Adding jQuery to your project is indeed a simple task, download the jQuery file, add the script line and code that you wish to use and upload, but what happens when another library such as Prototype or Mootools has been used already?

jQuery fails.

So how do we fix this?

There are various solutions such as jQuery.noconflict() before any jQuery code etc.

However, the by far easiest fix is to include the jQuery file before any other library.

This allows us to then reference any jQuery functions using jQuery instead of $.

For example

$("div-id").hide();

becomes

jQuery("div-id").hide();

You can even assign jQuery to a variable of your own choice using:

var $variable = jQuery;
$variable("div-id").hide();

See the jQuery website for more information.

Aswell as Craig, a few others (including myself) in the office have recently jumped on the Smartphone bandwagon. Having had enough of a relatively cheap (and awful) phone and the need to cart my iPod touch everywhere I went, it was time for a shiny new gadget in the shape of an Iphone.

Before taking the plunge, I insisted on watching the Iphone 3.0 keynote speech and as always was very, very impressed. It seems rather than buying just a phone, users are now buying into an endless collection of inspirational and highly useful ideas in the form of programs – known as “apps”. By now I’m sure everybody is familiar of the concept (with what seems like endless TV adverts!) and of course these will be beneficial to people in different ways with educational, social networking, utilities and many more types of apps available. For me, the most impressive thing is the drive towards ubiquitous computing.

With the seamless integration of Wi-Fi and 3G, I now have access to any type of information, whenever and wherever I am. The GPS functionality unleashes endless possibilities (the most significant – replacing my clunky Tom-Tom!) which I love the idea of. Covered largely in Apple’s keynote speech is the new-found use for accessories and of the most impressive comes in the shape of Tom-Tom’s car kit, quickly allowing me to replace my car stereo, hands-free kit and the requirement for both my Tom-Tom and IPod touch. Completely awesome.

So aswell as jumping on the Iphone bandwagon, I think it’s time to get involved with the development of our own apps, pushing the boundaries further to produce impressive, useful applications. I particularly love the idea how the possibilities are now only limited by lack of imagination, with the ability to take credit card payments, in-app purchase or locate any shop/service around you simply using your current location.

In the near future I’d love to move towards creating great apps like this to save users time, speed up business transactions, improve business leads, or even travel lighter!

On that note, time to get creative..