Video games were present in every stage of my childhood and teenage years, and I continue to play games regularly to this day. I consider gaming to have been an immensely formative experience for me, as well as an essential outlet for stress and a trigger for my imagination.

When I had kids, I was determined to prevent them from drifting into the world of shallow games on iPads and phones, which I mostly consider to be utter garbage. Instead, I wanted them to experience the every early games as I had done. When they’re older, they can decide for themselves which games they want to play, but for now I wanted an offline, one or two player simple experience in their gaming sessions, and retro games fit the bill perfectly.

In an age dominated by powerful gaming PCs, cutting-edge consoles, and visually stunning open-world games, it’s easy to overlook the simple magic of retro handheld consoles. These pocket-sized devices are not just nostalgia machines for those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s, but they also offer an engaging and accessible experience for kids today. Whether you’re a parent wanting to introduce your child to the classics or an adult craving a trip down memory lane, retro gaming handheld consoles provide hours of entertainment for everyone.

A Bridge Between Generations

Original retro gaming handhelds like the Game Boy or the Sega Game Gear have always been sought-after as collectors’ items, however there has been a huge advancement in the availability, affordability and variety of retro game emulator handhelds. They are simple to pick up and play and typically can store thousands of games on them. There’s no complicated online account setup, no over-complicated tutorials—just pick up and play. For adults, it’s a reminder of simpler times, when gaming was about beating high scores and discovering secrets level by level. For kids, it’s a chance to learn the roots of the games they love today and build a shared bond with their parents.

Simplicity is the Key

One of the greatest appeals of retro handheld gaming is the simplicity of gameplay. Classic titles like “Tetris,” “Super Mario Land,” or “Sonic the Hedgehog” are easy to understand but difficult to master. This kind of simplicity is wonderful for kids, who can start playing instantly without needing to navigate complex systems. At the same time, it can provide adults with a sense of achievement after completing levels that are challenging in their own unique way.

Nostalgia and New Memories

For adults, picking up a retro handheld console isn’t just about playing a game—it’s about nostalgia. The pixel art graphics, the iconic chiptune music, and even the slightly washed-out screens take many back to their childhoods. Introducing these elements to a new generation not only brings a sense of shared history but also adds a touch of novelty that today’s polished, photorealistic games can’t quite capture. There’s something uniquely satisfying about sitting down with your child and saying, “This is the kind of game I played when I was your age.” It allows parents and children to connect over shared experiences—one past, one present, but both enjoying the moment.

Ideal for Travel

Retro handheld emulator consoles are also ideal for travel. Compact and lightweight, they’re perfect companions for road trips, long flights, or even waiting in line. Modern iterations of retro handhelds now come with hundreds of preloaded games, eliminating the need for multiple cartridges. The battery life of these devices is also designed to last for hours, making them perfect for keeping kids occupied on a long journey or giving adults a distraction during their commute.

A Wide Range of Options

The resurgence of retro gaming has resulted in many modern handhelds hitting the market, such as the Anbernic RG series, Retroid Pocket, and even Nintendo’s classic Game & Watch re-release. These devices blend nostalgia with modern tech, offering retro games with quality hardware that boasts bright screens and comfortable controls. Most even offer save states, so you don’t have to start over every time—a luxury the original consoles never had!

Affordable and Accessible

Compared to modern consoles that can be costly and require pricey games, retro handhelds are often much more affordable. Whether you’re buying an authentic refurbished console or a newly built retro-style device, these handhelds are relatively inexpensive, making them accessible to both kids who may be prone to dropping their devices and adults who don’t want to break the bank.

My Favorite Devices

There are several retro handheld consoles that stand out to me personally, each with its own unique features that make it a joy to use:

Trimui Smart: This small but powerful device is incredibly pocketable, making it perfect for taking anywhere. Despite its compact size, the Trimui Smart offers a surprising number of classic games, and its intuitive interface makes it easy for both adults and kids to pick up and play. Its simplicity and portability are its greatest strengths, offering hours of fun without any hassle. It’s great for gifting to kids or adults.

Anbernic RG40XXH: The Anbernic RG40XXH is another favorite. Known for its excellent build quality, bright screen, and ergonomic design, it feels great in the hands, even during extended play sessions. The RG40XXH also comes with a broad library of preloaded games, making it a fantastic choice for those looking to dive right into their favorite retro titles. Its powerful hardware ensures smooth emulation for a wide range of classic games.

