tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33768352024-03-05T00:21:28.086-08:00Blog Blog BlogMainly about design. Sometimes not.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-72179097285893478242010-12-20T16:54:00.000-08:002010-12-20T16:54:27.617-08:00GMail hotkeysI am so addicted to using letters to work in GMail. Y for archive, C for compose, L for label, GI for inbox. Also love the Send & Archive button.<br />
<br />
Anyway, what I meant to report is that I sometimes find myself pressing Y when I'm done reading something in a tab in my browser. I think it's going to go away. hahaErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-2992492375824164352010-12-20T05:03:00.000-08:002010-12-20T05:03:44.247-08:00Email Length & Self-Imposed ConstraintsI write long emails. I hate receiving long emails and I feel bad sending them.<br />
<br />
Whenever I type out an email on a BlackBerry or iPhone though, I feel like I'm writing a normal email but when I see it on the computer later, it looks super short and to the point.<br />
<br />
I think the combination of physical restriction and the illusion of long email due to constant linebreaking help me to edit. Also maybe the context to being out and doing something else helps too.<br />
<br />
Maybe I should write my email in something that has like 30-40 characters per line to help me visualize the length of the communication I'm putting out.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-58901343619091176242010-12-17T05:57:00.000-08:002010-12-17T05:58:43.441-08:00Yelp?Exchange with my colleague:<br />
<br />
Me: Your Skype status is "Exploring Laranjeiras" [where our new office is]<br />
<br />
F: Yeah, I cannot find a good place to have lunch.<br />
<br />
Me: We need a Yelp! [here in Brazil]<br />
<br />
F: No, we need delivery.<br />
<br />
Me: oh. interesting.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-72544526893464919622010-10-04T10:42:00.000-07:002010-10-04T10:42:40.614-07:00Digital Agencies on Mobile BrowsersSo many of these digital agencies have Flash-dependent pages and no graceful degradation. I guess in their strategy they needed to show "flash" more than anything. See the <a href="http://www.narrowdesign.com/future/">screenshots of digital agency websites on an iPhone</a>.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-89074350633181316832010-10-04T10:14:00.001-07:002010-10-04T10:14:48.919-07:00Thread JackIs it just me or does it seem like more and more of my email threads (I use GMail) become jacked by others or I jack them myself with topics rending the subject utterly irrelevant? Sometimes several times.<br />
<br />
The rise of search making labeling (subjects) further irrelevant?Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-71044209996619915772010-09-26T21:33:00.000-07:002010-09-26T21:33:34.359-07:00Eating challenge demonstrates good design<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/98X4EnRtL9E?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/98X4EnRtL9E?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Watching Man vs. Food with my housemate, I noticed an eating challenge that is unusually well designed. Typical food/eating challenges have the basic time limit and so on and looks something like this:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Defined quantity of food.</li>
<li>Fixed time limit.</li>
<li>Prize for the winner.</li>
<li>Hall of fame public recognition.</li>
</ul><div>Here's what's different about this Randy's stuffed pizza challenge that I think is so well designed:</div><div><ul><li>Two people do this challenge together.</li>
<li>There is not only a hall of fame but a hall of shame where the losers must write their names.</li>
