odds to succeed within technology is lengthy. From Ada Lovelace – a mathematician regarded by some as the first ever computer programmer, to Mary Lou Jepsen – NASA fellow, founder of Pixel Oi and Director of Engineering at Facebook Occulus VR, to Virginia Rometty – the CEO of IBM who started work as an engineer aged just 24, and was recently voted the most powerful woman in business by Fortune Magazine.
Yet despite such success, women seem to be constantly pushed into being put off from obtaining jobs within the technology industry. Statistically the proportion of girls opting to continue subjects such as Mathematics, Science or Engineering into A Level or Degree Level is far less than boys, with only 7% of girls choosing to study A Levels in these subject areas within the last few years. Shedding light on such issues will hopefully allow changes to be made for the future, and as a woman currently working in tech, I’ve pieced together a few tips for those potentially considering going into a career in the technology industry, in the hope that you can overcome some of the challenges many will face.
Don’t be put off choosing scientific subjects at college
If you’re like me, you probably spent most of your childhood with your nose buried deep inside a book, concocting science experiments, blowing up bicarbonate volcanoes at the bottom of the garden, or getting excited over your parents getting you a new geometry set. To some, we may appear the most boring people on earth, but in reality many will grow up to work in some of the most powerful positions on the planet. No matter what job you’re dreaming of, whether it’s as a scientist, engineer, designer or developer – don’t let anyone stop you from studying exactly what you want to do. Sex or gender should not limit your choice of career path. If you studied in a different subject previously and are wanting to enter into a new choice of career, it’s never too late. And when certain education routes get a bit pricey, there are many different ways to gain qualifications, including ones that don’t come with a price tag. As well as bursaries, scholarships and Arts Council Funding, many companies will actually offer to train people for free. On top of this there are boot camps and hundreds of online training programs and resources that can help you transition into a tech role if you don’t have the qualifications needed for a specific job. And if you’re looking to learn code, there are thousands of sites that can help you, Codecademy, HackerRank & edX are to name a few.
Stand your ground when it comes to your career path
Time and time again I have met with interviewers who comment on my age, refer to me as being too young to possibly have any ‘real’ industry knowledge or seem to be completely bewildered by the idea of a young women applying for a role within the tech industry. It can be hard to overcome an interview situation where you’re being made to feel about 2ft tall, just for not fitting into a stereotype, particularly if you quite clearly have skills that are being overlooked. To overcome this, confidence is key. Now it’s all very well saying this, but if you’re as anxious a person as I am, this can be quite the challenge. First rule is to have a good perception of your own skills, the abilities you have and what you can achieve. If you don’t feel confident in your own abilities, it can be hard for others to feel the same. Prove you are the right person for the role, use active language that shows off your talents instead of being passive, state direct plans you have and show just how much you can benefit their company. Be bold and never feel intimidated, no matter how terrifying the interviewer may appear.
Have a plan and find mentorship
I worked constantly all through my degree building up my portfolio. A good deal of free time I had was spent either applying for internships or gaining work experience. Sure, having to work for free sometimes can feel like a real pain, but if a company is offering you valuable experience, don’t turn it down – in the long run it can really pay off and looks great on your CV. Always take time to refine your skills, practice really does make perfect. Finding mentorship within a working role can also be really beneficial, so be sure to place yourself in an environment where you can be surrounded by professionals in your chosen field who are as passionate about your goals as you are. Most importantly, never give up on what it is you want to achieve. It can be hard seeing friends or colleagues achieving their goals faster than you or at different rates, but the job you’ve been waiting for could be just around the corner. Hard work always pays off, and whether it takes you 1 year, 5 years or even 10 years to reach the job you’ve always wanted, it’s always worth the wait.
Amy Louise – Web Editor, Tech Writer and Analytics Queen
At Moocow, we pride ourselves on having the most up to date knowledge on the hottest tech trends and web news. With technology and techniques developing daily, we’ll make sure you’re getting the latest info on what’s happening in the world of web.
