uh...did you need that much space to write all that? People self-censor every day by choosing what they read. People who listen to one radio station filter out all the other radio stations. People who listen to Rush Limbaugh all day censor themselves by not flipping the dial. The difference is, self-censorship is an individual's choice, not state-imposed.
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Re:Everything by Bradury is great
on
Fahrenheit 451
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· Score: 1
Not exactly...I have tried reading his last three collections of stories and found all of them fairly disappointing - I always liked his tales of mystery and science fiction, but *sigh* the last three collections are just lame. He seems to be using "!"s a heck of a lot, and most of the stories are pretty abstract and obtuse. Of course, everything else just rocks:-) I have always been a big fan.
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Best of the Worst eCommerce sites
on
Boo No More
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· Score: 1
Just the other day, someone sent me a link with what my page looked like in mack speak...www.mackers.com It was the most hilarious thing I had ever seen!
Does this mean The Shannonizer will be next? Will they stomp on them all?
Indeed...why did the link to the tutorial crash Netscape? I mean, I know N is pretty screwy in general, but it takes a heck of a lot of bad code for page to make a browser constantly crash.
I am wondering myself - if it's one of those "learn good design by bad design" sites. I have been wired for 6 yrs, deeply involved in coding and design and functionality, reading Wired (ugh, I know, I know:-)), reading all that I can get my hands on and have never heard of Zeldman either. Now if you had said Vincent Flanders...well yeah sure...
Your not complaining. If information can't be accessible, what's the point? If the audience isn't being reached, the creators of it have to know or they won't change the site.
Web rot certainly sux...ever see the Ghost Sites of the Web on www.disobey.com?:-)
I hear ya brother! I run a large website that's pretty well laid out and pretty clear (navs on top and bottom) and it amazes me how much email I get, mostly from Compuserve or AOLers (sigh!!! what can I say? They're just idiots, I don't mean to berate users, but man, it just grates on ya) that totally boggle my mind.
I have training in information usability, but some of the stuff...like ppl who don't know how to use email...or don't even know that AOL *IS* their browser (I'll never forget the person who told me they never used a browser. Quite mystified, I asked them, how do you view pages on the net? "With the AOL thingy")
There should be some mandatory guide out there for new users...like what FAQ means. I have a FAQ link on every page, and I still get the same questions every week. Sigh...am I being unrealistic?
I don't see why a scrollbar is so hard to use. You use it in so many other applications - hmm, OK, maybe not in Solitaire, but I find it pretty hard to believe that someone couldn't be exposed to a scrollbar and still use a computer.
I am trying to keep another site of mine single screen where possible, simply because the viewers are ppl not familiar with the net...it definitely presents a design challenge:-):-)
I agree. You know those sites where almost everything comes up in a pop up window? It's was just a bad idea IMHO. On some sites you might have might have 3-4 little windows open on your screen (the name of the one particular site will be withheld!). And I can just picture some AOLers minimizing or closing a window and wondering, "Hey, where'd it go?".
On one site I worked on, a lot of the questions became very dumbed down. It was an incredible process...one question went from something like "Choose a decorative motive that suits your style best" to simply "Which color do you like best?"
So I agree that it does take some skill to use the net. On my own site I occasionally get email (and they ALWAYS come from AOL) like "How can I get a copy of this picture" and no link or further description of what they want is included...like I'm supposed to have some sort of psychic connection:-):-)
I think a lot of designers have trouble translating from print as well...they don't realize that things work differently on the net, there's only so much you can control and direct where the user goes.
Heh, I'm 22 and still love toons:-):-) Man, I remember Darkstar! Holy cow...am I showing my age? I was just thrilled when YTV, around 1990, had all these old cartoons on before they picked up Nickleodeon shows (Catdog? Pleeeez) I was just thrilled to see them again - the Lone Ranger, Blackstar, Count Duckula (whimper!), Spartacus...all those Filmation toons that are quite gathering dust I imagine.
LOL tell me about it! I had points two days ago and marked down some trolls and flames...I think 2, at least...the other 3 were good posts...but not as good as this.
In Alberta we're facing the anniversary of a copycat "rampage" (I hate that word) where a boy who was rather sickly (he had a heart operation aftewards, I think) and mental and picked on went to his school in a blue trenchcoat and killed one student, wounded another.