</ul><div>The hall of shame is great advertisement. This challenge sees about 1% success. Plus, the fact that it's 10 lbs of pizza for TWO people, seems to make it seem so much more fun and likely that two people would see the hall of shame and say "Look at those losers, I bet we could beat them." So much more normal and likely sounding than some individual deciding to go do this on their own. And more fun than two friends going to do their own challenges at the same time.</div></div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-59614620430574567152010-05-08T15:15:00.000-07:002010-05-08T15:15:09.474-07:00Opacity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwxSk_nHVTg91qJmzTIEAWVyW4FTYSioNFzvY7Z_ubWKGD-mFyeo0_4_a9LKaZlAS_PuO7X2bYlW8pjyl0NE4dYJSzBxRUoXvfkIXEiJSs0TCE8MxQp8G06eibnn6tCM8MJRh/s1600/0911091431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwxSk_nHVTg91qJmzTIEAWVyW4FTYSioNFzvY7Z_ubWKGD-mFyeo0_4_a9LKaZlAS_PuO7X2bYlW8pjyl0NE4dYJSzBxRUoXvfkIXEiJSs0TCE8MxQp8G06eibnn6tCM8MJRh/s320/0911091431.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Photo credit: BenErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-25621862569979653422010-03-22T15:58:00.000-07:002010-03-22T15:58:01.131-07:00Citigroup Plutonomy Report"What are the common drivers of Plutonomy?<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Disruptive technology-driven productivity gains</li>
<li>Creative financial innovation</li>
<li>Capitalist-friendly cooperative governments</li>
<li>An international dimension of immigrants and overseas conquests invigorating wealth creation</li>
<li>The rule of law</li>
<li>Patenting inventions.</li>
</ul><br />
Often these wealth waves involve great complexity, exploited best by the rich and educated of the time."<br />
<br />
<br />
Something about that passage intrigues me.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-81038804354882521922010-01-20T11:26:00.000-08:002010-01-20T11:58:59.793-08:00The Goldilocks of Websites<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkSefbNmuaOtgSUrnJIZg29YasH0HgC9ltmCtVAS4QbrHeC13OVbhvHIik1KH-NbZDUf5H2PUXHPkm4OGsQFEojMxt9ZvYXcwiQ-zd21OcRcvT_XcQw-Bg-ObpNp_2XU9G8Pb/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-01-19+at+7.00.24+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkSefbNmuaOtgSUrnJIZg29YasH0HgC9ltmCtVAS4QbrHeC13OVbhvHIik1KH-NbZDUf5H2PUXHPkm4OGsQFEojMxt9ZvYXcwiQ-zd21OcRcvT_XcQw-Bg-ObpNp_2XU9G8Pb/s400/Screen+shot+2010-01-19+at+7.00.24+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428906057552822834" /></a>Note the error message in red: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>Error ! The current browser is either too old or too modern (usind DOM document structure).</b></span>" This page is at the <a href="http://www.sdstorage.com/">SD Storage</a> website which is apparently new as of October 2009.<div>I think it was just for the calendar feature which I'm surprised is so sensitive to browser version. It's incredible how long it takes to get a sense for what prices the different storage sizes are via the workflow of this website.</div><div>Not only is the error itself unfortunate since I'm sure the website could have been designed with more cross-browser compliance but the message itself is really "ugly". Reminds me of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Defensive-Design-Web-improve-messages/dp/073571410X/">Defensive Design for the Web: How to improve error messages, help, forms, and other crisis points</a>.</div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-92098844411455204792010-01-16T00:26:00.000-08:002010-01-16T00:32:22.538-08:00Wandering through the halls of an ER<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGeADENTRDksMysLxs0GDpXI-4paeBJDydQw_T5TAIkGVqn6gwCD9VAgsLn41VqFSW4tGRX2Sbe6ZNXvB7Ubu62zWDEATpz7afs6FjOvrR71W1sCaoo2CLhyphenhyphenwEoX47QJEOWL_/s1600-h/IMG_0448.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGeADENTRDksMysLxs0GDpXI-4paeBJDydQw_T5TAIkGVqn6gwCD9VAgsLn41VqFSW4tGRX2Sbe6ZNXvB7Ubu62zWDEATpz7afs6FjOvrR71W1sCaoo2CLhyphenhyphenwEoX47QJEOWL_/s400/IMG_0448.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427252449660614978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Emergency gas shutoff valves.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycxykDhrZK0imS9QoTvRInFYviDp_5G1fq9tjsAEkiJsFclYuZVnRla34Nk7FEd73x0ZWnITKbHzkVGVey-2yYB4Z4JNKiTAKUMF_o8sJrfiq76aR4Pj3DuUF90I-6ZrYy_yA/s1600-h/IMG_0450.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycxykDhrZK0imS9QoTvRInFYviDp_5G1fq9tjsAEkiJsFclYuZVnRla34Nk7FEd73x0ZWnITKbHzkVGVey-2yYB4Z4JNKiTAKUMF_o8sJrfiq76aR4Pj3DuUF90I-6ZrYy_yA/s400/IMG_0450.