Google’s famous search engine was launched in 1997, and since that day its iconic homepage has yet to change – minus a few animation tweaks to the logo when a celebratory holiday pops up. Despite boldly clinging to its design for 20 years, Google has finally announced that it will be giving its home page a brand new makeover, with the launch of a personalised news feed added to the browser version of the original Google search bar. 20 years is a long time to wait to make such a change, which makes this pretty big news for the company. So why now? You might be asking. The change comes after a massive surge in the amount of AI being used to predict search queries which is fast becoming a replacement for traditional search engines, a trend that is expected to continue to rise considerably in the future. According to recent statistics released, 99.9% of Google’s revenue is from the use of “search and video advertising”, and with search engines becoming a dying format, Google needs to up its game to stay ahead of its competitors. Google’s plan is to develop a news feed style homepage similar to how Facebook and other sites operate, with predictions of searches, latest news and what’s trending. So if you’re a Google user, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for some significant upcoming changes.
At Moocow, we pride ourselves on having the most up to date knowledge on the hottest web and marketing trends. With technology and techniques developing daily, Moocow are continuously working hard to help find new ways to market your business.
When it comes to tech, bigger isn’t always better, and with new developments constantly progressing for smaller devices, mobile is once again leading the way for businesses – making it even more important to make sure your company website is up to date with mobile first. With most of us spending 90% of our time glued to our phone, it’s no wonder more and more transactions are happening from mobile devices. Whether it’s giving Amazon a browse, or shopping for clothes online in time for Spring, more and more people are turning to smartphones to make the transactions they need.
Our previous blogs have mentioned that in the last couple of years, there’s been a giant leap in what we call ‘internet browsing behaviour’, with thousands of people swapping from desktop to mobile technology. Well the same is happening for e-commerce businesses, with m-commerce trends leading the way for changes to how sales transactions are being made. Statistics predict around 50% of business transactions will be mobile in the next 2-3 years. And with options like single-click payments with PayPal One Touch, Apple Pay and Amazon Pay, it’s no wonder people are picking out the easiest options available.
Apps are now being designed with features including Augmented Reality options to view the products you are wanting to buy in your own home or on yourself before purchasing, with some apps even offering ‘smart bot’ personal shoppers helping you to gain a more personalised shopping experience – all added novelties that are exclusive to mobile. Messenger apps have been voted as a more popular choice when it comes to customer queries, with pop up chats and apps being picked over email or phone call to respond to customers quicker. With modifications like these set to become more and more accessible, it’s worth getting ahead of the game and taking a look at what benefits m-commerce can bring to your company.
Our favourite JavaScript framework for creating desktop and mobile apps is set to reach yet another landmark this September with the Angular 5 update.
Formerly introduced in 2012 as AngularJS, the upgrade comes following 2 previous modifications in the last year, with the new release set to be the 4th update to the framework (despite being numbered as 5) after changes following the 1.0 version.
Angular 6 is Scheduled for production release on September 18 with some nifty new features, including improved code and far greater reinforcement for Google’s Material Design. Other attributes include:
-Simplified methods for creating progressive web apps, where apps can be cached in the browser
-A “build optimizer” that gets rid of unneeded code, in turn making the app more compact in size
-Creating material design elements that are well-matched with server-side rendering
And the news doesn’t stop there…
Plans for the release of Angular 6 are already on the horizon. Google has apparently already set a release date for Angular 6 for Spring 2018. The team have stated they will be continuing on from the design for Angular 5, making minimal changes to its themes, focusing on improvements in speed and usability with the key aim of helping to ease the stress for web developers.
Moocow is an interactive website design agency, based in Brighton & Hove. Since opening its doors in 2006, we have been working hard growing and developing our client base & expertise, offering a dynamic blend of creative thinking, experience and technical know-how. We are proud to be able to represent so many of the fantastic businesses local to Brighton, take a look below to get a taste of who we work with and what we do.
Boardriders Guide
Local to the city, Boardriders Guide is a family run business established in 1990 and is one of the UK’s largest and most established surf, snow and skate websites. Living by the coast has its perks, and Brighton is well known for its legendary water-sports events. With the help of our expertise we devised a site that’s oozing with style, showing off some of the hottest trends Boardriders has to offer. A perfect blend of ice cool graphics and bold typefaces, Boardriders are the ultimate in sun, sea and surf.
