Experience for all

Using the UCD to plan your project

2011-01-24T07:44:00.001-08:00

Several times over the past month, I have been asked to jump onto a project and give some usability, human factors or just general insight. The common complaint I have coming into these sessions is that the project is not prepared with some of the core answers they'll need to test the hypothesis (the web page, experience, etc).

The first thing you should do is ask yourself, "What problem am I solving for?". A web page is a solution to a question a user has. They have gone through many avenues trying to solve it (search, word of mouth) and ultimately are presented your page as a potential solution. We, as a content provider, must consider that the page we deliver is our hypothesis on what the answer might be. In understanding what the user's problem is, what their question is, we can best attempt to answer it.

The second thing you should do is ask yourself, "How do I know if a user has had their question answered?". This is done through metrics, through user interviews, through a set of measures in which you speculate that a question has been answered. Ultimately, there are limited ways to define satisfaction... though some sites may use something like, "Was this helpful?" "Did this answer your question?", and so on. In the big picture, I have often felt that commentary by end users as well as repeat visits often frame if your solution is in fact meeting the goals.

Finally, the last question you should ask is, "Is there an faster/easier way to answer the question the for the user?". This can be done through usability and heuristic evaluation post launch. You examine the site and look at how the solution is presented and see if there are places were things aren't relevant (contextual unaware advertisement).

This is just a quick post, but I wanted to highlight that if these questions are set at the beginning of the project your chances of success increase. I truly believe in the scientific method when it comes to questions and hypothetical solutions. A user is a question, they represent an impulse or planned need for information. Your web site's job is to address that problem in a way that not only answers the need but does it in the easiest way possible.

Your idea is great, let's make sure your users like your information layout

2010-08-02T07:48:00.000-07:00

One of the hardest things any organization can do is come up with the 'next big thing'. The ability to foresee events is something that no one has really been able to do consistently without a pitfall or 8. However, when a product manager does in fact generate an idea, the first thing that should be done is do our due diligence to ensure the idea is in fact plausible.

That's where a user researcher or usability specialist can come into play. It is not their job to dissuade the idea, but to discover the user base that would like to use the idea. For example, you would not market an underwater basket weaving kit to a user who does not or cannot swim. Often, the case with product development is that without research, you are throwing things out there and hoping they stick. However, when leveraging user research you can still throw things out there, but you are throwing them to a group of people who you've discovered might be interested in that kit. The cost savings in finding a general target market as well as using this target market to focus your design approach, is measurable through feedback, surveys and follow ups.

Finally, user research helps your business understand that your kit does not have to work for everyone. It is okay to focus your UI and your approach on a specific market. Remember, the user researcher is not there to find the target market or the valuation, but to ensure that the approach does fall in line with that target. So for all you underwater basket weaving aficionados out there, take it to heart that there is a user researcher ensuring that the UI and the experience fall in line what your needs specifically....

Consistent matters, sort of

2010-06-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

Having every page on your site be the exact same can strengthen your overall brand. However, it can diminish the value of the content, from a user's perspective, as they traverse your site. In this post, I'll comment briefly on the value of brand allusion.

Even in a niche market, you can have a multitude of like-branded buckets that allude to your overall brand while not creating an environment of ignorance. What do I mean by this? If you look at 10 items that have the same label, you will eventually start ignoring the label (usually by the 8th page...similar to banner blindness). However, if you allude to your brand without being redundant then you maintain the trust that your user has in your product as well as demonstrating the depth and breadth of your offering.

An example is how ebay and ebay motors are interconnected in a branding way but not in an obvious linking method. Visiting the ebay website, you see their branded logo and their standard information architecture. However, visiting their motors site, you are aware that it is ebay but the linking does not connect the parent (the parent link is offset intentionally to ensure you do not fail out of the site). This demonstrates how two sites are linked through brand allusion and not through regurgitating the same image exactly. It enables the user to clearly recognize they are not within an ebay site, but that they are on an ebay property.

Fighting the good fight (aka hiding behind the user)

2010-05-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

In a recent conference call, I was accused of 'hiding' behind the user. During the call, it was demanded that we go ahead and make assumptions about the user to ensure the project time line was met. My response was that 'this is dangerous at best' because as a user expert, I was trained that I am not my user and any assumption may inject bias.

