Beta Labs - Yellowpages.com

Engineering the Mobile Web Site

An interview with Richard Parker-Lead ATTi developer for Mobile Web

AT&T Interactive’s new mobile web site recently went live, which replaces the previous WAP site and the newer iPhone web app (site) – developed entirely by our AT&T Interactive Mobile Development Team.

The new site (found at m.yp.com) reflects features and search tools from our flagship mobile app – YPmobile.

One of the most significant changes is the site’s ability to dynamically deliver content based on the user’s device. It supports over 6,000 mobile device profiles! That means users should always see edge-to-edge crystal clear maps; and all of the icons and font sizes should be appropriately sized for their device’s screen size and resolution.

I had a chance to catch up with AT&T Interactive’s lead developer on this system, Richard Parker, to get more insight into all the work that went behind creating the new site:

Q: What language/tools were used to develop this application?
A: We used Ruby on Rails, Netbiscuits and the usual array of HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc.

Q: What were the technical challenges of this build?
A: We had to support over 6,000 different mobile devices, each with their own display peculiarities. This was in order to meet our primary requirement of the displays being functionally clean and scalable.

Q: Who was involved in the engineering of this system?
A: We worked with a very wide group within AT&T Interactive including Ops, Apps Support, Architecture, Manual QA, Automated QA, Business Intelligence, Search, Syndication, Web team, and Logging.

Q: Give us a short look back on this system
A: This system had previously been outsourced. We decided to “in source” with an internal team in order to have more influence on functionality and user interface.

Q: What else would you say was significant?
A: This build was done in a very short time frame, which is a strong reflection of the excellent working relationship within our product and the other engineering groups. The team was VERY open to help and suggestions. We operated in an “ego-less” fashion. Essentially it was passion for excellence tempered with receptiveness to outside influences. We re-factored constantly to raise the quality of the product. In addition, our code was reviewed by three different groups.

ATTi at the Lone Star Ruby Conference

As we mentioned last month, the third annual Lone Star Ruby Conference (LSRC) was held in Austin, TX Aug. 27-29 – - -and we were there to hear from some of the industry’s best. LSRC 2009 offered a full day of advanced training on Thursday Aug 27th in addition to the two days of Ruby-packed, dual-track speaking sessions on Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th.

As a sponsor of the event, those of us from AT&T Interactive who attended were proud and excited to have a presence at this community driven conference. As you probably know, Ruby is not only important to the larger world of software development but to our technology team here at AT&T Interactive as well.

ATTi sent Coby Randquist, Josh Kleinpeter and Alf Mikula (from product development)and Danny Blitz (marketing) to this fantastic event.

Back again was the author of Ruby, Yukihiro Matsumoto (a.k.a. “MATZ”). This was an opportunity to ask him questions, and just hang out for a few days with one of the most influential language designers in the industry. What a terrific guy.
Matz was asked in the Q&A on Saturday; “How do you measure the success of Ruby?”.
Matz answer was “I invented Ruby to make programmers happy. If programmers are happy, I am happy.”
A true gentleman.

Intermediate and Advanced Ruby craftsmanship classes were taught by the extremely talented Gregory Brown and Brad Ediger. The room was packed.

Corey Donohoe chain-sawed through over 200 slides about software process in under 40 minutes. Heads were spinning – but he was great.

Some other topics covered at the show include:
Advanced Databases with Ruby
Advanced Testing with Ruby
Advanced Web Frameworks with Ruby
Ruby and Cloud Computing
Ruby Meta Programming
Software Management

There was a great deal of instruction on testing. Very important.

If you attended this year’s show let us know your thoughts on your favorite show moment or speaker.

–Danny Blitz
AT&T Interactive

Take YP.COM Beta for a spin

A new way to Discover Local from AT&T Interactive

YP.COM Beta delivers more of what you are looking for when you are searching for anything local. Comprehensive content, innovative local search, social connectivity, and integrated maps. This creates a rich user experience and enables you to truly Discover Local.

Be among the first to use this new site!

Your feedback on YP.COM is valuable and will have a big impact on the development of this new site – so get involved!

Earn a Starbucks Card! Provide your feedback and the coffee is on us!

Beginning September 16th, the first 900 people who provide their feedback will receive a $5.00 Starbucks Card.

It’s Easy!

Simply log onto YP.COM and explore the site. Browse popular categories, find your favorite restaurant, write a review, or even watch a video! When you are ready, just fill out and submit the “Feedback” form that is easily clickable from the YP.COM home page.
Click Here

In order to participate, you must provide your valid email in the email address field – It’s that easy!
OFFICIAL RULES

When you find what you are looking for on YP.COM, don’t forget to provide your ratings and reviews for others to read!

AT&T Interactive sponsoring Lone Star Ruby Conference 2009

As an active part of supporting our technology efforts we work closely with numerous open source communities and projects. As part of this effort we are proud to announce that for the second year in a row we are sponsoring the Lone Star Ruby Conference. The Lone Star Ruby Conference is dedicated to promoting and teaching Ruby. At ATTi we utilize ruby for a number of our projects. If you are interested in Web or GUI frameworks, Databases or Embedded Applications, if it involves Ruby, then you may find it at LSRC in Austin, Texas.