R.BIRD has tracked its website traffic quite carefully, since our first web page back in 1994. This second week of February, our traffic levels spiked with a peak 5 to 6 times the daily norm, without any known precedent.

On further investigation, we could see that this spike was the result of language- or culture-specific searches on the theme of "Valentine's Day"... "feliz dia de san valentin" & much more. In 10 years, we've never seen this particular pattern of activity.

Coincidentally, we received today from our friends at Cheskin, an absolutely delightful exploration of how Valentine's Day, or similar sentiments, are expressed and experienced around the world. Darrel Rhea, CEO, and his team deserve congratulations on simply recognizing the fact that cultures and such celebrations are merging, just as corresponding populations and geography are... and just as our web traffic metrics dramatically comfirm.

I'm happy to note and promote the results of their effort. Enjoy.

Cheskin Valentine's Day Greeting (PDF)

I was excited when the first documentation of the Prototype JavaScript Framework was released a couple of weeks ago. In order to get quick access to the documentation I created a simple Dashboard widget. And well… I thought it would be nice to share it with you.

Another clever logo case study! This time I have to thank the friendly people from smashLAB, a communication design studio based in Vancouver. Enjoy…

Sinkit is a tool used to improve a golfer’s putting skills. For the name, we generated over fifty possible options and singled out Sinkit for its distinctness, phonetic appeal, and meaning. Sinkit’s logo reflects the purpose and effectiveness of the putting aid. The logo’s letterforms have unique characteristics—a balanced construction of geometric curves and precise angles—that suggest ideas of accuracy, technique, and advancement.

By reversing the wordmark, the visual weight and stability of this logo is increased. This characteristic makes the it ideal for implementations such as embroidery and embossing. The logo also gains versatility in its ability to reproduce well at small and large sizes and in various media.

The key element in the logo is the representation of a ball about to drop into the cup. This concept creates anticipation and excitement in golfers as it represents the ultimate goal of the game. By generating an emotional response in the viewer, the Sinkit logo is able to create a deeper connection and a lasting impression.

Thumbnails:

We generate hundreds of loose ideas at this stage.

Proposed options:

Typically we present less than three options, but felt strong enough about these five to show them all.

Refinement:

The majority of this stage is spent on refining each character and their relationships. The example below shows the approaches we took in balancing the “S”.

We often find it useful to work with a mirror of the character. It usually exposes overlooked flaws.

Credits

Designer: Peter Pimentel
Design firm: smashLAB

Text and graphics © smashLAB

Bit by bit new screenshots of Apple’s upcoming release of Mac OS 10.5 Leopard find their way to the web. Recently I found a couple of nice ones at BabyGotMac, which have unfortunately been removed from the site, due to a DMCA notice served by Apple.

Well, really, like it’s 1998.

Greetings, FPAs (Future Podcasters of America).

“Podcasting” is like the word, “Kleenex,” except it refers to the creation and delivery of audio newsletters, rather than tissues. Allow me to translate. What we’re really talking about is simply the publishing of audio content for download over the internet for listening on your audience’s favorite device. Despite its “new-ness,” the basic idea has been around for many, many years… a decade, perhaps. In fact, R.BIRD created one of the very first dynamic applications for delivery of audio content over the Internet way back in 1998.

What’s “new” about Podcasting?

Of course, the iPod. The iPod from Apple provides a simple, user-friendly platform for interested “subscribers” to select and enjoy content specific to their interests. Hence, the ubiquity of the term, “Pod-” casting, instead of “broad-” casting.

So, Podcasting, or the sharing of audio content, can really be boiled down to three steps:
# recording the audio
# converting the result to a friendly format
# sharing

I know, that’s oversimplifying things. Each one of these steps can be a study. Yet, don’t necessarily need to be.

One of our clients has just now - believe it - discovered the idea of publishing audio for newsletter subscribers. We are helping them along… 10 years later.

So, I made some time today over lunch to see what I could find in the way of references to get them started on a learning path toward creating and hosting audio content - something that’s been a pet project in the mind of this client’s director for some time.

(fyi: Pity, this client org uses PC’s exclusively.)

These stories are “how to” introductions - overviews - to creation and publishing of audio content geared to Windows (PC) computer users:
* Podcasting with Windows
* Howto: Create Your Own Podcasting Show On Windows
* Windows Podcasting Makes Podcast Creation Easy
* Podcasting: The Radio On Demand
* Jake Ludington’s Podcasting Starter Kit

A book:
* Podcasting For Dummies

And, a seminar:
* Podcasting 101 (next date: February 14, 2007)

Pod-On!

