Learning PHP

No Comments »August 20th, 2010

Ignore this post. Just playing with a bit of code. PHP is a dangerous tool in my hands.

My Blog Featured on VectorTuts

2 Comments »February 17th, 2009

This totally slipped past me unnoticed, but apparently my humble blog is featured in a showcase post Chris Spooner of VectorTuts entitled 50 Insanely Good Vector-based Web Designs. While I personally don’t consider my design to be quite worthy of that title, I’m honored to be included with the many truly great sites I share the pixel spotlight with. Go read the article for yourself and be amazed by the awesomeness of some really great designers.

Of Mice and Fruit: MightyMouse Meets Its Match

6 Comments »February 8th, 2009

Today I finally came to the end of my rope, or cord that is. My Apple MightyMouse failed to live up to its name – it’s nipple-like scroll ball no longer responds to upwards scrolls. You can scroll from left to right, or go down, but not up. It’s rather like driving a car that won’t go in reverse. This is the SECOND MightyMouse that exhibits this problem, which stems from a build-up of dust and gunk in its innards similar to what once happened with old school mice before optics and lasers replaced those dirty little balls.

So I went trodding off to my local Best Buy to find a suitable replacement. That’s when I came along this little fellow – the Rocketfish Bluetooth Wireless mouse. Upon first glance it almost looks like a MightyMouse, which is intentional as Rocketfish markets this mouse as an iMac accessory. But at just $48, it cost almost half the price of Apple’s own wireless mouse and seems to have better ergonomic design. How does it stack up? I’ll be writing about this mouse more in the days ahead as I get more play time with it, but so far it looks and feels really good. Stay tuned.

Cardboard Computer is Ugly to Some, Adored by UPS Drivers

5 Comments »February 3rd, 2009

This is exactly what I want sitting on my desk next to a pile of oily rags soaked in gasoline, in an office filled with asbestos furniture.

Apple’s New Keyboard Design Has Won Me Over

17 Comments »March 17th, 2008

Folks, I am pecking out these words on Apple’s innovative new low-profile desktop keyboard, and having a marvelous epiphany in the process. This is without doubt the best desktop keyboard I have ever had the pleasure of fondling. The keys are responsive and well spaced. I find myself making far fewer accidental keystrokes and typos. And now I am so completely hooked on it I can’t fathom going back to traditional scissor-switch style keyboards, which seem antiquated in comparison. It’s that good. (more…)

Pixelmator: Image Editing for Mere Mortals and Dumb Blondes

22 Comments »January 25th, 2008

Few applications are more daunting and difficult to the average user than image editing software. Often referred to as “paint programs” by non-professionals, these apps largely fall into two distinct categories: a) the dumb blonde app that looks pretty but can only perform a few simple tasks, and none of them particularly well. Or b) the Pro app, cable of removing acne from Prom photos and former spouses from wedding albums, but requiring a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science to learn. (more…)

My Favorite Web Font – Avenir

8 Comments »November 14th, 2007

Every web designer has his or hers favorite font for use in graphic elements. For me it’s Avenir. I love its clean simple lines, elegant curvatures, and classic look. There are few applications I haven’t found for it. Whether designing a modern looking (web 2.0) design or classical motif, Avenir just looks beautiful.