The Chilli Pickle
A nationally-acclaimed regional Indian restaurant in the heart of Brighton, fanatical about Indian culture, local produce and traditional cuisine. Our Moocow designers wanted to create a site that was bursting with colour and creativity, showcasing the passion and flair the team at Chilli Pickle strive to achieve. We finished up with a design that’s both decorative and daring and really represents the The Chilli Pickle brand and style.
Pizzaface
Brighton is home to a fantastic array of restaurants and bars that leave us really spoiled for choice, so naturally we jumped at the chance to represent one of the city’s most loved pizza companies. Pizzaface is an independent and award winning pizza and delivery service in Brighton, Hove and Worthing offering first-class food fresh on your doorstep. We created a site that was reliable, clean & pristine, easy to use with a simple and retro feel, supporting the outstanding customer service Pizzaface provides.
Cafe Coho
Cafe Coho is an award winning espresso bar & cafe with three locations in Brighton. Founded by James and Joanna Wilson in 2010, the cafe has fast become a sought after hang-out with its laid back and friendly atmosphere (and not forgetting some of the best coffee Brighton has to offer) When crafting the Cafe Coho website we went for a refined, well-polished, site that was sultry and smooth with a modern twist.
Food For Friends
Food for Friends are Brighton’s award-winning vegetarian restaurant in the historic South Lanes. Their ethos is tasty, affordable and home-made food using the freshest produce. The company are all about supporting local suppliers, something Moocow are dedicated to doing also and we wanted to help create a site as sumptuous and mouthwatering as their food. We went for sublime and sophisticated, hoping to show off their artistic flair.
We love working and supporting local companies in Brighton, Hove and surrounding areas. If you have a project you’re looking to get started on, get in touch and we’ll see how we can help your business grow.
Jobs within the creative industry are fast becoming more and more popular. Our knowledge and awareness of new technologies are developing on a daily basis; and a far greater percentage of young people are moving into the world of web development on completing their studies.
So what exactly is web development?
Web development is a blanket term for the work involved in creating a web site for the internet. There are several different roles within the world of web development, enabling you to expand on your knowledge and explore new technologies from day to day.
What roles are there within web development?
Front-end web developers: They design what you see visually when you click on a web site or web page, the graphics, the layout and the styling of your website, they are behind how all this comes together. These guys deal with what’s called the ‘user side’ of the website. Making sure your website is easy to use, looks great and works properly is their main priority. Using HTML, CSS & JavaScript, they turn your static web page into a flashy new site from scratch, transforming your web page into what you see now when you click on a page.
Back-end web developers: These are the behind the scenes techies, they deal with the bits you don’t see and help with the smooth running and security of your site. Their job is connecting the server to your database and website. They use programs such PHP, Ruby & Python. They might not be in the limelight, but their job is vital to making your site function correctly.
So where should I start?
If you’re interested in a career in web development or are even just a bit curious and are looking to create your own website, below are a few tips and tools of the trade to help get you on your way.
Practice your skills and read up on coding 101. There are some great sites out there that can teach you everything you need to know from scratch. Codecademy is a great place to start and is completely free or give Google’s Developers Training a go. There’s plenty of online forums you can join for advice as well.
If you’re fresh out of university, internships are a great way to gain experience in a professional environment as a web developer. Plenty of companies offer internships and they’re usually advertised on general job search sites such as Indeed. Although many don’t offer a paid income, the expertise you can gain is vital. It’s also a great chance to network and gain industry contacts.
Put your skills into practice, use sites like GitHub to help experiment and generate code examples and test problemswith your HTML/CSS with other programmers or developers.You can stay up to date on tips and trends by following web development blogs such as HTML Center, Code Visually, Codrops or Developer Drive. Codepad is also handy if you’re in need of fixing any common HTML/CSS issues.
Once you’ve built up enough confidence, considering looking into helping out with freelance projects where you can put some of your skills into action. There are some excellent sites aimed specifically for freelancer looking for work including Upwork, GetACoder and PeoplePerHour. Glassdoor is also a really handy site that allows you to search for jobs as well as research potential employers.
Finally, have a go at building your own website. Whether you’re brave enough to give creating a site from scratch a go, or want to opt for using a website builder such as WordPress, there’s lots of options available and online tutorials that can help you customise your site and use your own CSS styling. Once you’ve reached this stage you’re well on your way to being able to present good quality work to potential employers or clients.
