Dennis Update II

Yesterday p-i-g orangepeel and I visited the largely underwhelming Social-networking World Forum in London Olympia (to be fair to the organisers we only went to the exhibition - I'm sure that the speeches and discussions were very interesting). There were a lot more suits and ties than I expected to see, as well as rather a lot of dubious products and business models. I'm not going to point any fingers but if you are demonstrating a new mobile phone application and the best new feature you have in development ("we hope to have this function live before too long") is a menu ("we think this will allow users to select options much more easily"), you might want to rethink your pitch. Or product. That being said, there were some noteworthy stands/pitches (we liked the guys from Omnifuse) and we were very pleased to meet up with Kevin Dixie from Fuelmyblog. Quick, fuel my blog. Down there, on the left. Go on, click it. ;-)

Following the exhibition we had a (long) meeting with the team at Simplicity, to review progress on Dennis. Last Friday we got our first look at the "preview site." This gives us the ability to surf around the user interface - the top of three 'layers.' As usual, we had a long list of amendments, which we went through in minute detail (Dennis the pedantic peasant) and they are being worked on as I type. In the meantime we continue to refine the algorithm and rules that will occupy the second ('business') layer, and prepare for testing the Alpha site once we go live. The bottom 'database' nuts-and-bolts layer is now largely complete, even if it's an empty, vacant skeleton.

There is an awful lot still to be done if we are to meet our go-live objective of end-March, but we are cracking on. Things are definitely taking shape, and there is a sense of momentum. Responses to the concept continue to be highly positive, and though nobody can predict precisely how things will pan out, we are definitely on to something. Perhaps even a whiff of a whale...

Dennis Update

At the time of writing Dennis is a couple of weeks late. I hope that this isn't a sign that he's pregnant and about to spawn lots of little Dennisses and Denises. We wouldn't have the space.

The principle reason for his tardiness is the greater-than-expected amount of time required to crystallise the theoretical model and design. We're are not overly concerned by being a little behind schedule - partly because all involved agree that the extra time spent in recent weeks has been worthwhile and will pay dividends in due course, and partly because now that we are entering the rapid-prototyping phase Simplicity will be adding extra resources to keep us as close to track as possible.

There is an almost tangible buzz of excitement circulating at the moment. From our (ATIA) perspective, seeing our long-fermented ideas not just taking shape but being refined and improved is enthralling. The Simplicity developers are also bringing their own enthusiasm for the project and Dennis' prospects...

Lahore Tummy

Yesterday afternoon we gave a presentation and got our heads together with the dynamic Dennis development team at Simplicity, up in Islington. A friendly few Friday evening snifters followed in the Slug & Lettuce and it seemed like a great idea to stop by the Lahore Kebab House, just off Commercial Road, on the way home.

It's changed a bit over the years, from the tiny transport style cafe with old flaking formica tables and creaking benches with foam coming out at the seams, to the huge, sprawling restaurant it is now, somehow managing to be swanky and tacky at the same time. The kitchen is definitely larger than the entire establishment was 20 years ago.

What hasn't changed is the large throng of local residents waiting, many with their carrier bags full of refreshments from the off licence next door, ready to grab some seats at one of the big (now circular) tables. Nor has the quality of the food, which is quite simply addictive. In fact, over the years there have been rumours (quite untrue, I'm sure) of certain illegal ingredients being used to 'spice' up the dishes, such is the elation experienced by the happy, compulsive diners.

The ramifications the next morning are still the same too. The sudden urge to leap out of bed and dive into the bathroom, where one then has plenty of time on one's hands to, for example, compose blog posts. Yes, it's been a while but the old Lahore tummy is like the return of a faithful friend...

Dennis In The Starting Blocks

Tomorrow Dennis starts his journey in earnest with our first full development workshop with the tremendous chaps & chapesses from Simplicity IT. In four month's time we should have a public alpha site that everyone can test to destruction....

For the record and future reference I'd like to note the reasons why we selected Simplicity (apologies if this is a bit dry in comparison with my normal ramblings!)...

First impressions
Right off the bat the MD, John O'Dwyer's phone manner and dialogue was professional and articulate. Follow up emails were prompt and courteous. Questions were clearly expressed and pertinent. This was carried through into our on-site meeting at Simplicity's offices, which are in a quiet but convenient location in Highbury. The office vibe was relaxed but studious. We knew we could work with these people.

Grasp of concept
Either Project Dennis is rather complex or we are not very good at explaining it. In any event, not everyone "gets it" straight away. Some of the developers we spoke to were clearly just going through the motions. Not only did Simplicity take it all on board, their proposal contained descriptions of our objectives that were far better than our own, and there has been a demonstrable enthusiasm to be part of what they see innovative project. John has been the only person to admit to being able to point to the "light-bulb" moment during our discussions.

Reference work
Simplicity have done a bunch of cool websites (or webware apps as they call them), a number of which contain very relevant modules for our own project. This was not immediately obvious from the reference sites listed on their own site, but during demonstrations at their office we were very impressed at the scope and quality of their portfolio.

Overall professionalism
Touched on above already, but the quality of their proposal, which was put together in less than a week and delivered ahead of schedule was excellent. Clear, concise, with an obvious methodology. Following the proposal all questions have been answered by return on what has seemed like a 24-7 basis. Changes to specifications have been accomodated and plans adjusted quickly and without fuss. Simplicity were our clear favourites in advance of receiving the commercials. We feared that they would be easily the most expensive.

Project quote
We were pleasantly surprised to find that their quote for the first phase of the project was broadly in line with others. In fact there was little difference between theirs and the cheapest quote we received (and 1/6th of the most expensive!). A done deal...