In collaboration with Web Communications, Central Web Services and the Engineering Capstone Project, OSU Central Web Services and Web Communications have released the first version of the OUS iPhone app. What initiially started as an idea for the Engineering Capstone Project has finally been delivered to the OSU Community.
In order to have the app delivered by the capstone project be distributed for wider use, Central Web Services had to first analyze the code, and fix some known issues with the mostly functional app. "It was our first foray into iOS development." commented the Associate Director, Jos Accapadi. "As such, it was also a learning curve for us. The project lead, Shayne Huddleston, quickly learned a good amount about the platform, and quickly learned of all the nuances and complications with the language."
But about half way through reworking portions of it, trying to discover memory leaks, the project was put on a temporary hiatus as other critical issues came to the front. "I have a limited staff, and our development resources are tight as best," Jos commented, "so we have to weigh the priorities when issues come in. I originally planned for a November release. And as you can see we released on April 1st."
Work started again at the beginning of the 2011 calendar year, but was soon shelved for a different platform. Shayne Huddleston was evaluating strategic platforms and strategic direction, and Appcelerator's Titanium product, which is free for use, had come a long way since it first was introduced according to Shayne. The benefit of Titanium is it uses a web programmers core skills, with css, html and javascript. "You still have to know the platform," Shayne told the Associate Director, "and understand Apple's Developers guidelines."
The platform however, dramatically reduced development of an app. "It's not good for all apps, because it doesn't support all the capabilities of the native language, but for the OSU app it's perfect." Shayne said.
So in February and March, mixed with other work, the iOSU app was finalized and made ready for distribution to OSU on April 1st.
"In terms of distribution, OSU has 3 programs." Jos informed, "It has the Standard License for distribution to the Apple Store as Oregon State University. It has the Enterprise License for internal distribution only, for faculty, staff, students of OSU, and it has the University license, which is used to teach iOS programming. The University license is maintained by the College of Engineering."
The OSU app was distributed under the Enterprise License.
"The one nuance right now is that you will have to go to the site from your device to download, as we don't have a mechanism yet to distribute apps directly into iTunes. We do need all the authentication built in to this, and there is a project with the Capstone program to look at an App House for just such a distribution."
Initially started by OSU students with support from internal staff, and then refactored by CWS staff, our home-grown app represents the best in collaborative efforts. A native application means faster access to certain features, like image galleries, on the Apple platform.
So for now, go to the iOSU app page from your mobile device, authenticate via your ONID credentials and download the app. Central Web Services would like to hear any feedback you have, so use the Feedback button in the app and let the group know what you would like to see in it, or any bugs you hit with it.
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