If you’ve been following the adventures of our intrepid Tech Guru (also known as Arcurve’s CTO, Mike Bauer), you know he cleverly solves all manner of technology dilemmas and crises on a daily basis.

This month, Mike deftly explains how he used LLBLGen to solve a complex web-based challenge. What is LLBLGen, you ask? And why is Bauer LMAO?

No, he isn’t moonlighting with a techno band at the top of the iTunes chart (who have an extra letter in their name). He’s sharing his favourite tricks of the trade with you!

Happy Groundhog Day!

While we wait for our furry friends to predict the length of winter, here at Arcurve, we have our very own seasonal traditions. During the chilly months, our team members are nestled snugly in their office pods. Unlike groundhogs, when Arcurvian heads pop up, it’s to take to the skies...

Here , Brandon Holtz (software developer) and fellow team members enjoy a few minutes of flight time with their Gyrocopters. The Xinxun Strike Force X01 3CH, to be precise. And, yes, they are awesome.

Nothing like spreading your wings (or rotors) to blow off some mid-day steam. Some folks have a coffee break, we prefer to build launch pads.

Each February, we don’t just monitor shadows, you can also catch us monitoring swear words.

For each swear uttered in the month of February, Arcuvians donate a quarter to a large piggy bank (placed strategically close to major known offenders). Any work event in February is considered fair game. Prolonged meetings are a great revenue generator.

As per tradition, all monies raised will be matched by Arcurve and go to the Women in Need Society. Check out our “Swear Jar”.

Did we mention Arcurve World Headquarters has moved?

The new Arcurve offices are at 322-11th Avenue SW in Calgary. All phone numbers and emails have remained the same.

Ever clicked on a video link on your iPad and seen a blank screen? Or crashed your browser while bringing up a Flash-heavy website on your phone? Ouch.

As you’re probably (painfully) aware, Apple’s iPhone and iPad do not support Flash. Adobe recently announced they would stop development of Flash for mobile devices and instead focus on Adobe Edge, their new web motion and interaction design tool that uses HTML5.

HTML5 is a multilingual markup language, hailed as the new standard for presenting content on the internet. The scope of HTML5 is huge - it is expected to replace all existing HTML specifications, including forms, audio, video, 2D graphics, document editing, offline applications, and more. But is the fanfare around HTML5 as the “magic bullet” that will bridge the gap across desktop browsers, mobile devices, and tablets warranted?

HTML5 isn’t new - it’s has been under development since 2004. The main international standards organization for the World Wide Web, known as W3C, is expecting to define HTML5 as “Recommended” in 2012. (A “recommended” standard has undergone extensive review and testing and is now endorsed by the W3C for wide deployment. A comprehensive interoperability test suite is expected by 2014.)

Optimism is high for HTML5. Mobile users are particularly hopeful that the end to plug-ins for browsers is near. The richness of the development set, as well as the reliance on software instead of hardware, is encouraging. Arcurve is also optimistic that HTML5 will deliver on all of its promises, but we are pragmatic and remember the not-to-distant past where XML was marketed to rid the world of all integration and interoperability issues.

HTML5s importance is demonstrated by the fact that Microsoft has been ramping up support, tools, and developer education. They have shifted from a position of largely ignoring HTML5 to actively developing tools and educating developers. Internet Explorer 9 has a fair bit of HTML5 support, and IE10 adds more. MSDN Magazine recently added a column dedicated to HTML5. Not likely a coincidence.

There have been questions regarding browser adaption rate for desktop users. Desktop folks, for the most part, haven't updated to HTML5-capable browsers. To address this, the open-source community has developed a popular and robust JavaScript library called modernizr. It detects the availability of native implementations, allowing web application developers to write HTML5 code that targets older browsers.

As of September 30, 2011, “34 of the world’s top 100 Web sites” are using HTML5. Arcurve remains cautiously optimist that HTML5 will bring us another step closer to rich, accessible, universal end-user experiences.

They set out to build a better inventory management system. They ended up turning the transportation industry on its axle.

As a carrier for bulk petroleum products to major international energy companies, the stakes were high. Scamp knew that the key to success was in managing the details for their clients. But when they went to rev-up their inventory management system, they ran into major roadblocks. Looking for an organization that shared their vision of unconventional problem-solving, they partnered with Arcurve to build SAFE (Scamp’s Automated Fuel Environment).

They've won the coveted Imperial Oil “Carrier of the Year” award four out of five years running. They’ve become the poster child for safety and reliability in the carrier industry.

How did they do it?

We’re chuffed to be part of a groundswell of great companies that support local causes. YYCTech brings together like-minded technology companies to raise funds and awareness for tremendous charitable organizations, like The Calgary Food Bank.

YYCTech companies, including Arcurve, Peloton, Visage, Replicon, Palantir, Ethier , Aclaro, Calgary Scientific, Edge Technologies, Entero and Smart Technologies raised approximately $60K in our first joint fundraising effort for the Food Bank over the holidays! We’re excited to be involved with vibrant companies doing good work in our own backyard.

To follow the action, visit YYCTech on Facebook or on Twitter: #YYCTech.