Webmasters Gallery

The topic of ‘flight search’ has been on our workbench before. Back in 2015, part of us worked on the design strategy of Lufthansa Group. In 2017, airberlin became one of our first clients. Together with the team, we redesigned their digital world from scratch: flight search, booking process, homepage, and much more.

What was considered too progressive in 2016 celebrated its first successes in 2017. Six years later, in 2023, it is now being expanded as a case study by DUMBO.

Note: This is a fictitious case study undertaken on our own initiative and was neither developed nor launched. With this study, we want to question habits, break down barriers and offer new food for thought to improve interactions.

A Flight Search Observation

If you, like most, have searched for a flight at some point, you are familiar with the usual song and dance involved with playing with the search criteria in order to score an optimal search result. If I change the travel date, will it be cheaper? If I depart from a different airport, will the flights be less-full? As a result, the hunt is a never-ending combination of viewing results, making further refinements, and constantly changing the search criteria. So, do you see yourself here? Twenty-nine students who took part in the study “Online Search Behaviour in the Air Travel Market: Reconsidering the Consideration Set and Customer Journey Concepts” certainly did.

According to the 2017 study, flight search algorithms cover a dynamic solution space with often more than a thousand possibilities that can change rapidly, cutting it down based on user criteria. Users, on the other hand, go through three rounds of refinement on average, filtering and refining search criteria, comparing possibilities, and making trade-off judgments. The analyzed flight searches are insufficient to support the final decision: users must still make judgments and trade-offs depending on their personal preferences and priorities. The study emphasizes the importance of improved interfaces with decision support up to the final decision in order to improve the flight search experience.

Frontstage: What We Can See

When we observe people booking flights, we notice unpleasant side effects and interesting user hacks.

• Searching for the right flight is extremely stressful.
  High prices, limited availability, artificial scarcity, a plenitude of options, as well as an ingrained penchant for cost traps and loopholes.
• The flight gets more expensive with every search.
  Opaque pricing and the feeling of being on the airline’s hook make travelers suspicious of cookies and tracking.
• Flights are like looking for a needle in a haystack.
  Alone, the route from Frankfurt to Honolulu offers 8,777 different flight combinations. To get a handle on what’s on offer, travelers turn to third-party providers like Swoodoo to combine different routes or Google to find offers from the surrounding area and many more.
• Long waiting times are nerve-wracking.
  Prices are recalculated, and availability is checked for every search query. In our test, a query usually takes 10 seconds. This always leads to long waiting times in the observed search behavior.
• The quest for the best flight deal.
  The most important decision criterion for a flight is still the price. But every search parameter influences it. The lack of price communication reinforces the feeling of intransparency.
• The feeling of having paid too much for the flight.
  When it comes to flights, most travelers are confronted with “from” prices. However, these are only available on certain flights and in limited numbers. What if such flights are not available? This leads to negative anchoring: what seemed affordable at the beginning now seems all the more expensive.

Backstage: What We Don’t See

It takes a look behind the curtain to find out that there are numerous technical and business constraints that have an enormous impact on flight search. Rather than years of usability engineering, the search experience is largely determined by third-party booking systems, dynamic pricing, and cost-per-request mechanics.

• 3rd Party Booking System.
  Behind most flight searches is a reservation system running called Amadeus. This is where millions of customers purchase their tickets. Amadeus is mostly responsible for which data points are available and how the interface is designed. Airlines use those systems and can only exert limited influence on a better solution.
• Dynamic Pricing.
  Dynamic pricing is used to set the price of a product based on current market conditions. Prices fluctuate in real-time based on current data. This includes data on customer booking behavior, competitor airline prices, popular events, and a variety of other factors that affect product demand and necessitate price adjustments.
• Cost per request.
  In most cases, searches are charged per request. To keep costs down, airlines want to reduce search requests. This leads to avoiding both pre-emptive and iterative queries.

Reframing The Problem

The classic flight search pattern inevitably leads to a frustrating trial-and-error loop.

Flight searches are structured in such a way that it is highly unlikely that a customer can find a suitable flight straight away because it presupposes that the traveler has entered all price-relevant information before submitting the search query.

The dilemma: this price-relevant information affects availability, travel time, and service. At the same time, they are factors for the traveler that can be changed depending on the result and personal preferences and flexibility. As a result, travelers develop their own user hacks to compare different search parameters and weigh the trade-off between price and convenience.

How can we give travelers a better flight search experience? Our pitch is The Balancing Act: a guided dialogue between traveler and airline. Strap in — we’re taking a deep dive.

The Flight Search Redesign: Introducing The “Balancing Act”

What makes a search successful? It’s an increasingly important question in the age of global travel and its limitless possibilities. We focus on finding your personal solution. It puts the traveler, their occasion, and their budget at the center of the interaction and looks at how well the flight offer fits. To do this, we fundamentally change the tailoring of the interaction with travelers. We break down the search form into individual tasks and change the sequence of interactions. This allows a more balanced approach between friction and progress.

We Will Take You There. But Where To?

Let‘s start the flight search with the only question whose answer is not up for discussion: Where to? Knowing where you want to go, we might be able to help you to weigh up every further detail in terms of cost and convenience. This will allow you to make conscious decisions.

DUMBO (2023). Enter flight search by entering the destination. [Design Mockup] (Large preview)

Find The Perfect Connection

We will find the best departure point for you. Depending on where you want to go, where you plan to stay, and at what prices and conditions, we might be able to offer alternative routes that are easy on your wallet and get you to your destination comfortably and quickly.

DUMBO (2023). Origin airport selection, including alternatives. [Design Mockup] (Large preview)

Times That Suit You

Airplanes are almost always in the air, but they are not always the same. For some journeys, you are time-bound; for others — not. Best-price calendars, travel times, expected load factors (and much more) might help you to find the best flight for your journey.

DUMBO (2023). The date picker includes different views to highlight data according to personal preferences. [Design Mockup] (Large preview)

Without Getting In Your Way

We will react as quickly as possible. Even before we talk about the number of passengers, deposit access codes, or create multi-stop flights, you should have an idea of whether there is a suitable flight for you — no waiting period.

DUMBO (2023). Flight plan with prices being subsequently loaded. [Design Mockup] (Large preview)

This Is How We Get There: Step By Step

To redesign the interface, we need to uncover the structure of the interaction moment. For this, we use the Interaction Archetypes framework to help us align our design with the underlying usage intention — the strongest driver for user interaction.

Task

The task is to find a suitable flight. We see that this usually takes several attempts and is achieved with the help of different search platforms and flight brokers. This shows that we are clearly in a weighing phase when searching for a flight. Different flights, routes, and times are weighed against travel planning criteria as well as personal preferences and limiting factors of the traveler.

Intention Of Use

The intention of use is a key determinant of interaction. The better we tailor our interface to the intention of use, the higher the probability that the interaction will be successful. Research findings show that usage intentions for digital applications can be assigned to three categories: “Act,” “Understand,” and “Explore.” In our case, we can clearly attribute the flight search to the “Act” usage intention: users have a specific task and want to make progress in completing that task as quickly as possible. Flight search is characterized by a clear goal. Travelers want to get an overview of the available flights to find the best option for their specific solution space. They take a structured approach and selectively change search parameters to uncover inconsistencies and explore the limits of what is available.

Success

Changing various parameters shows that the solution space for this task is multi-dimensional. And not just that, on closer inspection, it becomes clear that a flight search is a hierarchical step process: a so-called “Analytic Hierarchy Process.” We assume that decision-making tasks are sequential. The traveler works his way from decision level to decision level. All levels of the flight search are causally related.

Goal

Flight search is inextricably linked to flight booking, which in turn is linked to travel to and from the destination. The primary goal of travelers is “to arrive.” Here, we observe the same causal relationship that we have already seen with the success factors. We are also dealing with a hierarchical step process. This means that before they start looking for a flight, travelers have already considered the destination, the time of travel, the duration of the trip, and the travel costs. Travelers, therefore, usually have a kind of hidden agenda, which they consciously or subconsciously review in the course of their flight search.

