This doesn’t really count as an actual post, and it’s been too long between actual posts, but this is too funny not to write about. While doing some research, I came across a fantastic piece of government in action with a useful article about how the most effective navigation is often on the left side of a page. I won’t tell you what’s ironic here.
Spring has sprung here in MI, and the canadian geese are loving it. In the office, you can hear their joyful little honks all day.
But they have cute little fuzzy babies, so I just have to forgive them.
…besides looking at the road.
VW is working on an in-dash computer that controls the car, an ipod, a palm treo, and pretty much anything else that you plug into it. Ref: http://news.com.com/1606-2_3-6052333.html . Kinda cool–but that’s a lot of stuff to do while driving down the highway.
Since I write so often about upcoming Apple products, I thought I’d give the big guy a break and write about this Microsoft release that’s supposed to happen tomorrow. Nobody really seems to sure what the thing does, but they are releasing a product under the name Origami Project (http://www.origamiproject.com/) that is being announced at an event tomorrow. Can’t say much for the site, but it’s evidently supposed to be a product to take on the iPod in some fashion, sounds interesting.
Sounds distinctly like the buzz leading up to the release of the Segway–everybody is excited about it and have no clue why. We’ll just have to wait and see.
UPDATE 3/23/06: Sleeping dogs lie–so, Microsoft launched the thing. So far it seems to have landed with a thud. Seems the price point is perhaps a little higher than people were expecting. You can see the details on their own site here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/umpc/default.mspx
Yeah that’s right–online file storage is becoming a reality. And I think it’s pretty cool.
Some are hosted servers for a fee, some are free. According to a recent TechCrunch posting, the recommended services are OmniDrive followed by Box.Net and Streamload.
Other mentions include Allmydata.com, esnips, Freepository, GoDaddy, Iomega File Storage, Mozy, MoFile, Openomy, StrongSpace, Xdrive, and Zingee.
It’s a great idea, being able to find your files anywhere? How many days into Google gets into this fray? I’m taking bets.
So, where’s all this going? Interesting insight (again) from the guys at TechCrunch:
I firmly believe that online storage should, and will, be packaged with new computers and applications like Windows. The amount of unprotected but hugely important media content out there on hard drives (music, movies, home movies, pictures), is growing every day. People need somewhere to back this data up for a reasonable fee, and it seems to me that Dell and others should package this service with the PC. All initial software would be auto stored, and users would have the option to continuously syncronize their hard drive with the virtual drive.
Interesting idea, wonder when a computer company will offer online file storage. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm…interesting. Guess we’ll have to wait for the next version of Windows.
Now I need to find one of these services that will let me find my files and car keys.
Don’t get me wrong–I do some Flash, but sometimes you just don’t want to see it. Well, using PrefBar, you can turn off Flash as well as a few other things while you browse.
All right–so I have this old mac that I couldn’t figure out what to do with. So, now it’s a media center. Huh?
Well, I hooked it up to our TV with a little help from this useful little thing. So, now the old mac can play music through iTunes and can get on the internet via a wireless connection. Or, the whole thing can be controlled with a remote if I increase the geekiness level a little more and use this. But, hey, it is free.
Interested in learning more? Jon Hicks has a great post about using a mac for a media center. Want to use a PC? There’s stuff out there.
Side note: Last week Apple announced new macs that run on intel chips. And Microsoft is using the PowerPC chip (what Apple used to use) for the XBOx 360. Huh. Welcome to bizarro world.
Ok–wow.
Don’t blame me for how much time you’ll spend staring at it, but this is one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while. It makes all other map tools look like cuneiform clay tablets.
Check it out: http://earth.google.com/
I would heavily recommend a broadband connection for the experience, but it is well worth it. There’s a lot of features here, so keep trying new stuff!
We recently moved to the Lansing area, thanks to all those who helped!
The only reason I haven’t copyrighted this is lack of money.
STEP 1
Listen carefully and intently to all concerns from all parties. Be sure to take notes.
STEP 2
Carefully ponder and consider all input from all angles and all people.
STEP 3
Forget everything that just happened.
It happened, first snow of the year. Now it’s that weird halfway thing where you can barely see the tips of the grass before the snow takes over. We were lucky and got a pretty long fall, but winter is here.
Readymechs– the most fun you can have with folded printer paper and extra desk space.
And, if you’re a graphic designer or just really into type: foundtype on flickr
Brought to you by the letter 5 and the color puce.
This is kind of cool. Came across this because I want to add this to the blog in the near future, but here you go. This is how to link to an iTunes page from a web site (link to antipixel blog).
Interesting story on a little bit of history, current events, and the future for the folks over at GM. I hope the best for them, and that they can work out their cost issues. Interesting read, I thought that they were in better shape than Ford, but I could be wrong. I’m all about unions, but what good does it do to have great benefits when your employer goes under?
This is already everywhere, but there’s a new ipod that plays video and you can download TV shows from itunes among other video stuff.
It recently occurred to me that there are multiple levels of simplicity. Since I’m in design and (now) user interaction more than I once was, simplicity becomes more and more important. And simplicity isn’t so much just the fact that something looks simple. Something can have complexity, but still be simple. Simplicity comes from the fact that the brain can perceive it.
There are multiple levels of simplicity. It takes work to make something truly easy to use, that is, if it’s worth making. Like a marathon, you can quit the first time you feel like quitting or you can keep going and actually reach the end, where you should be.
Something that doesn’t need to have an explanation shouldn’t need to have an explanation. I guess I’ve known this all along and have actively pursued this philosophy, but it’s important to tag and talk about thoughts to solidify them. For me, at this time, I’m just going to call it “Simplifying the Simple.” It’s, uh, simpler that way.
Hey, remember me? I haven’t posted for a while, thought it was about time to get some new content on the blog. Came across PowerGramo for Skype and thought it was a great thing to talk about. It’s a handy dandy little program that lets you record Skype conversations to refer back to later. Sure, there’s the whole fuzzy area about recording conversations and is it really that beneficial… I guess if you have a horrible memory about what you talked about?
If you’re reading this and have no idea what Skype actually is. Well, I guess you have more homework to do than the rest of the class. Enjoy.
Just wanted to make a quick note that I did start my new job with TechSmith for those that knew. With a mix of excitement and nervousness (mostly excitment), I started this past friday!
Elsewhere: 
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