MPD Blog

Latest Browser Stats = Happy Web Designer

2009-02-12T13:50:00.001-08:00

I just checked out the latest browser statistics (http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp) and I'm enjoying what I see. Internet Explorer 5 is finally so low, they're not even showing its numbers anymore while IE 6 continues its slide below 20% of users. Firefox also saw a 1% increase in one month.

If you're a web designer I hope you're no longer designing for IE 6. If your clients insist, educate them (www.iedeathmarch.org). If they still insist, charge them extra.

If you're not a designer or developer, you can still do your part - ditch IE 6 for good! Not sure what browser you're running? Go here: www.thismachine.info

Leah's First NY Solo Exhibition

2009-01-14T12:22:00.001-08:00

My old friend Leah Raintree has her first solo NY exhibit opening at the Foley Gallery on Thursday January 22. If you're in the New York area I strongly encourage you to check out her show. Her drawings are incredible.

Fuel from Fat?

2008-11-06T09:14:00.001-08:00

Apparently there is a doctor in Beverly Hills who drives his SUV everyday on.... "LipoDiesel". He claims to process the fat he removes at his clinic into a diesel fuel.

So if fat, corn and used fryer oil can all be made into fuels, why are we still buying it from other countries???

Check the LipoDiesel Doc's website: http://lipodiesel.org/

Listen to Warren.

2008-10-02T18:02:00.001-07:00

I'm far from a Wall Street wiz. Hell, I'm an artist - probably the furthest thing from a finance or business person. But I think it's probably a good idea to listen to the most successful investor of all time in the current financial situation.

Warren Buffett briefly spoke with Fortune magazine about an idea he had for a modified Bail Out Plan. He proposes that the government put up 80% and turn to private investors for the other 20%. That would assure the government get the market rate for these bad assets and would give the government a better chance at getting most of its money back. Buffett even says the government could see a profit out of this alternative.

On the other hand he also said he didn't think $700 billion was enough - but he neglected to say what sum would do the trick.

My question for Buffett's plan is - are there enough willing and, more importantly, able private investors who could come up with $140 billion or more?? I know I don't have it.

See the full Fortune article here: http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/02/news/newsmakers/buffett.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008100216

Time to Save.

2008-10-01T12:33:00.001-07:00

Today when I was checking out my bank account online, I found a little link on my bank's homepage. It linked to a page that had a statement I think we should all read and live by. http://ping.fm/fCilD

Now, I admit, this is nothing new or revolutionary. But it's nice to see a bank trying to promote responsible financial practices. It also never hurts to be reminded that we should all live well within our means. If we all did that in the past our country wouldn't be experiencing this financial crisis.

Selling Burritos with Politics

2008-09-24T15:19:00.001-07:00

Today's ad agencies and marketing firms are forever coming up with new ways to pitch old products. This one is interesting: Qdoba has created a site where you can answer 5 questions and get your "Qdentity". The site will basically assign you a particular mexican food, that you can get at Qdoba, of course. Then you say which presidential candidate you prefer. The site tells you how you compare to others in the nation and in your state. Check it out: http://ping.fm/k2EvL

I like the idea behind it and the design is smooth and well implemented.

Stop Rushing to the Gas Pumps!

2008-09-16T07:28:00.001-07:00

Turns out that Ike isn't the only thing to blame for the sudden jump in gas prices. The other culprit is ourselves! I remember getting a frantic call from my fiance last week saying "Go fill up! Gas prices are spiking and they're only going higher, you need to go get gas!!"

Of course, I didn't need to get any gas because I have no driving planned. I work at home and even if I really needed something I could probably walk to whatever I needed anyway. So I still haven't filled up.

Meanwhile, everyone else has rushed to the pumps in a panic, making a slightly limited supply even more limited. And we know what that means - the prices go even higher.

Everyone stay rational and only use what you absolutely need.

For more info:
http://ping.fm/irwW1

Javascript Today

2008-09-05T08:09:00.001-07:00

With the advancement of many Javascript frameworks, you can now easily add many new effects to websites with less work. You don't even have to know much javascript and in some cases, you don't need to know any javascript (just know how to cut and paste some code and files into the right places).

Webdesignerswall.com has a great article about the different frameworks and the power of each one: http://ping.fm/aoqiy

Update and Blog to Many Sites From One

2008-09-03T05:43:00.001-07:00

I've only recently started using twitter.com. Today I discovered Ping.fm. If you use the status update on Facebook, MySpace or any other social networking website then Ping.fm is for you. It also makes blogging to multiple sites easier.