Hypotheses

If we consider the problem and the context in which the interface is used, three hypotheses emerge. They open up a solution space for the flight search:

• If we design the search along the decision levels, travelers can make faster and more confident decisions at each stage of decision-making.
• If travelers can already weigh their options in terms of price and convenience at the moment of entry, the first search results are likely to be suitable, thereby reducing the re-submission of search queries.
• If we show partial information as soon as it is available, travelers can quickly scan for suitable flight results, thereby reducing friction and the abandonment rate.

The Challenge

What we currently see in the airline and flight industry space is that search now assumes that its parameters meet fixed criteria. Accordingly, a “successful” search is given if it is able to deliver a result based on the ten declarations. In interaction, however, travelers behave in a way that contradicts this assumption.

The decision-making levels through which travelers approach their destination provide information about this. They are hierarchical and causally related.

Each individual decision is the result of a trade-off between price and convenience. A successful search is, therefore, the smallest compromise.

So if we create space for trade-offs through interaction, we should be able to make the flight search more targeted to the traveler’s needs. This raises three major design opportunities:

1. How might we utilize travelers’ decision-making levels to speed up the process?
2. How might we help travelers balance price and convenience to reduce search queries?
3. How might we deliver results to travelers faster to reduce friction and abandonment rates?

Solutions

From Static To Sequential

We say goodbye to the predominant route indication of a flight search and ask in the first step: Where do you want to travel to? We quickly realized that the “where to” question fits the mental model of travelers and can serve as a springboard for goal-oriented interaction. Only if we bring travelers closer to their destination can the airline make a relevant offer.

Four steps

But that’s not all: We completely dispense with the search mask and lead travelers to their flight in a dialogue. Following the decision-making levels, we ask for four pieces of information one after the other, on the basis of which we can generate a suitable flight plan:

1. Specify the destination.
2. Specify the origin.
3. Select the departure time.
4. Select the return time.

Four Moments Of Success

Each entry is given our full attention. This reduces the cognitive load and creates space for content, even on small devices. This, in turn, is only possible if the effort per input is less for the user than the added value generated in each case.

If we orchestrate this information along the decision-making levels of travelers and understand their causality, we can consciously bring about partial decisions. Meanwhile, on the way to the individual solution space, we create four moments of success:

1. Can we fly to our destination? Check!
2. Can we fly from a suitable departure point? Check!
3. Can we fly out at the right time? Check!
4. Can we fly back at the right time? Check!

More Later

Further queries are refrained from in favor of the offer. All other criteria can be used to adjust the results while maintaining the flight schedule. These criteria are preselected based on the most frequent flight bookings or personal flight behavior.

• Number of adults,
• Number of children,
• Number of infants,
• Access codes to selected flights,
• Selection of class.

From Passive To Proactive

To make well-informed decisions, travelers need to be aware of the consequences of their choices in the flight booking process. This means they need to understand the impact of their partial decision (date, departure location, airport) on the expected outcome. The better they can do this, the easier it is for them to weigh up. Ultimately, the best flight is the result of a personal trade-off between convenience and cost.

The Best Departure Point For You

If you live in western Germany, there are five possible departure points within a 90-minute radius. Frankfurt and Düsseldorf are two major hubs among them. So the departure airport is extremely flexible and raises questions:

• Which departure airport comes into question?
• Which airline is preferred?
• What is an acceptable price range?
• How mobile is one on the way to the airport?

Based on geolocation and the route network, conclusions can be drawn about a suitable departure airport depending on the destination. To do this, we look at nearby airports and rate them according to comfort and price. In addition, the travel time and the airline also play a role.

And that’s not all. Targeted offers can be placed, which could allow the airline to drive competition or control the load factor across the organization. In this way, attractive incentives can be created with the help of discounts, therefore positively influencing the actions of travelers.

The Best Time To Fly For You

The travel period is probably the most obscure and yet most important parameter for travelers, yet it is also the most essential factor in determining airfare and availability. A single day earlier or later can quickly add up to several hundred euros. This can have a critical impact on travel planning.

We don’t want travelers to have to correct their search later, so we add additional indicators to the date selection. First and foremost, there is a price display that is broken down daily for outbound and return flights.

Travel planning does not always leave room for maneuver. Therefore, early indicators of availability are all the more important. For this purpose, we mark days on which the destination is not served as well as days with particularly high load factors. In this way, we can set impulses at an early stage of travel planning to avoid negative booking experiences.

The Best Ticket For You?

A “One-Way Flight” can be more expensive than a “Return Flight.” We consider the option “One-Way Flight” within the date selection. This is because it is an alternative to a return flight. And the associated price is an important piece of information to consider when travelers are weighing options.

Even before the flight plan has been loaded, we put all options on the table. This is how we offer maximum price transparency.

Disclaimer: Multi-stop flights were not considered in this case study.

From Accurate To Instant

If we communicate flights and their prices prior to checking whether the flight is not yet fully booked or the prices have changed, there is a risk that the offer will have to be corrected. Usually, all of us want to make statements that can be fulfilled. But it needs a tolerance for errors in communication in order to provide volatile flight data as quickly as possible.

The following example: A flight is supposed to have a price of 300 euros, or so it was the day before. In the meantime, the prices have changed, and the flight costs 305 euros. As a result, the assumption based on the information was wrong and had to be corrected to the disadvantage of the customer. Stupid. But: One was already in a situation to give a price indication. After all, the flight before and after might cost 600 euros and is therefore even more irrelevant than a flight for 305 euros if one had assumed 300 euros.

The communication error is less important than the added value at the moment of interaction. We can only overcome technical and business constraints with the help of estimates and assumptions.

Caching

In order to achieve price transparency, we have to refrain from requesting price calculations. Due to the costs per request and the loading times, it is not possible for us to communicate prices as they currently are. Therefore, we have to cache prices from previous searches, at least until a flight selection can be made. This could also mean that we know that prices may change once the final flights are selected. The requirement for accurate price communication is sacrificed in favor of relevant selection criteria and fast landing times. After all, price is typically the most important factor in weighing any partial decision.

Flight Plan

To speed up the interaction, we need to put the availability check at the end. The route network has been determined; the flight plan has been drawn up. With the route information and travel times, we should have the corresponding flight plan immediately available. The availability check can be either downstream or simultaneous. In this way, we enable systems to communicate without being a hindrance to travelers.

Geolocation

Geolocation data can be used to draw conclusions about the departure airport. We do not necessarily have to use the geolocation API for this. It should also be possible to achieve sufficient localization with the help of IP address search so that we can immediately create added value. Once we have identified the airports in the vicinity, we can evaluate potential connections in terms of cost and convenience.

Overcoming Limits

Anyone who has ever had to search for and book a flight surely knows: it is nerve-wracking and time-consuming. Before you can even start the search, you have to enter ten details in the search form. This means that in the very first stage of the search, you’ve already had to make ten decisions. Unfortunately, and often, only one thing is certain: the destination of the journey.

Along our thought process, we have shown that the classic flight search pattern is broken, often because external factors such as technical and business constraints influence the flight search experience. However, we have shown that airlines and searches can break the pattern. This can be achieved by entering into a dialogue with the user and leading them from one decision level to another to eventually fit their specific needs and goals.

If you found this approach useful or interesting, I recommend our guide to developing your own Interaction Blueprint. It is based on our “Interaction Archetypes” framework that allows you to strategically illuminate a user’s behavioral patterns, as well as their interactions with digital interfaces. It has greatly transformed and improved our design process. We hope that it could transform your design process, too.

Further Reading On SmashingMag

• “What Is Design Thinking?,” Krithika Subramanian
• “Designing Effective Pricing Plans UX,” Vitaly Friedman
• “Removing Friction In UX: Last-Minute Travel Planning And Activity Booking (A Case Study),” Einar Þór Gústafsson
• “How Even Small UX Changes Can Result In An Increase In Conversion (A Case Study),” Denis Studennikov

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a game-changer for businesses today. It’s making its way into every industry with uncanny ease, thanks to the boost natural language processing has given to machine learning.

With the accelerating growth of mobile applications, it is critical to ensure that they’re reliable and function efficiently.

Mobile testing is of the utmost importance for providing flawless user experiences, increasing customer happiness, and preserving the reputation of mobile apps. That being said, mobile testing has its own set of limitations and considerations. In this article, we’ll look at tactics and best practices for conducting successful mobile testing.

