03/08/08 05:21 - 25ºF - ID#43585

Why google sucks

It seems that google is just a spam farm. If you click the first result in google, 99% of the time, it's spam. Maybe this is the way a new search engine will overtake google-by providing relevant results. Digg does this to some extent; if I'm looking for a site with decent css templates, google=spam but digg=relevance, with humans backing it up.

Permalink: Why_google_sucks.html
Words: 63
Location: Snyder, NY

02/22/08 03:30 - 28ºF - ID#43429

ad ideas

A couple ideas for Paul

Permalink: ad_ideas.html
Words: 9
Location: Snyder, NY

02/12/08 01:49 - 19ºF - ID#43300

Wifi lunch update

I was going to Cafe Aroma on Elmwood for a wifi getaway, but today I hit Safari Grill across the street and they pick up the same signal! I prolly shouldn't be posting this because someone will read this who works there, but hey Safari Grill has lots of outlets, plenty of seats and so far pretty good food.

empireoflight writes at 12:42:52 02/13/08 - Comment #31638: I wish I could dive into a wireless setup like the ones you mention, but the data plans scare me $$$$$$$. Thanks for the info though and I'll keep it in mind for when I finally do evolve to that state.

It was still Sahara Grill when I was there.

paul writes at 09:29:53 02/12/08 - Comment #31623: Ya, Buffalo sucks for wifi. Its just not reliable or wide spread enough. Perhaps it is time to get a big boy phone that tethers and bring your network with you, lol. There is free software for windows mobile called wmwifirouter that turns your windows mobile phone into a wifi hotspot. Otherwise you can bluetooth tether with DUN on just about every phone. It's still okay fast but the speed is limited by the bluetooth vs the wifirouter software which transmits he full evdo or hspda speed. Both methods work perfect to provide connectivity for my macbook pro and nokia n810 not phone on the go.

Paired with AT&T HSPDA or Sprints EVDO, you have a really fast connection for any devices, anywhere you go. I prefer the AT&T network and the fact that it is sim driven so that you can put your sim card in multiple devices, depending on what you want to bring with you. One of the best all purpose devices on the market is the AT&T tilt.

On a totally separate note, did they change the name with new owners or is it Sahara Grill?

jbeatty writes at 04:07:08 02/12/08 - Comment #31612: Thats pretty harsh punishment for using unprotected bandwidth. I mean if you really want to stop people from using it try putting a freaking password on it. Passing laws that make it a felony seems really stupid. I have 3 open networks that are accessible in my apartment and there has been more than once that I was one them (unknowingly for a short time) instead of my own because the airport got knocked out of the outlet. Does that make me a felon?

empireoflight writes at 02:59:26 02/12/08 - Comment #31608: Wow, as soon as I posted this they must have changed the password! At least I didn't end up like this guy: :::link:::

Oh well, Cafe aroma is so crowded and nowhere to sit or plug in. Still looking for a good place on Elmwood...

empireoflight writes at 02:02:21 02/12/08 - Comment #31604: I got it a couple weeks ago and it still works!

jenks writes at 01:53:14 02/12/08 - Comment #31602: but don't you have to get the wifi password from aroma?

Permalink: Wifi_lunch_update.html
Words: 59
Location: Snyder, NY

01/30/08 06:03 - 20ºF - ID#43099

Email clients

I installed Thunderbird on my new mac 6 months ago and haven't transitioned to mail yet. I like how Tbird separates all my accounts. Maybe mail can do this, but I don't have time to figure it out.

One thing I hate about tbird is the way it doesn't soft-wrap replies; i.e., if I reply to someone's email the quoted email scrolls sideways.

Permalink: Email_clients.html
Words: 64
Location: Snyder, NY

01/15/08 02:09 - 31ºF - ID#42892

wireless woes

I just went to Spot on Elmwood for lunch and a surefire wireless signal; I mean, they ARE the biggest cafe in Buffalo, right?

Like an idiot I ordered lunch before asking the worker. His answer was "you can go up by the windows and try to piggyback on someone else's signal". Yeah... bad Karma but they were all locked up anyway.

There should be a list of local eateries/hotspot status somewhere...if not, anyone wanna help me build one?

Permalink: wireless_woes.html
Words: 81
Location: Snyder, NY

11/06/07 10:26 - 39ºF - ID#42017

What color is the past?

