What have you done MSNBC? Your news site used to be one of the most pleasant to use, but now things are different. Today you unveiled your “new and improved” design, which in my opinion is a usability nightmare. Too much scrolling, clicking, digging to find what I need. I’m guessing you must have used the same designer who put together FoxNews.com. And what’s with the truly hideous rainbow title banner at the top?
Why do US news sites suck so bad? Why haven’t any of them truly figured out how to design a visually pleasing, easily navigable design? CNN.com’s recent design update is a step in the right direction, but it’s far from being good at this point. I think the US news sites need to look to the BBC or Google News for guidance.
One major suggestion for “the big three” of American online news services, tone down the ads a bit. When one-third or more of your page is dedicated to giant, moving, flash based ads it gets a little busy. When I can’t easily tell the difference between an ad and a story, you’ve got a major usability problem.
Currently playing in iTunes: Don’t Fear the Reaper (Blue Oyster Cult Acoustic Cover) by Him
I’ve been using Pownce for a few months now. and it become rather addicting. It’s such an easy way to share messages, files and links with your friends.
For those of you who may not know what I’m talking about, let me quote from the Pownce website:
Pownce is a way to send stuff to your friends. What kind of stuff? You can send just about anything: music, photos, messages, links, events, and more. You can do it all on our web site, or install our lightweight desktop software that lets you get out of the browser.
Pownce, which is somewhat similar to Twitter, is the brainchild of Kevin Rose of digg.com fame. If anyone wants to join, I’ve got about 26 invites for anyone who needs one. Or if you already Pownce, add me as a friend.
So I’ve been taking for years now about wanting to get a digital SLR camera. I’ve felt that my inner photographic genius was being hindered by my simple point and shoot Kodak. I need to a bigger outlet, something with more functionality.
Then while I was at Costco, I noticed they had two different bundles, a Nikon and a Canon, that were just two good to pass up. I’ve being doing alot of research over the last year on which companies made the best digital SLRs in the range I was looking at and both Nikon and Canon received rave reviews.
In the end I decided to go with the Canon Digital Rebel XTi kit not only because of the great reviews it received, but also because several great photographers I know use it and recommend it.
The bundle included:
- The Digit Rebel XTi
- EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
- EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III zoom lens
- 58mm Canon UV filter
- 1GB CF Card
- A 90 minute instructional DVD
- Canon gadget bag
Of course I’ll be the first to admit I barely know what an ISO setting is so I have a great deal to learn about the world of photography. But so far I’ve been having fun.
Currently playing in iTunes: Piano Concerto No. 5 In E-Flat Major (Emperor) by London Symphony Orchestra
Just an iChat with great friends, Ryan, Adam, Matt, and Jeremiah.
Cool.
Google’s new support of IMAP in Gmail is long overdue and much appreciated.
Max OS X 10.5, Leopard, is crammed with over 300 new features. I’ve already got it pre-ordered and am eagerly anticipating it’s arrival. Of course, like everyone, I have my favorite new features so without further ado, I bring you a list (in no particular order):
- Greater .Mac syncing: Widgets, System Prefs, Dock, etc.
- Stacks
- System-wide grammar checking
- All of the long overdue iCal features
- Tabbed chat support and Screen Sharing in iChat
- To-Dos and Data Detectors in Mail
- New Airport menu
- Word of the Day screen saver
- Spotlight Application Launching
- Time Machine
So Georgia is running out of water due to a drought. Their governor is complaining that the Endangered Species act is protecting the species that depend on the water in the rivers at the expense of the people of Atlanta.
Hmm…
How about you stop trying to cram tons of people into areas that are not meant to support them? How about you take a more realistic view of your state and understand your natural resource limitations and live within your means?
I don’t mean to pick on Georgia alone, it’s alot of communities in the South and South-Western US. There’s not enough water there, never really has been. And yet more and more people move there taxing the resources. There will be a collapse one day.
I’m sorry Gov. Purdue…I don’t feel bad for you.
I may be an anomaly among people my age, but I have no desire to give up my home phone to just use my cell. Partially because I don’t get super great reception all around my house and partially because I just like having a normal phone.
Now my dilemma, I just wish I could consolidate my “telecommunication” bills down a bit. Right now we pay Cox for cable and internet, AT&T for our CallVantage service for the home phone, and T-Mobile for cell service. I want to get down to having to deal with fewer companies.Cox’s digital phone service is ridiculously expensive so that’s a no go, AT&T has yet to roll out Uverse completely here in Lakewood and I really like T-Mo’s cell service.
What I would really like to see would be T-Mobile offer a VoIP solution in the US. What a perfect way to compete against the entrenched incumbents and allow T-Mobile to offer a cell/home phone solution.Yes, I know they have HotSpot@Home, but their phone selection is rather limited and I like having a separate number for home.
It’s just not the same. Maybe one day they’ll see the potential.
Well I found out earlier this week that my job is safe. That’s a major relief…so now on with my life.
It’s been some time since I’ve blogged regularly on here, perhaps I should try to be more diligent about it. Anyway, here’s a quick update on what’s been going on with me…
- My work is going through a big restructuring which also is leading to job elimination for a good number of people. They announced it 9/11 (great date) and it’s been a little nerve racking not only because people I’ve worked with are being let go, but my job is also up in the air. I think I’m going to be ok, but it’s the not knowing that’s the worst. Supposedly we’ll know something this coming week.
- School is going well. I’m taking two business courses this semester. I can say that I’m just not a business person. I mean I get the stuff and I ‘m cruising through with a 4.0, but it’s just not my passion. I miss Latin and History.
- My cellphone ringer decided to stop working on Friday so I had to get a new phone. Luckily I had been with T-Mobile for over a year so I had an upgrade credit. I ended up getting the Moto RIZR in Rose. I have always been a huge fan of Moto phones and this could be one of my favorite yet.
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