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427252029175931666" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, I see. I'm looking at a map next to the object that it is pointing out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycxykDhrZK0imS9QoTvRInFYviDp_5G1fq9tjsAEkiJsFclYuZVnRla34Nk7FEd73x0ZWnITKbHzkVGVey-2yYB4Z4JNKiTAKUMF_o8sJrfiq76aR4Pj3DuUF90I-6ZrYy_yA/s1600-h/IMG_0450.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmcZrUQxVggs7qN9QL6CCneDcggocHuXRKZoVrSRe9QKLDNZMkFJqZI0WslCqXotV4tpEJJG61Sv7DfewBS5uV9kIhjdgA02kAio2jKDq3PCUi4TB-ljYYdOe2s9hRc4FPLRY/s1600-h/IMG_0446.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmcZrUQxVggs7qN9QL6CCneDcggocHuXRKZoVrSRe9QKLDNZMkFJqZI0WslCqXotV4tpEJJG61Sv7DfewBS5uV9kIhjdgA02kAio2jKDq3PCUi4TB-ljYYdOe2s9hRc4FPLRY/s400/IMG_0446.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427251832770580178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Never seen so many push-buttons for opening the doors. 2 per corner, per side. Critical, I'm guessing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCTo_KREFKDh0h0WBx0QIur5OKuRzwMyv3wgG7B547vc52gQwDuc8S1sIhemnyrjsKt9DWsHoUddDdQiKc_UVKipiGlRkLEGfwUJt0EyyROo2z8q7zNroHotv_czY1KrU7ZPv/s1600-h/IMG_0445.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCTo_KREFKDh0h0WBx0QIur5OKuRzwMyv3wgG7B547vc52gQwDuc8S1sIhemnyrjsKt9DWsHoUddDdQiKc_UVKipiGlRkLEGfwUJt0EyyROo2z8q7zNroHotv_czY1KrU7ZPv/s400/IMG_0445.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427251501679979410" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Beds in the hallways are not being stored. The signs on the walls are actually "addresses" or "room numbers" for them that can be tracked as locations for where patients are.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCTo_KREFKDh0h0WBx0QIur5OKuRzwMyv3wgG7B547vc52gQwDuc8S1sIhemnyrjsKt9DWsHoUddDdQiKc_UVKipiGlRkLEGfwUJt0EyyROo2z8q7zNroHotv_czY1KrU7ZPv/s1600-h/IMG_0445.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-2xAXeKKv5WxdJBHJTrNEcS15C8mZ_dPHiDlyrr0AkqYsVcqAEs9CtWFiyHIWorL0hvpuJEqYR9VkWY7HvExIDQuxLf_BGIQaoaRSPrUUM9uTjh4sQQkLZ2eGRwYH9Yf7mvm/s1600-h/IMG_0443.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-2xAXeKKv5WxdJBHJTrNEcS15C8mZ_dPHiDlyrr0AkqYsVcqAEs9CtWFiyHIWorL0hvpuJEqYR9VkWY7HvExIDQuxLf_BGIQaoaRSPrUUM9uTjh4sQQkLZ2eGRwYH9Yf7mvm/s400/IMG_0443.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427251286157711842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Good thing it's not blocked.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-38420635556749535312010-01-16T00:24:00.000-08:002010-01-16T00:26:09.112-08:00I intend to post moreI will post more things here. I have regularly kept screenshots and took photos of some random stuff that interests me and typically is related to design. I'm starting to see some amusing themes for what interests me pop up so I'll start sharing them.<br /><br />Wonder if I should eventually move this blog to a proper website/homepage for myself.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-42390082725053560612009-11-24T11:00:00.000-08:002009-11-24T11:05:01.158-08:00IDEO's Tim Brown: Asking the right question<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" width="400" height="264" ><param name="flashvars" value="webhost=fora.tv&clipid=10193&cliptype=highlight" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="http://fora.tv/embedded_player" /><embed flashvars="webhost=fora.tv&clipid=10193&cliptype=highlight" src="http://fora.tv/embedded_player" width="400" height="264" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object><br /><p>Highlight from interview with IDEO President & CEO Tim Brown where he emphasizes the importance of asking the <strong>right</strong> question when doing research. I like this reminder that it's of the utmost importance to bring an active, listening mind when doing product research. How many interviews wasted due to aimlessly following test/interview scripts, or not giving the team a chance to re-question assumed facts, or having weak or no follow-up questions, or simply thinking a ton of or quantitative questions will get us good data?