Powkiddy RGB30: The Powkiddy RGB30 stands out due to its vibrant screen and user-friendly controls. It’s a bit larger compared to some other handhelds, but that makes it perfect for enjoying the colorful pixel art of classic games. The RGB30 is also highly versatile, supporting a variety of retro systems, which makes it an ideal choice for both newcomers and seasoned retro gamers alike. It strikes a great balance between performance and affordability.

Miyoo Mini Plus: The Miyoo Mini Plus is a charming device that brings together a cute, compact design with impressive gaming capabilities. Its small form factor makes it easy for kids to handle, while adults will appreciate its nostalgic feel. The Miyoo Mini Plus also features save states and customizable settings, making it one of the more user-friendly options on the market. Despite its small size, it packs a punch in terms of gameplay and offers a wonderful retro experience for all ages.

Anbernic RG353PS: This is perfect for gifting to kids or friends who would appreciate reliving their childhood. Combined with ArkOS you can really make it simple for these two profiles of users to get started with playing right away without any hang ups. Follow the guide here to set things up.

Operating Systems for Retro Handhelds

The experience of using retro handheld consoles can be further enhanced by choosing the right operating system. Many of these devices support custom firmware that offers improved features, better emulation, and more user-friendly interfaces.

ArkOS: ArkOS is a popular custom firmware used for many retro handheld devices. It is known for its stability and wide range of supported systems, providing a polished experience for those who want to get the most out of their device. ArkOS is particularly favored for devices like the Anbernic RG series, where it brings a host of features including better game organization, save states, and performance enhancements.

MiniUI (for Trimui Smart): The Trimui Smart really shines when paired with MiniUI. This lightweight operating system is designed to keep things simple, sticking with the core idea of pick-up-and-play. MiniUI is easy to navigate, offers a clean interface, and optimizes the performance of the Trimui Smart. It keeps everything streamlined, allowing users to focus on enjoying their favorite classic games without any unnecessary extras.

Batocera: Batocera is another well-known operating system for retro gaming. It is designed to run on a variety of devices, including the Anbernic RG series and other handhelds. Batocera offers a polished user experience with an intuitive interface, a wide range of emulator support, and excellent customization options. It is especially popular for its ease of setup and consistent performance.

ROCKNIX (formerly JELOS): ROCKNIX is an open-source operating system that is optimized for retro gaming handhelds. It’s lightweight, highly responsive, and works well with many devices like the Anbernic RG series. ROCKNIX provides a simplified experience, focusing solely on gaming performance and efficient emulation, which makes it a favorite for those who want a straightforward gaming experience without any unnecessary frills.

Onion OS (for Miyoo Mini Plus): The Miyoo Mini Plus works best with Onion OS, a custom firmware that significantly enhances the user experience. Onion OS provides improved game organization, quick save states, and more efficient battery usage. It’s tailored specifically for the Miyoo Mini line, making it easy to navigate and adding features that make the gameplay smoother and more enjoyable.

Crossmix OS (for Trimui Smart Pro)

These custom operating systems provide not only a functional upgrade but also make the experience of gaming on these handhelds much more enjoyable. They bring additional features like improved emulation support, better battery management, and an overall smoother experience compared to stock firmware.

Remember that you will need BIOS (or here) and ROM (or here) – preferably in the no-intro format to facilitate things like artwork scraping. Here’s a nice curated ROM set for various systems.

When choosing between NTSC (World/USA/Japan) and PAL (Europe) versions of NES games, it’s important to understand that NTSC versions generally provide a smoother and faster experience. NTSC games run at 60Hz, meaning they refresh the screen 60 times per second, resulting in more fluid animations and responsive gameplay. On the other hand, PAL games run at 50Hz, leading to a noticeable slowdown in movement, animations, and even sound—often running at 83% of the speed of NTSC versions. This slower pace affects the overall feel, especially in fast-paced platformers like Super Mario Bros., making NTSC versions preferable for those seeking the original design intent.

