The brief for TILO is quite broad and requires the use of a number of technologies. As lead developer I’m currently researching and using:
- NodeJS – Online data services
- Scala – Digital Signage Platform
- C++ – Creating Rich Interactive Content
- HTML + Javascript – Mobile Web Apps
- Raspberry Pi/Beaglebone – Creating Remote Sensors and Actuators
The internet is now a very powerful tool. Even for simple web apps I’m now looking at leveraging:
- Social Network APIs – sharing content and streamlining sign in forms
- AWS S3 – uploading and sharing large media files
- Mobile Phone App APIs – more apps are sharing information (e.g. ‘Move’ for iOS and Android, pull information about users activity)
- SMS and Voice APIs – send and receive text messages (e.g. respond to queries or notify members) or provide an intelligent automated telephone system
- Connected Devices – use services like Xively.com to share information between connected sensors and devices
Doing any of these from scratch would be a huge drain on my time, a resource I can’t afford to squander. Instead these platforms and services provide an easy jump off point meaning I get to do more interesting creative work sooner. On going, the Third Party maintains and manages their service requiring only occasional input from myself, automatically scaling as my demands on the service grow.