Device Testing On A Variety Of Platforms

The enormous number of devices and operating systems available on the market is one of the key problems in mobile testing. To provide complete coverage, mobile apps must be tested on a wide range of platforms, operating systems, and screen sizes. Prioritize testing on major devices and platforms that your intended audience is likely to utilize. To strike an equilibrium between cost-effectiveness and real-world testing, use both actual devices and emulators/simulators.

Efficient And Repetitive Testing Using Test Automation

Test automation is an essential component of effective mobile testing. Automating repetitious test cases increases productivity, eliminates human error, and allows for more frequent testing. Choose appropriate automation technologies for mobile app testing across many platforms. To maintain consistent quality throughout the development process, automate test cases for essential functions, device compatibility, and regression testing, this assures end to end testing.

Real-World Simulations Of Network Conditions

Because mobile apps largely rely on access to networks, network conditions are a key component of testing. To evaluate app performance under various situations, simulate several network scenarios such as 3G, 4G, wireless networking, and poor connectivity. To ensure the app performs properly and delivers a seamless user experience across varied network conditions, test for situations such as network switching disrupted connections, and limited bandwidth.

Optimizing Speed And Efficiency Through Performance Testing

To assess the speed, responsiveness, and efficiency of mobile applications, performance testing is essential. App performance should be tested under various loads, including both typical and peak usage conditions. Determine bottlenecks and enhance app performance by measuring reaction times, resource utilization, and battery consumption. Use performance testing tools to simulate different user loads and examine the app’s behavior under pressure.

Enhancing User Experience Through Usability Testing

The usability of a mobile app is vital to its success. Usability testing should be performed to assess the app’s intuitiveness, simplicity of navigation, and overall user experience. Collect user input to identify pain spots, usability difficulties, and areas for improvement. Include user input in the testing procedure in order to verify that the app satisfies consumer demands and delivers a smooth and engaging experience.

User Data Protection Through Security Testing

Because mobile apps frequently handle confidential information about users, security testing is essential. Perform thorough security testing to uncover risks, encryption flaws, and potential data breaches. Test authentication systems, data storage security, and network data transfer security. Use security testing tools and techniques to replicate attacks and assure the security of user data.

Meeting Global Needs Through Localization And Internationalization

If your mobile app is intended for a worldwide audience, you must do localization and internationalization testing. To guarantee appropriate representation and operation across varied locations, test the app in a variety of languages, character sets, as well as date/time formats. Check the app’s compatibility with various language options, cultural values, and local laws. Consider localized information, pictures, and user interface components when designing an immersive experience for people all over the world.

Agile Practices And Continuous Testing Through Rapid Iterations

It is critical for effective mobile testing to use continual testing procedures within a rapid development framework. Integrate testing throughout all stages of the development cycle to enable quick iterations and ongoing feedback. For streamlined and hassle-free development and testing cycles, run frequent test cycles, automate test scripts, and further incorporate testing into the CI/CD pipeline.

Real-World Insights From User Feedback And Beta Testing

Utilize user feedback and beta testing to gain real-world insights into the app’s efficiency, accessibility, and satisfaction. Empower users to offer feedback, report issues, and make suggestions for changes. Use beta testing platforms to provide pre-release copies of the program to a small number of users for extensive testing and feedback.

Bottom Line 

Successful mobile testing demands a well-defined plan as well as adherence to best practices. Mobile app development teams can produce high-quality, dependable, and easy-to-use mobile applications in an ever-changing and highly competitive marketplace by ensuring device coverage, utilizing test automation, taking into account network conditions, prioritizing performance and usability testing, executing security testing, tackling localization needs, implementing agile practices, and embracing user feedback.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

The post Strategies And Best Practices For Successful Mobile Testing appeared first on noupe.

Do you think optimizing your website for text search is enough to cater to voice searchers? 

If so, you’re in for a big surprise. 

Not only does text search function differently, but voice search users also perform queries on a variety of devices and for different reasons than when they search using text. 

What’s more, many users depend on voice search to conduct their queries more than text. In fact, 50% of the US population uses voice search features daily.

If you’re ready to account for voice search when optimizing your website, stick around to learn more about how it works and five best practices you can implement right away.

Aren’t voice search queries the same as text search queries? 

Nope. 

Voice search isn’t the same as text search. When a user searches for something using their voice, they speak to their devices in a conversational tone, closer to how we speak in real life. 

This means SEOs and marketers need to infuse conversational keywords into their websites to account for voice searches. More on this in a bit.

Is it easy to rank for voice search? 

Also no.

It’s not easy to rank for voice search, mostly because devices that allow voice search typically list one to three results for any given query. In other words, to land one of those top spots, you have to ensure your content is primed for voice SEO. 

While we’ll share some effective tips in this guide, don’t be afraid to reach out to an SEO strategist for additional support. They can audit your website to ensure you’re including the best tactics to cater to voice searchers.

What is voice search? 

Voice search means using your voice to search for something on Google or another search engine instead of typing your query directly into the engine. If you’ve ever used Alexa, Siri, or the Google Voice search on Android to look something up, you’ve completed a voice search!

The technical explanation? Voice search helps you search the internet through speech. Devices can recognize your voice via artificial intelligence (AI) and place the query into a search engine. From there, you’ll get one to three results depending on the device you’re using.

How do people use voice search? 

People use voice search differently depending on the device they’re searching on. 

For instance, voice searchers in need of a quick answer to an immediate problem, such as where to eat or how to change a tire, typically ask their smartphones. 

Whereas people at home who use smart speakers perform larger, more in-depth searches. This may include asking the smart speaker to play a song, shop for a product, or answer a trivia question.

Image Source

Then you have car speakers. With car speakers, voice search users typically ask about directions, local-based searches (such as the best store or restaurant in town), and addresses. 

Here’s a list of common voice search devices and the search engines they use:

• Amazon Echo/Alexa: Bing
• Google Home: Google
• iPhone/Siri: Safari
• Android phones and devices: Google
• Google Assistant: Google
• Microsoft Cortana: Bing

What is voice search optimization? 

Voice search optimization means applying SEO strategies to improve your site’s chance of appearing in voice search results. 

Your goal is to get your website in the “hands” of voice search technologies and virtual assistants so they can present it to voice search users with relevant queries. We’ll share five simple strategies you can use to optimize your site for voice search in the next section. 

5 simple ways to optimize your website for voice search 

And without further ado, here are some practices you can put in place to get your website voice-search-ready:

1. Focus on conversational keywords 

Here’s where text and voice searchers really behave differently. 

Text searchers use short and sweet queries, while voice searchers use full phrases and questions. 

For instance, if someone’s on the hunt for SaaS lead generation strategies and they’re performing a voice search, they may ask something like: “Hey Siri, please help me find some lead generation tactics for SaaS companies”. 

Whereas if they’re conducting a text query, they’ll usually stick with short and sweet phrases like “lead generation for SaaS” or “SaaS lead gen advice”. 

In other words, to rank for voice search, it’s pivotal to infuse language in your content that’s used in conversations between real humans — aka conversational language. 

Here are some quick ways you can pull conversational keywords:

• Use a keyword-finding tool, such as WebCEO’s Keyword Suggestions to hunt for conversational phrases (these begin with question words, i.e., “who”, “what”, etc.)
• Look for questions related to your niche inside of popular forums (simply examine the thread titles) — check out Quora and Reddit
• Examine the “People Also Ask” and Google’s autocomplete suggestions for common questions

Image Source

Once you’ve pulled your conversational keywords, use them naturally and relevantly throughout your site. You’ll also need to create content around them beyond just using them in your on-page copy. 

This may include content, such as: 

• Blog posts 
• Guides — think product comparisons, in-depth reviews, and ultimate guides on specific topics
• Case studies 
• An FAQ section 
• A Help Center or Knowledge Base 
• Informational videos 

2. Optimize for local search 

If you run a brick-and-mortar business or offer products and services to local customers, you can’t forget to optimize for local search. In fact, 16% of consumers mainly use voice search to perform local “near me” searches.

To optimize for local search, you need to create content that:

• Is relevant to your local area 
• Consistently tells people you’re a local business
• Integrates local keywords 

Use a tool like Ubersuggest to grab local keywords and questions. These might include local landmarks near you as well as words and questions people use to describe the community you’re in. 

