Statistics Class (via WebWord)
She definitely makes a great point again... I wonder if she would like to take a look at things going on around in this office too... bet we'd have many more articles like this... ;o)
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Friday, June 21, 2002
"Tooth-phone" provides covert chat
A prototype radio device designed to fit inside a human tooth and provide covert mobile phone communications has been created by two UK students.
I wonder if it can also be used to record conversations for future reference...;o)
A prototype radio device designed to fit inside a human tooth and provide covert mobile phone communications has been created by two UK students.
I wonder if it can also be used to record conversations for future reference...;o)
Microsoft judge wants compromise (salon.com)
The federal judge hearing the Microsoft antitrust case wants lawyers for Microsoft and nine states to focus on modifying competing penalty proposals rather than argue about their differences.
The federal judge hearing the Microsoft antitrust case wants lawyers for Microsoft and nine states to focus on modifying competing penalty proposals rather than argue about their differences.
Airport kiosks to offer movie downloads
This one I'll definitely be using to keep my mind off of being on a plane...
This one I'll definitely be using to keep my mind off of being on a plane...
Intel to Exit Web-hosting business (digitalMass)
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, said on Tuesday it is closing the Web hosting business it launched in 1999 and will take a second-quarter charge of $100million.
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, said on Tuesday it is closing the Web hosting business it launched in 1999 and will take a second-quarter charge of $100million.
Thursday, June 20, 2002
CNN.com - Quirky, quality sites get Webby
CNNs report on the National Webby Awards. Google got the Best Practices Award...
CNNs report on the National Webby Awards. Google got the Best Practices Award...
Simplifying Tasks (via Camworld)
ummm... is the person who wrote the description of the product working with the usability team?
ummm... is the person who wrote the description of the product working with the usability team?
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Study finds Web of deceit on mental tests (via SIGIA-L)
"A quick search on the World Wide Web can turn up clues to fooling mental-health professionals, both explicit ''coaching'' advice and the unintentional posting of psychological trade secrets. Some psychologists say they've already seen an increased sophistication in ''malingering'' behavior, and the American Psychological Association last year convened a task force to address the Internet and psychological testing."
And it's even scarier when you think that this is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
"A quick search on the World Wide Web can turn up clues to fooling mental-health professionals, both explicit ''coaching'' advice and the unintentional posting of psychological trade secrets. Some psychologists say they've already seen an increased sophistication in ''malingering'' behavior, and the American Psychological Association last year convened a task force to address the Internet and psychological testing."
And it's even scarier when you think that this is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
IT pros: Uncle Sam wants you! (Builder.com)
"Working for the government, or for a company that has consulting contracts with the government, offers one bright spot for the IT hiring industry: an oasis of relative calm and stability in an ocean of cutbacks, layoffs, and outright business failures."
"Working for the government, or for a company that has consulting contracts with the government, offers one bright spot for the IT hiring industry: an oasis of relative calm and stability in an ocean of cutbacks, layoffs, and outright business failures."
WriteTheWeb: What is a k-log? (Write the Web)
Interesting concept. And what I wouldnt do to be writing onto a weblog everyday at work!
Interesting concept. And what I wouldnt do to be writing onto a weblog everyday at work!
Following stock market linked to poor mental health
I hope that people will now listen to me when I say "it can't be healthy going on about the stock market like that!" ! ;o) You all know who you are...
I hope that people will now listen to me when I say "it can't be healthy going on about the stock market like that!" ! ;o) You all know who you are...
Monday, June 17, 2002
On Request
Based on the comments and requests that I received, I have increased the font size. I thought something wasn't quite right.. :o) heheh. Yes, this is definitely better. Thanks MadMan.
Based on the comments and requests that I received, I have increased the font size. I thought something wasn't quite right.. :o) heheh. Yes, this is definitely better. Thanks MadMan.
Why practically no comments?
Why do I practically not get any comments from anybody?
Nike is On a Kick (Boston Globe)
"They are designed specifically for athletes, emphasizing ergonomics, usability, portability, and solid-state construction. The companies say the products will be comfortable to wear while playing sports or doing aerobics, and they'll operate intuitively by feel rather than sight."
