Although the keyboard shortcuts are there, I would have liked to have seen one that allows you to scroll all the way to the top of the list. There is a setting that allows you to do that by default but, it would be a nice addition if you wanted to reference another tweet. I guess the thought there is that you are already using the pointer. One nice thing about the auto scrolling to the top is that, if you have focus on a tweet when it updates, you will not lose your spot. If you change views, however, you may.

From a user interface perspective, again, I think that they did an outstanding job. However, there is one little thing that I am not too terribly fond of. I don’t mind the visual notifications on the application when it is open but, the visual in the task bar could use some customization. What I mean is that it lights up when there is a tweet, regardless of is it is an @ reply or a direct message. I know I am getting tweets, the interwebs is always on and some programmer somewhere is working a late night. My solution proposition, light up when there is an @ reply and maybe have a dot in the middle when there is a direct message.

Another cool feature is that it does support multiple accounts, which definitely comes in handy. As far as the visual notification in the task bar for that particular use case, I think that it would be fine to show the same visual notification as what was proposed earlier. If I see that I have an @ reply or a direct message, I will open the application and should be able to go from there. Also, the twitpics and other images open full-sized which I thought was nifty, especially after squinting at the little boxes in TweetDeck.

The Twitter API frequency adjustments are not there like TweetDeck but after today, I am not sure that I really need them. That is just my personal preference. I feel that it does a pretty good job updating as it. But, if you are in a hurry, there is a keyboard shortcut for refreshing the lists.

In summary, I love the application. I paid the 14.95 after deciding that I liked it so much and since I was able to get a grasp on the shortcuts so quick. atebits did a fantastic job with usability and I thought that I would take advantage of the introductory offer rather than wait for improvements. I am still a fan of TweetDeck but am glad that I installed it on the Mac.

If any readers have any specific questions on any of the items that I may have left out, feel free to comment and I will get back to you.

A Called Strike

Originally uploaded by AZHardball

First let me begin by saying that MLB and MLB Advanced Media have done a fantastic job of integrating and developing new and cutting-edge technologies. They really have an immense understanding of their fan base and what their fans want. This was illustrated by the overhaul of MLB Live product that was sunset by MLB.TV. While MLB Live allowed fans to interact with each other during live streaming games, the new MLB.TV features extras such as picture in picture and DVR technology. Good stuff, but I am here to talk about MLB At Bat 2009 for the iPhone.

MLB At Bat is an iPhone application that debuted as At Bat Lite in the beginning of 2009. The Lite version was basically the 2008 version of the hot iPhone app that provided live game scoring. I saw this as a must have for all baseball fans that happen to have iPhones. While using it they would push a notification that the full version would be available by April, 2nd.

Software Project Management is a bit of a hybrid between art and science. Where am I going with this you might ask? Stay tuned. Ever-changing dependencies, software issues and challenges often make it difficult to deliver a project on time and on budget. This is why good project managers take the following into consideration:

• Project Scope

• Project Communication

• Risk Management Planning

• Quality Management Planning

• High Performance Team Members

• Project Time Line

• Project Budget

When and if proper planning is performed, a project is delivered on time and on budget to the delight of stakeholders, customers and consumers. MLB At Bat 2009 was delivered early and it’s out right now. You can get information about the application at MLB.com or in the iTunes application portion of the iTunes Store. Not to shabby of a job from a software project manager’s point of view.

While there are an interesting number of people complaining of the price point of 9.99 for the year, let me help put things into perspective. The application boasts live scoring, streaming video, pitch tracking and will stream live audio available for every game, for every team. The only alternative that allows all audio, both home and away teams, for every game is XM Radio.

The absolute cheapest XM Radio receiver that I could find is $50 and you are looking at around another $100 for the subscription of the service. I am not sure what other cost comparisons I could really do to illustrate the value more clearly.

To MLB and MLB Software Development Team, kudos to you for a job well done. Baseball fans, check it out if you have not already.

hPDA Generation from your task lists

Originally uploaded by Godev Software Solutions

This image illustrates the ability to create hPDA Generation from your task lists, among other features. I have been assisting with the beta testing of the product and am excited about its launch. Some additional features include the ability to export and import tasks and a nifty little tag cloud that helps you to visualize the tasks that you have to do.

As a project manager, I can appreciate this tool and would recommend it to anyone to help them to outline their daily tasks. The software is developed in Adobe Air, which makes it operating system agnostic.

Check it out at Godev Software Solutions.