My 2012
It's been an amazing year, getting married, the olympics, doing my first public speaking gig, so many highlights. Here's just a few in pictures
Tagged “Ramblings”
Retrospective - Apple product prediction
Well over a year ago, I wrote an article on the regulated rigidness that is Apple's product release cycle. I mapped out the next two years of Apple's product launches down to the month, and it has been the most viewed post on my blog for the entirety of last year, even eclipsing Smashing Mag calling my bookshelf "rough". nearly 40% of all page views were for that and over 80% of searches led to that page
5 Rules for a great workspace
Geeks need their space
Today's post inspiration comes courtesy of Matthew Solle (@solle) who tweeted this video of Campaign Monitor's new offices
Post drought = busy
You know those days, the ones that turn into weeks, and when the weeks can quickly turn into months you start thinking I really should have stopped the rot when it was weeks (and before that, days). That feeling, is what I have now. Over the past few weeks (actually, nearly a month), I've been rushing around trying to get projects sorted, doing extra projects and starting new ones. Therefore, I haven't had a chance to post. My bad. 
Good news is, I've found 10 minutes to write, so, here's my last month: 1. I've been asked to write articles for UX Magazine from an industry perspective. I'll be posting once every few months, with my first one due in a week or two. I'm really pleased to be able to write for these guys who are just trying to spread the word of UX 2. I'm at a new client, doing standards-based SharePoint work. I know, those two words don't go well together, but just go with me on this one. 3. I'm finishing an iPhone demo too. This could be really big so fingers crossed 4. I'm going to buy an iPad. I had previously said that I won't buy one til the 2nd generation, and, like with my 1G iPod Touch, I'll probably regret it in the end, but I want one dammit! 5. Finally, if you didn't know already, I'm now engaged to my girlfriend/now fiancee Emily. We had a very good party last weekend and even 8 days later are still not fully recovered
I could really do with an iPad right now
I've found my use case for an iPad: working without wi-fi. 
I'm sat on my sofa watching the superbowl and my Internet connection is down. I'm left trying to write blog posts on my iPhone, which, by the speed of my typing, is not going to be fun. At this point, I'd like an iPad. I'd like a laptop which isn't quite a laptop, it just does what I need it to do. Thanks to lots of apps, the only thing I couldn't do on an iPad would be code, and I'm sure that won't be far away. All I want to do is write a blog post from the comfort of my sofa, without getting cramp in my hands or the battery running out.
Apple product roadmap 2010-2011 (prediction)
If you're like me, with an eye on Google Reader even over the holidays, you won't have failed to notice the upcoming Apple event at which the Apple touch-screen tablet, likely to be called iSlate or the Slate, will be announced. Such is the predictability of this event, given the number of rumours that have appeared, it is now completely without interest. Even the stock market takes more notice of Apple's rumours, rather than their product announcements.
Recent work - entirely non-UI focused
When I created this blog, I wanted it to be about user interfaces, CSS, and maybe a bit of client script and design. That's what I do and what I love doing, truly it's what I got into this business to do. My last few months, however, have been spent dealing with all sorts of other technologies that exist nowhere near the front end.
Unique IDs in AJAX Web Applications
This week, Roger Johansson of 456 Berea Street posted about unique IDs in web applications. I read this and thought, "you're right, they should be unique, but what if you've got an AJAX repeater?" By this I mean when I'm loading functional parts of my application that I'll be referencing with JavaScript again, do I have to maintain a unique ID? Surely it knows what I added last or how to make them into an array?
Why I Use Opera - A case for the browser underdog
I’ve been using Opera since it reached version 9.0 in 2006. I have used it every day since in one form or another. I use Opera on my PA laptop, on my Mac, on my TV, my games console and on my Phone, and since Opera’s rendering engine is now built into some Adobe products (Photoshop, Dreamweaver and GoLive) I’m using Opera even when I don’t realise it.
Athlete @ The Camden Roundhouse
A few weeks ago, the Camden Roundhouse played host to one of Britain's great underestimated bands. Perhaps to call them undiscovered would be a misrepresentation for Athlete have had 3 top-ten albums and a couple of top-ten singles, but the sell-out crowd would call them one of the country's most unappreciated bands. The crowd was mostly middle-class 18-30s, a lot of couples and close groups of friends, which is probably one of the biggest indicators of why Athlete have never taken off in the way they should have. They're not a band that your whole group of friends will like, some people will understand and some won't. Truth be told, I didn't get in to their latest album, Beyond the Neighbourhood, until the 3rd listen, but after that I was hooked. Its beautiful balance of soft guitar, electronic noise and traditional rock has made it one of my favourite albums of 2007.
Apple Store Frivolity
Wandering around London today, I found myself in the Apple store on Regents Street, firstly to find out who's supporting Athlete tonight in Camden (Boy Kill Boy was the answer), but secondly to test a rumour I heard. I'd been told that the iPhones in the store all had working sim cards and you could make and receive calls! I had to find out if it was true.
Macbook Airy fairy
Whilst at work today, I, like almost everyone else in the office, was being updated in some way/shape/form on the Macworld keynote speech, in which lord Jobs announced a number of products including the Macbook Air. Possibly the most talked-about piece of hardware since the iPhone, the ultra-portable macbook looks mighty pretty (see picture below) and is incredibly small. I'm writing this on a 3rd generation Macbook with the same 13.3" screen, but the new Air will be almost as thin as the lid of the macbook!
The Facebook Platform
Interviews and Decisions
Today I was at PA Consulting in London (Victoria). This was my last interview of my job hunting process as I've already been offered a job at HP which I've accepted (not signed on the line yet tho). There were 4 of us there, including a guy I met at the HP interview (he'd been offered a job there too). We got on quite well as I knew him and he was nice n chatty. We weren't actually in PA's offices as their meeting room floor is being re-furbished, we were on the 27th floor of a building nearby (which had rather spectacular views). Anywho, the day was set out to have three tasks. An interview by a senior consultant, a case study and a group exercise. Firstly, I'll say that these were the hardest three tasks I've had at any assessment day.
One long week
This has been a truly amazing week. I've travelled over 1000 miles and I'm not done travelling yet. I've had success, I've had failure, but I've also had so much fun that I'd do it all again in an instant.
Designertopia - Day 2
Friday 2nd Feb 2007
Vista launch = patches
If you didn't know already, Microsoft officially released Windows Vista yesterday. I've been running Vista for 2 months now, and in that time it I've seen some major performance improvements, mostly thanks to new drivers.
Application Forms
There's a certain monotony about application forms. I'm currently on the fourth of the day (LogicaCMG) after completing 3 yesterday, bringing the final total to.... 15! You will not believe the number of times I've repeated myself, or how a very slight change in the question can lead to a completely different answer.
Why electronic Monopoly sucks
Ok, I'll explain a bit first.