Monthly Archives: March 2009

I helped Adobe quash bugs

Posted on March 31, 2009 | 1 Comment

ok well actually I didn’t as I didn’t even have Flex builder open. I did however act as host for a few other folks to get together at the EUI office to help Adobe Quash Bugs.

This past weekend, a few folks who’d never met got together at the EUI office for some good ol’ fashioned nerd fun. Adobe Seattle held a bug quash, and allowed developers all over the world to help out.

I freely admit I’m not a bug quash level developer, but I am good at hanging out with people I don’t know and (i hope) creating a fun non-sucky environment.

We hung out from 11a – 5p drinking soda, eating pizza (Ordered with Dominoes really cool pizza RIA).

We actually did cause two bugs to be closed, though not through actual code writing. But hey, there’s two less bugs in the bug base because of the efforts of the Denver Bug Quash crew, and me (I mean I bought the pizza and soda)

over all it was fun. I hope Adobe does more of these events. It’s funny to me to see events now from the frame of mind of someone who does events, cuz the bug quash was an example of barely controlled chaos most of the first 3-4 hours. That should be smoother by bug quash 2, assuming there is one, but still, its funny to see non event people do events.

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Posted in 360Conferences, community, eui community, euicommunity

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Close the patent office right now!

Posted on March 25, 2009 | 2 Comments

This AppleInsider post is further proof, that the patent system is 100% flawed.

MONEC Holding Ltd, can rot in hell. I’ve never heard of them, and based on their website I’m guessing they’re nothing more than a patent troll.

Basically, they’re suing Apple (Not Amazon) for hyping the iPod/iPhone as a touch screen eBook reader. Something they patented in 2002. What’s wrong with that? Well in 7 years they’ve got nothing to show, clearly and their patent is clearly as vague as possible.

“dimensions such that [...] approximately one page of a book can be illustrated at normal size, this display being integrated in a flat, frame-like housing.”

“Electronic device, preferably an electronic book.”

Emphasis mine, but really? That’s a patent? “I’ll build something that’s sorta like a book, but maybe a touch screen in some kind of frame, and it’ll display ebooks probably.”

WTF?!

Not only should they not have been awarded a patent in the first place, but I strongly maintain that any patent awarded on vaporware should have a life of no more than 5 years. If you can’t execute your idea in 5 years (Less actually, but 5 is easy to use) move aside and let someone else with the means to innovate take a stab at it.

Our patent process is such an innovation killer! Apple certainly does their fair share of patent craziness, but they actualy, eventually execute on a lot of them. Some they don’t and those should also go back into the pool in 5 years.

Patents are rediculous, I challange anyone to show me a patent that’s done good. That hasn’t stifled innovation, that hasn’t locked out competition, for completely stupid reasons, or isn’t just plain stupid (patenting a click, or a molecule, color, shape, etc)

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Posted in Business, I am a Consumer, Technology

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Denver Come quash Flex SDK Bugs!

Posted on March 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

EffectiveUI is hosting a group of people to get together and quash bugs with Adobe. Adobe is hosting the official effort in Seattle, and opening a connect room for developers all over to participate!

When you register make sure to sign up on the Bug Quash site to get the instructions on setting your computer up for SDK Development.

The bug quash is the 28th of this month! Starting at 10a and going to 5pm. You can RSVP here (it’s free)

Tom and I are buying pizza and soda to keep everyone caffenated and fueled up.

It’s gonna be fun, if you’re in Denver this coming Saturday, come hang out with some incredibly talented developers and help make the Flex SDK even better for all of us. Even if you don’t think you’re a bug quasher, come and hang out with us, and absorb some awesome info. You never know what you can contribute!

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Posted in 360Conferences, Announcements, community, EffectiveUI, Technology, Web Development

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In the Good intentions, bad execution category

Posted on March 17, 2009 | 6 Comments

I was doing my daily RSS feed reading, and came across the Sound Advice Project (careful when you click, mute your speakers). The idea is they take the wave form of a phrase and turn it into a bracelet. Neat.

Except that when the site loads, you’re greated by a nice female voice. I HATE THAT! You don’t know where I’m opening your website, maybe I’m bored in a meeting, maybe at church, maybe I should be working on a homework project, etc. It’s just rude!

Two practices in Web Development irk me, resizing windows and auto play audio. The Web Developers that use either of these practices should be made to watch the entire Golden Girls series start to finish, with only clamatoe to drink.

Stop with the crappy User Experience! I don’t want my browser to resize! Did it ever occur to you I use a modern browser that opens pop ups as a tab? Stop with the audio. put a play button, if I want to be welcomed I’ll click play. That’s unlikely, but it’s my choice, not yours!

Sadly I won’t be buying a cool Sound Advice bracelet. Harsh maybe, but as a consumer the only tool I have to show my displeasure is my wallet, so there it is.

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Posted in I am a Consumer, Random

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