Another crucial strategy is including “near me” in your anchor text, titles, internal links, and metadata. This caters to voice searchers who ask their devices for help locating a particular store near where they are. Again, if you’re local, we can’t stress how important it is not to skip out on this easy-to-grab, low-hanging fruit!

3. Aim to capture Google-featured snippets 

Google displays its featured snippets at the top (or top right) of the results page, typically above the organic search results. These might appear as bulleted lists, paragraphs, numbered lists, or something else, like a text definition box. 

Image Source

If a featured snippet exists for a query, a virtual assistant will typically read it as the answer to the voice searcher’s question. But, to win over the query, you have to use some muscle to try to capture the featured snippet. 

While there’s no guarantee your content will be featured, here are some simple tips you can implement to increase your chances: 

• Keep answers to common questions and queries between 54–58 words long
• Use headings and paragraph tags to organize your page structure 
• Include steps and instructions to help searchers solve their problems 
• Always target question-based queries in your content
• Take a definition-style approach when applicable 

4. Make sure your site is fast, optimized for mobile, and clearly portrays what you do

Optimize your site for mobile first and make sure it can pass a website speed performance test. 

Include media, such as images, charts, illustrations, and videos to help your audience digest what you do and who you help. This is especially important if you sell a complex product or service or if you sell something that needs a demonstration, such as software.

For instance, if you sell an AI text-to-speech tool, consider using a video presentation maker to craft an explainer video about who your tool helps and the problems it solves. This can help voice searchers quickly grasp how it works and where they can apply it at their jobs or in their personal lives. 

Pro-Tip: To account for the hearing impaired or for people who may be viewing your videos at work or without sound, consider using an AI subtitle generator to auto-populate captions in your videos.

5. Use schema markup 

Ask your website developer to add schema markup to your website’s HTML to help search engines provide more detailed results. 

This includes key business information, such as your:

• Address 
• Contact information 
• Hours of operation 
• Pricing 
• Reviews 

While schema markup is invisible to human visitors, indexing bots use it to better understand your content. This can improve your visibility in text search results and voice search results as search engines will consider your site more relevant.

Wrap up 

And there you have it!

Today we answered some common questions about voice search and shared five best practices you can use to optimize your site for voice. 

Are you ready to cater to voice searchers and improve your site’s visibility? Save this article for reference and begin putting these insights into action. 

That’s it, for now, marketers. 

To your success!

Featured Image by Sayan Majhi on Unsplash

The post How to Optimize Your Website for Voice Search: Best Practices and Tools appeared first on noupe.

Over the past decade, attitudes toward social networks have changed dramatically. Now it is not just a means for friendly communication and acquaintances, but also one of the channels for attracting customers and developing business. But this statement is relevant only when a professional SMM specialist works in the team. Below are a few key criteria that distinguish such a professional. It will be useful for both specialists and companies to get acquainted with them. For the former, this will provide an opportunity to test themselves for compliance with the main requirements of the industry, and for the latter – to find out the criteria for hiring such a professional. Let’s start.

1. Ability to create interesting and engaging content

If this skill is there, then all other abilities will be much easier to train when it comes to a beginner. Probably, many can remember from their environment at least one person who knows how to tell exciting stories, thereby keeping people’s attention. Such talent is also needed for an SMM specialist. Internet users are now overloaded with information from different angles, which makes attention scattered. To focus on one thing, it must be really engaging content that can attract an audience.

2. Competent oral and written speech

Literacy is not the same as being able to write and tell interesting things. If the first talent mentioned above may be natural, then the second one needs to be trained. It complements the ability to be an interesting conversationalist. Even if the content has interesting storylines and tells people exciting stories about the brand, this is not enough for the company to be truly respected and considered respectable. Errors in texts or the construction of sentences in oral speech are what you need to work on if there is such a problem.

3. Ability to plan

Companies whose content is chaotic usually do not achieve great success in their activities. They try to communicate with their audience about everything at once. As a result, there is no emphasis on specific products and services that should first attract potential customers. It is also important that before advertising a product, you always first need to talk in detail about it. This is the so-called acquaintance. If a person begins to obsessively offer something that he does not even know about, the effect will be the opposite. He does not want to deal with such a company. Perhaps even cease to be a subscriber to her page on the social network.

In order for the content to really do its job, the social media specialist must develop an effective content plan. This does not mean that he should ignore other informational occasions or be inflexible. It’s just that in this case, it is significant that the plan sets a logical sequence of presentation. And if, between planned texts and videos, you periodically highlight the company’s reaction to current events, this makes the content on the page more natural and dynamic but does not allow you to plunge into chaos.

For those looking for effective planning tools, Freelancer Planner is the way to go. So the specialist will always have at hand the necessary records that you can focus on.

4. Ability to analyze

Analytical thinking is a soft skill that an SMM specialist cannot do without. This skill is needed in several aspects at once, including:

• Ability to track trends in your industry. This area is very dynamic. To ensure the prosperity of the client company through well-built content, you need to constantly update it, making it interesting for people.
• Ability to analyze competitors. This is not to mindlessly copy other people’s strategies. With this method of action, it would be impossible to build your own recognizable style of presenting information on social networks. This skill must be used wisely. When an SMM specialist analyzes the successful strategies of competing companies, this makes it possible to understand which tools work well. Synthesizing such information from different sources, you can develop your own strategy, which will consist of different work items.

Analytical thinking makes the SMM specialist more successful. It allows you to understand the surrounding context and develop relevant strategies for the development of the company using social networks.

5. Empathy

An SMM specialist often stays behind the scenes and does not contact people directly. But how he leads the page depends on their good attitude towards the brand. To win the attention and then the trust of the audience, you need to understand their needs, interests, and pains. People feel good when they are treated formally or insincerely. The content strategy clearly shows how much the SMM specialist likes his work and how he relates to the audience. A person who simply performs duties without desire and inspiration will not be able to build effective communication and achieve customer loyalty.

6. Multitasking

The ability to plan content in advance, make publications on time, communicate with the audience in real-time, and analyze the feedback received are the key tasks that should always be the focus of attention of the manager responsible for the direction of SMM. There are no trifles or anything secondary in this work. Everything that has been named is equally significant.

7. Ability to learn on the job

The dynamics of the work of an SMM specialist require him to be able to constantly learn. In this area, it is impossible to predict everything in advance. It is necessary to be able to quickly navigate unforeseen situations, respond to current information occasions, and communicate with company customers who will not always be in a good mood. To do this, you need to have a developed skill of reflection, and a meaningful approach to various situations, not to get lost in them. When a specialist learns to treat his activity in this way, he quickly gains experience, trains to rely on his strength, and not be afraid of new professional challenges.

8. Creativity

SMM is a direction in which you can unleash your creative potential. This is an interesting job with which you will not be bored. The main thing is to correctly adapt your creative skills to a specific content strategy that will work for the client company.

Conclusions

The work of an SMM specialist is considered one of the most sought-after freelance jobs. And if you look at the general statistics for various specialties, then the annual earnings of freelancers are 1.3 trillion dollars in the United States. This figure is clear evidence that the sphere will continue to develop. It has many prospects – both for specialists and for companies that are looking for them.

Featured Image by Adem AY on Unsplash

The post 8 Signs of a Professional Freelance Social Media Marketer appeared first on noupe.

Managing and manipulating data have become integral aspects of many business operations. This includes everything from small-scale startups to multinational corporations. One of the most common file formats utilized across these sectors is the Portable Document Format, more commonly known as PDF. Since its inception by Adobe in 1993, the PDF has become a staple due to its ability to preserve formatting irrespective of the device or platform. Yet, there can be moments when we need these files in other formats for various purposes such as editing, data extraction, or integration into different software systems. This is where PDF Software Development Kits (SDKs) come into play.

Through the lens of this blog post, we will delve into the capabilities of PDF SDKs and explore how they can effectively convert PDFs to other file formats. 

Streamlined Date Extraction 

The most fundamental application of PDF SDKs lies in the ability to extract data from PDF files. This means the retrieval of information present in PDF files in the form of text, images, hyperlinks, metadata, and more. Whether it’s a simple textual content or a complex data structure like tables, PDF SDKs can parse through them. 

They can convert your PDFs into editable formats such as Word, Excel, or CSV, making data manipulation a breeze. This is incredibly useful in fields like data analysis, where valuable data is often locked inside static PDF reports.

