Bunny taking off!

Just checked our stats on the new Google analytics site (got myself on the beta). Looks like "Highway to Bunny Heaven" http://bunny.codegent.net/ (a game developed in our labs) is taking off, people from all around the globe playing the game. Following some of the referers back I found the game listed on Inbox Junkies, and to my surprise we are top of the rating chart with 90%. This really rocks as we haven't really started seeding it in a big way, and its already gaining popularity up on viral game sites.

One interesting thing from the stats was that roughly 80% of people visiting the site have flash player 8 already installed. If you havent upgraded to 8 yet, you should do it today. I can think of two good reasons:

1. Security: a recent vulnerability in all older versions of flash was identified by Microsoft (funny eh, Microsoft finding bugs in other people's software). This is a critical issue, which basically means if you want to be safe on that interweb better upgrade sharpish. You can do that easily using the link below, it only takes a mo.

http://www.macromedia.com/software/flashplayer/

2. Our Bunny game! Normally we have to code to version 7 with games (6 if we are working for Auntie). However using the latest player for games has some big performance and rendering adavantages. This helps keep the game running smooth even though there is quite a lot going on. If you haven't already, install Flash 8, checkout Bunny, and email to all your friends.

Oh and happy easter all. (its easter soon right?)

- Luke

Nice new win for Codegent

We've just found out that we've won a competitive pitch with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (at least we will have done once all the contracts have been signed). We're really happy to have won this for a number of reasons:

• The project is in the area of recruitment where we have loads of experience
• The project itself will be a really interesting one - although we can't really say much more about it yet.
• We were approached to submit a proposal by CSP (always nice when someone has heard of you).
• We reckon the opposition were as keen as we were to win it ;-)

Happy days...

David visits Mr Walker

This week saw David flying up to Aberdeen to spend a few days with the Walker family, owners of the prestigious Walkers Shortbread company.

A guided tour around the biscuit factories saw him wearing the obligatory white hat and blue hair net. He was later told that when Prince Charles visited a few years ago he actually refused to wear the hairnet.

Other attractions included dinner at Mrs Walker's house, a tour around the Glenfiddich distillery and a day's snowboarding.

Another week, another wedding

Just to say a big congratulations to the lovely Nic (nee Joyce) and Mark Millichip, who tied the knot this weekend.

This picture was taken on a freezing cold Sunday afternoon.... luckily for them they've jetted off to Hawaii to warm up.

Actually, Nic regularly swims the English Channel, so I doubt a bit of cold really bothered her. Anyway - best of luck to 'em. 

O2, BT, Gillette, Premier Foods, Swarovski, Illuminations, BBC, American Express, Ideal, SCONUL....

2006 has started brilliantly. We’ve produced several new sites projects for clients including BBC, Swarovski Catwalk Report, American Express and Ideal. We've also picked up some work with a number of interesting new clients. As a growing company it’s not that unusual to see our order book grow month on month, but 2006 so far has been unprecedented.

January and February saw us working on a large project for Novartis to introduce an Over-The-Counter drug. We can’t say much about it, but it will be launching in late March.

For SCONUL (the Society of College, National and University Libraries), we are building a new search engine for people researching documents across the network of libraries, called find it!.

We have also picked up some work with BT, a research portal for O2, some online advertising work for Gillette, a series of microsites for Premier Foods and an animated online training tool for PwC.

We’re also redeveloping television production company, Illuminations' main website and have just won the contract to redevelop fashion and jewellery company, Swarovski’s ‘swarovskisparkles’ site.

All this work has come from referrals – the best marketing tool of all is getting people you’ve done work for before to be so happy that they tell everyone they know.

Roll on the summer.

The Chronicles of Pootle

The codegent offices were once again filled with mirth and merriment as it emerged that curious Dave's pet (or fluff?) name for his wonderful girlfriend Jane is Pootle!

Younger readers may not be familiar with the classic BBC fur-based television series from the 70s - The Flumps - but the name Pootle "the youngest member of the Flump family, he often got things confused and he sometimes wore a white hat" is certainly a comedy term for his better half.

Aside from outing David as a big softie in this blog entry I would like to also share a beautiful Flumps moment with viewers...

"One of the most tear-jerking episodes concerned Pootle's consternation that the moon appeared to have fallen into a bucket of water. The moment when he realised that it was the reflection of the moon in the water, was a heart-breaking piece of British television."

Enjoy further flump love here

The terrible commute to work

Oh the tedium of sitting in traffic jams, with nothing to see but belching exhaust pipes and stressed school-run Mummies.

Here's a little secret - if you ride a bike you don't have to travel everywhere by road. So you can avoid all this and get to work not feeling like you want to strangle the next person who talks to you. And the only thing it costs you is a few thousand calories each week.

(Hello to Emily, by the way!)