Monday, March 1, 2010

Sad for me because I’m usually on the left. And I can tell you which one usually wins.

Sad for me because I’m usually on the left. And I can tell you which one usually wins.

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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Happy Birthday Asher!: One year old today. If only he would stay this cute.
Happy Birthday Asher!:

One year old today. If only he would stay this cute.

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I was going to post this on my notes blog but decided to post it here. I usually save this blog for stuff I’ve thought more about.

Don Norman wrote this article a few months back and it caused quite a stir. But I have to say I agree.

I’ve come to a disconcerting conclusion: design research is great when it comes to improving existing product categories but essentially useless when it comes to new, innovative breakthroughs.

via - Technology First, Needs Last

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Whenever I finish off a container of something it feels so wasteful to just throw it away because the container could easily extend beyond its intended purpose. Check out this Heineken Wobo bottle that can be used as a brick after it’s intended use is over. It might surprise you to know that that this bottle was made in 1963 in a limited run of 100,000 bottles. I wonder if Heineken or someone could bring this back and score major “green” points with consumers? Apart from its upcycling characteristics, I rather like the size and shape of it.

Whenever I finish off a container of something it feels so wasteful to just throw it away because the container could easily extend beyond its intended purpose.

Check out this Heineken Wobo bottle that can be used as a brick after it’s intended use is over. It might surprise you to know that that this bottle was made in 1963 in a limited run of 100,000 bottles.

I wonder if Heineken or someone could bring this back and score major “green” points with consumers? Apart from its upcycling characteristics, I rather like the size and shape of it.

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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

HogBay Software came out with a new task list app for Mac/iPhone. While reading about the features I came across this bit of text:

Other options

Visit TaskPaper’s wiki to learn about related projects. If TaskPaper isn’t for you then try out OmniFocus or Things for a different approach.

They are actually pointing and linking to their competitors. What?

Paul Graham wrote a recent essay hi-lighting things startup founders learned in the process of starting their companies. Number 11 is - Don’t Worry about Competitors. One insight was this:

Companies that seemed like competitors and threats at first glance usually never were when you really looked at it. Even if they were operating in the same area, they had a different goal.

To me TaskPaper really illustrates this point. Basically their saying, “This is our approach to the problem. If you like it you can purchase the app. If not try these other guys.”

This makes me feel good as a potential buyer because I feel like I’m going to get the product that’s right for me.

It’s also a subtle way of saying, “If you’ve tried these guys and have been dissatisfied, we’re different and you should give us a try.” Nice!

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

“If you’re creating a new product, what are the three (or fewer) key features that will make it so great that you can cut or half-ass everything else? Are you focusing at least 80% of your effort on getting those three things right?”

Paul Buchheit

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“I am looking forward to playing board games on the iPad while travelling with Karen. This is the first device I can really picture two people using at the same time, which seems like an opportunity for some truly new types of software.”

Bret Taylor

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