The last few days I’ve been reading Richard Florida’s Who’s Your City? In this book he talks about how populations centers have changed since the rise of the creative class. For the most part, Florida refutes Thomas Friedman’s theories in The World is Flat. Florida believes that where you live still matters, despite today’s advanced communication technologies. I definitely agree with this thesis. One can only do so much over a phone or internet connection. I have had my most rewarding moments in the workplace when I am able to sit and think about something with a coworker on a shared whiteboard.

Florida’s site has a Place Finder survey that attempts to rate which cities you should consider moving to. Here are my results:

1. San Francisco, CA
2. Chicago, IL - My current residence
3. Tel Aviv, Israel
4. New York, NY
5. Los Angeles, CA

I’m not so sure I agree on all counts, but it is quite an interesting result. One that I wasn’t expecting.

Of course, the survey is all self-report, so it’s definitely bound for some level of error. But still…it’s interesting to think about: in this ever so mobile era, where will any of us live a year from now?

If you’d like to take the survey, you can do it right now! Check it out:

So often we assume that the problems we are solving for are “pure”, even if they are somewhat complex. The images we see in advertisements help this base assumption survive, and so we don’t think to go a little deeper in our analysis of a problem before we jump right in to offering a solution.

The things we see in an Ikea showroom assume “pure” use patterns

But problems in the real world are almost always more complex than we can initially imagine. Deep down, we all know this. Our actions and activities are filled with complexities that we rarely think about. Real patterns of use are never represented the same way as they are on the Ikea showroom floor. We all accidentally leave books on the table…to the disappointment of those we live with. Sometimes it helps to look at an extreme case. Check out Possessed, a video about people who suffer from Hoarding:

POSSESSED from Martin Hampton on Vimeo.

Sure, these people are an extreme case, and as such they make up a case that is rarely ever considered by Ikea. Still, I’d imagine that there is a little Hoarder in all of us. This is why I recommend that my clients do user research before we begin designing solutions. I want to see the imperfections that exist out there…all the little “tricks of the trade” that people use to get things done. Yup, the real world is messy, but by getting out there and seeing some of the mess, we can design solutions to better support our users.

Did a little upgrading this morning. If you find any bugs, hiccups, errors, etc. please let me know.

The install itself wasn’t all that difficult - assuming you’ve got a degree that has something to do with Computer Science. I wish I could say it was as easy as clicking a few buttons, alas it was not. But now, after a little sweat and work I’ve got built-in spam blocking, automated database backups, and autosave as I write posts. Nice.

One of my little delights in life comes when I see a website or tool that I use has been refreshed. This morning, I was surprised to notice that LinkedIn has a new look. Check it out:

There’s a nice entry up on the LinkedIn Blog that talks about the three major changes:

1. System Navigation
2. Profile Snapshot
3. Customizable Widgets Panel

Of course, I don’t think the redesign can really be summarized by these 3 independent features. The fact is that the site has a completely new feel, and I doubt if you asked an everyday user what changed since yesterday they certainly would not list those three items. Instead, they would likely remark about the sweeping changes overall…then they would perhaps notice the feature changes.

Fighting the Backlash

Redesigns like this can be extremely challenging to implement for a company like LinkedIn. Not so much in the sense that they’re difficult to build technically, but for the backlash that is sure to follow. Already one user has commented on the blog asking for the ability to access the old version:

I was shocked by the new interface cause I was addicted to former layout for 4 years as I was shocked by the new layout of Office 2007 … I’m still using Word 2003.

So … Is it possible to have for some time to come (3 or 4 months) the choice to switch on and off the new interface.”

Carmelo Cutuli
Technomanager
www.cutuli.it

I never really understood the mentality that one would want to switch back and forth between old and new versions of a tool in order to learn the new one. So often in the physical world we leave our old junk behind, like when we trade in an old car for the updated model. But I guess that’s the difference between physical and digital: if you really wanted the old version back you’d be able to get it. Alternatively, there’s no way to get the old version of LinkedIn back. It’s completely gone (until LinkedIn decides to give access to it).

