The Bright Side Blog: Project News and Events

Browse through our blog! Get the latest news about activities, developments and projects on behalf of our customers, as well as updates about the BSL team and events.

Our blog pages reflect our passion for software development. Our skills. Our Agile approach. Our commitment to deliver on-time, and on-budget. We demonstrate our passion time after time, as our project portfolio shows. Our blog tells you what interests us, and our clients. How our engineers and designers work closely with clients - large and small - to deliver reliable, innovative custom solutions. Learn how we create responsive web sites, and great mobile apps for iOS and Android. Whatever the challenge, our passion for software can help you to achieve your business goals. So get in touch, and find out just how the Bright Side of Life can help with your next project.



De Corridor – Drupal Reception System

De Corridor – Drupal Reception System

by | Apr 16, 2019

VvE De Corridor

Drupal Reception System

VvE De Corridor – Drupal Reception System

Our office in Breukelen is easy to find, but visitors faced a challenge once they passed through the revolving door. With an unmanned reception, two staircases, a lift, seven companies and twelve doors to choose from over three floors, it wasn’t always clear to visitors where to go. Our solution – a reception system created using Drupal…

BSL came up with the design. A Drupal-based web application that guides visitors to their appointments using a centrally-located screen. The display shows the names of visitors, the time of their appointment, and the location. The reception system was initially developed for use in unmanned receptions, but it can just as easily be used in ‘manned’ receptions, such as hotel lobbies, or offices with reception desks.

We’ve since created several other Reception Systems, each including a custom interface, and incorporating features requested by the clients.

Tailor-made

To make the reception system more eye-catching, we display more than just appointments. We display short news items and images contributed by the companies who have an account. They can upload their latest news, and photos, which are displayed in a slideshow alongside the day’s appointments. Placing a company logo above the messages makes it clear who has placed each message.

We display local news if no appointments are planned. This can be based on any internal or external information source (RSS feed), and can also include images for each news item.

Due to our use of  Drupal, users don’t need to purchase or install separate software – all they need is a web browser. And because the user interface and modules for adding and updating appointments are tailor-made by BSL, no extra Drupal knowledge is needed.  What’s more, the system can be quickly and easily modified to meet your specific needs.

At BSL, you’re at the right address for…

Drupal / WordPress / Joomla

Would you like your current website brought up-to-date? Or a completely new responsive website? Our developers have a lot of experience with Drupal. But they also know the ins and outs of WordPress and Joomla too. At BSL we often use standard CMS systems to create front-ends to large content databases. Giving the customers the chance to adjust the content of the front-end website themselves, as often as they wish, without needing support from developers. We can integrate a beautiful Drupal / WordPress website with any of your in-house or third-party services.

Drupal 8 specialists

Drupal 7 users have been cautious about migrating to Drupal 8. And for good reason, as Drupal 8 is a totally new product, more or less rebuilt from scratch. Due to the extensive changes, many popular Drupal 7 modules were not available in the early releases. However, Drupal 8 is now mature – and BSL can help you make the switch. And with almost 200,000 Drupal 8 sites currently online, and Drupal 7 nearing end of life, now is the time to get started.

Flexible, easy-to-manage, accessible websites

Choosing a standard open source CMS such as WordPress or Drupal gives you access to thousands of plugins/modules, as well as hundreds of customizable designs and templates. So we can quickly design and build your next website. Creating secure, SEO friendly, responsive, high performance websites that are easy for you to maintain.

“Some of our custom Reception Systems have presented challenges. How about one using three linked HD screens, with a resolution of 3840 x 6480 pixels? Creating a smooth 60 fps animation on such screens whilst refreshing visitor information means that you need to spend a lot of time optimizing the code.  But quoting the “A team”, it’s always great when a plan comes together!”

