VisualSnare

simplicity... what is it?

The best I can come up with is, "Stripping extraneous to reveal purity (or relevant)." Wiki ganders it's the "...property, condition, or quality of being simple or un-combined." Um, that doesn't help too much.

Well, it's ok, because John over at "The Laws of Simplicity" is on track to figuring it out. And, he invites us to be a part of his adventure with his 10 laws as a guide. Practicing what he preaches, you'll find each delightful post further proves explains these laws.

I wonder though, if he might have been a little quick to consider these laws as absolutes. There is a certain intrigue, as a reader, to think that he is still working them over. That they're in beta (even after all these years).

So, I've got a suggestion: call 'em your 10 'Theories'. I know it doesn't have as much authority, yet 'theories' tells a richer story to me. According to this article, a theory is a, "working set of rules that define a body of knowledge." Sounds pretty dead on for this application to me.

This makes me wonder, what are visualsnare's defining set of rules? How can I create simplicity consistency in posts so as to allow you guys to get more from them? Time to get back to the drawing board. ~Reed

stereotypes are a changing

Are Americans finally perceiving transportation through a lens of efficiency instead of identity?

According to an article in the NYT today, the answer is a resounding 'yes'. Here is a quote from one of the interviewed (new) car owners:

“Before it was, Is it a cool car?” he said. “Now it’s, Is it going to be efficient and reliable transportation?"

If this is true, this is a HUGE consumer behavior change. The US has always been known as a place of economic opulence and our vehicles have been the tangible representation of this surplus (or lack thereof). Thus the creation automotive sub-cultures like tuners, lowriders, and hot rods and many more. And moving down the long tail to businesses renting wheels (sound warning) to "impress" your friends.

So, where does this leave this couple and their newly purchased Mercedes? Does that beautiful brand with equity built around abundance and luxury still mean the same thing to them... and others, as it used to? Will, in the near future, Mercedes sub-brand SMART become more desirable because of it's focus on efficiency both in footprint and movement? Or, because it shows that you can own more than one car?

I'll open it up to you. What are your trend predictions? ~Reed

cuil, focus on [relevant] data not hype!

The so-called google killer, Cuil, might of committed e-suicide last night with it's launch debacle.

One must wonder if the ex-googler's Anna Patterson and Tom Costello forget google's bold creed of "data, not hype?" Because the rebel search engine's first moments of public life didn't meet up to the much hyped, iconoclast image. When tested, the results were related, but not relevant. 

Which leads me to ask the question - will first impressions kill this search engine before it hits it's stride?

I don't think so (but Mike and TechCrunch seem to think otherwise).

I see two things that make cuil something to get excited about:

1. Related-content links are grouped and displayed for your searching pleasure. These options enrich the search experience and make the search engine feel like it's doing some of the thinking for you. Kind of like that warm, fuzzy feeling you had when your TI-86 calculator did your algebra for you.
2. Larger briefs on each link rocks. It just makes the pruning process that much more efficient (google are you listening?).

Now all they have to work on is the relevant part of the resulting links. Oh, and it'd be nice if it even recognized it's own name as well... or at least show articles written about the company. ~Reed

introducing: f'n links

[I'm going to start posting too-hot-to-handle links every Friday. I hope you don't mind if I steal... er re-purpose MTV's "F'N - Friday Night" title for each of these posts as it seems to fit. They will be in the format of number, link, and then my response/crit.]

Ok, no more time wasting! Here are these week's f'n links:

NUMBER ONE: "Does advertising add value?"

Skip the first two paragraphs if you're in a rush, but once he hits his stride Tom kills it, again, with this post about the "me, me, me" attitude of most companies, and how a quick change in perception might just help their sales (and brand equity). "Look like our celebrity" might of been a better title though.

NUMBER TWO: "Twitter took off from simple, to 'tweet' succes"

Yes, another "Twitter rocks" article, but, um, it does. This time it's straight from the co-founders Jack Dorsey and Biz Stone. Sweet names by the way... I think they were destined for e-stardom.

NUMBER THREE: "ZINE2WO"

Do you even need to read this? Well, if the title didn't intrigue you enough, then this is a link to "YouWorkForThem" blog which I've just recently found. Rockin' design, good crits, it's just a must see. So, go check it out already.

NUMBER FOUR: "Lena corwin contest: finalists+ voting!"

Lame title, but sweet first entry. Part of the reason is just because patterns rock... and when someone is creative enough to figure out how to put it on their floor it's even cooler (I'd love to credit this, but don't have a live link for the picture...anyone?). You might as well look at a couple other posts from Design*Sponge blog, they're pretty darn intersting.

NUMBER FIVE: "Hands on: Facebook redesign tries to clear the social smog"

Ok, so unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard about/seen the new Facebook design. I give it 2 thumbs up, even though many are saying it's been done before.

**That was easy huh? Please comment on other hot links of the week - bonus points if you've got an opinion about them. ~Reed

which one to try first?

 

First off... yummmm! Look at all these tasty treats, just waiting to be eaten (for free). Thanks Brittany.

Went to a "Pastry Party" yesterday to celebrate my friends graduation from culinary school, and this is what awaited us. All of these delicious looking delicacies, deliberately placed (with or without knowing by the host) to entice and excite.

It created quite a dilemma... but I finally chose the little chocolate, nutty, ball thingies. And what do you know, they tasted just as scrumptious as they looked.

Wish this could be the same sort of experience with packaged foods. The pictures and words on the packages entice and excite, but the actual product lacks the 'scrumptious' part. Which is the part that would make me want to buy more for myself... and then I'd share it with my friends (maybe)... who knows I might even participate in that companies "viral" campaign.

But until they get the scrumptious right, what motivation do I have to buy the product (again)? Let alone be a part of your outreach into the "conversational e-market" like this at Lean Cuisine. ~Reed

another segway?

Nope, this might actually be successful. It's called the T3 from the T3 Motion company.

Here's the skinny. It was designed for cops, can go 8-12mph (top out at 25mph) on batteries and they figure it would be perfect for crowd control (raised platform).

Here are my thoughts. The styling denotes power and sturdiness... and no doubt would win in a battle between human/machine. The functionality (observed through the video and pictures) seems to be there with spots for a backpack, clipboard and many other police specific needs.

Initial sales are encouraging... so watch out. You might just see a T3 zooming up behind you the next time your causing trouble! ~Reed