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This list is in no particular order.

1. The best way to learn a language?
   I’ll observe methods from several books of how someone can learn a computer programming language.
2. Skillset requirements for today’s web people.
   How far can a web designer go before having to be a web developer? How far can a web developer go before having to be a programmer?
3. What’s the big deal with Javascript?
   It’s one piece of the trio (HTML/CSS/Javascript), but why is it so important to know? How much do we need to know?
4. Web Site Reviews: Luxury Merchandise in Flash
   Sites like Fendi and Persol leave much to be desired. If a Fendi bag costs over $3000, why can’t they budget out a little more for their website? Come on! If I’m actually there to see some bags, it takes me to another site. And is Flash the medium of choice for all these upscale brands? Flash limits your viewing area to a set-sized stage. Try navigating one of these sunglass sites: Persol, Ray-Ban, and Revo. Well, I guess it doesn’t help that these were made by the same company.
5. IE7 is Here. When Will We Stop Supporting IE5/5.5?
   Box Model Hack be gone!
6. Big companies want Ajax.
   It’s time to start caring about Ajax frameworks.
7. Getting a lot of comment spam with Movable Type.
   Maybe I should just turn off the commetns altogether since nobody uses that feature.
8. Books I’ve been reading lately.
   I’ll even tell you what I think of them.
9. Java
   It’s ugly. It requires a lot to even program "Hello World". But is it worth learning?
10. Lose the templates.
    Design individual pages based on your content. Apple is a good example. Even the width of pages are different depending on the product or section of the site.
11. Content writing for people who want to sell product.
    Don’t ask a lot of questions like this is an infomercial. Just tell people why they want your product. Keep it simple and to the point. Educate them on the concepts in your product if it’s new or foreign to most. If you can’t do this, it might not be entirely your fault. It may be the product that needs some rethinking.
12. Beer
    Forget wine. BevMo has a crazy selection of beers that even get ratings on the 100-point scale from the “BevMo Beer Ambassadors”.

Posted in Apple, CSS, Fun, Other, UX, Web, Wine | Comments (2)

I noted the serial number from my computer and went back to Oakridge. The guy working remembered me from the last time I was in. After some tinkering on his computer, he took my old mouse and I was given a newer, working mouse. So that was simple.

Posted in Apple, UX

Sunday, I went to the Oakridge Apple Store to see if I could get any help. I showed up at 11:35am. I was greeted by an employee, Richard Jones, who helped me get signed in to see a “Genius”. My time to be seen was at noon (much better than 7pm). While I waited, Richard and I hung out. You should have seen this guy. He was awesome: African-American, white beard, Kangol hat, and a nice watch.

He asked me what kind of watch I was wearing. “Omega.” He removed his watch and handed it to me. "This thing is titanium, limited edition." Damn, it was light. It weighed nothing compared to my Omega Seamaster. The catch: his was the 150th anniversary edition of the Omega Seamaster. He continued to chat about how he liked nice things. He wanted the nice watch. It matched the paint on his Jaguar. He liked going sailing in the Bay Area. He taught me a little about sailing. “Puke down wind so it doesn’t come back in your face. But it’s probably okay because the next time the water comes up over the boat, it’ll get washed off.”

The Oakridge store doesn’t have a checkout counter. I bought an Airport Extreme card for my girlfriend. Richard pulled out a large PDA from his belt, scanned the product, swiped my credit card, walked over to a drawer, pulled out the receipt and a bag, handed me the receipt, bagged my Airport card, and the purchase was done. That was nice, quick, and convenient.

12 o’clock came around and it was time to get my Mighty Mouse fixed. The guy tried his magic. After some rubbing with a damp cloth (not sure what he used to get it damp), the scrolling was a little better. It could scroll, but it wasn’t 100%. I figured he would give up and tell me I had to deal with it or buy a new one. But he went to the back and pulled out another Mighty Mouse. I think, because it was in a cardboard box, it may have been a refurbished mouse. He told me that we could just do an exchange, but I needed to provide some information. Unfortunately, I have never registered an Apple product. But now I see why I should. To make the exchange, Apple would need to track the transaction by way of my registration or by giving them the serial number off my computer. Naturally, I don’t carry the serial number to my computer in my wallet. So the store is going to hold the mouse for me for five days. All I need to do is go home, write down the number off my computer, and come back with my old mouse.

All in all, I believe this was 20 times better an experience than going to Valley Fair’s Apple Store. So what have we learned? Go to Oakridge. Come on, Robert Scoble thinks “Oakridge isn’t too ghetto anymore”.

Posted in Apple, UX

Don’t expect to be seen by a genius at the Genius Bar in Westfield Valley Fair today. I was there at 11am and the next available genius could see me at 7pm. My Mighty Mouse's Scroll Ball has stopped scrolling down. I have followed Apple's recommendation for cleaning the ball, but with no luck. It’s not my fault I can’t open up my mouse easily to clean it. But I guess it could be my fault for buying an Apple mouse?

I have heard that the new Wireless Mighty Mouse has been improved. Yes, it has laser tracking which would be a really nice step up, but I am more concerned with the Scroll Ball. I’m spoiled with that thing. I’m not going to mouse over to the scrollbars when I have it right there in the mouse.

How do I know this new mouse is for me? Maybe I should try it out. Nope! Sorry. Apple Stores don’t have the mice out because they might get stolen. I guess that’s understandable, but how do I figure out if I want to buy the mouse? They could have taken one out for me to try, and after I was done, they could have put it away. Do what jewelry stores does. Take it out of the case. Show it off. Allow the customer to want to buy it. Apple, you could make another person happy with one of your products. You should have made me happy, especially since I came in unhappy because my Apple product has failed me.

Whatever. I’m going to Oakridge. Those Apple Store employees know how to make people happy.

Posted in Apple, UX | Comments (1)