I have to design a computer icon for "Undo". I'm making an arrow facing left, since in western culture (if that even exists any more), we think of things that face that way as looking backward. But what color? Red is no good; it just means stop; or alert, or something. Blue is mysterious but it doesn't signify time in any way. Green is good because it means go forward, and technically, red is the opposite of green, but as said above red is no good.
Arggh! Yellow?

metalpeter writes at 05:23:55 11/07/07 - Comment #27663: I know this sounds like a stupid answer but from what I have seen on computers most of the icons are the same color. I myself like it that way cause when different functions are different colors it makes things stand out and somethings not and I believe that makes some functions harder to find but that is just me.

empireoflight writes at 10:56:00 11/07/07 - Comment #27645: Yeah, basically "Oh shit I left my Queen hanging"

carolinian writes at 10:33:42 11/07/07 - Comment #27644: Is the undo basically a "I want to take back that move I just made" feature?

zobar writes at 10:07:18 11/07/07 - Comment #27638: I think I prefer the Gnome icons in general, but the KDE package is nice because it has a few different sets to choose from, including Locolor for limited devices. Have a look for 'kdeartwork'.

- Z

empireoflight writes at 09:54:48 11/07/07 - Comment #27637: It's for Open Chess 3.0, a free Palm OS chess application. I would imagine chess geeks will use it a lot-it gets around 100 downloads a day. I'm building it in 4 sizes (1-bit at 9x9, 8-bit at 9x9, 12x12, 18x18) along with about 20 others. The palette is atrocious. I think I'm going with a purple after much consideration. I checked those Gnome icons and the undo looks like a good reference-thanks for the link! The KDE link didn't work...

carolinian writes at 08:53:52 11/07/07 - Comment #27626: For me to give my input, I need to know more about the situation (first rule of HCI: know your terrain)

Is this an application running on a computer, or is it a web application (or something entirely different from any of these)?

Who will be the target users of said application/service using the icon?

How often will the target users use this software? Once in their lives or nine hours a day five days a week?

Are there any size restrictions? (e.g. is the icon for something on a tiny cell phone or a desktop with a 32" screen?)

If this is a computer application, will it be multi-platform or single platform?

What are the lighting conditions for the application using the icon? Will they have to see the icon in a very dark room or will they struggle to see it in extremely bright sunlight?

zobar writes at 07:41:55 11/07/07 - Comment #27623: You can download icon sets from both the Gnome and KDE projects that can save development time, whether you use Gnome/KDE or not.

:::link:::
:::link:::

Gnome uses a pale yellow arrow, flipped over itself and pointing to the left. KDE uses a blue arrow, flipped over itself and pointing to the left.

- Z

drew writes at 11:51:32 11/06/07 - Comment #27616: I would go for pink, like the eraser on a pencil.

Or white (light blue?) like soap.

And I would make it an arced arrow to the left.

empireoflight writes at 11:09:59 11/06/07 - Comment #27612: "Undo" is us reacting to the past, like we need to fix something. Grayscale is like set in stone, this is what happened, don't bother changing. Maybe I was wrong about blue; our blood cells are blue when they have given up their oxygen. Maybe blue means "fix me!!!"

paul writes at 10:41:56 11/06/07 - Comment #27611: Maybe colors are too strong for something previously discarded. Maybe grayscale. Seems like that is definitely past, ghosts are grayish, black and white photos, B&W TV.

Permalink: What_color_is_the_past_.html
Words: 88
Location: Snyder, NY

10/13/07 12:06 - 45ºF - ID#41621

itunes madness

Remind me to never buy another song off itunes. I have an endless loop of "you must authorize this computer to play this song" and "you have auhorized on more than 5 computers".

I bought the fucking song, let me listen to it whenever and however I want.

Permalink: itunes_madness.html
Words: 47
Location: Snyder, NY

10/09/07 07:58 - 65ºF - ID#41564

Ridiculous Credit Card offer

I got this unsolicited card in the mail and am totally confused. Do I have an account or don't I? Bizarre...

Permalink: Ridiculous_Credit_Card_offer.html
Words: 23
Location: Snyder, NY

Category: web design

10/03/07 10:03 - 66ºF - ID#41483

working on a table (html that is) site

So I'm updating a site that was built entirely in tables a long time ago in my web design career and as much as I embrace css layout, it was nice to type in valign=top and see my content snap up to the top. Shoot me.

Permalink: working_on_a_table_html_that_is_site.html
Words: 47
Location: Snyder, NY

10/01/07 10:50 - ID#41445

Need some cool mac apps and Sunday Sk8 s

If anyone can suggest cool freeware apps for my new macbook pro, please suggest. On another note, I stopped by the Sunday Skateshop on Saturday. It was nice to see a unique shop bustling w/business. JP the owner was there, busting his butt putting grip-tape on the boards and having a great time...I wonder what the owner of Zumies or Phatman were doing...