On Ping.fm you can go to one place and add quick status updates or full blog entries from one place. You can also use it though your IM software.

Give it a shot!

(This blog post was posted through Ping.fm.)

Say goodbye to IE6!

2008-09-02T07:28:00.000-07:00

As of August 27, Internet Explorer 6 will be seven years old! In terms of any software, we know that is not just old, that is long enough to be dead and reborn many times over. Internet Explorer 7 has much better for support for CSS and also supports PNG transparency, so its far superior than IE6. IE 8 is in beta release.

So its finally time for us all to say goodbye to IE6. If you're using IE6 - please stop. If you're a designer or developer still supporting IE6 - please stop.

As a web designer, I will officially stop supporting IE6 by March 2009.

Join the movement at IE Death March.

Infuzion Closing

2008-08-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

Infuzion is closing its doors just 8 months after opening. Infuzion was a new lounge/bar that featured an "ice room". There was a bit of hype when it opened up, but I can personally say I never made my way over there. Turns out they spent too much money and have many other problems. Sounds to me like it was a good idea with bad execution. On the other hand, I'm not so sure Richmond, Virginia is the place for a NY or LA style club. Maybe next time.

Dave & Busters Coming to Richmond??

2008-08-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Word on the street says Richmond, Virginia might have a Dave & Busters by March 2009. I personally find it hard to believe, but we can still hope right?

Know Your Typography?

2008-08-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

Do you know your typography? Apparently I can recognize a lot of fonts. I made the Hall of Fame by playing the Typography Game. Beat my weak score of 24.

Darfur Game

2008-08-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

Check out Darfur Is Dying. You play an online video game that will teach you about what is occurring in Darfur.

Although I think its great to educate the public, I wonder if a cartoon based online video game really accomplishes the goal of communicating the brutality of the murders that have occurred and continue to occur?

Website Featured on iStockphoto

2008-08-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

My design for the new Partnership Staffing website was featured on iStockphoto.com.

VCU Grads Make Less Money Than VT and UVA Grads

2008-08-05T06:11:00.000-07:00

I hate to post this story, but considering I'm a VCU grad I had to share this. I hope this changes one day, but it appears that VCU graduates make significantly less than our counterparts from Virginia Tech and UVA. Check out the numbers in this article.

Come on, Virginia Commonwealth Grads! Get the money you're really worth!!

Flash Files and Search Engines

2008-07-03T04:37:00.000-07:00

It used to be that using Flash on your website was a bad thing when it came to SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Now it looks like Adobe has solved that. They already have Google reading text within Flash files. Yahoo and other search engines will be joining Google shortly.

This is great news for web designers who use Flash. We can now use Flash more often without worrying that the content within the Flash files won't be 'read' and indexed by search engines.

Read the full article.

New Online Font Creation Tool

2008-05-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

To all designers and anyone interested in typography:

Now there is an online tool that allows you to design your own font. I haven't tried it out myself, but it looks like something that could bring out some creativity in anyone.

Try it out: Fontstruct

Designer Resource: Vector Magic

2008-04-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

As a designers, we're constantly given image and logo files we cannot use. Now you can convert those bitmap logos to vector online for free. Yes, I know, you can do auto trace in Illustrator, but we all know that doesn't work that well. Now this new site is not perfect, but looks to be an improvement.

Check it out: Vector Magic

Inspired Political Design

2008-04-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

The NY Times has a short article about how the Obama campaign has successfully used great typography and design to bring forth a concise and consistent branding to their campaign. Check it out.

Sit on Benches to Keep The Homeless Away

2008-03-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

Apparently some people in San Diego hate the homeless so much, they're asking people to take shifts sitting on public benches so the transients won't make a bed out of their precious benches. The story from AP.

Full Apple Story

2008-03-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

Apple has become a part of almost everyone's life in America. See where it started in a nice interactive timeline presented by Fortune.

2008-02-29T06:15:00.000-08:00

Check out this guys work. Its erie, intriguing, interesting and beautiful all in one.

Design inspiration

2008-02-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

Love this girls work: jhische.com

Harold & Kumar Are Back!

2008-02-20T08:36:00.000-08:00

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay! They're back on April 25. Can't wait!