Sony, Ericsson, Nokia: New Phones
Let's see what they're working on now..
Why do I practically not get any comments from anybody?
Nike is On a Kick (Boston Globe)
"They are designed specifically for athletes, emphasizing ergonomics, usability, portability, and solid-state construction. The companies say the products will be comfortable to wear while playing sports or doing aerobics, and they'll operate intuitively by feel rather than sight."
Sony, Ericsson, Nokia: New Phones
Let's see what they're working on now..
Friday, June 14, 2002
Writing Tools
Since I work in the Documentation Services department, I really need to know about writing tools and writing. As much as I review technical documents and other writings, I also find myself having to write alot. I suspect that compared to other User Interaction Designers and/or Usability Specialists I probably write more than the average. I write project plans, suggestions, reviews, reports... you name it, I write it.
Lately, after having written in the same company for over a year now, I have been told that I need to improve my grammar and english usage. Apparently some of my sentences don't make sense, or are suspected that they will not make sense, to the reader. For a little more than a week now I have been reading many english grammar books, and even taking a few exercise tests. As far as I can tell from the tests that I score my grammar is not that bad. But I have been made well aware that my writing skills lack the effectiveness that are expected. I accept. I can improve; I should improve my writing skills. There is always room for improvement. What I think over is different. It is not whether I should or should not, or could or could not improve my writing skills. Though I have previously been told that my writing was effective, easy to understand and to the point.
Something that I think about often though, is "Can we pay too much attention to writing?" If you are able to convey your ideas, and make your points clearly, is there any need to try and write like Hemingway, especially if you are not. I do believe, and accept, that very strong writing skills are essential to professional communication. But how is "strong" defined? How strong? Is there a need to put the project on hold to review and edit a written report over and over, because there is a debate going on between saying "...the study will benefit the company..." or "...the company will benefit from the study..."? I really would like to know if there are other Usability Specialists, UI Designers or IAs who have found themselves in a similar situation.
I would like to share with you the links that I have visited and have been visiting and will visit. I have a few today, and you will probably see more in the future. If you have any links that you know about please let me know.
Since I work in the Documentation Services department, I really need to know about writing tools and writing. As much as I review technical documents and other writings, I also find myself having to write alot. I suspect that compared to other User Interaction Designers and/or Usability Specialists I probably write more than the average. I write project plans, suggestions, reviews, reports... you name it, I write it.
Lately, after having written in the same company for over a year now, I have been told that I need to improve my grammar and english usage. Apparently some of my sentences don't make sense, or are suspected that they will not make sense, to the reader. For a little more than a week now I have been reading many english grammar books, and even taking a few exercise tests. As far as I can tell from the tests that I score my grammar is not that bad. But I have been made well aware that my writing skills lack the effectiveness that are expected. I accept. I can improve; I should improve my writing skills. There is always room for improvement. What I think over is different. It is not whether I should or should not, or could or could not improve my writing skills. Though I have previously been told that my writing was effective, easy to understand and to the point.
Something that I think about often though, is "Can we pay too much attention to writing?" If you are able to convey your ideas, and make your points clearly, is there any need to try and write like Hemingway, especially if you are not. I do believe, and accept, that very strong writing skills are essential to professional communication. But how is "strong" defined? How strong? Is there a need to put the project on hold to review and edit a written report over and over, because there is a debate going on between saying "...the study will benefit the company..." or "...the company will benefit from the study..."? I really would like to know if there are other Usability Specialists, UI Designers or IAs who have found themselves in a similar situation.
I would like to share with you the links that I have visited and have been visiting and will visit. I have a few today, and you will probably see more in the future. If you have any links that you know about please let me know.
Resources for Technical Writing
The list is well categorized. The Technical Writing and Design category has the links that interest me the most.
The list is well categorized. The Technical Writing and Design category has the links that interest me the most.
Technical and Professional Writing (Index)
This site has many useful articles and links to resources on and about Technical Writing and writing for the web. It seems to be a comprehensive site and I will try to spend more time in here.
