Spectra: MSNBC's Visualised Newsreader

Well does anyone remembers Marumushi's newsmap? All those who liked it are going to enjoy the following story as well. MSNBC a couple of months ago released a similar application valled "Spectra" (built on Papervision3D) that does about the same things as Maramushi's newsmap but with a different approach. It visualizes news in a more fancy way and also provides you a set of very nice features. To be more specific take a look at the feature list bellow:

• Select msnbc.com topics from the news channel palette.
• Your Channels manages active news topics.
• Left, right or scrollbar flips through summaries and images.
• Word Filter using search words or topic names.
• Orbital Settings adjusts speeds and presentation order.
• Auto Mode takes you on a 3D journey into the Orbital.
• Use your webcam for human interaction.

Here is the description from the official Spectra website:

Spectra merges the news spectrum and the color spectrum into an expansive news viewing experience. With comprehensive live news coverage, striking design, complete customization, dynamic browsing, human body interaction and many other unique features, Spectra brings A Fuller Spectrum of News to life in our most immersive extension yet.

Adaptd Web Design & Development

It's been a while since the last time I showcased a website so I think that this is a good time to go for it again. This time I found a really neat (I.M.O) website of a Romanian web design & web development firm called "Adaptd". From what I saw at their website I think that the level of their design skill is kept high. Just visit the case studies page, click over to this project and enjoy the view!

RailsEnvy.com

Fooling around in Youtube I was trying to find some info about CakePHP framework, you know any slideshows, presentations, quick tutorials, podcasts etc and I ran into the guys from RailsEnvy.com. Rails Envy is more than just a blog about Ruby and Rails. They are a company that develops web apps as well as offers speaking & training. They also have a podcast and create funny videos. I really enjoyed their videos parodies of "Mac VS PC" ads and specially the one called "Ruby on Rails vs .NET". Watch the video:

Back in Black!

I know it's been a long time since my last post but things got really tight so no spare time for blogging and stuff. Some things changed since the last time I posted something here such as the fact that I quit my daily job as a web developer in Net360 after a year and a half. I hope things work out well with me for the future and the goals I'm going to set... which I don't know yet :P The only thing that's for sure is that I'm going to relax for the rest of the summer, lay down (stay down as Deep Purple say) and start planning my future from October. If anyone reads this out there please drop a comment!