Convert To Image Formats

The power of PDF SDKs extends beyond text extraction. A notable capability is the conversion of PDF pages to image formats like JPG, PNG, BMP, and TIFF. 

This feature proves handy in scenarios like generating thumbnails for PDF files or incorporating PDF content into graphic designing. You can control the resolution, color depth, and size to suit your needs, providing a seamless way to use PDF content across diverse platforms.

Transform PDFs Into HTML

The need to embed PDF content on websites or web applications often arises. Here, converting PDFs into HTML through PDF SDKs shines. It allows web developers to integrate PDF content effortlessly, preserving the original formatting and layout. Moreover, an HTML document is more accessible and searchable, improving the user experience.

Conversion To Markup Language

PDF SDKs also allow the conversion of PDFs into various markup languages like XML and JSON. These conversions make data extraction and manipulation easier, especially when interacting with web services or APIs. For instance, developers can use these conversions for data exchange between client and server in web applications, thus improving interoperability.

Text Search And Extraction

The capability of PDF SDKs to search and extract specific text from PDF documents is another feature worth highlighting. This feature proves invaluable when dealing with large PDF documents where manually searching for information would be extremely time-consuming. By converting PDFs into searchable formats, one can easily find and extract specific text, making data handling more efficient.

Batch Processing

Most PDF SDKs support batch processing, allowing multiple PDF files to be converted simultaneously. This feature can significantly save time and improve efficiency, particularly in enterprise environments dealing with a large number of PDF files.

Document Merging And Splitting

In addition to converting files, PDF SDKs also offer the functionality to merge multiple PDF documents into a single file or split a single PDF into separate documents. 

This can be particularly useful for organizing and managing your digital assets. Whether you’re consolidating various reports into a single document or creating separate chapters from a single e-book, the capability of PDF SDKs to merge and split documents simplifies the task.

Annotations And Markup

Many PDF SDKs come equipped with the ability to add annotations and markup to the PDF files. These features allow users to highlight, underline, strikeout, and add notes to the text within the PDFs. 

This can greatly enhance the process of document reviewing and proofreading, especially in team environments where multiple people need to review and provide input on a document.

Form Filling And Extraction

If you’ve ever been tasked with extracting data from filled-in PDF forms or populating PDF forms with data, you know how challenging this can be. Fortunately, some PDF SDKs offer the functionality to both fill in and extract data from PDF forms. 

This can significantly streamline processes in industries such as healthcare and finance, where form handling is a common requirement.

Security And Redaction

In an age where data privacy and security are paramount, some PDF SDKs provide features to ensure the secure handling of PDF documents. These include encrypting and decrypting PDF files, setting access permissions, and redacting sensitive information. These features can be incredibly useful in legal, finance, and public sectors where sensitive data is often handled.

In Conclusion

PDF conversion and extraction might seem like a daunting task due to the static nature of PDF files. However, PDF SDKs have emerged as a powerful tool, breaking this barrier by allowing seamless conversions to a multitude of file formats.

With features extending from data extraction to batch processing, PDF SDKs are changing the way we interact with PDF files. They are transforming static data into dynamic, manipulable information, paving the way for more efficient data handling.

Featured Image by Lukas

The post PDF Conversion And Extraction: Exploring the Capabilities of PDF SDKs For Converting PDFs to Other Formats appeared first on noupe.

“Sustainable” design is a paradigm that emphasizes the impact that design practices and workflows have on the environment with the goal of reducing carbon emissions. The design decisions we make are reflected in our planet’s climate, from the energy consumption of the tools we use to how the products we build interact with the environment and plenty of other things in between. In this collection, we compiled resources to help you understand the principles of sustainable design and how to integrate them into the way we work and the things we make.

Design For Sustainability

The EU Science Hub’s Sustainable Product Policy estimates that over 80% of all product-related environmental impacts are determined during the design phase. But how can design teams ensure that sustainability is at the core of every design choice they make? To help their designers develop design habits about sustainability, IBM published “IBM Design for sustainability.”

At the heart of the framework is the idea that the user, community, and social value should outweigh any negative environmental and social impact in the present and the future. To achieve this vision, experiences need to be inclusive, easy to learn and use, and efficient for both users and overall power consumption.

The sustainability checklist is part of the framework and it gives practical tips for optimizing designs to meet these goals. It’s no rocket science, but the checklist does offer useful considerations that will help improve performance, speed, and responsiveness.

Sustainability Methods and Design Principles

The Sustainability Guide from SVID is an overarching framework for sustainable design and development practices that contains sections wholly dedicated to methods and design principles that are centered around sustainable practices.

The design section illustrates the system-wide lifecycle of the design process, describing it as a circular system where everything in a product design is interconnected and linked by environmental criteria that is embedded at all stages.

The methods section is an archive of tools, resources, case studies, and expert advice that can be used to educate a team, as well as kickstart a team into sustainable environmental practices.

Sustainable Design Strategies

The crux of sustainable design strategies, according to Leyla Acaroglu, is ensuring that the tools we use in a design workflow and how we use them today do not have a negative impact on the planet in the future.

What Leyla does in this extensive Medium post is curate an ecodesign strategy set that covers core considerations for product design that build sustainability into the process, from manufacturing and recyclability to efficiency and modularity. By including these considerations into the design lifecycle, it is possible to develop products and services that reflect sustainable practices, such as a product’s ability to dematerialize, how easily it can be recycled, how long it lasts, whether it can be dissembled by customers, and to what extent it can be repurposed for other uses.

Sustainable Web Design Practices

Is the admin experience as easy and intuitive as the front-end experience? Is the message useful for your target audience? Could a Progressive Web App be an efficient solution? A lot of questions need to be asked when you want to deliver digital products and services that respect the principles of the Sustainable Web Manifesto. The site Sustainable Web Design helps you find the right sustainability strategy for your project.

The strategies are divided into different categories: design, client and project ethos, content and marketing, development, hosting, and business operations. In each category, you’ll find questions worth considering and an explanation of why it matters. Links to further reading resources let you dive deeper into each aspect. A helpful guide that supports you on every step of the design process.

Sustainable Web Hosting Companies

According to some estimates, the impact of the Internet and our gadgets on global greenhouse emissions is similar to that of the airline industry. To speed up the transition towards a green, fossil-free Internet, there’s a question we all can ask ourselves: Are our websites hosted green?

The Green Web Foundation built a checker to help you quickly find out if your hosting provider is using green energy or compensating for its services. All you need to do is enter the URL. If you want to make the switch to a green hosting provider, the foundation also published a directory of 478 green hosting companies in 35 countries. A small step that makes a difference.

Sustainability Score Calculator

So, just how large is the carbon footprint of your website? The Internet uses electricity, of course, but it also relies on data centers that distribute information, and the energy to power each and every device that receives that information. Even a small website has a carbon footprint.

The Sustainability Score Calculator is one way to find out. Employing a methodology that takes energy-consuming attributes into account, this free calculator estimates the amount of carbon dioxide produced by a particular website. It looks at the weight of images on a page, whether web fonts are integrated, and any front-end frameworks in use, among other considerations, to inform its calculations.

The exact amount of carbon dioxide produced by a website can probably be evaluated in a number of ways, and this specific calculator makes its own assumptions. Regardless of the exact inputs used in the results, the fact that the Sustainability Score Calculator can come up with a rough estimate for a website’s carbon dioxide output on a per page view basis is a reasonable starting point for determining just how big of a footprint a site has on the environment.

Sustainable UX Design Toolkit

The Sustainable UX Design Toolkit is a resource produced by the Sustainable UX Network, a non-profit organization that has established a community of designers around sustainable environmental design practices.

The organization developed the toolkit as a Miro board that is freely available to clone into your own Miro account. Not a Miro user? You can still reference the embedded board and zoom into it to view the four-step process that walks you through concept to presentation, providing useful considerations, best practices, and even templates you can use right away.

Sustainability Nudges in UX

In the last few years, customers have become more and more aware of how important environmental friendliness and social responsibility are when making a purchase. But even with increased awareness, businesses still play a key role in informing, enabling, and encouraging sustainable behavior. In his post “7 behavioural UX approaches encouraging sustainable purchases,” Damien Lutz takes a closer look at how e-commerce businesses encourage sustainable purchases and what we can learn from them.

