Geiger

Debug WebOS Application

2009-10-29T14:10:09Z

My posts have been lax. NO APOLOGIES! I’ve been spending my free time developing my Cell Stalker app for the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi. (Palm WebOS)

Compared to developing a .Net appliction, developing for WebOS is a real pain. It is Javascript and HTML however, there is no “Intellisense”, “Easy Debugging”, “Syntax Checker” or “Accurate Warning/Errors”.

With that being said, let me show you how to debug and WebOS and how to find WebOS Javascript Errors.

As always you first need…

Java 6 (if you don’t already)
Sun VirtualBox (This is where you run the Palm phone emulator on your PC)
WebOS SDK (This is basically the virtual machine, application packager and a few more tools)

I don’t use Eclipse to program, I’ve been using Komodo Edit. I like Komodo Edit because it’s MUCH smaller and quicker than Eclipse.

Komodo Edit (The IDE, the place where you type your code)
Komodo Edit WebOS tools (This allows you to compile and run your program with the push of a button. It also has “Some” syntax checking.)

After ALL of that is installed, you create a new application. You should be able to run it in the emulator and get a test screen. Now if you want to debug it, or catch errors you need to use a tool called Putty that got installed with the SDK.

When your WebOS emulator/virtual machine is running go to a command prompt (or click Start –> Run) and run the following…

putty -ssh -P 5522 localhost -l root -pw ”

This connects you to the linux machine running on your virtual phone. Then to debug javascript or trap javascript errors type…

debug

To add a point where you want to stop the program type…

break /var/usr/palm/applications/com.YourCompany.YourAppName/app/assistants/first-assistant.js:100

This will pause the application named “com.YourCompany.YourAppName” when it hits line 100 in the “first-assistant.js” file.

When it’s paused you can type things like…

print Variable1

This will print the contents of Variable1 (Up to the first 80 characters, if somebody knows how to print more, comment here, I’d love to know).

You can then type

c

To continue.

or…

clear 1

To clear the first break point.

Type

finish

to finish off the application.

I couldn’t find an example of how to debug out there, so I hope this helps at least one person.

For more debugging commands check out Palm Debugger Commands.

Cell Phone Finder Application

2009-09-21T18:53:19Z

My 3rd Palm Pre app is a cult success! I say “Cult” because it is not in the app store yet.

However in less than 4 days, the app is in use by nearly 1,000 “ACTIVE” people with almost 3,000 people trying it out.

The application is a cell phone finder playfully named Cell Stalker.

The ALPHA (This isn’t even in BETA yet) trial version can be downloaded here.

The app works by updating your GPS location every 10 minutes. Most of the time, the result is PRETTY darn accurate.

How much this app will cost will remain to seen, if I got creative with the monetization, I would even think about giving this away for free. Obviously, I need to make money somehow. I would prefer to sell it cheap and have a very reasonable monthly maintenance fee.

The Future of SPAM

2009-08-21T14:12:34Z

Before the internet, their was junk mail. This was a blatant waste of trees but only the environment had hurt feelings.

Then came the digital revolution and with email came offers for little blue pills and various “reducers” and “enlargers”. This is still a problem but is mostly solved if you have a good SPAM filter.

Next came SPAM sites. They are the web version of infomercials. ACT NOW, LIMITED QUANTITIES. Almost always they have one price slashed and another right next to it. ~~$199.89~~ $89 These search engines brought these people easily targeted traffic at nearly no cost.

Next, after smarter search engines, came Review Sites. SPAM was evolving. Like in so many horror movies, the beast was getting smarter. People’s SPAM-eye needed to evolve too. SPAM moved away from the organic search engine results into paid ads. It was more expensive, but guaranteed spam viewers.

Following that, HYBRID-SPAM sprouted in the form of FLOGs. A FLOG is a fake blog. The fake blog is usually devoted to a niche where there will always be products. RINGTONES, MAKE MONEY ONLINE, WEIGHT LOSS, etc.. These used a mix of organic, paid ads and social sites (Facebook, MySpace). They tried to look as legitimate as possible. They were filled with fake comments from completely happy people.

The Googles of the world are fast working to minimize FLOGs. There may even be laws coming out to make them illegal.

