Lately I’ve been experimenting with several different themes, trying to find the perfect theme for the blog. No luck on that issue. At the moment I’ve settled to TLight with some quick customizations. The other themes that I’ve tested suffered problems with rendering with different browsers. The TLight seems to render correctly and quickly at least on major browsers, even though it lacks the option that the finer themes have. Oh, and it’s wide enough for the layout pictures, like on the Chrome Page Titles -post, so it’s going to serve the Mint Usability to the audiences for a while now.
I’ve also been building my own theme for the blog but that’s still in the pipeline, and prolly going to be still for a while since I also have other things to attend to. Like the concept that I’m working as my thesis: It’s going to be a concept design, instead of user interface design, that I originally planned to do.
Oh, and got the Lightbox issue resolved finally. Yey! Now it works like it should. Happy picture clicking!
Every now and then you just stumble upon something that you just can’t keep your mouth shut, even though it would be completely inappropriate to talk about it in the current context. Don’t you? I know I do. So… Enter the random thoughts part of the blog.
I spent sizeable chunk of today entertaining myself via YouTube. Me being the geek that I am, the entertainment didn’t involve videos that would actually have some entertainment values, instead amongst others I watched F-Secure Labs videos, featuring Mikko Hyppönen. Pretty interesting stuff, like the retaliation function of Storm botnet or the Targeted attacks; Using SQL injection (or any other type of attack) just for data gathering purposes (just like recon in the army), to prepare for the actual attack, thus making it personalized and more effective. Which email would you rather open, a random mail with weird topic or a mail from your coworker, talking about the project that you are working on? It seems to me that computer viruses are evolving on accelerated pace.
At the moment these are just couple of targeted attacks, and even those were directed to companies, the masses are still getting the anonymous “Click here” -link treatment. However, there is certain what if scenario where data gathering and “AI” are meshed together, and this might change everything in social webspace. Permanently.
Continue reading “Offtopic of the day: Viruses to permanently change social networking?”
Just bled for 550€ worth to Austria so you better come through ÖAD!
But enough of that, let’s get back to business!
When watching from the blogs point of view, it seems that nothing has happened for a month. This, however, is not what has been going on. Here’s why.
Reason one. Work has swamped me. Been doing 11-12 hour days. Though it’s hardly a good excuse not to post anything, but as it turns out it’s one of the reasons.
Reason two. I’ve bought myself an domain (www.mintusability.com) for the blog and the whole blog-project. I’ve been evaluating different platorms for the site and setting things up. When the decision was made I’ve spent some time on Photoshop but noting final has yet to emerge from that process. Made some mockup logos and layouts, still not liking it enough, so I’m using the default theme at the moment.
Reason three. I’ve started coding of completely new project, which I knew I would need to tackle at some point. It’s going to be a long process, including Java, touchscreens and mining companies. At the moment I’m working on designing the architecture and coding some user interface things.
Reason four. As the time approaches for me to leave Finland, I’ve been tying to take care of things. Apartment in there in taken care of, apartment at Austria is on it’s way. I’m hoping I’d get a room from Studentenheim Greenbox, which is a dormitory right next to the university of FH Joanneum.
So. At this day I’m officially moving to this new domain.
Some comments about the user experience of Life 1.0:
One. Nordic Game 2008 conference came and went, and what a journey it was! Learned a lot, experienced more and met tons of interesting people. And the free bar was a treat, not so much on the next morning though. Even fell somewhat in love with the city of Malmo, though it lies in Sweden and I’m a finn, down to the bone. Just gotta love the parks and the architecture. Come 2009 and I will be there again, if I just can find a way to get the funding and time sorted.
Two. Saw new Indiana Jones (The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) and got disappointed. I can’t even remember when was the last time I have felt so let down by a movie. I’m not even a hardcore fan of Indy franchise and I still I felt empty after, even though I wanted to love this one. The beginning was ok but the farther it went the deeper it burrowed itself. All the mystical feeling and smart dialogue just wasn’t there, the plot was hazy, characters insignificant (even down to Indy), too much too over-the-top/plain stupid scenes (like the fridge or “tarzan” scene not to mention the “great twist”)… the list goes on. To make a point, didn’t like it, happy to forget it.
Three. Mars Phoenix lander will make it’s thing tonight. I’m still wondering if I could stay up and watch the live coverage from NASA TV. The landing and live coverage should happen around 0200-0300 GMT +2 (Finnish time) and by 0700 I should be at work, doing my thing, so there would be hardly any time for shut-eye.
The purpose of this blog is just to get my ideas and concepts up somewhere, and perhaps in the process advertise myself, who knows.
I will be concentrating mainly on different usability and user interface issues on different contexts but every now and then, if the situation approves, I might be presenting new concepts, virtual and physical.
