January 2010
16 posts
3 tags
A Closed System = Good →
There is a complaint running around that the iPad is a closed system, that people aren’t free to customize it, that it’s not opened up so that we can all poke around inside it. Complaints are the the iPad is killing off an idea of computing that’s open and free for all. To which I say: Good! Does anybody remember what using a computer is like? I spent a week after reinstalling my operating...
Jan 29th
3 tags
My Reply to the Flash Team (re: iPad)
No Flash on the iPad/iPhone is a feature, not a bug! None of those flash games are touch-able and optimized for such an interface… I don’t play Farmville but I’ve seen kids around the house playing it and it’s already incredibly slow and imprecise enough with a mouse pointer, let alone on a touch interface. I’m going to try to keep thinking that Zynga isn’t...
Jan 28th
4 tags
The Revolutionary Tablet
As I was following the live keynote, when I first saw pictures of Steve Jobs holding the “thing” itself, I thought to myself “uh-oh… a giant iPhone?”. And even though I wanted one immediately, it didn’t produce in me the sheer amazement that the iPhone announcement did over 3 years ago (yup, the iPhone UI is still at least 2 years ahead of the competition, like Jobs predicted). I wasn’t sure I...
Jan 28th
I Have No Talent →
John really had me thinking… Too often I just give up when dealing with difficulties; I wait for my talent to magically tell me the solution; I wait for my creativity spark so that I don’t have too put too much effort into it. I have to stop thinking about “it” so much and plow through those hard relying more on effort than on talent.
Jan 28th
“As a creator, part of what I seek is recognition, immortality. I don’t work for...”
– by Wil Shipley, who is the main developer of a Mac app called Delicious Library. Apple’s new iBooks app on the iPad uses many of the same interface design elements as Delicious Library, such as the wooden shelf books are placed upon. — Reblogged from Dustin Curtis
Jan 27th
WatchWatch
It’s unexpected yet awesome to see someone in the US take espresso coffee this seriously… It looks a lot like coffee back home (Portugal) BUT… you should really put sugar in your coffee/espresso: it helps tone down the acidity and lets your taste buds really extract the full aroma of a good coffee! *yum* =) (via paulozoom/simplebits)
Jan 21st
“ I have an idea for a thing (1 million people) I tried to build a thing...”
– Andy Budd on “Good products are one in a million”
Jan 20th
“The second [very important trend] is that for consumer web apps today, design...”
– Excellent article on the importance of design vs features, using Tumblr and Posterous as examples. By Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry on PEG on Tech
Jan 20th
“Next time you want to illustrate a flow or concept with a diagramming tool,...”
– Ryan Singer @ SVN
Jan 20th
3 tags
Don't design… yet!
You had a great idea. You try designing it. You’re frustrated. You give up. 10% inspiration I tend to skip the initial thought process and attempt to jump straight into the design part. I’m not talking about those creative bursts where you open your favorite graphic editor and in a few minutes you come out with something really cool. I don’t know about you, but those bursts...
Jan 18th
Finagle's Laws
First Law: To study a subject best, understand it thoroughly before you start. Second Law: Always keep a record of data — it indicates you’ve been working. Fourth Law: Once a job is fouled up, anything done to improve it only makes it worse. Fifth Law: Always draw your curves, then plot your readings. Sixth Law: Don’t believe in miracles — rely on them.
Jan 18th
Jan 12th
“Don’t confuse legibility with communication. Just because...”
– David Carson (in “Helvetica”)
Jan 12th
“That’s why I use grids. For me it’s a tool for creating order. And...”
– Wim Crouwel (in “Helvetica”)
Jan 12th
“Every time I hear my government talking about investing more millions in...”
– Levi Figueira
Jan 11th
3 tags
Focus brings on the Action
Last year, in January (2009) I decided to put forth what I codenamed “Operation: Focus”. Basically, I decided to focus my attention in the few areas I wish to dedicate more time. Also meant toning down the attention I gave some of my chronic distractions. This was 2009… Here’s a quick run-down of my draft list I wrote back then and dug out of my Moleskine today (which I...
Jan 10th