personal blog related to technology, coding and publishing.
rant
God Love Risk
Oct 16th
Three different games, pretty much the same outcome (yes, I’m in Yellow).
I will NOT be defeated!
Strong words from a Web site owner
Sep 29th
While browsing Jquery resource sites, I came across http://www.subzane.com.
No, I’m not going to hotlink the Web site for the following reason:
While I fully support a domain owner’s decision to limit access due to features, etc. I don’t support the choice of language that Norman chose.
Sure, he may have been trying to be cheeky, but it failed.
The company I work for (thankfully) has relaxed requirements when it comes to browsers used on a desktop – while there are company standards, we have been able to work with Firefox, Safari, and others. Still, the company only supports Internet Explorer for bug and error support.
That standard may not be correct, but it’s simplified the support requests to only a few versions (6 and 7 and their children).
On another note, I wasn’t too thrilled about the layout of the site when I finally loaded up Firefox. Not that my layout is anything to write home about (I’m using a theme for WordPress for Christ’s sake!), but I’d personally rather have deep content presented at the homepage than having to decipher what a post/article/tutorial/whatever may contain merely from the title.
(end rant)
A great idea – wish I thought of it
Sep 2nd
A few years ago, I pitched around the idea of a site-redesign portal.
The idea was this:
Designers and developers – known surely for the amount of time they scour the Net – often come across poorly designed Web sites.
If a poorly designed Web site was found, a URL could be grabbed and submitted to my portal, where we (site admins and moderators) would scan the site, removing and identifying information (replaced with Lorum where possible), and post the screenshots of the site for other designers to comment, rate, and pitch a one-page redesign (think “Worth1000″).
Once enough one-page designs were submitted and rated (by the users), the best two or three designs would be submitted in a friendly mannor to the actual site-owner (we’d be as pleasant and gentle as possible – nobody wants to receive an e-mail saying “Your site sucks! Here’s some better ideas”).
The site owner would have the option of contacting the developer directly for design work.
Well, that was an idea I hatched a few years ago, and as with many of my ideas it never went anywhere.
That’s why I’m a little tickled to see these two new services/portals:
Should Redesign (http://www.shouldredesign.com/) and Concept Feedback (http://www.conceptfeedback.com/).
Both allow for the submission of URL’s to be reviewed, with Should Redesign having a simple “yes/no” ranking selection, and Concept Feedback allowing for members to deeply comment on the design and workings of a submitted site.
I’m impressed with the depth that some comments reach on Concept Feedback, and also just as impressed with the simplicity of Should Redesign.
Both make me feel like my idea might not have been worthless after all. While neither allows for the “pitch” from designers/developers, the sites do make good use of screenshots, comments, rankings, etc.
Update:
Probably not what they wanted to be seen
After tinkering with Should Redesign a little further, I noticed they have a session/cookie problem: Once you submit a vote for a site, you will have a hard time navigating the Web site (as you’re redirected to a “recently voted on” page). Looks like somebody’s MVC framework is a little wonky. Hopefully this will be corrected soon.
Sitepoint.com “Personas:” Good, but missing one
Aug 19th
I’m a big fan of Sitepoint.com (the books, the blogs, the forums), and today they announced (along with their Web site repair) a “Personas” post.
Basically, they have put together a list of profiles – developers, designers, Web gurus and “newbies,” based on various work and lifestyle types.
While the personas on their list are quite good (I found that my persona matches the “Google Geek” type most), I feel they’re missing one important profile: The Utility Player.
In my daily work, I have to leverage several programming languages, from Objective-C for desktop and iPhone development; PHP for server-side scripting; ColdFusion for legacy application support; Javascript and Ajax for damn-near everything; InDesign scripting (Again, in JS), and more.
While I’m no master at any one technology, I would list myself as advanced in at least server-side scripting and Javascript, while being beginner at desktop/iPhone development (C-based, or Obj languages still baffle me).
The person that works as a Utility Player has to balance coding, design, interfaces, users, workflows, various file formats, login and security systems, all while “selling” their ideas and work methods to business and department managers that may have little to no technical experience.
These people seem to be less represented by Sitepoint.com “officially” (the forums have tons of posts from people I would identify as Utility Players – those looking to solve a specific problem or issue in order to drive a larger project). I’ve found – not just with Sitepoint.com, but with most Web/tech blogs and products – the focus has been on the freelancer, or the career developer/designer. Those of us that work in all fields at all times with our employers often fall through the cracks.
So, if anyone from Sitepoint.com happens to take a gander at my rant, consider adding a profile type that better resembles my chaotic work-life. I’ll still buy your books, subscribe to your Twitter and RSS feeds all the same, but I’d like to know you care about us too!
Update: Looks like Sitepoint cares! Talk about a quick reply (see the comments).
Thanks for validating us many-hat-wearers.
I suppose using language like “ignored” was a bit harsh; I think I meant more like “under-identified.” when part of my day involves Mac and PC server administration, then work with PHP and IPTC editing, then possibly some mobile or Final Cut work, it’s hard to feel like you belong alongside seasoned developers that have mastered a particular platform.
Anyway, thanks for reading my little corner, and for the good reply.