There’s nothing quite like a well planned, well executed CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) layout. Along with being more exciting to implement than nested table layouts, they offer several advantages. This post only scratches the surface, but hopefully it answers some “why CSS?” questions. (more…)
The same division within Microsoft that makes its mice and keyboards plans to launch a new interface for interacting with computers. Dubbed “Microsoft Surface” it turns your desktop into your desktop.
The surface lays flat on your desk – you no longer have the keyboard, mouse or monitor, you simply interact by touching the surface of your desk. There are some videos if you want to see it in action. They are predicting a price point between $5K and $10K.
This is a classic example of a technology created first, seeking a market second – fairly risky. Where it would be nice is when you’re in a highly interactive, collaborative environment – say working with an architect. You could move design elements around interactively – rather than huddling around a screen and fighting over the mouse.
I’m going to wait for the 3-D Microsoft Holo-Surface. I think I saw that on Star Trek once, so you know it’s gonna happen….
Geoffrey James, who I did not know blogged for BNET, posted some tips on selling to engineers. While I think the article underestimates the capacity of engineers to see through the sales tactics of meathead software salespeople to the software itself, he makes some valuable points, especially in Rule 3 (admit your ignorance, intelligently).
As a software developer for a comparatively small company, I tend to balk at very large companies who try to sell us things. Since their salespeople know we’re not going to be a huge account, they often ignore these seven wise steps and just tell us why we should use their product and blow us off when we ask questions. I had a notably offensive sales demo with a company peddling overpriced web statistics software recently.
NB: For those of you not in the know, Geoffrey James wrote the very famous, often cited Tao of Programming.
I like flash. A lot. In fact, I think it was flash that first piqued my interest in interactive media. But it’s not without its criticisms, which is what I want to address in this post. This will be the start of many-a-flash posts on the power of ActionScript and why Flash-ing your audience can be a good thing. (more…)
A few random thoughts about a web development company working on its own web site….
First and foremost – it’s hard.
Client work always comes first, we have hundreds of other related obligations, it has to be good, creative, effective – which makes it a little scary. At the end of the day we’ve spent all our juice working on our client’s sites, there’s not a lot left over for our own stuff. (more…)
Just stumbled upon Blends for Friends which allows you to create your favorite blends for yourself or a gift. Pretty slick. With all the tea-heads in this office I will not be surprised if I see one of those gift boxes in our office within a week or two.
A current Internet issue that I care a lot about the potential death of Internet radio due to everyone’s favorite self-appointed sheriff, judge, and jury, the RIAA. (Read all about it from the point of view of the radio stations themselves.) BUT It looks like SoundExchange, which is the central collection point for Internet radio royalties, will extend the current royalty structure until 2010, at least for the “small” webcasters which can’t afford to pay the crazy new royalty rates.
I listen to Radio Paradise while I program, and some of my best work would never have been born without it.
If you’re in a technology market, or even if you’re not – I highly recommend you check out Flashbelt 2007 – June 18-20. Three days of education and inspiration. I met Dave Schroeder a few years back when we collaborated on a project and have been friends ever since. He had this great idea to promote Midwest flash experts and local technologists. Each year its been bigger and better than the last and this year has some BIG names.
The topics vary and cater to anyone form beginner to serious nerd – something for everybody. Check the official site for details and sign up to attend, you’ll be glad you did.
ArcStone is a sponsor of the event providing the online registration and last year our own Nick Longtin presented his implementation of a multiplayer flash tank game.
We have been selected to present at the Push Technology Conference held annually at the Walker Art Center (this year June 10 – 12). They select eight companies as “Emerging Leaders” / presenters. Each has six minutes to pitch their globe changing idea to the entire gathering – fabulous prizes to the winner.
We will be presenting Wonderfile – our online document management and collaboration platform. Can we have a moment of silence for our competition?
About six weeks ago, ArcStone discontinued its practice of offshoring indefinitely. Since then, I’ve been doing a fair amount of research into the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing. It’s become clear that a rational examination of this problem cannot occur by examining outsourcing and offshoring without considering the larger economic context. (more…)