Roderick

Front-end Developer, Bright Side of Life

Get in touch for more information
Call BSL
Contact BSL
BNL – E-Books Customer Service

BNL – E-Books Customer Service

by | Apr 14, 2019

Dutch National Library service (BNL)

E-Books Customer Service

BNL, E-Books Customer Service

The Dutch National Library service (now part of Koninklijke Bibliotheek, formerly Stichting Bibliotheek.nl) aims to give everyone free and easy access to information, knowledge and culture. Dutch libraries have the most complete and extensive collection of titles available in the Netherlands. Since January 2014, users have also been able to borrow and read e-books on their mobile devices. (more…)

NIOD – World War II Photo Archive

NIOD – World War II Photo Archive

by | Apr 13, 2019

Netherlands Institute of War Documentation (NIOD)

World War II Photo Archive

NIOD, World War II Photo Archive

The Netherlands Institute of War Documentation (NIOD) was established shortly after liberation on 8 May 1945. The NIOD is the most important resource for anyone interested in discovering more about the Netherlands (including the Dutch Indies) during the Second World War, or carrying out research in this area. The NIOD brought together numerous archives related to the German occupation of the Netherlands, and the Japanese occupation in the Dutch Indies, including illegal newspapers and pamphlets, posters, photographs, books and articles.

Unique collection

Prints and negatives deteriorate over time. To preserve the unique contents of their collection, the NIOD decided to digitize their most important images. Impressed by our FRS asset management software, they asked BSL to create a custom web application, managing their own image collection, as well as collections from other institutes. We created their WW II Image Bank using FRS, with custom interfaces developed to help them manage their unique collection. This included multilingual descriptions and attributes, and a public web site showing selected images. Researchers, newspapers, web site visitors and others can search the image archive, and order copies of the images for private use, or for research and/or publication.

Photo: Alphons Hustinx/NIOD

Photo: Alphons Hustinx/NIOD

NIOD, World War II Photo Archive

Shared online WW II Image Bank

The success of the NIOD WW II Image Bank encouraged over 30 other institutes to participate in the creation of a joint database. As well as the NIOD, numerous other world-famous organizations – including the Anne Frank foundation and the Resistance Museum of Amsterdam – now share the Image Bank, maintaining and publishing their own collections as part of a new online (multilingual) resource: the World War II Image Bank. This vast wealth of material – including much previously unpublished material – was made available online when the web site was launched by HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands in 2008. The World War II Image Bank was developed within the framework of the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sports ‘Wartime Heritage’ programme.

Keylane Careers Website
EnToen Nu App – Learn more about Dutch history

EnToen Nu App – Learn more about Dutch history

by | Feb 28, 2019

EnToen Nu app

An introduction to Dutch History

EnToen Nu app – The Canon of the Netherlands

The EnToen app is a BSL development, created together with the foundation “entoen.nu” and pedagogical consultancy firm Mediant. Most importantly, the app focuses on the Canon of the Netherlands. This comprises 50 carefully selected snapshots that tell the story of the Netherlands throughout history. Each describes one of the key historical figures, objects or events that contribute to the Netherlands in which we now live.  So it’s easy to understand why the Canon is one of the core objectives of Dutch primary and secondary education.

Using the app, children can learn about the history of the Netherlands in a playful way. As a result, the EnToen Nu App is one of the first  apps that fully meets core educational objectives. We designed the EnToen app for children in group 5 up to and including 8. Consequently we have developed the app so that the age of the user can be used to influence the contents we show.

EnToen Nu app - An introduction to Dutch History
EnToen Nu app - An introduction to Dutch History

Interactive possibilities

First of all, children scroll through a timeline containing many historical events and figures. They can then choose individual topics like ‘Anne Frank’ or ‘Slavery’. Once they choose a subject, a new window opens. Usually this contains a more detailed description, along with an image or video. Most noteworthy, these basic details are supplemented by illustrations, online videos, links to books, museum exhibitions and more! Also, some subjects contain illustrations with hidden information. So by clicking within these pictures, users can interactively discover more details.

Furthermore, we have assigned a number of small projects or tasks to each of the chosen subjects. So by means of a “wheel of fortune”, users spin the wheel, and receive assignments. They can work on these individually, or sometimes in small groups. However, users can spin the wheel again if they want a different assignment. There are three chances to select an assignment, and choose in which size of group to work.