Now what is SPAM to do? Will SPAM die a spicy death?

Think not. SPAM has evolved once again! SPAM has now infected popular REAL blogs.

If you publicly sell paid ads, Google will block your site. If you do it privately though, they don’t care.

So SPAM get’s you addicted to certain blogs by going against its nature. It does this by actually being worthwhile. Insightful, funny, witty and interesting. This is SPAM’s new candy coated outer shell. Inside? SPAM. Good blogs are realizing there is way too much money out there to sit on your good blog.

It starts out just a little bit. 1 privately paid post perhaps. Something that wasn’t advertised but a deal made in the dark. Then maybe a second. A favorable review of a product the author will never actually use. Then BAM. All of a sudden, at best, you have half&half of real blog and SPAM. Not quite a SPLOG or FLOG, but definitely not a goody hippie co-op of great articles either.

SPAM is growing and evolving. Where to next?

Palm Pre – BAC Calculator

2009-08-13T19:59:26Z

I just got done with my first app for the Palm Pre. It’s a simple BAC (Blood Alcohol Calculator)

You select you sex, type of drink, weight and number of hours drinking and it estimates your BAC. Obviously, this is just for fun as you shouldn’t trust a free piece of software to judge if you should be driving.

DOWNLOAD THE Palm Pre BAC Calculator

If you need instructions on how to install this test software, check out this Palm Pre Homebrew Install link.

UPDATE: The app has been updated. Here’s the new screenshot.

What You Can Learn from Billy Mays

2009-07-14T19:09:57Z

As you may be aware, I was a huge Billy Mays fan. Here is an EXCELLENT and article about Billy Mays and Affiliate Marketing.

Even though Billy Mays was the king, Ron Popeil and the Ronco Chicken Rotisserie have been around even longer than Billy Mays.

Being a “Pitch Man” and Inventor couldn’t be more different. Ron Popeil was/is a great pitchman but has gotten into financial trouble after only pushing his inventions.

This is a major dilemma with Inventors. They have a very tough time moving on when something fails. That’s where “Pitchmen” and “Marketers” and Marketers have it much easier.

What new thing did you try today?

Interesting Keywords

2009-07-14T15:13:05Z

Going through my Google Analytics I noticed a bunch of funny keywords, here they are along with the page that comes up.

google calendar magic cookie
drunken texting
dates that put out (and women that put out)
geiger index fraud
how to steal money online
slap chop you’re gonna love my nuts (and slap chop my nuts)
indestructible camera
boobie jokes

I can only imagine what Google thinks my blog is really all about.

R.I.P. Billy Mays

2009-06-29T13:32:59Z

I’m sure you know Billy Mays. If you’re into internet/affiliate marketing, you should really consider him a kind of king.

I recently got more interested in Billy from his show Pitchmen on Discovery.

Wow key thing that he points out is that every product needs a “Wow” factor. Instead of writing about it, check out the videos and see if you can spot the “Wow” moment.

Palm Pre – Low Battery Life

2009-06-22T13:40:28Z

I just got the new Palm Pre. Overall I love it! Any little problem that I’ve found with it I really feel that they will be able to resolve with an update down the road.

The main issue however is battery life. If your Pre is running out of battery life, here are the top things you can do to keep your battery charged longer.

Top 5 Ways to Increase Pre Battery Life

Close those Apps! – The apps launch fast so if you’re not using the apps, close them.
Turn off BlueTooth – Turn it off if you’re not using it.
Turn ON WiFi – Palm applauds their WiFi’s power usage. If you’re synching email and such, turn WiFi on if possible.
Change your email sync options to a bigger interval.
Set your background to Black. – Black uses less power than any other color. Also you can turn down your brightness. A lower brightness uses less power.

Here is a black image that you can set your background to.

Updated Earnings

2009-06-08T13:56:00Z

Previous earnings from 11/25/2008

Where I Make Money

Azoogle Ads – $124,583.85
Hydra – $19,579.20
NeverBlueAds – $5,115.30
IncentaClick – $3,609.00
Market Leverage – $1,784.60
Updated 11/25/2008

Now for the main sources updated today.

