jfkelley's definitions

barnacle script

A stand-alone software module that can be slapped onto an existing application to enhance it's function or performance.

This is typically a JavaScript file that can be linked in a vanilla web page to add -- at load time -- Rich Internet Application (RIA) behaviors to the existing UI controls.

A "pefect" barnacle would be effective without any other changes to the web page code (but would allow incremental additions of attributes to customize the behavior).

I found a smart-table barnacle script we can stick on our web page to make those tables sortable and filterable.

I wrote a calendar barnacle that automatically converts any input box with class="date" to a calendar picker field.

by jfkelley June 16, 2009

Agilista

A practitioner of Agile Software Development who is fanatical about hewing to the Agile Manifesto.

Coined by J.F. Kelley for a Keynote Address given to the World Usability Day conference in Dayton, OH, November 2007.

(But was possibly also in use prior to that.)

Hey, if they can call their mission statement a "manifesto", I can call them "Agilistas"!

by jfkelley September 8, 2010

webunculus

A miniature rendering of a website, complete with representative tabs, navigation features, text blocks, etc., used to reflect, in real time, dynamic changes to style.

As you drag your cursor across the color wheel to change background colors, notice the effects that will have on your website by watching the webunculus.

by jfkelley June 11, 2009

e-speak

To communicate with someone via instant message. (See e-spoke)

I will e-speak with the vendors about this in the AM.

by jfkelley March 5, 2009

certificant

A person who has been certified or has received a certification.

We will notify all certificants 30 days before their certifications expire.

by jfkelley May 13, 2013

boondongle

A device you must plug into your computer to verify that you bought -- and are entitled to operate -- an over-priced and under-performing software application.

I found and plugged in the boondongle, but the software application turned out to be useless.

by jfkelley May 1, 2009

user-hostile design

The opposite of "user-friendly" design, it defines the likely product of design work that does not include continual involvement of users in the requirements and design process.

The user-hostile design of the user interface for this product resulted from a design attempt by the developers with no style guide and no user-centered design methods.

by jfkelley February 8, 2012