For WordPress users who have been counting down the days to the launch of WordPress 4.8, your wait has finally come to an end. WordPress 4.8 has been launched this June, the official update to the WordPress 4.7 base version. If you’re left feeling disappointed to see no jaw-dropping visual changes, hold tight and take a closer look as there are several smaller modifications that could come in handy to current WordPress users or developers. Changes include a few front-end extras, some snazzy new widgets and a couple of fancy new features to the WordPress Editor.
New Widgets and Improvements
The biggest changes seen in WordPress 4.8 are improvements to existing widgets topped with a handful of new media widgets. While not major updates, these changes will enable users to upload visual and audio media with ease.
The Image Widget
First up is the new Image Widget. Prior to the update, inserting an image would mean dragging across a Text Widget and adding an HTML link to your image. The new version, however, now enables you to directly upload images. Simply drag the widget over as before, but this time you can access the option of directly uploading a new image or selecting one from your media library. Add an image title and you’re all set. Only downfall is the widget doesn’t yet allow you to add an entire image gallery, only single images.
The Audio Widget
This new little widget works in the same way as the image widget, but instead allows you to add audio files with the click of a button. Currently you can upload tracks from a URL or upload from your media library. Once complete, the widget will show as playable audio content on your website.
The Video Widget
Once again, the Video Widget works in exactly the same way as the previous two widgets, except this time directly uploads video content directly to your web page. You can insert video files again straight from your media library or a URL to external video links from Vimeo, YouTube and so on.
Rich Text Editing for Text Widgets
More of an improvement to an existing widget than a new one, however an extremely handy one. No more are the days of having to add HTML to a text widget to style font. The editor inside the text widget will now enable you to be able to create bold or italicised text, add bullet points and lists and insert media files.
For Developers
– Changes to CSS rules making admin panel headings more convenient – A brand-new JavaScript API enabling developers to observe the TinyMCE text editor once a page has loaded. The editor can also be added to all text areas – A brand-new widget REST API schema allowing for greater improvements and new possibilities for current media widgets to soon be able to have extras such as playlists, image galleries and so on
MooCow is an interactive website design agency, based in Brighton & Hove. Since opening its doors in 2006, we have been working hard growing and developing our client base & expertise, offering a dynamic blend of creative thinking, experience and technical know-how.
We are a small agency made up of 10 people, equipped with a ninja approach to creating amazing websites. We have a passion and energy about our work which shows through in the results we produce. We are truly enthusiastic about creating fresh, original website solutions that really work for our clients. MooCow’s dedicated team has just the right measure of experience, talent and passion needed to create a site you will be proud of.
Our processes to a successful website:
DISCOVERY – Your requirements are unique, so we make sure we take time to understand your business; your brand, your products so that we can build you the best website and brand for your company.
DESIGN – We now assign one of our top notch designers to start their magical work on creating you the finest looking website. Our designs are created with your customer in mind.
DEVELOPMENT – Time to release the geeks. Using best practice techniques we develop your site to be user friendly & engaging. From desktop to mobile we develop across a range of platforms to optimise customer engagement and conversion rates.
SUPPORT – Once you are live we are here to help – a successful site is an evolving site. We like to stay involved after launch to provide strategic input and help you achieve your full online potential.
So start the ball rolling, let’s work together. Get a FREE Quote
At MooCow, we pride ourselves on having the most up to date knowledge on the hottest web trends. With technology and techniques developing daily, take a look at what 2017 has in store for the world of web design.
With many of this year’s trends in web design solely falling on graphics, one trend we are loving is the increase in fresh takes on vintage and retro web designs. From contemporary twists on Art Deco to a more homely, rustic feel, we’re seeing a rise in changes to visuals and typography for many businesses. With customisations ranging from intricate floral detailing & decorative twining to glamorous graphics & decadent 1920’s styled typefaces, vintage layouts offer a softer approach to website design that still shows of your brand in style. At MooCow we are experts in all things WordPress, and WP itself currently have several fantastic vintage themed layouts to get your creative juices flowing. Pure Retro, Life Gate, Ephemera & Writsy are just a few of our favourites.
