LightTouch from Light Blue Optics
CES, CES 2010 January 7th, 2010 by Shai Perednik
We’ve seen this concept before in the form of a red laser projected image of a keyboard. What makes the LightTouch different is the full color image thats projected.
Light Blue Optics demoed various usage cases, but when questioned they have not even considered military usage.
So lets dare to imagine and think of a possible use case for the LightTouch on the battlefield.
First we’ll explore a possible current scenario. A squadron leaders calls a halt to his unit calling for a map or recon from the unmanned drone he’s sent in. A soldier will run up with either a paper map or an LCD. We can assume the LCD is heavy and very bulky and presume that the map is made of a paper or plastic that’s seen its share of abuse. So what’s the alternative?
Let’s explore the same scenario assuming the squadron leader was equipt with a LightTouch device. He no longer needs to call for anyone, he simply kneels down, clears the ground of small debris and turns on his LightTouch. He now has the ability to quiqly pull up his map or recon video, make his decisions and move on.
With a multi-touch LightTouch the squadron leader can interact with the map, pinch to zoom, pan the image. Now imagine the recon video where he can halt the drone at a safe location zoom in and pan beyond the optic capabilities built into the drone. He can even reposition and control the drone from the same screen.
This idea is not that far fetched as the reference design already has a 2hr battery, is compact, and can handle uneven surfaces.
Tags: battlefield, CES, military, Photo, video
TinyBox – a Lightweight and Standalone Modal Window Script
My Clippings November 16th, 2009 by System
Automatically pulled from Google Starred
TinyBox is a lightweight (3.5kb) and standalone modal window script – does not depend on any JavaScript frameworks.
At only 3.5KB it doesn’t include any slideshow capabilities built-in but allows for any AJAX or HTML content. It can also be used for images and auto hiding alerts. The popups fade in/out and dynamically size based on the content if enabled. The styling is completely customizable through the simple CSS.
Click here for the TinyBox demo
Copyright © Visual-Blast Media 2007 – 2009 | ARTICLE | Visit the site for more Free web resources, Icons, Scripts, Photoshop Tutorials, Flash, CSS …
Tags: cli, css, flash, Google, Javascript, ma, Photo, script, wind
iPhone Apps Design Mistakes: Disregard Of Context
My Clippings November 15th, 2009 by System
Automatically pulled from Google Starred
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The iPhone will always be part of a much bigger picture. How well you address human and environmental factors will greatly determine the success of your product. All too often, iPhone developers create products in isolation from their customers. In order to create really appealing applications, developers must stop focusing only on the mechanisms of the apps. Zoom out: understand the person using the application, as well as the complex environmental factors surrounding that person.
To better understand the context of these design challenges, we’ll highlight several levels of human and environmental factors.
Also consider our related articles:
- iPhone design mistakes: Over-Design
- iPhone App Design Trends
- How to Create Your First iPhone Application
Level 1: You Are Here. To Create An App That Customers Love, Zoom Out
Level 1: The app itself.
This is how many developers view their apps. As a developer, you have a vision of what your product should look like and why customers will turn their attention to it. However, if you observe your product so closely, you may put it in the wrong context and design it for the wrong purposes and for the wrong users. This is why you need to zoom out.
Level 2: A person is using this app.
That person has specific goals and challenges. In the section below we’ll start by exploring some of the most prominent — and most ignored — human factors pertaining to the iPhone. We’ll discuss basic physical ergonomics, visual limitations and common design mistakes.
Level 3: That person is using this app in a specific environment.
Step back and you’ll see that the app is a part of a complex social environment. It plays but a relatively small role in communication between people and helping people accomplish bigger goals. This is where the social components comes into play: networking, community, social-driven websites and applications and many other things create the environment — or the context — in which the application will be used.
Level 4: The environment is part of a greater culture.
Your ability to address the unique needs of different cultures will affect the success of your product. Ignoring them is too expensive, especially if your app sells worldwide. Here it is important to understand that the environment is a part of global networking. You need to be aware of cultural differences, traditions and metaphors in order to create an application that will not only gain popularity in certain local circles, but will also have a global success.
Tags: Apple, blockquote, cli, Extract, Google, Information, IO, ISO, ma, Mac, man, Photo, php, script, video, way, XP
Keep Your Wallpaper Fresh with Cross-Platform Wally [Downloads]
My Clippings November 14th, 2009 by System
Automatically pulled from Google Starred
Windows/Mac/Linux: If you’ve been sporting the same desktop wallpaper since the Bush administration, it might be time to mix it up a little. Wally is a lightweight wallpaper changer that pulls images from a wide pool of sources.
For a simple wallpaper refresh, you can simply point Wally at a folder on your computer and set the interval at which you want the wallpaper to refresh. If you don’t have a huge stash of wallpaper, or you’re tired of your collection, you can have Wally pull pictures from remote directories via FTP or from any of ten available sources like Bing, SmugMug, Picasa, Buzznet, Photobucket, Pike, Panoramio, Yahoo!, or Flickr.
You can adjust various settings like auto-rotation based on EXIF data, photo selection only if photos are bigger than the desktop and/or landscape as well as how frequently the wallpaper will change and how pictures will be positioned.
