We have been doing some research on the new Windows 8 operating system and associated "Metro Apps" - both being highly optimized for touch devices and also content oriented interfaces.

The following article provides a quick overview:

http://verekia.com/windows8/overview-developing-windows-8-apps-html-css-javascript

Although it is technically focused it has some key business messages with in it.

Similar to ibCom with mydigitalspace, Microsoft as reimagined Windows and is now highly focused around the "model-view-controller" (MVC) and "service oriented architecture" (SOA) frameworks - which model how humans work and thus results in "apps" that are inherently more aligned to human activity and more engage and dynamic in nature.

Given the ibCom mydigitalspace framework is also based on MVC & SOA for its organisational information management services - then there is a natural fit.  To take advantage of a new platform like Windows 8 means a basic tweaking of the controller layer and then building designs (the view) based around the Metro apps framework provided by Microsoft.  Conceptually highly aligned.

A great phrase in the linked web page is "New platform = new market" - there are so many new opportunities emerging around this new thinking and now is the time to be considering what MVC and SOA means - its been 30 years in the waiting.

The bottom section of http://mydsondemand.com has links to explanations of MVC, SOA etc

See also: http://mydsondemand.com/gettingstarted_windows8

Up until last week, the iPad and iPhone have been unable to run rich text editors as we use to edit news, emails, documents etc.

We have just confirmed that the new iOS5 operating system released last week now supports it. 

This means there are no limiting factors when using the iPad or iPhone to run webbased applications.

We have updated 1blankspace.com to reflect this change.

If you're a developer, just make sure you reference the latest TinyMCE @ /jscripts/tiny_mce-3.4.4/tiny_mce.js and it will work.

If your a business user - it means now can create any type of rich application on an iPad or even iPhone.

In the past we have spoken about Freelancer.com and we have used it with-in ibCom for a number for interface construction.

Elance.com is another service that has many resources that can work with the ibCom mydigitalspace onDemand platform.

You just need to get your design together and submit a project for the auction based tendering process.

Currently there are 20,000 registered Javascript programmers that can build web-based interfaces, of which many will use jQuery and its associated mass of dedicated programmers.

You can also of course use 99designs.com (or alike) to get the creative look and feel built.

You just then need the overall design document, business rules etc that combine the view and the mydigitalspace onDemand platform and a freelance programmer can bring it all together.

The virtualisation of services brings many advantages... if used for the right jobs.

Now you can read books and manage your business!

http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/tablets/amazon-unveils-200-kindle-fire-tablet-20110929-1kxr0.html

Another example of a Google Android based "view-controller" layer creating a user interface to access the mydigitalspace onDemand "model" - it's all about the user experience! - read more...

Of course in this example case, at this time, you need to be living in the US!

A very powerful feature of the onDemand service is the ability to schedule onDemand requests for periodic processing.

Great for email alert distribution, pushing information to other webservices (eg pusher.com, twitter.com, facebook.com etc), plus what ever else you can think up!

Find out more at:

http://mydsondemand.com/gettingstarted_automation