Staring at a desktop...all day

Often we'll spend more time looking at a computer screen than anything else during the day - in some ways a sad fact, but in other ways it's because we have lots of work to get on with and we enjoy what we do.

Having a nice calming desktop picture is always a nice addition to motivate; not too busy, not to bright - my preferred styles are plain and simple, so I thought I would share a lovely little site that often dresses my screen wallpaper:








http://simpledesktops.com/

There are thousands of wallpaper sites out there, but I really enjoy the simplicity of this site along with the great artwork. Resolutions offered 2560x1600.

Tim Collins Interviewed

We've been working with Tim for several months now, seeing Second Shootr evolve from an idea to a successful and popular iPhone App for professional photographers.

We caught up with Tim to ask him some questions:

Q) What do you do for a living?

I'm a wedding photographer who dabbles occasionally in software testing to supplement my income.

Q) What made you want to create an iPhone App?

I've had an iPhone since they were first released in the UK. Since then, I've wanted an application to help improve my photographic workflow. In essence, I wanted to create the application for purely selfish reasons.

Q) Is this your first venture into something like this?

I do have experience of the software development cycle, but I've never commissioned work like this before.

Q) What made you choose utopia 365?

Three main reasons:

1. They are based in the UK. I prefer to meet with people face-to-face... build up a strong relationship and to get clarity on exactly what I want.


2. They use Agile methodologies. Whilst I appreciate that the majority of people won't know/care about Agile, I am very much an Agile convert and it works well for this type of development.


3. Their skill is in iPhone app development. The iPhone is a unique device with a unique user interface - you NEED someone who knows exactly how the iPhone works in order to build an application that works well on the device. If your application doesn't work well, you're left with an application that nobody wants.

Q) How did you find working with them?

The guys are great. I left them with some VERY specific requirements, but they went above and beyond what I asked for.

Q) Are you pleased with Second Shootr?

Very much so. It's far better than I imagined.

Q) What are your plans for Second Shootr?

Honestly? I have no plans. Second Shootr fulfilled all my business needs in version 1.0. What I've been doing from here is listening to user feedback and asking the utopia 365 guys to implement the most requested features (if I can afford it). It sounds like a pretty rubbish business model on the face of it, but if you give your users what they want, then they'll use your app!

Q) How have you found the marketing / App store process?

I'd describe myself as very computer-savvy person, but the app store is a strange little place! Setting up your seller account can be challenging (lots of tax forms and stuff), but the guys at utopia 365 talked me through everything. I still don't know anything about code signing or uploading updates to the app store... I just leave it all up to them.

Marketing an iPhone application is hard. Especially a niche application like mine. If I was going to offer advice to anyone it would be to have a good marketing budget. If you can afford it... split the cost of development and marketing 50/50... otherwise your app won't be seen by your target consumer and you won't make money!

Q) Knowing what you know now, would you do it again?

Yeah... I'd do it again. At times its been hard (testing an application over and over again isn't exactly fun, but its important), but its been very rewarding to see an idea be released out into the big, wide world.

Second Shootr v1.1

The updated version (v1.1) of Second Shootr has now been approved by Apple and is available on the iPhone App Store, either for a new purchase or as a free upgrade from v1.0 for those that have already bought it.

Second Shootr was developed by utopia 365 for Plinkk Photography. Many new features have been added in v1.1, which are best described by Tim from Plinkk directly:

"

Second Shootr is a revolutionary digital photography assistant for professional photographers. Use Second Shootr to help you plan every aspect of your photography beforehand, leaving you free on the day to get on with what you do best....taking awesome photos!

Whether you're a portrait, wedding or event photographer (to name but a few!), Second Shootr will help you be on top of your game for every shoot.

Features of Second Shootr:

- Store detailed information about your clients, ranging from their names and addresses to detailed information about the event.

- Contact your clients from within the application by phone and email, or check their location using the in-built map.

- Store everything you need to know about the people involved in your photographic event. For example, if you are a wedding photographer, Second Shootr could prompt you with the name of the Best Man, or store the Vicar's contact details for later reference.

- Plan your session's shots. Second Shootr will help you to remember the must-have shots you'll need to take. Once you've taken the picture, you can mark it as complete, leaving Second Shootr to tell you exactly which shots you have left to shoot.

- Know the upcoming key events. Second Shootr is there to give you a gentle reminder to let you know where you need to be, and at what time.

- Ensure you have all your kit with you. Just cross off the items as you pack them into your bags in the morning, and check them back in again when you're packing up from the shoot ready to go home.

"

- Keep on top of your day-to-day photography tasks both before and after the photo session.