I’ve often thought about whether it would be possible to truly incrementally release design changes like the ones LinkedIn did. If they released small changes each week, would it have the same desired effect? I doubt it. Sometimes you just need to release a new design upon the world…it is jarring to some, but others will be impressed.

Count me in among the impressed. Well done, LinkedIn.

View Josh’s LinkedIn Profile

It’s a really nice bathroom sign. It really is. But seriously, can we do something about the air dryers in this country?

I appreciate the fact paper towels are a complete and total waste of resources, but the hand dryer situation is…well…out of hand. If those things could blow just 2 or 3 times harder, then they might actually work as intended.

My point is simply that signs on walls are all well and good, but its the design of the experience that determines success of a campaign. A huge proportion of people would indeed use air dryers, if they just did their job as expected.

Who’s with me? And who’s ready to build a new air dryer?

Apparently, my battery is dying. As you can see in the photo, my computer is proudly displaying the fact that my battery is “reaching the end of its usable life.” I’m not sure what that means, but boy would I like to know more.

Unfortunately, when I click on that little weird box that does not look like any other information dialog on my computer, it simply disappears. Is this Dell warning me that something really bad is about to happen to my battery, or are they just giving a simple nudge that maybe the support team at work should ship me a new one, on the double? Alternatively, is this a sign of malicious activity on my machine?

Well I just don’t know. Weird little non-modal appear-at-random-times popup friend, who are you? And what do you really mean to tell me?

I’m giving Hulu a shot. So far it’s pretty sweet. Don’t be mistaken, the success of a service like Hulu is greatly dependent on one thing: the programming. And I don’t mean software programming. It’s all about the shows, baby.

When it comes to programming, Hulu’s got a great start. There’s a bunch of shows on there that I like a lot, and a few I’ve been wanting to try out. They even have a few movies.

The interface is pretty seamless as well. I was pleasantly surprised when one episode of The Office ended, the next one started up automatically. Now, you might think this isn’t a big deal, but really it is when I’m sitting on my keyster and the computer is plugged into the TV all the way on the other side of the room.

The one thing that they haven’t figured out is the advertising. Perhaps I’m not hip to the ad game, but I’d say playing the same ad over and over every 10 minutes is bad form. In fact, if I see that Cisco ad one more time I think I’ll scream.

They allow you to create custom clips to share with others, a pretty cool idea. So if you want to send that 2 minute segment of an hour-long show, it’s no problem…just create a custom clip.

Frankly, I think Hulu should be just about there in terms of features. If you want to give it a try, go get yourself an invite, on the main page.

Update: Hmm…just noticed they do a bit of censoring…at least for the movies. Strange.

I’ve long held the opinion that it’s important to think long and hard before upgrading to new technologies. Often a single technology purchase causes a daisy-chain of purchases, as illustrated below:

Nintendo Wii > Big, giant, flat TV > Cable > Premium Channels (Total upgrade cost = $250 + $1,000 + $60/mo + $10/mo = More than $1,300, plus a contract with the cable company…)
or

Apple Macbook > New Case + Parallels + Windows Vista > Software for both operating systems (Total upgrade cost = $1,600 + $40 + $80 + $200 + $500 = ~$2,500)
and my current quandary:

Blackberry Pearl > Bluetooth headset (& other devices) + Mobile Internet Subscription + Media Card

The thing is, I’ve had my current phone for more than 3 years. It’s getting dated, but it still works well and does pretty much everything I need it to. Well, at least it does everything I’ve become accustomed to needing. Other than weighing pure costs, the most important thing I do before buying a new technology is ask this simple question:

How will this technology change my life?

It’s important that I understand this, because if I don’t think about it then I risk throwing money away on crappy, needless technology. It’s more than just thinking about the technology’s features, but about how those features will impact my daily life. So, let’s run through this question, applied to the Blackberry Pearl. So, how will the Blackberry Pearl change my life?

