Blog

Intelligent Design: Simplify the Approach

Submitted by mjvesper on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 7:13am
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Key-Plus-RingOften the most revolutionary solution to a problem, design or otherwise, is the easiest to implement... And overlook. Rather than create new methods or invent new products, the most graceful and creative approach may be entirely conventional and simple. You just have to look at it from a slightly unconventional angle.

Take Scott Amron as an example. He makes his living taking everyday problems and making prototypes of products to solve them for companies like Oxo.

I Have a New Toy

Submitted by mjvesper on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 5:55pm
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Being me, I have a slight fetish for tech toys. My new one came yesterday and I'm smitten.

I have a Mac Mini that is attached to a large flat screen TV in my living room. It functions as a media center, server and one of my design/development machines. Sitting on the couch, drink in hand, while working or watching a movie in Plex is a pretty wonderful thing.

Having a full keyboard and mouse laying around all of the time was a
little cumbersome... Especially if it was for just navigating Plex or when using Illustrator/Photoshop key commands rather than typing. Enter the Logitech diNovo Mini:

diNovo Mini

Homeschooling for Dummies

Submitted by mjvesper on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 10:09pm
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The "For Dummies" series of books is known far and wide for digestible information on the quick about pretty much anything. Like CliffsNotes for everyday life.

I was poking around on the Discovery Channel site and they had a quiz for "was it a For Dummies book or not." I figured it would be entertaining but I got more than I bargained for! Apparently there are more "For Dummies" topics than I gave credit for. Get this... There is a Homeschooling for Dummies book. Terrifying as that me be.

Homeschooling for Dummies

OK, so on its own it maybe has a place in the "a little off" category. Heck, it may be very useful. Ah, but the best part? Check out the first bullet on the site:

Joys of Browser Compatibility

Submitted by mjvesper on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 12:19pm
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Why can't we all just get along and play nice?

IE... I'm looking at you.

Browser Compatibility Table

Direct2Food

Submitted by mjvesper on Tue, 07/28/2009 - 6:20pm
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Direct2FoodI just recently wrapped up work on Direct2Food for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago! It's nothing short of unbelievably exciting for me... This website has been in heavy development of various sorts for the last year plus a handful of months. I was practically doing cartwheels.

Uh, great... So what IS Direct2Food, anyway?

It's a site developed for the Illinois Food and Nutrition Advocacy Partnership designed to help members of the metropolitan Chicago community access the information and resources necessary to ensure food is on their tables. It does that by helping both service providers and consumers locate food pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs closest to them as well as helping to determine if they are eligible for further assistance like food stamps and resources for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).