Sas Jacobs: Flash Possibilities
You're going to be seeing Sas's name on a lot more articles (and maybe see her at some forthcoming conferences), so we thought we'd give DMXzone readers a chance to find out a little more about who she is, what she does and ask is everything possible?
DMX: What's been the most fulfilling project you've worked on recently?
SJ: I recently finished a Rich Internet Application for a client that had the most complicated database structure I've ever worked on. It was really challenging but totally fascinating and I learned a heap! And I've just helped a client with a Flash/XML catalog that is going to be distributed on a CD-ROM. The client is really impressed with what Flash has done for him so his enthusiasm is also very fulfilling for me.
Rich Internet Apps are few and far between at the moment but the work is slowly increasing. My first RIA was for a large mining company but since then, I've developed them for smaller businesses as well.
DMX: As you do a lot of creative work, where do you get inspiration?
SJ: I try and set aside time for "inspiration surfing" and I like to look at software apps and see what I can learn from them to use in Web apps. It's weird but I also get ideas when I'm jogging and also when I'm asleep. When I'm taking photos, it's really easy to get inspired by the amazing world around me.
DMX: And what is it about the part of our amazing world in which you live, that you enjoy (or not)?
SJ: I live in paradise but it's a remote paradise. The weather in Perth (Australia) is great, we have the best beaches in the world and it's really, really cheap. We have dolphins in the river and endless blue skies in summer. But we're so far from everything that it can feel a little claustrophobic unless you travel a lot. Luckily, I do so I can have the best of both worlds. I was born in the UK and lived there in 1998 and 1999. I really loved it there – except for the weather. I could quite happily spend half the year in Perth and the other half in the UK.
DMX: What's the state of the industry like in Australia? Or is it more localized than that – do you see yourself as a Perth based developer?
SJ: The industry really slowed down with the DOTCOM crash but has picked up nicely. Perth is a city of 1.2 million and there is enough local work to provide a good living. But I have clients all over the world so I don't really see myself as a Perth-based developer.
DMX: It's always interesting to find out what other tecchies are playing with – what gizmo's/latest acquisition are making your life easier/more fun?
SJ: I would be lost without my iPod when I go for a jog and I rely very heavily on my pocketPC to keep me organised. Other than that, I've been really restrained when it comes to high tech toys lately. I'd love to buy a really high-end digital camera but I can't really justify the cost for the quality that I want.
DMX: What are you listening to on your iPod?
SJ: When I'm running I like to listen to euphoric trance as it's really energising. Other than that it's stuff like Jamiroquai, Massive Attack, Brand New Heavies. I've even got some Frank Sinatra for lazy Sunday afternoons!
DMX: And if you weren't in computing what alternative career might you consider?
SJ: My preferred career would be as a financially independent world traveller but I can't work out how to finance it. I worked as a musician for quite a while and really enjoyed that. I would also love to be a full time wildlife photographer based in Africa. You can see some of my efforts in the photo gallery at my personal Web site (http://www.sasjacobs.com).
I started out being inspired by Ansell Adams' photos of Yosemite. I was fascinated by his textures and his use of light.
I really love Peter Lik's work. He's an Aussie landscape photographer who has taken some amazing shots! Check his site out at http://www.peterlik.com/flash/default.asp
DMX: Any final words?
SJ: I guess I'd like to offer a special word of encouragement to the female coders out there. I notice that there still aren't all that many women tackling the development side of our industry. I have lost count of the number of people who email me about my articles and assume that I'm a man! So, go girls!
DMX: Actually I've noticed Molly Holzschlag say something similar recently about CSS, which Rachel Andrew then picked up on. Have you got anything to add?
SJ: I loved Rachel's response. I have noticed that there seem to be less women in the technical areas to start with and that many women don't put themselves forward compared with their male counterparts. At FFNYC this year, there were only two female speakers and we were both from Australia! I was the only female speaker in a technical area.
And then there are other people's attitudes – I will never forget going to a project meeting with a male designer. All the technical questions were directed to him and he didn't have a clue about the answers. He had to stop the client and point out gently that I was the technical expert and that he was the design expert!
DMX: Thanks Sas, and good luck for your forthcoming conference trips
Ian Blackham
Following a degree in Chemistry and a doctorate in Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Ian spent several years wrestling with acronyms in industrial R&D (SEM with a side order of EDS, AFM and TEM augmented with a topping of XPS and SIMS and yet more SEM and TEM).
Feeling that he needed a career with more terminology but less high voltages, Ian became a technical/commissioning editor with Wrox Press working on books as diverse as Beg VB Application Development and Professional Java Security. After Wrox's dissolution and a few short term assignments Ian helped out with DMXzone's premium content section.
Ian is a refugee from the industrial Black Country having slipped across the border to live in Birmingham. In his spare time he helps out with the website of a local history society, tries to makes sure he does what his wife Kate says, and worries that the little 'un Noah is already more grown up than he is.