</p>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-18498880758550699502009-09-30T13:26:00.001-07:002009-09-30T13:26:06.880-07:00Linked Entities That Move Through Space<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/preciousstuff/3967184883/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/3967184883_f894164b81_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/preciousstuff/3967184883/"></a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/preciousstuff/">precious stuff</a></span></div>I want to board the flight that takes me to you instead of away from you.<br clear="all" />Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-44025650981589094552009-08-16T11:22:00.000-07:002009-08-16T11:25:08.924-07:00Joshua Prince-Ramus TED Talk<p>Fascinating architectural approach utilizing highly data-driven and human-centered design that appears to be highly contextually sensitive and empathetic.</p><br /><object width="334" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/JoshuaPrinceRamus_2006-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/JoshuaPrinceRamus-2006.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=320&vh=240&ap=0&ti=49" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="334" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/JoshuaPrinceRamus_2006-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/JoshuaPrinceRamus-2006.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=320&vh=240&ap=0&ti=49"></embed></object>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-33711889014903458342009-08-10T14:00:00.000-07:002009-08-11T12:55:09.922-07:00Extensions of system, extensions of mind<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs_97jon2s__-xUMLCZZJz1MZaQ5eHzXUzomPw5sOmn3PXtPAUbpq5aEeMS32qnikFK0e1tOvXOfFuQc_2z5ncVbooJMld20weW0VrUtZahtdZvYs1uNK6RH_jkG-Id46PMqc/s1600-h/IMG_0942.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs_97jon2s__-xUMLCZZJz1MZaQ5eHzXUzomPw5sOmn3PXtPAUbpq5aEeMS32qnikFK0e1tOvXOfFuQc_2z5ncVbooJMld20weW0VrUtZahtdZvYs1uNK6RH_jkG-Id46PMqc/s400/IMG_0942.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368446369118577618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vwKx-XVx-0HfUARhAo7cy4JlC2CzzHkqziSQqMofK26HqEGFtf94STB-L2kemAd_tyzIjALGkFqVA-m86o7Wr_I4XhGO6yeeiOTzuWuPkKeGiFuZEgmpflp-_UnOQGZdwvDY/s1600-h/IMG_0941.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vwKx-XVx-0HfUARhAo7cy4JlC2CzzHkqziSQqMofK26HqEGFtf94STB-L2kemAd_tyzIjALGkFqVA-m86o7Wr_I4XhGO6yeeiOTzuWuPkKeGiFuZEgmpflp-_UnOQGZdwvDY/s400/IMG_0941.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368446272653410978" /></a><br /><div>From Ben L.</div><div>"How many times have you parked and had to open the door and look down to make sure you are fitting into the space?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Love this set of photos. Think about all the gadgets or hacks that have been devised to assist with the specific task of parking accurately or in a confined space. </div><div><ul><li>Floor mats or bumpy cues on the floor</li><li>Antennae sticking up from the front corners of the bumpers</li><li>Dangling tennis ball from a string in the garage</li><li>Using visual reference in the garage of looking to the side</li><li>Learning how the headlight beams change shape at different distances when projected against a surface directly ahead</li><li>Beeping radar distance sensors</li><li>Backup cameras</li><li>Lexus' self-parking cars</li><li>Having a friend get out and help direct</li><li>Lexus' passenger side mirror automatically flip down to show the floor when put into Reverse to show distance to curb</li><li>Auto-folding mirrors to squeeze into narrow spots (comes standard in a lot of countries)</li><li>Pads or bumpers to go on the bumpers to avoid dings and dents from "love tapping" while parking</li><li>"360 view" Nissan and Honda have</li><li>Any others? I should find links/photos for these examples.</li></ul><div>Yesterday, a friend of mine remarked as I was parking, "You San Franciscans love parallel parking and are so good at it." I definitely don't do it as well as I used to now that I don't live there anymore.