Flashmech.net

Features after features are probably what all software companies are always pursuing. It’s understandable, because the need to set your product/service apart and ahead is critical. Instead of running the features race to gain leadership, I’ve recently discovered another key in keeping your users/customers happy while using your product/service.

After a departure a year ago, I began to use Netvibes again lately. It was very nice to see the new Netvibes providing much more customisable features from what I used to remember. I found myself wanting to spend more time in it, customise my interface and personalise it so that my digital life will have a home.

It felt like my digital home!

Netvibes

Yesterday, when Google announced that they rolled out themes for Gmail, again I was elated! Without realising, I spent the next hour, sacrificing my precious bedtime, to look through all the details of the themes and design, savouring them for what they’re worth. These are still presets; I can’t imagine how much time I will spend if I can get my hands onto the finest details.

And yes I know that the labs feature in Gmail have been there very long, but yup, I just tried them out yesterday too. The level of customisation that I did to my Gmail has made me an even happier user to their already great service. Frankly, I would even just pop by my mailbox just to look at _my_ new interface. *loL~*

Gmail Themes

So what’s the point that I’m driving? I think there’s a certain level of importance in bringing customisability to your product/service. After building your great product/service, the next step that you cannot overlook is allowing your users/customers to personalise the environment.

Once they feel at home, it’s unlikely they will leave for another product/service. It’s that sense of human touch that makes you happy while using it.

On a separate note, I should be writing an article on how to personalise your FDT environment very soon. For the sake of whetting, here’s how your FDT environment might look like.

Watch out for it.

Helping to spread the love from SitePoint.com; they are currently having a twitaway offer, which in a nutshell, lets you download “The Art & Science Of CSS” for free!

I knew I want it, so I got mine. Here’s how to get your own. Do hurry though, it’s a *limited 14 days* offer only.

Ever wondered what you can do in 25 lines of ActionScript?
Ever wondered if you are able to bring creativity, interactivity, or even life, to your codes?

Stop wondering.

Keith Peters (bit-101) has come up with this fun competition that you can participate today, without the usual months of your time to participate.

The 25-Line ActionScript Contest is as simple as its name suggests, writing 25 lines of ActionScript! Of course, there are rules that you have to adhere to, but I’m sure they won’t limit your creativity.

With the competition comes a very attractive top prize, so why don’t you get your hands dirty in the next few days? The current contest had already started on Saturday (bummer for me), and will end on 12:00 midnight of Friday, November 28, 2008 EST.

This competition brings reminiscence of a not-too-distant past, when I participated in the ActionScript Awards 2004 in Singapore when I was still a student. Try out my entry in the black box that you see on the landing page!

Those were the AS1 days, and I have been craving for competitions like these ever since. Real awesome that Keith Peters came up with this 25-Line ActionScript Contest now. Happy coding people!

This is something you want to bookmark and check back on a daily basis. Apress is dishing out one eBook on a daily basis, at the price of just *USD10!*

With a little patience, I’m sure you will be able to get your hands on something useful or fun to whatever that you want to do.