I've been sitting on this domain name for a long time waiting for the right vehicle to come along. Tired of waiting and having already rejected an offer of $10,000 for the domain I decided to start it myself, combining some of the things which interest me most. The aim is to build the site into a much larger project - at the moment TheHighlands.com is dedicated to bringing together the finest mountain film and photography as well as news from 'highlands' around the world.

Labels: film, internet, landscape, the highlands

With a growing portfolio of images from the Scottish mountains I've put together a collection which display some of the best at a larger size. I will be adding to this with new material and work from the back catalogue. There's space for comments, I appreciate any and all feedback. See the Scottish Mountain Photography Gallery.

Labels: internet, landscape, mountains, photography

There are two web conferences coming to Edinburgh this spring:

First off is the Highland Fling 2008, an annual one-day conference in Scotland aimed at web developers and businesses with an interest in standards and accessibility. When/where: 3rd April 2008, Symposium Hall, Edinburgh.

This is followed immediately by Scotland on Rails - the first Scottish conference dedicated to Ruby on Rails. When/where: 4th-5th April 2008, Pollock Halls, Edinburgh.

Both offer an excellent chance to hear the latest ideas in web and application development as well as meeting some of the key players in the industry (there's a chance of a couple of beers too). Put together they are a must for any self respecting Internet professional.

Labels: internet

I'm delighted to announce the launch of the major project of the last 6 months - a new site for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. I've been working working closely with Net Resources as Project Manager on this large and complex redevelopment, helping to successfully deliver a fully content managed site with lots of features and enhancements. See: www.rbge.org.uk

Labels: edinburgh, internet, project management

We have just taken over the running of our own server under the name 'Prospect Host Ltd'. Our aim is to provide reliable & affordable hosting with friendly & jargon free support.

We offer full set up and support for your site and email. Your hosting package comes with Webmail and Stats as standard plus there are lots of optional extras such as Blogs or Galleries. To enquire about our services please got to the Prospect Host Website.

Labels: internet

Originally a gamekeeper's cottage, Easter Duiar has been substantially extended to provide excellent self-catering accommodation for 2 - 12 people. Initially photographed in late May the site has been developed in conjunction with the owners to advertise this large and comfortable holiday cottage in Speyside.

Labels: internet, photography

Last week I was invited to Glasgow by the SQA to be one of the validators for a new HNC in Interactive Media. My role was to being an industry perspective to the discussion, checking that the course would give students the skills they need to progress to further education or out in the workplace.

The day gave a fresh perspective on the work of an organisation which has received criticism over the last few years. The process was rigorous and exhaustive and the design team were not let off lightly. In the end we send the programme back with 11 conditions which need to be met before validation is considered again.

No doubt I'll be back to Glasgow before long to finish what we started.

Labels: education, internet

Having been working on the site 9 months I'm delighted to announce that the new Amber site is now live, see: www.amber-online.com

Amber is a film & photography collective based in Newcastle upon Tyne, incorporating Amber Films, Side Gallery, Side Cinema and Side Cafe. For the first time the site allows an integrated presentation of their work, including many of their films and exhibitions from the last 40 years.

Built using Ruby on Rails by Jonathan Barratt the site has some great features including a full content and image management system, events calendar, e-shop, forum, RSS feed, and our favourite 'Random Amber'. Working closely with Amber we adopted Agile project management techniques (more like Scrum Jonathan tells me) to help us through. While not appropriate for all projects it enabled us to response to new ideas as they emerged, thus avoiding some of the usual pitfalls of web development - but finding some new ones in the process!

We are delighted - not just to see it go live, but to have helped develop a site that Amber are excited about growing over the coming months and years.

While working on the site I have often lost myself in the content - their archives hold some truly inspirational documentary work and include gems such as the Weegee Collection and Houden Victory Club (that will be the allotment connection). You'll even find a couple of my early images if you look hard enough, hopefully more will be added soon.

Labels: internet, photography

The list is small but growing - establishments in Edinburgh offering free WiFi as a way to extract coffee and beer money from punters like me:


City Centre
- All Good Coffee Shop - Morrison St
- Baroque Pub - Broughton St
- Bert's Bar - William Street
- Black Medicine - Nicolson Street
- Cargo - Lochrin Basin
- Cameo Cinema Cafe/Bar - Home Street
- Centotre - George Street
- Ecco Vino - Cockburn Street
- Embark - Lochrin Basin
- Filmhouse Cafe/Bar - Lothian Road
- Halo Bar - Melville Place
- The Jazz Bar - Chambers Street
- The Jolly Judge - James Court
- Juice Monkey - Clerk Street
- Mezz - London Street (corner of Broughton St)
- The Outhouse - Broughton Street Lane
- The Malt Shovel - Cockburn Street
- The Regent - Montrose Terrace
- Shakespeare - 65 Lothian Road
- Traverse Theatre Bar - Lothian Road

Leith
- Beets Deli & Cafe - Bernard Street
- Bijou - East Hermitage Place
- Bar Diesel - Shore Place
- Iso Bar - Bernard Street
- Old Chain Pier - Trinity Crescent
- The Port Inn - Constitution Street
- Rose Leaf - Sandport Place
- Rumba - Portland Place
- Sofi's Bar - Henderson Street
- The Timberbush - Bernard Street
- Tiso Shop & Cafe - Commercial Street

New Town & Stockbridge
- Bert's Bar - Raeburn Place
- Hamiltons - Hamilton Place (problems with Macs!)
- iglu bar - Jamaica Street

Please let me know if you find of others - I'll update this list accordingly

Labels: edinburgh, internet

Stumbling across the Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice made me think about a similar code for Interface Designers. Here's my interpretation:

• ACCESSIBILITY - Interface designers shall ensure that their work is accessible to as many users, on as many platforms and devices as possible.

• USABILITY - Interface designers shall ensure their work is usable and fit for purpose.
  

• LEGIBILITY - Information shall be well communicated - be it typographic or conceptual.
  

• CLIENTS v. USERS - Interface designers shall represent the needs of the user to the client.
  

• STANDARDS - Interface designers shall adhere to standards where they exist and innovate where they don't.
  

• VALUES - Interface designers shall aspire to delivering the work specified on time, to budget and to an high standard. See the Iron Triangle

Labels: design, internet, typography

I'm delighted to announce the first new site of 2007 - Larchwood Cottage, a lovely self catering cottage near Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland.

It's been a great site to work on - the shoot went well despite a power cut towards the end of the day, plus it's been a chance to integrate with Google Maps and try out a new Availability Calendar.

I'm keen to do more sites like this in 2007 - so if you have a property and would like to promote with a quality web site then please get in touch...

Labels: design, internet, photography

The major project at the moment is for a film making and photographic collective in the NE of England. Working with Fresh Monkey we've been using Ruby on Rails to develop the underlying application - the results have so far been impressive in terms of the technology and the user interface it supports.

We've adopted some Agile (probably with a small 'a') methodologies and the project seems to be running smoothly - though I don't want to tempt fate! Along with this we've been using BaseCamp to help keep everyone in the loop, for anyone working with dispersed I can recommend it as a valuable project management tool.

A live date has been set for the 23rd February - watch this space!

Labels: internet, project management

Inspired but Harry Beck's classic design of the London Underground map Nowandnext.com and Future Exploration Network have produced a excellent trend map for 2007.

• View 2007 Trend Map (pdf)

It's published under the creative commons license so if you have something to add - then feel free...

Labels: internet