January 2002
Gamasutra: History of Videogames (via xplane)
DENIM 1.0 released… getting there, although I’d say it’s still probably more like version 0.89 than 1.0, but it remains the only real attempt I know of an integrated web prototyping tool (i.e. one that handles site organization, page schematics, and storyboarding in a single document), and for that it gets big points in my book.
The Internet Archive: Building an ‘Internet Library’… holy terabytes! There’s so much here, from archived versions of web sites to public domain movies. Hooray for cheap disk space!
Quiet American is the manipulation of sounds I [er, not me, but him -ns] hear and record. The project began as I grappled with what it meant to be a tourist in another culture. It continues as I grapple with what it means to be a tourist in my own. The work on this site is not a replacement for travel. But if you are willing to listen, you may be transported.
Windows v. Mac metaphor #2,080… Windows is a tool, MacOS is a space. I actually think this explains a lot about the two different approaches to designing an OS. It’s why many things in Windows are more efficient than on a Mac, and it (partially) explains why Macs have such strong appeal to visual designers. It also helps explain the bitterness of the feud, since so much depends on your approach to your computer. There have been times in my life when I’ve approached my computer as a tool, but I’ve come to feel much more that it’s a space I inhabit (in which I spend an inordinate amount of time in fact). So, although there will be times I miss Windows’ efficiency-at-all-costs philosophy, it’s no surprise that my next computer will be a Macintosh. (OK, the fact it’s running Unix doesn’t hurt ;)
Do yourself a favor and check out Pictoplasma, “The first global collection of contemporary character design.” (if the interface annoys you, I can highly recommend the book)
Someone wrote me asking for evidence to support my assertion that serif vs sans was of limited use in predicting legibility on screen. I can’t say I found a lot, but here’s some: HFI reviews a CHI study comparing Times and Verdana (negligible difference) Swedish study (PDF in Swedish) comparing Verdana and Georgia (slight advantage to Georgia, maybe) CHI ‘95 study comparing Arial, MS Sans and MS Serif (size matters, Arial sucks, otherwise negligible) Usability News compares Arial and Times New Roman (scroll down to find that other factors matter more than serif vs sans) and again, with more fonts (century schoolbook, times, georgia, arial) US Gov says it doesn’t matter, but don’t skimp on size (thanks jcdriscoll!)