Design Challenges

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

iGoogle Themes

Last year Google introduced iGoogle, an addition to the Google Web site that allows customization, thereby creating an individual homepage for each user. You can login to your personalized page via the iGoogle top right menu on the Google homepage.

Not only do you get to use the predefined gadgets, but you can add your customized RSS feeds or create your own gadgets via the Web developer tools.

Today I noticed that Google was featuring theme images for the iGoogle homepage. It got me intrigued and I starting browsing the many themes available. Thus far I had been using the beach theme which changes it looks depending on the weather and time of the day. However, there are many other themes available. You can even give it a world and create your own themes. I haven't experimented yet, but hopefully I will be giving it a whirl soon.

The bottom line is that Google chooses to keep improving every product, first came iGoogle, then came Google Tabs, followed by Google Themes, now iGoogle social networking via design your own themes, user rating, user comments and FAQ. This company knows how to get things going and keep going. Google guys, forget American Idol, you are my new idols.

Labels: Alexa, CSS, Design, Google, RSS, Search Engine, Social Bookmarking, software, techniques, Web Design, Web Searches

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Warren Buffet

There was a one hour interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet,
the second richest man who has donated $31 billion to charity.
Here are some very interesting aspects of his life:

1. He bought his first share of stock at age 11 and he now
regrets that he started too late!
2. He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering
newspap ers.
3. He still lives in the same, small 3-bedroom house in midtown
Omaha that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says
that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does
not have a wall or a fence around it.
4. He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver
or security people around him.
5. He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's
largest private jet company.
6. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He
writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies,
giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls
them on a regular basis. He has given his CEO's only two rules.
Rule number 1: Do not lose any of your shareholder's money.
Rule number 2: Do not forget rule number 1.
7. He does not socialize with the high society crowd. His pastime
after he gets home is to make himself some popcorn and watch
television.
8. Bill Gates, the world's richest man, met him for the first time
only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in
common with Warren Buffet. So, he had scheduled his meeting
only for half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted
for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of Warren Buffet.
9. Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor have a
computer on his desk.

His advice to young people: 'Stay away from credit cards and
invest in yourself and remember:
A. Money doesn't create the man, man created money.
B. Live your life as simple as you are.
C. Don't do what others say. Just listen to them, but do what
makes you feel good.
D. Don't go on brand name. Wear those things in which you
feel comfortable.
E. Don't waste your money on unnecessary things. Spend on
tho se who really are in need.
F. After all, it's your life. Why give others the chance to rule
your life?'

Labels: advertising, planes, techniques, TV

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Women are equal to problems

Since the dawn of time women have been declared as problems. If you believe in the design explained in the bible, where a God created man and then woman, then woman sinned and caused a lifetime of damnation by eating the apple, then you can certainly understand why women are designed to be a lifetime of problems for the male specie.

I received an email from a friend today mathematically proving that women are problems.

Here goes the algebraic proof:

1. To find a woman you need time and money.

Woman = time x money

2. As we all know, Time is money.

money = time

3. With some substitution based on the two statements above, the formula is rewritten as:

Woman = money x money

Which in turn is the same as:

Woman = (money)²

4. Since day one we all being thought that money is the root of all problems

money = √problems

5. Therefore

Woman = (√problems)²

6. Lastly we solve and as you can see Woman equals problems

Woman = Problems

The bottom line is that we were always thought, since we were little boys to adulthood, that women will get you in trouble. Think about it, when you were young, way young, you found that girl next door icky. You, as you came of age, progressed to think that she was cute. You then tried everything you could to get her attention, think about it; how often were you grounded for staying out late, doing stupid things, etc... You finally got her, she was all into you, you were thought about the birds and the bees, you didn't listen to your parents, and you rushed thought things, next thing you know she was nothing, but trouble. Lucky for me my wife is nothing but a gem, no trouble at all. I can't wait to see the proof that men are the problem, after all, the nightly headaches must come from somewhere.

Labels: Design, Freedom of Speech, initiative, techniques

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Tech Sales Person

Every once in a while I know I shouldn't answer my phone, but I'm a senior member within my organization and I pride myself on addressing everyone's needs even if it mean being on the phone for an hour discussing the latest blogging strategies or working out a marketing and design plan with someone.

