Exactly how and when did this happen? I just got off the phone with another in a long list of clients who used the word "bucket" several times during a conversation about information architecture. In olden times we used words like "categories" or "sections" but these new kids are dropping their own slang as if creating a website is the new rap-battle.

Neither of the established books on the subject of information architecture—Don't Make Me Think! or the Polar Bear Book—have an indexed reference for the word "bucket". Does the word really work that much better than long established terms? No. The preferred word, "category", is used to described "things having shared characteristics" while "bucket" is a "container". One implies the relationship of things while the other is an object you put things in with absolutely no relationship implied.

From what I can tell this has happened as the result of more and more clients taking on the role of information architect. In the last two years almost half of our clients have come to us finished site map in hand and eager to drop the B-bomb. I don't believe that's the result of failure on the part of web designers and developers but the client believing that they know what works for them. A few months ago we pushed back on sitemap generated by a client. Before coming to us they formed an ad hoc group and met for six weeks to re-categorize their existing site into a new, mythical world of Bucketopia.

In these situations the client is rarely considering the user or goals and objectives for their online presence. Rather these groups often use this exercise to help make sense of their own internal world which doesn't translate into a great experience for the user (We got one site map that was drawn up according to the companies organization chart once and that was such a happy-fun project). It's not that I don't think clients are capable of crafting a proper sitemap. We have had several clients come to us with some really great information architecture—wireframes and all—but anytime I hear the word "bucket" it's like the someone just handed me a piece of wrinkled, tattered paper marked with a black spot.

Using the word "bucket" in web development is the equivalent of using the words "things" or "stuff" in conversation. In both cases details are hit-and-run over by the practice of subtle oversimplification. The result is an experience that lacks eloquence, education, and energy.

Rather than let "buckets" become or own "axe" we ought to push back in these circumstances and do our best to help the client understand why their own internal review and lingo doesn't always craft a better experience. If they want to form in-house tickle-clubs and create their own linguistics so be it, but let them do those things and stuff like that for their accounting or human relations, not web development.

Lastly, a highly accurate representation of the bucket/client relationship.

As it’s launch date draws closer, the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) faces praise and increased scrutiny. The jury’s still out on whether or not this product will help raise standards of living in developing countries. The Sugar interface is certainly interesting, and I find myself wondering what will happen if it really takes off. If a majority of the world’s computer users use it, will the rest of us find ourselves here? Would that be a good or bad thing?

Engadget also has a tour gallery here.

- Vince

We'll forgive them for boycotting the letter 'e' (it's Flickr's fault anyway I suppose) but Flickr Foldr Monitr watches your pictures folder in the background and when there's new stuff in there - it automatically sends it up to your Flickr account.

This is usually the kind of stuff that I've been assigning to that Elsewhere thing over on the left but it's so good. And forgive me for repeating myself but if you haven't signed up for FontShop News already you really should, it's always good.

Saw Feist last night at Oran Mor and was struck by the number of people filming the gig on their phones and cameras (possibly to the detriment of experiencing the ‘here and now’?) and was wondering… If a move from product design to service design is a move from ‘you are what you own’ to ‘you are what you do’ does this constant digital documentation represent a new layer above that - a move to ‘you are what you document’.* With the emergence of facebook, myspace etc an unspoken function of these online communities is surely a digital persona, a record of your existence as defined by your friends (number of), your del.icio.us favourites, your flickr set. I blog therefore I am.

* Am sure Nokia et al are way ahead of the curve on this… if anyone has any interesting design stories about where this is heading would be keen to hear them.

Check out Pixelmator… a sort of Illustrator and Photoshop combo for OS X. Very nice site design.

In early June I hinted of change. One of those changes was my decision to join the Quire, Inc. team developing a web application known as MyQuire. Since then, I’ve experienced the joys of working [physically] in an "office" which made Nerf gun wars a reality meant help was a slap on the back of the head within earshot. Which is great, because there were quite a number of situations that were remedied with a 2-3 minute face-to-face chat as opposed to a lengthy instant message conversation.

In any event, the past few months have been heads-down - work, test, work, Nerf, work, test, and Halo 3. The "natural" order of things for a development team right? I’ve had the opportunity to continue working with my favorite(s) XHTML & CSS while spending more time with Ruby on Rails (RoR) - which, may I respectfully add I suck at [for now]. My true suck’iness is masked by the fact that I work in an office comprised of people who eat RoR cereal. You know, the one with the limited edition Gems at the bottom of specially marked boxes? That RMagick sure was a doozy to install. I admit that I am CLI challenged. No shame, give me the GUI’s! I did my best to hold my own though, adapting. That Apple application called Terminal - which I am supposed to befriend and love as I do Photoshop - really is quite useful.

The web meets MyQuire at DEMOfall 2007

The Quire, Inc. team made a significant step after being accepted to present at the much talked-about DEMOfall 2007 Conference. CEO David Steinberg took the stage to explain the story behind MyQuire, and updates to look forward to come late Fall.

Simple project collaboration & management, VoIP, file-sharing, screen-sharing, all mixed together with basic networking. It was exciting to see MyQuire presented on-stage, even more exciting to find sites taking notice and feedback coming in.

• PC World: Demo: Info Access Startups Take the Stage
• TechCrunch: MyQuire Wants Your Collaborative Workplace Business
• Internet News: Demo Till You Drop
• Technically Speaking: 3 companies at DEMOfall - Diigo, MyQuire and Yuuguu
• CenterNetworks: DEMO: MyQuire Launches Simple Project Management Tool
• C|net: Meeting up made easier

There is much to be continually improved and polished. If you’ve tried MyQuire, share your thoughts in the comments - or send feedback directly [MyQuire Contact page]. Keep in mind that what was presented at DEMO has not yet been made live on MyQuire. Look for updates this Fall. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the MyQuire Blog, I invite you you to visit or subscribe.

Part 10 of the free vectors is here, and it’s gears! I also included a bonus Illustrator brush set so you can make your own custom gears, if you feel the need. I had to make some brushes in order to make this freebie set, and I wouldn’t feel right with the brushes sitting on my hard drive when they would help you make your own custom gears (easily). Hope you like them, download below, brush installation instructions at the bottom.

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