Where I Make Money

Azoogle Ads – $125,593.22
Hydra – $25,481.70
NeverBlueAds – $5,172.45
IncentaClick – $3,609.00
PeerFly – $1,839.35
Market Leverage – $1,839.35
Amped – $1,294.75

You can see the past year hasn’t been as great as previous. However I have done a lot less work.

NOTE: I belong to a lot more affiliate networks, they just haven’t earned enough to make the list.

Palm Pre – 5 Reasons to Succeed or Fail

2009-06-02T15:12:09Z

You have to love the differing viewpoints out there.

PC World – 5 Reasons the Palm Pre Won’t Prevail
ZDNet – Palm Pre: 5 Reasons to Expect a Homerun

Let me list them then discuss.

5 to Fail

Palm is, effectively, a start-up. Forget the heritage, extract the name, and you have the Palm of today. While it has assembled a hugely talented team, startups can screw-up. Not a predication, but if the Pre isn’t close to perfect the company could face problems, especially if a hardware recall were necessary.
The ability to run multiple applications at the same time will, over time, be important. But, it’s a feature most other smartphones, except the iPhone, already possess. By the time multitasking becomes a must-have feature for the masses, Apple will have it.
Unlike the Palm of yesteryear, today’s Palm doesn’t have lots of experience with developers. A huge applications and music store is a big driver of the iPhone’s success. It may be a while before Palm has this and a long time before it surpasses Apple.
In an odd way, the Pre’s keyboard could be its undoing. As much as I didn’t like Apple’s touchpad when my first iPhone arrived, I have come to appreciate the simplicity of a device that doesn’t require me to open it or pull something out to make it work. And, if people want a keyboard, they already have a BlackBerry.
Palm doesn’t currently have the financing to effectively compete with larger companies. That could be an issue. Suppose, Palm can sell all the Pre’s it can make, but can’t make enough to fill demand or, worse, convince developers to build Pre applications?

Counter Points

Palm is not a startup, but it is similar. Their “Idea” is a startup, not phones. Apple LEAPING to the 1st iPhone was more of a startup than Palm LEAPING to a good idea.
The problem with Old-Palm was the lack of innovation. They made 1 big innovation several years ago and never improved on it. It took them years just to get rid of the stubby antenna. A new Palm that can move, change and please the masses has been in the works for a couple years. In June, they will finally pull the trigger on their attempt. iPhone’s don’t multi-task because their apps are “Fat”. Pre apps are more web-centric so are “thin”. Fat apps can’t multi-task because it kills the phone’s battery. Thin apps don’t have that limitation.
This actually isn’t a counterpoint. What Palm needs to do is open their developer network to EVERYBODY. They also need to let people decide what apps are good, don’t limit them because of PR reasons. If Palm takes a “I don’t agree with what you program, but will defend your right to program it” attitude, they will have a small foot up on Apple. Of course, they need to have a good store and allow programmers to sell their software for $1.
Good or Bad, keeping a keyboard is a good idea. Blackberry users and ESPECIALLY old Palm users. I know I would have gotten rid of my Palm Treo 755p (and paid $200 to do so) if the Palm Pre wasn’t coming out. The only reason I’m still with Sprint is because I want the Pre.
Meeting demand, or coming just under demand, is good for Palm. Coming in under demand may create more buzz, just like Nintendo does with it’s Wii. However, if it takes a person more than a month to get a Pre, they could lose some customers here. Palm’s financing probably won’t be a problem after they sell out the first week.