This is symptomatic of the gap between the status quo of the software development life cycle and the iterative approach of the user centered design process. Where the SDLC fails, is that it doesn't account for iterations... in other words, you repeat the SDLC in versions. UCD assumes that you will pass through it several times and is designed that way. So, the challenge lies in assimilating an iterative and qualitative approach within a quantitative serial cycle.

Some solutions are to integrate a system of user based checks and balances within the current SDLC. This maintains the process that the development organization requires to function while not being solely dependent on UAT findings to fill the need.

Working on a tablet

2010-05-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

It is quite a unique experience. The first thing I notice is that I still type one-handed. In fact, I find my perceived error rate to be much less. I can also blog more easily in the moment. The distraction of notebook or iPhone usage is mitigated through ease of use.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Dunhill Dr,Buffalo Grove,United States

Focus on what you are solving for

2010-05-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

Competitive analysis can be a critical tool in aligning the goals you are trying to achieve with the opportunities that exist in the market you are looking towards. Often this simple sheet can easily describe your roadmap to success through highlighting the gaps in where your competition and even yourself exist.

I often recommend partnering this information with a 'skunk works' best case approach. In some cases, you can actually roadmap to your best case using the offsets between what you are developing and what you would like to see as optimal.

On Usability

2010-05-04T06:06:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since I last posted. So, please forgive me.

Working recently at a major media site, I still see the maturity of the customer voice having gaps. For me, the concept of user feedback avoidance, deprecating or eliminating task analysis, can be fatal to any project.

For a task analysis, you are looking at why the user wants to do something and the steps they may encounter when trying to complete that 'something'. Without this understanding, application solutions can become 'Swiss army knives'. This means they won't necessarily solve the problem at hand, but hope to be able to solve whatever problem may arise. For this particular knife, that makes sense. In the eCommerce world however, this can lead to diminished value of the product. In other words, you don't do one thing well, you do a bunch of things adequately. In the web world, adequate does not translate well to cash flow.

User input helps provide the evidence that the approach you are taking is the right one and will be used correctly. As in the 'Swiss Army Knife' example, if a user realizes that during use they really needed an all-in-one, then this reinforces the approach. However, if the user only needed to open a wine bottle, there are better cork screws than the one that comes with a 'stock' army knife. The point here is that placing the knife in the user's hand and allowing them to give you feedback and how they think it will be used gives you clarity on the solution. Without that clarity, you are not affirming your direction and could be traveling the wrong way.

Using these simple ingredients, you can increase productivity by understanding the task/tasks that you are solving (or making easier). Moreover, you can then reaffirm the approach you are taking by following up with the end-user.

Unfortunately, in a large media organization there is still a focus on what is visually stunning and eye catching. This dependence on emotional design can create some stunning solutions. However, without the task analysis and user feedback the solution is created to meet the needs of the designer and their leadership. As Norman said, "An object that is beautiful to the core is no better than one that is only pretty if they both lack usability."[1]

1. http://www.jnd.org/dn.mss/emotion_design.html

Avoid Depressionforums.org

2010-02-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

I don't use this blog forum as much. My friends are linked through my Facebook etc. However, after the loss of my mother I did struggle with depression. Having used the internet for many things, I visited the site Depression Forums as they were the most often linked to from the Google search.

In hindsight, this was a huge mistake. The site is moderated by layman and advice is not based in the current practices. Medical recommendations come from so-called experts, but only some cursory research shows nothing more than uneducated opinion.

In the world of psychology, is websites like Depression Forums that can kill people.

Perhaps the biggest indication that there was something wrong is that it is a .org run as a profit enterprise. BUYER BEWARE

Some examples of advice:

"It's okay to cut your CR pills" ... this could lead to death... this advice was posted by a site Moderator whom could be interpreted by an end-user as a expert. If you have any real questions, do not visit this site and contact a real doctor or therapist and AVOID Depression Forums

SNAPPED into a Slim Jim? Roof collapse at Slim Jim plant :: WRAL.com

2009-06-09T10:06:00.001-07:00

Workers injured in explosion, roof collapse at Slim Jim plant :: WRAL.com

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Cool

2009-04-21T06:43:00.001-07:00

Criminals are dumb, less work to get a job

2009-03-31T06:36:00.000-07:00

From: Telegraph UK

The court heard Davison, of Torquay, Devon, attempted to raid the bank just hours after appearing at a local court on a charge of criminal damage.