This site has many useful articles and links to resources on and about Technical Writing and writing for the web. It seems to be a comprehensive site and I will try to spend more time in here.
MarketWriter Consulting & Design--Resources & Services
A Consulting company's page. It has more information about the kind of work that they do, but I thought the links on their Writers' Tools section might be useful.
A Consulting company's page. It has more information about the kind of work that they do, but I thought the links on their Writers' Tools section might be useful.
Writer's Cabaret - Where Writers Gather and Interact
The Writer's Cabaret Magazine's home page. It includes links to writer's resources and even a few writing exercises.
The Writer's Cabaret Magazine's home page. It includes links to writer's resources and even a few writing exercises.
The Composition Links
College of DuPage Liberal Arts site. It includes link to Writer's Tools and Writer's Resources. I thought most of them could be helpful.
College of DuPage Liberal Arts site. It includes link to Writer's Tools and Writer's Resources. I thought most of them could be helpful.
Thursday, June 13, 2002
Ads on Websites Discussion
There is a discussion on WebWord about the positive and negative aspects of placing ads on websites. Especially on websites that have a pretty much focused user group. Most of the people who visit webword are assumed to be in the usability practice.
Since I am also interested in advertising, I decided to go ahead and do some research of my own on advertising and online advertising research. Here are a few links that I found that I think might be useful.
The following two articles are from the NUA Internet Surveys site. It is a very informative and interesting website. They have survey results on almost all topics. I visit it as much as I can. I recommend it too.
Brits Find TV Ads More Irritating than Online Ads
I wonder if this is because more people spend more time watching TV than browsing the web? Or maybe the opposite. If I'm watching TV for only half hour and 10 minutes of this is filled with the same commercials day in and day out then that would be annoying too. It doesnt give details about the participants.
Your Comments
Decision Makers more Interested in Offline Ads
This is very interesting. Is this because people don't see the web as credible as print media? As with most "reading" these findings say that people even rather read ads in print than online because it's easier. What implications might this have for e-tailers? And if you click on the PDAi link on the top of the article it takes you to the PDF version. It's an in-depth 28 page report and very informative.
Your Comments
Online Ads Sink into The Abyss
A relevant article from SitePoint. It was published in February, but I think it still stands. It talks about how annoying ads are to end users, but at the same time how companies need to make money from them. Here's an excerpt:
"So, what does this mean to the broader community? It means it's getting increasingly difficult to make a buck/euro though ad sales. Sell advertising and you'll often have to sell your soul by deploying increasingly invasive technology (does anyone really like pop ups?) that may irritate the hell out of your customers. Ad rates are plummeting, and even the once-mighty Yahoo! now struggles to make revenue -- their sales reps even return calls now, which is definitely au contraire to the "I'm too busy to talk with customers .com" glory days."
Your Comments
Alright, that's all the time I have today to do this. Now that my lunch hour is almost over, I need to go get coffee and start working. Fun thing, I'm still going to be doing research today. About creating templates. (?) Don't ask. Oh well.
There is a discussion on WebWord about the positive and negative aspects of placing ads on websites. Especially on websites that have a pretty much focused user group. Most of the people who visit webword are assumed to be in the usability practice.
Since I am also interested in advertising, I decided to go ahead and do some research of my own on advertising and online advertising research. Here are a few links that I found that I think might be useful.
The following two articles are from the NUA Internet Surveys site. It is a very informative and interesting website. They have survey results on almost all topics. I visit it as much as I can. I recommend it too.
Brits Find TV Ads More Irritating than Online Ads
I wonder if this is because more people spend more time watching TV than browsing the web? Or maybe the opposite. If I'm watching TV for only half hour and 10 minutes of this is filled with the same commercials day in and day out then that would be annoying too. It doesnt give details about the participants.
Your Comments
Decision Makers more Interested in Offline Ads
This is very interesting. Is this because people don't see the web as credible as print media? As with most "reading" these findings say that people even rather read ads in print than online because it's easier. What implications might this have for e-tailers? And if you click on the PDAi link on the top of the article it takes you to the PDF version. It's an in-depth 28 page report and very informative.
