It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
__
Mark Twain.
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
__
Mark Twain.
By Kingsley Ndiewo.
Remember Eden?
The wrapper library for Panda3D that Funtrench developed from 2008? Well Eden is still here and at version 2.0 it’s really a potent tool for bringing the digital tomorrow to life. Perhaps a good testament to its robustness is the fact that the latest version of Eden was designed with Panda 1.6.2 in mind and works beautifully with Panda 1.7.0 without any modification. And this is not even what Eden calls its best quality….
Web designers and programmers in Kenya are of three general classes:
Each level has less people and more money. And the business way of looking at things must beg the question “what’s after Flash?” Well, at least I’m sure the good people at Funtrench have been asking themselves that. And Panda’s developers have the answer – the next big thing: P3D files.
P3D is the 3D equivalent of what Flash and Javascript are in 2D. An applet framework that allows 3D applications developed using Panda-Eden to run from a web page. And unlike Flash, P3D is open-source all the way. Even Eden itself is proudly open-sourced by Funtrench.
So all the programmers across East Africa, watch this space. Funtrench is unveiling an Eden Training Centre soon, to equip you with the skills you need to build your 3D career from scratch. For more inquiries you know where to reach us.
It is difficult, but not impossible,
to conduct strictly honest business.
__
Mahatma Gandhi
By Kingsley Ndiewo.
Funtrench is a fun company to work in. Because of business, the returns and the sheer weight of life lessons that I get from here. All the way from making software for USAID in Embu, to the great house hunt and finally to settling down into the life of a self-employed team, we have experienced so much from God, people around us and business that we could seriously write a book.
It’s rarely that people get insights into what it’s like to work in a company – from the company blog. But at Funtrench we’re proud of what we do and the way we do it – it’s not a job, it’s an experience. An experience in business and technology.
This week my focus is on RFID technology. The technology of proximity cards fascinates because of the convenience it brings. Imagine walking through airport security without producing any documents simply because an RFID reader has read the card in your wallet, which is tucked away in your pocket. Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is the use of an object (typically referred to as an RFID tag) applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.
Radio-frequency identification comprises interrogators (also known as readers), and tags (also known as labels).
Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal, and other specialized functions. The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal.
There are generally three types of RFID tags: active RFID tags, which contain a battery and can transmit signals autonomously; passive RFID tags, which have no battery and require an external source to provoke signal transmission; and battery assisted passive (BAP) RFID tags, which require an external source to wake up but have significant higher forward link capability providing greater range.
RFIDs are easy to conceal or incorporate in other items. For example, in 2009 researchers at Bristol University successfully glued RFID microtransponders to live ants in order to study their behavior. This trend towards increasingly miniaturized RFIDs is likely to continue as technology advances. However, the ability to read at distance is limited by the inverse-square law.
Hitachi holds the record for the smallest RFID chip, at 0.05mm x 0.05mm. The Mu chip tags are 64 times smaller than the new RFID tags. Manufacture is enabled by using the Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) process. These “dust” sized chips can store 38-digit numbers using 128-bit Read Only Memory (ROM). A major challenge is the attachment of the antennas, thus limiting read range to only millimeters.
Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.
- -
Henry Ford.
As a result of the ongoing expansion of the products list, FunTrench will have various vacancies with attractive remuneration packages to be filled by enthusiastic, skilled and experienced individuals. A key requirement during this recruitment process, which begins in May this year, will be verifiable previous work experience of the applicants thus prompt and quality product and service delivery will be guaranteed by the successful candidates. One of the positions to be made available will be for a PHP programmer for the FunServe project whose launch date has been pushed to mid this year.
At the moment, however, a flash programmer is needed. Interested applicants should meet the following prerequisites:
• Proficient in Flash CS3 professional
• Good skills in graphical interface design
• Proficiency in linking Flash with MySQL data sources
• Working knowledge of ActionScript 3.0
Applications should be made to:
The Chief Software Architect,
FunTrench Inc.,
kingsley@funtrench.com
before 29th March, 2010.
The Funtrench School Management System(FSMS) is a customizable, integrated school data management solution that provides a variety of essential functions such as student and staff data management, exam paper generation, report form preparation and accounting functions. This new system has standard features to enable it meet the general requirements of most schools including student records management, staff records management, timetable management, authentication and library management. In addition, it can be tailored to meet each school’s specific needs in the best possible manner by correct selection and implementation of its extra features. More details on this cutting edge system are available here.
The aforementioned system is a result of the recognition of the pivotal role of education in the modern society and Funtrench’s commitment to the support and improvement of the education sector where most schools are faced with immense challenges in connection with data management.
Other new products developed are:
>>Funtrench Digital cities: FunServe and Eden 3D cities.
>>Eden Development of Games Educational Suite (EDGES).
>>Intelligent Security systems. More details here.
>>Tronix Events Management System. Demo available here.
2010 has began well as only one of the three earlier advertised positions is yet to be filled with a suitable person. This is the post which requires a very skilled PHP programmer. To fill this position, some knowledge and skill in web design will be an added advantage.
Remember the deadline for applications is the 8th of this month so apply immediately to avoid rueing a lost opportunity!
All the best this year.