Wally is freeware and available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Have a favorite wallpaper tool or source for great wallpapers? Let’s hear about it in the comments.
Tags: cli, Google, IO, Linux, ma, Mac, Photo, php, Wallpaper, wind
Simply Butons v2 with Javascript Enhancements
My Clippings November 14th, 2009 by System
Automatically pulled from Google Starred
p51Labs came up with the Simply-Buttons v2. Buttons auto resize itself to fit text. There are 3 states: Inactive, Active, and Hover. They look and behave the same way in every browser and operating system. However, the caveats are the outlines on the buttons, the text is selectable. And These buttons are not mobile friendly.
With Simply-Buttons Javascript component provided, you can solve the caveats above as well. You can easily modify the buttons look and feel. You can do this by creating your own stylesheet. If you like this, you might be interested in Simple Round CSS Buttons or Colorful and Scalable Buttons or Beautiful Scalable CSS Buttons as well.
Requirements: -
Demo: http://www.p51labs.com/simply-buttons-v2/
License: License Free
Related Posts
Sponsors
Pixmac: Stock Photos, Royalty Free Pictures and Images
Tags: blockquote, css, Google, Javascript, ma, Mac, Photo, script, way
40 Free High-Quality WordPress Themes
My Clippings November 12th, 2009 by System
Automatically pulled from Google Starred
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High quality free WordPress Themes have become harder and harder to find in the past year, with the influx of premium themes, more and more designers and developers are selling themes (and rightly so, they do amazing work). However, the quality of freely available themes has improved as well; in fact, some themes are very advanced and professional and can serve as a solid foundation for your next designs.
There are a lot of choices out there for someone wanting to choose a WordPress theme for their blog. But, that aside, the quality is certainly there, and we are sure you will be impressed with this WordPress theme compilation.
You may be interested in the following related posts:
Free High-Quality WordPress Themes
AppCloud Theme
A nice e-commerce WordPress theme with a clean and professional look. Built upon 960.gs, with an integrated slideshow, two layouts (horizontal and vertical) for app/gadget images. The theme also includes sections “Featured products” and “Top Selling” and a categorized products view.
Berita (via ThemeCloset)
Berita is a minimalist corporate theme created for companies to prominently display their logo, but the theme could be used for any type of website. It’s a feature-rich theme with a preview slider on the front page and a robust theme administration page.
Magazeen
Magazeen is a two-column theme released specifically for Smashing Magazine readers. The theme has some subtle enhancements that encourage looking at related and new posts, like a related posts drop-down effect for the category link.
Mainstream Theme (via Wootheme)
You have the option of choosing from five different theme colors with Mainstream. Thumbnails are automatically resided and the sidebar is widgetized.
Rusty Grunge
Rusty Grunge is a simple WordPress theme yet still gives you the “destroyed” look. This theme utilizes a fully-widgetized sidebar and has been downloaded over 28,000 times and is featured as a pre-installed theme on Dreamhost’s default installation of WordPress.
Obscure WordPress Theme
A dark magazine WordPress theme suitable for any site niche; also a good fit for a community-based site.
Paper Wall
Smashing Magazine released the illustrated theme Paper Wall last month. The inspiration behind the Paper Wall theme was a designer’s desk, as designers typically put things on paper. It’s a two-column theme with many elements of paper: paper boards, peeling paper and paper “menus”.
Tags: Build, css, Google, Information, IO, ma, man, Monkey, Photo, php, way, WordPress
25 Slick PSD Website Templates Free for Download
My Clippings November 12th, 2009 by System
Automatically pulled from Google Starred
There are people all over the internet that are willing to give away their work for promotional purposes or because they want to spread their design talent to other people.
For this reason we are lucky enough to have a wide variety of free PSD website templates for your use and enjoyment. I have collected some of the best ones I found from around the web to bring to you, already split up into layers in Photoshop. Enjoy!
1) Design Studio PSD Template
2) Orange PSD Template
3) SanduneBiz PSD Template
4)Cambridge PSD Template
5) Crisp Presentation PSD Template
6) Citrus Square Burst PSD Template
7) Audryhipburn PSD Template
8 ) MyTwoCents Property PSD Template
9) Old Victorian PSD Template
10) Bright Colors Radio PSD Template
11) Blackboard PSD Template
12) Colorful Video PSD Template
13) Shape PSD Template
14) DelliStore PSD Template
15) Midnight Sun PSD Template
16) Environmental PSD Template
17) Smashing Multimedia PSD Template
18 ) Slideshow PSD Template
19) Fresh PSD Template
20) 5 Webdesigns PSD Template
21) 3 Free PSD Template
22) Organic Conference PSD Template
23) Summer of Love PSD Template
24) Herbal Treats PSD Template
25) Solitude PSD Template
About the Author
Tyler Denis is a part-time freelance designer from Ashland, New Hampshire. He is also the creator/writer of the design blog Denis Designs/blog, a website dedicated to bringing quality tutorials and inspiration. You can follow him on Twitter or at his personal site, Denis Designs.