These differences are still relevant when using handheld emulators and modern software like OpenEmu or popular handheld devices like Anbernic or Retroid Pocket consoles. Emulators accurately replicate the original hardware, including regional refresh rates, so PAL ROMs will play with slower gameplay and pitch differences just like they did on European systems. If you want the most fluid and authentic gameplay experience, it’s generally recommended to choose the NTSC version, while the PAL version can still be valuable for those nostalgic for the original European experience.

For PlayStation 2, use PCSX2 emulator. For arcade games go here.

Retro Gaming Media

I love the graphics used in retro games, and I’ve been decorating my office with NES game covers. I’ve found some fantastic sites for NES box art, game screenshots and videos:

• Emumovies
• Sprites and Screenshots
• Vimm’s
• Screenscraper (open a free account)

Game Manuals

Although most games are self-explanatory, it was nice for me to go through the game manuals and discover the answer to perplexities of my childhood when I never had any manuals for the games I played. You can find manuals for NES here.

Conclusion

Retro gaming handheld consoles bring generations together, offer simple yet engaging experiences, and are affordable entertainment solutions that fit in your pocket. They can be a great way to introduce kids to gaming without the complexities of modern titles, while adults can revisit their favorite classics, creating new memories with their children. Whether you’re playing “Donkey Kong,” “Zelda,” or “Pac-Man,” retro handheld consoles prove that great gameplay never gets old.

With my 6 and 4-year-old kids we spend many happy hours playing and challenging each other, while of course implementing some limits on the total time they can spend playing every week. I think this is a nice way to start introducing the concept of balance in life. I don’t agree with banning things outright. I started gaming at an early age and turned out fine, so I’m speaking from experience here. The biggest danger I see in modern gaming is the wild levels of stimulation that most modern games provide. Retro games from the 80s and early 90s are pretty simple, and even as an adult, I can enjoy a 15-minute gaming session before I sleep without feeling that urge to play one more time or one new game. I can’t say the same about taking my phone to bed as I can easily doomscroll for two hours, or watch one YouTube video after another till the early hours, completely destroying the next day’s productivity.

With the new M2 processors introduced by Apple and their amazing performance, I’ve decided to switch around my hardware setup to be best suited to my lifestyle. Here’s what I have selected after doing my research.

Macbook Pro 16″ M2

This will be my main machine and will be used at home and at my coworking space/gym. I will also take it with me on longer term travel or trips where I know I will have the time to put in serious work.

Apple Studio Display

This will be my fixed display in my home office. It’s a great display that is a joy to work on. The Macbook Pro will be connected to it at home.

The main alternatives to the Studio Display are the LG 27MD5KL-B and the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q. The 32 inch version of the Dell is also a good option.

Note about 32 inch 4k displays: Some people may complain about font sizes on a 32-inch 4K display versus Apple’s 32-inch 5K display because of the difference in pixel density. The 5K display has a resolution of 5120 x 2880 pixels, which is higher than the 4K display’s resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. This means that the pixel density of the 5K display is higher, resulting in crisper and more detailed images, including text.

iPad Pro 12.9″

This will be my out-and-about machine, and will also be used for some reading and drawing activities. I’ll use it while traveling, going to cafes, and on other occasions where I might or might not have the opportunity to work. In such cases, if I get the chance to work I will typically be writing or drawing, two tasks that the iPad excels with when paired with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil respectively.

Macbook Pro Stand

I will be using either the Satechi stand for holding the Macbook in closed mode (Twelve South Bookarc is a good alternative), or the Twelve South Curve.

Accessories

The Anker powerbank is great if you anticipate working for longer periods in places without a power connection, for example on some airlines, at airports, cafes, libraries etc. Having a powerbank can be great if you work in very popular places. If said places have areas with no power connection those will be the least popular and most likely to be free, so you’re more likely to find a space to work in.

AI tools have really captured the imagination of many tech enthusiasts, starting in 2022 with the release of Dall-E and ChatGPT, and I see them revolutionizing the way we work and create content over the next few years.

Undoubtedly, some jobs will be rendered obsolete, but on the other hand, AI tools will unleash a new wave of creativity and empower people to create.

If you’re looking to delve into the world of AI, I’d advise a straightforward approach. Start by securing access to the most sophisticated Large Language Model available. While the AI ecosystem is vast, you really only need to focus on a few key players at the outset. Presently, three AI giants are leading the charge:

1. OpenAI’s GPT-4 – available with a Plus subscription or even through Microsoft Bing’s creative mode at no cost.
2. Anthropic’s Claude 2 – complimentary with an option for a premium paid mode for expedited access. It’s noteworthy for its adeptness with extended documents.
3. Google’s Bard – which is also free.

