August 2007 Archives

QuickNews for PalmOS makes it quite clear that it is profoundly upset about something...

Exactly what is not entirely obvious. Naturally, "OK" and "Change Now" have precisely the same effect.

This is priceless. This guy, Robert Scoble, who apparently is a world famous communicator is waffling on and on about something or the other to do with social applications (don't bother - there must be some interesting paint to watch dry somewhere).

This screenshot is taken from a sequence where he is talking into a crackly microphone and scribbling on a whiteboard. We cannot see his face (although we get a great shot of his, er, waistline), and we can't see what he's writing on the whiteboard.

And he puts this stuff on line. And he has legions of fans. Content ? Zilch. Production values ? Zilch.

Ah. Oops. This is the US version of "The Office", isn't it ? God I'm so gullible.

I've recently discovered Robert Hoekman's blog and book on web application design. He certainly has a refreshing take on this. I wish a well-known design consultancy I've recently been working with would read his latest post and reflect on it.

"I know it’s a hassle to debate everything with your clients. But the benefit of doing it outweighs the hassle."

Hallelujah to that. In particular from the client's side. Note to design agencies: we need you as short term colleagues and partners, not dictators. You are domain specialists, certainly, but the very first rule of consultancy I was taught, many years ago, is understand the client's requirement, and don't impose your own agenda on it.

Just got a new QWERTY Apple alumin(i)um keyboard. A bit of low end retail therapy. Totally sucks. I have a glass top desk. The keyboard has a shiny plastic underside. So, as soon as you start to type, it just skids over the table. Totally useless and very frustrating. Pretty though.

Back to the standard white keyboard I guess.

Facebook:

We really, really should have built "TimeWaster Pro" back in 199n. Its time has come.

Interesting that Facebook says that Seymour is an "it". I never realised.

So Apple has finally entered the social space with my iTunes. Fairly limited, and focused pretty much on Apple's needs (shifting units) rather than the user's, but whatever, it's better than a kick in the teeth with a sharp trowel. It would also be nice if the instructions did not switch to the default language of the local iTunes Music Store (German in this case, since Apple appears to think all of Switzerland is German speaking - which is a bit like saying "everybody uses Windows")

I'd prefer to be able to show you what I've been listening to, but for what it's worth, I can destroy any semblance of credibility by showing you what I've been buying:

Pretty eclectic, non ?

China attempts to gain a foothold on the red wine market, adopting a refreshing policy of total honesty in their marketing. Most commendable. A pity that the bottle was in the last chance bargain bin...