Faridah Talatu uses Microsoft Paint & her illustrations are amazing
Do you remember playing around with Microsoft Paint growing up? I remember designing flags and sketching houses. When extra creativity adrenaline showed up i used shapes to create abstract stuff hehehe lol. So i was intrigued when i saw amazing illustrations designed with Microsoft paint. I reached out to the artist creating this amazing pieces and she was willing to share more details with me. Read on to find out more.
My name if Faridah Talatu. I’m a graphic illustrator, what’s different about Me is that I use Microsoft paint for my drawings
Faridah shared her designs and it has since captivated the internet. Faridah Talatu Yaro is a student artist and model. She started drawing when she was 11 years old. Faridah said “I started drawing the basic way, with pencil and paper. I’ve always loved art and drawing. My favorite subject was fine art and I always got an A in it”. She shared that overtime she had developed her art skills.
“Most importantly it was fun using it. Overtime my skills began to build using the app.”
Asking Faridah if she had always used Microsoft paint for her work she said no. “I didn’t start with Microsoft paint, I started with pencil and paper. I started using Microsoft Paint in 2016, I was bored and I decided to play with it [Microsoft Paint]”.
“… it didn’t come out so well”
She said her first attempt didn’t come out so well. “Although it didn’t come out so well at first and it definitely wasn’t easy either, I continued using it because It was better than my pen to paper drawings. Most importantly it was fun using it. Overtime my skills began to build using the app”.
“It is easy to use and it is basic so there’s no complications.”
I asked her why Microsoft Paint and not the other sophisticated tools, she shared that she preferred paint because it was easy to use. “I prefer Microsoft Paint because it is easy to use and it is basic so there’s no complications in it. Other software’s like the Adobe Photoshop and others have more technical tools and it makes work less fun. People have suggested I upgrade but I don’t want to lol”.
I also asked her how it is like to use Microsoft paint for the kind of complex designs she makes? And if she gets all the details she wanted in her final product? Also could Microsoft add some features that will help her with a better final product or make using it easier.
“Well Microsoft paint is pretty basic like I said. The colors are bold and the lines aren’t so manipulative except you know your way around it. For drawing more realistic pieces a blending tool will be a great help to me, because highlighting and contouring is harder without it”. She also hoped Microsoft can add more color options.
Faridah Talatu Yaro still works with the old Microsoft Paint app. The legacy one. Not the new Paint 3D app that Microsoft says is improved. I’m still working with the old MS paint but not the first original one, the one with more shapes, I’m well aware of the paint 3D app but it doesn’t do so much for me. There are only few custom 3D shapes. So yeah I’m sticking to the old one.
Depending on the piece she is working on she shared it could take under an hour to finish a drawing. But the more complex drawings take extra minutes she said.
Check out more of Faridah’s work from her Instagram page @Talatu.illustrations where she posts all her drawings . Connect with her on twitter @theridahtalatu. You can alternatively send her an e-mail Ridahtalatu04@gmail.com for classes and design purchases. She has T-Shirts and Hoodies with the designs she makes. Contact her if you are interested in getting one.
Doing something innovative and cool with a Microsoft product? Let us know, we will like to share your story. Contact us: info@microsoftcaregh.com
Windows phone users know Microsoft store apps don’t usually get a lot of love. For most developers they just want to have a version of their app in the windows store for ‘am not sure what the right word wil be’ reason. These apps are either totally abandoned, updated majorly once, half a year or a year after their other platform versions see an outrageous amount of update.
I honestly understand this from a developer point of view. It really isn’t that easy dedicating resources and altering codes to suit each platform, whilst fixing bugs and iterating new features. So some basically stick with a store with the numbers they seek. Microsoft hasn’t also helped with experimental changes in the operating systems core base from windows 8 till 10.
So it was with a breathe of relief to hear twitter was going the way of PWA(progressive web app). Twitter is a very popular social media platform and chances are you have an account and are active or had one. With PWA it means a continues and regular stream of effective updates. Microsoft’s support for PWA is another way to bring more apps to its Windows store. For windows phone users, this was a giant step. I mean whilst all my friends had mulled, whinned and laughed over the introduction of 280 characters and no editing from twiiter, i was yet to experience this. FYI this isn’t it, really lol.
