From the pictures, the new XO-3 laptop looks beautiful and sleekly functional, but retains much of the original concept of a single device that works for kids in all kinds of environments. Got a kick out of asking adults to open the original one I got a couple of years ago, it was so unique it perplexed most of us at first.
New one laptops per child
Posted in inspiration, ux
Swap a paperback
Since last summer, I’ve been using Paperback Swap Club. As a ux designer, it’s a little embarrassing to be promoting the site, since in terms of design the site leaves alot to be desired. It’s a pretty complex service that could use some streamlining of the UI and some of the flows. However, that said, it’s a great resource for good reads tailored to your taste with some nice touches like a “librarian” who answers questions. Continue reading
Just answer online help
Just tried an online service, Just answer, to get answers on appliance and service questions. I was able to ask why my oven wasn’t working, get a reply based on what type of oven it was and exactly what a technican would need to do to fix it. Most interesting: I got to choose whether or not to pay the technician who answered for this advice, and how much to pay (I paid $15). It saved me roaming through service manuals trying to figure out if I could fix it myself, which I wouldn’t have been able to do since the igniter is out. I’ll definitely use this again. Continue reading
Figure drawings at the Cantor
Met my friend Dave today at the Cantor to take a look at Deibenkorn and Bishoff paintings there and was surprised to see a wonderful exhibit of figure drawings by Frank Lobdell. Especially if you’ve ever done any figure drawing yourself, these are well worth a visit for inspiration and to see the range of expression possible. The exhibit is up through most of February.
Posted in goodies, inspiration
Jot note images on iPhone
Jot Note effects on a few images today. Especially like the cactus.
Posted in goodies
Hiking Phoenix Mountain
The family took a hike up Phoenix Mountain for a little pre-feast activity that we all could enjoy. Beautiful vista and some interesting plants. Even the 5-year-olds made it, with a little help.
Posted in goodies
Chrome with personality
This is simply too cool not to share, but the preview here doesn’t do it justice. See it on YouTube.
Posted in online design
Fun texts on iPhone
Love Whiteboard on the iPhone for fun quick sketches and notes to friends. Now that we can send pictures with text messages, I can make a quick drawing, using Whiteboard, take a screen capture of it to my Camera roll, then send a text message with that picture attached. It can be very simple to cheer up my daughter who’s having a hard day.
Or more complex if I have time to fool around with color while waiting in line at the market.
Posted in goodies
Speak easier
Wow, three days of training at Speakeasy in San Francisco. The trainers and format were wonderful. It was painful though: Three days of watching yourself speaking to others on video. Definitely scheduled a haircut and a wardrobe buff up. But at the end of the three days, working with a small group of other “students” from a variety of companies, I felt more prepared and more self-assured in talking with people in general, even one-on-one, as well as in larger group settings. The recordings showed the difference too. I received coaching on how to connect with the audience, whether one person or many, and how to speak with authority and authenticity. Top takeaways sound simple, but have big impact: breathe, speak in sentences, stay centered and connected. A great start at communicating more effectively with confidence.
