I'm happy to announce the availability of version three of my GBCF-v3 Secure and Accessible Contact Form. It offers a ton of improvements over version two in the areas of perfected error management, easy language adaptability, passive set-up validation assistance -- so the script can be tested before putting it on your site -- security, usability, powerful flexibility, and enhanced accessibility. On this last front two notable features include: the form's ability to automatically adapt to the user's preferences maintaining the semantics and accessibility and; the form's refined usage of labels and legends to make the experience of using the form a smart one for screen reader users.

I've been thinking of the best way to summarize this year, not just for myself but everyone I know in the industry. After much consideration one word will do nicely: Slammed.

From small companies to freelancers, everyone I know had more work than they knew what to do with in 2007 despite all the up-and-down news about economies and consumer confidence. Thankfully much of the work we did this year had little relationship to the Dow Jones or venture capital and from what I can see this will trend will continue into the new year.

A few weeks ago essays and comments were traded regarding the future of the syntax we use to craft web sites. It was a nifty exchange but I'd rather see that passion directed at the larger problem affecting this industry: The dwindling population of qualified, talented, and educated people who are available.

Do what you must to bring new techniques/frameworks to the market, but without more and improved labor to put it all into practice, it's just words on a website.

As an employer of a growing number of full-time and freelance workers I can tell you that it's becoming increasingly difficult to find good people. I have had several conversations with persons of top stature in the web design business who are of the same opinion. Their own businesses' have been slightly crippled this year due to work demand vs. human supply. Even non-web specific companies are having difficulty finding solid talent.

I don't see there being a quick turn-around for this problem but it will escalate if we don't spend time and resources to proactively help improve the situation (and hopefully with better results than with that other not-for-profit institution we all know and love). We can't rely on educational institutions to figure this out for themselves. Nor should we rely singularly on these facilities as we need to also embrace the self-starter with the same bravado and commitment that was given to web standards earlier this decade.

The work that most of us do is largely compatible, somewhat interchangeable, and with that in mind I believe it should be possible to come up with a simple curriculum—a guide for what a person can do to discover their strengths and weaknesses (designer vs. developer), understand the process of how a web shop operates, and set the standard for what is considered acceptable work for all disciplines. If we could do that much, and in a way that is inviting to persons so they will want to improve their own skill sets, then there is nothing to stand in the way of the next phase of success in our sphere of the entire industry.

I hope everyone has had a great holiday and a happy new year. Here's to all of us succeeding like wildfire in 2008.

As is traditional (and just in time) I’ve picked a few favourite posts from the year with some rear view mirror commentary. See you in 2008!

In January, Vikesh wrote about a controversial redesign of Thundercats’ Liono. Die hard fans of the original are still commenting eleven months later, although it looks as though the design of Liono has now evolved.

February must have been Wire frame Month. Exhibit A: Thomas Raschke’s wire frame sculptures. Exhibit B: Benedict Radcliffe’s wire frame car.

Is it me or was 2007 the year of the plastic bag alternative? In March Dave wrote about Anya Hindmarch’s extremely popular design (no, we still don’t know how you can get hold of one.) Goodbye plastic.

Pop-ups popped up all over the place too, like Shitdisco’s pop-up pop video back in April. See also the pop-up Lexus commercial.

We talked about some eerie but beautiful photography in May – Inverkip Power Station, Empty Car Parks and Floating Logos.

Then in June there was that logo – interestingly The Onion had the most accurate report.

In July Fibre were amused again by over 200 sculptures of Queen Victoria. Next year we’re going to try Quick Welding Queen Vic, come down! we have the blowtorches ready.

From August, Yuta Watenbe’s work put the lead back in our pencils:

Dave found a lovely poster in September celebrating Fried Food Fortnight">British Fried Food Fortnight.

In October Vikesh and John visited Shibboleth at Tate Modern without twisting their ankles. As you can see from this photo – it’s dangerous! Has anyone seen Nicholas Serota…?

Fibre’s Quick Draw returned in November, just in time for Christmas…

…and finally in December, Gary gets cosy with a Moving Brands scarf.

A few months ago I was thinking about Apple’s rise in value after the iPhone and how Steve Jobs does a great keynote every year, and naturally I thought “I wonder if there’s a way to make money off quick investments around the keynotes?” Then I thought “What if you did this every year, for just a day or two of investment?”

I ran the numbers and here they are, on this new 1-page website: Keynote Index Fund