Feral Jundi

Monday, August 29, 2011

Mobile Apps: Feral Jundi Upgrade For Mobile Viewing

Recently I have been doing some research on the statistics of the blog and stumbled upon a startling figure. Feral Jundi has had a massive increase in traffic from mobile devices like iPhone, Android, Blackberry, or from tablets like iPad. Here is a screen shot of what I am talking about. The key figure here is that the blog went from 1,222 visits from mobile devices in 2010 from Jan to July, to 10,246 visits during the same time period this year. That is a 739 % increase!

The top 5 devices used, and in this order were iPhone, Android, iPad, iPod, and BlackBerry. So with this data, I decided I needed to upgrade and improve upon the mobile version of Feral Jundi.  After doing some research and shopping around, I finally settled upon a company called Brave New Code that makes some software that converts blogs into mobile websites. The set up is called WP Touch Pro, and I am very happy with the final product. I paid $39 for it, and it was a good investment in my view. (disclaimer–I am now an affiliate for WP Touch Pro because I like it so much!)

I went with the Pro version, as opposed to the free version, just because it had some features that I really liked. Plus you get access to their support. The only tweaking I had to do to make it work with my blog is to modify my Quick Cache plugin. In their forum, they talk about exactly how to do this, and it was easy to do. Here is a screen shot of the home page as it would look on iPhone.

So I figured I would highlight some of the features of this thing. If you want to read a post you can click on the title and the whole thing will pop up. Or you can see just a teaser of the post by clicking that arrow button just to the right of the title. But once you get to the actual post, here is a screen shot of that.

In order to read the post, you will have to touch that right side scroll bar and move it down to check out the post. The Chitika ads are both from the website and the mobile ads. the little Chitika ad in the footer will continue to slide down as you read, or you can remove the ad by pressing that X on the ad.  Or if you want to check out that ad, just tap it and you will be able to check it out. At this time, the blog’s Ad Center is not available for mobile. I might play around with this and see what I can come up with in the future. Just check into the Advertising Page up top to find out any news about that kind of thing, or just contact me.

Now the other feature is the Menu, which is a button located in the header at the right side. To check out the Menu, just tap it with your finger and you will get this page.

Pretty self explanatory  here, and I will let the reader explore what they want from here. The book, blocks, and tags graphics are the ‘menu’, categories, and popular tags of the website. So if you want to go back and explore old posts in the archives, that is how you can do it. You can also use the search feature which is a graphic that looks like a magnifying glass.

Some other cool stuff is the comments are indicated by the red dots with numbers in them, indicating how many comments for each post. You can still make comments by following along with the post and scrolling down to the bottom. You also have several means of sharing the post, either by using the ‘share’ button between the post and the comments, or you can click the Twitter, Linkedin, and Facebook buttons at the top of the post.

Finally, and this is a cool little deal that I have been playing around with lately. I have come up with a Seal of Feral Jundi. This is something I can use for publications, icons, favicons, etc. Also, this is the homepage icon for FJ, and this new mobile platform will prompt folks to put it on their phone. This makes it very easy to go right to FJ when you want to read it. (if anyone has the old icon, just delete it and re-do the whole process to get the new icon on your mobile device or tablet. Here is a picture of the icon.

The meaning behind this seal is pretty basic, but unique. The Laurel symbolizes education and victory. The serpent swallowing the person is called the Biscione. It has different meanings to different users of the symbol, but for me, I like the Visconti family history of the symbol. It represents to them a serpent that attacked a village, and the Visconti family destroyed that serpent, and was famous for doing so. So for my purposes, the serpent represents evil or the enemy attacking the innocent, and this blog’s dedication to fighting that. And finally, the crown symbolizes leadership.

I might play around more with the concept, but so far I like it. So enjoy and I appreciate any feedback. The folks on Facebook have visited the site on different mobile platforms, and so far they said it is working. –Matt

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Mobile Apps: Tactical NAV Smartphone App Directs UAV–Thwarts Taliban Attack

Filed under: Afghanistan,Mobile Apps — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 9:07 AM

Excellent little story, although I would like to hear it from the security contractors involved. There is no mention of the company either. So whomever was involved, if you would like to confirm this here on the blog or talk to me in private, I can make the edits to show this actually happened.