Then Twitter made it happen, announcing a new app experience. I was happy, i was glad. Finally a windows store app was getting some love. Yeah because as at now lot’s of other important apps had called shop and given up. Users had been advised and moved on. After a month of using it i started missing out on some very helpful features the windows store app had. To make it clear, the PWA app is basically a web app.
I can’t manage more than one account from the app. Pinning to the start has a different feel to it. I cannot pin hastags or words, etc. I know this is work in progress but ….. i miss the old version. Should it have stayed that way without an update, no. Also i’m afraid the unique windows app experience might be no more.
What has been your experience with the new Twitter app coming from the old Windows store app? Been using android or iOS, should i be excited, seeing you are like from the future? Share with me. Thank you ?
Twitter for Windows 10 receives a big update that gives users a much-needed experience.
After updating to the latest Windows Update I realized my pinned Twitter apps were not there. I then noticed there’s been an update to it, across all devices. The new look seemed familiar, it looked like what you’ll see in a web browser.
In a series of posts, Twitter and Microsoft announced the update.
“Today we are proud to announce an updated experience through Twitter’s Progressive Web App (PWA). With this new app, we leveraged Microsoft’s support for Progressive Web Apps to bring users a better, faster, and improved experience“. – Twitter
“Twitter’s new Windows app is built on open web standards, powered by the fast and efficient Microsoft Edge engine in Windows 10.” – Microsoft
Using PWA in Twitter for Windows 10
The new app leverages the Progressive Web Apps technology. Progressive Web Apps are apps powered by Web technologies and delivered with Web infrastructure. So they are websites that behave like native apps and can be progressively enhanced on supporting platforms. Earlier this year Microsoft Welcomed Progressive Web Apps to Microsoft Edge and Windows 10 opening up the opportunity to bring more apps to the store.
The new update brings an extended character limit to 280 characters. It also brings the explore tab to find topics relevant to interests and the ability to bookmark Tweets to be read later.
Your device must be running either the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update or Windows 10 April 2018 Update to have this update.
We encourage everyone to update the Windows app as soon as you update your OS. Previous versions will no longer be available for download starting today and will no longer be supported starting June 1st.
I’m already missing tabs and having multiple accounts from the previous app. Hopefully, this comes in a future update. Head off to your store, check for updates and install the new update.
What’s your take on the new update? Share with us in the comments. Get interactive on our social channels.
Apple’s iTunes application finally debuts in the Microsoft store after it’s announcement a year ago.
Microsoft’s Build developer 2018 event takes place next week. At this same event a year ago Microsoft made a big announcement; iTunes is coming to Windows Store. However we didn’t see or hear anything till it was released in the store on the 26th of April. This could be good news, might be too late to win over other developers or fans.
“Now you can download iTunes from Microsoft Store and easily play your favorite music, movies, and more—right from your Windows 10 PC. iTunes is also home to Apple Music, where you can listen ad-free to over 45 million songs and download your favorites to enjoy without using WiFi”.
The app is currently only available for PC’s. It might become available as a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app and run across devices. Visit the Microsoft store and download the app, synchronize your stuffs and enjoy.
How does this announcement resonate with you? Share with us in the comments.
Microsoft launches new AppFactory in Nanyuki, Kenya in partnership with Mawingu Networks Ltd
This new partnership with Mawingu Networks will help develop Digital skills, Coding capabilities and employability of graduates in Nanyuki. It will also work with local businesses to develop unique solutions that meet their specific needs.
Microsoft 4Afrika’s initiative focuses on developing world-class skills, access and innovation. Empowering people to turn great ideas into a reality that enhance livelihoods and drive Africa’s digital transformation forward. The Mawingu Networks AppFactory brings the number of Microsoft 4Afrika AppFactories in Africa to 16. The 2nd in Kenya, others in South Africa, Egypt, Rwanda, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Malawi. Microsoft 4Afrika says last year, over 500 apprentices graduated from AppFactories with 85% securing full-time jobs within three months of graduating. This mostly because they acquire rare skills needed by organisations.
Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative focusses on developing World-class skills, Access and Innovation to empower people to turn great ideas into a reality. This will enhance livelihoods and drive Africa’s digital transformation forward.
This partnership between Mawingu Networks and Microsoft 4Afrika will drive digital transformation in rural town Nanyuki. Equipping graduates of Nanyuki with skills that make them readily employable and effective in organizations.
Selected participants will spend up to six months working with senior software technicians, developing essential workplace skills and the ability to design and implement modern software solutions. After graduating from the programme, apprentices will have access to jobs, both at Mawingu Networks and within its network of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Microsoft 4Afika AppFactory in Nanyuki
“The AppFactory will turn young people into highly competent, in-demand ICT professionals. Local companies, including ourselves, need more of this talent, especially in an increasingly digital world. As a start-up in a small town ourselves, we know how difficult and expensive it can be to hire the right talent. Sometimes that option is not even available to us and we end up having to outsource to other countries” – Tim Hobbs, Director and CEO of Mawingu Networks.
Microsoft 4Africa AppFactory dean, Lutz Ziob shared on Microsoft’s commitment to empowering and extending reach of opportunities to individuals and organizations.
“A lot of skills development programs happen in and around big cities benefitting largely urban youth. By working with an innovative, local company in Nanyuki, we are demonstrating our commitment to extending the reach of opportunities to youth and small businesses across the country. This is in line with our global mission to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more. It also supports Kenya’s 2030 vision. Which aims to become a middle-income country and provide a higher quality of life to all its citizens.” – Lutz Ziob, Dean of the 4Afrika
Mawingu Microsoft 4Afika AppFactory in Nanyuki will solve local specific problems
Programs director of the Mawingu AppFactory shared with me on how disruptive and transformative this will be to local businesses in Nanyuki. She shared about a situation with a farmer who has over 100 workers on his farm, who is concerned about intruders coming in and posing as workers. With this she said a facial recognition solution can be deployed in this instance. Using technology to solve the needs and problems in Nanyuki.
Through the AppFactory program, Mawingu will also seek to scale their use of Microsoft’s Kaizala productive app. Apprentices will be tasked with building custom Kaizala Action Cards and extending the platform via an application programming interface. The Nanyuki AppFactory will be hosted next to Mawingu Network’s headquarters. The first round of apprentices are currently being selected, following an application process.
Using Microsoft Kaizala App, Mawingu Networks boosts productivity and cut costs
Mawingu Networks Limited are one of the early testers of Microsoft’s Kaizala app in Kenya before its official launch.
Based in Kenya, Mawingu Networks focuses on connecting rural and unconnected communities in Africa to the internet. By using TV Whitespaces; a high performance low cost wireless technology, it is able to offer internet access using hotspots and broadband services to individuals and SMEs in rural areas.
Microsoft’s Kaizala app is a mobile application that enhance business agility, collaboration and organizational productivity. Built for emerging markets it helps with large group communication and work management.
“Using Microsoft Kaizala app has greatly enhanced our internal communications and enhanced our operations. – Tim Hobbs, Mawingu Networks Ltd. CEO“
Speaking about how transformative Kaizala has been to Mawingu, Director and CEO Tim Hobbs said; Our main goal was to improve communication between the field and office teams. Simplify the data collection process and save time in reporting. Kaizala ensures clean lines of communication, customer and partner feedback within the organization.
With Microsoft Kaizala, Mawingu Network Ltd. can easily track and assign work to field teams. Mawingu is also now able to better monitor its over 1000 hotspots in outlying areas.
Other uses are collecting customer information and feedback in real-time during sales activations. Monitor installations and effectively manage field teams remotely. This saves time through automated reporting.
“Right now we are able to develop a survey form on Kaizala and broadcast to our field team. We can then access and analyse the feedback using analytic tools like Power BI. This saves us time and money. We are also able to tweak and customise Kaizala app with the help of Microsoft(developers) to meet our unique needs”. –
Organizations such as Unilever and M-KOPA Solar have already tried and tested Kaizala in their daily operations. Download Microsoft Kaizala app through your device app store. You can alternatively email KaizalaDev@microsoft.com to get a preview (after NDA and Terms & Conditions) of the developer SDK to build your own extensions to meet your unique needs.
