Monthly Archives: May 2007

Google Gears Google Gears javascript libraries transparently create and update a local database. Developers simply execute SQL against a local database. Google Gears’ database module takes care of prompting the user for permission, creating the database, and executing the SQL. Google Gears also provides a local server module to cache web content and then serveContinue reading “Google Gears”

”When you begin a picture, you often make some pretty discoveries. You must be on guard against these. Destroy the thing, do it over several times. In each destroying of a beautiful discovery the artist does not really suppress it, but rather transforms it, condenses it, makes it more substantial.” – Pablo Picasso Code thatContinue reading “Destroy…transform…condense…make it more substantial.”

I have just returned from three days of RailsConf 2007 in Portlant, Oregon and wanted to share my overall impression of this very well-done event. There were four tracks, so no one could have attended all sessions. So, I won’t be sharing a play-by-play summary of each of the sessions. The guys over at OnRails.orgContinue reading “RailsConf”

In most airports this space between the “up” and “down” escalators would be an unoccupied, dusty corner. Not here at Portland’s airport. btw I’m here for RailsConf 2007. Full reports on the next three days of geek-speak to follow.

Sometimes a slicker ajax-y UI is not the best choice. For instance, every LeadsOnRails contact can be tagged with an unlimitted number of tags. To add a tag, users either enter a new one in a text box or select an existing one from a drop-down box. An alternative design would have been to useContinue reading “Design Decision: Tags”

The Blank Slate 37signals’ Getting Real has a section on The Blank Slate. The Blank Slate stage is that stage of an application or screen in which no or very little data has been populated. The problem is that most designers design around a fully populated screen. And though that may be how the userContinue reading “Design Decision: Learning the Blank Slate Approach”

I wrote about why the Software as a Service model appeals to us as a software vendor (recurring revenue) and also wrote about the biggest SaaS benefit to our customers (the continuous expectation of excellent customer service even after the initial “purchase”). Here now is just one reason I love SaaS as a user. AsContinue reading “1 Reason I Love the SaaS Model as a Software User”

In Low Tech Local I wrote about the importance of local marketing efforts saying “why not take a few moments from global-domination SEO efforts and give good old local customers a shot.” Build a Business with Referrals outlined six steps to lay the foundation for a referral strategy. And 7 Steps to Improved Small BusinessContinue reading “Business Network International”

Juuso Hietalahti (Game Producer) had a blog entry today entitled How to Stop Getting Sidetracked in which he shares the 1 hour solution. In the 1 hour solution you make a commitment to yourself to keep working no matter what. This is similar to my articles In Praise of Single-Tasking. Don’t stop to take aContinue reading “The Number One Reason People Get Sidetracked”