</div><div><br /></div><div>How come parking is still so tough when we feel so comfortable driving like it's an extension of ourselves. How well do these hacks or tools for parking help us bridge the gap? </div><div>While we're on the topic of parking, how about the problem of finding those elusive open spots in a huge parking area? </div><div>I always try to think of a better way to help people find a parking spot when I'm looking for parking at a huge lot like at college, the zoo, the airport, etc. I've seen a few attempted solutions. The best was probably a Westfield mall in west LA that had lights above each spot that would indicate whether there was a car in it. </div></div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-4784218568203122072009-08-08T13:42:00.001-07:002009-08-08T14:08:39.135-07:00Gestalt at fault?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNe23ZNHFVFv0_TIur9UEc-PAOmZgZqxn5aYqO1SX0FHo1NP2yKavRmv58yMiUDqDQwgNt5ey6eIpsLveYkb2t4451d246SO7AewZV7ktU4QOddpFeeER46c6Vr30B6D1xhlo/s1600-h/Picture+467.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 81px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNe23ZNHFVFv0_TIur9UEc-PAOmZgZqxn5aYqO1SX0FHo1NP2yKavRmv58yMiUDqDQwgNt5ey6eIpsLveYkb2t4451d246SO7AewZV7ktU4QOddpFeeER46c6Vr30B6D1xhlo/s400/Picture+467.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367702736415292770" /></a><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuuZVWlpewvWke3-TGTRniBiz47cEaH_mPxjFBYw0CIGmp9d0Y26ay_UMHshUs2ebO2_c1cXuobqp2TJs0qVfWiFWLTgApx_JHWuGLFYAGasheEGyNtVKIvn7gr46GOi78ipA/s1600-h/IMG_0075.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuuZVWlpewvWke3-TGTRniBiz47cEaH_mPxjFBYw0CIGmp9d0Y26ay_UMHshUs2ebO2_c1cXuobqp2TJs0qVfWiFWLTgApx_JHWuGLFYAGasheEGyNtVKIvn7gr46GOi78ipA/s400/IMG_0075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367696679990027954" /></a>Which way is which? Downtown Dallas. The drivers are presented with this view for about 2 seconds after braking and exiting the freeway in a very tight tunneled off ramp.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-29946895087523239112009-06-30T21:27:00.000-07:002009-06-30T21:29:11.610-07:00Watch your head on this bench<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yLE_3M9ga0_MuWS9LDW6DuGLgpQYesgDaU3roOd2a3Bt46wuDRXT2oZ6PXW8p1SZty_vZfWb2zzR4idaE6Ql6ez9ZOFcRDVe_Zh6MWuGxQN7X_qjpcNNKxjWUCrWNpWUK8h8/s1600-h/IMG_6094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yLE_3M9ga0_MuWS9LDW6DuGLgpQYesgDaU3roOd2a3Bt46wuDRXT2oZ6PXW8p1SZty_vZfWb2zzR4idaE6Ql6ez9ZOFcRDVe_Zh6MWuGxQN7X_qjpcNNKxjWUCrWNpWUK8h8/s400/IMG_6094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353343942416322018" /></a><div>Spotted this fix at a friend's place to prevent scraping or poking at the sharp edges of the corners of the air conditioning unit positioned above a bench.</div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-56599845690800231022009-05-29T10:48:00.000-07:002009-05-29T10:51:31.622-07:00Wrench as handle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAz_jHPYODSycTD1OXhY40YKUdmH1uL561g-2Zkhh1yEJ2rGv_7PKsprHXFNpl005lNJgc3zUp-Z3usGbWSFoR4rDv7NLWyKqv-tye0Z3PIzeN8Qg1spVjYLAalsjcwVsAwjj/s1600-h/IMG_2164.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAz_jHPYODSycTD1OXhY40YKUdmH1uL561g-2Zkhh1yEJ2rGv_7PKsprHXFNpl005lNJgc3zUp-Z3usGbWSFoR4rDv7NLWyKqv-tye0Z3PIzeN8Qg1spVjYLAalsjcwVsAwjj/s400/IMG_2164.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341304880437596514" /></a><div>Seems more ergonomic than most handles actually, depending on how one grasps or touches door handles. [Thanks to Ben for the photo]</div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-6408637486955041712009-05-20T13:03:00.000-07:002009-05-20T13:22:22.742-07:00Car armrest innovation? Scirocco R<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqRrV-XMg0T7Zv-NcsVIMhsz-Nugc1SHvJWe98_Gj7RTw82otoKHfpixKyoTlhfYDijXEB2ROXlSSmwCljI8-w-wCLQtE87qDczpuYeh6wNoXi5CAqsX40ST1RO8vZUqJlaeJ/s1600-h/09sciroccor_hi_003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqRrV-XMg0T7Zv-NcsVIMhsz-Nugc1SHvJWe98_Gj7RTw82otoKHfpixKyoTlhfYDijXEB2ROXlSSmwCljI8-w-wCLQtE87qDczpuYeh6wNoXi5CAqsX40ST1RO8vZUqJlaeJ/s400/09sciroccor_hi_003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338000686000600530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rhOocSyRt1PM58lpVuB7yWjbi1k-tzxg_H5eNIgNOYqlpx7VIGGKd1nvs8JX9vOjTQ_rWEZ-OIb862hI7kH44YPq5KphAPV5pVyEosl9JojEUQTqZTD9Pbflg6TZpI8uz7qz/s1600-h/09sciroccor_hi_002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rhOocSyRt1PM58lpVuB7yWjbi1k-tzxg_H5eNIgNOYqlpx7VIGGKd1nvs8JX9vOjTQ_rWEZ-OIb862hI7kH44YPq5KphAPV5pVyEosl9JojEUQTqZTD9Pbflg6TZpI8uz7qz/s400/09sciroccor_hi_002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338000681764541906" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>I wonder how the armrest thing on the left is meant to be used? I want to go try it now. Too bad it's only in Europe.