Design News Online

Fennec the little Firefox

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:38:26 +0000

Fennec is the codename for Mozzila’s new mobile version of the Firefox browser. It is currently in at the prototype stage and is available for testing purposes only. The focus of development so far has been on building a new user interface that reflects Firefox’s design principles, includes touch screen support, plus other essential features.

Currently the software is only capable of running on Nokia N810 Internet Tablets and desktops PCs. If you are the owner of a N810 then go to https://wiki.mozilla.org/Mobile/Fennec/Releases to get instructions on how to install the browser. Alternatively, if you are a Windows, Mac or Linux user and you feel the urge to test the current incarnation of the software head to http://www.mozilla.org/projects/fennec/1.0a1/releasenotes/. Users will find a link to download the browser.

Users who want to learn a little bit more about Fennec development can head to https://wiki.mozilla.org/Fennec. There is the option to sign up for the monthly newsletter about:mobile. This is dedicated to what’s going on with the Mobile in the Mozilla Project. There are weekly online meetings which users can join in. Plus, for the more technically minded there are technical details, documents, designs, APIs and build instructions.

BBC iPlayer for all

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:37:46 +0000

The BBC and Adobe have recently announced the release BBC iPlayer Desktop Download Manager Public Beta. This has been created on Adobe AIR and therefore will work on all three major operating systems, Windows, Linux and Mac. The program allows users to download any BBC program to their computer a feature that had only been available to Windows users in the past.

The BBC iPlayer beta is only currently available to BBC Lab users. However you if you want to try it out you can sign up and become a lab member here http://bbc.co.uk/iplayer/labs The lab allows users to try out all the new BBC iPlayer features as well as the beta.

The BBC iPlayer Desktop application should be rolled out to the general public sometime this year.

Word Press Reaches 2.7

admin — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:53:39 +0000

After many Beta’s and a couple of release candidates WordPress has finally publicly released a stable version of the new 2.7 this is available to download now from http://wordpress.org/download

So what does this new version have to offer?

The most notable update in the line up of new features in the Dashboard. Not only is this a visual improvement on previous Wordpress versions it is also much more functional, leading to a far better work-flow. Other highlights include the drag-and-drop modules which makes the dashboard a whole lot more customisable. Right Now gives users an overview of updates and comments and QuickPress allows you to post straight from the dashboard. We also can’t forget the simple but useful new feature Sticky Post, this allows for you to choose an article to “stick” on your frontpage and it will stay there no matter how old it is.

Another exciting new feature is making plug-ins far more accessible, you can now browse through new plug-ins via the inbuilt plug-in browser in the admin panel and install plug-ins to your site automatically. Now all the hassle is taken out of upgrading your existing plug-ins with a new simple one click upgrade. These new Wordpress features are great, making life easier and give Wordpress an even better stream-lined feel.

If you haven’t started using Wordpress yet there has never been a better time. For those that are already enjoying Wordpress we’re here to tell you it is now time to upgrade. If your worried about the process of upgrading Wordpress offers a guide to upgrading available here http://codex.wordpress.org/Upgrading_WordPress