From Zalando’s sustainability filters and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly Hub to Qantas’ Green Tier membership and sustainable shopping assistants, Damien analyzes different strategies of nudging customers towards more sustainable decisions. Based on his observations from these real-life examples, he summarizes practical behavioral UX tips that help everyone create experiences that promote sustainability. Interesting insights are guaranteed.

Green the Web Podcast

Since 2019, UX/UI designer Sandy Dähnert shares her passion for a sustainable web on her site Green the Web. Last year, she started the Green the Web Podcast on all things sustainable design best practices, ecological and social user research, information architecture, user interface design, and more.

Whether it’s sustainability-infused user journey maps, UX/UI factors for a lightweight website, or approaches for greener checkout, in the podcast Sandy shares her deep love of sustainable UX and UI design to encourage everyone to step into green design and play an active role in shaping this new design philosophy. You can listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Sustainable UX Playbook

The Sustainable UX Playbook is a yet-to-be-released work in progress by the same folks who maintain the Sustainable UX Manifesto. The playbook is set to provide guidelines, best practices, and examples to help you and your team adopt an environmentally-centered design approach.

The exact date of when the Sustainable UX Playbook will be available is to be determined, but it will be published to SustainableUXPlaybook.com (which currently redirects to the Sustainable UX Manifesto) when it is ready.

Sustainability Figma Kit

The Sustainability Figma Kit that Elisa Fabbian, Rachele Pedol, and Margherita Troilo created helps digital designers move from human-centered design to a more sustainable life-centered design approach. It consists of a learning guide, 23 action cards, and a flowchart.

The learning guide introduces you to the broader context and importance of designing products and services with a reduced environmental impact. The action cards explore problems you might encounter in different phases of the design process and how to solve them. Last but not least, the flowchart helps you find out which sustainability actions can be applied to the specific type of project you are working on by providing useful tips for designing in a more conscious way.

Sustainability Innovation Framework

Sustainability Innovation Framework is an effort from Sebastian Gier that is all about the planning phase of an effort to scope work for projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

The process is mapped to traditional design thinking, helping you start work by aligning objectives and documenting assertions before tying them into user needs. What makes this framework particularly useful is that it helps prioritize the ideas generated by the process by their environmental impact.

The entire framework is available as a collaborative FigJam board that can be cloned to your own Figma account.

EcoCards Game Workshop Toolkit

One of the most difficult hurdles to adopting a sustainable design process is figuring out how to discuss the topic as a team. Getting everyone on the same page about what it means to design sustainably and how to establish a process for it are paramount for any team.

That’s what makes the EcoCards Game Workshop Toolkit such a valuable resource. The toolkit is a collection of three card-based games designed to facilitate team discussion on sustainable design practices. Each game is framed as a “workshop” meant to take place at different stages in the design process, detailing the game rules with a series of steps using a plain deck of playing cards to move the discussion forward.

The EcoCards are created as a FigJam board that can be cloned to your Figma account. They are available in English and French translations.

Team Sustainability Retrospective

OK, so perhaps your team has adopted a sustainable design process that aims to reduce carbon emissions. How do you know it’s working? That’s the purpose of the Team Sustainability Retrospective, a Miro template produced by Paddy Dhanda.

Rather than high-fiving your team for implementing a sustainable system, this set of templates will help you assess whether or not your efforts are paying off in a streamlined five-step process. This way, your team can re-group after the implementation of the design process and properly measure its impact with data that form actionable insights for improving the process even further.

World Wide Waste Book

World Wide Waste is a book by Gerry McGovern, aiming to debunk the perception that being “digital” is akin to being “green.” It provides a healthy dose of statistics about the impact of digital products and services and details the crisis of energy consumption in the world.

For example, McGovern attempts to clear up the misunderstanding that cloud technologies are somehow ethereal elements that are carbon-free, but rather physical data centers that result in large quantifiable emissions. If nothing else, this book will equip you with the information you might need to help convince your team to adopt more sustainable practices with statistics and case studies to make the case.

Sustainable Web Design Book

If the World Wide Waste book is all about defining and diagnosing unsustainable design practices, then this offering from A Book Apart is aimed at curing those symptoms. Written by lead author of the “Sustainable Web Manifesto” Tom Greenwood, Sustainable Web Design is a collection of practical web design advice for everything from how to measure a website’s environmental impact and identifying low-carbon design practices to creating energy-efficient development processes and creating a hosting environment that helps reduce climate costs.

Like all A Book Apart publications, Sustainable Web Design is available in print and digital editions — just remember that the digital copy is not a carbon-free option, as many of the resources in this roundup have noted. Then again, the printed copy also has climate considerations due to the costs of transporting the book to your front door. Just buying the book is an excellent example of the conundrums of sustainable design.

Climate Tech Guide For Designers

If you’re looking for help establishing yourself in a career in sustainable design, Enrique Allen and the Designer Fund team offer the Climate Tech Guide for Designers.

This guide is less about teams adopting sustainable design standards than it is a resource for helping you make a decision about where you work and who you work for. How passionate is the company about climate? What problems is the company trying to solve, and are the solutions based on climate technology and considerations? These are the types of questions that will allow you to find the right fit for your career.

What makes this Climate Tech Guide for Designers especially useful is that it goes beyond company considerations by offering advice for how to position yourself for a career in climate technology, capping things off with an extensive list of companies that demonstrate sustainable practices.

Ethical Design Handbook

The Ethical Design Handbook is a book we offer right here at Smashing Magazine. Written by authors Trine Falbe, Martin Michael Frederiksen, and Kim Andersen, these guidelines serve as a roadmap to learn about adopting and integrating ethical design practices into a business model.

Wait, why are we talking about “ethical design” when we’ve been sharing resources on “sustainable design”? Ethical and sustainable design work hand-in-hand, as ethical design relies on sustainable digital business practices in addition to a slew of larger concepts that determine an organization’s ethical practices, from transparency in how data is collected to how inclusiveness is built into a design. In other words, ethical and sustainable design are united by a cause to prevent harm to people. A sustainable design process supports a healthy environment that, in turn, supports an ethical responsibility to care about the impact we have on the planet.

All in all, the Ethical Design Handbook is about leveraging ethical business practices as a market differentiator that can be used as a competitive advantage. Sustainable design principles are part of that matrix, demonstrating that sustainable practices can be aligned to — and even enhance — business objectives.

Ethical Design Resources

Another useful resource to help designers and developers live up to the responsibility of causing no harm and ensure that the experiences they build are inclusive, honest, and safe are the Ethical Design Resources which Lexi Namer maintains in collaboration with the Ethical Design Network and Kate Every.

On Ethical Design Resources, you’ll find articles, books, courses, frameworks, tools, talks, videos, podcasts, and more covering different aspects of ethical design. They help you assess the impact of your design decisions, uncover harmful practices, and support you in making design choices that respect your users.

And if you need more resources, take a look at Ethical Design Guide and Humane By Design.

Wrapping Up

There you have it, a deep collection of toolkits, frameworks, and resources you can use to learn about sustainable design practices and how to adopt them into your own design process. Notice how the collection reveals that sustainable design is a multifaceted topic that considers everything from how we work to the specific tools we use to work. It even covers product design as a whole and the decisions that impact the sustainability of a product, not to mention how business objectives influence environmental objectives.

There may not be a single silver bullet or resource that immediately aligns you and your work with sustainable design practices. That said, the resources provided in this roundup can help you make big and small gains alike, whether it’s reflected in something as seemingly small as the hosting provider you decide to use for your website or something more involved such as integrating environmental considerations at every stage of the design process.

There’s always something new to get excited about in web design. Every month we put together this roundup of the most exciting new tools for designers and developers, and we never cease to be amazed at the fabulous new ideas being launched.

What are Outlook Add-ins?

Outlook Add-ins are small software applications that extend the functionality of Microsoft Outlook, a popular email, and personal information manager. Add-ins allow users to customize and enhance their Outlook experience by adding new features, integrating with other applications, and automating tasks. You might even accelerate your business operations with custom Outlook Add-ins development and manage workflow efficiently. 

With Outlook Add-ins, you can access third-party services, integrate with external data sources, and streamline your workflow without leaving the Outlook environment. These add-ins can be developed by Microsoft, third-party developers, or even created by users themselves using the Outlook Add-in framework.