Well, really, like it’s 1998.

Greetings, FPAs (Future Podcasters of America).

“Podcasting” is like the word, “Kleenex,” except it refers to the creation and delivery of audio newsletters, rather than tissues. Allow me to translate. What we’re really talking about is simply the publishing of audio content for download over the internet for listening on your audience’s favorite device. Despite its “new-ness,” the basic idea has been around for many, many years… a decade, perhaps. In fact, R.BIRD created one of the very first dynamic applications for delivery of audio content over the Internet way back in 1998.

What’s “new” about Podcasting?

Of course, the iPod. The iPod from Apple provides a simple, user-friendly platform for interested “subscribers” to select and enjoy content specific to their interests. Hence, the ubiquity of the term, “Pod-” casting, instead of “broad-” casting.

So, Podcasting, or the sharing of audio content, can really be boiled down to three steps:
# recording the audio
# converting the result to a friendly format
# sharing

I know, that’s oversimplifying things. Each one of these steps can be a study. Yet, don’t necessarily need to be.

One of our clients has just now - believe it - discovered the idea of publishing audio for newsletter subscribers. We are helping them along… 10 years later.

So, I made some time today over lunch to see what I could find in the way of references to get them started on a learning path toward creating and hosting audio content - something that’s been a pet project in the mind of this client’s director for some time.

(fyi: Pity, this client org uses PC’s exclusively.)

These stories are “how to” introductions - overviews - to creation and publishing of audio content geared to Windows (PC) computer users:
* Podcasting with Windows
* Howto: Create Your Own Podcasting Show On Windows
* Windows Podcasting Makes Podcast Creation Easy
* Podcasting: The Radio On Demand
* Jake Ludington’s Podcasting Starter Kit

A book:
* Podcasting For Dummies

And, a seminar:
* Podcasting 101 (next date: February 14, 2007)

Pod-On!

Well, really, like it's 1998.

Greetings, FPAs (Future Podcasters of America).

"Podcasting" is like the word, "Kleenex," except it refers to the creation and delivery of audio newsletters, rather than tissues. Allow me to translate. What we're really talking about is simply the publishing of audio content for download over the internet for listening on your audience's favorite device. Despite its "new-ness," the basic idea has been around for many, many years... a decade, perhaps. In fact, R.BIRD created one of the very first dynamic applications for delivery of audio content over the Internet way back in 1998.

What's "new" about Podcasting?

Of course, the iPod. The iPod from Apple provides a simple, user-friendly platform for interested "subscribers" to select and enjoy content specific to their interests. Hence, the ubiquity of the term, "Pod-" casting, instead of "broad-" casting.

So, Podcasting, or the sharing of audio content, can really be boiled down to three steps:
# recording the audio
# converting the result to a friendly format
# sharing

I know, that's oversimplifying things. Each one of these steps can be a study. Yet, don't necessarily need to be.

One of our clients has just now - believe it - discovered the idea of publishing audio for newsletter subscribers. We are helping them along... 10 years later.

So, I made some time today over lunch to see what I could find in the way of references to get them started on a learning path toward creating and hosting audio content - something that's been a pet project in the mind of this client's director for some time.

(fyi: Pity, this client org uses PC's exclusively.)

These stories are "how to" introductions - overviews - to creation and publishing of audio content geared to Windows (PC) computer users:
* Podcasting with Windows
* Howto: Create Your Own Podcasting Show On Windows
* Windows Podcasting Makes Podcast Creation Easy
* Podcasting: The Radio On Demand
* Jake Ludington's Podcasting Starter Kit

A book:
* Podcasting For Dummies

And, a seminar:
* Podcasting 101 (next date: February 14, 2007)

Pod-On!

I know, when it comes to choosing the right JavaScript library for your web project it can get very religious. Anyway what I would like to know from you guys is which JavaScript library you would recommend for building a quite complex enterprise content management system.

Now that the busy advent season is over, it’s time to calm down and enjoy some days off. Herewith I wish all of you and your families Merry Christmas and relaxing holidays. Have a nice time.

Another baton is going around these days. I’ve been passed one by Manuela Hoffmann from Surfgarden. This time it’s all about your desktop - not the virtual but your physical one. So here we go…