webqem blog

Last week saw the release of the latest update to the Flash Player. Previously code named “Moviestar” Flash Player 9 Update 3 now supports the H.265 video standard – the same standard deployed in Blu-Ray and HD-DVD high definition video players.

This version also includes hardware acceleration for better performance on multi-core machines.

A HD gallery has been launched to help demonstrate the capabilities of the new version of the player, it’s well worth checking out at http://www.adobe.com/products/hdvideo/hdgallery/

The release of Service Pack 3 for Adobe Acrobat Connect has meant a visible improvement in performance partly made possible by the required use of Flash Player 8.

Flash Player 8 has better video compression algorithms (codecs), which are being utilised in this update to Connect for improved quality screen sharing during live meetings.

Another benefit is that Flash video files (FLVs) compressed with the Flash 8 codec are now better performers when served up as content from the Adobe Acrobat Connect server. Connect can stream FLV files, detecting user connection speeds and optimising performance on the fly, with better quality visuals coming as a result of the codecs used for Flash 8.

While there are a number of applications available for compressing video into the FLV format the majority, especially the freeware and shareware variety, are still only using Flash 7 compression. Adobe ship a Flash Video Encoder with Flash CS3.

This news will not come as a great surprise to many, since it happened a few weeks ago, but an issue with our blog recently has prevented me adding this rather important news.

Yes, we finally outgrew Office #2 and have moved on to Office #3. With twice as much room at over 350m square, we no longer have to work elbow-to-elbow!  Hooray! It’s a rather spiffy, brand new building on Military Road, not far from the old office. Pop in and see us sometime.  The new address is:

webqem pty ltd
Level 1
130-132 Military Road
Neutral Bay
NSW 2089

You can find all our details and a map on our website, of course.

After receiving several interested comments related to the source of the barcode reader I created for the developer comp. last year, I had a chat with the powers that be here and we decided that the best option for all folks involved would be to opensource the code.

I have to tidy up the code to make it presentable and compatible with Flex 2.01 but expect another announcement in the near future.

*** Updated ****

Mike no longer works at webqem, and unfortunately there will be no further news on the barcode reader.

We’re looking for an outstanding web designer. Got what it takes? The chequebook’s open.

We’re a relatively small team (15 people) and we have a lot of fun doing what we do for some of the biggest names in Australia including realestate.com.au, Virgin Blue, Land Rover, SEEK, Yahoo!7, E*TRADE and Allianz, amongst many others.

• Do you like the thought of working on varied projects from large corporate sites and web applications to funky flash sites and online advertising creative (Probably all in one day)?
• Do you want to work with a company that will value your talent, reward you and give you the opportunity to really make a difference?

If this sounds appealing and the following is TRUE of you:

• You can send us some examples of YOUR great work to look at and prove to us you know the difference between good and bad interactive design
• You can demonstrate a sound understanding of both usability design and visual design
• You think that sloppy mistakes and typos should be punishable by firing squad (read: ‘Attention-to-detail a must have’)
• You are a highly effective communicator with both colleagues and clients
• You think that initiative is not an optional extra
• You have a sense of humour

- then please get in touch. Email your resume and, vitally, your online portfolio to jobs@webqem.com.

The Retirement Savings Gap Calculator designed and built by webqem for MLC has been singled out for praise by Forrester in their recent report, “Attracting The Retirement Dollars Of Australian Baby Boomers“.

The Forrester report analyses the internet offerings of the five largest retirement income providers here in Australia.

The report specifically mentions MLC’s Retirement Savings Gap Calculator, a Rich Internet Application (RIA) that webqem built for MLC to help site visitors understand the potential of proper retirement planning. Clear useability and graphics aids were identified as instances of how the calculator exemplified best practises.

Adobe have announced Service Pack 1 for Adobe Connect 6. Available for immediate download, it adds a number of new features and updates numerous bugs.

Adobe Connect Enterprise Hosted services have automatically been updated to Service Pack 1.

Read about the details of the changes and bug fixes available in this Service Pack.

The 4th Annual Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation Long Lunch on July 14th was a great success by all accounts, raising over $250,000 for the Sydney Breast Cancer Institute. Well done to the organising committee – we look forward to next years lunch!. SBCF is the fund raising arm of SBCI. webqem has been a sponsor of SBCF for the last 5 years.

I just received an iPod nano from the nice folks over at Rocketboots for my entry in their Flex 2 competition. Thanks again to Robin for putting the competition on.

Well the results of the Rocketboots Flex developer competition are in and to everyone here’s surprise I actually won. Considering the calibre of the other entries it’s a very pleasing result. Now I have to focus on the Official Adobe Australian Developer Derby, I could do with an Xbox.

Thanks to Robin for running the competition and congratulations to the other entrants for producing such high quality apps and if you are entering the Adobe developer derby, best of luck.