Flash – not the comic hero but the software, take some time to browse software and technical forums it generates huge comment. From those who want the iPhone to support Flash to others who will do anything that they can to avoid using Flash. Move sideways and you’ll see another discussion playing out about browsers, a few months ago you could easily find tech magazines and forums about Internet Explorer 6. .net magazine has ran a campaign called bring down ie6

This is nothing knew. In the early 90’s when I started working the designers and the programmers would discuss the merits of the PC v Mac. The PC users didn’t like the one button mouse, the mac users didn’t like the PC interface.

I read the current technical discussions with interest and sometimes they help to get things moving forward. The open source community is a great example of discussion, working together, testing and developing to refine the software.

For developers of e-learning this technical challenge is part of the job. It’s not just simple to say to your client that they need to update to the latest browser or move everyone up to the latest version of flash to get your solution working. Having worked in IT strategy supporting over 8000 users the update to the latest version of a piece of software looks quite straightforward but sometimes isn’t. As a result you might find that you are working with versions of software much lower than you are used to.

As developers we have more software available at our disposal then every before and so much of it is free. When working on a new project one of my first questions is ‘what is the PC/Mac specification’ many companies will have a specification document that you can follow. You may be disappointed if you get the answer that it’s IE6, early version of flash and no sound cards but this is when you need to get creative. My approach is to create ideas first and then apply it to the software. If you have a good idea and a narrative it will work across a range of platforms and you can deploy the version that meets you technical specification. I sometimes that think that it is easy to forget what we have, my first PC had 256mb hard drive and today I’m working around with a 16gig iPhone that can post me a GPS location, play music and I can get my email. This is where I start:

1.    Establish the computer specification
2.    Ask if you can complete a site test before the project hits start up to identify any technical issues early
3.    Focus on creative ideas – you can map good ideas to any platform – recent ports to the iPhone and iPad show this
4.    Manage expectations – if you know what the limitations are then communicate this to the project team
5.    Set up a clone machine in your office – you need to be testing in your target machine

It can be tricky to set up point 5 so you might think about asking the client if you can borrow one of them machines! It can be done I once managed to get a dual boot on Windows 95 using English and Japanese versions.

Keep the technical requirements in mind but don’t be constricted by it. If you start feel like that picking up an old course and see what you did all those years ago. I’d bet that it is still excellent work!

Each month and week seems to see the launch of a new piece of technology for people to get excited about. Last month I saw that the Bigtrak is making a comeback! Companies are able to have global launch days that captivate their customers with their new product and service. The new Apple iPad launch has been a huge success with huge volume of units being sold in the first days. The e-learning community has rightly been excited by the iPad and the possibilities that it provides for mobile learning.

The kinect launch doesn’t seem to have been met with the same levels of excitement despite the possibilities that it provides for learners and developers. Originally called Project Natal kinect is a movement controller that allows you to control the software with your body movements, you don’t need to hold any type of device. Due to my interest in game based learning I’d be interested in the first promotional video and the opportunities that this could provide for learners and developers. When the Nintendo Wii was launched people were amazed about the new game controller and the way that it would change the way that we play games.

A few months after its launch I was thinking about how we could use the controller within an e-learning resource. After testing, reading, coding, prototyping we realised that we could develop flash games within the Wii browser and develop a series of game based learning resources. The development project was a success but for each user to benefit they would need a Wii device, something that we are unlikely to see within an office or school environment. Jonny Lee through his TED video had showed the possibility of the  controller technology being used on its own and we had high hopes for a working alone device to reaching the market after time.

After E3 2010 the game industry was buzzing with hope that the Kinect technology will make it to the PC. The ability to use this device will open up new possibilities for designers that will allow learner to have an immersive experience. We don’t have any development costs or platform ideas but if we are able to have a device that works on a standard platform and supports PC development it can have a real difference. For example the driver assessment course that alongside actual drive training also has a hazard perception section using the device, a flight simulation or a adventure location based resource where you actually walk within the environment.

Kinect could offer a new device that will provide an interface that could make the same impact that the PC joystick made. The development of game based learning, virtual worlds and simulations appear to be the most platforms that will make the most of these technology. At the moment we don’t know the development platform or how much development costs will be but it looks like a very interesting movement.