Virk's case is extremely shocking, and proof that something in society is failing and we are turning out mean children who grow up to be mean and abusive adults. It's so easy to blame the obvious reasons, but I bet you 100% that most of these things are caused by children who are unable to control anger, have low self-esteem and see no hope in their own future at such a young age.
As a library professional, I agree with you. Have you ever waited for an ILL? I have been waiting for one for two YEARS from the National Library of Canada. Getting a book from somewhere else in the province once took three months. I can't wait that long to read something, then only have it for a few weeks!
>This is the gov't telling the poor and the non 31337 that they have no right to knowledge
I know...I would rather see books online. Reading itself is a pretty solitary activity, unless you're reading to a group. There's nothing arrogant about reading online, it's just a sign of the times.
As a library professional, I agree with you. Have you ever waited for an ILL? I have been waiting for one for two YEARS from the National Library of Canada. Getting a book from somewhere else in the province once took three months. I can't wait that long to read something, then only have it for a few weeks!
>This is the gov't telling the poor and the non 31337 that they have no right to knowledge
I know...I would rather see books online. Reading itself is a pretty solitary activity, unless you're reading to a group. There's nothing arrogant about reading online, it's just a sign of the times.
http://www.neuromedia.com and check out their AI. True, they're not quite like Jeeves, but you can have a heck of a lot of fun. Ask the AI, "Red" if he likes guys, is married, etc etc:-)
However, as an info help function on a e-com website, say, you really can't beat the answer/pair replies.
I have found Ask Jeeves pretty useless. I type in a question and I get a bunch of links unrelated. A waste of time IMHO, and especially for sites that use AJ as their info help concierge.
Excellent point. What about your library? Do you still have science books from the 50s in there? When I volunteered at my high school library in 1995, I destroyed a heck of a lot of outdated materials. This included books on Jamaica that were hideously outdated and fairly racist, books on countries that were obviously out of date (ie, books on Russia...), some rather cheery books on the benefits of nuclear power and the like. Printed information goes stale. I hate to think that classrooms are using science texts from the 80s still (heck, here in Alberta they are using ones that first came out in 1990 - the Science Directions series Gr 7-9)...indeed, what is more important, a bunch of computers that ultimately no one knows how to use or fix (and that happened at another school I volunteered at) or decent heating, abestos removal etc etc.
The computer room in the schools I went to were unique, usually ran by one gung ho teacher. Hmmm...let's see, I was in Grade 8 in 1990...and we were still using Apple 2e's. Decent, sturdy machines that taught me a lot about computing without a mouse.
I didn't get my own computer until 1996. It's a Pentium and keeps on trucking - very adequate for my needs and newly upgraded with 64MB of RAM. I was in college then and lab shortage space at SAIT compelled me. Plus I had discovered the net and I really wanted access:-)
I have to agree to, not all ppl are machine-compatible. My mom hates the computer. I know ppl my age that hate computers. What can you do? You can teach a person so much, but it's up to them to use that learning.
I agree. I remember when I had to carry my own Tylenol (wrapped in my pocket in a piece of kleenex) because I needed parental permission to get one from the school nurse. Uh, yeah, I'm going to OD on one Tylenol! However, I understand the legalities and the fears. Now you see in the US where kids are being suspended for playing cops and robbers and cowboys and indians with guns made out of their hands. Oh whither childhood?
Couldn't help but notice your sig. Can you imagine if they had this back in the 40s and 50s, there would have been no Hunter S. Thompson. No Burroughs either. Heck, a lot of great writers would have been expelled from the system.
Yup - and it even made it onto a Law & Order episode.
There is an excellent book out there called Outrage: The Story Behind the Tawana Brawley Hoax. It's incredible how one person's stupidity divided a city.
It's the same as in that article yesterday about Esther Dyson where the interviewer took note of her clothes. Not surprised to see Katz fall into that trap, sadly.
If you can't live in that world, you don't stand a chance of changing it.
I agree. I drove my mother nuts by playing with boys and most of my friends are men. It's a world I'm comfortable in and don't feel threatened...because it is, like you say, hard to find other women who really like programming and it's not something that ends at the end of the work day for them.
OTOH, I was mostly shut out of any female groups because I just didn't have the interest in frilly things. I told my mom I just couldn't be a delicate child.
I don't fit into "women's" sites either...closest would be the chickclick network, I admit...
Okay, maybe that's what the statistics say, but we all know statistics are rarely accurate.
