Apple have quietly removed the original, classic iMac from sale in the US. Launched in 1998 it revived Apple's fortunes and changed product design - especially computers - forever.
I wonder just how many translucent products have their been since then?
I can still remember driving up to Gordon Harwood Computers in Derbyshire and buying one as soon as the shop opened (okay - you can call me sad if you like but it’s nice to own a design classic).
It’ll be sad to see it go, for a brief few years we could actually choose a colour for our computer. Personally I always like the “flower power” model. Now you can have any colour you like as long as its white.
And our “Bondi” iMac? It is still in use having survived minor surgery during last year (a new CD drive) and my daughter - who is the same age as the computer she uses - is very happy playing her ‘educational’ games on it and surfing the net. (Cartoon Network, Barbie, Nick Jr and Polly Pocket being particular favourites).
Meanwhile, the iMac’s original owner (my wife), now has a super-fast “anglepoise” style iMac on which she edits videos and creates web graphics.
Looking to the future…
The next version of OSX codenamed “Panther” is due to be officially announced in June at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco.
I’ll take bets on the next codename – any one for “Ocelot”?
Monday, March 31, 2003
Sunday, March 30, 2003
The Weekend Rant: Professional Development
Okay, it's the weekend and time for a quick rant!
For an industry that considers itself to be professional, the complete lack of professional development, succession planning and technical training in most design companies never ceases to amaze me. (Okay, I admit I might have more than a passing interest in this issue – after all, training is one of the services I provide). Design must be one of the few professions where, after leaving college, an employee is likely to receive no training whatsoever in their working life.
I have a number of architects as clients and they have professional development as a requirement of their profession. I also deal with numerous other types of small businesses who all manage to organize training programmes. Surely design companies cannot be satisfied with employees who have the same level of skill as the local vicar laying out the parish magazine!
With training it cannot be a cost issue as a little training can improve performance drastically. Someone who is proficient with software can easily be 5 to 10 times faster than someone who is just getting by.
More importantly, someone familiar with the software is thinking about the problem to hand and not about how to do something with the software. They also have more options and more confidence to try different solutions. Without that confidence they may reject an excellent solution in favour of one they know they can deliver easily.
Of course, you can argue that small companies do not have HR departments and therefore personal development programmes, training plans and even appraisals are difficult, if not impossible to organise as it usually falls to one or two senior managers/partners to implement.
But I still feel the complete lack of these important aspects of personnel management is at contrast with the rest of the commercial world. I even think there is an argument for teaching designers about layout, typography and even creativity techniques.
Disagree? Email me and let me know!
Something a little less controversial...
Most computers these days adjust their clocks automatically for British Summer Time, but older ones may not. Now is the time to check that clock on your desktop computer, but more importantly, any file or mail servers you have. It is important they are set correctly as back-up systems use the clocks to compare files and email is usually timed according to the server’s clock.
For an industry that considers itself to be professional, the complete lack of professional development, succession planning and technical training in most design companies never ceases to amaze me. (Okay, I admit I might have more than a passing interest in this issue – after all, training is one of the services I provide). Design must be one of the few professions where, after leaving college, an employee is likely to receive no training whatsoever in their working life.
I have a number of architects as clients and they have professional development as a requirement of their profession. I also deal with numerous other types of small businesses who all manage to organize training programmes. Surely design companies cannot be satisfied with employees who have the same level of skill as the local vicar laying out the parish magazine!
With training it cannot be a cost issue as a little training can improve performance drastically. Someone who is proficient with software can easily be 5 to 10 times faster than someone who is just getting by.
More importantly, someone familiar with the software is thinking about the problem to hand and not about how to do something with the software. They also have more options and more confidence to try different solutions. Without that confidence they may reject an excellent solution in favour of one they know they can deliver easily.
Of course, you can argue that small companies do not have HR departments and therefore personal development programmes, training plans and even appraisals are difficult, if not impossible to organise as it usually falls to one or two senior managers/partners to implement.
But I still feel the complete lack of these important aspects of personnel management is at contrast with the rest of the commercial world. I even think there is an argument for teaching designers about layout, typography and even creativity techniques.
Disagree? Email me and let me know!
Something a little less controversial...
Most computers these days adjust their clocks automatically for British Summer Time, but older ones may not. Now is the time to check that clock on your desktop computer, but more importantly, any file or mail servers you have. It is important they are set correctly as back-up systems use the clocks to compare files and email is usually timed according to the server’s clock.
Friday, March 28, 2003
A Look Behind the Search
There is a very good article on the inside story of Google on the excellent Fast Company web site. Arguably one of the most innovative and successful Internet companies, it succeeds by focussing on the needs of the user.
Google currently processes around 150 million searches a day with last year's revenue being somewhere between 60 and 300 million dollars.
Rumour time...
Apple are rumoured to be working on a tablet PC to add to their laptop range. It will have an optional docking facility and will be aimed primarily at the home market. (Which doesn't stop you buying it and using it for business of course!) The laptop is also said to feature Airport Extreme - Apple's new ultra-fast version of its wireless networking system.
Google currently processes around 150 million searches a day with last year's revenue being somewhere between 60 and 300 million dollars.
Rumour time...
Apple are rumoured to be working on a tablet PC to add to their laptop range. It will have an optional docking facility and will be aimed primarily at the home market. (Which doesn't stop you buying it and using it for business of course!) The laptop is also said to feature Airport Extreme - Apple's new ultra-fast version of its wireless networking system.
Thursday, March 27, 2003
No spam here!
Another good reason for a blog is that it isn't spam. According to MessageLabs the volume of spam will exceed normal email by July this year – a frightening thought. With the UK and Europe creating laws against spam and Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL cracking down, the fight goes on.
What's worse than spam? Spam that contains a virus. In the current situation spammers and virus writers are taking advantage of people's curiosity and adding viruses to emails that pretend to offer images or information about the conflict in Iraq.
Now's a good time to check you have anti-virus software in place.
What's worse than spam? Spam that contains a virus. In the current situation spammers and virus writers are taking advantage of people's curiosity and adding viruses to emails that pretend to offer images or information about the conflict in Iraq.
Now's a good time to check you have anti-virus software in place.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Launch of KnightsWood Knews
"blogging" has become very popular over recent months - I thought it important that I found out what it was about and what it could be used for in order to provide additional information for my clients and friends.
So I have started this blog with the intention of publishing links to a variety of news stories and highlighting issues that I consider important to the design and publishing communities, to mac users and those which might herald significant new directions in technology.
I will also be offering my comments and occasional tips and warnings.
So I have started this blog with the intention of publishing links to a variety of news stories and highlighting issues that I consider important to the design and publishing communities, to mac users and those which might herald significant new directions in technology.
I will also be offering my comments and occasional tips and warnings.
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