Related Posts
Sponsors
Pixmac: Stock Photos, Royalty Free Pictures and Images
Tags: css, Google, IO, ma, Mac, Photo, php, video, way, WordPress
Getting Started With Content Management Systems
My Clippings November 8th, 2009 by System
Automatically pulled from Google Starred
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The need to update websites faster to keep content fresh has been ever growing. Ever since the first business owner wanted their Web designer to update their website faster, content management systems have played an important role on the Web. Why does this matter to you? How do you know if your company is ready?
In this article, we will look at how to tell if your organization needs a content management system. We will also give you information on the abilities of content management systems to help you better understand what they can do. While content management systems may seem complex, their entire purpose is to streamline your workflow and make your life easier.
A content management system allows you to create, manage, store and edit massive amounts of content without any HTML programming skill. Because you are able to edit your content from any computer with an Internet connection, you no longer have to rely on third-party developers or companies to keep your website up to date. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Every company would like to reduce costs and increase productivity.
Also consider our previous articles:
- 10 Things To Consider When Choosing The Perfect CMS
Goes over what features to look for when choosing a content management system. - 10 Harsh Truths About Corporate Websites
Explains the mistakes we all make when running our websites. The nature of those mistakes varies depending on the size of your company. As your organization grows, the mistakes change. This post addresses common mistakes of large organizations. - Developers Toolbox
Offers tools and resources to help you achieve your goals at a more hands-on level.
1. What Is A Content Management System?
If you have never heard the term before, a content management system (CMS) is a Web-based solution that makes it easy for a company to manage website updates internally. For many companies, updating a website is not something to look forward to because it can be a lengthy and, over time, expensive process. Most companies search for easier means of accomplishing their goals. The solution that many large and small companies have found is a CMS. The easy-to-use application allows your company to control its online identity with little to no knowledge of Web design.
Tags: Apple, Build, cli, CURL, Google, Information, IO, ma, man, Microsoft, module, Photo, php, quick, script, security, ssl, video, way, WordPress, XP
Apple breaks Atom Hackintoshes with upcoming OS X 10.6.2 update
My Clippings November 5th, 2009 by System
Automatically pulled from Google Starred
Filed under: OS Updates, Hardware, Apple
According to OSXDaily, Apple’s next scheduled update to Snow Leopard, OS X 10.6.2, doesn’t support Intel Atom processors. This is no problem for anyone on Apple hardware, because no Mac product runs an Atom. If you’re on a hacked netbook, though, it looks like this is the end of the line for your OS X updates.
Although it’s not confirmed, rumor has it that next update to Apple’s previous Leopard OS (10.5.9) will also knock out Atom support. Until a workaround pops up from netbook hacker circles, Atom machines running 10.6.1 and 10.5.8 should probably avoid upgrading. Is Apple sending a message to users running its software on third-party machines? It seems likely, but it also doesn’t seem like it will do much to stop determined netbook enthusiasts.
Apple breaks Atom Hackintoshes with upcoming OS X 10.6.2 update originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Apple – Operating system – Mac OS X – Intel Atom – Download Squad
Tags: Apple, cli, email, Google, Hackintosh, Inc., IO, Leopard, ma, Mac, man, OSX, Photo, php, Snow Leopard, workaround, XP
20 Useful & Nicely Designed Web Applications
My Clippings November 3rd, 2009 by System
Automatically pulled from Google Starred
We need to be inspired to be in style. All of us are looking to give the website the edge to make it one in a million. We look for the style that allows the website to speak for itself, because a picture is tantamount to a million words. Last but not the least, it is always the first impression that leaves a touch; sometimes it might even metamorph in to first love.
Here we have showing you the top 20 designs that have inspired us; we are sharing the web app designs that have made the difference; we have been eclectic with an esoteric collection.
1) Reinvigorate
A tool to track real time traffic to your web with many features including heat sensing
2) Moodstream
A powerful tool to find you the images, footage or audio you are looking for.
3) Mailchimp
A powerful tools to manage your subscribers list, design HTML email campaigns and track and analyze email campaigns.
4) Blinksale
A very useful and easy to use tool to build and track invoices
5) GoodBarry
A complete tool for ecommerce, email marketing, CRM and analatycs
6) Wufoo
A must have, HTML form builder tool
7) Campaign monitor
Everything a designer needs to manage the subscriber emails
8 ) Kontain
A social media platform to promote your brand
9) Active collab
A powerful project management and collaboration tool
10) Proworkflow
A tool to manage your projects online
11) Aviary
A tool to create logos, webtemplates, filters and more .
12) Basecamp
A webbased project collaboration tool
13) Kuler
Explore, create and share color themes here
14) Emberapp
Best way to share your design inspiration with the world using emberapp
15) Freshbooks
Fastest way to track time and invoice your clients
16) Carbonmade
Easy way to display and manage your portfolio online
17) Notable
Easiest way for teams to provide feedback on websites
18) Evernote
Save your ideas and things you like for free on your desktop
19) Hotelmap
Get connected to each London hotel’s own reservation system
Tags: Build, cli, css, email, Google, Guideline, IO, ma, man, Photo, way, XP
