Data Challenge

Over the next 2 weeks I'll be building a data transformation app that will export approximately 50,000 product records from a retail store's POS system to a website. Not hard - but there are some challenges....

Basically I'm working with very limited resources: they have a home style 1.5mb down/256k up internet connection, the website is hosted on a shared server, and the database is on a shared SQL server with probably too many other databases. A batch update is not allowed by the host, so I have to loop through each record and insert or update 50000 times without bringing the webserver or SQL server to it's knees. It also has to be done at least once a day. I'm aiming for an hour to complete the entire operation.... I reckon I could come close, but hey - hopefully it'll be better then the last guy's efforts of 9 hours.

ahhhh i love a physical challenge.

Sticky Tickets

We launched our latest project at work a couple of weeks ago - Sticky Tickets. The plug - It's an excellent little online event management tool for the masses. Any everyday Joe who is organising an event can list their event for free, and sell tickets securely.

It was a fun project to work on - we had the opportunity to put a lotta love into this site, and the focus on simplicity and ease of use makes it something hopefully the masses will pick up and run with.

check it out: http://www.stickytickets.com.au/