manage to experience

The future of user interfaces

What's the next dominant UI metaphor?

"Every geek I know shares, to some degree, the notion that the 'desktop' metaphor for computers is outdated. What nobody seems to have a solid opinion on is what would take its place."

What follows is a brief history of the evolution of user interfaces, consideration of "artificially natural" hierarchical file systems, and a look at the significant challenges of migrating to the next UI metaphor.

You want find any answers here, but then this is the kind of problem that can make whoever solves it very rich.

Weeding the garden

Gerry McGovern illuminates a problem I've seen many times: Site owners address their and user needs by adding content, but seldom by removing it. The result: Relevant content becomes hard to find, and customer satisfaction decreases.

McGovern's article shows how the Microsoft Office Online team adopted a data- and customer feedback-driven approach to content management, and improved the overall customer experience. The best part: It's an approach that doesn't require a huge investment, but is the product of smart use of tools that site owners already have.

Flutter, the tongue in cheek approach to nanoblogging

First there was microblogging. And now, nanoblogging. For those who just don't have time to read 140 characters.

Older users drive Facebook traffic growth

MarketingVOX notes Facebook traffic grew 149% in February, with the help of older visitors. This mirrors what I'm seeing on Facebook -- parents and grandparents who join in order to stay connected with younger generations. I would be very curious to know the role that new parents (and their postings of baby pictures) play in driving these visits.

The return of August

I've enjoyed working with the good folks at The Bloom Agency since I joined them late last summer, but as of this week I'm back on my own, working under the August Communication Consultants banner. As agencies go, I can't think of a better place than Bloom to call home. But my heart is in working as a consultant, one-on-one with clients and agencies, and as part of a creative collaborative with talented designers and programmers.