a copout, more than anything else. perhaps a placeholder, if appropriate, but I really can’t think of an appropriate time for even that. A call to action should describe that action, not the method for executing that action. For example:

“Click here” tells the user what they need to do, but not what the action of clicking will accomplish. I think that it is a safe assumption that if a user has gotten so far as to turn on and log into a computer, open a web browser, and navigate to your page…there is NO need to specify what they need to do with a link. “Click” is the default action, and therefore, to specify it is redundant and un-necessary. “Click here” is non-descript, and therefore, is a sucky call to action.

Linking text that explains what the click will accomplish makes sense.
“Send us your message” as a link is a perfect call to action. It tells the user exactly what the default action they are about to perform on the link will accomplish. It will take an assumed message that has been, or will be, provided…and send it to the owner of the page. Perfect.

So what’s the rule of thumb?
“Don’t Click Here”

maybe I’m spoiled by my past. I’m used to having a department dedicated to thorough QA of every bit of product I produce BEFORE the client can see it. It was a sometimes annoying process, but ultimately, it increased the level of quality in my product. Not just because I was being double checked, but i started to learn what things QA picked up on, so I worked to make sure that they weren’t reminding me of the same thing.

Now, I don’t have that catch. Product that isn’t ready is going straight to the client because they want to review it. I totally understand the need for product to be reviewed by the client, but it needs to be thoroughly internally reviewed first. I’m not proud of my work when it’s rushed, but if it has to be rushed, I need to correct my mistakes from the rush before showing it to the client. More importantly, clients shouldnt bein-progress production. Its only fair to the development team, and more importantly, the client. It’s like showing the paying audience a movie before it’s gone through any post-production. Sure, it’s watchable, but it makes a bad impression and doesnt allow the audience to appropriately meter the quality of the product and the process.

I’m working up my ideal application development flow, first draft (super duper mega rough draft) below.

Den ganzen Beitrag lesen…

a message inspiration from your friends at yo-plait.

It’s nice hearing about other people my age doing great things. Its even nicer hearing about them getting recognition.

I want to do this. I want to make a difference.

I’ve recently (the last few weeks) become obsessed with the idea of co-working. Everything about the concept makes sense to me, from start to finish. I’ve posted on craigslist, seeing if there are interested parties…so I’ll do the same thing here. If you’re in the Philadelphia area, and interested in being a part of the initiative to found a Philadelphia Co-working space, comment here/email me.

lets get together and start the the 2nd revolution in Philadelphia independents. Hopefully this time, we wont need to declare war on the British?

A Linux Users Group at OSU created a 220 foot wide Firefox Logo crop circle.

Is this to say, Linux users are like aliens, firefox users are aliens, aliens use firefox, or linux guys have WAY too much free time?!?

Check out more photos in their photo gallery.

a long weekend left me with quite a lot of work to catch up on.

In the mean time, look at what I got for Ryan for our 2 year anniversary.

it’s tough to see what it actually looks like cuz it’s so damn shiney with the flash, but here’s the product shot.

oh, and this picture was taken on MY anniversary present.

24 hours after posting my memory for sale on craigslist, i sold one of the two chips.

$40 cash in my pocket, taking my 2 gig upgrade from $120 - $80. Who wants to buy the other chip and make this the cheapest 2 gig upgrade ever?

i just made a mess in my pants.

Thanks to Chris Messina, I just became aware of Swift, a project that ports the webkit framework to PC. A quick install gave me the above message on quirksmode’s javascript browser detect page.

Friggin weird, if you ask me.

More to come as to why we were even talking about cross-platform browsers….Just had to get this screen up here!

I’ll admit it…as entertaining as the new Apple commercials are, i don’t think they’re that creative. They go after the same points that Apple and PC have contended against for ages.

Sure, I use an Apple, and I’m really happy about using my Apple, but, i find these commercials by HP WAY more interesting than “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC”.

The only question, is, are these videos produced on a PC, or a Mac?

Mark Cuban

Pharrell

Shaun White

it’s no secret i’m modified.

Ok, maybe if you’ve never met me you wouldnt know just from my writing, but it’s true.

Typically, modified folk (those who are pierced and/or tattood) get alot of flak from “mainstream” culture. Even though it has become more “acceptable” to have visible piercings and tattoos, sometimes, some people view that as an opportunity to push the boundaries of creative expression with newer, more extreme modification.

This is all old news to me. But what I’m impressed by CNN’s relatively positive article on extreme modifications.

I’m also happy to see that Luis Garcia, a local piercer who has worked on both me and my girlfriend, was interviewed for the article. Luis brings a wealth of worldly knowledge and experience to the piercing community, and I’m proud to have him working 1 block from my house.