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-16791961511581724812009-04-27T16:12:00.000-07:002009-04-27T16:15:07.623-07:00Literal string<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrd8SYmeKFEv5Akcw62Zbkfd920MrcRkBCnFzimOQREijcKUrfiCT62ctmSRA1uBzIXxOVRbC-NbShH3GDAwfk5DLlwcuV2ZBqcejz2PL5okuDBou2gw-6WMbZNGx2OKCW781V/s1600-h/IMG_0303.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrd8SYmeKFEv5Akcw62Zbkfd920MrcRkBCnFzimOQREijcKUrfiCT62ctmSRA1uBzIXxOVRbC-NbShH3GDAwfk5DLlwcuV2ZBqcejz2PL5okuDBou2gw-6WMbZNGx2OKCW781V/s400/IMG_0303.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329513430581623362" /></a>Can't imagine a more effective way of explaining the situation.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-87970216979899230052009-02-23T22:28:00.000-08:002009-02-23T22:34:19.597-08:00Chest-high wall sockets?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJR0kgjsU3_oA-9WM1mZo6jejbjw9PEMJUZW7iHfS7Azp2ojSS1sWA3mMH2BPQP0OwcOWwR_94uDzjrE0YzKUKuL6m9ywjwIeNeC0gNoy6DQRX6X1XoexmMYJcV_HHsWI2D6xB/s1600-h/IMG_4392.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJR0kgjsU3_oA-9WM1mZo6jejbjw9PEMJUZW7iHfS7Azp2ojSS1sWA3mMH2BPQP0OwcOWwR_94uDzjrE0YzKUKuL6m9ywjwIeNeC0gNoy6DQRX6X1XoexmMYJcV_HHsWI2D6xB/s400/IMG_4392.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306247255528607042" /></a>Why in the world are these wall sockets so high? <div>One idea I had was that it was designed for standing desk but this is a conference room. Another idea was they reduced bending over or stooping to plug things in near the floor. Another idea I had was that to make cables running along the floor more conspicuous than if they laid flat on the ground. Makes me think of the motivations behind the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MagSafe">MagSafe</a> magnetic plug that detaches with force instead of yanking the whole machine.</div><div>Any ideas?</div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-18160782882483567632009-02-23T09:47:00.000-08:002009-02-23T14:40:13.366-08:00TED Talk: What do consumers really want?<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2RD0OZCyJCk&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2RD0OZCyJCk&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><p>Interesting. A couple of notes I made:</p><ul><li>Experiences > Services > Goods > Commodities</li><ul><li><strong>Experiences</strong> are about <strong>Rendering</strong> the <strong>Authenticity</strong></li><li><strong>Services</strong> are about <strong>Improving</strong> the <strong>Quality</strong></li><li><strong>Goods</strong> are about <strong>Controlling</strong> the <strong>Costs</strong></li><li><strong>Commodities</strong> are about <strong>Supplying</strong> the <strong>Availability</strong></li></ul><li>Basic paradox: No one can have an inauthentic experience but no business can supply and authentic experience because all businesses are man-made objects.</li><li>4 possible states of authenticity (2x2 matrix):</li><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Real real</span>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">IS</span> what it says it is, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">IS</span> true to itself</li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Fake fake</span>: Is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">NOT</span> what it says it is, is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">NOT</span> true to itself.</li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Real fake</span>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">IS</span> what it says it is, is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">NOT</span> true to itself</li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Fake real</span>: Is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">NOT</span> what it says it is, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">IS</span> true to itself</li></ol><li>The economic experience Starbucks has provided:</li><ul><li>Coffee beans as a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">commodity</span> is $0.02 to $0.04 cents a cup.