Cross-Platform, Crosstown

Tue 19 Nov 200207:59 PM

Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection client for Mac OS Xinitially left me unfazed because Timbuktu offers roughly the same thing. That is, it allows me to connect to my Windows XP Professional desktop from home and control the entire machine remotely. But then I realized that it’s a really great cross-platform product from Microsoft, that Microsoft published it for no better reason than it’s really, really nifty, and on top of that, they give it away absolutely free. Which solidifies my contention that the Macintosh Business Unit of Microsoft is one of the coolest software publishers anywhere.

Cutey Pie

Tue 19 Nov 200212:48 AM

Having owned a VAIO PCG-SR7K, I’m a little wary of the durability of Sony’s laptop line. Still, there’s no denying their cool-factor — especially the ones they reserve solely for the Japanese market. The VAIO PCG-U3, for instance, is just about the cutest little laptop I’ve ever seen.

Declare the Pennies on Your Eyes

Tue 12 Nov 200211:10 PM

The number one lesson I’ve learned since we started Behavior is that taxes rule every consideration, task and goal. Taxes consume more time and energy than I could have possibly have imagined, and right now I am immersed in getting a year’s worth of billings and expenses in good order for the tax man. No one at design school ever told me it’d be this complicated.

Looking Good Is Being Good

Wed 30 Oct 200212:47 PM

This study from Consumer Web Watch asked the question, “How do people evaluate a Web site’s credibility?” The results showed that “…the Design Look of Web sites was clearly the most prominent issue when people evaluated Web site credibility in this study. Almost 50 percent of comments about Web credibility contained something about the look of the site, either in general (e.g., “looks professional”) or in specifics (the layout, the colors, etc.). “ The next most popular answer, “Information Design/Sturcture,” trailed by almost 18%.

The Pen Is Mightier Than the Mouse

Fri 11 Oct 200208:25 PM

To help cure my RSI troubles: a brand new Wacom Intuos 2 digitizing tablet. I’ve tried these in the past, and have never been particularly impressed by them. But after plugging this one in and playing with it for 45 minutes, I think I can get to like it. What’s more, the built-in handwriting recognition of Mac OS X’s Inkwell technology shows great promise… and it makes me a bit nostalgiac too.

Computing Hazards

Tue 8 Oct 200211:47 PM

My right hand and elbow are sore, stiff and plagued with a slight burning and occasional shooting pains — a case of computing-related repetitive strain injury. I blame our happy overload of work at Behavior, the poor ergonomics of Mac OS X, and all the personal hours I

Don’t Go Back to Rockville

Fri 4 Oct 200207:24 PM

There were five apparently random killings between Wed evening and Thu morning in Montgomery County, Maryland. Police suspect the shootings were all perpetrated by the same person, a skilled gunman using a high-powered rifle. This is some crazy shit — the killings took place just a few miles away from where I grew up, in Gaithersburg, MD. Heck, I was even technically a Gaithersburg High Trojan. Believe me, it’s not the kind of town that is accustomed to finding itself in the national news. On the other hand, if the killer(s) turn out to be insane, right-wing and redneck Montgomery County residents, I would somehow not be very surprised.

Many Years Later

Thu 3 Oct 200210:47 PM

Did you realize that the compact disc debuted thirty years ago this week? PRI’s Marketplace ran a story on it this past Monday (audio archive available; fast-forward to 20 mins., 45 sec.), in which they interviewed some of the original Sony engineers and marketers who developed the format. There’s been surprisingly little media coverage of this landmark, though it’s admittedly not the stuff of parades or three-day weekends.

Speaking of public radio, music and technological history, NPR’s Morning Edition has a six-part series of reports called “TechnoPop,” looking at the invention of key music technologies. Don’t forget to donate to your local public radio station.