As it stands, GPT-4 reigns supreme. However, with Claude 2 not far behind and Google rumored to be unveiling a significant update soon, the landscape might see a shift.

AI Image Generators

AI image generators are the first AI tools I played around with. They caused a big media stir when they became popular, and there was a lot of negativity and doomsday talk about many jobs being lost and artists being made redundant. I don’t think that’s warranted, and indeed this is not the first such shift to take place in history.

For example, the printing press and the invention of photography were similar seismic shifts that changed the landscape, but nobody today would argue that they were a net negative on humanity. AI tools are inevitable and are here to stay, so let’s see how we can use them to be more creative and improve our lives.

Here are some options for you to check out and possibly try:

• DALL-E: This AI program, developed by OpenAI, is capable of generating incredibly detailed and diverse images from text descriptions.
• Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs): GANs are a type of AI algorithm that can be used to generate realistic images, such as photographs of people or landscapes.
• Dreamer: Developed by DeepMind, Dreamer is an AI system that can generate images based on a set of goals or objectives, such as creating a picture of a specific object or scene.
• StyleGAN: This AI system, developed by NVIDIA, can generate highly realistic images of human faces.

There are many other AI image generators available, and the field is constantly evolving, so these are just a few examples of the top AI image generators. The easiest ones to try are probably DALL-E 2 and Stable Diffusion.

I have been using DALL-E 2 for generating images to go along with my blog posts. It’s been quick and also lots of fun. I’ve also tried my hand at creating images just for the fun of producing art. I had never considered myself to have any artistic ability, but together with NFTs and generative art, AI art generators have helped me explore my creative side and spur me on to learn how to draw and become an artist.

AI Chatbots and Text Generators

OpenAI’s ChatGPT was the next thing to make a big splash. Coming from the AI chatbot itself:

OpenAI Chat is a natural language processing (NLP) platform developed by OpenAI. It is designed to enable developers to build AI-powered chatbots and other NLP-based applications. The platform includes a suite of tools and resources that make it easy for developers to create and train AI models, integrate them with their applications, and deploy them to production. OpenAI Chat is based on the GPT-3 language model, which is one of the most advanced and powerful AI systems available. It can be used to create chatbots that can understand and respond to natural language input, and can be customized to perform a wide range of tasks and functions.

Such tools can be used to help in text content creation, and might also eventually replace the way we use search engines.

For now, the biggest use case seems to be in helping writers generate web content in a much quicker way. However, before you fire all your writers are rely on AI exclusively for your site’s articles, you must know that Google can easily detect which content has been created with ChatGPT and similar tools.

I’ve used ChatGPT to help me while researching topics and also to help me quickly draft articles that I would then tweak with my own opinions and twists. My conclusion is that such tools help me in creating articles where I would previously have not gotten around to doing so due to limited time and not having enough to say to warrant a blog post. So it’s certainly of great assistance to me.

More Use Cases

There are many potential consumer use cases for AI tools. Some common examples include virtual assistants, such as Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa, which use natural language processing to understand and respond to voice commands; image and facial recognition technology, which can be used in a variety of applications such as security and social media; and personalized recommendations for products or services, which are commonly used by online retailers and streaming services. Other potential consumer use cases for AI include language translation, automated customer service, and intelligent home automation systems.

On the enterprise side, use cases include data analysis and business intelligence, where AI can be used to process large amounts of data and identify trends and patterns that can inform decision making; automation of repetitive or time-consuming tasks, such as data entry and processing; and predictive maintenance for manufacturing and other industries, where AI can be used to identify potential problems with equipment before they occur. Other potential enterprise use cases for AI include fraud detection, natural language processing for customer service, and supply chain optimization.

If you own a business, it makes sense to start thinking about how AI can improve your company’s processes as I believe this will be a major differentiating factor between companies in the near future. Those who will be able to harness the power of AI in the right ways can gain a massive productivity edge over their competitors, not to mention other areas like customer satisfaction.

AI Tool Directories

• Futurepedia
• There’s an AI for that

AI Courses

Have you tried any AI tools yet? What should I try next?