Your Comments
Online Ads Sink into The Abyss
A relevant article from SitePoint. It was published in February, but I think it still stands. It talks about how annoying ads are to end users, but at the same time how companies need to make money from them. Here's an excerpt:
"So, what does this mean to the broader community? It means it's getting increasingly difficult to make a buck/euro though ad sales. Sell advertising and you'll often have to sell your soul by deploying increasingly invasive technology (does anyone really like pop ups?) that may irritate the hell out of your customers. Ad rates are plummeting, and even the once-mighty Yahoo! now struggles to make revenue -- their sales reps even return calls now, which is definitely au contraire to the "I'm too busy to talk with customers .com" glory days."
Your Comments
Alright, that's all the time I have today to do this. Now that my lunch hour is almost over, I need to go get coffee and start working. Fun thing, I'm still going to be doing research today. About creating templates. (?) Don't ask. Oh well.
AOL Broadband arrives at last, but at a fancy price - Independent News
Seems AOL has the same idea in UK too. By the way did anybody read AOLs belief that people would actually pay $250 per month for broadband connection? It was in the June issue of Communications. They must be nuts!
Your Comments
Seems AOL has the same idea in UK too. By the way did anybody read AOLs belief that people would actually pay $250 per month for broadband connection? It was in the June issue of Communications. They must be nuts!
Your Comments
BW Online | June 12, 2002 | Will Cable Unplug the File Swappers?
Seems like a good blow on downloading MP3s.
Your Comments
Seems like a good blow on downloading MP3s.
Your Comments
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Change name to Monday (?)
Just hillarious. I really wonder what they were thinking. And is there no copyright issues involved? heh. weird stuff going on. Thanks MadMan. ;o)
Just hillarious. I really wonder what they were thinking. And is there no copyright issues involved? heh. weird stuff going on. Thanks MadMan. ;o)
Study Reveals Key to Making Websites User-Friendly
The findings of an experiment at Kansas University. Nothing too shocking. But the article makes its points very clearly.
The findings of an experiment at Kansas University. Nothing too shocking. But the article makes its points very clearly.
Apple - Switch - Why Switch
I wonder what Microsoft's "Why not to switch" page would say... "We rule the world." ? heh. It would be great to work in an office where they only use Macs. Dont you think?
Your Comments
I wonder what Microsoft's "Why not to switch" page would say... "We rule the world." ? heh. It would be great to work in an office where they only use Macs. Dont you think?
Your Comments
Ananova - Watchdog condemns 'offensive' advert
uh-oh... Better watch out what you say to express your creativity!
Your Comments
uh-oh... Better watch out what you say to express your creativity!
Your Comments
Yahoo! News - Yahoo to give home page a makeover
I can't wait to see this.. It will definitely be great to see a site change after all these years. I hope that their main site will be simpler and not so crowded.
Your Comments
I can't wait to see this.. It will definitely be great to see a site change after all these years. I hope that their main site will be simpler and not so crowded.
Your Comments
Study: Design Lacking in e-tail Sites(yahoo news)
A report from Nielsen. I believe it's very close to the findings and guidelines he reported in his latest book.
Your Comments
A report from Nielsen. I believe it's very close to the findings and guidelines he reported in his latest book.
Your Comments
Tuesday, June 11, 2002
I'm experimenting
I'm experimenting with the new tool, and trying to change my template to my liking. So if you come in and bump into something you think looks wrong dont worry about it. :o)
And read on to hear about my experiences on this new tool.
It appears that when you change the template, the changes to it will not appear until you post something.. hmm. Cant click on publish only, there's a Post and Publish button, but it doesnt work unless you have some text to post.
I'm experimenting with the new tool, and trying to change my template to my liking. So if you come in and bump into something you think looks wrong dont worry about it. :o)
And read on to hear about my experiences on this new tool.
It appears that when you change the template, the changes to it will not appear until you post something.. hmm. Cant click on publish only, there's a Post and Publish button, but it doesnt work unless you have some text to post.
w.bloggar
Seems to be a very useful tool to post to various blogs. This is my first post using this tool. It seems to be pretty straightforward, easy to use and, definitely, useful so far. But I am still trying to learn my way around it. Let's see.
