Ryan Blain

Make Websites from Anywhere (with Android)

Ryan — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:16:57 +0000

I’m an Android user. I was an iPhone user. I loved my iPhone and I do miss the interface and the games. I switched to Android for Google Voice. But I have since discovered some other tools, tricks, and features that have made Android my mobile OS of choice.

One useful trick (for me at least) is actually a mashup of functionality from various services and applications, and it let’s me make and manage websites from anywhere. And yes, a touchscreen keyboard and three-inch display are not ideal for writing code. But the ability to fix a bug or make a requested change anytime, anywhere will keep your clients happy and you unchained from your desk.

I’m sure there are other ways to accomplish this, but my method uses Dropbox and Astro for file management, aPad for code editing, and AndFTP for web server access.

Step 1: Install Download Crutch

This might be an optional step depending on what other applications you have installed, but Download Crutch is a tiny application that lets you “download files that may not have associated applications”. In other words, it allows you to download any type of file from your Dropbox web interface. I prefer the “Lite” version. The other version doesn’t really add any functionality.

Step 2: Get Dropbox

I love Dropbox because I never have to think about syncing or backing up my files. I keep my current projects in my Dropbox folder and they’re available (including revisions) from any computer or mobile device with internet access.

Once installed, go to the Dropbox mobile interface on your Android device and navigate to the file you’d like to edit and click to download it.

Step 3: Edit code with aPad

The code editor, aPad, is a simple application that opens text files on your SD Card. It claims that it supports PHP, Perl, Java, C, Python, etc., but in my testing it struggles with HTML and JavaScript files. I work around this by changing any unsupported file extensions to “.txt” with Astro, and then changing them back before uploading.

Step 4: Upload your files with AndFTP

In my opinion, AndFTP is better than some desktop clients. It’s fast, easy to setup, and allows two-way file transfers. Once you’ve setup your FTP account, you can browse SD card and upload your edited files. Problem solved. Website updated. Happy client.

Giving Notice

Ryan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:41:22 +0000

Three days ago I gave my two-weeks four-weeks notice. I’ve had a great 18-month ride as an interactive designer at Red Tettemer. I worked with some amazing talents on some really fun projects. But I decided to take the plunge into full-time freelance. I’m excited and nervous but very optimistic. I will be using this web log to document my experience during this transition. I hope to provide more signal than noise but expect random rantings and less than perfect grammar.

Website Update

Ryan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:05:13 +0000

If you’ve been here before and now you’re back you may or may not have noticed something new. Good for you. Much of the look and feel of my previous site has been retained but this one is fully powered by Wordpress.

I’ve also introduced some randomly generated life to keep you company while you browse. I like math and science, but if you hate those kind of things let me know in the comments. Or email me and we can fight.

Caplan’s Miele Gallery

Ryan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:00:35 +0000

Caplan’s Miele Gallery is an interactive appliance showroom. The website was designed to reflect the real-life showroom experience while highlighting Caplan’s tradition of combining service and quality.

Buddakan New York City

Ryan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:00:25 +0000

Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr’s most recent venture into culinary Manhattan. The website was designed and developed with a focus on the restaurant’s contrast of sensations.

Orlando Development Company

Ryan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:15:30 +0000

A Greenwich, Connecticut-based real estate developer of high-end residential and commercial New England properties. Their website was created to showcases their impeccable, classically-styled craftsmanship in the art of homebuilding.

Open House

Ryan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:15:23 +0000

A modern yet approachable home design boutique in Philadelphia. The Open House website provides a unique interface for browsing their wide variety of carefully selected products.

From Love Comes Paine

Ryan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:00:44 +0000

A campaign to create a new home for skateboarding in Philadelphia. This installation piece was projected at Freejade Art Gallery and was created using a mashup of Google Analytics and Yahoo Pipes. The goal was to show that support for the Philly skate community reaches far beyond the city limits.

The White Building

Ryan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:45:01 +0000

The White Building is classical yet modern and approachable. The website highlights the building’s attention to detail and speaks to the urban dweller’s desire to occupy and utilize space.

The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.

Ryan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:30:01 +0000

In the late 1920’s, The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. served as the front for the largest alcohol ring in the country. Today it is a celebration of the golden age of barrooms and the art of a finely mixed drink.