Egads, Fred Rogers is haunting me this morning

2009-03-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

I can't explain it really. I woke up this morning and realized I had a dream about Mr. Rogers neighborhood. The only thing my conscious mind had retained was the silly introduction and closing song. For your pleasure, I have included it so that you may also suffer my same fate.

Mr. Roger's neighborood

Won't you please, Won't you please....Please won't you be my neighbor

'Spider-Man' rescues autistic Thai boy from third-floor ledg

2009-03-24T09:47:00.001-07:00

A Thai fireman turned superhero when he dressed up as comic-book character Spider-Man to coax a frightened eight-year-old from a balcony.

Buying a used computer, beware!

2009-03-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

Threatpost.com reported about this issue. It is initially being dismissed in comments due to the need for Root as well as potentially physical Access to the machine. Wouldn't that be a case if you bought your machine second-hand? Buyer beware as this is NOT removable through flashing/wiping or anything else for that matter (as far as a layman can tell).

Dalai Lama denied visa for South Africa peace conference

2009-03-23T08:25:00.001-07:00

South Africa has refused the Dalai Lama a visa to attend an international peace conference in Johannesburg this week, a presidential spokesman said.The Dalai Lama fled China in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.The Dalai Lama fled China in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.The Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel Laureate did not receive a visa because it was not in South Africa's interest for him to attend, said Thabo Masebe.South Africa thinks that, if the Dalai Lama attended the conference, the focus would shift away from the 2010 World Cup -- the global soccer championship it will host next year.

read more | digg story

Um, anyone else gotten their SheevaPlug DK?

2009-03-18T08:48:00.001-07:00

It's a pocket Linux server and I ordered it for delivery in March. Just wondering if anyone else has seen one? I saw a few photos on a Flickr page but nothing else.

Too Fat to Work Family say £22000 Is Not Enough Benefit Cash

2009-03-18T07:26:00.001-07:00

A family of four with a combined weight of 83 stone (1162 pounds) say they are "too fat to work".

read more | digg story

CNN's understatement of the day

2009-03-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

From CNN:

Drought, flooding, storms and mass extinction in the future will have a heavy social cost

Of all the costs associated with drought, flooding, storms, and mass extinction it's the social cost that CNN think scares me? Really? How about being alive? Perhaps it is a priority thing with me. Breathing versus my social status....hmmmmm, what to choose, what to choose.....

He doesn't like CNBC

2009-03-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

CNBC Gives Financial Advice

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Economic Crisis

Lawmaker Wants Google Maps to Blur Certain Buildings

2009-03-11T10:23:00.001-07:00

Imagine if all the hospitals, schools, churches and government buildings that appear on online maps were nothing but blurs.

read more | digg story

Wow.

2009-03-08T14:53:00.001-07:00

Unbeleivable!! Check This out Man - Watch more funny videos here

I'd like to apologize

2009-03-02T11:27:00.001-08:00

I have been overusing FTW way too much as of late. It is funny the first few times but becomes redundant fast. I need a new 'shazam' type acronym to show my glee with something. Suggestions?

Psion: Intel has "unclean hands," we demand $1.2 Billion!

2009-03-02T06:29:00.001-08:00

Psion has countersued Intel, defending its claim to the netbook tradmark, unveiling a somewhat suspect table of netBook revenues, and demanding triple all Intel's profits on netbook products (some $1.2 Billion) plus punitive damages.

read more | digg story

Pirate Bay Witness’ Wife Overwhelmed With Flowers

2009-02-27T13:08:00.001-08:00

When Professor and media researcher Roger Wallis left the stand yesterday, the court asked whether he wanted to be reimbursed for his appearance. “You are welcome to send some flowers to my wife,” he responded. In the hours that followed, many Pirate Bay supporters took this suggestion to hand.

