Array Studio Reading List - a list of useful books

Niceforms 1.0 - final version January 31, 2007

Over a year ago I wrote about an excellent script called Niceforms and little fix I wrote (see NiceForms with even nicer select). Now a final version has been released - Niceforms 1.0 which solves a lot of problems from previous version.

I still haven’t had chance to look at the new improvements but it seems that Niceforms now supports keyboard only navigation, scalable buttons, increased browser support, etc.

Unfortunately it still has some of the problems I tried to fix more than a year ago. Granted they tried to fix it, but it still has problems. For example, when you click on a select element if you move over some options and then move out it will immediately close the drop down. On the other hand if you open select element and don’t move over to any options (i.e. click on down arrow), but you move the mouse away from it - the select will remain open, which can again lead to strange effect where you can have a lot of open drop downs.

Perhaps that can be fixed in future versions - or at least I will try to make a patch for it.

If you want to get Niceforms 1.0 you can from author’s site.

Our reading list January 17, 2007

photo by brothercake.

Recently we wanted to experiment with Amazon shops, so we have decided to setup a store with books we would would recommend - essentially our reading list. Books vary from those about web design and web programming to books about running a business (a must for anyone wanting to run their own business or even if you are only freelancing).

I hope you find our book recommendations useful.

We would also like to hear back from you. Have you read a good book that we haven’t included? Let us know and we’ll add it to our list.

6 Web Designer Health Tips January 14, 2007

It is silly to complain about a Web Designer’s job. You sit in your favorite chair with a laptop in your lap or in the office behind your custom made table. However, when you lack inspiration - you’re in trouble. Specially if the deadline is tomorrow morning. That is the time your mind and body overheat. In every possible way.

I have some weird mind flow with deadlines. Even though I have weeks to complete a design, in 90% of cases I work through Sunday night, completely stressed and freaked out with a bunch of cold energy drinks. Don’t even want to talk about how I look next morning.

Here are some health tips based on my experience.

Health tips

• Don’t rely on deadlines. Start soon. If you expect you’ll need 2 hours to complete the project and have a clear vision of what you need to do – do it right away. In most cases, it will take you at least 1 day to polish your creation. If you have 2 weeks, leave the second week for small adjustments. Don’t wait last day to start! It is much better to spend last day playing PES6 with your colleagues.
• Don’t smoke next to your computer. Well, don’t smoke at all! I do, and I’ll start a new blog once I try to quit. If you smoke, don’t smoke next to your PC. When I did that, I stopped counting packs. To be honest, new tip is just born. Don’t smoke while you write your blog entry. Just don’t.
• Change your everyday routine. Go to places you’ve never been before. I read some study regarding F5 neuron syndrome (refresh for non geeks). Anyway, when you are stuck in your every day routine, you refresh only part of your brain which leads you to a sort of depression and inspiration deadlock. So, change your behavior. If you have your 9-5 work, you have 16 hours a day for trips, nature, off topic books, movies, friends, PES6, your loved ones… Combine these the way you like.
• Follow common trends. You don’t need to invent your design. The worst nightmare for Web Designer is to look at empty white sheet for 30 minutes. This is a best way to get stuck. Browse through some successful websites and see what they do. Compare your projects with them and see what is working best. Start from there and everything will go smoother. Even though I don’t visit microsoft.com often, now I do since they did a great job with their new website.
• Use Red Rabbit Technique. If your mental health is in bad shape because of clients, use this technique I explained in one of my previous posts.
• Try to find some personal space. When you work in your office, you are usually disturbed by your colleagues and pulled out of your creative flow. If you are a nervous guy (some say I am, damn it), buy some studio headphones as your #1 office sanctuary. Fill your PC, iPod, iPhone (bless it), or Zune (God forbid) with a music you find inspiring. Off-site solution is working in your home studio (usually part of your room) or wherever it is where you find your peace.