[January 2010] Following a successful partnership on Like? Love! Warner Bros Australia commissioned TheFARM to completely redevelop their consumer facing website.

Leveraging off an existing global product database of thousands of Movie and TV titles, TheFARM localised designs from the US and built an entirely new Content Management System.

The result is a fully data driven rich media website that will scale over time to include Videogames and eCommerce functionality - as well as promote price discounted items and seasonal collections.

This month Farmers old and new alike took interest in Google's revelation it had fallen victim to “a highly sophisticated and targeted” cyber attack “originating from China” and resulting in the theft of its intellectual property. The official Googleblog went on to all but outright accuse the Chinese government of orchestrating the attacks in an attempt to access the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists.

As the evidence mounted that the People’s Republic was indeed behind the debacle it became clear we had an interesting power play on our hands - Superpower vs Cyberpower. It was interesting to speculate how that showdown would play out… 

The good news? It turned out the attacks (which also hit over 20 other companies) had exploited a vulnerability in IE 6 (http://praetorianprefect.com/archives/2010/01/the-aurora-ie-exploit-in-action/)  – thus putting another nail in the coffin of a browser which should have been buried long ago.

For the record: The Farm happily ceased support for IE6 from October 31 2009. In the aftermath of the cyber attack Google, better late than never, announced it would follow suit from March 1. Thanks Hu Jintao!

Google’s answer to the iPhone – the Nexus One smartphone – may be yet to hit Australian shores but it’s already got Farmers' chins wagging.

The topic – not so much the merits of one phone vs the the other – though you can read about this here http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/torn-between-two-phones-nexus-one-vs-iphone/?ref=technology – but what the competition bodes for the future of the www.

While the smartphones might work well with their own software they don’t seem to be making an effort to get along with one anothers other services. Some commentators – namely Tim O’Reily - think this bodes a bloody period of competition that could threaten the interoperable web of today. In the 80s it was Macintosh v Microsoft – in the 2010s the war looks set to take place between Apple and Google.

O’Reily may be onto something. While it’s too soon to tell if the Nexus One will emerge as a serious competitor to the iPhone, some Farmers have already taken sides.

Those who like that Google’s Android platform is more open to developers champion the Nexus One. The others, like everyone else, are so deep in iPhone love they can’t see past their touchscreens. One Farmer has even suggested we change the phrase “the best thing since sliced bread” to “the best thing since the iPhone”.

What do you think? Will you trade in your iPhone for a Nexus One? And who’s your money behind in the war for the web?

[December 2009] After a week of teasers from our illustrious leaders about The FARM Christmas party, the office down tools at 10.30am to begin the day's events (one particular producer managed to keep working whilst simultaeounsly being briefed in on Christmas activities - our talents know no bounds!)

Split into teams early in the week The FARMers were presented with a number of challenges to earn points before the big day:

1. Pick a Sydney suburb

2. Pick a dress theme to go with that suburb

3. Put together a presentation called '2009 - a year in review'

4. Design a piece of retro pixel art for the next FARM feature wall

5. Deliver the highest ROI on a $2 coin 

Teams then embarked on the first 'FARM Great Race'around Sydney, figuring out clues at one destination to get to the next. Bonus points awarded for team photos at each check point. Bonus bonus points awarded for the randoms coerced into participating in said photos, Bonus bonus bonus points for being told by management to 'slow down and stop for a drink' and actually beating our leaders to the finish line!

Introducing the teams!

Fire from the Shire led by Anthony Dang (missing from this team photo!)

Eastern Creek Grid Girls led by Aaron Powell 

Wentworthville Wiggas led by Nikki Sulentic

Double Bay Sailing Club led by the marvellous Chris Martin who delivered his team victory (and a 3 course meal at The Bentley)

After suitable team banter (and some outright bar fights) the FARM jumped a water taxi to Shark Island for a long and lazy BBQ, soaking up the rays in the middle of Sydney Harbour. 

Many thanks to our 'life-guards' Chris P and JG for putting on a great day!

[December 2009] Our lovely friends at Ferrero surprise the team with a goodie box choc-full of scrumptious delights!

We are very happy FARMers!! Thanks Ferrero!

Congrats to Wade, Karis, Brooke and Nina for the great start on Ferrero and to all in the studio that brought the ideas to life!