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12-hour Viagra-fuelled Orgy Ends in Death

2009-02-27T08:20:00.001-08:00

British newspaper, The Sun, reports the 28-year-old Russian man died after taking a bottle of Viagra pills for an apparent 12-hour sex romp.Two women told Moscow police they bet Tuganov $US4300 that he wouldn't be able to satisfy them during a non-stop half day sex marathon.The mechanic died of a heart attack minutes after winning the wager

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Ex-Bulls great Van Lier found dead in Chicago

2009-02-26T16:13:00.001-08:00

Ex-Bulls great Van Lier found dead in Chicago

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Why Hulu will fail

2009-02-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

Hulu will fail if their content can't be streamed through things like Boxee and Understudy

I have spent a great part of a decade watching all of these old and out of touch companies failing to adapt to a new user persona. The automotive industry, the entertainment industry. It's sad watching these gyrations. Worse yet, I feel for the honest workers earning fraction of what the leadership is making. GM needs to completely shift their infrastructure to producing a smaller portfolio of automobiles that are specialized towards markets (or even personalized). The entertainment industry needs to embrace the public. How about a subscription model based on advertising tolerance?

It's unfortunate that both these systems will fail for them to succeed.

Don't like EULAs? Have your cat agree to them.

2009-02-19T06:12:00.001-08:00

This is a brilliantly creative essay on how to get your feline friend to handle the physical click of the EULA. My only concern is that if you as the owner are legally responsible for the feline's actions. In theory you're the legal guardian of the cat. The quickest fix is to have someone else's cat do it.

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I find it funny...

2009-02-18T10:15:00.001-08:00

When the Republican party controlled things, Democrats were frustrated and upset about how much crap they were pulling (Rove-gate, Attorney firing-gate).

Now that the Democrats control things, Republicans are frustrated and upset about how much crap is being pulled.

I posted that this is the POT calling everyone else a POT and calling himself a KETTLE.

Simple Note to A-Rod

2009-02-17T18:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez,

I'm not saying that you should have taken or done what you have, but I understand.

--matt

Save the Netbooks: fighting a trademark on extinct hardware

2009-02-17T12:08:00.001-08:00

A trademark claim from a netbook maker from the days of yore threatens to hoard the generic use of the term "netbook" all for itself. Now, there's a movement to Save the Netbooks with a grassroots mission already underway.Wow, I haven't see a Trademark troll in a long time. By their own admission (through their site) they have discontinued the use of netBook as of 11/2003!

read more | digg story

Sorry, I think John Paxson is awful

2009-02-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

Paxson spends a lot of time debating and not enough time quitting. He debated Thomas over Aldridge, he debated Kobe Bryant, he debated Pau Gasol. Now he is debating Stoudamire...

[John Paxson], meanwhile, continue[s] to debate the pros and cons of Stoudemire. According to NBA sources, they also are monitoring the Clippers' situation to see if Chris Kaman or Marcus Camby can be pried loose.

FIRE JOHN PAXSON, REINSDORF SELL THE TEAM. ~~The Blackhawks led by example, their owner died and now they are a contender.~~ Paxson needs to put down Jordan's legacy jockstrap and realize he's awful. Instead of acquiring KAMAN from the Clipper, send PAXSON...
I'll be back Thursday to review the Larry Hughes for Bobby Simmons trade (I predict the only move to be made).

Or better yet, knowing PAXSON the Derrick Rose for Bobby Simmons trade.

2009-02-16T10:58:00.001-08:00

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 3 million Americans are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts, while nearly 7 million are allergic to seafood. Combined, food allergies cause 30,000 cases of anaphylaxis, 2,000 hospitalizations and 150 deaths annually.

Matt Dragon reports that 297 million Americans are NOT allergic to peanuts or tree nuts.

Darth Vader Kills George Lucas [Tattoo]

2009-02-16T07:09:00.001-08:00

Is this Irvin Kershner?

read more | digg story

Boy do Republicans have short memories

2009-02-16T06:48:00.000-08:00

"This is not 'change we can believe in,' " Graham, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, told ABC. He said Democrats "rammed it through the House" after starting out "with the idea, 'We won — we write the bill.' "

O RLY?

Lindsay Graham forgets what Repubs did when they "won".

Lindsay, please sit down and shut-up.

Paxson remains with Bulls, but for how long?

2009-02-13T10:14:00.001-08:00

Paxson remains with Bulls, but for how long?

He stood with Jerry Krause and ran the team into the ground. He stood by Paxson who ran the team into the ground.

Surround Derrick Rose with a stud inside and this team makes the playoffs every year. I would have loved to see Bosh or Stoudamire acquired, even if for 2 more seasons over Joke-Him(sic) Noah.