Seems to be a very useful tool to post to various blogs. This is my first post using this tool. It seems to be pretty straightforward, easy to use and, definitely, useful so far. But I am still trying to learn my way around it. Let's see.
Monday, June 10, 2002
When I have my own company... some day(MadMan)
This has been on his website for over a year now. Notice the post date. But really, I hold this so true to my heart. And every other thing that I go through in big corporations reminds me of this list. Especially number 6. I find myself thinking of number 6 so frequently these days. Print it and post it on your manager's door or something. But I doubt that it will do you any good. There's number 6 again...
This has been on his website for over a year now. Notice the post date. But really, I hold this so true to my heart. And every other thing that I go through in big corporations reminds me of this list. Especially number 6. I find myself thinking of number 6 so frequently these days. Print it and post it on your manager's door or something. But I doubt that it will do you any good. There's number 6 again...
Thursday, June 06, 2002
Tuesday, June 04, 2002
Privacy at Work? Be Serious
Wired Magazine, 2001. In detail. If you're interested you should read it. I will, and will probably write a few things of my own in here later on. I really dont even think that this subject should be a discussion issue.
Your Comments
Wired Magazine, 2001. In detail. If you're interested you should read it. I will, and will probably write a few things of my own in here later on. I really dont even think that this subject should be a discussion issue.
Your Comments
TechTV | Email Privacy at Work
This is from the year 2000. It's been pondered on and argued against by the minority for a long long time. It's funny how it never really came to the direct attention of the media.
Your Comments
This is from the year 2000. It's been pondered on and argued against by the minority for a long long time. It's funny how it never really came to the direct attention of the media.
Your Comments
Workplace Email is not your own
Then they run polls to ask if we mind giving up some of our privacy in the name of preventing terrorism. It seems like we've given up our right to privacy when we decided to go "electronic" in the workplace. What right does ANYbody at my workplace has to go in and read my personal mail I write during my lunch hour and breaks to my husband or kids? Ponderous.
Your Comments
Then they run polls to ask if we mind giving up some of our privacy in the name of preventing terrorism. It seems like we've given up our right to privacy when we decided to go "electronic" in the workplace. What right does ANYbody at my workplace has to go in and read my personal mail I write during my lunch hour and breaks to my husband or kids? Ponderous.
Your Comments
Monday, June 03, 2002
The Politics of Usability
A very nice article from the STC Usability SIG's April 2002 issue.
Your Comments
A very nice article from the STC Usability SIG's April 2002 issue.
Your Comments
Intranet ROIs and Corporate Politics
Very useful for us usability professionals who have to deal with corporate politics on a daily basis.
Your Comments
Very useful for us usability professionals who have to deal with corporate politics on a daily basis.
Your Comments
Mormon Theology=Corporate Politics
Very interesting, a short read to stir your mind...
Your Comments
Very interesting, a short read to stir your mind...
Your Comments
Human Cloning
"Gregory Stock, the director of the UCLA Program on Medicine, Science and Technology, considers genetic engineering to be just as natural for humans as other technologies we've created: just another part of our evolution as a species."
This reminds me of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Of course, it's a topic very open to debate, but I dont think that playing with the nature of anything is beneficial in the long run.
Your Comments
"Gregory Stock, the director of the UCLA Program on Medicine, Science and Technology, considers genetic engineering to be just as natural for humans as other technologies we've created: just another part of our evolution as a species."
This reminds me of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Of course, it's a topic very open to debate, but I dont think that playing with the nature of anything is beneficial in the long run.
Your Comments
Macromedia and Nielsen!
Why God why? What did Macromedia ever do to you to punish them with Jakob? I don't want this to happen.. I don't want Macromedia to go down the tubes! I love Macromedia products!
Your Comments
Why God why? What did Macromedia ever do to you to punish them with Jakob? I don't want this to happen.. I don't want Macromedia to go down the tubes! I love Macromedia products!
Your Comments
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