EnToen Nu app - An introduction to Dutch History

Intelligent app management

We manage the contents of the Entoen app using a web-based CMS. Furthermore, the contents are automatically updated from the main entoen.nu website. So any changes are immediately visible to app users. In other words, there is no need to release an app update for each change. The Entoen Nu app was first launched in late 2013. We have since released regular updates between 2014 and 2016. Followed by version 1.4.0 in November 2017.

Download in de App Store Ontdek het op Google Play.

Download in de App Store Ontdek het op Google Play.

The EnToen Nu app is a great example of what we do best. Building apps for iOS and Android that access online databases. In this case, the Canon contents can be maintained on our server. What’s more, any changes are pushed to app users instantly. And of course, we develop native apps using Swift and Java. But also cross-platform hybrid apps based on Phonegap/Cordova. In other words, if you want your data made accessible via mobile apps, get in touch.

Martyn Simpson

Director, Bright Side of Life

Get in touch for more information
Call BSL
Contact BSL
DilemmaMatch app – Find new friends, share your views

DilemmaMatch app – Find new friends, share your views

by | Feb 27, 2019

DilemmaMatch app

Find new friends, share your views

DilemmaMatch app – Find your soulmates

With our popular DilemmaMatch app you quickly find new friends across the world. In a fun and original way. These are people who think the same as you. And as a result share your interests! By simply answering a series of diverse dilemmas, we instantly find matches for you. Using our own unique algorithms. Your closest matches are shown in your ‘Soulmates’ list. The higher they score, the better the match! This list is constantly changing. Because it depends on choices made by you and other DilemmaMatch app users. Users of the Pro version can even add their own dilemmas. That is to say, you can look for people who share your views on tricky moral dilemmas.

DilemmaMatch is linked to Facebook. You can therefore choose to share information in your Facebook profile. This is updated automatically when something changes in your profile. If you don’t yet have a Facebook profile? Then DilemmaMatch can create an account for you! View your own DilemmaMatch profile and that of your Soulmates directly in the app. On your profile page you can also view your past answers to dilemmas. What’s more, you can see who has answered the dilemmas you’ve added. And finally, you can add motivations for your answers. And view and comment on motivations from others too.

DilemmaMatch App
DilemmaMatch App

Interests

Entertainment & media, Business & Finance or News & politics? Choose dilemmas that interest you. To this end the dilemmas are divided into 10 different categories. Which means you can choose dilemmas that truly interest you. In addition, you can adjust the order of interests to your own preference. All in all making it even easier to find people with whom you have a real click. Moreover, if you find an interesting dilemma, you can of course share it with your Facebook friends too! Ask them to take a look.

But do you have trouble understanding the English language? No problem. After all, the DilemmaMatch team wants to make it as easy as possible for everyone. Whatever your language. For this reason we’ve added an option to translate any dilemma into your preferred language. One click is all it takes!

Badges

To make the app even more fun, we have added badges. You earn the different badges by simply using DilemmaMatch. Most badges have three levels. But you can also earn some with a single action instead. Check out the badges you’ve earnt on your profile page within DilemmaMatch. Collect them all!

DilemmaMatch App

Availability

We developed the DilemmaMatch app for use on Android and iOS smartphones. But equally important it works just as easily on a tablet. To put it another way, DilemmaMatch is 100% cross-platform. It therefore does not matter what type of mobile devices your friends use. With this in mind, just download the app. And get ready to share your opinions straightaway.

DilemmaMatch

The DilemmaMatch App is a great example of what we do best. Building apps for iOS and Android that access online databases. Equally important,  placing information in the palm of your hand. We develop native apps using Swift and Java. But also cross-platform hybrid apps based on Phonegap/Cordova. In other words, if you want your data made accessible via mobile apps, get in touch.

Martyn Simpson

Director, Bright Side of Life

Get in touch for more information
Call BSL
Contact BSL
Contact BSL
Contact BSL