I wholeheartedly agree. If you can't get out in real life and make friends regardless of gender, and need to spill your guts online, that's a problem right there. I feel sorry for ppl when I peek at a messageboard and you see the same name there constantly...what's preventing them from getting out in the sun, you know?
:-) Hey fella, I've been there:-):-) (look for earlier post).
You will find yourself a geeky girl...I am one and I found myself a geeky guy who is caring and kind...I wouldn't settle for anything but a nerd or a geek...yes, girls like that do exist:-):-) I love him for his brains as much as he loves me for mine:-)
Even if the quote was made up, I have to believe it. When I worked in a library I played dumb all the time. The older women didn't want to know that I knew more about the internet and computers and where the books actually where in the library. I've played dumb for guys a lot...but now I am happily going out with a nerd who doesn't mind...*g* who else would cuddle with him on the couch and talk about command line interfaces?:-) (yes, I am a girl. A proud gonzo grrrl:-))
tho I will say the Chickclick network is a lot better than what's out there...
Most "women's" sites rehash beauty and homemaking mag crap (just check out women.com), goofy quizzes (imagine my surprise when my "soul sister" turned out to be Queen Latifah based on five generic questions).
Women's content on the web sucks. I don't like being the target of Martha Stewart or beauty products or anything that I "should" be interested in because I'm female. I find the personal information these sites ask for is incredible, and they all proclaim to be for the sisterhood, yet they can't resist pitching magazine subscriptions, $50 cookie cutters and lipstick. I'm a real woman! Give me something real.:-) I don't want to spill out my life story and end up in a pyschographic lump.
I hate to think that just because I am female these sites (and mags) assume I am automatically interested in heart warming stories and sit around all day batting my eye lashes to woo the "perfect man" while dreaming up a five course meal.
Salon has had some great articles about these kind of sites aimed at women *and* their wallets...at least, like their motto, Chickclick is a site that doesn't fake it...there's nothing I dislike than being deceived, especially under the guise of corporate friendliness
Slashdot Mirror
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why wasn't I surprised to see boo on here a month ago?
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Does this mean The Shannonizer will be next? Will they stomp on them all?
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Web rot certainly sux...ever see the Ghost Sites of the Web on www.disobey.com?
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I have training in information usability, but some of the stuff...like ppl who don't know how to use email...or don't even know that AOL *IS* their browser (I'll never forget the person who told me they never used a browser. Quite mystified, I asked them, how do you view pages on the net? "With the AOL thingy")
There should be some mandatory guide out there for new users...like what FAQ means. I have a FAQ link on every page, and I still get the same questions every week. Sigh...am I being unrealistic?
I don't see why a scrollbar is so hard to use. You use it in so many other applications - hmm, OK, maybe not in Solitaire, but I find it pretty hard to believe that someone couldn't be exposed to a scrollbar and still use a computer.
I am trying to keep another site of mine single screen where possible, simply because the viewers are ppl not familiar with the net...it definitely presents a design challenge
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On one site I worked on, a lot of the questions became very dumbed down. It was an incredible process...one question went from something like "Choose a decorative motive that suits your style best" to simply "Which color do you like best?"
So I agree that it does take some skill to use the net. On my own site I occasionally get email (and they ALWAYS come from AOL) like "How can I get a copy of this picture" and no link or further description of what they want is included...like I'm supposed to have some sort of psychic connection
I think a lot of designers have trouble translating from print as well...they don't realize that things work differently on the net, there's only so much you can control and direct where the user goes.
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Heh, I'm 22 and still love toons :-) :-) Man, I remember Darkstar! Holy cow...am I showing my age? I was just thrilled when YTV, around 1990, had all these old cartoons on before they picked up Nickleodeon shows (Catdog? Pleeeez) I was just thrilled to see them again - the Lone Ranger, Blackstar, Count Duckula (whimper!), Spartacus...all those Filmation toons that are quite gathering dust I imagine.
In Alberta we're facing the anniversary of a copycat "rampage" (I hate that word) where a boy who was rather sickly (he had a heart operation aftewards, I think) and mental and picked on went to his school in a blue trenchcoat and killed one student, wounded another.
Virk's case is extremely shocking, and proof that something in society is failing and we are turning out mean children who grow up to be mean and abusive adults. It's so easy to blame the obvious reasons, but I bet you 100% that most of these things are caused by children who are unable to control anger, have low self-esteem and see no hope in their own future at such a young age.