Add-ins are available across different platforms, including Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, Outlook on the Web, and Outlook for mobile devices. They can be accessed and installed directly from the Outlook Add-ins Store or other trusted sources.

Some common use cases for Outlook Add-ins include:

1. Email productivity enhancements: Add-ins can help you manage your emails more efficiently by providing features like email tracking, email templates, advanced search capabilities, and quick actions for common tasks.

2. Integration with external services: Add-ins can integrate with popular productivity tools, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, project management platforms, and other applications. This allows you to access relevant information and perform actions directly from your Outlook inbox.

3. Task automation: Add-ins can automate repetitive tasks and workflows, such as saving email attachments to cloud storage, creating calendar events from emails, or automatically categorizing and organizing incoming messages.

4. Data enrichment: Some add-ins can provide additional information about contacts, companies, or events by pulling data from external sources like social media profiles or business directories. This helps you gather context and make more informed decisions.

Developers can create Outlook Add-ins using various technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and web services. Microsoft provides comprehensive documentation, tools, and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to facilitate the development process.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot that uses natural language processing to understand and respond to user requests. The chatbot can be integrated with Outlook to provide additional functionality, such as scheduling appointments or sending emails. ChatGPT claims to be a replacement for Outlook Add-ins, providing a more efficient and natural way for users to interact with their email clients.

Advantages of using ChatGPT for Outlook Add-ins development 

While ChatGPT has some advantages over Outlook Add-ins, it also has its limitations. One of the biggest limitations of ChatGPT is that it requires an internet connection to function. This means that users cannot access ChatGPT if they are offline, which can be a significant drawback for users who need to access their email client while traveling or in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Another limitation of ChatGPT is that it cannot be customized to meet individual needs. While the chatbot can be trained to understand specific requests, it cannot be tailored to a user’s specific workflow in the way that Outlook Add-ins can. Additionally, ChatGPT may not be as user-friendly as Outlook Add-ins, as users need to learn specific commands to interact with the chatbot effectively.

Limitations of ChatGPT

As mentioned earlier, ChatGPT has some significant limitations that prevent it from being a suitable replacement for Outlook Add-ins. One of the most significant limitations of ChatGPT is its dependence on an internet connection. While this may not be an issue for users who work in an office or have access to reliable internet connectivity, it can be a significant drawback for users who need to access their email clients while traveling or in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Another limitation of ChatGPT is that it cannot be customized to meet individual needs. While the chatbot can be trained to understand specific requests, it cannot be tailored to a user’s specific workflow in the way that Outlook Add-ins can. This means that users may need to adapt their workflow to fit the limitations of the chatbot, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.

Finally, ChatGPT may not be as user-friendly as Outlook Add-ins. While the chatbot can be trained to understand specific commands, users need to learn these commands and use them correctly to interact with the chatbot effectively. This can be a significant barrier to adoption for users who are not technically savvy or do not have the time or inclination to learn new tools.

Limitations of Outlook Add-ins

While Outlook Add-ins have many advantages, they also have some limitations that developers need to be aware of. One of the biggest limitations of Outlook Add-ins is that they can be resource intensive. This means that users may experience performance issues if they have too many Add-ins installed or if the Add-ins, they are using are poorly optimized.

Another limitation of Outlook Add-ins is that they can be challenging to develop. Developing a high-quality Add-in requires a significant investment of time and resources, including expertise in programming languages like JavaScript and HTML. Additionally, developers need to be familiar with the Outlook API and adhere to Microsoft’s strict guidelines to ensure that their Add-ins are secure and user-friendly.

Improve productivity with Bespoke Outlook Add-ins 

The use of Outlook Add-ins can have a significant impact on productivity. By streamlining workflows and automating repetitive tasks, users can save time and focus on more critical tasks. Additionally, Add-ins can help users stay organized and prioritize tasks more effectively, leading to increased productivity and efficiency. Therefore, individuals and businesses looking to enhance their productivity should consider incorporating Outlook Add-ins into their workflows.

Why do Outlook Add-in developers still have the edge?

Despite the limitations of both ChatGPT and Outlook Add-ins, I believe that Outlook Add-in developers still have the edge. One of the biggest advantages that Outlook Add-ins have over ChatGPT is that they can be customized to meet individual needs. This means that users can choose the specific tools they need to improve their productivity and tailor them to their workflow.

Additionally, Outlook Add-ins are designed to be user-friendly, making them accessible to even non-technical users. Unlike ChatGPT, which requires users to learn specific commands to interact with the chatbot, Outlook Add-ins have a familiar user interface that users can interact with using standard controls like buttons and dropdown menus.

Finally, Outlook Add-ins can be developed to work offline, ensuring that users can access their email client even in areas with poor internet connectivity. This is a significant advantage for users who travel frequently or work in remote locations.

The future of Outlook Add-ins

While ChatGPT may be an interesting concept, I believe that Outlook Add-ins will continue to be the preferred choice for many users. With the increasing demand for customized tools that meet individual needs and the growing importance of offline access, Outlook Add-ins are well-positioned to meet the needs of users for years to come.

Additionally, Microsoft is continually investing in the development of the Outlook API, making it easier for developers to create high-quality Add-ins that are secure and user-friendly. This investment in the platform will ensure that Outlook Add-ins remain a viable option for users well into the future.

Despite the hype around ChatGPT, the future of Outlook Add-ins remains bright. Developers are continually creating new Add-ins with innovative features and functionalities, increasing the number of options available to users. Furthermore, Microsoft is investing heavily in the development of Outlook Add-ins, ensuring that they remain an integral part of the Outlook experience. Therefore, users can expect to see more Add-ins available in the future, making Outlook even more customizable and personalized.

Outlook Add-ins and Collaboration

Outlook Add-ins can also be useful for collaboration, allowing users to share information and work more effectively as a team. For instance, there are Add-ins available for group scheduling and document collaboration. These Add-ins can help teams coordinate tasks and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Therefore, businesses looking to enhance collaboration and teamwork should consider incorporating Outlook Add-ins into their workflows.

How to choose the Right Add-ins for your needs?

Businesses tend to hire Microsoft Office 365 Add-ins developers for customizing already available extensions and make an impact in the business. There are a huge number of options available, and selecting the right Add-ins can be difficult. It is critical to identify the tasks that require assistance and then look for Add-ins that address those specific requirements. It’s also important to consider the Add-in developer’s reputation and read reviews from other users. This will assist you in identifying the Add-ins that are most likely to be effective and appropriate for your requirements. 

The Advantages of Using Multiple Add-ins

While ChatGPT may not be the best solution for everyone, the use of multiple Add-ins can provide significant advantages. Users can select Add-ins that cater to their specific needs, allowing them to customize their Outlook experience. For instance, they may use an Add-in for scheduling and another for email tracking. Using multiple Add-ins can help users complete tasks more efficiently and effectively, while also improving their overall experience. 

Conclusion

While ChatGPT may have some advantages over Outlook Add-ins, I believe that developers still have the edge. Outlook Add-ins offer a level of customization and user-friendliness that ChatGPT cannot match, while also providing offline access and a familiar user interface. With Microsoft’s ongoing investment in the Outlook API, I believe that Outlook Add-ins will continue to be the preferred choice for users who want to enhance their productivity and streamline their workflow.

So, if you are an Outlook user looking for additional functionality, I would highly recommend exploring the range of Add-ins available on the Microsoft Store. With a wide range of tools available, you are sure to find the perfect Add-in to meet your needs and improve your productivity.

Featured image by Johny vino on Unsplash

The post ChatGPT won’t replace Outlook Add-in developers. Why? appeared first on noupe.

Often, it’s the little things that inspire us and that we treasure most. The sky shining in the most beautiful colors at the end of a seemingly endless summer day, riding your bike through a light rain shower on a hot afternoon — or maybe it’s a scoop of your favorite ice cream that refuels your batteries? No matter what big and small adventures July will have in store for you this year, our new collection of wallpapers is bound to cater for some inspiration along the way.

More than twelve years ago, we started this monthly wallpapers series to bring you a variety of beautiful, unique, and inspiring wallpapers every month. It’s a community effort made possible by artists and designers from around the globe who challenge their creative skills to cater for some good vibes on your screens. And, well, it wasn’t any different this time around.