As a WordPress veteran, I’ve observed the fluctuations in the ecosystem for many years now. I’ve also written about my thoughts on the current state of things at various points in the past, but today I want to focus on that again with an eye on the future. I’m going to say things the way I see them and the way I think they are in this article; feel free to disagree in the comments section if you think I’ve got anything wrong.

First, a Bit of History

I’m going to start with some historical context as I feel that it’s very important when thinking about the present state and future possibilities.

Over the past twenty years, we’ve seen a significant shift in the way people use and perceive the internet. In the early days, the avenues of the web were synonymous with freedom. For the first time ever, we could make our voice heard by the world wherever and whoever we were. The creation of tools like WordPress was essential in allowing users to publish their content. Users didn’t mind taking some time to understand the technical part of things, such as downloading the WordPress software, installing it on a server, setting up a domain etc.

Nowadays, the internet looks quite different. Users have gravitated towards centralized platforms that provide an easy-to-use interface for creation, and an audience too. They’ve been seduced by the slick interfaces and addictive nature of many social networks and platforms, and have long-forgotten ideals about decentralization and open-source software.

This is the present that WordPress finds itself in today, with competitors like Wix, Squarespace, Shopify and Webflow, all of which are centralized platforms for creation. WordPress has the biggest market share, helped by its tremendous growth over the past two decades and its first-mover advantage (all other platforms launched many years after WordPress). But the challenge going forward is to keep its position while faced with these formidable competitors.

The WordPress Ecosystem

Now, I want to spend some time describing all the components of the WordPress ecosystem.

Matt Mullenweg – The Founder

Matt Mullenweg is the co-founder of WordPress, together with Mike Little. Matt has been the leader and figurehead of WordPress since its founding in 2003, and has become a billionaire through Automattic, the company he founded soon after he launched WordPress.

Matt makes his investments in other companies through Audrey Capital. Through the success of Automattic, he’s been able to go on and invest in many other interesting companies, a list of which is on the Audrey Capital website.

Automattic – Matt’s Company

Automattic is a company founded and run by Matt Mullenweg, who is also the co-founder of WordPress. It is still private but has done several funding rounds and is currently valued at around $8 billion. Yes, you read that right.

Automattic now owns various web products, such as Tumblr and Day One, but the company made its money through WordPress.com.

WordPress.com – The Cash Cow

The first point of confusion for any prospective WordPress user is the differentiation between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.

WordPress.org is the site that hosts the open source software known as WordPress.

WordPress.com is the hosted version of WordPress and is run by Automattic, a company founded by Matt Mullenweg, also a co-founder of WordPress.

WordPress.com has become very similar to the other centralized systems that I mentioned previously (Squarespace et al) and is obviously a big money maker for Automattic.

Here we start seeing how things are twisted to the benefit of the commercial side of WordPress (making money for Automattic). Note how the screenshot above raves about the “millions of people that call WordPress.com home” and makes no mention of the fact that the majority of those are using WordPress the open-source software not WordPress.com, the hosted version.

WordPress.org – The Open Source Software

WordPress.org is where you can download the open-source WordPress software. It’s also the de-facto home of the “WordPress community”, and you will find the forums, plugin and theme download pages, etc there.

WordPress was launched at a time when most content management systems were closed source. The fact that WordPress was launched as an open source project was the single most important driver to its success. By being free, it quickly gained adoption among both users and developers.

WordPress Plugin (& Theme) Developers

WordPress plugin and theme developers are what made WordPress grow into the behemoth it is today. They built upon and extended the functionality of WordPress in a bazillion ways, turning WordPress into by far the most flexible publishing software on the planet.

The only real alternative to WordPress if flexibility and extensibility is your main goal, is to build your website from scratch using custom code or a coding framework as a base. If you’re not a developer or don’t have the means to hire one (or an agency) then WordPress is your only feasible choice. All you need to do is pay a few hundred dollars to acquire the set of plugins that you need to concoct whatever flavor of website you desire.

WordPress Users

By WordPress Users, I mean individuals or companies that are using WordPress to power their websites. This group numbers in the millions.

WordPress Agencies

These are companies that build web solutions for their customers using WordPress. They are typically not that interested in WordPress as a project beyond it being a means to an end. Some are more invested in WordPress and even create and sell a few plugins of their own.

