First notes from my Moleskin notebook (Project Charles – Volume 1), 5/10/2009 entry
First sketch of new information model (same date)
New information model (current view, comparing with previous model) – Basis for “The Information Layer” essay
Next week, I am going to move this site to Linux server.
Not a hard process – its just a little more complex in my case since it will involve domain(s) names, file transfers, and dealing with Linux/Window server (well if you dealt with both you know what I mean). But since I am here and I made an important decisions two weeks ago, I might as well talk about it.
The “it” being…what’s up with the name “Charles”?
Click here – Table/Site Versions
The name Charles refers to Charles Darwin, whose bicentennial was in 2009, the same year the project started in March. It also added some inspiration because of the introduction of new ideas and concepts that slowly gestated and altered during the course of the project.
But the best thing about working on these projects is that it is sort of like my own research lab. It is where I get to try out new ideas before doing in the real world.
One part research scientist, one part Olympic athlete.
As for this version, I decided two weeks ago to name this version “Regent” because of its transitory nature. Unlike “H3”, it was never meant to be a final version and was always going to be more of a functional placeholder for the upcoming Charles.
And there it is.
A big belated “Thank You” to IxDA New York for Interaction 10 Redux (3/6). It was nice to meet all the people who attended and to see all of the presentations that I missed at Savannah. Would come back for another event hosted by the group if my schedule allow it.
Of course, that means I have to start paying attention to the home IxDA branch as well.
Ironically enough, after NYC IxDA Redux, I went back to New York for my scheduled vacation for Met’s performance of The Nose. This weekend, went back to The Met for Lulu, the Alban Berg opera composed a few years after The Nose. Same decade, different moods but both are considered some of the most avant-garde works of their time. This was the last performance for me this season. Already planning for attending two performances next season in 2011 — John Adam’s Nixon in China and Alban Berg’s Wozzeck.
If you have not noticed, the font has changed in this site. After the font change last year, I decided to re-evalute my choice and changed to the first choice of Futura. I like Super Grotesk and it was choosen because of its closeness to Futura. However, there were just some things that I felt were not right (weight, letter styles) for me. It was nagging me in the back of my mind for a few months. So I decided to go back to the first choice of Futura.
I am still on the look out for any other Futura-like fonts but the right choice has been made right now.
Last week, finally completed a book review of Morville/Callender ‘s Search Pattern for CDG and posted on the blog. Interesting read and really changed my ideas about search engines and how search result can be displayed for easier use.
I mentioned on Twitter (5/4) that this would be my blog for CDG for the next couple of months as I will be spending writing for this blog. A consquenence will be some important announcements about The Wilson Project and Project Charles, as well as some important blog entries.
No. Really.
Basically, it originally started as an idea for me to do something close to work but outside the office. However, there are a number of ideas that need fleshing out. Not just about work (dealing with bad HTML code) but also about ideas about Charles, TWP, front-end developement, and IxD.
And linguistics.
More news to come.
More photos, posted at my Flickr account – Interaction 10 (IxDA)
Flew into Savannah before Snowmegeddon Round #1 came around and it was goregeous. Rainy but in the 50′s and I could wear a light jacket for a few days. Great time, only to fly back home the day before Snowmegeddon Round #2 came in. It took 2 1/2 weeks before I could see the sidewalk again.
As for Interaction 10, it was a blast and a real big work motivator for the remainder of the year. Some of the lectures presented some real interesting ideas and I will find some way to introduce or talk about them in my work. It also helps meeting interesting designers and other professionals that really want to make the profession better.
As for Savannah (beyond the really nice weather) was a good host and just darn friendly (Southern hospitality does exist…). I would definitely love to come back ASAP but the conference has to move to a new site. Unfortunately, it will not go back to Vancouver next year. 
However, it will go to…Boulder, Colorado. It was announced on the last day, with a special low rate for about one week (sorry already gone, darn…) But, the excitement as already started. Especially with a really funny and interesting video promo – see http://www.vimeo.com/9395674.
Anyways, as soon as I can break open my piggy bank, I am registering for next year.
Interaction 11 @ Boulder, Colorado – http://www.ixda.org/i11/
IxDA Interaction 10
http://interaction.ixda.org/
Dates: February 4-7, 2010
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Hosted by SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), this year’s conference will be spaced among various nearby locations around downtown. Savannah, with or without the conference, is worthy of a visit due to its long and influential history in this country. The IxDA (Interactive Design Association) conference will feature talks, workshops, and lectures on design areas that range from technology to new tools/processes to important issues such as instructing/mentoring new students in the field.
So, why is a front-end/ui developer doing here?
Well, I deal with designers all the time, whether they are web or print based. It allows me to follow what designers are doing and find ways to compliment – in an architect/engineer dynamic. Also, I get new ideas for inspiration or use in the other areas, especially if it is useful in my career.
Therefore, I will be spending some good quality time next month, soaking some fresh ideas and having a mini-vacation away from the same-old work routine.
Later.
This week, my second blog entry for my employer, CDG Interactive, is up. Called The Well-Dressed Submit Button, it is my story about web development and dealing with usability.
My first one, UI or UN? The Life of a Front-End Developer, is also up. I don’t know if this is true for all UI/Front-end developers but the comparison does kinda hold up at certain times.
I would like to write more blog posts, especially for this blog, but my schedule really gets in the way. However, doing this will be one of many different things that I will be doing in the course of 2010.
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