Positives:

• No need for a separate iPod or similar device.
• The Pearl’s media card holds music, and my headphones will fit in the phone itself.
• No need for a separate digital camera.
• Well, that’s not entirely true, but the Pearl does have a 2 megapixel camera…which is good enough for most point and shoot needs. The real question is, will Verizon lock these pictures on to my camera, or allow me to easily and freely transfer them to my (or others’) computers?
• Email from anywhere
• I’ll be able to get my Gmail from anywhere…on the train or walking down the street, or even at a client site that doesn’t allow me to check personal mail on their network.
• Chat from anywhere
• Same as with email, but I’ll be able to chat with people from anywhere.
• Internet capable
• This could be life changing. If I can use the internet from anywhere then I can do tons of other things. I can check competitive prices while I shop at target, or blog from the street corner. This could make life very interesting.
• GPS directions mean I’m less likely to be lost
• I’m using up to date technology
• This might seem like a minor detail, but I think it’s pretty important for someone whose job it is to design experiences based on technology. It’s important for me to know the potential of the current devices and tools, and I have to admit that my old phone doesn’t really allow me to do that anymore.

Negatives:

• Who wants or needs to get email all the time?
• I certainly won’t be hooking this up to all my email accounts. The last thing I want is some device to vibrate for each email I receive all day…
• “Crackberry” potential
• I also don’t want to get hooked to this device. I’ve already got my face in front of a computer screen for a majority of the day…the last thing I need is to be addicted to another screen.
• It’s not an iPhone (or Google Phone).
• ‘Nuff said.
• I’m not sure if it will play nice with my mac…
• Can it sync up with my web-based stuff like Google Calendar? I guess maybe I can just view gCal from the browser?
• Big one: Once I advance to this technology, will I ever be able to go back to living life without? This has a little to do with addiction, and a lot to do with how the phone will change the way I do things. What if I’m at a point in my life where I can no longer afford to pay $80/mo for phone+internet service? Will I be able to go back?
• Extra $40/mo for mobile internet is pretty steep… (though work will cover it)

I’m sure there’s more, but for now I want to put this out into the world and see what you all think. Should I make the upgrade? Take the leap? Jump into the abyss? Or not?

Please weigh in in the comments…

So this evening I’m reinstalling Java. Not by choice, but because the annoying little balloon keeps on popping up in the corner of my screen. Then, while it’s installing, the installer has the audacity to say something extremely stupid like:

By installing Java, you will be able to experience the power of Java…”

NO WAY! That is AWESMOE*! Well thank you very much Java, for allowing me to experience the power of JAVA!

Alright, maybe I’m being a little hard on these designers…but seriously people, words matter! By putting silly little mistakes like this into an installer you’re immensely hurting your credibility. In fact, if I didn’t know better I’d think this might be a virus written by a kid in his basement, not a development platform backed by a company with nearly 35,000 people.

So, Sun, how about a little fixer upper?

* Awesmoe = Awesome to the power of 10

Alternatively titled: On Covering Your Ass

Check out that picture on the right. That’s from my credit card’s website. My favorite part is the red link on the bottom that proclaims, “See fewer choices.” You know what that option is? That’s a designer or usability person saying to the team, “Hello team, we have heard from users that there are too many choices on the screen.” Then the usability/design person recommends that we prioritize the options on the screen and progressively disclose them so that only the most used choices will be shown up front.

Then someone on the team shouts, “But we can’t remove links that are already there! Users will haaaaate that! Maybe we can just put an option to ‘See fewer choices,’ that way we can make everyone happy!” The designer/usability person shakes their head in disapproval. What the team did in is take the easy way out. Rather than analyzing user needs on a deeper level and getting an understanding about what choices are valuable at each point in time, they simply put a link to “See fewer choices.”

Lazy, lazy, lazy.

Building usable tools is about more than giving the user exactly what they ask for. It’s about designing for needs…needs that the users themselves can sometimes be blind to. It’s about thinking deeply about problems, and crafting creative solutions based on data (that has been gathered from the real world of the users).

Let’s work a little harder to make better software, shall we? I shall. Who’s with me?