</li><li>Roast it, grind it, make it available on a grocery shelf, now it's treated as a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">good</span> at $0.10 to $0.15 cents per cup.</li><li>Take that good, brew it somewhere, now it's a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">service</span> and you get maybe $0.50 to $1.00 per cup.</li><li>Surround the brewing of the coffee with ambiance of Starbucks and their authenticity, it's now an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">experience</span> and you can charge $4.00 to $5.00 per cup.</li></ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Summary for business people</span>:</li><ol><li>Don't say you're authentic if you're not authentic.</li><li>It's easier to be authentic if you don't say you're authentic.</li><li>If you say you're authentic, you better be authentic.</li></ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Summary for the consumers</span>: Increasingly, what will make us happy is spending our time and our money satisfying our desire for authenticity.</li></ul><p>Side note: Makes me a little happy that my functional group at work is called Experience Design.</p>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-2250497943674904402009-02-10T18:26:00.001-08:002009-02-10T18:27:39.696-08:00Now packaged with less suck!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfW-I01YXHTD_gYAH9-SRWLng1A8MIXDBXRtPYcyz946gS3Pg6RhVG558PJmj86vtBN8f_p_R6S0XxlcTe5s9tRc_ZBwdoXaiA04yRlvhGB0cq8qIBWHIKZ5anxMEQpmICm65/s1600-h/IMG_4669.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfW-I01YXHTD_gYAH9-SRWLng1A8MIXDBXRtPYcyz946gS3Pg6RhVG558PJmj86vtBN8f_p_R6S0XxlcTe5s9tRc_ZBwdoXaiA04yRlvhGB0cq8qIBWHIKZ5anxMEQpmICm65/s400/IMG_4669.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301360725019760050" /></a><div>Can we party in the streets when blister packing goes away for good?<br /></div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-74134441435582710442009-01-28T17:12:00.000-08:002009-01-28T17:15:18.326-08:00OS X Help Menu: Denied<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMg2fGUaZP5gJUuN8aU8HBzLcLfuiyTWSrJpsPPrFh53Pz06cWoNU-KTZVraPpOq82IRYi3Il9RbfkGQtexnGiP5e6TvxDaAfc-l9RG1SKg2TrMFtx0rxNkViDulCgtU_M8sE/s1600-h/Picture+56.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMg2fGUaZP5gJUuN8aU8HBzLcLfuiyTWSrJpsPPrFh53Pz06cWoNU-KTZVraPpOq82IRYi3Il9RbfkGQtexnGiP5e6TvxDaAfc-l9RG1SKg2TrMFtx0rxNkViDulCgtU_M8sE/s400/Picture+56.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296517844135700210" /></a><div>I wish I could see more of the help topic previews. Especially since I find the launched Help window and browsing so unwieldy for some reason.</div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376835.post-83904981373952622342009-01-16T17:09:00.000-08:002009-01-28T17:16:29.122-08:00Mystery iPhone Fingerprints<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wOxo6C8y0TShQJCH1IFjpVc8rpGRYYjjMwfn0IhyphenhyphenbKyqy5NrVFDptNcqCWq6xfpAlRYqMrEmxCNvEecAw8TpnOjUiqYUB30Qv868WXVFlRU0N9Qq1Vd4K1vzg_v_xEigaDwi/s1600-h/Picture+31.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wOxo6C8y0TShQJCH1IFjpVc8rpGRYYjjMwfn0IhyphenhyphenbKyqy5NrVFDptNcqCWq6xfpAlRYqMrEmxCNvEecAw8TpnOjUiqYUB30Qv868WXVFlRU0N9Qq1Vd4K1vzg_v_xEigaDwi/s400/Picture+31.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292064573465408498" /></a>I noticed some fingerprints on my iPhone around the home button at the bottom. But also around and on the area where the earpiece is. I thought, "Weird." <div>Then realized that it's not surprising after considering I often pull it out of my pocket without looking and have few tactile cues to communicate which end I'm holding. If the pressed area doesn't give, then I flip it around and press - all without looking and with one hand. It subconsciously became second nature I guess.</div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023468527304152558noreply@blogger.com1