Animation of Graphics on Magazines

The Present is Catching Up to the Future.  Ever seen those futuristic movies where the magazines on the newstand are animated and moving?  Well, now it is becoming a reality.  Check out this blog article on the new Esquire magazine that will be animated.  http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/07/30/esquire-to-geeks-hac.html

Update on Weather and Saturday’s Class.

Here is an email I sent this evening, in case someone checks here and not their email. As you know, we decided to cancel class, which may or may not have been a great idea, although I know all of us are relieved to not drive on slick roads this evening — even if they don’t ice up, it’s the thought, right?

The email:

Don’t you just hate hindsight?

Well, the deed is done and we can’t second guess ourselves. Some at UTD said bail. Others, later in the day, said, no, wait, we’re on.

So here we are. After taking stock it looks like Saturday morning wins out. Be at the Mac Lab at 9:30 and will go until 12-12:30.

The lineup for Saturday:

(note: some of you may be in Chip’s class. Chip has said anyone who is presenting in the Emac class may have time to do so. If you are finished with Chip’s class, check in and you can attend all of the Emac presentations. If not, you’ll need to present in Chip’s class and Emac, which makes for a long morning … )

Aimee and Joel (I’ve heard from Aimee, she is available, but I am not sure about Joel).

Laura, Carlos, Damion, and Rachna (Laura is out of town for a frisbee tournament, Damion is at work, and Carlos has class. It’s possible that Damion and Carlos can join us after 12. Otherwise, it’s Rachna’s show.)

Brandy, Tony, Clay (I’ve heard from Brandy and Tony. They will be in class, although Brandy says it’s too early: She needs her beauty rest.)

Scott

Cannon and Ghazanfar (Cannon has graciously decided not to go out of town, which helps. I am not sure Ghazanfar is available or not Saturday.)

Vince (All ready to go.)

David S. (At work until 10, will present to the class afterward.)

Jeffrey Miranda and Joe C. (Available on Saturday and will present.)

Guy (Not sure about.)

Alberto and Kim (Saturday works for both.)

Evontae (Have not heard from him in more than three weeks. Anybody heard from him?)

Isabel (Available Saturday)

Tim (Not sure about.)

There should be some surprises here. We’ve seen some early work from the Poetry gang, Vince, Jeffrey and Joe, and Scott, but overall what will be presented is new.

As a reminder, these folks have already presented. While I’ve asked that they attend, some are unable to and have received excused absences.

David G.

Janice, Cone, Rizwan, Kyle (Janice and Cone said they will attend; Rizwan is excused for personal reasons, not sure about Kyle)

Mary E. (I think she said she could come.)

Manuel and David M. (Manuel has a class and is unable to attend; I have not spoken with David.)

Brent, Corey, Karl (Have spoken with Brent; not sure if Corey and Karl will attend.)

I think that’s it. Am I missing anybody? Thanks to all for your patience and understanding. Maybe it will ice up yet.

If you need to reach me, call (see the email). I will be available most of Friday, except for a doctor’s appointment at 1:30 (ask me what for Kim … )

Dan.

Today’s Weather 11/30/06

The winter blast is here!  Does anyone know if we have a back up plan for the last day of podcast presentations if the weather doesn’t permit us to attend class tonight?

Dan to speak on Ethnography – Nov 14 at 6:30pm – Dallas Art Institute

Ethnography in Product Design and Development

When: Tuesday, Nov 14

Time:  6:30 Networking, 7:00 Program

Where: The Art Institute of Dallas    ( directions )

8080 Park Lane, Suite 100

Dallas, Texas 75231 – 5993

Topic: What is Ethnography? How can it be used to create better design, products, and interfaces?  How can it be used in everyday life, outside of product design?  Come listen to Dan Langendorf explain ethnography and reveal tips, best practices, and case studies from his 25 years of experience in ethnographic field research.

 

Creating Pleasurable Interfaces – WED 8 NOV

REFRESH DALLAS
November Newsletter

————————————————————–
IN THIS ISSUE

* November Meeting
* December Meeting Scheduled
* Stay Connected

————————————————————–
NOVEMBER MEETING
Note: meeting is on Wednesday, Nov 8 this month again due to
library scheduling conflicts

This month’s topic:
Creating Pleasurable Interfaces

Usable interfaces are not enough. When everything looks good and
works well, the applications that stand out are the ones that
satisfy unmet – and often unarticulated – needs. But how do you
design workable interfaces that also account for intangible things
like emotions?

Stephen P. Anderson will discuss the new skills needed to create
desirable experiences, explaining why a task-based approach to
design is no longer enough.

open the door to history

And I immediately thought of Janice and her public history blog – plus some of you might be interested as well.

searching through historical documents, personal papers, and family histories held in archives around the world

“Ethnography” Talk by Dan on Nov 14

I just wanted to give everybody a “heads up” that Dan will be speaking to the Usability Professionals’ Association (UPA) on November 14, which is World Usability Day.

He will be talking about “Ethnography in Product Design and Development.”

The meeting will probably be held at the Art Institute of Dallas (located at Park Lane and Central Expressway, aka 75) , starting at 6:30 or 7:00.  I will post the official announcement as we get closer to the day.

Please come join us.   (posted by Janice Quick)

P.S.

Usability is the degree to which something – software, hardware, or anything else – is easy to use and a good fit for the people who use it.

UPA is a national organization with a DFW chapter for those who promote and advance the development of usable products.  Members come from across the broad family of disciplines that create the user experience.

Word Usability Day is a series of events to promote the benefits of usability and user-centered-design.

Free WordPress Themes

Good morning all!  I came across this link: http://www.bloggingthemes.com/  If you do not like your WordPress theme, here are a few more that you can try out.  They are free so once you find one you like, click on the thumbnail and follow the directions.

I hope this is useful for someone.

.hma file formats?

The digital recorder that we checked out was a Sony Walkman mp3 recorder.  It was the only type of recorder available after two tries, so we went ahead and used this recorder.  We have some good content recorded, but when it came to downloading the files, what I found was .hma file formats (?)   Some of the advice floating out in google-land says don’t mess around trying to convert these files.  Oops.  Don’t know if anyone else has encountered this problem…. any advice?

Blog activity

I am sure we went over this in class at one point but I am still kinda unclear about it. I have a Word Press blog going and one with Blog Spot as well. I dont really touch the Blog Spot one at all but that is the one I initally set up and is also the one linked to my name on this blog. I really utilize the Word Press Blog more. Should I start using both or just stick to one like I am doing? Can anyone answer this question for me? Also, my Word Press Blog is www.bella11.wordpress.com

Check it out guys and give me feedback