Developer interview 'Denzil Ferreira'

Introduction

I’m a software engineer, currently enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University for MHCI. I love jQuery and been working at web development for 8 years now.

Why mobile widgets?

Mobiles are considerate as an accessory of survival. By creating mobile widgets, I’m empowering the user with more tools and features so they can make the most of it.

What inspired you to write the Widget?

I was tired of having to wait to get home and keep me updated. Mobiles should extend our capabilities to reach out to the world.

How have you developed the Widget?

I use Panic’s Coda for web development. Since Opera Widgets are actually web applications, the adaptation process was straight forward. The Widget took about 2 weeks to develop, and a week of intensive use for bug hunting :) This was a long ride for a lonely coder.

Have you any advice for other developers?

Before coding whatever is your idea, remember to first do it in paper (design), test the usability of the interface on paper and then build it.

What’s good and what needs improving?

There is always room for improvement. I didn’t have a mobile phone to test the Widgets, so I had to use Opera browser, limiting the screen size in order to correctly test the application. A mobile phone simulator in the SDK would be a huge help!

How did the BV website help you?

Sure did, many of the problems and doubts I had were answered doing a quick search on the forums and posts.

Do you have a demo/video clip?

No, I haven’t.

What is your favourite app/Widget on Betavine and why?

IMWidget because it allows me to stay in touch with friends. Technology should enhance our social skills.

What feature would you like to see brought to the Betavine platform/community?

Code snippets repository. It’s quite probable that what’s giving you headaches is already solved by a fellow developer.

How did you hear about the Vodafone-Betavine Widget competition?

I’m also participating in the Vodafone Apps competition in Portugal and they recommended it to me, so I applied, as I like a challenge.