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Why do people despise Corporate suits?

2009-02-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

At a congressional hearing, both the president and the location manager (of the peanut company that has all the solmonella issues) pleaded the 5th amendment right to not incriminate yourself.

I think it is safe to assume that someone else will happily do it for you in a criminal (and eventual) civil trial.

To me, pleading the 5th in this scenario said, "I can't say anything because it will admit my guilt".

Giant Midwest Mecca of Nerditude in Oklahoma [PHOTOS]

2009-02-11T08:54:00.001-08:00

Kevin Stark from Pauls Valley, Okla., is a figurine collector and comic book artist who has become the Action Figure Museum curator. The museum has one of the largest action figure displays in the world, along with a Batman shrine, a superhero changing room and enough Transformers, G.I. Joes and He-Man figures to fill a grown man's bedroom.

read more | digg story

Toy trains 'Star Wars' fans to use The Force

2009-02-11T06:40:00.001-08:00

I can't wait to take it apart and use the interface for something with more Star Wars awesomeness.

The heart of the goodness is in the controller. Connecting that controller to a more powerful fan or whatever brings intense future entertainment value. More to come when it is released

Mac clone maker wins legal round against Apple

2009-02-10T08:00:00.001-08:00

This could put a giant hole in Apple exclusivity. I don't think anyone is asking Apple to support anything that they don't produce. I just wonder how support will work if Psystar wins.

I would hate to be budgeting Apple's support costs that will be impacted by a cloner win.

More after the jump

Report: Charles Barkley to return to TNT after All-Star Game

2009-02-09T17:13:00.001-08:00

TNT broadcasts just weren't the same without him. With all due respect to Gary Payton, Karl Malone and even CWebb....they aren't Charles.

read more | digg story

Great video

2009-02-09T06:19:00.000-08:00

I saw this on digg and had to display it. Great stop motion work.

Oren Lavie - Her Morning Elegance
Uploaded by IgnitionVM

Twitter Chatter During the Super Bowl (Interactive Graphic)

2009-02-03T19:08:00.001-08:00

I think this is a great experiment in group thought.

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I saw a photo on CNN and it was weird...

2009-02-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

I saw a weird photo on CNN today and it reminded me of a Great Depression photo I saw on About.com...

Celebrating Groundhog Day, the movie

2009-02-03T07:16:00.001-08:00

My favorite movie of all time. I interpreted it as given, "given enough time, even an jerk can learn". Followed by, "If you put in the effort, you'll score eventually".To me, it is the streaming ~~SENSICLE~~ SENSICAL one-liners that keep me engaged. None of them seem to be forced and the timing is great.

read more | digg story

Star Wars Fans Can Only Dream...

2009-02-03T06:52:00.001-08:00

Hilarious image of George Lucas.

read more | digg story

GM & Chrysler sue taxpayers... with taxpayer money

2009-02-03T06:49:00.001-08:00

As California’s attorney general, Jerry Brown, pointed out on NPR:“The irony here is the auto companies want a bailout, in many ways because they weren’t building the kind of cars that were compatible with today’s energy market – and at the same time, they want to keep going with their lawsuits, which have already cost millions and millions."

read more | digg story

Meeting Brando, Hong Kong's USB Willy Wonka

2009-02-02T11:55:00.001-08:00

The place looked like what would happen if a garage hobbyist, comp-sci college student, and nerdy teen mashed all their stuff together and exploded it into an otherwise sterile office. It was, in short, geek heaven.

read more | digg story

Facebook Plans to Make Money by Selling Your Data

2009-02-02T09:38:00.001-08:00

Sell my data and I quit your service. It shouldn't be that hard to write a wrapper to pull data with an authenticated Facebook token. FreeBook coming soon ;)

read more | digg story

Dual Booting the Wind - OSX and Windows 7 | Gear Diary

2009-02-02T08:05:00.001-08:00

I found this blog talking about dual booting. My expectation is that this could be used easily for an EEE just as much as for the Wind. However, this article is specific to the wind portion.

Dual booting the Wind with OS X and Windows 7, what an inexpensive way to try out two operating systems. I want to try OS X, but can't justify the price as I have so much invested in Windows already.