Since I only deal on the phone with VIP I seldom purposely send them to voicemail. This morning my phone rang, I quickly looked around the office and notice it wasn;t one of my colleagues calling. I thought about letting the voicemail pick up the phone, but my thoughts quickly died and I answered the phone. What do you know, it was this account manager who has been calling me once a month for the past 6 month. Even though I keep reminding him that I buy and deal straight with Dell he insits on calling. I decided to throw him a bone and make his day by telling him that I'm looking for a couple of desktops and four laptops. At first, he thought I was going to go with my usual, I'm all set, we're in a recession, etc, but he did a flip back when I told him what I needed. He even remember that I only buy Dell and told me that they recently partnered with Dell and he could get me better deals that the Gold level account I have with Dell. I though he was the real deal, a sales guy that actually listen and remember my needs.

I just received an email and all he quoted me was IBM and HP. Don't get me wrong I think those are fine brands, but I only buy Dell, not because I like them. As a side note, I should mention that I'm very dissapointed with Dell recently and have receive nothing, but grieve with the new Desktop and Laptop I purchase two month ago. The only reason why I buy Dell is because of our corporate account with them. I digress, my point is that out of the five quotes I received, none are for Dell computers.

The bottom line is that as a salesperson you need to be sharp. Not only should you be able to get through on the cold call, but you have to pay attention and remember what your customers tell you.

Labels: Customer Service, Design, Jacksonville, techniques

Saturday, April 07, 2007

New Features for all Googlers

Google, always the innovator, has introduced a number of new features to it's search engine repertoire. For example, if you are in the market for a home, either for rent or for sale, simply click onto Google.com and search for "Milford real estate" if you are in the market for a home in Milford, CT and Google will display a box allowing you to specify whether you are looking to buy, rent, or want to see foreclosures in your area. The database is still small, but I'm sure it will build itself to be more and more accurate as people start uploading to it or as Google partners with Realtors.com and other real estate sites.

Another feature which I just noticed today is the "Note this" feature which allows you to select links from the search engine and add notes to them, share with friends, or simply go to your notes homepage and see all web your notes in one place. You can also download and add on and be able to note any Web page you come across. This seems like a natural way to extent your Web research and the use of the powerhouse search engine.

The last feature that I saw announced was the addition to Google Maps which now allows you to make annotations and drawings directly onto the map, this is great when planning a trip or sharing with friends as you can make notes of things to see and even make highlights, add pictures, etc of places to see along the way.

The bottom line is that in the competitive world of searches and competition for textual ads, companies have to stay sharp and find ways to entice users to use the free service in order to serve and deliver to the text ads marketplace. Google, you are one brilliant company!!!

Labels: Features, Google, inginuity, Search Engine, techniques

Friday, March 30, 2007

Digital Camera toss technique

I have always been into photography, but was never into it too seriously. Due to my upcoming nuptials, we decided to go the route of purchasing a prosumer (professional camera for consumers) camera instead of hiring a wedding photographer. This way once the wedding is done, we are left behind with a little more than just a wedding album of precious moments.

I did a lot of research into buying this camera as I have more than just a vested interest, but want my wedding photos to be perfect, but in addition I want to have the best I can afford for now. As such, I narrow it down to Nikon. This brand offered the best bang for my buck in term of pixels, features, quality and comfort. It came down to the Nikon D200 or the D80. After posting in several forums, asking friends, etc., it came down to feel. Both cameras offered very similar features and the same mega pixels, however the D200 is much more heavier as it's meant for the rugged environment. I'm not going to be exposing my $1K plus toy to any danger as such I decided on the Nikon D80.

I have nothing but great things to say about this camera. I have been reading several books on digital cameras, in particular DSLR, and have to say that if you are an amateur like me, this camera will make you look like a professional once you get the whole aperture and shutter thing down.

I have also joined a couple of forums, but in particular recommend ride foto. I have learned a lot of new techniques from a lot of great guys thanks to this site.

The latest technique I tested was the toss technique. This is where you take your camera somewhere dark, with an interesting light source, set your shutter to stay open for a couple of seconds and toss your camera up in the air and see what comes out. I have to say, as someone in this forum posted I was concerned with the catch the camera technique, but after I got over my fear and took my fiance's advise and threw the camera over the bed (for landing in a safe spot) I got some pretty cool shots like this one here.

You can check out some of my other photos from this experiment here.

I also experimenting with a feature from the D80 where the shutter remains open for as long as you hold down the trigger. This featured is only available in manual mode and is called "bulb." This allowed me to get the effect, but without having to toss the camera, but instead move the camera by hand.

The bottom line is that in life if you are going to do something don't do it half ass. Dive in full force and you will obtain the best results. My motto is to always try something at least once. If your reaction is to be afraid then you will miss out in a lot. If others are doing it and they are still around to tell about it, then chances are you will too. What are you waiting for, go try something new and exciting right now!

Labels: d80, digital photography, nikon, techniques