Our Job

I realized something over the weekend that helped simplify what I have learned so far about our job. In very general terms, our job as Interaction Designers is to verbalize, visualize and make decisions.

Verbalize means being able to communicate with other people as you try and understand problems and issues with your projects. Visualize means being able to design and prototype for others (and you) to see and understand the solution. Doing it this way also allows us to get to the “real” thing as soon as possible. And most importantly, our job is to make decisions. Good or bad (hopefully, mostly good), we need to make decisions to move things forward and not stand still.

posted by gilbert on Monday, Oct 16, 2006

Stake and Ward Website

The best thing you can do on your computer this weekend is get a login for your stake and ward website. All you need is your record number, which is on your temple recommend, and your confirmation date, which you can get from your ward clerk. If it’s not up to date, then maybe you can ask your bishop if you can help.

posted by gilbert on Saturday, Sep 23, 2006

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

I’m way, way excited about the Nintendo Wii. What I’m most impressed about this new console are the controllers. Here’s what they say about the controllers:

To make gaming as accessible to people of all ages and all abilities, Nintendo wanted to create a controller that was as inviting as it was sophisticated. The outcome is the Wii Remote controller. Nintendo fused the familiarity of a remote control with the sophistication of motion-sensing technology to come up with an input device for the ages!

Sporting the size of a traditional remote control, the wireless Wii Remote controller is a multifunctional device that is limited only by the game designer’s imagination. In a tennis game, it serves as your racket you swing with your arm. In a driving game, it serves as your steering wheel. For first-person shooters, the remote acts as your weapon that you point at an enemy. The list of potential uses goes on and on.

Why isn’t software built like this? A familiar controller that is accessible to all. A multifunctional device that is only limited by the game designer’s imagination. Sounds like a good recipe for “enterprise” software.

Oh Wii, I cannot wait. November 19th cannot come any sooner.

Aren’t you excited yet?

posted by gilbert on Saturday, Sep 16, 2006

Do I win a prize…

Do I win a prize for committing revision 1000 to our prototype subversion server? Tadd? Jason? Prizee?

posted by gilbert on Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006

Mobile Phones for Kids

Eventhough my kids are not old enough to own cell phones, I often wonder what kind of phone I can give them when the time comes.

The Firefly phone, which came out several months ago, is a good solution for younger kids (maybe 6 thru 12 years old?). There’s a Mom and Dad speed dial and a controlled address book. Really, really simple. I love this phone.

And more recently, Disney Mobile comes out with a phone which I think is perfect for 12 and up. Each phone is equipped with GPS so you can locate the phone with an address and a map! (As long as your child has the phone, you can find them too!) You can also designate the time and day the phone can be used, control the address book, send text messages and more. And just like any phone carrier, you can choose your phone and plan.

Although they don’t say it on the site, it looks like you don’t have to have the entire family on their phones and plans. You can buy one phone and set everything up from their site. Click on the “Learn more” link on their main homepage graphic and watch the demo.

posted by gilbert on Saturday, Aug 26, 2006

South Dakota

As our friend Jason embarks to South Dakota for a week with his family, we say good luck with the little kids in the car for 15 hours (one way)!

While you’re there, please take on some freelance work and redesign their state’s site :)

We’ll see in a week, dude. Du-wayne will totally miss you.

posted by gilbert on Friday, Aug 25, 2006