In this post, you’ll find their wallpaper designs for July 2023. All of them come in versions with and without a calendar and can be downloaded for free. To make the month even more colorful, we also compiled a selection of July favorites from our wallpapers archives at the end of this post. A huge thank-you to everyone who submitted their artwork — this post wouldn’t exist without you!

• You can click on every image to see a larger preview,
• We respect and carefully consider the ideas and motivation behind each and every artist’s work. This is why we give all artists the full freedom to explore their creativity and express emotions and experience through their works. This is also why the themes of the wallpapers weren’t anyhow influenced by us but rather designed from scratch by the artists themselves.
• Submit a wallpaper!
  Did you know that you could get featured in our next wallpapers post, too? We are always looking for creative talent.

Under The Enchanting Moonlight

“Two friends sat under the enchanting moonlight, enjoying the serene ambiance as they savoured their cups of tea. It was a rare and precious connection that transcended the ordinary, kindled by the magic of the moonlight. Eventually, as the night began to wane, they reluctantly stood, their empty cups in hand. They carried with them the memories and the tranquility of the moonlit tea session, knowing that they would return to this special place to create new memories in the future.” — Designed by Bhabna Basak from India.

• preview
• with calendar: 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

DJ Little Bird

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

• preview
• with calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

In Space

Designed by Lieke Dol from the Netherlands.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Unleash Your Inner Grandmaster

“Hey there, chess champs and rook-ies! Today, we’re rolling out the red carpet for the grandest celebration in the chess universe. It’s World Chess Day, where we celebrate the brain-bending battles, knightly maneuvers, and epic pawn sacrifices that keep us coming back for more! Step into the realm of kings and queens, where the fate of nations is decided over a checkered battlefield. Chess, the ultimate game of mental gymnastics, proves that you don’t need biceps of steel to flex your strategic muscles!” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Cross The Bridge

“On this trip around the world, we return to Europe, specifically to London. We walked through its streets and decided to cross the bridge to enjoy both sides of the city. We may take one of its famous red buses or take a walk along the Thames. In any case, we have a whole month to become true Londoners.” — Designed by Veronica Valenzuela Jimenez from Spain.

• preview
• with calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Swim Swim

Designed by Rebecca Curiel.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1024×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Flat Design ’s-Hertogenbosch

“I admire artwork that is made using simple shapes and colors in Illustrator, also known as flat design. The amazing things you can make with these simple shapes are just mind-blowing. The buildings in the artwork come from my hometown ’s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands. I am most proud of the great cathedral on the left. The number of hours I’ve put into it is not normal.” — Designed by Mitch van Trigt from the Netherlands.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Motion Sickness

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

• preview
• with calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

Underneath The Banana Tree

“July is the time to relax. What about having a rest underneath a… banana tree, lala la la? You know this song? Yes it’s about a mango tree, but never mind.” — Designed by Philippe Brouard from France.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1366×768, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2560×1600, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1366×768, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2560×1600, 2880×1800

Book Imagination

“Everyone’s imagination when reading books is different. One person thinks of a village and another of a city. That’s the beauty of reading.” — Designed by Britt van Falier from the Netherlands.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Oldies But Goodies

Our wallpapers archives are full of timeless treasures that are just too good to be forgotten. So here’s a small selection of favorites from past July editions. Please note that these designs don’t come with a calendar.

Melting July

“Welcome to the sweltering July — the month when it’s so hot that even the fruits are edgy. Our ice-creamy, vibrantly-colored monthly calendar is melting as the temperature rises, so make sure to download it as quickly as possible!” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1440×1050, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Hotdog

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

• preview
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

Meeting Mary Poppins

“This month, we travel to London with Mary Poppins to discover the city. We will have great adventures!” — Designed by Veronica Valenzuela from Spain.

• preview
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Birdie July

Designed by Lívi Lénárt from Hungary.

• preview
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Summer Season

“I’m an avid runner, and I have some beautiful natural views surrounding my city. The Smoky Mountains are a bit further east, so I took some liberties, but Tennessee’s nature is nothing short of beautiful and inspiring.” — Designed by Cam Elliott from Memphis, TN.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

The Ancient Device

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

• preview
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

Summer Cannonball

“Summer is coming in the northern hemisphere and what better way to enjoy it than with watermelons and cannonballs.” — Designed by Maria Keller from Mexico.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 640×1136, 750×1334, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1242×2208, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2880×1800

Eternal Summer

“And once you let your imagination go, you find yourself surrounded by eternal summer, unexplored worlds, and all-pervading warmth, where there are no rules of physics and colors tint the sky under your feet.” — Designed by Ana Masnikosa from Belgrade, Serbia.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

A Flamboyance Of Flamingos

“July in South Africa is dreary and wintery so we give all the southern hemisphere dwellers a bit of color for those gray days. And for the northern hemisphere dwellers a bit of pop for their summer!” — Designed by Wonderland Collective from South Africa.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Riding In The Drizzle

“Rain has come, showering the existence with new seeds of life. Everywhere life is blooming, as if they were asleep and the falling music of raindrops have awakened them. Feel the drops of rain. Feel this beautiful mystery of life. Listen to its music, melt into it.” — Designed by DMS Software from India.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Less Busy Work, More Fun!

Designed by ActiveCollab from the United States.

• preview
• without calendar: 1080×1920, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 3840×2160

Taste Like Summer

“In times of clean eating and the world of superfoods there is one vegetable missing. An old, forgotten one. A flower actually. Rare and special. Once it had a royal reputation (I cheated a bit with the blue). The artichocke — this is my superhero in the garden! I am a food lover — you too? Enjoy it — dip it!” — Designed by Alexandra Tamgnoué from Germany.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1440×1050, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Day Turns To Night

Designed by Xenia Latii from Germany.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Heated Mountains

“Warm summer weather inspired the color palette.” — Designed by Marijana Pivac from Croatia.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Tropical Lilies

“I enjoy creating tropical designs. They fuel my wanderlust and passion for the exotic, instantaneously transporting me to a tropical destination.” — Designed by Tamsin Raslan from the United States.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1440×1050, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Sweet Summer

“In summer everything inspires me.” — Designed by Maria Karapaunova from Bulgaria.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1440×1050, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Summermoon

Designed by Erik Neumann from Germany.

• preview
• without calendar: 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2560×1600

Fire Camp

“What’s better than a starry summer night with an (unexpected) friend around a fire camp with some marshmallows? Happy July!” — Designed by Etienne Mansard from the UK.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1440×1050, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2048×1536, 2560×1440

Island River

“Make sure you have a refreshing source of ideas, plans and hopes this July. Especially if you are to escape from urban life for a while.” — Designed by Igor Izhik from Canada.

• preview
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Captain Amphicar

“My son and I are obsessed with the Amphicar right now, so why not have a little fun with it?” — Designed by 3 Bicycles Creative from the United States.

• preview
• without calendar: 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

It’s Getting Hot

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Alentejo Plain

“Based in the Alentejo region, in the south of Portugal, where there are large plains used for growing wheat. It thus represents the extensions of the fields of cultivation and their simplicity. Contrast of the plain with the few trees in the fields. Storks that at this time of year predominate in this region, being part of the Alentejo landscape and mentioned in the singing of Alentejo.” — Designed by José Guerra from Portugal.

• preview
• without calendar: 1125×2436, 1280×800, 1536×2048, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2880×1800

An Intrusion Of Cockroaches

“Ever watched Joe’s Apartment when you were a kid? Well, that movie left a soft spot in my heart for the little critters. Don’t get me wrong: I won’t invite them over for dinner, but I won’t grab my flip flop and bring the wrath upon them when I see one running in the house. So there you have it… three roaches… bringing the smack down on that pesky human… ZZZZZZZAP!!” — Designed by Wonderland Collective from South Africa.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Heat Wave

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

My July

Designed by Cátia Pereira from Portugal.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 2560×1440

July Rocks!

Designed by Joana Moreira from Portugal.

• preview
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1920×1080

Frogs In The Night

“July is coming and the nights are warmer. Frogs look at the moon while they talk about their day.” — Designed by Veronica Valenzuela from Spain.

• preview
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1440, 2560×1440