The concept of the app is great and it would be nice to get some more details about this incident. Like how the contractor found out about the Tac NAV, and did it work as advertised? It sounded like he was able to communicate the needed information for this incident, and get a UAV over the attacking force.

On the other hand though, did the Taliban run because of the UAV, or were they only conducting a ‘hit and run’ attack and they happened to be gone when the UAV arrived on scene? That is why I would like to get a little more detail before cheering this mobile app on.

Cool stuff though, and if you have a smartphone this would be a good mobile app to have, just because it doesn’t weigh anything and you can store it indefinitely on your phone. –Matt

Tactical NAV Smartphone App Directs UAV – Thwarts Taliban Attack
Jul 21, 2011
Kabul, Afghanistan – With the number of private military contractors exceeding the number of troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan, a growing concern for keeping contractors safe is more pressing than ever. ?On June 28, a private contractor located near Kabul came under insurgent fire while located in an area where he and his American contractors were working. The contractor immediately called the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) tactical operations center (TOC) for military support, and ISAF personnel then quickly responded by requesting the military grid reference system (MGRS) grid coordinates to the insurgent threat.?However, the contractor was not equipped with a military GPS device or a 1:50,000-scale map to give the proper MGRS coordinates to the TOC. Instead, the contractor used Tactical NAV on his iPhone, and was able to quickly and accurately provide the assisting military personnel with his location, and also the location where the insurgent fire was coming from. As a result, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was dispatched to survey the perimeter of the base, and the insurgent attack was thwarted.?Developed for Soldiers by Soldiers, Tactical NAV assists troops in mapping, plotting and photographing waypoints on the battlefield and also helps Soldiers convey coordinates to other supporting units. Tactical NAV incorporates a compass, camera and a gridded map reference system to accurately pinpoint specific locations and relay that information to other users.

Device Requirements:-iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad-Requires iOS 4.2 or later-5.9
Story here.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Cool Stuff: The Milidroid Blog

This is neat.  A friend of FJ and fellow security contractor has started a blog that deals with mobile apps for the Android operating system.  This smart phone/operating system is awesome, and it definitely is winning over contractors, police and military folks alike. So if you are an Android user, this blog is for you.  Definitely subscribe via RSS, use the badge below, or sign up for the Facebook page. And definitely ‘Tweet’ and ‘Like’ his posts if you support the content and want more of it.

On an artistic and technical note, they have a great little logo/brand and the website is very SEO friendly and easy on the eyes. –Matt

Welcome to Milidroid!
March 21, 2011
Milidroid is your one stop source for all thing military related to the android platform and associated equipment. We bring you industry news, articles on apps that may be of interest to those in the military, product announcements and reviews.
We are also looking for your input what are you using with your Android? Let us know what equipment, apps and accessories you find useful. If you are a developer give us the scoop and we’ll help you get the word out.
Mission Statement:
Milidroid is here to provide a resource for those seeking information on military specific uses for the Android platform and associated apps, devices, and equipment.
Mobile Browser Compatable
Milidroid is Android readable right our of the box. No need to install a special app just visit the site in your browser and read.

Easy Downloads
The “Android Market Badge” is a multifunction feature. For starters it’s a link that will take you to the app in the Android Market whether you’re browsing on your computer or Android device. It also has an embedded QR Code that can be scanned with your phone if you have a barcode scanning app, which will also take you directly to the app in the Android Market.
Link to blog here.
Link to Milidroid Facebook here.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Job Tips: Secure Aspects Job Board Is Now Formated For Smart Phones

Filed under: Job Tips,Jobs,Kaizen,Mobile Apps — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 11:07 AM

     This is good to hear and I am glad they are going this route.  To have a smart phone friendly job board website to browse is handy and makes it easier to read for those out there that use these phones. Check it out. –Matt

From the Director of Operations

     We have been busy updating our job board to provide a better service to our users. The biggest and most exciting feature we have added is our special designed theme for our smart phone users. The Secure Aspects Group Job Board now automatically recognizes if you are accessing our site from a smart phone and will re-direct you to a smart phone friendly layout.

Give it a try and let us know how it is working for you… Use your smart phone and go here.