>This is the gov't telling the poor and the non 31337 that they have no right to knowledge
I know...I would rather see books online. Reading itself is a pretty solitary activity, unless you're reading to a group. There's nothing arrogant about reading online, it's just a sign of the times.
>This is the gov't telling the poor and the non 31337 that they have no right to knowledge
I know...I would rather see books online. Reading itself is a pretty solitary activity, unless you're reading to a group. There's nothing arrogant about reading online, it's just a sign of the times.
However, as an info help function on a e-com website, say, you really can't beat the answer/pair replies.
I have found Ask Jeeves pretty useless. I type in a question and I get a bunch of links unrelated. A waste of time IMHO, and especially for sites that use AJ as their info help concierge.
The computer room in the schools I went to were unique, usually ran by one gung ho teacher. Hmmm...let's see, I was in Grade 8 in 1990...and we were still using Apple 2e's. Decent, sturdy machines that taught me a lot about computing without a mouse.
I didn't get my own computer until 1996. It's a Pentium and keeps on trucking - very adequate for my needs and newly upgraded with 64MB of RAM. I was in college then and lab shortage space at SAIT compelled me. Plus I had discovered the net and I really wanted access
I have to agree to, not all ppl are machine-compatible. My mom hates the computer. I know ppl my age that hate computers. What can you do? You can teach a person so much, but it's up to them to use that learning.
I agree. I remember when I had to carry my own Tylenol (wrapped in my pocket in a piece of kleenex) because I needed parental permission to get one from the school nurse. Uh, yeah, I'm going to OD on one Tylenol! However, I understand the legalities and the fears. Now you see in the US where kids are being suspended for playing cops and robbers and cowboys and indians with guns made out of their hands. Oh whither childhood?
Good point. We all are commodity now.
Couldn't help but notice your sig. Can you imagine if they had this back in the 40s and 50s, there would have been no Hunter S. Thompson. No Burroughs either. Heck, a lot of great writers would have been expelled from the system.
There is an excellent book out there called Outrage: The Story Behind the Tawana Brawley Hoax. It's incredible how one person's stupidity divided a city.
It's the same as in that article yesterday about Esther Dyson where the interviewer took note of her clothes. Not surprised to see Katz fall into that trap, sadly.
I agree. I drove my mother nuts by playing with boys and most of my friends are men. It's a world I'm comfortable in and don't feel threatened...because it is, like you say, hard to find other women who really like programming and it's not something that ends at the end of the work day for them.
OTOH, I was mostly shut out of any female groups because I just didn't have the interest in frilly things. I told my mom I just couldn't be a delicate child.
I don't fit into "women's" sites either...closest would be the chickclick network, I admit...
Okay, maybe that's what the statistics say, but
we all know statistics are rarely accurate.
I wholeheartedly agree. If you can't get out in real life and make friends regardless of gender, and need to spill your guts online, that's a problem right there. I feel sorry for ppl when I peek at a messageboard and you see the same name there constantly...what's preventing them from getting out in the sun, you know?
You will find yourself a geeky girl...I am one and I found myself a geeky guy who is caring and kind...I wouldn't settle for anything but a nerd or a geek...yes, girls like that do exist
Even if the quote was made up, I have to believe it. When I worked in a library I played dumb all the time. The older women didn't want to know that I knew more about the internet and computers and where the books actually where in the library. I've played dumb for guys a lot...but now I am happily going out with a nerd who doesn't mind...*g* who else would cuddle with him on the couch and talk about command line interfaces? :-) :-))
(yes, I am a girl. A proud gonzo grrrl
tho I will say the Chickclick network is a lot better than what's out there...
Most "women's" sites rehash beauty and homemaking mag crap (just check out women.com), goofy quizzes (imagine my surprise when my "soul sister" turned out to be Queen Latifah based on five generic questions).
Women's content on the web sucks. I don't like being the target of Martha Stewart or beauty products or anything that I "should" be interested in because I'm female. I find the personal information these sites ask for is incredible, and they all proclaim to be for the sisterhood, yet they can't resist pitching magazine subscriptions, $50 cookie cutters and lipstick. I'm a real woman! Give me something real.
I hate to think that just because I am female these sites (and mags) assume I am automatically interested in heart warming stories and sit around all day batting my eye lashes to woo the "perfect man" while dreaming up a five course meal.
Salon has had some great articles about these kind of sites aimed at women *and* their wallets...at least, like their motto, Chickclick is a site that doesn't fake it...there's nothing I dislike than being deceived, especially under the guise of corporate friendliness