The next likemind will be Friday, September 18, 2009 in dozens of cities around the world.

In Chicago, it will be at Argo Tea, 140 S Dearborn St. at the corner of Adams and Dearborn Streets in the Loop from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

I call likemind a gathering of creative-minded people, from various disciplines including Internet, advertising, art, social media, et. al. For more information on likemind, you can read this great article on likemind from the New York Times.

No RSVP is required. You are also welcome to join the likemind Chicago Facebook group.

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Just say no to sawhorses and construction helmets on Web pages!

It bugs me to no end that in 2009 one can still see the words “under construction” along with some form of icons on Web pages, with the attempt to communicate the message that the Web site is still being built, so come back later once the content and functionality is ready. Imagery of a sawhorse in black and yellow is supposed to symbolize physical labor is involved the creation of what goes on the Web site. What was cute in 1994 is downright unprofessional today, not to mention unnecessary.

This author is guilty of using those 2 words over the course of his 13+ years of working on the Web. At first, it was because everybody else was doing it – it was the standard. Over time, the standards changed. Apparently many people did not get the memo that the standard was no longer, as the thinking of Web sites has changed. Think about – all Web sites are always under construction.

The great thing about a Web site is you don’t need to print 50,000 copies of it to bring to a trade show. It is there, 24/7 (hopefully) and ready for all to see. This means it can change, adapt, be updated whenever without having to go back to square one. Well, that is unless you want to, but I digress. As business or personal needs change, the Web site can grow, contract, be redesigned – whatever is needed. Knowing this going into it helps you realize the building process really never ends.

Original use of “under construction” was to alert Web visitors they hit a dead-end. If the Web site was not live yet, it would be on the only page live of the Web site. If the client testimonial section of the Web site was not ready when the rest of the Web site went live, it would go on that page. The wisdom was you would show in the site navigation all of the things that would eventually be on the Web site, whether they were there or not. There’s nothing like opening a door only to find a wall, right?

Today we know better, or we should know better. Web sites are expected to change. We can add the link to testimonials later, when there are actual kind words from clients for others to read. To begin with, we need to plan for that section (or any other sections) to be there and accommodate for it in the design and layout of the Web site. You add it to navigation when the page or section is ready. We can then use the “what’s new” section of our Web site to alert people to that new content once it is live. We also update our sitemap – both HTML and XML – to let the world know the pages are there. If we offer search, we re-index the Web site to include it for those searching for them. And don’t forget about tweeting the link on Twitter or submitting to social bookmark sites, as well as mentioning in your next newsletter and other communications.

So which is more effective? For the 1-time visitor to your Web site, if something isn’t there, you don’t win either way. For the returning visitor, you have professionally and gracefully informed them.

But wait – there is one exception to my introductory statement. If you’re in the business of selling sawhorses and helmets or are in the construction business, you have my blessings to use them.

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Technology • (3) Comments • Permalink

After some decent success selling off my Palm Treo 680 unlocked device, I am now selling its predecessor, a Treo 600 up for sale on eBay, along with a slew of accessories, as you can see below.

Along with the device itself, which is in good order but has some wear, there are a large number of cables and chargers, plus a cradle. If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer and are looking for a device, this could be yours.

The auction closes next Sunday and the bidding begins at a penny!

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Computers are supposed to make our lives easier, right? Despite this, people still have a hard time using the hardware or software on it. What should be intuitive is not usually the case. This is the premise of Steve Krug’s book, Don’t Make Me Think, as he explores the world of Web design.

How many times have you been on a Web site and you are having a hard time finding information when you know you should be able to easily find it? I am not just talking about novice users here, as this happens to yours truly all the time, and I like to consider myself an experienced Web user! Somebody somewhere made some decision to layout and design a Web site a certain way, and thus your pain. In Don’t Make Me Think, common-sense, straightforward information is presented to the reader, who should be everyone from a Web designer to Web developer to Web site owner.

Needless to say, I had many takeaways from this book, all of which are of equal weight as I believe in what this book talks about quite a bit! Here are a few of them:

Creative Doesn’t Mean Different – Many times I see a Web site or hear from someone who created one that is virtually impossible to use, and it is deemed to be “highly creative.” Where there is more than likely some creative minds behind it, in the end a Web site needs to be usable, and if it is not, then it is merely something nice to look at, but not touch. A Web site can still be creative yet intuitive, and great Web designers know how to do that.

A Redesign of a Web Site Should Be Thorough – Many times when Web sites are redesigned, it is merely a fresh coat of paint on an old home (page). If that is the case, then the design can be hampered by old code behind the scenes, which can hamper its usability as well as its growth. When approaching a Web site redesign, be as comprehensive as possible, including all elements, to prevent the need for more work soon after it is completed.

There Is No Such Things As A Typical User – When we at Dunkirk Systems, LLC work with clients on a Web site, we seek to identify potential users of the Web site. These users are identified by their role or title – media, consumers, students, etc. – and not by their technical ability. In the past, there was always a desire to identify the “typical user” and this meant more about their ability, which related to the complexity of the Web site. Krug backups the notion that there is no such typical user, and I concur from my own personal experience.

Testing a Web Site is Not Just for Experts – Where quality assurance (QA) and usability experts are vital to many Web sites and applications, if your budget does not allow for such experts, you can still do effective testing.

I enjoyed reading Don’t Make Me Think, and I highly recommend it to anybody involved in the creation or maintenance of Web sites, as well as anyone who owns one or who wants to. It is written in a no-nonsense yet lighthearted style that is suitable for the most technical and non-technical people.

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Book Take-Aways • Technology • (1) Comments • Permalink

All good things come to an end, and so does the use of my Palm Treo 680 unlocked device. Since making the switch to Nokia about a year ago, I have decided to put the Treo 680 up for sale on eBay, along with a slew of accessories, as you can see below.

Along with the device itself, which is in good order but has some wear, there are a large number of cables and chargers, plus a spare battery. If you’re looking for an unlocked device, this could be yours.

The auction closes next Monday and the bidding begins at a penny!

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