5 Reasons to Succeed

Palm knows how to build an ecosystem
With all of the momentum that is building around the iPhone as an application platform, Palm has a lot of ground to make up (and, for that matter, so do BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Android, and Symbian). The thing Palm has going for it is that it knows how to build an ecosystem around its products. It did it before with the original Palm Pilot. In fact, before the runaway growth of the iPhone App Store, the Palm OS still had arguably the widest collection of third party applications for any smartphone. Most of those apps were a legacy from the Palm Pilot, but many of them were still among the best you could find for a smartphone. Palm’s new webOS will even include an emulator that will run classic Palm OS apps. But, we should also expect lots of flashy, new webOS applications because the webOS platform is friendly to programmers, and working with third-party developers is baked into Palm’s DNA.
The carriers want an iPhone competitor
Sprint has a deal with Palm to be the exclusive U.S. carrier for the Pre through the end of 2009. Verizon has already announced that it plans to start carrying the Pre at the beginning of 2010 and AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said that he wants the Pre on AT&T. So, within a year, the Pre will likely be available on all of the top three U.S. carriers, plus a GSM version of the smartphone will likely be spreading across the globe by then. Many of these carriers covet the Palm Pre because the iPhone, with its exclusive carrier deals in various countries, has become a magnet drawing customers away from current carriers to the iPhone’s carrier (AT&T in the U.S.). Since the Pre looks like that first smartphone that can stand toe-to-toe with the iPhone technologically, it’s very likely that many of the non-iPhone carriers that offer the Pre will market it with heavy promotions that will drive sales.
The webOS will be a strong development platform
Applications for Palm’s new webOS are built with HTML, Javascript, and CSS, which are the standard languages for today’s Web developers. Comparatively, iPhone apps are built in Objective C and Android apps are built with Java. That gives iPhone and Android a few more powerful tools to work with, but it also means that webOS will natively be more Web-savvy and will be faster and easier for developing apps. The challenge is that Palm has so far limited access to the Palm Mojo software development kit (SDK) to a select group of partners. If Palm is going to compete with the iPhone and its application juggernaut it’s going to have to open up its new SDK to the wider world as soon as possible.
Touchscreen + Qwerty
Qwerty devices such as the BlackBerry Curve, the Nokia E71, and Samsung Blackjack are all excellent email and data entry devices, but they are not very useful for Web browsing or reading a lot of text. Conversely, full touchscreen devices such as the iPhone, the Google G1, and the BlackBerry Storm are all excellent for Web browsing and reading text, but their keyboards make them less useful for typing emails and other kinds of data entry. So the ultimate device should combine a touchscreen and a qwerty keyboard, right? The G1 makes a noble attempt, but it’s flip-down keyboard is awkward and not very effective. The Palm Pre represents the first effective fusion of the two, although it’s not perfect either. The Pre keyboard is even a little smaller than the BlackBerry Curve, so it will be tough for people with large fingers to use. Nevertheless, it’s the first smartphone to effectively combine a full touchscreen with an effective qwerty thumboard. Other devices will likely follow its lead.
It is the first true multi-tasking smartphone
The most revolutionary part of the Palm Pre is its multi-tasking functionality. While all of the Pre’s current smartphone competitors have very limited multi-tasking, the Pre provides the computing power for full multi-tasking and does it in an elegant interface that makes it easy to flip through apps and get real-time alerts on-screen. In the webOS, applications appear as a deck of cards that you can flip through with the swipe of a finger. Each app is one card and can be organized, managed, and closed using touchscreen gestures. The webOS also offers on-screen alerts that pop up along the bottom of the screen. For example, while typing an email, you might be an IM message and have a meeting alert from your calendar. Both items would appear along the bottom of the screen and a simple tap would take you into either application. This makes the Palm Pre feel much more like the computing experience that all of us are used to on a desktop or laptop PC, and that’s the Palm Pre’s biggest contribution, and it’s biggest draw.

Counterpoints

Palm “knew” how to make an ecosystem. They need to have already re-evaluated how to make an ecosystem in today’s world. If they can’t integrate with Facebook and Twitter (or are limited to small file sizes) then they won’t succeed in the ecosystem.
This one is DEAD-ON. This is especially try with Verizon. Sprint probably only has 6 months of Exclusivity. Exclusivity was a rather dumb move on Apple’s part. You can sell 2-3 times as many units by opening up who can use them.
The webOS MAY be a strong development platform. On paper it sounds great. Palm needs to have the tools to make developers happy. The webOS also needs to work as well as expected. If it’s buggy and the user experience suffers, this can be a HUGE hit to the Pre. I was looking for a stop-watch app for my Palm Treo. The only thing available cost $15. I would never pay more than $2. If I could program my own, even better!
I think this is the best slide-out keyboard ever. Time will tell if you truly need it though. I like it, but who knows.
If the multi-tasking doesn’t kill the battery this can be a huge advantage.