OK TechgURLs Appy Hour at Streaming Cafe

The word "app" was voted 2010 word of the year by America Dialect Society ("hashtag" was 2012s)

http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/03/what-is-an-app.html

The word app is a noun, and it’s short for “application.”  Application in this case refers to a software application — in other words, a software program.

An app typically refers to software used on a smartphone or mobile device such as the Android, iPhone, BlackBerry or iPad, as in “mobile app” or “iphone app.”  But the  phrase “Web app” or “online app” is also used in a business setting as an abbreviation for “Web application” or “online application” — meaning software that you access and use while online, via a browser, instead of software residing on your computer

simplest way is a google search--- for example, let's say you've decided to wrap up Startup Week with a party and you think maybe there's a great "party planning" app.... Google search gives list sites like 

http://www.appappeal.com/apps/event-planning

It also uncovered this:  http://bit.ly/13rNe0N

Which had low ratings BUT I could put it into Discovr Apps http://bit.ly/ZNkH4F
 to uncover -->
MyGuestList (free!!)..... It doesn't look that great BUT once it's on my iPad I can use Genius at my app store to see if it recommends more!

Or a super simple thing to look at bottom of page in app description for what others download yields--->> pro party planner & iparty

---->> which brings up: Apps for finding Apps!! .... Ah Mashable: http://mashable.com/2012/02/12/apps-for-finding-apps/


Android--->> BAM     http://www.bestappsmarket.com

For Apple app discovery I use-->  appadvice which is like pinterest for apps (=time vacuum)

http://appadvice.com/appnn

so... Maybe we've noticed that there really aren't that many great party planning apps out there--->>

Can I really CREATE my own app??

If you can script in C+, java, lua, you can go native or use phonegap or sleep now. Otherwise... This sections for you!!

yes, there are actually apps for building apps (in fact, my company is making one now!)

Some general ones--- http://ibuildapp.com/ and http://www.appmakr.com/ and http://www.app-press.com/

Hint--- do a search like "built with appmakr" to find apps built with these tools and see which ones suit your style

There are even ones specific for games --- Lots of people are liking codea http://twolivesleft.com/Codea/

I play a game called CargoBot built with Codea & use it lots with students!  

4) the FUTURE of apps.... http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/developers-predict-future-of-mobile.html     Lots of great ideas here including --->>>

By 2015, most developers say, they'll be coding apps for more than just smartphones and tablets--branching out into televisions (83.5%), game consoles (71.2%), the foldable screen (68.1%), and Google Glass (67.1%).

It's interesting to note that 74% of those surveyed plan to build apps for connected cars. Considering that California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill Tuesday regulating self-driving cars in the state, it's easy to imagine a day when innovative apps built into cars that drive themselves will let us thoroughly embrace distracted driving--maybe we can even work on the way to work!

I'll be Crafty for Christmas

I have been so monumentally crafty lately that I actually invited two (admitted) craftophobes into my kitchen to join me in a gingerbread session.

Little did I suspect the sheer craftlessness which would ensue..... reminds me of some project from Unwholesomefoods. That was not what I intended... urg!
Then they went & put my awesome Roller Derby super special, pink & glittery "award knife" right on the gingerbread cowpie that they had mustered from their seedy side of craftless consciousness....

Luckily, I have been truly crafty all byes myselfs, as evidenced in my derby-comix-bejeweled inspired boxes & wall art. So there, anti-craft demons!

A Royal Weekend!

This weekend, we were visited by royalty! We miss her already.....

(Gramma/Grampa computer tip: press the play button on bottom left or middle of screen... wink!)

Dream Deck!

I cannot believe that our new deck went from this (below) in July ......

To THIS-----> by September!!
Oh joy! An entirely new room to decorate!
Baileys has found her spot & is wonderfully happy there!

Views from Back Country BC

So.... we've been wearing through the pages of our BC Backroads Mapbook again! Over the last twelve years, we've gone to many of the lakes off Bear Main road, as well as the eastern valley lakes, but have never ventured above Peachland before.

And now we have. Go figure, there's a whole lotta lakes up there to find & explore!

We've successfully claimed our own solo spot at two lakes for two weekends in a row, and we have a list of ideas for future excursions (notice how secretive we're being?.... you'll have to find them yourselves! Half the fun is searching around for them anyway....)

We spent quite a bit of time watching the "frog channel" at our first lake.

The second lake was at the absolute top of a mountain range and it felt like something out of a wild west movie --- complete with howling winds that nearly blew us right off the road!

Summer So Far (So Good !! )

So far, summer 2010 here at the property has been blooming with flowers, fruits, and friends!

There have been ample pickings from the garden

And lucrative visits !!

Also came a visit from the Eastern Magi !!

Who visited our "Nut Chair" ......

Picked some raspberries ....

baked some pies ....

And just generally hung around and looked fabulous !

Summer Car Show

Of all the crazy things to do on a hot day in June, we picked the Peach City Cruise in Penticton (website here -- > click).
Surprisingly fun thing to do on a sunny afternoon ... peering under hoods and admiring shiny paint jobs & the like....
Go figure, I liked the wooden cars best!

Tim preferred the more stately and elegant cars, such as the classic Pacer ....

Observation: many folks who visit classic car shows resemble famous WWF wrestlers...

We started & ended the afternoon with a visit to Penticton's newest vintage vendor-- "Tiger Alley"... (yay JK!)