Secure Aspects Group

 

Monday, December 13, 2010

PMC 2.0: The Army Wants To Give It’s Soldiers Free Smart Phones

    You know what would really be cool is if companies handed out free smart phones when you signed a contract? I would classify it as a piece of kit as important as a rifle or radio that would be issued.  Because as you read through all the reasons why the Army wants to give their soldiers smart phones, then you can see why something like this would be important for companies to think about doing. Especially if they want to share the battle space with the military.

    Also, contractors already deploy with smart phones.  I take an iPhone 3GS with me when I go on contract, and it is indispensable.  Most contractors you work with now a days have these phones as well and take them out on gigs. This is nothing new and I have talked about this in the past.  It’s just now you see the military recognizing the smart phone’s utility and potential, and they are the ones leading the charge of incorporating them into their operations. Good on them.

    Another idea for companies is to develop applications that contractors can download for a contract. For example, DynCorp could have a DynCorp application that could serve as a portal for employees to access their intranet, all from a mobile phone.  DynCorp could send out alerts to their employees and contractors through this application, and people could call or write back to the company with these devices.  For travel arrangements or time sheets, this could also be done on the mobile phone through a really easy to use and understand company application.  For secure communications, they could integrate Hushmail or something similar on their company application and the possibilities are endless.

    The military could benefit from the companies having contractors armed with smart phones as well.  An application could be set up for a specific Area of Operation in a war, and all companies would require that their contractors download that app on their phone.  It could be set up as a secure means for the military and contractors to communicate with each other, and establish unity of effort through the real time exchange of information.  Smart phones could be that thing that could connect private industry with the military in a war zone.

     Apps like this could lead to more enemy killed, less fratricide incidents, and real time information exchanges that could assist in local COIN efforts. Contractors are a HUMINT resource that could really be exploited via smart phones and their applications.

     A contractor AO specific app could also have the rules for the use of force (RUF) that could be constantly updated by the military in that AO, or that RUF could be sent to them by the company via a company app. Unity of effort all the way and as long as the military has a network established out there, companies could be brought into that as well.

    The other thing that would be interesting with a company app or a company issued smart phone, is security.  If you want your employees/contractors using these devices, they have to be secure.  By channeling everyone through an app, a protected remote browser or company issued phone, a company information technology security team or contracted security team could stand a better chance of protecting the system.  Because once you have have established a connection between the contractor and company, there will always be some group or person out there that will want to sabotage it or try to hack into it.

     That last part is very important to remember, and there are numerous folks out there that are making it very easy for anyone to be a hacker.  Easy to use programs like Firesheep, that allow folks to break into other people’s computers or phones via wifi are just one example of what I am talking about. (thanks to DVM for that story)  As the military or companies delve further into integrating smart phones into their organizations, their phone and computer security personnel will be vital to the safeguarding of their operations. But the benefits still outweigh the negatives with this technology, and this is where the military (and private industry) is going. –Matt

Army sees smart phones playing important role

The service also views smart phone as a ‘force multiplier’ — and it wants to give you a free one

By Joe Gould and Michael Hoffman

Sunday Dec 12, 2010

The Army wants to issue every soldier an iPhone or Android cell phone — it could be a soldier’s choice.

And to top it off, the Army wants to pay your monthly phone bill.

To most soldiers, it sounds almost too good to be true, but it’s real, said Lt. Gen. Michael Vane, director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center. He said the Army would issue these smart phones just like any other piece of equipment a soldier receives.

“One of the options potentially is to make it a piece of equipment in a soldier’s clothing bag,” Vane said.

With the backing of officials such as Vane, efforts are underway around the Army to harness smart phones to revolutionize the way the service trains and fights.

Army-issued smart phones are already in the schoolhouse and garrison, in the hands of some students at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fort Lee, Va.; and at Fort Sill, Okla., under an Army program called Connecting Soldiers to Digital Applications. CSDA’s next step, already underway at Fort Bliss, Texas, is testing for the war zone.

In February, the Army plans to begin fielding phones, network equipment and applications to the first Army brigade to be modernized under the brigade combat team modernization program. That test will not be limited to smart phones but will include any electronic devices that may be useful to troops.

(more…)

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