93-year-old freezes to death after city limits his electric

2009-01-27T11:05:00.001-08:00

I really dislike sensational articles.Apparently he hadn't paid his bill in 4 months, had disabled his furnace HIMSELF and was heating his house with his OVEN. Bad things happen sometimes.

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Why Wall Street could go to jail

2009-01-26T12:59:00.001-08:00

Is it wierd that they are all photos of white men? WHOOPS, Angelo Mozilo is more of an orange shade in his pic.I say NO ONE goes to jail over this.

read more | digg story

Monster.com Attacked By Hackers Again!

2009-01-26T11:41:00.001-08:00

Monster.com was attacked by hackers again. Monster is recommending that all users change their passwords and be on the watch for phishing emails.

read more | digg story

Kids Not As Dumb As You Might Think

2009-01-23T18:42:00.001-08:00

Kids…Not As Dumb As You Might Think

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I went with the unibody over the plastic Macbook

2009-01-23T10:05:00.000-08:00

I had been debating on upgrading my old MBP. I had the original 15" C2D that only supported 3 GIG of ram, had a tiny HDD etc.

Since Rana is a teacher, I could get a new Plastic macbook with old touchpad, old screen but with the updated CPU/GPU for 949 without tax (just Over 1K USD with Tax). It would also come with iLife 09 and other goodies. However, I plan on making this my portable laptop and not just my sitting in the house laptop. I have a netbook running 10.5.6 but the CPU is just too slow to do anything other than email and occassional movie on break.com. My 15"MBP is out of date hardware wise to support some of the things I want to do (watch HDTV from anywhere in the US using my elgato hybrid tv tuner). Moreover, the MBP is a 15, so it is huge. It's also heavy. I use 1 USB port and my firewire is attached to a rigged camcorder to allow me to take pictures without having to use the iSight.

So here I am, do I want to spend about 200 (after Apple charges me tax) less and not have the DDR3 abilities (future) and the resiliant case (because this will be my travelling laptop). Or do I want to spend more on the hope that DDR3 will be better long term and that the case will provide 200 dollars EXTRA protection.

In the end, I went with the more expensive Unibody solution. The bigger trackpad, larger HDD, use of DDR3 and the assurance that the case is more robust...was the decider.

Inauguration? What? My iPhone says there's a new version of iFart.

2009-01-22T13:32:00.001-08:00

Only in this day and age could someone with the opportunity to be witness face-to-face with history be caught multi-tasking.

read more | digg story

2009-01-22T09:28:00.000-08:00

Objective:

Tinker with an Asus EEE 901 XP.

Stock computer specs that I cared about:

Atom 1.6

1502 BIOS

1.3 Restore version

4gb master slc

8gb slave mlc

Bluetooth

Camera that I heard would work (builtin)

Other crap I bought for this:

Leopard 10.5.4 (no pirates here)

elgato hybrid tv tuner usb for mac

A whip antenna with BNC connector

A female bnc to male F type connector

Motorola signal booster (looked good on amazon)

A black and decker vpx battery and inverter

Goal:

Proof system for use on my MBP.

Future thought:

A USB powered system. If anyone knows of a USB powered video amplifier, please let me know. There are phono ones...perhaps the signal can be ported to that connection type...

Dear World, We're Back! Love U.S.A

2009-01-22T09:24:00.001-08:00

I saw this picture on Digg and I agree. It is about time the world could look at us as a partner and not as a bully.

read more | digg story

Stewart keeping it real on CC

2009-01-20T17:33:00.001-08:00

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Obama Inauguration

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Crying wolf?

2009-01-19T05:35:00.001-08:00

The FDA has to be revamped. I have noticed that the recently announced Peanut Butter recall has been expanded.

As a parent of children that thankfully do not have any allergies to peanuts our house if full of these products. From Ice Cream to cereal all the staples of a childhood diet has peanut butter/paste. The thing I have noticed is that people aren't removing these items as they did with the spinach and tomato scares. Is this a case of the boy who cried wolf? Has these recalls been issued to the point where people have come to accept the risk of having these items versus the cost of replacing them?

Fractals in broccoli: Scientific American

2009-01-17T07:32:00.001-08:00

Fractals in broccoli: Scientific American

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Circuit City to shut down .. all stores ...

2009-01-16T15:16:00.001-08:00

Court filing shows bankrupt electronics retailer seeks approval to sell merchandise in its remaining 567 stores.

read more | digg story