The Current State of WordPress

In 2022, I’ve seen WordPress reach a peak of negativity among plugin developers, mostly due to the fact that they have always been underappreciated by WordPress leadership. Towards the end of the year, the WordPress powers that be suddenly removed the install growth charts from the .org repository without any real explanation. When questioned about it, Matt, Otto (one of the lead devs) and JJJ (another developer close to the core team) offered conflicting reasons, leading to even more speculation and outrage. Plugin developers were adamant about wanting the feature back as it is essential to them in monitoring how their plugin is performing in the market, but there was no real sense of caring from Matt and the core team.

For many years now, those who have been working in the space for a long time have felt that WordPress is an ecosystem that is run by one man, Matt, acting as the dictator. He has been sometimes referred to as the “benevolent dictator”, but his sense of judgment and benevolence is being questioned more and more as time goes by. The close circle of people high up in the WordPress hierarchy has also fallen out of favor, again mostly due to their dismissive and entitled attitude. There is certainly the sense that WordPress is far from an open system when it comes to the major decisions taken.

Web developers in general tend to hate WordPress due to their perception of it being bloated and badly coded. While there is a strong element of truth there, the codebase has changed a lot over the years, moving from being almost 100% PHP-based to being more of a JS-based system. The attitude, whether justified or not, still prevails, and most serious developers prefer using a cleaner framework like Laravel for their projects. This makes it harder for WordPress companies to hire competent developers.

WordPress agencies are having a good time, since the popularity of WordPress with end users doesn’t seem to be waning, in fact it is reportedly still growing year over year, although there are some debates around that statement as well.

WordPress as a system has definitely enjoyed much better years as regards to reputation, but it is undoubtedly the case that there are still millions of sites running it and many new sites popping up every day, so agencies have no worries about finding new clients.

Enterprise-focused agencies are a niche on their own, dealing with their own trials, as Magne from Dekode can attest. However, it is also true that their business is doing well and also growing, so along with agencies doing work for mom-and-pop shops and small businesses, this is a good niche to be in.

What about the end users though? These are by and large the biggest part of the WordPress ecosystem. For end users, there still isn’t much of an alternative to WordPress if they are the DIY types and have a very specific type of site they want to build. The lack of alternatives stems from the fact that WordPress is the only system out there to have so many plugins. Sure, end users can choose Squarespace, Wix, and the rest of the hosted systems out there. They offer a slicker experience and better UI, but they will always lack in features and flexibility compared to WordPress.

On the other hand, end users are also frustrated by moves that have been imposed on them by Matt and his cronies over the years. Gutenberg is a glaring example, and a look at the reviews will tell you all you need to know.

Again this is an example of Matt being an absolute dictator and shoving his wishes down everyone’s throat. Here’s one of the recent reviews at the time of writing this article:

No one step set WordPress back as far as this one plugin and set of features has. Now with the infiltration of Gutenberg modules into the official WP code contributions represents a devolution and corruption of WordPress principles, a rotting of it to the core. As an avid long term fan and developer of WordPress for 12+ years, nothing comes close to Gutenberg in how much it’s damaged the functioning and operation of WordPress, adding needless complexities to the user and developer experience, adding no tangible upsides, and breaking the long upheld principle of backwards compatibility. This plugin and mostly its integration into the WP core is a disaster and has damaged WordPress as a whole.

The Future

I know many WordPress plugin and theme business owners who have totally given up on WordPress and exited the space altogether. Typically, they have sold their businesses to a bigger plugin company like Awesome Motive, or to hosting companies that are trying to emulate the hosted environment provided by WordPress.com.

Others are still trying their best to survive within the changing WordPress ecosystem, although the way I see it, things are not looking great going forward.

I’ll end with a question – What’s next?

For users who have become frustrated by the complexity of WordPress and the janky experience, will they move to a service like Squarespace, Substack, Wix or Webflow? Will they wake up to the abusive pricing strategies by some WordPress plugin sellers and the overall horrible experience of having to pay subscription fees to several plugin suppliers to keep their website running year after year?

For the plugin developers who are seeing their chances of success within the WordPress space trending towards zero, what are the alternatives? Shopify is one platform that is becoming more and more attractive, as it opens up the possibilities for developers extending the core functionality and building significant businesses around that model.

I welcome your comments and discussion.